Anybody living in Japan?

Hey; I'm studying Japanese in college and it would be great to have someone to talk to in Japanese. We're still learning Kana so I'm a beginner really. But anyway if anybody would like to help post here or PM me or something.

Greetings All -
Well...... if we are going to get serious about capturing the autumn foliage in Nikko, we better start looking at dates and travel plans ney? I'll be in Los Angeles and Honolulu at the end of this month getting back on 4 November and 10 -14 November I'll be in Singapore. Other than that my availability looks pretty good. I am also up for Kyoto.
Anyone up for the big 18 October Samurai Omatsuri in Tateyama? I'll be going for sure if weather report is favorable.
Here are two photos from last year's Tateyama Omatsuri:

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Hi, again. Just 2 more weeks and we'll be leaving for Kansai and on to Kyoto. Need some photographic related translation help. Although we'll be with a kankoo for 11 days, I'm frantically learning some "tourist" nihongo for our one free day before the kankoo starts and some "small talk" for our 4 day trip to Hokkaido after the kankoo ends.

So the two phrases I need in nihongo are:

1) Can I take pictures in the temple/museum?

2) Can I take your picture?

Also, since aginomoto gives me a headache: Do you use aginomoto?

Arigatoo gozaimasu.

oaktree wrote in post #8795923
Hi, again. Just 2 more weeks and we'll be leaving for Kansai and on to Kyoto. Need some photographic related translation help. Although we'll be with a kankoo for 11 days, I'm frantically learning some "tourist" nihongo for our one free day before the kankoo starts and some "small talk" for our 4 day trip to Hokkaido after the kankoo ends.
So the two phrases I need in nihongo are:
1) Can I take pictures in the temple/museum?
2) Can I take your picture?
Also, since aginomoto gives me a headache: Do you use aginomoto?
Arigatoo gozaimasu.

Hey Oaktree, bet you're getting excited. Did you decide on the lens-setup? Really don't want you to stress out on Hokkaido when you spot a beastie and your 70-200x1.4 is all the reach you've got. You could always bring some lightweight binoculars, and simply enjoy that part of your holiday, but capture the other parts with the smaller lenses, leaving the 70-200 at home....

As to the Japanese language....err, I wouldn't really worry about it. The language is really tough for short trippers, mainly because if you say anything in Japanese, you'll get a reply so long, polite, and convoluted, that your head will spin. Just bring a phrase book that you can point at.


btw, just asked my (Japanese) wife what "aginomoto" is, as I've never heard of it....what is it? Do you mean "ajinomoto"?

Greetings Oaktree -
Ajinomoto (monosodium glutinate) not in use as much as in previous years, but if you have an allergy or health concern it is important to avoid.. If you get a phrase book, that will help.
Sha Shin Toe Tey Mo E (pronunced like the letter "e" ) De Sue Ka? = May I take (your) a picture? Most museums/temples will post photography restrictions - sometimes no flash, sometimes no photos. Agree with Simon and... you will be surprised at how many folks here can speak English! Wish we could get together to shoot some photographs. Fall is probably the best time in Jaopan (IMHO) for photographs. Crisp weather, fall foliage and good light.
Cheers,
John

Arigato!

Made changes in my kit since while in Hokkaido will probably only visit with my friend's family and temple in Mombetsu for 2 days and stay one night in a resort on Lake Saroma. Probably will not go to Shiretoko Peninsula to "hunt" bear. So I'll be traveling very light with the 5D2, 24-105/4, 50/1.4 and a 270EX as my "pop up" for fill flash.

Piecing together words from Berlitz phrase book, how about: Tabemono ni ajinomoto ga arimasu desu ka? I may have the particles (ni and ga) screwed up

My wife and I are really getting excited. Since she can speak about 100 times more Nihongo that I can, she is very relaxed about it while I'm frantically trying to learn as much as I can.

I missed so many messages here. Sorry for that.
I had a really bad stiff neck and could not move at all for so many days. Even now it hurts and can not even lift my office purse Camera is far heavier than that

Ryan,
I do not want to discourage you but the facts here about IT are pretty bad.
Getting an IT job is getting very very difficult. The bar for Japanese level is risen much much higher (being bilingual is great) and they want all skills in the world in one person.
About teaching jobs, yes everybody now wants to learn English so that would be a good option to check. see this web site for some heads up http://www.ohayosensei​.com/

Also you may want to check those parttime jobs, they call here baito. Though finding one is little difficult if you do not know any Japanese as all jobs are posted in Japanese.

John, photos are just great!! Really sorry but I think I can not make it for Nikko. My neck and shoulder are just not allowing me to hold anything. I can home that by end of month I am fine. And we can shoot some other places.

Ok I am going to Utah, Provo for office work on this month end. ANy information about that place would be great. I just dont have much time for photos though

If what you mentioned in tateyama - is at sekigahara - I will be there.

Here is the link (in Japanese): http://www2.city.tatey​ama.chiba.jp/Guide/?tp​cid=53&stoid=3583
There is a downloadable PDF file (2) with pictures, time schedules and maps.
I can meet you there, anytime, I plan to go about 11am, have lunch and watch preparations. I live 40 minutes away.
John

Well, tomorrow is the festival and assume most of you are unable to make it, so I'll drink your beers and shoot your pictures...Ha! Ha!
I'll check my GMail before I go and once here before getting on the train.
Cheers,
John

It was a long day!

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

john-in-japan wrote in post #8843746
It was a long day!

Wow John!!! Is that the same kid from your picture in post #752?
It certainly was a long day!!!!

Greetings - You can see the rest of the series at: http://kamogawa.smugmu​g.com/
Now... what about foliage? I am going to Kyoto, even if I make it just a day trip.
Cheers,
John

Unfortunately, I couldn't make it, as I was held up by a samurai raiding party in Sekigahara...

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Nice shots (pun intended).
Keep us posted on foilage and I'll be sure to come on over for it.
I'll post a few more shots on Smugmug this week.
John