Lost In Translation

[Musashi898]

Just out of curiousity if anyone has watched the movie Lost in Translation, Has anyone had that sort of experience in Japan?

[Pan-Chan]

I've seen the movie, and I liked it. Unfortunately I havn't been to Japan, though. Not YET at least.

[JSchmidt]

Lost in Translation is not about Japan...it just happens to be the location for the story.
It's about 2 people being lonely in a foreign country/culture. Japan merely provided a convenient setting for it.

Jakob

[Musashi898]

Well yeh i did guess that lol, the question was merely asking has anyone had that experience in Japan

[ShinKenshi]

After living in Tokyo for 12 years and having watched Lost in Translation, I can tell you that the events that happened to the characters actually does happen more often than you think. Not quite to the same lengths that they go to but still pretty close. The movie was actually based on someone's experience in Japan (forget who but I think it was the person who either wrote it, produced it, or directed it). I agree that it's not about Japan and that it is more about being immersed in a completely foreign culture. I experienced some of this but not nearly to the same extent since I'm Korean and can blend in with the rest of the crowd. My mom on the other hand, who is caucasian, saw more of this and after watching the movie, she felt that it was a good representation of what a foreigner feels while staying Japan. Yes, American celebrities do get asked to make a lot of strange commercials (Leo DiCaprio was in a car commercial that consisted of him saying "GO! Wagon R!" and speaking in Japanese, Charlotte Church singing "Pie Jesu" while holding a CG globe of the Earth in her hands and a commentator talking about some sort of organization I couldn't figure out).

[hyuna]

I did not have the specific experiences that the characters in the movie did when I was in Tokyo. Too bad, it would have made it a much nicer stay .

Still, I thought the movie captured very well the feeling of alienation and discomfort that I had the whole time that I was there.

I'm Korean as well, so while I blended in, I actually felt more uncomfortable because of it. People looking at me would have different expectations of me that I could not live up to.

[Musashi898]

Yeh i love the movie, i hope it happens to me in Kyoto next year, but maybe not lol

[ShinKenshi]

You probably won't get the awkward situations that Bill Murray was in when he was dealing with that director or anything like that. You'll probably feel more like Scarlet Johannsen, being filled with wonder at all things Japanese, especially since you'll be in Kyoto. Trust me, you'll never feel more immersed in traditional Japanese culture than you will be in Kyoto.

[Musashi898]

Yeh i got a new brochure in today from a travel agents, they have a holiday package called "The Samurai Experience", ooh im so lookin forward 2 going

[ChaShu]

Although not identical (and I'm sure that no experiences are), I've had similar cultural/emotional experiences when I was living in Spain. I'm visibly Oriental, which is not uncommon in Madrid or Barcelona, but quite uncommon in Pamplona, which is s city of about 150K to 200K. It was odd when kids would look at me with an amazed look on their faces. It was also interesting to note the look on some peoples' faces when I spoke, as I spoke Castilian quite fluently. The feeling of isolation lasted a few weeks into the experience, but abated when I moved in with some folks whol I now consider friends. It helps when you have poeple who can guide you along.

I have to admit the same feeling when I visited Barcelona for the first time after a few months living in Pamplona. It was made quite different though being able to speak the lingo while other tourists of the same ethnic background (or of different backgrounds but unable to communicate) were having trouble getting around. Alone in a big city (or small city) foreign to you is quite the experience though, and I would recommend it to everyone. As a note, Barcelona was fun the second time around with my wife along. :D

[Neil Gendzwill]

Yeh i love the movie, i hope it happens to me in Kyoto next year, but maybe not lol
You hope to be tempted to cheat on your spouse with a person whom you have absolutely nothing in common with besides a common language and being adrift & lonely in a foreign country? (and the chorus of guys in the room: "if she looks like Scarlett Johannson, hell yeah!")

Great film, BTW.

[KhawMengLee]

[Akiko Monou (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0598419/)/P Chan is damn cute...tho' her role in Stereo Future is much better. She's also in Samurai Fiction.

