Kunimasa Hamaoka, who oversees a digital marketing company called Transcosmos, is not a fan of Second Life, the online digital world that is rapidly sweeping across the globe and changing the way we view the internet.
“Japanese aren’t going to take to the culture of Second Life. It’s the kind of place where you can get shot in the back as soon as you log on. There’s total freedom to act in Second Life, which is very American.”
“Almost everything is OK, including evil, he adds.”
Although avatars can’t die in Second Life, they majority of them do carry guns, which is about as authentically Japanese as a Big Mac and large French Fries.
As a result of these distinct cultural differences, Hamaoka was proud to announce the release of Meet-me, Japan’s G-rated answer to Second Life, which will be “orderly, pornography-free and safe for children.”
“This will be a place where people can enjoy themselves with a sense of safety — like Disneyland” said Hamaoka.
In a demonstration to the press, a female avatar wondered around Tokyo’s famous Shibuya district, though the streets were surprisingly empty since Meet-me doesn’t go online until December. Of course, Meet-me is expected to launch in time for Christmas, so the designers are hoping that this year’s popular X-mas gifts will be virtual land, apartments, furniture and clothing.
The visual difference between Meet-me and Second Life were immediately apparent. For instance, the hyper-real avatars of Second Life were revamped to fulfill the Japanese need to be cute – almost Pokemon-esque in appearance, characters in Meet-me have soft childlike faces and anime style haircuts.
As with Second Life, users will be able to fully customize their avatar in a seemingly endless variety of styles. However, the similarities between Second Life and Meet-me stop there.
The day to day operation of Meet-me will be controlled by Transcosmos, who will apply strict law and order to prevent disturbances, profanity and other maladjusted behavior – much like normal Japanese society. Considering that little to none policing and filtering happens in the Second Life world (gambling was only just banned), Meet-me will cater to the Japanese desire for regulated stability and order at the societal level.
Transcosmos will also run Meet-me on Tokyo time, which means that avatars will be on the same time schedule as the Land of the Rising Sun. And unlike Second Life, where avatars and can whisk themselves around at the click of a button, avatars in Meet-me are dependent on public transportation including subways, trains and taxis.
In spite of everyone’s lofty expectations for Meet-me, Linden Labs, the brainchild behind Second Life, is not ready to walk away just yet from the world’s second largest economy. In fact, they recently added increased Japanese-language services to Second Life, and have been trying to target their advertising to the staggering number of computer savvy Japanese.
Truth be told, I’ve never logged on to Second Life as I’m too much of a fan of my first life, though I’ve been told on a number of occasions that I’m missing out. But, seeing as all of my Japanese friends are already pre-ordering Meet-me, perhaps it’s time to finally get onboard.
Which begs the question, “Do you think blue hair and purple eyes is too boring?” Afterall, this is Japan.
While walking home from work the other night, I stumbled across this sign outside a rather posh Mexican restaurant around the corner from my apartment. Mind you, I live in the very snooty (albeit classy) neighborhood of Nakameguro, which is one of the most fashionable addresses you can have in Tokyo.
(Hey Mom – I’m moving up in the world!)
With that said, you can imagine my shock at discovering this crazy racist sign. Although it pretty much speaks for itself, I’ll ere on the side of caution and add a bit of commentary.
Take a moment and draw your eyes to the caricature of the wildly drunken Mexican sporting a Looney Tunes-esque mustache and a bandito costume. Also note the fact that he swigging from a tequila bottle while firing his pistol madly into the air.
I guess political correctness never really caught on over here in Japan.
Anyway, I guess one of the funniest thing about this sign is that the absurd Mexican stereotype actually draws your eyes away from the terrible Eng(r)ish. I mean, who could pass up ’80 KINDS OF MENU, from standard to rare..’
I know I couldn’t, and I must admit that the banana taquitos and the lychee margarita were spot on. On the other hand, the mackerel quesadilla with the white raddish dipping sauce was definitely something of an acquired taste.
And yes, I do realize that all of these menu items are definitely not authentic Mexican dishes, so I wouldn’t waste too much time looking for them at a Taco Bell near you.
To preface what I’m getting at in today’s post, I think it’s important to realize a few fundamental facts about Japan. And of course, although I’m not defending their ignorance towards other races in any way, I do think it’s important to put things in perspective.
For starters, this island nation floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is one of the world’s most homogonous countries. In fact, prior to Commodore Perry sailing his Black Ships into Yokohama in the 19th century, Japan’s doors were essentially closed to the world.
As a result, the Japanese have always been a bit obsessed with the idea of preserving their national identity. Anyone who’s ever studied this country is familiar with the concept of ‘Japaneseness,’ namely that there are unique cultural traits that separate the Japanese from everyone else.
