One of the things Stefan was really looking forward in Japan is " tobacco & alcohol "
 
Do you know why??
Because cigarette cost average over $20 in Australia!!
I know Japanese can't believe but it's true.
It used to cheaper but as tax went up and up and up...
We also have tax raising for cigaret in Japan and many people say " it's expensive !!! " but look at Australia!
Japanese can't say "expensive" no more! After you know the price in Australia hahaha
 
When Stefan found out about price Japanese cigaret, he said
" Are you serious? Ahhhh I got heartatack... I wish I could bring back thousands and thousands of cigarettes. Spewing!!! "
Because we are allowed to bring only 50 cigarettes into Australia.
It means just 2 packet!! But lucky Stefan... I brought back 2 packet for him so he enjoyed total 4 packet of Japanese cigarette here.
 
Now let's talk about alcohols.
There is huge pub culture in Australia.
Therefore I feel it might cheaper in Australia when you drink in pub or restauran.
But Stefan was so surprised the price of spirits and beer at bottle shop.
He took this photo saying " My friends never believe what I say about price so I should show evidence!! "
 
JIM BEAM 700 ml normally cost $38 in Australia.
It was around $10 in Japan. ( on special though )
After took photo he just whisper " I'd love to bring back for my friends..."
He has got many many friends who love cigarette and alcohol hahaha
 
Stefan was really happy about price for cigarette and alcohole but he was wondering one thing...
" Why I can't smoke on the street? "
Well...it is banned to smoke on the street in many ward in Tokyo by law. You can only smoke certain " smoking area "
In Australia smoking inside building is almost prohibited everywhere but you can smoke on the streets.
On the other hand drinking on the street is strictly banned. Same as in USA I think.
 
He thinks it is really weird that can't smoke on the street but can drink.
But I understand the idea of no smoking on the streets.
Tabacco fumes is sometime really annoying for non smoker.
And I heard about accident when people is walking cigarette between their fingers cause burn for little kids...
 
I think background of no drinking on the street in Australia is to prevent people become crazy with drinking.
Some people can be really crazy and violent with alcohol...I learned that in Australia ( Of course it's not Steffy )
I see man with beer or sake in train sometimes and it's not surprise situation in Tokyo but that story also gave Stefan culture shock.
 
Someone said on Internet " Japan strict for cigarette but generous about alcohol "
But for Aussie eye, Japan is still tolerant to smoking.
In Australia even though drinking at pub, you always have to smoke outside. Tell you more...after you go through Immigration at Melbourne airport there is no smoking area what soever!!
 
In Japan we can still smoke most of Izakaya or pub.
Even the place where has sign " we are divided into smoking and no smoking area", it is actually same floor and there is no door or screen between these area.
I don't smoke so it's not big deal these all situation but I think they should have real separate spase at least eating place...
 
I never pay attention about cigarette and alcohol in Australia
so it was interesting that Stefan discovered many different culture in Japan.
 
At Shibuya. Of course with beer on his right hand.
 
日本に行くことでステファンが楽しみにしていことひとつが「たばことお酒」
 
日本のみんなは信じられないかもしれないけど
オーストラリアではたばこは平均2000円以上するのです。
税金が上がって、上がっての結果のようですが
日本でも値上がりを重ねて今の値段になって「高くなったー」なって言ってるのにね。そんな比じゃないです。
 
インターネットで日本のたばこの値段を知ったステファンは
「うわー信じられない!たくさん持って帰ってこれたらいいのに」と嘆いてました。
(オーストラリアへ持ち込める免税分はたばこ50本まで!たった2箱しか持って帰れません)
オーストラリアに戻ってくる時に、私も2箱持ち帰ってあげたので、ステファンは計4箱オーストラリアでも楽しんだようです。
 
そしてお酒。
オーストラリアはパブ文化の国なので、お店で飲むお酒はオーストラリアの方が安いかなーという印象ですが
スピリッツや缶ビールの値段にはステファンも驚いてました。
「すごく安かった!って言ってもみんな信じないかもしれないから」なんて言ってこんな写真を撮ったステファン。
このJIM BEAM、オーストラリアだと38ドル、3500円くらいするんです。
「友達にお土産で買って帰ってあげたいー」と。
ちなみにアルコール類の持ち込みは2.25リットル。
 
たばことお酒の値段に感動していたステファンですが
「なんで路上でたばこ吸っちゃいけないの?」と。
東京のほとんどは指定された場所以外での喫煙や歩きタバコが条例で禁止されてますよね。
オーストラリアでは建物内での喫煙はだいたいの場所で禁止されてますが、路上での喫煙はオッケー。
その一方で、路上での飲酒は禁止されています。これはアメリカでも一緒ですね。
「路上でたばこ吸っちゃいけないのに、お酒はいいの?変なのー」って言ってたけど
私にしてみれば、たばこの煙って非喫煙者にとってはけっこういやなものだし、火が小さな子どもに背丈にあると危ないという理由がすごく理解できるんだけどな。
 
ちなみにオーストラリアのその決まりは、お酒に酔った人たちが、クレイジーになって暴れたり、事件が起こるのを防止するためだと。
「たまに電車内でお酒飲んでるおじさんとかみかけるよ」と教えてあげたら、それもかなりのカルチャーショックだったようです。
 
インターネットでも「たばこには厳しいのにお酒には寛大な日本」と言われてたりします。
でもステファンに言わせれば「まだまだたばこにも甘い」と。
オーストラリアではたとえパブであっても「たばこは外で」となっているし
メルボルン空港では入国審査を通った後には喫煙所がありません!
 
日本は居酒屋やパブではたばこ吸えるところがほとんどだし
「分煙」としている飲食店でも「喫煙」と「禁煙」が同じフロアで、仕切りの壁なしなんてのもまだまだ普通ですもんね。
「ご飯食べるところでたばこ吸えるのって、、、」と喫煙者の彼でさえちょっと疑問に思ってたけれど。
 
 
渋谷での一枚。右手にはマグナムドライ。
Hi there
I'm Saori from Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan.
Now I live in Melbourne, Australia.
Since I started this blog, I have written in only Japanese.
Because I started blog for my family and friends in Japan to show them how I enjoy my life in Australia. and also for myself as diary.
 
Afterv living in Australia for one and half years, this blog means bit different to me.
I understand English more and learned a lot about this country. I experienced many cultural difference between Japan and Australia.
I absolutely love living in Melbourne.
And came back from amazing visit Japan, I also want Australian pepole to know Japan through this blog.
 
Last month, I went to Japan with my fiancé Stefan.
It was first time visit for him.
We visited many place in Tokyo which even I never visit.
His interest for Japanese culture gave me new view of Japanese culture.
 
It was also first time returne since I left Japan in Octorber 2012.
There are many many new shops, culture and different atmosphere there...
During my visit many things about Japanese culture went around around around in my mind.
Things like I never notice If I just lived in Japan rest of my life...
So I felt it is my duty to tell people what I saw in Japan and what my Aussie fiancé thought about Japan.
 
From now on, I start write in Japanese and English!!!
I hope I can tell you something real through my Aussie fiancé and Japanese girl's eye who living in Australia.
 
Tokyo's night view from Ikebukuro 60
Tokyo tower is my favorite place in Tokyo.