toddatron

FOOD!! (which is a major part Japanese culture) so whenever I get that vibe I try to capture the whole eating experience at whatever place I think is important.

Japanese cuisine has developed over the centuries as a result of many political and social changes. The cuisine eventually changed with the advent of the Medieval age which ushered in a shedding of elitism with the age of shogun rule. In the early modern era massive changes took place that introduced non-Japanese cultures, most notably Western culture, to Japan.

The modern term "Japanese cuisine" ....nihon ryori or washoku, means traditional-style Japanese food, similar to what already existed before the end of national seclusion in 1868. In a broader sense of the word. Japanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on seasonality of food the quality of ingredients and presentation. They also excel in the adoption of foreign foods and giving them a Japanese twist making them their own. This adaptation of outside ideas in food or anything for that matter does not make them exempt from the strict dedication Japan has towards quality in every thing they do. Food is precious here food is art and love!

Working with whats there.. we looked at quite a few homes in the last year and settled on one that was just right. Not to shabby and not altered by some one else. Well we bought an old house in Japan. Its not that old by my standards (just under 30 years) but in Japan that's pretty old aside from historical homes and such. Here I will document and inform you on my trials and discoveries about everything I can involving home ownership and especially fixing the place up. When I first saw the place I got a good feeling and the renovation ides seemed to flow well. I am the type of guy to go by vibe when doing a project almost like I am in automatic mode, throwing stuff in the cart at the store and mumbling to myself as I scurry around the house measuring and cutting. Only a basic plan was made for my part of the renovations and the rest was mind flow. The Japanese contractors will handle the structure and the unit bath but the rest is up to me.

I am a licensed electrician back home and an experienced contractor/mechanic. I still must put ego aside and go with the flow here so I can maneuver through my renovations and my new life. I was smart enough to bring the essential tools with me and I pawned the rest when I left the states. I have to say that the RIDGID 24 Volt XLI tools served me well in the states and I am still dependent on them here. They are not sold here so I brought a new set with me. I knew from experience buying good tools here is almost double the cost. Perhaps its the volume of sales but whatever the reason prices on tools and such are very different as to what is inexpensive and what is expensive. I also brought a whole set of Snap-On tools as well. Those are like gold here!

Here are a few facts on construction numbers:

In Japan construction starts in FY 1990 covered a total area of about 283 million square meters, with about 134 square meters exclusively for housing. Total construction costs were estimated in excess of ¥49 billion.

Although demand for new private housing was expected to grow in the 1990s, even greater growth was expected for new urban office buildings. A number of large projects were under way, suggesting that the construction industry would experience continued growth throughout the 1990s. These include projects for Tokyo's waterfront and other urban redevelopment, highway construction, and new or expanded airports.

Japan's construction technology, which includes advanced earthquake-resistant designs, is among the most developed in the world.

There are a lot of stereotypes about everything in Japan and I was an ignorant believer of them. Now that I live here I see how they are so wrong and what lies behind or is the root of those false perceptions by outsiders. One big one is about construction and housing. Construction methods are very diverse and modern here. Old places and new sleek box like houses sit side by side. There is cheap construction and there is expensive construction. One meant to last 30 to 50 years and one can last a lifetime. Most new homes are insulated and efficient. Just like in America there is a diverse style and quality regarding new and old construction. Its seems however that renovations are more often trumped by a wrecking crew and a new slick house built in a few months. Its choice and my was to go the other way because I have the tools and the talent. People do renovate, my in-laws did recently and it came out nice. Reno as they say, seems to be a less traveled path here but its a growing trend. Despite what the statistics say there is a big surge in home construction at least now and in Saitama. I see it everyday all around me. Home centers are successful and growing. Malls are going in the suburbs and quaint neighborhoods are growing into vast suburbs. The highways are flowing and school kids are every where on there bikes. I feel the surge of a suburban boom in Saitama. I may be wrong but that's how the vibe on the street feels to me.

Well its culture or tradition in Japan... come experience it with me!