How to Date Japanese Guys
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Anime, J-music, J-fashion, the kawaii cult, and the Land of the Rising Sun--more and more women around the world have an ever-growing interest in Japan. The fascination towards Japanese men comes naturally--either from that cute bishōnen in the latest dorama, a popular singer, or even a manga character. However, when it comes to actually dating one, foreign girls often stumble upon cultural differences between them and the man of their dreams. It is perfectly normal and nothing to be anxious about; these differences might actually strengthen your relationship. Think Yin-Yang as opposed to circle halves--when opposites are brought together, they form a harmonious and indestructible bond, while two identical parts can only be put together loosely.
Anyway, when coming to Japan for a longer period of time, you might want to find someone to be all lovey-dovey with. Don’t let any of those bad relationship stories on the web scare you--there are different kinds of guys in Japan as there are anywhere else. Without further ado, let’s get you started!
Surviving Tokyo with Michael Kors
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It’s a running joke amongst my friends how I literally live out of my bag. I’m proud to say I honestly think I could survive at least three days comfortably barricaded in a janitor’s closet somewhere if the zombie apocalypse triggered a Tokyo quarantine. It would be like the movie This Is The End, only I would be living out of a Michael Kors bag because that’s how a fucking lady does it. Not that I would complain if James Franco were barricaded in there with me. I just hope he wouldn’t have to cut off his arm for our survival and inevitable romance afterward, but if he did, I just hope it would take him less than 127 hours because that’s how much I care.
How to Survive Driving in Japan
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To drive or not to drive. That is the question on the minds of many gaijin (foreigners) in Japan, particularly those who are required by law to get a driver’s license in the country. If you live in urban centers such as Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka, you may not bother learning how to drive because you can always rely on Japan's efficient public transport system to bring you anywhere you want. In fact, even many Japanese locals who live in the big cities do not bother owning cars because not only is it expensive, but it can also be very challenging to get a license. Moreover, traffic in the cities can be horrible at times and side streets are very narrow, making it impossible for large vehicles to pass. But it's a different story if you live in the countryside, as driving your own car often becomes a latent necessity.
Before you decide whether or not you need to get behind the wheel, here are some things that you may want to factor into your decision:
How to Get an STD Test in Japan
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Japan's culture is one forged in various degrees of shame. And that's a damn shame sometimes because it makes getting a quick STD test at your local clinic all the more socially cumbersome and logistically inconvenient. In my home country an AIDS/HIV test was usually "thrown in" with a yearly physical. I didn't even have to explicitly request it. STD testing is so commonplace in the USA that any shame associated with it has long since yielded to pragmatism. Unfortunately for Japan, STD testing still carries a lumbering stigma. I'll never forget the first (and only) time I requested one at my local clinic. The nurse abruptly broke eye contact, lowered her voice, and darted away to fetch a doctor. It was a tad awkward. The clinic a former employer used for their yearly health exams offered STD tests as an option, but lamentably I think that's comparatively rare as my current company's clinic of choice does not. And after my shame-inducing experience when directly requesting one, I hesitated to repeat that approach. An Internet search revealed some Tokyo clinics specializing in STD testing, but by happy chance I found some even more felicitous solutions to getting an STD test in Japan.
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