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Today I would like to share what I saw and liked in America.

I have traveled mid-west, east and west in the U.S.

Each state was different impression.  For example, people, their fashion, and ambience.

I felt like came different country.  Also each state have different rule. For instance, Colorado allows smoke marijuana, but not Kansas.  I think it’s very interesting.  That’s why I like travel in U.S.

But I think it’s kind of problem.  I live in Kansas State and so many people haven’t gone other country.  The 308 million-plus citizens in the United States, only 30% have passports.  I know if they live south part in America, they can go east or west. They can see different view and easy to go.  But I can tell that if you go other country, you can see more different view and it’s very important.

I found this article while researching this topic.

Hello! 

Christmas is almost here!!!

Last year I spent time with my host family.

They thought me a lot of American Christmas culture.

In Japan also have Christmas but it kind of different.  

Japanese haven't religion but they have Christmas.　　For us, Christmas is couple event.

We don’t spend with family, spend with boyfriend or girlfriend and see Christmas illumination and go to restaurant.  If they haven’t boyfriend or girlfriend, we spend family or friend.

Then, we eat Kentucky Fried Chicken. Before this season, we book a chiken.

When I talk our Christmas time foods, American surprised!

Why Japanese eat Kentucky in Christmas and we have Christmas?! 

Long time ago, many American (army) lived in Japan, there is no turkey in Japan and they ate Chicken reluctantly. And Japanese saw it and learned Christmas culture and we thought they eat Chicken in this event.

So still Japanese eat chicken and have Christmas.  

Moreover many Japanese home haven’t big Christmas tree.  I think Japanese house is not big, so we cannot have Christmas tree.

Another different thing is present.  American children get 2 or 3 presents. But Japanese children get normally just one.. 

Well, I should have grown up in U.S…

However, we can see very beautiful illumination in Tokyo!!

Hi, there!  How was your Halloween?!

Halloween originally came from the US, and in Japan we also celebrate Halloween, especially in Tokyo!
What is different between Halloween in the US and Japan?

In the US, children go around the neighborhood, knock on the door, and say "Trick or treat!" to get some candies.
Americans also decorate their houses extensively and make Jack-O'-Lanterns out of pumpkin.

Some college students go to bars or clubs and party like there is no tomorrow, but my impression is that generally speaking, Halloween in the US is for children.

On the other hand, Halloween in Japan is mainly for adults.
When I was little, some department stores and shops gave me candies, but I did not go around the neighborhood to ask for candies, nor did I make or see any Jack-O'-Lanterns.
So Halloween in Japan is not a fun day for children.

But adults are a different story -- grown-ups dress in costumes, go out to drinking places, and many of them party all night.
The central Tokyo areas of Shibuya and Roppongi become massive party towns -- a fun-filled event for adults!

Even Disneyland caters towards adults, and Disney Sea allows alcoholic beverages, so many Japanese girls go there to enjoy the Disney rides and Halloween celebration at the same time.
I feel like Halloween today has become an international phenomenon -- it is not a holiday to commemorate something special or honorable, but rather a day to give everyone an "excuse" to dress up and have fun!