About this site
Why… you ask?
After thirteen years in Tokyo, I’ve returned to the US for a bit of a hiatus from my ex-pat life. For an as yet undetermined period of time, I’ve decided to re-Americanize myself before I go totally bamboo. When I left the US, I did so hoping that a year abroad would give me a new perspective on all the assumptions I had assumed were just how things were supposed to be. A year, quickly (all too quickly) became a decade plus. My daily life in Tokyo became just that… daily life. Now, I’m looking to see what, if any, all that time abroad has done to my world view and understanding of life, culture, my upbringing, and views on what “normal” is.
Keep in mind, anything I state here is simply the opinion of one American boy who spent the majority of his adult life in Japan. I will attempt to say in unadulterated honesty what I think about the differences and often surprising similarities. I’ll attempt to define, as best as I am able, “reverse-culture shock” and what it is to be American from the standpoint of a returnee re-acclimating to “regular life.”
I am only an authority on my personal experience, and my personal views. Please feel free to comment, question or add your thoughts in the comment section. I’m open to suggestions. Also, you may wish to follow my twitter feed for 140 character insights. I hope in time to add some video as well, and will add as much as I can photographically to boot.
Wow there is something about you and your videos that just somehow in a strange way remind me of Roger Swan may he rest in peace. I know he got his inspiration from you to start making videos on YouTube. Anyway…. love your work!!! hope to see you back in the saddle soon
Hi Tokyocooney,
You were a huge inspiration to me during my high school days and I can’t tell you how many times I would come home from school, log onto Youtube and look forward to watching your new videos while reading the hilarious comments. I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture and told myself that one day I’d fly overseas to visit the country myself and hopefully meet the wonderful Tokyocooney.
Many years have passed since those days, and a lot has certainly happened just in that time. I went onto college to study writing, I made fun videos in my spare time and I even made a good friend of mine visit your Hanami party to record his experience (which he did, and you honored the occasion by complimenting my “faggoty-ass” last name.) But I never got tired of watching your videos and really hoped that you would come back someday.
Anyway, I’m glad your not dead. And I’m happy you’re back to share your hilarity. I look forward to when you finally make more videos. Until then, take care of yourself and enjoy your time back in the States!
I want to visit Japan for a month or two. I want to tour and meet the fine people who work at the Kazuo Yairi Guitar company. They hand make some of the finest guitars anywhere.
http://www.yairi.co.jp/home.html
I changed careers a few years ago and I now build & repair guitars myself. I used to work for a division of Hitachi (Clarion / Xanavi) as a Electronics Engineer and fell in love with Japan after a few visits for work.
Good luck with the reflections on life and travels back here in the USA. I would say the most interesting places in the USA tend to be the most rural.
Welcome back Kevin! My wife Melanie and I have been following your Tokyo adventures for the past seven years! I really enjoyed your videos and look forward to new ones from Merica’ soon. I have had our Mac Mini hooked up to the TV for almost as long as we have been watching your YouTube channel. I ditched cable TV in favor of high speed internet and streaming content years ago. It gives the phrase “YouTube Channel” a different perspective in our house.
I was wondering if you had a photo collection (Photobucket, Picassa, etc..) from your stay in Japan? I would love to see some photos even if they seem uninteresting to the casual observer (i.e. a vending machine, alley, tree, etc…). Nothing personal but just an insight from your perspective. If not thats perfectly understandable since I am sure your busy. We wish you all the success in the world with your new endeavors.
Wow, thanks so much for watching! I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I rarely took still photos so I never set up a photo account. Whenever I had my camera with me I was using it to film. As a result the only photos I generally seem to appear in are ones other people took of me. I actually realized this myself recently as I was looking around trying to find some good photos of Japan or even myself. The few I do have would be found in my twitter feed. I really should have taken more. In fact, I may try and do just that. Actually I should probably look through my old video folders and see if there are any in there. Thanks for the idea!
What brings you back to the USA? I never really caught the reason why from the blog posts here. Is it self reflection, a need to feel Merican again, the desire to consume un-healthy amounts of TacoBell (like there’s a healthy amount!! LOL)?
Lots of reasons, a good chance to catch up with friends and family. Re-americanize, travel, some visa problems (Lol), and of course Taco Bell. Really enjoying being back here but the call of Tokyo is strong. I’ll be back there before long. Not to mention my stuff is all still there.