FOREIGNERS IN JAPAN
Mood:  quizzical
Topic: "Have you ever..."


I believe that there's quite a few foreigners who have come to Japan to explore this amazing world and to some extent, HIDE!

Here's the scenario: you're walking along a busy street, dodging the elderly, small yapper type dogs and the rest of the human traffic who aren't watching where they are going. Suddenly, amongst the sea of faces some 50 meters away, you see a face that could possibly have come from your home town. You see them, they see you...and then the drama builds. You've already made up your mind that you're going to say HELLO at the very least and now your moment to put that gesture out there is only 10 meters away.

But what's happening? They're getting ready to borrow from a chapter of THE BIG BOOK OF P**S OFF VIBES, that's what's happening! Just as you reach the point of no return and attempt to establish eye contact, the would-be comrade executes their well rehearsed technique:

A perfectly timed glance at their shoes, followed by the flawless upward tilt of the head, finished beautifully with what's known as the THOUSAND YARD STARE straight ahead...

Nice one. No rebuttal there, that was perfect!

Sure, I don't say hi to every second person on the street in my hometown, but here, its a TAD different!

And look, greeting another gaijin on the street isnt going to spoil your BIG MAN ON CAMPUS fantasy too much is it? Hey, sorry, I know in your stories to friends and family you paint the picture that you're the only foreigner here and it would suck if your story went like this:

"So like, IM walking down the street in Japan right? And Im, taller than everyone and then this other foreigner comes along, I freak out because Im socially inept and I scurry away"

So there you go. Do you find sanctuary with foreigners or are you the sort of person who will proceed to the next train car because a foreigner was occupying the one you were about to get on?

Teaching English in Japan - with a difference!
All English Tree lessons make use of a cutting edge multi media approach to engage student imagination and fill the learning process with excitement. Each lesson is augmented by a number of audio and visual aids made possible by our unique computer-assisted lesson format. English Tree lessons strive to deliver course material in a format that keeps student interest and involvement at peak levels. We are confident that with one sample of our innovative lesson format, chock full of educational games, audio, graphic art and animated effects, your perception of what a learning experience can be will be forever changed.

Welcome to Lifestyles Central Japan
We are proud to present the latest English Tree venture. A place we want you to call home. A place you can find out about what's going on in Central Japan. A place with information about daily living, recreation, the latest in entertainment, news, travel and so much more. And a place where you can find shops and services that have the English speaking support that can make your shopping experience a joy instead of a trial. It's simple to use and you can see right away whether a place has an English Speaker Available or is a customer of our English Speaker Supported Service Centre.

Let's take a look at some of the places you'll rely on for Shopping Business Portal: We are determined to promote as many foreign and Japanese owned businesses as we can whilst maintaining the integrity of the Lifestyles Central Japan (LCJ). So you won't get bombarded with unwanted advertising and annoying pop-ups but can access shopping information when you need it. This also means you will have access to an unrivalled amount of information about shops, products and services in the central Japan area. Not only do we provide the shops contact details and type of service but also easy to understand instructions on how to get there, information and photographs detailing the stores services and products, special printable coupons that can be used in the stores and most importantly the level of English speaker support each shop can provide. When searching our business portal, look for the English Speaker Available and English Speaker Supported logos on each of the businesses listed. What's more, each of the businesses who carry either (or both) of the English Tree marks will have the corresponding decals displayed at the entrance to their business, making it easy for you to identify the business level of English speaker support. Here's what's in store for you when you click on Entertainment Local bands, upcoming performance artists, theatre, events, the best places for your nightlife and much more is what you'll find in our entertainment section. If it's hot, then more than likely you'll find it on our website. Have an opinion, review or entertainment hotspot you would like explored? Let's us know as we aim to make this about the people of central Japan.

Do you like exploring your surroundings? Click on Travel If you like to travel, we have you covered. Not only will you find information on domestic and international locations but you’ll also get special offers, travel tips and stories from our correspondents abroad.

If you need to stay in touch with current events then take a peek in News You’ll find all the current news stories listed here plus some extras that will keep you better informed about life in Japan. Regular spots include Earth Watch, a section dedicated to the environment around us and Scam Alert, a section dedicated to keeping you aware of all the shonky practices you might run into or which might run into you. If you like to play, then click Recreation In this section you’ll find articles about social clubs, theme parks and ways you can unwind. If you like singing then this month’s main feature is for you. Take a look inside the Anointed Mass Choir which has performed with some of the biggest Japanese stars including Chie Ayado, DA-PUMP and Kyougo Kawaguchi (Song: Sakura). What’s more anyone can join the Anointed Mass choir and learn under Miyuki Kawahara a consummate professional and nationally recognized vocalist. Looking to experience the racier side of life, check out our ‘love hotel guide for an insight into these wonders of the Japanese night. Ever tried your hand at pachinko? Check our pachinko guide to see what it all about and where to give it a try. These are just some of the guides our ever expanding specialty guide, features. New to Japan or just have questions about central Japan? Take a look at our Quick Links Information on almost every facet on surviving and thriving in Japan can be found here. From day-to-day living and health services to information on substance abuse and suicide prevention, we want to be the place you can come to for all kinds of assistance. Lifestyles Central Japan is all about keeping you connected with the community and following that vein, we want you to help us make this your page. In fact we are so determined to have this be a creative outlet for you, we have a page called ‘your page. A place that will feature everything that the foreign and Japanese community in central Japan can offer. As great fans of music, theatre, writing, and movies we want to feature anything with the caliber to make our community laugh or cry and anything in between. Submissions can be mailed to info@englishtreejapan.com We can't promise that everything will make it on but what does, will be worth the wait!

