First Things First: Diagnosing Your Culture Shock

Let's face it. No matter how much you like Japanese food or how well-informed you were before coming to Japan, you're still going to experience culture shock at some point during your stay. And no, it doesn't matter if you used to spend summers in Europe or if you've backpacked through the jungles of Thailand. I assure you, the effects of culture shock with still hit -- all too often suddenly and unexpectedly. But never fear, I'm here to help you, first to understand what this phenomenon called culture shock is all about, and second, to get through it as quickly and smoothly as possible.

This post is simply a recording of the symptoms, or stages, of culture shock to help you diagnose where you are and how you are doing. And if you haven't yet boarded the plane, this post will instead give you some kind of idea of what to expect once you've unpacked. All following posts will be the medicine to help fight the effects -- personal anecdotes, sometimes humiliating, sometimes touching, are here to remind you that you're not alone, and, more importantly, to entertain you while you're feeling alone.

So, here they are, in chronological order -- the Japanized version of the five stages of culture shock:

1. The I can't believe I'm finally in the land of sushi and samurai Stage

2. The There's no place like homes with central heating Stage

3. The Yeah, natto smells like dirty socks, but it's not so bad... Stage

4. The Was there really life before onsens and karaoke? Stage

5. The Screaming and Kicking I don't wanna go home Stage

Stay tuned for a more detailed description of the five stages of culture shock...! Until then, FIGHT-O! p(^_^)q