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Dou itashimashite!

Both systems are still used. The imperial system, called gengou, is used in all official documents. Magazine articles also tend to use it. Sometimes, both are used; e.g. the date at the top of the newspaper. I grew up in the shouwa era of Emperor Hirohito, and we never used the Gregorian system. I remember when Hirohito died. Everyone knew he was on his death bed and calendar makers were desperate for him to die before they printed their new ones, as that would mean they would all have to be recalled and reprinted with the new era name. Unfortunately for him, he died on January 7, 1989. The scene outside the palace was quite ghoulish, as the media were camped out, waiting for him to die. Upon his death, all TV programs were replaced by shows dedicated to his life. Entertainment venues were forced to close. This went on for a couple of weeks, and people were quietly upset. Bars were finally allowed to open, but could not play music or serve alcohol.

PeterRS wrote: "This was the day when the Japanese Emperor spoke to his nation for the first time." Old people in Japan often told me that they hardly understood anything in the emperor's speech, as he spoke in a special language used only in the imperial court. I went through the Japanese education system. In history classes Japan was always represented as a victim, not a perpetrator. The emphasis was on the suffering caused by the nuclear bombing. The first time I knew about the Rape of Nanking was when I saw an exhibition snout it in the Hiroshima Peace Museum years ago. There is a small military museum located within the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. It features a steam locomotive which was used in Thailand , but there is no mention of the infamous railway,

This has been my experience for years. Lots of straight guys wanted to keep their gay activities a secret from their friends - although those friends probably knew. It's all about maintaining face.

Yes, indeed! I have been sworn to absolute secrecy - hand on heart type- when a guy bottoms for me. OMG! Please, please don't tell the guys in the bar that you fucked me! Lots of guys in the bar would ask me what we did in bed. Did he fuck you? Did you fuck him? "No, no! I wanted to fuck him but he said he doesn't bottom. So he fucked me.". 😂😂😂

In my experience, many straight guys will suck cock. But they swear you to secrecy. "Shhh..don't tell my friends back in the bar ".

I have so many wonderful memories of my evenings spent in Goodboys. I loved 'spending time' with the twins - separately, not together! But one after the other. And then there was the guy with the gold chain. Such a nice, friendly guy. But my favourite was Chet. He was such a lovely guy with a big heart, huge smile and enormous cock! OMG! I could hardly get my hand around it. It looked even bigger, as he was such a small guy. I hope he is doing OK.

I just checked with Japanican to book a hotel in Tokyo and booking.com was cheaper. And I have just booked a hotel in kuala lumpur for next week through a company called prestigia. Has anyone heard of them??

I've used Booking.com for years and have no complaints. There have been a few hotel bookings which included a free taxi from the airport. Last year I got one ftom Narita Airport to downtoen Tokyo. I was wondering if they knew how much it costs - depending on traffic $200 - $300! Since then, the offers have stopped.

How long does each visit to Thailand last?

For what it's worth, I think he is playing you like a violin, as he knows you are new to this business in Thailand. He has taken advantage of your generosity and looks forward to you just handing over money. I'm a big believer in the bulk discount. You offered 2500 baht per day. There is no way a guy in a bar can earn that every day over an extended period - unless he is a bar star. If a guy starts asking me to buy him things, that's it for me. He needs to know I am not going to be his ATM. Bye! It's important for me to sit down with the guy at the beginning and come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement regarding price and what we expect from each other. I think the arrangement must be good for both of us. I am aware of the financial advantage I have and so am always willing to err on the side of generosity. But I refused to be taken for granted. I have had two regular guys in Thailand for years. The reason why were are still seeing each other is because we have an arrangement where I am a little on the generous side - I'm the one who suggests we go shopping - and in return they give me the boyfriend experience. Sex is always on tap whenever I want it, but twice a day is now enough for me, so they don't find that side of the relationship too arduous. If I were you, I'd ditch him immediately and look for someone else. But I wouldn't embarrass him by chosing a guy from his bar.

I just got back from KL on Wednesday. You need to stay in Bukit Bintang, as it's the main tourist area and is close to everything. If you don't like walking in the heart, download the Grab app. You can travel across town for about 200 baht!! Stay away from taxis! The only gay action I found was at the Otot-otot sauna, which is easily accessible from bukit bintang by monorail. I didn't bother this trip but I went there a few times back in April and had some fun. I didn't encounter any available guys on the streets or in the shopping centres, but there are lots of ladyboys on the street at night, if that's your thing. There's enough to see and do to keep you occupied for about 2 weeks, but then that's it. This trip I went to 4 rooftop bars - all within 10 minutes walking distance from my hotel - and enjoyed lovely views and delicious food with a night view to die for. Not cheap, though. Compared to Australia, KL was very cheap - maybe even cheaper than Bsngkok.

Individuals, yes. Businesses, no.

