2014 FYVE JAPAN CAMP
...starting to get??? That boat sailed a long time ago guys!
Ohhh, don’t say that!!!!!
I’d hate that the Japanese think we’re all like that????? 
We should have sent the Japanese Government a warning about Dylan
They could’ve stopped him at Immigration!!!!!
Ohhh, don’t say that!!!!!
I’d hate that the Japanese think we’re all like that?????
Yeah that would be a real pity. In the end I really think they would judge each individual on their merits and if you treat the country/people you are visiting with respect you hopefully improve a little bit on the poor reputation we seem to have as a whole (this doesn’t just go for Japan).
Australia could learn a lot about drinking from Japan. In a country where alcohol is dirt cheap, very tasty and readily available at every corner you nearly never see a drunken idiot like you so often see back here (drinking and being stupid almost seems like a competition). I’d often roam the streets at night and the only sign of a big night out was a group of jovial men in suits still laughing and singing after a big night of karaoke.
Dan and Dylan haven’t started on the best foot but hopefully a lesson has been learnt and from now on they do us Aussies proud whilst making us all incredibly jealous that they are in that amazing country while we are all stuck at work.
...starting to get??? That boat sailed a long time ago guys!
SO TRUE!
A mate of mine coined the phrase “Perisher with sushi” in a national newspaper article he wrote many years ago.
Well said, Dave!!!!!
A little bit of courtesy and effort, and I’ve found the Japanese just light up like a beacon!!!!!
I remember in Nozawa, goin into the little Coffee Shop at the top of the village, the elderly couple came across quite abrupt when he asked me if I could speak Japanese!!!!!
I told him no, and he said he couldn’t speak English, then he looked back at his computer and kinda ignored us!!!!!
His wife couldn’t speak English either, but we managed to order a couple of coffees, and sat down at the other side of the Irori opposite the old bloke!!!!!
I saw this as a challenge, so I started to try and communicate with him about anything and everything that was in the shop!!!!!
When we left they were both at the door wavin us goodbye!!!!! (Probably glad to get rid of us?????? Hahahaa!!!!!)
But he came out of his shell, and it kinda made both our days a whole lot better, I’d like to think!!!!!
...starting to get??? That boat sailed a long time ago guys!
SO TRUE!
A mate of mine coined the phrase “Perisher with sushi” in a national newspaper article he wrote many years ago.
I believe that was in reference to Niseko though wasn’t it? (I’m not having a go at Niseko guys, remember my next Japan trip is probably going to be Hokkaido including Niseko)
I think it all depends on where you go and how you carry yourself. My last trip to Myoko I pretty much didn’t have any lengthy conversations in English for a week and didn’t come across more than a handful of Aussies the entire 7 nights I was there (met some on my last night) it was really a quiet (too quiet for some) Japanese town. In contrast the day I arrived in Nozawa after Myoko it was a culture shock which took me a couple of days to get used to. Suddenly there was loud westerners everywhere and I found it a little claustrophobic. Then an even further example was the tour bus from Hakuba that brought in people for the Fire Festival that was down right embarrassing.
Having said that though Aussies doesn’t automatically = bad. I made friends with with 3 amazing Aussie guys who had more Japan experience than me and were really classy and respectful and were a pleasure to socialise and ride with for the remainder of the week.
Well said, Dave!!!!!
A little bit of courtesy and effort, and I’ve found the Japanese just light up like a beacon!!!!!
I remember in Nozawa, goin into the little Coffee Shop at the top of the village
Great story mate and sounds very familiar! Something similar happened to me in Piss Alley with an old guy who I thought was ignoring me (turns out he was just bloody deaf!) after some of the locals in the place organised me a seat we all started chatting including the old bloke and before you know it we’re comparing golf scores and I’m getting bonus freebie side dishes and taking selfies together.
My parents made a point of visiting the same guy on their trip to Japan and had a similar great experience.
You’ve probably had the same experience Miz where the Japanese get very excited when you mention you’re from Australia (being mixed race they don’t always pick me straight away) so many of them seem to have made it to Brisbane for some reason but I didn’t get the impression our reputation was beyond saving!
...starting to get??? That boat sailed a long time ago guys!
SO TRUE!
A mate of mine coined the phrase “Perisher with sushi” in a national newspaper article he wrote many years ago.
I believe that was in reference to Niseko though wasn’t it?
Yeah mate, Niseko.
Their glory days ended over a decade ago, and Aussies are mainly responsible.
(turns out he was just bloody deaf!)
Yeah, I made a point of takin a zip lock bag of Aussie Coins over last time, and when I was in Sapporo for the ice festival, I handed them out to heaps of Japanese kids!!!!!
As soon as the parents saw that it was Australian, they were very excited, and extremely grateful!!!!! (Thank god, cause I wasn’t 100% sure what the reaction was gonna be like, when a strange man is givin gifts to their kids) Although I did ask/talk/direct my attention mainly to the parents for that very reason!!!!!
Also went out to dinner with a couple that we had met near Susukino, after asking directions to a good ramen shop!!!!! He was nearly goin to pay for our meal as well????? I made sure that I got the bill!!!!! We’ve been in contact via email since we’ve returned home!!!!!
Mate, there are heaps of good Aussies in and around Niseko!!!!!
And you only have to go into Kutchan or even Annupuri to find Japanese that can’t speak English, yet are very friendly and welcoming!!!!!
The Niseko Myth is only spread by those people that like to think that they were the Pioneers of Japanese Snow Travel, and use the old “Been There, Done That” to try and bolster their argument!!!!!
Like what happened with Dyldo and Dan, if ya go to a place that is aimed/themed in a Western Style (which there are a couple in Niseko), then you will come across the same elements that entice them back at home!!!!!
To,be honest I have no idea why the guy wanted to fight me. I hadn’t even spoken to him at all. I apologized in Japanese which seemed to settle him down and then I left. The guy that hit Dylan was a white guy. Neither of us was that pissed. Just a case of wrong place and wrong time. Definitely want to come back knowing more of the language.
Wrong place!!!!! 
cya guys in 20 days BOOM
Harro guys 
I’ve only glanced at the last couple of comments, ill go back and read once ive got time.
As dan said, wrong place wrong time (and American assholes), Haven’t had any other problems.
Having an absolute blast, just today i did the national science meseum, the ueno zoo, alot of ueno its self, asasuka, the sky tree & more.
Last day in tokyo tomorrow, probably go and stay near narita tomorrow night to avoid catastrophy Thursday morning.