Anyway, the point is that the Japan is anything but a multi-cultural society, which is why they tend to kind of miss the point a lot of times in regards to their understanding other races. In fairness to them however, I’ve always marveled that their racism is more the product of nativity than it is of bigotry.
Still, racism is racism, and signs like this make me stop and think that Japan still has a long way to go. Fortunately, as the younger generations of Japanese become increasingly more outward-looking, there is hope that a little more cultural sensitivity will make its way to the Far East.
In the meantime however, I’ll try to make a point of teaching my students that Mexican culture doesn’t start and stop with Speedy Gonzalez.
“Have you guys checked out that new café on the corner? You know the one I’m talking about. Yeah, the one where the hot girls dress up in maid costumes, bow to your every request and constantly demean themselves for your pleasure.”
Although this snippet of conversation might be out of place in America, it would fit right at home here in the Akihabara district of Tokyo. The official otaku (?????????) or geek capital of Japan, Akihabara is where the world’s first maid cafes appeared back in 2000.
What’s a maid café you ask? Good question.
A maid café or meido-kafe (??????????????????) is a theme restaurant or bar where the staff dresses up in French maid costumes and treats the customers as masters in their own homes. While sipping your café and relaxing with your friends, a beautiful woman in an elegant costume will personally attend to each and every one of your needs.
It gets better.
The standard uniform is an elegant French maid costume, but in Akihabara it’s possible to find several variations on this traditional garb. From elegant silk and lace lingerie to maid outfits augmented with anime-style bunny or cat ears, Akihabara’s maid cafes cater to every conceivable fantasy.
Although exemplary customer service is typical of Japan, maid cafés take special care to pamper patrons beyond belief. When a customer enters the café, the maids typically greet them by saying okaerinasaimasen goshujinsama (お帰りなさいませ、ご主人様), which roughly translates to ‘Welcome home my exalted master!“
It gets even better.
The maids continue to play the role of a house servant, and will do such deferential tasks as kneeling while taking orders, complimenting customers on their drink selections and bowing their head to the floor upon request. In fact, at some of the more upscale maid cafes, you can even have your ears cleaned, your glasses adjusted and your hands and feet massaged for a small fee.
In the last year or so, even more bizarre variations on the maid cafe concept have sprung up in Akihabara. For instance, it’s now possible to find younger sister cafes, where the staff greet customers upon arrival by saying okaeri oniichan (お帰りお兄ちゃん), which roughly translates to ‘Welcome home older brother!”
Although this may sound bizarre to Western ears, relaxing in maid cafes has become something of a staple for the legions of geeks that call Akihabara their home. In fact, in the past few years, maid café culture has spread to other cities in Japan, and a few have even popped up in neighboring Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
Sure, maid cafes are a bit fetishistic, but truth be told, they’re a lot of fun!
I mean hey, everyone needs a little pampering once in awhile, right?
** Special thanks to Flickr users Oimax and Wirbelwind **
There is a house in Tokyo. They call the Rising Sun. It’s been the ruin of many a poor foreigner, and me, o’ God, for one.
If I had listened what Mamma said, I’d ‘a’ been at home today. Being so young and foolish, poor boy, let a pretty Japanese girl lead me astray.
The only thing a drunkard needs is a night out at Gas Panic. The only time he’s satisfied is when he’s out on a drunk.
Fills his shot glasses to the brim, passes them around only pleasure he gets out of life is chasing girls around Tokyo.
Let’s clear something up right off the bat. If you think Japan is all about order, cleanliness, subservience, minimalism and restraint, clearly you’ve never been out in Tokyo on a Friday night.
Although I’m an American (one of the few who has a passport I might add), I consider myself to be fairly well traveled. And, being that I love a good drink from time to time, I make it a point of exploring the night life in virtually every country I visit.
Truth be told, and feel free to disagree with me to your heart’s content, Tokyo’s raging nightlife bests New York City, London, Paris, Hong Kong and just about any other city that I know. Of course, this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, given that 35+ million people working 100+ hours per week need to let out some steam from time to time.
If you ever do find yourself in Tokyo, make a point of stopping by a little place in Roppongi known as ‘Gas Panic.’ I promise you that you’ll never look at Japanese people the same way again.
Gas Panic is one of the most notorious clubs in Tokyo, particularly because it’s a mixing ground for foreigners on the prowl and Japanese ready to give it up. It’s a bastion of cheap liquor, sultry beats, loose women, hungry men and enough dancing space to loosen up the legs as well as the drawers. It also serves as a classic introduction to the dirty underbelly of Japanese culture, which sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from raked pebble gardens and silken kimonos.
