Humorous Sexual-theme park of sculptures: Art for the 18 and older crowd

by Jamie Rhein on

“Jeju Loveland is a place where the imagination can run wild!” is one of the descriptors used on the Web site of this unusual tourist attraction on Jeju Island in South Korea.

I’ll say.

Also called Love Land, the sculptures on exhibit here were created by artists who graduated from Hongik University in Seoul in order to break sexual taboos-to give folks in South Korea the okay to have a chuckle. A twitter or two. A guffaw, if you will. Folks in South Korea, according to what I’ve read about Jeju Loveland, are a bit prudish. The park is one area that is changing that.

After an hour of viewing the 140 sculptures –some of them with interactive features –all with a sexual content including depictions of sexual positions, I can’t imagine that someone wouldn’t loosen up a tad.

Recognizing that a gigantic stone phallus, for example, might not be appropriate art for Junior, there is a play area for kids so parents can have fun too. While the kids are occupied elsewhere, parents get some adult time.

As a person who enjoys outdoor sculpture gardens from an artistic standpoint, of any subject, this would be an interesting place to go just for the artistic expression. You know, just to see what the artists have created with their own take on the subject of sex. You know, just for the art. Really.

For a personal account–not mine, another person’s–of going to the sculpture park, click here. You’ll see how pictures do indeed speak a thousand words.







Check out the other sexy mavens of the travel world!


Show Us that Betel Nut Smile

by Josh Lew on

While a coffee or cigarette habit might leave a stain on your teeth, that dull yellow hue is nothing compared to the effect of the betel nut. The juice produced while chewing this mild stimulant can lead to red, or even black, teeth. As a result, most urban young people in East and South Asia refrain from the age-old habit, opting for vices like smoking which do not do so much damage to outward appearances until later in life. But for older people and some country-folk, the tradition of chewing continues.

But what does betel nut (also called areca nut) do for you? Aside from having important symbolism in many cultures (it is often used at weddings as a sign of love and longevity), it provides a buzz similar to drinking an espresso. Though the nut, which is often chewed wrapped in a betel leaf, is natural, it has been linked to cancer in several medical studies.

With the sheer number of pictures of betel nut chewers smiling, one might think that perhaps the health risks and tooth discoloration are worth it. Though the U.S. has tried to control the import of betel with heavy taxes, it is still available in many Asian grocery stores.

Big in Japan: So, you want to learn Japanese…

by Matthew Firestone on

The best way to learn Japanese, at least according to the old joke, is to be born in Japan, to have Japanese parents, to go to Japanese Kindergarten…

(You get the idea!)

For the rest of us however, the only way of wrapping of our minds around the linguistic enigma that is Japanese is to spend years and years slaving away over complex characters, grueling grammar patterns and formal phrases that seem to defy all manners of sensible logic.

But seriously, it really isn’t that bad, and even if you never fully master Japanese, at least you can look cool ordering sushi in front of all of your envious friends!

On that note, this week’s Big in Japan is devoted to unraveling the mysteries of ???????? (nihongo, Japanese).

While we’re certainly not promising that you’ll be able to learn Japanese in just a few clicks of the mouse, at least you’ll get a good sense of how it is that you can draw meaning from all of those crazy scribbles.

So, without further adieu, let’s start with the basics (^O^)>??????????

Here is the good news:

Unlike Mandarin or Cantonese, which have distinct tones that are often incomprehensible to Westerners, Japanese is more or less monotone, and actually has the same phonemes as Italian and Spanish. As a result, Japanese is extremely easy to pronounce, has a relatively small sound inventory, and generally has much shorter sentences than English.

Japanese vocabulary has also been heavily influenced by loan words from other languages. For over a period of 1,500 years, Japanese borrowed extensively from Chinese, though since the 19th century, English has been supplying long lists of new words. In fact, novice speakers of Japanese are pleasantly surprised to learn that they already know a fair bit of the language.

Here is the bad news:

Japanese is distinguished by a complex system of honorifics that reflects the hierarchical nature of Japanese society. This means that specific verb forms and vocabulary indicate the relative status of the speaker and the listener. Needless to say, this inherent complexity is ripe with potential pitfalls for non-native speakers, especally since you can offend your listener and call into question their social status just by mixing up a single word.

And of course, no mention of Japanese would be complete without paying tribute to its masochistic system of writing, which is comprised of no less than three different sets of scripts – four if you include the Latin alphabet, rōmaji (ローマ字). The fact that most Japanese people can’t fully comprehend a newspaper until high school is proof enough that written Japanese is, quite frankly, a bitch to learn.

The Japanese language is written with a combination of three different types of scripts: traditional Chinese characters or kanji (漢字 / かんじ),and two syllabic scripts known as hiragana (平仮名 / ひらがな) and katakana (片仮名 / カタカナ). So, if you thought learning your ABCs was difficult, consider for a moment that both hiragana and katakana have around 50 unique characters each, and there are quite literally thousands and thousands of kanji to memorize.

Still want to learn how to speak 日本語? Sure you do!

Tune in on Wednesday for tips on how to crash course Japanese…

** All images are courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **

Big in Japan: 5 ways to spice up your Cup Noodles

by Matthew Firestone on

I love ramen.

For some, it’s the heady aroma and subtle flavor of a finely aged cheese. For others, it’s the enticing sizzle and juicy goodness of a T-bone steak.

For me, it’s gotta be ramen, nature’s most perfect food.

Now, while there really is no substitute for handmade ramen noodles floating in zen-like harmony in a steaming bowl of rich and creamy miso broth, sometimes you have to settle for Cup Noodles.

