Hi there everyone, back again with another update.  Like I mentioned last week, sakura season is on its way, so I hope you are planning to have some kind of hanami party, whether it’s with friends or a certain special someone.  Countless songs, poems and works of art have been devoted to these trees, which bloom for about 2 weeks before falling off.  They are both seen as a symbol of beauty and its fleeting nature, as well as a reason to sit outside and drink a lot.  You definitely should experience it while you are in Japan.

If you are looking for good spots in Tokyo, here is a good list of the main spots.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3050.html

Make sure to get there nice and early, because the best spots go fast.  And like I said, come prepared with a blue tarp, lots of food, beer and toilet paper.  A beautiful girl doesn’t hurt too.

Anyway, a quick tip for all of you.  Recently there is a tendency to lump men into two catergories: Carnivore Males (草食系男子/soushokukei danshi) and Herbivore Males (肉食系男子/nikushokukei danshi).

Simply put, Herbivore Males make up the majority of the male population in Japan, and are said to be one of the reasons for the declining birth rate in Japan.  They are your non-aggressive “nice guy” who may hang out with girls, but tends not to date often.  They may find solace in anime, video games, train photography, pornography, etc.  Unfortunately, this kind of inward movement has made them the lament of single Japanese women who are limited to the Carnivore Males – aggressive, forward, and very often douchey.  On the other hand, girls tend to go for these guys because they are more masculine, confident and assertive – all desirable in the eyes of a Japanese woman.

So what to do?

Well basically, don’t be an herbivore!  I’m not saying that you need to be a douche bag frat boy looking to bang every girl you see.  I am saying that you should act a little more manly when interacting with women.  Be polite, be a gentleman and first and foremost – don’t complain all the time.  Nobody likes a man who whines about their job/their life in Japan all of the time. Be positive and alive.  And of course, get out there and talk to some people!  Put down the game controller and hit up the nearest bar, join a club…do something with lots of people!

In any case, hope that gets you off to a good start.

Until next time!