The company I work for is a subsidary of a Japanese company, therefore we have a lot of Japanese guys in the office. There are actually two at the desk next to me talking in Japanese at the moment. I have no idea what they are saying. Some of them wear the masks when they get sick to prevent spreading their germs (like stated above several times).

As far as seeing them in business suits late at night, I believe it is part of their culture. I'm of the opinion work is their #1 priority, followed by hanging out with people from work, then followed by family. This isn't always the case as the ones with kids seem to go home after work. They do always work later though because they have to communicate with co-workers in Japan.

Thats my .02. Wish I could go to Japan to check it out.

 

yep you guys are right, drinking after work is soo embedded in their business/social culture. they had a special term for it, but you can go drink with your boss after work and say how much you hate your job while you're drunk, and your boss will more than likely overlook it the next day. they really emphasize tight knit groups.


seems liek you got back safely hamlet! next time you go, there are volunteer tour guides around the city. all you have to do is contact them through email, and pay for their travel/food expenses while they show you around.

 

That's pretty awesome!!!!

Because in Japan, I'd be like...
Where are all the S2000's, Supra's, and Skyline's??? haha..

 

typical gaijin.

 

 

^^ I second that... FTL.

 

wow. we have been graced by the ever so illusive seung.

 

Wow. Someone saw Mr.Baseball with Tom Selleck...

 

[QUOTE=jcjt,Apr 7 2009, 03:22 AM]what the hell are you talking about?

 

okonomiyaki was decent. Not amazing, but edible. Except for the mystery meat they called "beef" but was like spicy jello.

Overall I'm glad I went. I don't plan on going back. At least not to Osaka. The city and the area around it is SO industrial. I spent 5 years in NYC and it felt like a prison the whole time I was there. Osaka was everything I hated about NYC, but magnified because of the language barrier.

It was only a 2 day business trip - so I didn't really have enough time to explore fully but after 2 days I was desperate to get home. Perhaps if the trip was planned as a vacation from the beginning it would have been more pleasurable (though I doubt it, considering Osaka doesn't seem like a vacation destination to me.. I'm more a french riviera kind of guy).

Overall, interesting experience that I'm glad is over. Just flying into LAX, the view around southern cali is so much greener and lush.

And I just ate the best double double EVER!