An old standby that’s as cheap as it is nourishing, Cup Noodles can be enjoyed beyond your college years, especially if you know how to spice it up. On that note, if you’re an aspiring gourmand, or you’re just too poor to treat yourself to a proper meal, then today’s posting is for you.

Here are 5 ways to make a real meal out of Cup Noodles:

5) Seafood Bisque Here in Japan, the latest craze is to add steaming hot milk to seafood flavored Cup Noodles, which makes a hearty cream soup that is surprisingly filling. This is a great way to stretch your budget as milk fills the belly much better than mere water. And, if you close your eyes and savor the aroma, you can almost convince yourself that you’re dining on seafood bisque in an expensive restaurant somewhere by the sea.

Keep reading as the list goes on…

4) Curry Noodles While Cup Noodles around the world come in a variety of flavors, in North America it can be difficult to find one beyond your standard chicken, beef and shrimp. Fret not however as all it takes is a bit of curry powder, turmeric and some garam masala to really spice up your standard Cup Noodles. If you can handle the heat, some crushed red pepper really takes things up a notch.

3) Kimchi Stew While real ramen is something akin to fresh, handmade pasta, Cup Noodles often tastes stale and processed. However, you can get some much-needed fiber in your diet by simply adding kimchi to your noodles. This spicy Korean cabbage soaks up oils and softens in water, and gives you the feeling that you’re actually eating something healthy for a change.

2) Vietnamese Pho Processed ramen lacks the delicacy of rice noodles, though a squirt of lime, a dash of plum sauce and some fresh chili peppers can really mask the chemical flavors in Cup Noodles. To really liven this dish up, add some thin slices of beef, preferably tender cuts of sirloin or filet. And of course, top it all off with raw bean sprouts, Asian basil and perhaps some rocket or arugula.

1) Hot Chocolate Ramen I know, I know. This sounds completely gross and entirely inedible, but I can assure you that it’s delicious if made properly. Instead of adding the spice packet to your Cup Noodles, add a similar amount of hot chocolate or sweetened cocoa powder, and top it off with hot and foamy milk. The result is a steaming cup of chocolate soup that strangely satisfies the urge for both something salty and something sweet.

Have any tips for spicing up Cup Noodles? Leave a comment, and show off your culinary skills!

** All images are courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **

Big in Japan: 5 things I wish I had known before moving to Japan

by Matthew Firestone on

When you spend your days writing about Japan, it is sometimes really hard not to turn into a complete and total fanboy. Truth be told, Japan is an awesome, awesome place, and we bloggers love to write about all the weird, wacky and wonderful things that happen over here in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Of course, it’s important not to view Japan through sakura-tinted glasses, especially since the country can at times be an extremely difficult and frustrating place to live. Indeed, the prospect of assimilating into one of the world’s most homogenous societies is a difficult task (to say the least!).

We all do make mistakes from time to time, though there are certain ones that we would rather not repeat. On that note, today’s post is about the 5 things I wish had known before moving to Japan:

– You cannot get rich by teaching English in Japan.

Unless you’ve been working a menial job back home, you will be surprised by how low the teaching salaries are here in Japan. Yes, there are high-paying jobs out there if you know where to find them. And yes, the cost of living here is lower than in most major cities in North America and Europe. However, the English teaching market in Japan is saturated, and when supply outstrips demand, salaries are quick to suffer.

Keep reading as the list goes on…

If you’re planning to move to Japan at some point in the near future, or if you’ve already arrived, and are in the midst of trying to figure it all out, then this installment of Big in Japan is for you…

– Good teaching jobs require good teaching credentials.

There is a common misconception out there that if you can speak English reasonably well, then you can teach English reasonably well. Sadly, this statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Admittedly, the vast majority of foreign English teachers in Japan have never taken an education class in their lives. However, it is difficult to land a high paying teaching job unless you’ve got a good resume to show potential employers.

– Guesthouses are great for travelling, not for living.

I love backpacking as much as the next person, and guesthouses are great places to meet new people, enjoy communal living and save money on rent. However, lack of space, poor hygiene and cramped living conditions can quickly take a toll on your health and sanity, especially if you’re working long hours. While a good number of foreigners in Japan do live in guesthouses, it’s worth getting a real apartment if you have the cash to spare.

– Japanese is much more difficult to learn than you think.

Even if you speak passable Spanish or French, don’t underestimate the time and energy it takes to learn proper Japanese. True, it doesn’t take long to master the basics, and most foreigners in Japan are comfortable rattling off a good number of key phrases. However, to truly penetrate the core of the language, which will be instrumental in your understanding of Japanese culture, you need to be prepared for a strenuous, up-hill battle. With that said, it’s totally worth the effort as the Japanese language really is as beautiful as it looks and sounds.

And finally…

– You will not be the only foreigner living in Japan.

While Japan may have closed its doors to foreigners for centuries, today there are parts of Tokyo that are as cosmopolitan as New York or London. Indeed, foreigners are becoming an increasingly common sight here in Japan, especially since the country is internationalizing at an astonishing rate. If you want to be immersed in Japanese culture and language, consider living outside the capital, particularly somewhere in the countryside. If you do settle in Tokyo, try to make a concerted effort to have both Japanese and foreign friends, which will really enhance your time here.

One last thing: I really love Japan, and I will confess that I do indulge in a bit of fanboy-ism on this blog from time to time. However, if you’re considering a move to Japan at some point in the near future, or if you’ve recently stepped off the plane and are unsure of what’s going on around you, then please consider taking some of my advice to heart.

For all of you long-timers out there, is there anything else you wish you knew before moving to Japan? Feel free to leave a comment and share your wisdom with the rest of us (^_^)