Page 58 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 58
58
iStudy
2019/20
Is there any particular reason you
chose the city of Tokyo?
I didn’t! The JET program allows you to set a few
preferences but ultimately it’s pretty random, so I was
quite lucky I guess! I’ve always loved the city, despite
growing up in the countryside, and the busy lifestyle
really suits me.
How would you describe Tokyo?
A ridiculously big and crazy mix of subcultures where
the vibe and people change drastically between each
district. But then, simultaneously, you have the much
more traditional older generation who abide by strict
and regimented rules and work 60-70 hour weeks.
What were your favourite things
to do there?
As a real geek, I was in paradise when it came to nerd
culture, specifically Nintendo and Pokemon. My friends
and I would often go shopping for merchandise and I
got in to buying retro video games and consoles. We’d
also spend a lot of time in the arcades playing DDR and
using the purikura which is a super kawaii photo booth
that makes you look almost like an anime character.
It was so much fun! I used to go clothes shopping in
Harajuku too which I loved because I could soak up the
atmosphere and check out all the super cool locals in
their crazy outfits.
What are the must try dishes of
Japan and where can we find them
in Tokyo?
I could give you a lot of advice on the best burger
joints in Tokyo! (Blacows Ebisu, Fellows Harajuku and
Darcy’s Beer and Burger Ikebukuro – you’re welcome.)
As for Japanese food: ramen, okonomiyaki, shabu shabu
and, of course, sushi are all must eats. Shabu shabu is a
sharing food where you all dip thinly cut meats into a
pot of broth to cook it before eating which is perfect in
the winter. For ramen, I’d recommend Ichiran, which has
restaurants all over Japan, and Mutekiya in Ikebukuro.
For me, sushi represented a cheap meal out so I’d always
go to the 100¥ sushi place, Daimaru in Ikebukuro – tasty,
fresh and super cheap!
AN INTERVIEW
WITH DAN WHITE
ON TEACHING
IN JAPAN
After ‘finishing university and a failed job,’ Dan White decided to trade Dorset for Tokyo. In 2015 he applied for
the JET program – an initiative set up by the government to improve English education in Japan – and before
you could say sayanara his bags were packed and he was on his way. iStudy recently spoke with Dan to find out
more about his new life in Asia.
iStudy
2019/20
Is there any particular reason you
chose the city of Tokyo?
I didn’t! The JET program allows you to set a few
preferences but ultimately it’s pretty random, so I was
quite lucky I guess! I’ve always loved the city, despite
growing up in the countryside, and the busy lifestyle
really suits me.
How would you describe Tokyo?
A ridiculously big and crazy mix of subcultures where
the vibe and people change drastically between each
district. But then, simultaneously, you have the much
more traditional older generation who abide by strict
and regimented rules and work 60-70 hour weeks.
What were your favourite things
to do there?
As a real geek, I was in paradise when it came to nerd
culture, specifically Nintendo and Pokemon. My friends
and I would often go shopping for merchandise and I
got in to buying retro video games and consoles. We’d
also spend a lot of time in the arcades playing DDR and
using the purikura which is a super kawaii photo booth
that makes you look almost like an anime character.
It was so much fun! I used to go clothes shopping in
Harajuku too which I loved because I could soak up the
atmosphere and check out all the super cool locals in
their crazy outfits.
What are the must try dishes of
Japan and where can we find them
in Tokyo?
I could give you a lot of advice on the best burger
joints in Tokyo! (Blacows Ebisu, Fellows Harajuku and
Darcy’s Beer and Burger Ikebukuro – you’re welcome.)
As for Japanese food: ramen, okonomiyaki, shabu shabu
and, of course, sushi are all must eats. Shabu shabu is a
sharing food where you all dip thinly cut meats into a
pot of broth to cook it before eating which is perfect in
the winter. For ramen, I’d recommend Ichiran, which has
restaurants all over Japan, and Mutekiya in Ikebukuro.
For me, sushi represented a cheap meal out so I’d always
go to the 100¥ sushi place, Daimaru in Ikebukuro – tasty,
fresh and super cheap!
AN INTERVIEW
WITH DAN WHITE
ON TEACHING
IN JAPAN
After ‘finishing university and a failed job,’ Dan White decided to trade Dorset for Tokyo. In 2015 he applied for
the JET program – an initiative set up by the government to improve English education in Japan – and before
you could say sayanara his bags were packed and he was on his way. iStudy recently spoke with Dan to find out
more about his new life in Asia.
