Loading...

Jul 21, 2021

Tuning into or out of the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony?

I think the government wants us to stay in and watch the opening of the Olympics on TV over these two rearranged national holidays. Are you going to be watching? What's your mood regarding the games at the moment? No judgement, just curious. I'm not sure I was ever that invested in the games but thinking about what it was supposed to have been and what it looks to have become kind of makes me want to tune out but I think I'll be watching the opening ceremony at least.

Living
0 10
Report as spam
SalarymanJim

SalarymanJim

A foreign salaryman in Japan, documenting life from somewhere near 'salaryman town' Shimbashi, Tokyo. Way out of my depth!

Follow

10 Answers

  • JapanRamen

    JapanRamen

    on Jul 21

    I got nothing but frustrations so definitely not watching it lol.

    2
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Jul 22

    It's such a tough one, isn't it? I feel like the athletes are just doing their jobs, and I don't fault them for wanting to participate -- if I'd worked my whole life for something I'd want to see it through. I'll probably still be tuning in to bits and pieces since I do want to see how it's all managed from a logistical standpoint. Any reluctance I have to watch the games mainly lies with the fact that it's such a money driven exercise, and I think that's a massive part of why it wasn't just called off in the first place.

    2
  • SalarymanJim

    SalarymanJim

    on Jul 22

    "bits and pieces" probably sums up how I'll be taking it in, too.

    0
  • helloalissa

    helloalissa

    on Jul 25

    We don't have a TV so watching any of it is sort of up to what we can find for free online, if anything. I'm not so interested normally either, especially now that I think it's not a good idea for it to be happening at all. There are plenty of other things to do instead.

    1
  • Eli

    Eli

    on Jul 28

    I watched the opening ceremony because my husband had turned it on but we got bored after a while and turned it off. With all the problems regarding the Olympics we have had so far it became clear that they cannot keep the rules they set for themselves so I still think they should have just cancelled the games when it was still possible.

    1
  • ReishiiTravels

    ReishiiTravels

    on Aug 4

    Not really happy with it nor interested. I turned out.

    1
  • SalarymanJim

    SalarymanJim

    on Aug 4

    @Eli - "they cannot keep the rules they set for themselves" - Yeah, good point!

    0
  • SalarymanJim

    SalarymanJim

    on Aug 4

    Just as an FYI, I only realized this week that Monday (9th) is another national holiday that has been moved. My understanding is that our "work" is to watch the closing ceremony and then to compensate we have a holiday on the Monday. Or something like that.

    0
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Aug 6

    I've been enjoying the games much more than I thought I would. So many examples of great sportsmanship, a focus on the importance of mental health, and more.

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Aug 6

    I'm not against the athletes but despise the Olympic machine. The Japanese government capitulated to the IOC for commercial interests, and the Tohoku revival, the promotion of peace took a backseat. It's heartbreaking to see our local festivals, folkways, and arts shut down while commercialized sports get promoted globally. All while we're requested to stay home.

    1

Awaiting More Answers

3 Answers

February joys

February is just around the corner. January brought New Year festivities, wintersweet, tulips, snow, dondoyaki and so much more. What are you looking forward to in February? Be it weather related, traditions, festivals, flowers, seasonal food etc.- what you are looking forward to this February.

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Jan 27

3 Answers

What's on your "generic" local manhole?

My local area has some specialty manholes (including some from the Gundam manhole project not too far away!) but the most common "generic" one features mountains and watermelon. Fairly representative of the region, I think! What's on yours?

genkidesu

genkidesu

on Jan 17

6 Answers

Do you have a favorite mascot?

The other day, on "Strawberry Day" I wrote about "Yoshimin", the strawberry mascot of Yoshimi. I thought it might be fun to introduce a few others, so I've just written about "Tokimo" the mascot of Kawagoe. And I plan to introduce a couple of my favorites. It begs the question, do you have a favorite mascot? And how about writing a post on City-cost about your favorite or a local mascot? Pictured "Umerin" who I plan to write about next!

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

7 Answers

Who is your hero!?

Today, January 16th, is Hero Day. Who is your favorite hero, fictional or otherwise? The first one who comes to my mind for me is a real life person; Mary Robinson, a former president of Ireland (moreover, the first female president), and a former United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, among other impressive roles. I had the great pleasure of meeting her in December, a dream come true. I was trying to think about who my favorite fictional hero is. I have not come to conclusion yet! There is such a choice. Do you have one?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Jan 16

4 Answers

Recommendations for next Christmas?

While its somewhat fresh in your mind, what gifts came into your house this Christmas and / or New Year, that you thought were really nice things to receive and / or really good buys, that you think might make a good present for someone else in the future? As you might see in the product reviews, I am going through some of the things I bought for the kids this year and thinking of what I was really happy with. And already thinking of next year!

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Jan 11

4 Answers

Growing Mushrooms

Here's for a weird hobby. I just saw a video by an American Youtuber that I plan to watch about growing shiitake mushrooms. From what I've seen, it probably needs a bit of space. There was a local market in Fukuoka Prefecture that had a "mushroom room" where they grew and sold mushrooms like maitake and eringi. I also saw a video of a couple in Paris that built a mushroom growing shower room! The local hardware store sells "seeded" logs and shiitake mushroom growing kits. I have seen the logs around people's homes on occasion. It seems like a very odd, but sustainable hobby. Has anyone tried it, or is anyone interested to try this? I wonder how involved or beginner friendly it is.

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Dec 29

2 Answers

Japanese Christmas songs

Do you like any Japanese Christmas songs? If so, what is your favorite Japanese Christmas song? Or maybe you like the Japanese version of a traditional Christmas carol?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Dec 19

2 Answers

Where do you visit Santa Claus?

Firstly, do you visit Santa Claus each year in Japan? And if so, where? I've been posting places you can meet Santa Claus in various parts of Japan on the blog section. If you are looking for somewhere to meet him this year, you'll find at least 25 places on City-cost.

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Dec 11

2 Answers

Did you feel the December 8th earthquake?

There was a large earthquake off the coast of Aomori Prefecture at 11.15 pm on December 8th 2025. We are approximately 700 kilometers from the epicenter, yet we felt it very strongly. Did you feel it and how far away (roughly) are you from the epicenter?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Dec 9

7 Answers

Which airline do you prefer?

If money wasn't an issue, which airline and / or air route do you prefer when traveling to Japan?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Dec 6

6 Answers

What do you most associate with Wakayama?

Today, November 22nd, is Wakayama Prefecture Hometown Birthday. What do you most associate with Wakayama Prefecture? To be honest, I realized in writing about this 'birthday', that I know next to nothing about Wakayama Prefecture. I'm really interested to hear what your image of the prefecture is. Wakayama Prefecture Hometown Birthday post; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/z8X5a-living_wakayama

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Nov 22

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Saitama?

November 14th is Saitama Prefecture Day. I am curious, especially as I live there, what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when I say "Saitama Prefecture"? About Saitama Prefecture Day; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/wmeY2-living_saitama

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Nov 16