Japan, Finland of Asia

Finland, Japan of Europe - is there any truth to this?

Both nations have high work morale; the meaning of life is defined through work. Both countries have a high-standard education system, and both are leading nations in communication technology and electronics. Both countries lack some important raw materials, such as oil, gold or diamonds, so the success and survival of the nation must come from know-how and creative businesses.

I find many similarities between the cultures also. As in Finland, so in Japan, one has to underrate any acknowledgement one may receive (Well, thank you, but I’m not so sure if I’m such a professional in anything really, and so on and so on). Unnecessary chatter, or small talk, is not much valued in either country, and so if you happen to talk to your neighbour in a Japanese metro or a bus in Helsinki, you are considered either a lunatic, or a drunk, or both. In either country you don’t wear shoes indoors. The people love the fluctuations between cold and hot, whether it is a Finnish sauna or a Japanese sauna from the Edo period or the onsen spas, of course.

Fish is a favourite food in both countries. The Nagano region and the North Island resemble the Finnish countryside with their spruce forests – even the languages sound similar… perhaps they share some common roots? The weather is pretty much the same in either place, with snow, drizzly rain and sleet, even though the Japanese summer is mostly warmer than the Finnish one. Finnish design is well-loved in Japan, particularly the Moomins and Marimekko.

To a degree, then, Japan is the Finland of Asia. Surrounded by discreet Japanese architecture, and in the midst of Japanese wilderness, a Finnish soul finds peace.

Julkaistu 17:27  /  1 vastaus

Japani, Aasian Suomi

Suomi, Euroopan Japani, onko siinä mitään perää?

Työmoraali on molemmissa maissa kova, elämän merkitystä haetaan työn kautta. Koulutusjärjestelmä on molemmissa maissa korkea, sekä molemmat maat ovat kärjessä tietoliikenneteknologiassa ja elektroniikassa. Molemmista maista puuttuu tärkeitä raaka-aineita, ei ole öljyä, kultaa tai timantteja merkittäviä määriä maaperässä, joten menestys täytyy perustua kansalaisten osaamis- ja luovuusprofiiliin.

Kulttuurissakin on paljon samankaltaisuuksia. Niin Suomessa kuin Japanissa muiden kehuja pitää vähätellä. (”No kiitos kiitos, mutta enpä tiedä olenko nyt niin ammattilainen tuossa liirum laarum”). Turhanpuhumista tai small talkia ei juuri arvosteta kummassakaan maassa, joten niin Japanilaisessa metrossa kuin HKL:n bussissa vierustoverille puhuva on joko hullu tai kännissä, tai sitten molempia. Kenkiä ei pidetä jalassa sisällä ja kuuman ja kylmän vaihteluista pidetään, on sitten kyseessä suomalainen sauna tai japanilainen edoaikakauden sauna sekä tietty onsen -kylpylät.

Kalaruoista pidetään molemmissa maissa, Naganon seutu ja pohjoissaari yleensä näyttää suomalaiselta maaseudulta kuusimetsineen ja yllättävästi kielet kuulostavat samanlaisilta…ehkäpä niissä on jotain yhteisvaikutteita? Sää on pääpiirteittäin samantyylinen, on lunta, tihkua, räntää, joskin Japanin kesä on kyllä selvästi lämpimämpi useimmissa paikoissa maata. Suomalainen design pärjää Japanissa hyvin, kuten Muumit ja Marimekko.

Japani on siis jossain määrin Aasian Suomi. Ainakin japanilaisen hillityn arkkitehtuurin ympäröimänä, jylhien vaarojen keskellä, suomalaisen sielu lepää.

Julkaistu 08:23  /  4 vastausta

The Technobedouin Manual: Decoding North Asia

Decoding the North Asian cultures, such as in Japan, is best done through friends and business partners. Don’t even bother to come here and suss it out on your own without good guides. Just the journey from the airport to the hotel can make you miss Mum: changing trains in the underground metro labyrinths, without any English signs, is a challenge even for the most experienced globetrotter.

Local knowledge and language skills are vital in business prerequisites. As a minimum requirement, you should employ a good interpreter or have a business partner with sufficient language skills. Without them, meetings are meaningless, whether in Shanghai, Seoul or Tokyo.

The third essential for making successful business around here are long, solid relationships. You can make your face known and gain contacts by getting together with a company that is already there, and utilise the network that comes with it.

Julkaistu 01:05  /  1 vastaus

Teknobeduiini käsikirja: Pahjois-Aasia dekoodattuna

Pohjois-Aasia, kuten Japani, dekoodaantuu hyvien ystävien ja liikekumppanien kautta. Turha on lähteä seikkailemaan tähän kompleksisuuteen ilman hyviä oppaita. Pelkästään junamatkasta lentokentältä hotellille voi jo tulla äitiä ikävä: junan vaihdot metrosokkelossa ilman englanninkielisiä opasteita on kokeneemmaallekin suunnistajalle aika haaste. 

