The biggest difference between American birthday celebrations and Japanese celebrations is the cost of the cake. Cakes are much more expensive here.
For example, Jasmin recommended a cake shop in Susukino called The Fruitscake Factory (with a logo almost exactly like The Cheesecake Factory's). She, Kellie, Jess and I tried some of the different cakes and tartes after class on Wednesday - chocolate, strawberry and cherry ones - as part of a cake + coffee + purin (Japanese pudding) combo for about $6. The cakes passed the taste test exquisitely, but what about the price?
This logo looks familiar...
I knew I would have about 20 of my Japanese friends and other foreign exchange students coming out last night to celebrate my birthday, so I needed a cake that could be shared among that many people. I ordered the second biggest strawberry shortcake the shop offered - for $50!!! - and received instructions on how to pick it up the next day.
After Thursday's class, I had to work late at the Language Support Center as an English tutor, so I met up with everybody in Susukino later that night. Jack (Australian exchange student) had already picked up my cake for me and made reservations at the restaurant our friend Subaru works at. One of our friends, Yusuke, presented me with a bouquet of flowers, and the exchange students from Australia had made me a birthday card. (Okay, so it was written on the back of an old kanji quiz, but I appreciate the thought nonetheless.)
flowers from Yusuke in a "dollar store" vase between my Gokusen Season 2 DVDs and my Arashi "Only Star" magazine :P
Two big surprises came when we all sat down in the restaurant. First, Subaru walked out of the kitchen in his uniform and told us he had asked his boss if he could wait on our group. Then, after taking our orders, he left and returned from the kitchen with a second birthday cake - with my name on it in chocolate syrup! SURPRISE! :)
We eventually left the restaurant (after ensuring Subaru got a slice of cake too, of course) and headed to our favorite karaoke spot. I haven't mentioned this part of Japanese culture yet, but Japanese karaoke parlors are everywhere in Susukino and can range from the basic ($4 an hour) to the fancier ones with unlimited drinks for up to $20 an hour. Because it was my birthday, we didn't spare much money and paid $20 a person for four hours' worth of singing.
If you don't know Japanese music, don't worry. Most popular American songs are listed in the digital song database and are up to date; we sang Lady Gaga and Daughtry in addition to Japanese pop songs from BoA, Remioromen, B'z and Hikaru Utada.
singing "Take Me Out"
This is where the 20 bucks a person went - the walls glow in the dark while you're singing!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! :)
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