5 Reasons Why You Must Study Japanese

There are various reasons why you should visit Japan and learn Japanese. It could be the booming economy, gorgeous landscapes, ancient culture, or lovely people. This list will definitely persuade you.

You can learn Japanese for many reasons. Japan has breathtaking landscapes, interesting people, a thriving economy, and an ancient culture. You will be hard pressed to pick your best reason, though this incomplete list will try to convince you; and if it does not, then perhaps a visit to Japan will convince you. But first, take a peek at the list.

Acclaimed Director Akira Kurosawa

You have missed out on the best movies of all time if you have not seen Akira Kurosawa's art works. The sweeping landscapes, exciting scenes, painstaking attention to detail, amazing stories, and timeless appeal make his films - Seven Samurai, Ran, Throne of Blood, and Dreams, to name a few - a must for any avid movie buff. And because most of his films are in his native language, you should speak Japanese to see them in all their pure glory.

Anime

You'll probably think Japanese anime weird if you are used to Disney and Pixar animations. The speech bubbles, over-the-top physical features, and onomatopoeic typography aside, it does possess gripping storylines and charming adorable creatures. To appreciate the likes of Dragon Ball Z and Naruto, study Japanese.

Chindogu, A Japanese Art

Among the various Japanese art forms such as origami, ikebana, and tea ceremony, the chindogu is the most note-worthy. This art form is all about inventing everyday gadgets with the best intentions, but result in being useless anyway. As a matter of fact, the only thing these gadgets achieve is bringing on the laughs.

Maybe you're interested in a hay fever hat, which is a tissue dispenser atop your head? Or maybe you want to keep your hair away from your bowl of noodles with a noodle-eater hairguard? You might be able to turn these chindogu gadgets into profitable items if you speak to the inventor; hence, why you have to learn Japanese. Strange things like these do occur.

Japanese Dishes

Although Japanese food might look very basic on the surface, it actually requires a lot of effort and attention to detail. Study Japanese to prepare Japanese food the right way. This way, you'll be able to quickly grasp the terms used and know the names of the dishes.

Japanese Fashion

Japan's garish street fashion cannot be topped, even by New York. You will love the avant garde costumes such as Kogals, Bosozoku, Lolitas, and Ganguros donned by young people in Tokyo.

Japan also has the quickest rising economy in the world. Not only that, the Japanese are also the third largest Internet users. The business opportunities offered by the country is numerous. If you still require a reason to study Japanese, this should be good enough.

The world's fastest growing economy is also the Japanese one. The third largest Internet users all over the world are also the Japanese. Consider the business ventures that the country has to give. If you still need a reason to study Japanese, this must be sufficient.

10 Reasons The Donut Diet is One You Can Stick To!

Yesterday, I had a nourishing lunch at a Japanese buffet.

It offered all the sushi I could eat, along with delicious shrimp, noodles, soup, and the tiniest high-cal desserts I've ever seen, flanked by tons of fruit.

That's the high-protein part of the day, which I sandwiched between satisfying servings of my favorite chocolate donuts.

I had one donut for breakfast with a few cups of home brewed Starbucks coffee, and two more for dinner, accompanied by a glass of cabernet sauvignon, as I sat riveted to a Stephen King thriller on DVD.

Between meals, without fanfare or whining, I took a refreshing two-mile stroll at Venice Beach.

And I expect to drop some pounds, firm-up and feel satisfied eating more or less this way for as long as I wish.

Admittedly, this is an odd way to get fit, don't you think?

But it has a great chance of accomplishing its goal for ten reasons:

(1) I'm eating my favorite foods, and feeling that I'm denying myself nothing.

(2) I'm not counting calories, which is a horrible way to pass the time.

(3) I'm not obsessed with any deadline for accomplishing my goals.

(4) I don't perceive certain foods as "good or bad," welcomed or forbidden.

(5) I suffer from zero food-guilt from my indulgences.

(6) I don't binge because I don't have any dammed-up feelings of self-sacrifice or self-pity.

(7) I don't think of myself as fat or overweight.

(8) I expect success to come gradually, not suddenly.

(9) I don't discuss my diet with anyone, and I don't talk about or obsess about food.

(10) I appreciate that eating is essential, but it's not the high point of my day.

I'm dieting with donuts but feel free to use a tempting and tasty item of your choice.

If your diet can satisfy the ten point checklist above, it will probably serve you well, while serving you enough of what you really want to eat.

Now, that's a plan nearly anyone can stick to!

4 Reasons to Visit Tokyo

Buzzing with excitement, this Japanese city is situated in the center of Asia Pacific travel. Fast-paced and complex, Tokyo is not only a popular tourist destination, but the trendiest place to live as well. Though there are a number of reasons to visit this bustling city, we've come up with the four main reasons for Tokyo travel.

1 Food, Food, Food - There are over 200,000 restaurants and bars scattered throughout the city and, while you obviously must indulge in some quality sushi if you're enjoying some Tokyo travel, there are a range of cultures and countries represented in the city's eateries. Like everything else, meals are a constant in Tokyo and you'll find many restaurants open 24 hours or until the wee hours of the night. Restaurants range from stand up noodle shops and pizzerias to sushi and kaiseki restaurants, which offer an elaborate multi-course meal. Because the apartments and living quarters are so small in the city, most of the locals dine out quite often, so be ready to mingle!

2) Shopping - Tokyo has become a major shopping destination for those who crave everything from designer duds to the latest and greatest in technological advances. Whether you're browsing the cheap finds in one of the city's many indoor and outdoor marketplaces or indulging in a more relaxing, upscale environment amongst designer stores, you can rest assured that if you need something, you'll find it here. When in doubt, try one of Tokyo's impressive department stores, which are the biggest out of any city in the world.

3) Nightlife - From traditional pubs and classy bars to nightclubs and discos, there's always something to do at night in Tokyo. Those lucky enough to enjoy Asia Pacific travel should take advantage of the city's late-night lifestyle and let loose a bit. Surrounded by lit paper lanterns and bright neon lights, the entertainment districts in the city are every bit as busy at 4am as they are at 9pm, so be prepared to party early in to the morning.

4) Culture - Beneath the city's busy, modern appearance is a world of old Japanese culture and history waiting to be discovered. Enjoy Tokyo travel with visits to one of the city's many temples or take in a traditional Kabuki performance. Just because Tokyo is more westernized than any other city in the east doesn't mean that all that culture isn't there, you just have to know where to find it!