What? Spontaneity? In Japan? Surely you jest! 😂

I'm a great fan of Cathay Pacific business class. Their hong kong lounges are awesome,the cabin crew are very friendly and the food on board is great. I also love Malaysia Airlines business class on the Perth- Tokyo flight. I'm off to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and for the second time, I'll be travelling in economy with extra legroom seats. There are 2 flights from Perth. The afternoon flight has a business class which is barely even a premium economy standard. Two seats together and no entertainment screen. And they call it business class! I made that mistake once before, but never again! The flight that leaves at 02:10 is a proper business class with lie -flat seats.

No, as I was with a straight friend.

I only spent a week in Beijing on a quick trip from Japan. I went on Klook tours to the wall in Mutianyu and to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The wall is a couple of hours by bus from downtown, but it's worth it because it's not so crowded. Last time I was there I used the toboggan to come down, which was a lot of fun. But now they won't let you on if you are over 60! So we caught the cable car. And now you need a reservation the day before to enter Tiananmen Square. But if you go on a tour you get to bypass the long lines to get into the Forbidden City. You basically just walk straight in. It also wasn't particularly crowded because the government is now limiting the numbet of tourists per day. The rest of Beijing we did by ourselves. The main problem is the lack of signage telling you where the subways are so you can get home. If you are lucky enough to find a map, there is often no 'you are here' symbol, which makes it useless. But a couple of times the locals helped us out with a smile and a 'follow ne'. The nightly area of Santilun was fantastic! We got out of the subway but didn't know which direction to walk. Two young girls kindly took us there! Heaps of restaurants and bars to choose from. It was very hot and we were often in need of a drink. There are vending machines everywhere but they don't take cash - you need the wechat or alipay app on your phone. We both had wechat but the app was so confusing and complicated. Even some of the locals gave up! One lady took pity on me and used her app to buy me a drink! Alipay wanted all kinds of information and also facial ID - just to buy a bottle of water!!! The subway is clean and even in the morning it was less crowded than the Japanese rush-hour. You don't need to buy a ticket - just use your credit card. So convenient! Be prepared to go through security at the station. There are cameras looking down on you everywhere you go and facial recognition is the name of the game. I've been to Shanghai before and absolutely loved it. And last year I went to Macau, which is also well worth a visit. I was planning to go to Xian next week but I decided on somewhere closer, so I'm off to Kuala Lumpur again. This time I'll be travelling by myself so I may get a bit of horizontal action!

I have recently returned from Beijing, on my second visit. I have to say, the people were very friendly and helpful. They seemed much nicer than the Chinese I've seen in Japan on those package tours. Also, the streets are very clean with no litter in sight. I just wish they'd stop spitting. I was worried about internet censorship but it was not a problem, as I had global roaming from my Australian telco. Everything goes through Sydney first and bypasses Chinese censorship. I'm now considering another Chinese trip. I had a great time.

How long did you live in Japan, joizy? And how proficient are you at speaking / reading Japanese?

Joizy, why don't you try your luck at the gay cinema in Ueno? I've had some great times there.

島国根性 (shimaguni konjou) is an expression you will often hear when Japanese talk about their attitude to the outside world. It translates as 'Island country mentality' and refers to the insularity and closed-mindedness which results from living on islands which have no borders with other countries. This leads to a feeling of exclusivity and a reluctance to accept others who are not part of this exclusive group. It perfectly explains their attitude to foreigners.

As a chocolate fanatic, I'll put these places on my to - do list. BTW, I steer clear of chocolate fountains, as a chef once told me that they mix the chocolate with oil to make it flow freely. Yuk!!!

"I remember on one of my first visits to Japan I was tryng to find the famous Sony Building not far from the Ginza. Politely i asked a Japanese couple. There was the customary intake of breath followed by a brief conversation. They then pointed me in the direction. I thanked them. Only they had sent me in competely the wrong direction." Oh, this is so true! The only people you can rely on for proper directiions are the policenen sitting in the koban -police boxes. Google maps is not perfect but is still useful in Japan. As Peter points out, areas are divided into blocks and you look at lamp posts to see what block you are in. Unfortunately, the blocks are not contiguous, so block 2 is not necessarily next to blocks 1 and 3, so you really need to ask someone. If they live there, they'll generally point you in the right direction. The problem of finding an exact address is also exacerbated by the fact that houses are not numbered in order along the street, and 2 of more houses can have the same number! The numbers are assigned based on when the house was built, so if 2 houses go up at the same time, they will have the sane number and may be nowhere near each other in the street. I don't think this system is still used in newer developments.

Everything works perfectly in Japan, as long as the rules are followed to the letter and nothing unexpected happens. If not, they fall into a heap and nobody really knows what to do in order to make a decision. I've often said that if they ever got their shit together, they'd rule the world. The education system is largely to blame.

I don't remember seeing a machine there. Everyone just paid at the counter.