[FFML] [OT] a helpful website.

I just wanted to post this to the FFML to give some additional help to all the writers out there that base their stories in Japan (most of everyone here).

Mad Psyence really deserves all the credit for passing this site along.
So please direct any 'thank you' s to her.

Anyway, heres the link to it.

http://www.chijihonbu.metro.tokyo.jp/living/index.html

It's a dandy site for someone who wants to get a little more realism into their stories, and not make silly mistakes.

For example... sure, most people know that in Japan, school runs from Monday thru Saturday.
But how many know how many years of highschool there are in Japan? (by the way.. there are 3) Additionally, how many writers know that many schools have Saturday as a partial day, and that some saturdays are off. (some schools are every other, some are every 3rd saturday)
Small details about life are usually skipped also, like, what goes on during valentines day, and it's companion day White day, or that people don't usually open gifts in front of guests when they bring them, in an effort to avoid embarasing the giver if the gift is a disappoinment.
These little touches can help add detail and realism to a story.
After all, knowing where Nerima-ku is, in relation to the Kabuki-chu can actually help in suspension of disbelief.
Also you can learn more about some of the cultural aspects of Japan and it's people.
As Nabiki Tendo would say, "Knowledge is it's own reward... particularly if it's knowledge that someone will pay to keep hidden."

Err.. I think you get the idea.

I personally, really like it when a fic writer actually takes the time to craft a story within a framework that feels real. And what better place to draw that feeling of reality, than from reality itself?
In something I'm working on (blatant plug) I'm trying to stay to the real world as possible. I'm even using real world events, and places, for much of the places where the action takes place and for the background of some of the characters. In my opinion, attention to detail can help turn a so-so fic into a much better one by putting limitations on the author, and forcing him or her to innovate.

Anyway, enough editorializing on my part.

I hope you all get some use out of that link.

-Steve