Thanks for taking the time to look around. We know you'll enjoy what we have to offer and hope to give you the best and only resource you'll need.

Welcome to Lifestyles Central Japan
We are proud to present the latest English Tree venture. A place we want you to call ‘home’. A place you can find out about what’s going on in Central Japan. A place with information about daily living, recreation, the latest in entertainment, news, travel and so much more. And a place where you can find shops and services that have the English speaking support that can make your shopping experience a joy instead of a trial. It’s simple to use and you can see right away whether a place has an English Speaker Available or is a customer of our English Speaker Supported Service Centre.

Let’s take a look at some of the places you’ll rely on for Shopping
Business Portal: We are determined to promote as many foreign and Japanese owned businesses as we can whilst maintaining the integrity of the Lifestyles Central Japan (LCJ). So you won’t get bombarded with unwanted advertising and annoying pop-ups but can access shopping information when you need it. This also means you will have access to an unrivalled amount of information about shops, products and services in the central Japan area. Not only do we provide the shops contact details and type of service but also easy to understand instructions on how to get there, information and photographs detailing the stores services and products, special printable coupons that can be used in the stores and most importantly the level of English speaker support each shop can provide.
When searching our business portal, look for the English Speaker Available and English Speaker Supported logos on each of the businesses listed. What’s more, each of the businesses who carry either (or both) of the English Tree marks will have the corresponding decals displayed at the entrance to their business, making it easy for you to identify the business’s level of English speaker support.

Here’s what’s in store for you when you click on Entertainment
Local bands, upcoming performance artists, theatre, events, the best places for your nightlife and much more is what you’ll find in our entertainment section. If it’s hot, then more than likely you’ll find it on our website. Have an opinion, review or entertainment hotspot you would like explored? Let’s us know as we aim to make this about the people of central Japan.



Do you like exploring your surroundings? Click on Travel
If you like to travel, we have you covered. Not only will you find information on domestic and international locations but you’ll also get special offers, travel tips and stories from our correspondents abroad.

If you need to stay in touch with current events then take a peek in News
You’ll find all the current news stories listed here plus some extras that will keep you better informed about life in Japan. Regular spots include Earth Watch, a section dedicated to the environment around us and Scam Alert, a section dedicated to keeping you aware of all the shonky practices you might run into or which might run into you.

If you like to play, then click Recreation
In this section you’ll find articles about social clubs, theme parks and ways you can unwind. If you like singing then this month’s main feature is for you. Take a look inside the Anointed Mass Choir which has performed with some of the biggest Japanese stars including Chie Ayado, DA-PUMP and Kyougo Kawaguchi (Song: Sakura). What’s more anyone can join the Anointed Mass choir and learn under Miyuki Kawahara a consummate professional and nationally recognized vocalist.

Looking to experience the racier side of life, check out our ‘love hotel guide’ for an insight into these wonders of the Japanese night. Ever tried your hand at pachinko? Check our ‘pachinko guide’ to see what it’s all about and where to give it a try. These are just some of the guides our ever expanding specialty guide, features.

New to Japan or just have questions about central Japan? Take a look at our Quick Links
Information on almost every facet on surviving and thriving in Japan can be found here. From day-to-day living and health services to information on substance abuse and suicide prevention, we want to be the place you can come to for all kinds of assistance.

Lifestyles Central Japan is all about keeping you connected with the community and following that vein, we want you to help us make this your page. In fact we are so determined to have this be a creative outlet for you, we have a page called ‘your page’. A place that will feature everything that the foreign and Japanese community in central Japan can offer. As great fans of music, theatre, writing, and movies we want to feature anything with the caliber to make our community laugh or cry and anything in between. Submissions can be mailed to info@englishtreejapan.com We can’t promise that everything will make it on but what does, will be worth the wait!

Thanks for taking the time to look around. We know you’ll enjoy what we have to offer and hope to give you the best and only resource you’ll need.

Japanese Business and Lifestyle Resource
Central Japan's one-stop English language information Portal. Get all the tourist information you need on what to do and see in the central Japan area. Your one-stop source for recreation, travel, entertainment, tourism and general living, plus a whole lot more. Visit our Japanese Recreation and General Living
Your definitive guide for Business and Lifestyle in the Central Japan area