Trying to Look Like a Local

So it is official, Susie and Jess are finally here. They are two friends from my days at OSU and AIU. I met them in Osaka on Friday night after a slight delay. It is always great to see some faces from home, especially ones that are excited to learn as much as they can about the Japanese culture. So Friday evening we went to Namba and after being lost in an area full of skanky snacks we made it to a nice izakaya.

Saturday we trekked out to Universal Studios Japan. It was great because I haven't been artificially entertained like that in ages. I have to find my own fun around this Hagi area, but this place is built so all you have to do it walk through the gates and they will entertain you. Through out the American themed park there are various shows going on as well as rides. We rode ET which was very cute. It took you through ET's planet while riding bikes. I must say, it is a very pleasant place, indeed, full of bright flowers. Imagine OZ minus the munchkins but plus many ETs. Then we road Spiderman which was my favorite ride. You put on your 3D glasses and are taken through his world. When you encounter various villians (such as a man made of fire and water) they spit water at you and heat you up. 3D is an amazing technology that had me screaming in my seat. I usually don't fall for such artificial hoaxes, but it got me. Then we went on a few more rides, last being Jurassic Park in the rain. Jess really enjoyed it and Susie and I tried to avoid being soaked. That night we met up with my friend Kon-chan from Fukuoka (who coincidentally happened to be in Osaka that night). So we went for dinner then to an American bar. I attempted to explain the going out culture in Japan (how people don't really go to bars to mingle with strangers) but it is hard to take in when you are used to things a certain way.

The next day we went to Shinsaibashi which is a really hip shopping area. We walked around the basement of Daimaru, the girls WOWed at the price of produce. Then we shopped around the Loft and took pericura and played the taiko arcade game. Quite a full afternoon. After a lunch of Osaka okonomiyaki we met up with Aiko (daughter of my pottery teacher) and spent the rest of the day with her. She is such a cool chick who listens to punk music, works for a really good band and has lots of guy friends. I wish she was around here, or I lived in Osaka so we could hang out tons. She took us to a cool vintage shop then helped us pick out some J-pop. After that we went to a venue to hear some music. There was a gig going on that included 7 bands. Many of them were heavy metal-ish, but Aiko's band Lymram was sweet and what Japanese call 'mix' music. It was quite heavy but included piano and a DJ, they were really good. So during the concert we hung out with the band members (who were really cool) and Aiko's two other dude friends called Kaz (same name). It was great hanging out with Japanese guys, that doesn't often happen. Usually friends stick with the same sex. We went for donburi then back to the show.

The next day we headed to Osakajo (the castle) which was over-rated in my opinion. But luckily we stumbled upon a happi festival (that is why I love Japan), so the girls got to see some traditional dancing. After a walk through a big croquet tournament we made it to the castle which is gorgeous from the outside but inside is a museum. The artifacts aren't too impressive, I feel in terms of artifacts, Hagi Museum is better. After that we went for dim sum for lunch (my favorite chinese meal) then I headed home and the girls went to Kyoto. They will come to Yamaguchi on Wednesday and I am quite excited to show them my little world.

Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!