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Her: “We met on Tinder a couple of days ago and we decided to meet in real life today. He seems like a nice guy. I’m an exchange student from France and he said he used to be an exchange student in Switzerland. So maybe we have lots to talk about. He also promised toContinue reading
“Is it wrong for a middle-aged man to dress this way? I’ve always wanted to cosplay. I love all things ‘kawaii’ (cute). So when this anime, called PriPara (プリパラ short for Prism Paradise), came out, I told myself let’s do it. Of course I get dirty looks everywhere I go. But who cares? It’s onlyContinue reading
“We’re all from Bangladesh. We came here to study Japanese so we can find a good job and hopefully a better life. It’s so hectic here. When we’re not studying, our waking hours are spent on part-time work delivering packages. Absolutely no time for girls or any kind of love life. Life’s seldom fair butContinue reading
“What’s this I’m wearing? It’s my take on East meets West fashion. I’m an Economics major but I really want to be a model or at least work in the apparel industry. Do you think I can become one?” このファッシオン？これは和服と洋服の組み合わせです。今は大学生で経済学部ですけど将来は本当にモデルになりたい。それかアパレル企業で働きたい。モデルになれると思う？
“I’m from Hong Kong. It’s crazy there right now. At least things got a little better after the election last month. But I’m not sure what’s going to happen. That’s why I’m here on vacation. I needed a break from all the madness. By the way, this crêpe is great.”香港出身です。向こうは大変なんです。まぁ今はマシになったけど。選挙のおかげで。ただどうなるかわかりません。だから旅行で日本に来ているの。逃げたかったわ。ちなみにこのクレープやばいよ！
“I’ve had run-ins with the law and even the yakuza (Japanese mafia). But my renegade days are behind me now. And when I do fight, I don’t use my fists. I use only words. It’s more effective. These days I’m a school counselor. But today I’m a dancer. I dance every weekend. Right now I’mContinue reading
Today in Tokyo street fashion 今日のストリートファッション
A Londoner in Tokyo
“Care for some gelato?” ジェラトいかがでしょうか？ — What’s in it? 何が入ってる？ “Honey-berries but it’s called Haskap in Japan.” ハニーベリーだけど日本ではハスカップと言う
Him: “We’ve been dating for two years now. We met in high school. But she’s one year ahead of me so she’s already in university while I’m still finishing my senior year. What do I like about her? I don’t know. We just hit it off from the get-go. We were both doing kendo andContinue reading
“I was a typical Japanese man until I was 43, when I had a stroke. I could have died. So that really changed my perspective on how to live my life. I started to appreciate the little things in life more, like a clear blue sky, for example. I learned how to say good morningContinue reading
“I have these mood swings. One minute I’m full of energy and the next I’m radio silent. People say I tend to overthink things, which makes it hard for me to form relationships. I do trust people. I just don’t open up that easily. But I’m working on it. I even met someone lately andContinue reading
“It’s amazing how few social connections we are away from each other. I once met these doctors who showed me pictures of their now grown-up children. I realized the photos were taken at the exact same place where my husband had traveled to many years ago in India. I suddenly remembered the story of howContinue reading
“He’s very shy. He won’t even let me take his picture with my phone, let alone a stranger. But his older sister’s not camera shy. Actually, she’s inside this building, auditioning for a TV commercial role as we speak. We’re from India and I’ve been living in Japan for 13 years. Both of my kidsContinue reading
“I wasn’t very serious in life. That’s why I’m desperately making up for it now. I’ve been here since 1989 and it’s only five years ago that I finally opened this restaurant. I’m from Nepal. I learned about Japan when my uncle got captured by Japanese soldiers during the war. You see, we got involvedContinue reading
“I wasn’t allowed to go out at night after school or work. My parents were always worried about my safety. I’d go straight home while my friends were out having fun. OK maybe there were a few exceptions. But only when I asked for a special permission in advance. However, I don’t blame my parents.Continue reading
“I used to suck at fighting and was no good at sports when I was a kid. I was this quiet boy who’d hide behind his older sister. But my dad, who was a judo practitioner, he encouraged me to learn kendo in elementary school. From there I moved on to judo, and eventually wrestlingContinue reading
“I proposed to her the day I was diagnosed with leukemia, which is a blood cancer. The doctor in Japan told me to get on the next flight back to America because I would need a genetic match if I needed a transplant. When I tearfully shared the news with her, she said, ‘OK. I’mContinue reading
“I applied for refugee status because my life is in danger in Bangladesh. But I still have to wait for 8 months to a year to get final confirmation. If I get denied then I can always appeal. I fled after receiving death threats for being an atheist. And three of my friends have alreadyContinue reading
“We’ve been best friends and travel buddies since at least five years ago. But she left and I remained. And now we’re having a reunion. I just got a job offer at a consulting firm. I think they hired me because I’m from South Africa, where Japanese businesses are expanding. At least that was myContinue reading