[nodachi]

I can see how people can easily fall into the situation that the two main characters in the movie did, however, it is really easy to try and not fall into that scenario. The girl did try and join an ikebana (i think) club, but she didn't seem to into it. She should have looked for something different. Bill Murray just bummed around and didn't really do much of anything. If you go to a foreign country and don't make the effort to do things and make friends and join clubs, you are gonna hit the same crappy experience as those characters. You need to take the iniative to make it a good experience. I loved Japan and didn't have a sense of alienation because I found kendo and through that good friends and I didn't feel alone. Bill Murray's character totally blew a chance for a neat experience. The girl tried, but wasn't too successful.

Granted, I do know that there are other factors that pushed them in the directions and crappy moods that the characters had. The girl's husband was crappy and didn't care about her. Bill Murray had a strained relationship, granted I can see how it could get that way if he was doing lots of international commercials and was gone from home more than he was actually there.

So I do understand the other influences to their situation that didn't really make them happy to explore the country, but they didn't try hard enough to find some joy in being where they were. You have to make the most of a tough situation. They didn't.

That's my 2 cents... I loved the movie, it came out shortly after I came home and reminded me of all the little quirks that other people watching it missed, like Bill Murray sitting on the bed in slippers that only covered half his foot, and just little things like that that you can only really enjoy if you have seen it or experienced yourself.

[Nokori 3byo]

Despite being a long-term resident of Japan, I've only been to Tokyo a half dozen times. Every time I go there, I feel that time is compressed. There's so much ground to cover that a day is over in a flash. IMHO, the experience improves dramatically if you have a Tokyo resident (Japanese or otherwise) with you to show you around and guide you to some of the grotty little hovels in back alleys ("This place serves the best Monja in Kanto...etc"). This is where you experience the gritty, non-sanitized side of urban life in Japan--though wherever you go, you're likely to be quite safe.

Getting back to the question, my experiences in Tokyo were nothing like either Bill Murray's or Scarlett Johnasen's because a) I am neither a dissolute Hollywood star or an aimless upper-middle class sophitikitten, and b) I don't have the connections needed to stay in a 5 star hotel for a week and mull over my existential crises, numerous though they admittedly are.

One more thing, if you're only in Japan for a week, don't spend the whole time in Tokyo. A week just doesn't do it justice.

[kendogrl7]

yea keep in mind that Bill's charcter is in a "Mid Life Crisis" moment and so is Scarlett Johannson character is also confused about her life. Being in japan and the feeling of being a strange and lonley envirment just give these feeling more intensity.

[Andou]

Despite being a long-term resident of Japan, I've only been to Tokyo a half dozen times. Every time I go there, I feel that time is compressed. There's so much ground to cover that a day is over in a flash. IMHO, the experience improves dramatically if you have a Tokyo resident (Japanese or otherwise) with you to show you around and guide you to some of the grotty little hovels in back alleys ("This place serves the best Monja in Kanto...etc"). This is where you experience the gritty, non-sanitized side of urban life in Japan--though wherever you go, you're likely to be quite safe.

Getting back to the question, my experiences in Tokyo were nothing like either Bill Murray's or Scarlett Johnasen's because a) I am neither a dissolute Hollywood star or an aimless upper-middle class sophitikitten, and b) I don't have the connections needed to stay in a 5 star hotel for a week and mull over my existential crises, numerous though they admittedly are.

One more thing, if you're only in Japan for a week, don't spend the whole time in Tokyo. A week just doesn't do it justice.

Bill Murray+Scarlett Johansen's characters= ownt. Anyway, I agree with you. There are many places in Japan that I'd rather be than Tokyo. Well...I'll be there sometime within the 15-25. I'll also be visiting Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya. If I take any pictures I'll be sure to post em on the forum.

[Musashi898]

Just checked a the prices in the brochure this morning £2,500+ *clump*, i wonder how much the flights are and then i will stay at a Ryukan or a youth hsotel, hmmm choices choices lol

[Anjin-san]

if you wait until mumeishi 3's there's normally a return ticket for the highest bidder. Since no one knows about it it usually goes for the region of £400-£500.

[ShinKenshi]

The plane ticket does cost a lot and your average ryokan might be a bit pricey too but then again, a lot of things in Japan are pricey. My suggestion is to try to find someone you know over there and ask if you can visit for a while. Otherwise, if your dad takes business trips and at some point has to go to Japan, you could maybe see if you could go with him. That might take care of a place to stay at the very least. If that doesn't work, then the next best bet would be to try contacting a dojo over there and see if someone over there would be wiling to host you. That's asking a lot so don't get your hopes up but if you do try this, be very very polite about it as you are asking a group of complete strangers to spare their time and energy. Just a few thoughts.

