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Japan has a women’s volleyball team strong enough that it ranks in the top 10 of the world. Because of this it stages tournament after tournament at great expense in Japan and transmits them live during primetime evening hours?

In the last year, Japan has held numerous volleyball tournaments and failed in each one. This still hasn’t stopped their enthusiasm for the game.

Watching a game of volleyball is unique. The length of time has been greatly reduced with the new rules
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It must be very intimidating for Japan’s opponents. Thousands of fans crowd inside a massive indoor stadium beating large cylindrical balloons together and screaming, “Nippon!” with all their might.

In one game Japan were losing. I watched a popular singer greeting the crowd from his microphone deep in the audience and cry out, “It’s our last chance to win the International Volleyball Championship for 4 years.” He had a manic conviction, nay desperation in his eyes.

“Don’t worry,” I replied, “the World Volleyball Championship is on in Tokyo next month. I’m sure you’ll get over it.”

This is a picture of the Futon Daiko festival in Nakamozu. In this the participants carry a heavy wooden float into a shrine, up a large set of steps and then parade around and rock the float as if it were a ship in stormy waters.

It’s a very exuberant festival. Lots of noise, a constant bang from the drum inside and as a finale, the man on top of the float throws paper pieces into the air. I expect this is to pray for a good harvest.

Because the float is so heavy (not to mention the weight of the people inside) the participants have to change pretty rapidly. Between breaks they douse themselves in water to cool down.

It`s highly entertaining to watch.

Today is the Harvest Moon where people in Japan drink sake and read haiku (5-7-5) they’ve composed under the moonlight.

I on the other hand stayed at home, drank a beer and came up with this:

September full moon
Summertime has now ended
About bloody time

Any other offerings?

Learning Japanese is a long and arduous task but there are ways of learning the language an easier way. Especially when living in Japan.

Teach kids. If you can choose between teaching children and adults, choose children. They are doing the same thing you are - learning the basics of a foreign language. I’ve learned tons of words from repeatedly teaching words in English and hearing the Japanese equivalent from them.

Listen to Japanese music. Just listening will help.

Watch Japanese TV variety shows. These shows have the annoying yet highly useful habit of displaying large cartoony Japanese of what they are saying as they are saying them. It’s a really good way to learn kanji.

Watch the learn English TV shows and repeat the explanations of the barbarian’s English into beautiful Japanese.

Get a non-English speaking Japanese girlfriend/boyfriend and speak only Japanese with him/her. You’re young. You’re in love. Language doesn’t matter.

Get Japanese friends. Take up a hobby and join a group - Taiko drumming, indoor football or karate.

Jeff over at Sushicam has a great post on reverse culture shock.

He is on holiday in America and has some startling observations:

Where are all the vending machines?

Were people in service type positions always this apathetic, or has Japan spoiled me?

[There are] Clothing stores where: A) the clothes fit me, and B) I can afford them.

I haven`t been able to get back to England since I`ve come here though I managed trips to Hong Kong and Shanghai. I could tell the difference in the quality of service. The change is something I`m looking forward too.

I went to see the mighty Hanshin Tigers baseball team on Friday. They’d won all of their last 10 games and were top of their league.

Naturally I was there and they lost.

We were in the best seats I have ever been in. Right in the home run zone in the noisy section close up with the season ticket holders and most devoted fans.

It was noisy, it was sweaty and it was incredibly fun.

The goal of the people in that area is not to watch the game it seeems but to chant each player’s song. This usually goes like, “Hit it hard [plus player's name!] The fans whack miniature bats together as they shout. This creates an amazing atmosphere.

They don’t seem to be that interested in the game itself but shouting it and following along with the designated cheer leaders (above)who help synchronize the cries of thousands of people at far ends of the stadium into one. At that distance, you can`t really follow along with what`s happening anyway.

I love going to Koshien Stadiumand even though they lost, it was such a good time.

As I wrote this in my notebook, I was sitting in the Kirin Plaza in the heart of Shinsaibashi enjoying a very satisfying ale on the bottom floor.

Japan is a very lager orientated country and it’s very hard to find an ale that isn’t a Guinness and the Plaza has a few.

The Kirin Plaza is going to close soon and it’s a shame. They do a well priced all-you-can-drink 2 hour session where you can try a variety of beers. Even though you can’t taste the difference after the first 2 or 3.

I’m writing this all as the place will be shutting soon and it gave me some very fond nights. If you’re in Osaka, be sure to check out the place before it closes around October.

Anpanman, the superhero made out of pastry has fallen on hard times.

With blockbuster heroes such as the Hulk and Spiderman in his place, the out-of-work has-been has nothing to do but sit outside amusement arcades with his pet Lilo watching the world go by.

A sorry sight indeed.