Fun with Japanese : Polite “No!” vs Formal “Yes!”

Today, my campus seem more lively than usual since today is the opening ceremony for all new students enrolling new academic year. It was only few days ago when I came to campus where there was graduation ceremony being held. I can say that what my friend told to me about celebration for entering university which is bigger than graduate celebration is absolutely true. Many freshman come with their family with happy face and much spirit since they have already started their new journey to achieve their dreams. I was a little bit surprised when see freshman attending opening ceremony with formal suit. I was wondering what kind of opening ceremony that they had so they should dress very formally.

Rather than trying to seek for the answer, I just easily say “it is Japanese, don’t be surprised”. I should really not to think it over again why they dress very formally, because Japanese always try being polite. They have already trained to behave politely on their life. Dress formally and behave politely, that is Japanese. Do I like these Japanese styles? I will say “Yes!” for dress formally, but “No!” for behave politely.

For having stay in Japan for more than six months, I sometimes feel crazy about this kind of Japanese life which full of social norms, and maybe many foreigners have same opinion with me. That is why I say “No!” for polite behavior of Japanese. Moreover, actually it also drag me crazy in studying Japanese language (^.^)”, since there are differences between formal and informal Japanese language. It really makes study Japanese become harder, which means harder to communicate, harder to make friends and harder to live. Nevertheless, how much annoying Japanese polite life is, there will be no experiences and self learning if I do not try to adapt with that kind of life. So, how much hard it is to fit with Japanese polite life style, I always try my best to adapt with it, even though sometimes I break the boundary of politeness. I say that it could be a big mistake in same cases if you break it, but lucky me that Japanese people whom I know always has exceptions for foreigner like me when I cross the rules.

Although I give red mark for polite Japanese life style, I do an opposite side for Japanese formal dress style. The only reason is because Japanese people do really look cool when they dress formally. I do like seeing Japanese students with their school uniform, which I can say it looks very formal compare to school uniform in Indonesia. Honestly say, I want to have one. Even though I do not know whether I will also look cool with japanese school uniform, since I am not Japanese and not as young as school students anymore.(￣^￣)ゞ

Kyoto

Kyoto Tower

Kyoto is particularly ancient city of Japan. There are a lot of historical temple and shrine in this city. To travel around Kyoto, the best way is by buying one day bus ticket. With only ¥500, you can use bus unlimitedly to travel around Kyoto. The most famous temple in Kyoto is Kinkakuji or known as Golden Pavilion temple. The unique part of this temple is because its pavilion covered with pure gold leaf. Other than Kinkakuji Tample, other popular temples that was on my list during my travel in Kyoto are Kiyomizudaera, Ginkakuji and Tenryouji. Each temple has its own uniqueness which very attractive to be seen. Moreover, each temple also has beautiful garden which surrounding it. If you eager to know about the history of each temple, english guide is available on some sites. I also visited fox shrine called as Fushimi Inari shrine.

Kiyomizudaera Tample at Night during Hanatoro

Kinkakuji

The ultimate torii gate in Fushimi Inari Shrine

Beside having many historical sites, Kyoto also has beautiful natural scenery. One beautiful place that I visited was Arashiyama, which famous for its bamboo grove and Togetsukyo bridge. This place really brought me to very different atmosphere with the ancient atmosphere that I got during visiting some temples and shrines.

Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama

For travelers who seek for food, Kyoto is famous for its green tea. You can tasted green tea in different type of mix, such as ice cream, candy or chocolate. Moreover, if you are looking for food street market, Nishiki market is the biggest one in Kyoto. You better to come to this place with empty stomach and get ready to eat as many as Japanese food you want. I guarantee that you will be satisfied.

Food ad Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market

When the night come, Kyoto offer different thing to you. The popular nigh street in Kyoto is Gion, which famous as Kyoto’s Geisya district. Moreover, in certain months, Kyoto also has special event called as Hanatōro. During this event, some special area in Kyoto is light up with lamp and lantern. I went to Kyoto in March, and I was able to see Hanatoro in Higashiyama district. It was really beautiful.

Lantern light during Hanatoro in Higashiyama

Lightened street on Higashiyama during Hanatoro

Winter

It is already March now, and winter in Japan has already over and turns into spring. The official holiday for spring equinox day will be the day after tomorrow (March 20th). So, It is the time to give report about the winter stuff.^.^”

Even though it was very cold during the winter, still, I experienced many great things during my first winter that I ever had. This winter, I went to Nagano to play ski with other Indonesian students. It was very hard to learn ski, but thanks to my friends that I successfully learned how to play ski from them. At the time when I have already be able to slide and stop perfectly, ski is turn to be very fun sport to play. I want to try it again if I have the chance.

For people in Tokyo, snowing in the winter is not a common thing. Every winter, the snow may fall only for two or three times in Tokyo. In the area near my dormitory, the snow felt three times this winter, and it felt once in January (the small one) and February. The snow remain exist only couples of day. For most people in Tokyo, It may great to see snow to fall. But, when you have something to do during hard snowing, you may will say the opposite thing about snow. It was very tough to walk in the outside when thick snow are everywhere.