Oh, and that samurai tour? You could very well make your own tour if you research the places you want to visit ahead of time. I'm sure there's a few residents of Japan on the forum that you could ask.

[Musashi898]

I know one girl over there but she's in Washington at the minute, i'll find out when shes goin back to Kyoto, she offered me to stay in her apartment, so hopefully, just keep saving money.

[ShinKenshi]

That's perfect. What better place than Kyoto? :). Yeah, you've got plenty of time to save up money for a trip so don't sweat it. Just live by the word "frugal" until you're ready to go.

[Musashi898]

:-), yep a whole year, whats wiv visas? i heard someone mention i needed one, i might hav a look for a job while im over in Kyoto

[ShinKenshi]

Better to ask someone at the Japanese embassy or someone who's in charge of issuing visas for British citizens.

[hyuna]

fwiw, the sense of alienation i felt had nothing to do with not being with friends or trying to get out and do stuff. neither did i have a bad experience. nevertheless, the feeling of alienation was very strong.

personally, if i am somewhere as different in terms of language, culture, etc from the US as JP and i do not feel any sense of being "out of place" then i think that i must not really be experiencing the place. how can anywhere that is different in any significant way feel familiar and comfortable? how depressing it would be if the expectations i get from the one-dimensional view of other cultures delivered by TV, movies, restaurants, etc were correct. indeed, i would say that some sense of being off balance in this way comforts me that i am exploring new ground and it contributes to my sense of having a "good time," despite some temporary discomfort.

incidentally, it is not anywhere as interesting as barcelona, but once in a mall in raleigh, north carolina, a young child pointed at me and yelled "look mommy! a chinese man!" (and i'm not even chinese...).

[nodachi]

:-), yep a whole year, whats wiv visas? i heard someone mention i needed one, i might hav a look for a job while im over in Kyoto

Talking to your local consulate is good advice, although I will mention a few quick things from personal experience and that I have heard from others. Of course you need to check through your consulate if these apply to you since different countries have different regulations.

Some people go to Japan on a 3 month long tourist visa. If they wish to stay longer, they leave the country and return. This doesn't have to be an expensive thing to do. Some people take a boat to Korea or plane to random other nearby Asian country you want to visit, spend a couple days, although some would just take the boat there and take the immediate next one back, and re-enter the country with a new tourist visa for 3 months. Haven't done this myself, but rumor has it that it works, or at least it works for if you have a tourist visa, and need to leave and return to the country in order to change the status of your visa from tourist to "specialist in human services" visa, the ones eikaiwa people get, sorry if that is not perfectly correct, but it is something goofy sounding like that. Just one example though.

Or get some sort of cultural studies visa. I don't know what is required to officially get this sort of visa, but if you aren't working, and you aren't on a student visa (ie. going to Japanese school or study program) there are some obscure sounding visas along the lines of cultural studies. Figure out what it takes to get one of them, and you can have a year long visa.

I would advise you to be very careful about your finances and the type of visa you are able to apply for though. Some forbid you from working, so if you don't bring along enough money/have enough in your bank account or from family to send to you, you are gonna be in trouble.

Obviously, I don't have the full story, but these may give you some leads. And contact your consulate, the best advice anyone has given so far... pardon me for repeating it...

[Musashi898]

Thanks for the advise

[Andou]

That and...although the vending machines are so damn convenient...resist...the...ice...coffee...at all costs. I could easily blow 2500 yen on drinking because of all the walking that we do in Japan.

[tanueirin]

If I may ask a quick question of people who've lived in Japan?

I'm thinking of going to Japan with a group of friends next February, and I'll be the only Asian person in a group of 9 very white Australians. I've heard that some Japanese tend to look down on non-Japanese Asians and am a little concerned about this.

The Japanese people that I've met through kendo and in other countries have all been lovely, but it does take a special kind of person to uproot themselves and come and live in another, totally different culture for an extended period of time. And I'm female, so will this count as two strikes against me? Will I be treated differently and have to "armour" up?

On the up-side, I suppose it's only three weeks so if it doesn't kill me, it can only make me stronger. Much like kendo :)

[Nokori 3byo]

If I may ask a quick question of people who've lived in Japan?