Now, I know there are a healthy number of resident foreigners and self-respecting Japanese who won’t go near Roppongi, let alone the den of sin that is Gas Panic. But, I’ve always believed that in order to fully understand a culture, you need to experience its best and its worst.
And, let me tell you – Gas Panic is arguably Japan at its worst.
But of course, a little booze and some casual sex never hurt anyone, which is why Gas Panic has reached the heights of fame amongst those in the know. It’s the kinda place where you can forget your name, forget your identity, forget all about life’s little troubles, and most likely forget most of the night if you don’t go easy on the booze.
Sure, it’s sinful, but a little hedonism never damned anyone…
To reach Gas Panic, take the Hibiya Line to Roppongi or a taxi to Roppongi Crossing. The club is located off of Roppongi-dori just past the Don Quijote department store.
For Peter J. Frank, Editor-in-Chief of Concierge.com, the on-line magazine spin off of Condé Nast Traveler, every day life and travel blend together. Vacations and work look a lot alike. Not that he’s complaining, but as he told Christopher Eliott earlier this year (see article), even trips meant just for fun and dinners out with friends often involve note-taking. Business trips might take him to those places most of us would drool over, but the pace would leave even the most seasoned of us breathless and wondering, now where am I again?
Seriously–as he explained his job, 11 days in the Florida Keys means 10 different hotels. Lucky for us though, Peter translates his notes into travel advice, making sure that Concierge.com’s readers have enough insider information to make the best choices when deciding what’s perfect for them. The August issue took on cruises, for example. A cruise ship by any other name would not smell as sweet.
Since Peter’s been sorting the dazzling from the dud experiences for 14 years now–he also was also an editor at Travel and Leisure, Condé Nast and the travel section of Men’s Journal,—we at Gadling decided he’d be perfect for a Talking Travel sit down. Happily, we were able to snag Peter for an e-mail interview so he could pass on more of his travel tidbits and tales. Enjoy.
You’ve been a travel-writing type guy for awhile. Has travel always been your passion or did you just fall into it?
I’ve always loved traveling, but it wasn’t in my life plan to become a travel editor. I’d studied English in college and wanted to move to New York, so it made sense to get into magazines – and my first job happened to be at a great travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveler. I worked my way up from there.
What was the trip you took that first hooked you into travel? What made it so special? How old were you?
I was about 19 when backpacked around Italy for a week. I had traveled in Europe before, but this was my first solo trip and a great lesson in self-sufficiency: I had to decipher train schedules, talk my way into packed pensiones, order off exotic menus, and so forth. I saw some great cities off the main tourist track: Perugia, Ravello, Verona. I ended up in Venice, where I met my father and stepmother, who had just gotten off a cruise and were staying at the Danieli. My clothes were all filthy from a week’s worth of traveling, so I sent my laundry in–$200 worth. He’s still after me for the money!
Where do you think cutting corners on the cost of a trip is a bad idea? What experiences do you think are worth paying for?
You can definitely save on laundry! I don’t mind splurging on a fabulous hotel or a great restaurant — actually, part of my job is to review places that are expensive, so I can tell our users whether it’s worth their hard-earned dough. But I try to balance out big-money places with less-expensive options, since our readers are also looking for ways to save. Regardless, I think it’s always worth spending money for the opportunity to experience the best of a foreign culture, whether that means eating the best sushi in Tokyo or paying a hefty admission fee to see the treasures of the Louvre, or hiring a guide to explain the intricacies of, say, the temples at Angkor. If you’ve come all that way, it would be a shame to miss out on the highlights for the sake of saving a few bucks.
Photo: Peter, the guy in the middle, has his notebook and pen in hand, not only paying attention to the sumptuous food in front of him, but his dining companions’ as well. (Photo credit: Ruby Washington/The New York Times)
The latest Conceirge.com has a mega section on cruise ships. That’s quite a menu. What do you think are the most important questions a person should ask before making a cruise ship choice?
We did that story, “Cruise 101“, because so many people ask us the difference between one cruise line and another. They don’t really understand what makes, say, Royal Caribbean distinct from Princess, or Sea Dream from Silversea. Unlike a hotel, once you board a cruise ship, you’re pretty much stuck there, so it’s critical to know that the ship you’re choosing is the right one for you. Will you be comfortable in the cabin? Will the other passengers be people like you? Is the emphasis on cultural discovery, or luxurious indulgence, or partying and socializing? Those more “philosophical” questions are just as important as those about price or logistics.