Liiketoiminnassa paikallistuntemus ja kielitaito korostuu. Vähintäänkin on syytä olla mukana hyvä tulkki tai muu liikekumppani, jolla kielitaito on hanskassa, muuten voi tapaaminen jäädä patsasteluksi, olkoon sitten kyseessä Shanghai, Seoul tai Tokio. 

Liiketoiminta rakentuu pitkäaikaisille suhteille, joka on kolmas perusvaatimus, jos täällä suunnalla aikoo rakentaa menestyksekästä liiketoimintaa. Kasvoja ja suhteita voi hankkia liittoutumalla alueella tunnetun yrityksen kanssa, jolloin verkosto tulee mukana.

Julkaistu 07:00  /  2 vastausta

The former world’s richest country is now an ordinary Joe

Tokyo, Japan.

Up until the beginning of the millennium, Japan was known for its astronomical prices. A taxi journey from Narita to central Tokyo used to cost about 200 dollars or almost 250 Euros (on those days’ exchange rates), which would be about 300 Euros in today’s currency. A drink in a corner bar would set you back a hundred Finn marks (about 15 Euros). If you wanted to fill your stomach, it was better to head off to an Italian restaurant – as meals in Japanese restaurants were so small and expensive you’d be out of pocket before your appetite was satisfied.

Much has changed since the 1990s. The Yen is down in the dumps and one Euro now buys you over 150 Yen – quite a difference to the early years of the millennium when one Euro (or the “basket currency” Ecu of that time) only got you under a hundred Yen.

This all makes a visit to Tokyo quite a different experience, as you don’t end up gasping for air each time your bill arrives. Not, at least, if you are used to your expenses coming in Euros and British pounds.

Not that you can say it’s cheap over here: a taxi from Narita to Tokyo is still so pricey that it’s better to take the Narita Express instead. A night in Hakone, a spa hotel in the mountains, still costs 150 Euros per night per person for full board. And Tokyo still has bars where it’s a good idea to check the damage before you order a bottle of wine.

But all in all, this is pretty much like being back home in Finland. An ice cream is 280 Yen (a couple of Euros), a train ticket is another two Euros, a room in a hotel about a hundred. Instead of gawping about prices you can focus on taking in the culture. That has also reached the ‘ordinary Joe’ platform: all the country’s miracles from slimy live seafood being grilled alive, to the serene beauty of Japanese temples and the overwhelming masses of people in Tokyo are such familiar imagery that the jaw-dropping effect is long gone.

Perhaps this is what Japan is at its best. Reliable, fast, efficient, polite, a high-standard experience with no extra excitement.

Julkaistu 01:40  /  1 vastaus

Maailman kalliimmasta maasta tuli tavis

Tokio, Japani 

Japani oli tunnettu vielä vuosituhannen alussa astronomisesta hintatasostaan. Taksi maksoi Naritasta Tokion keskustaan 200 dollaria tai lähes 250 euroa (sen aikaisella valuuttakurssilla), joka nykyrahassa on jossain 300 euron kieppeillä. Yksi drinkki tavallisessa baarissa saattoi maksaa suomen markoissa satasen. Jos halusi saada mahansa täyteen, oli parempi syödä italialaista ruokaa, koska japanilaisten ravintoloiden annokset olivat niin pieniä ja kalliita, että pelivaluutta loppui ennenkuin nälkä. 

Paljon on muuttunut sitten 90-luvun, yen ui pohjamudissa, yhdellä eurolla saa jo yli 150 yeniä, kun vuosituhannen alkupuolella eurolla sai alle 100 yeniä. 

Vierailukokemus Tokiossa on siis aikalailla erilainen, koska joka kerta ei lennä keuhkoista ilmat pellolle, kun tulee laskunmaksun aika. Ainakin jos on tottunut euro tai puntamaailmaan. 

Eihän täällä tietenkään vieläkään halpaa ole: Taksi Naritasta on edelleen niin kallis, että parempi ottaa Narita Expressjuna keskustaan. Yö Hakonessa, kylpylähotellissa vuoristossa, maksaa edelleen 150 euroa yöltä / henkilö täydellä ylöspidolla. Tokiosta löytyy edelleen baareja, jossa on syytä  tarkastaa drinkin hinta ennen tilaamista. 

Mutta kaikenkaikkiaan olo on aikalailla kuin kotosuomessa. Jäätelö maksaa 280 yeniä (pari euroa), junalippu pari euroa, hotellihuone suurinpiirtein 100 euroa. Hintojen ihmettelyn sijaan voi keskittyä itse kokemiseen. Siinäkin on jossain määrin taviselämä saavutettu: lasi on yli puoliksi täynnä eli kaikki ihmeellisyydet limaisista elävistä simpukoista grillillä elämästään taistelemassa japanilaisten temppelien kauneuteen ja Tokion ihmispaljouteen on nähty niin monta kertaa, etteivät ne enää saa suuta loksahtamaan auki. 

