Author: Wisterian Watertree
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Why You Should Not Trust ChatGPT To Be Your Japan Guide
ChatGPT (and other similar large language models) have become famous as tools for writing anything from academic papers to wedding speeches. But they have also become famous for hallucinating, inventing facts to fit the story (sometimes, you might think Donald Trump uses Chat GPT to write his speeches). And even though the large language models…
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Yes, There Is A Reason To Stop At Railway Crossings
I did not believe my eyes when I saw it on the TV news, but I suddenly realized there is a reason to stop at railway crossings. The news were from Aomori, the northernmost part of Honshu, the long island where Tokyo is located. Aomori is beautiful and interesting, and an amazing skiing destination. In…
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Bugs In The Car
It happened again this morning: I almost ran into the car in front because I was chasing a mosquito. The hot (and relatively dry) summer has kept bugs at bay. The cicadas were late this year, and even if there have been insects, it was only in September that they came out in full force.…
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Watching Out For Corners
There was a bump and a screech, and my son in the back seat was worried what mommy would say when we got home. But there was no visible marks. I had just driven into the concrete fundament of our neighbors airconditioner when I turned the corner. It was night and I got distracted by…
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How Crowded Is That Train?
Japan is country where there are rules and guidelines for everything. Including how crowded a train is. The Ministry of Land , Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism defines rules for almost everything when it comes to roads and trains – including what constitutes crowded. Here are the official levels of train crowding in Japan: 100% —…
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The U-Turn In A Typhoon
Every year at Obon, the Buddhist holy days when the dead return to their old homes, Japanese families pack themselves into the car, train, or airplane; and go visit their ancestral sites. Especially those living in cities far from their grandparents face a strenuous trip to be able to reconnect with their roots. The “U-Turn”,…
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Driving Hot Cars
Japan this summer has been hot, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees centigrade for extended periods. It has been so hot that it hurts to put your hands on the steering wheel when you pick up the car after leaving it in the parking lot. Thankfully, the heat seems to have had an unexpected benefit: there…
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Morning menu in a Miyakojima popup
It does feel like a popup, but this breakfast and lunch restaurant is as busy as they come. And the prices are just right too. maps.app.goo.gl/hs6Fq3reReB6APt46
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Great Burgers In Miyakojima
One of the more paradisical islands in Okinawa is the small island of Miyakojima – and it turns out they have great burgers, too! maps.app.goo.gl/JUsbZL56QUkj4C8Q9
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Best Hamburgers In Southern Tochigi
Hamburg is on the menu in any family restaurant. But that means a (delicious) patty on a griddle plate. If you are serious about real hamburgers and happen to be in Oyama in southern Tochigi, drop in at K’rockodile Diner. The experience is almost as good as the hamburgers are great. maps.app.goo.gl/eVmhizh4b2qeHB358
Japan Top 10 