I'm thinking of going to Japan with a group of friends next February, and I'll be the only Asian person in a group of 9 very white Australians. I've heard that some Japanese tend to look down on non-Japanese Asians and am a little concerned about this.

The Japanese people that I've met through kendo and in other countries have all been lovely, but it does take a special kind of person to uproot themselves and come and live in another, totally different culture for an extended period of time. And I'm female, so will this count as two strikes against me? Will I be treated differently and have to "armour" up?

On the up-side, I suppose it's only three weeks so if it doesn't kill me, it can only make me stronger. Much like kendo :)

I think you're unlikely to have any trouble in the time that you're over here. Discrimination against non-Japanese asians (and "asian" as the Japanese use it always means "non-Japanese asian") certainly exists, but would only really be of consequence if you were say a Filipino, Thai, or Korean looking for decent work or long-term residency. And yes, racism is alive and well in Japan, but I haven't seen much evidence of what I would call "hard racism." In other words, while people are quite open about voicing preconceptions about foreigners, it's almost never in an aggressive way. Lastly, I think anyone you talk to will be pleased to see you taking an interest in Japanese culture. So plan your trip well and have a great time.

[tanueirin]

Thanks mate! I'm looking forward to it :) Going to hit the slopes at Niseko in early February - might see you there!

[ShinKenshi]

If I may ask a quick question of people who've lived in Japan?

I'm thinking of going to Japan with a group of friends next February, and I'll be the only Asian person in a group of 9 very white Australians. I've heard that some Japanese tend to look down on non-Japanese Asians and am a little concerned about this.

The Japanese people that I've met through kendo and in other countries have all been lovely, but it does take a special kind of person to uproot themselves and come and live in another, totally different culture for an extended period of time. And I'm female, so will this count as two strikes against me? Will I be treated differently and have to "armour" up?

On the up-side, I suppose it's only three weeks so if it doesn't kill me, it can only make me stronger. Much like kendo :)

You won't have problems, trust me. I'm Korean and during the whole 12 years I lived there, I just blended in seamlessly and people constantly thought I was Japanese and sometimes other Koreans thought I was Japanese (mostly because I don't speak a single word of Korean). That being said, my Dad who's Chinese and my brother who's half Chinese and half white (long story, don't ask) also blended in and my Dad doesn't even speak a word of Japanese.

What I'm saying is that no one is going to stop you on the street and start throwing racial slurs at you (unless they're drunk of course but then it's more likely to be sexist comments more than anything) but you'll be travelling with a bunch of white people so that's intimidating to jerks like that. All in all, you won't have a single thing to worry about. The only thing I could recommend is that since you're a female, that you travel with at least one friend, especially at night. Racism you won't have to worry about (and yes, I agree that it is still prevalent) but harassment you might have to watch out for. bottom line, you'll love it in Japan and I wish I could go back again.

[Lloromannic]

Back on the movie: I think it was very good, but most Bill Murray films are, The Life Aquatic is one of my favourite movies. I also liked the soundtrack very very much It may be the only time most people hear The Jesus and Mary Chain.

[Musashi898]

yeh i loved the Lost in Translation soundtrack, matter of fact im listenin to it right now lol. Yhe Bill Murray is a brilliant actor.

[Trey]

Hehe I wonder what Kyoto is like....


sorry for the completely random comment. XD Lol

[Musashi898]

i think Kyoto will be similar to the scene that you see in Lost in Translation

[ShinKenshi]

Not quite. You'll get the same sense of being in a totally foreign culture but not the feeling of being a little dot in the middle of a sprawling metropolis. Kyoto is the old capital of Japan and you'll find more cultural sights with the tallest buildings being temples. No skyscrapers anywhere. So yes, a similar feeling but a completely different setting.

[piggy]

my aunt used to live in japan but she later moved to colorado. i wish i could've gone to japan while she was there...

shinkenshi, about your signature, ouch...

[ShinKenshi]

shinkenshi, about your signature, ouch...Lol, yeah. I'm actually not in that pic at all, just found it somewhere but still looks pretty painful. Hopefully he didn't miss.

[Lloromannic]

Lol, yeah. I'm actually not in that pic at all, just found it somewhere but still looks pretty painful. Hopefully he didn't miss.

I believe it is the back cover of the fabled first issue of Kendo World Magazine