Ehkäpä juuri tällaisenaan Japani on parhaimmillaan. Luotettava, nopea, tehokas, kohtelias, korkeatasoinen kokemus ilman liiallisia sydämentykytyksiä. 

Julkaistu 04:52  /  7 vastausta

Foster your free time: Rest well and stay young

Original story in English by Juhani Väkiparta

Beautiful forever!
What you eat effects how quickly you start to look old. Dr. Thavisin crash course to anti-aging is the Palaeolithic Caveman diet
• Avoid dairy products
• Avoid white sugar
• No alcohol. At maximum 2 glass of wine per week
• No caffeine. At maximum 1 glass of coffee or 2 cups of tea per day
• Avoid processed food (wheat, white bread, pasta)
• Don’t eat food that needs to be cooked over 100 degrees Celsius.
• Bonus round: Anti-aging therapies at S Medical Spa

Sleep like a baby!
Dr. Thavisin crash course to insomnia:
• Spend time outside in bright light, at least 4 hours per day, to produce melatonin
• Sleep in absolute darkness (mobile phone off, even the TV red LED light off)
• Pray is powerful for mental relaxation, if you have a religion. If you don’t have a faith, meditation is recommended
• You can self-hypnotize by deep breathing (count slowly one to three as you breath in, four to six holding and 6 to 12 breathing out)
• Make a conscious decision in the evening what time you want to wake up. Your body has a clock and is likely to respect that clear decision.
• Bonus round: Insomnia therapies at S Medical Spa

Dr. Pakpilai Thavisin
Aesthetic Dermatology Degree, 1986, Chulalongkorn University
Aesthetic Dermatology program, 1987-89 by famous Leon Goldman, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Aesthetic Dermatology program, 1989, Showa University, Tokyo
2003 Anti-aging program, exam and diploma by World Society of Anti-Aging.

Julkaistu 11:12  /  Kommentoi

Life Management: S Medical Spa Experience

Original story in English by Juhani Väkiparta

Both male and female treatments were directed to reduce stress and effects of negative of city life (Urban Syndrome), as well as provide general relaxation.

The visit started with relaxing five flower’s tea at the lobby. The lobby is nicely lit and designed to please the eye. Water was dripping from second floor as mini-water fountains, bars of water. Peaceful sound of water splashing into pond helps to alleviate the stress of outer world.

My experience continued changing to S Medical Spas cosy disposal swimming suit / underwear. To enhance the effectiveness of massage for relief of stress, the treatment started with 30 minutes with sauna or steamroom and Jacuzzi. As a Finn, I was able to resist the temptation of familiar Finnish sauna and went to the Asian steam room with some relaxing herbs in the steam. I did return to my arctic roots by splashing into the cold dip pool (14 degrees), which was so refreshing I had to do it again.

S Medical Spa’s Jacuzzi was nicest I have ever experienced. That does not come by accident: Jacuzzi is a therapeutic one, providing many more jets of water (up to 10 in one position) to your shoulders, back and feet than the usual hotel-type Jacuzzi. It also has three distinct positions, one for the back, other one for the neck and third one for the lower back.

I was then escorted to chill out room to have a glass of water, where my masseuse, Khun Saowapa, attractive and friendly twentysomething Thai, invited to follow her.

The first therapy I received was water therapy. It was provided in Hydrotone machine, which looks like inbreed of high tech bathtub and solarium. The machine is one-of-its-kind in whole Asia region.

I was told by Dr. Thavisin, that this treatment would be different to the usual massage: The water therapy on your back in a similar manner than Jacuzzi does not feel actually that relaxing than massage provided by people: one does not feel drowsy and feel like napping. The effect comes afterwards: the water can provide wide overall effect on the muscles not reached as easily by traditional means. Combined with the water massage, there was also colour therapy, a changing light under the water that is proven to release stress.

After about half an hour massage by water in my high tech bath tub, having visions of being in a space escape pod to being Michael Jackson in his gossiped oxygen cocoon in my cosy see-through disposal underwear, Khun Saowapa returned, inserted a layer on top of the depression of the bath tub. Now the name of the game was stream on my body, as I was provided a gas mask to breathe pure oxygen from a bottle next to the tub. This reminded me of my deep ocean diving inside a huge wreck near pacific island of Vanuatu around Christmas. I fought to stop my mind going to places and concentrated to the treatment. I noticed it was easier and easier to push all the thoughts, especially work ones away, a sign that relaxation was taking place, and the effect of the water massage was starting to kick in.

