The Beginning

Step #1: Quit my job

Step #2: Move to Japan

Step #3: Buy a couch

The first and most important item to get once arriving to your cramped apartment in Japan is a couch.  Drew and I were discussing that maybe this is a “Lazy American” phenomenon, but things are just not right without a couch.  You’d have to lie on the floor on a futon or sit uncomfortably in a wooden kitchen chair all day.  Not okay.  

Drew waited to purchase this couch until I arrived, partially because he wanted to make sure I approved, but mostly because this couch had to be carried down the street by the two of us due to our lack of adequate transportation.  Why don’t they make bike trailers??  The used furniture store is several blocks away so only a small, lightweight couch would do.  Drew had spotted a nice red one earlier in the week but, due to high demand, we had to settle on a fuzzy one that was bright yellow.  Not usually my style, but it has some nice features.  The arms and back are structured like a lawn chair so that you can change the angle and turn it into a flat, fuzzy platform.    

I've included a picture below so that you can get the full effect.  We are very satisfied, as we can both actually fit on the couch together comfortably.  I can’t say the same for the couch we purchased during our previous stay in Japan, although that one only cost us $5.  This couch even has feet so it is definitely an upgrade.

Now check out the awesome arm rest feature. Perfect for an afternoon snooze.

Yes, I just spent that much time talking about a couch.  Now you understand how crucial this purchase was.

Things I had forgotten:

Already, after only a few days here, I have been reminded of little idiosyncrasies that I discovered the last time we lived here.  Such as...

1) Japanese napkins are like wax paper, utterly useless-no ribs for me.

     2) Everything is individually wrapped.  If you buy a pack of beef jerky, each piece may be individually wrapped.  Same with cookies, etc.  Seems kind of strange because they are big on recycling (see below) and this creates a lot of trash.

     3) Trash is really intense.  There are at least five different types and people get really upset if you sit out the wrong trash on the wrong day.  Cans, bottles, burnable, non-burnable, and dangerous are the ones we are aware of.  I’m still trying to figure out where everything goes.  There is this really old skillet that is caked with years of food that I will not be using.  However, due to my trash predicament I don’t know how to throw it away. Guess it will go in the back of the cabinet.

     4) Japanese towels are inordinately small and thin.  I bought a hand towel for the kitchen and thought I mistakenly bought a washcloth.  Nope, the washcloth is even smaller than that.  There is also no walking around with a bath towel wrapped around you.  The important parts cannot be covered at the same time.