If all a person can afford is that budget cruise to the Bahamas, what can they do to make their experience a stand out?
Temper your expectations. If you’re only paying $500 for a weeklong cruise, and you’re expecting gourmet cuisine and a spacious cabin, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Understand what’s included and what’s not: A lot of cruise lines pile up the extra charges. And focus on why you’re there — to relax, to spend time with your family, to work on your tan — not on all the little things that might go wrong.
From your editorial background, I take it you have an interest in adventure travel. Are there any adventures you think a person should not take? What is an adventure travel experience you’ve had that you talk up to your friends.
It’s crucial to understand what you’re getting into before you go – are you physically up for this? Do you have the right shoes, the right clothes? Finishing a strenuous hike or rafting a whitewater river can be exhilarating, but if you’re blistered or freezing, your misery will outweigh the rewards. And while facing down your fears is important – don’t do something if you’re going to be so terrified that you won’t be able to enjoy it. I went whitewater rafting down in Argentina a few years back, on rapids that were about Class IV — stronger than I’d ever done before. A few people on the trip were scared, but I wasn’t. In fact, the boat flipped and I got flung into the water, and had to float a while before I could get back into the boat. It was scary for a minute, but it was also pretty thrilling – and hilarious.
You’ve a background in fashion editing, as well as, travel. What are your favorite clothes that you like to take on a trip and the must-have items?
I’m a terrible packer, actually. I either bring a ton of stuff and end up wearing only half of it, or I pack too little and end up having to shop for clean socks. Fortunately, most places have gotten casual enough that you can get away with packing nice jeans and a few button-down shirts, rather than having to worry about suits and ties. One thing I always wear is slip-on shoes for the flight. I don’t understand why people insist on wearing sneakers or lace-ups or even boots to the airport, when they know they’re going to have to take them off. I just slip ’em off, slip ’em back on, and I’m outta there.
I saw a YouTube video of you on E News last year talking up the hot, sexy clubs around the world where stars go. Fun piece to watch. It has a breezy feel to it. How did you get involved?
That was based on a story we’d done in our “World’s Sexiest” series – I think it was the “World’s Sexiest Parties,” and it was about clubs and bars that the jet-setters go to. The people at E! saw the story and wanted me to talk about it on camera. The celebrity culture in this country has gotten pretty out of hand, but we do cover that a bit as well. Let’s face it, celebrities are pretty good role models when it comes to travel: They can afford to go wherever they want, so if they like a certain club or restaurant or hotel, odds are it’s a pretty special place.
How much do you get to hang out with hot sexy stars? Is this a perk of your job? Being that I’ve never been in a club with a hot, sexy star, I’m just wondering.
Yeah, right! Actually, the reporter who wrote that story works for Style.com and she actually does hang out with the hot, sexy people — not me. The closest I came to hanging out with a star was when I was staying at the same hotel in Miami as Madonna.
Here’s the YouTube video we’re talking about. There’s great footage of Peter. Personally, I think he’s a TV natural. Check out the stars he mentions and see what a difference a year makes.
What do you enjoying most about editing Concierge.com?
Learning about all phenomenal experiences people can have the world over. I have the fortune of working with some pretty terrific writers, who are able to describe the great adventures and experiences they’ve had in language that’s evocative and inspiring. It’s torture sometimes – since I’ll never be able to do all these things myself – but I enjoy reading about them, and sharing them with our users.
It seems that a big part of your job is to enhance people’s life experiences by enticing them to travel. What’s the best travel adviceConcierge.comhas ever passed onto people?
I think what we do best is collect amazing places and experiences and make them easy for people to learn about. The site is like a catalog of the best things to do and see in the world. That said, we never take a place at face value: We’re not afraid to be critical, and we take pains to explain why a specific hotel is better suited to one type of traveler over another. Just because a place is expensive and luxurious and ranks high on some magazine’s list doesn’t mean it’s the best place for you.
What would be your trip of a lifetime?
I have so many! There are plenty of places I haven’t seen that I feel are critical: Vietnam is at top of that list right now. And there are the destinations that I love returning to again and again, like Rome, Istanbul, Tokyo, [Paris]. It’s a long list that keeps on getting longer!
Here’s the video ” 24 Hours in. . . Paris” from Concierge.com’s video library. It has all of Peter’s favorite places and is a chance to see the City of Love through Peter’s eyes, and probably at his speed.
When Peter does make it to Vietnam, I’m sure his notebook will be overflowing with details. I’ve been to Vietnam five times now, and certainly wouldn’t mind finding another Hanoi hotspot or hidden treasure as the result of Peter’s travels. 24 Hours in. . . Hanoi would be a fine video to see.