Khun Saowapa returned just to tell that I could take a shower now, leaving again. The room with Hydrotone machine is pleasingly designed with a nice sofa and a shower. I took shower, and was starting to get drowsy at the sofa, as she returned and invited me to the massage therapy room.

The next treatment was Shirobhyanga. It is a traditional massage for the head, neck, shoulders and upper back to alleviate stress and tension and relieve muscular pain. I was poured traditional herbal oils to my hair. It seemed that massage was performed gently pulling my hair and was surprisingly relaxing and pleasing. After the hair-pulling part massage moved to shoulders and upper body and certainly did wonders to my tense shoulders from writing endless articles and emails with my laptop.

The final treatment was Shirodhara. This treatment is based on Ayuravedic treatment. It is performed by pouring warm medicated oil in the third eye point of the forehead to unblock any blockages in the energy passages around the face and head. This allows the energy to flow properly and helps relieve headaches, migraine, insomnia and stress. “If something is not proven by exhaustive conclusive medical evidence, it does not mean that it would not be REAL”, Dr. Thavisin had said. This would certainly be adequate to say about the feeling when warm oil is dropping on your forehead. The sensation is a soothing one. As eyes are closed, I got a sensation of circling power lines immigrating from my forehead, just like waves from a stone that is cast to water. The spot where oil was poured was gently moved back and front, which seem to make it even more relaxing. It is recommended that after this treatment one should rest and after 24 hours one will feel refreshed with clear thoughts and more relaxed. I was certainly fortunate not to have to drive back as I had arrived with taxi and certainly after sleeping I had quite a feeling of serenity I had not felt for some time.

Our test person for female treatment chose body purification treatment. It started with similar steam room and Jacuzzi experience and was then escorted to treatment for colon hydrotherapy. This treatment eliminates the toxic debris that builds up in the colon and helps restore normal function and regularity. As the colon treatment requires water to be penetrated inside the body, the treatment started with doctor’s evaluation and was closely monitored by nurse.

-Let me be frank with you, the idea of having 25 litres of water inserted up my butt certainly did sound repulsive to start with, but I have to say that the feeling after the colon hydrotherapy is great one. Feels like my body is cleaned up thoroughly, our female analyst commented.

The nurse assisting the colon hydrotherapy created feeling of security and professionalism. Comments about the checking of colour of the outcome felt a bit awkward for the first-timer, but logically thinking are important for administration of the therapy.

The second part of the purification was rejuvenating facial. It was a 90-minute treatment to reduce wrinkles, nourish, hydrate and balance the skin with highly concentrated collagen mask from France. This part of the purification felt rather identical to the general facial. Our female test person certainly had a beautiful glow on her face to finish the treatment, so it seems that both therapies were success.

Julkaistu 11:09  /  Kommentoi

Varjele Vapaatasi: Pysy nuorena ja lepää hyvin

Ikuista kauneutta
Se mitä syömme vaikuttaa siihen, miten nopeasti kehomme vanhenee. Dr. Thavisinin vastaus ennenaikaista vanhenemista vastaan on ”paleoliittisen luolamiehen ruokavalio”.

• Vältä maitotuotteita
  
• Vältä valkeaa sokeria
  
• Ei alkoholia　(jos tämä tuntuu mahdottomalta, korkeintaan kaksi lasia viiniä viikossa)
  
• Ei kofeiinipitoisia juomia, (jos tämä tuntuu mahdottomalta, korkeintaan yksi kuppi kahvia tai kaksi kuppia teetä päivässä)
  
• Vältä pitkälle käsiteltyjä ruokia (vehnää, valkoista leipää, pastaa)
  
• Älä syö ruokia, joita pitää valmistettaessa kuumentaa yli sataan asteeseen tai sen yli.
  
• Lisävinkki: S Medical Span erikoisterapiat ikääntymistä vastaan
  

Nuku hyvin
Dr. Thavisinin ohjeet unettomuutta vastaan:

• Vietä ainakin neljä tuntia päivässä ulkona kirkkaassa päivänvalossa turvataksesi riittävän melatoniinin tuotannon
  
• Nuku täysin pimennetyssä huoneessa (myös matkapuhelimen, television ym. standby-valot pois päältä)
  
• Rukoileminen on tehokas mielen rentoutuskeino. Jos et ole uskonnollinen, kokeile meditaatiota
  
• Kokeile itsesi hypnotisoimista syvähengityksen avulla (laske sisään hengitettäessä hitaasti yhdestä kolmeen, pidätä hengitystä laskien neljästä kuuteen, ja hengitä ulos seitsemästä 12:een)
  
• Tee illalla selkeä, tietoinen päätös siitä, mihin kellon aikaan haluat nousta aamulla ylös. Kehosi sisäisellä kellolla on taipumus noudattaa selkeitä päätöksiä.
  
• Lisävinkki: S Medical Span unettomuusterapiat