My first few days back in Japan have been surreal. I feel I am experiencing reverse, reverse culture shock. One of the things to really hit me compared with New York is how mono-cultural it appears to be here. (Harajuku girls or other Japanese sub-cultures might seem extreme and unique, but their extremeness almost always follows a prescribed formula). It is only over time that you really begin to discern the subtle nuances in people.

I am staying with an old friend, V. My first night she took me to a local izakaya in Roppongi. (My beloved "local" is unfortunately now closed.)

This restaurant used a computer touch screen for placing your order . The photos of the various appetizers and entrees are displayed and you simply touch the item you want. Computerized voice over explanations are available as necessary.

The Japanese love to automate everything, robotic dogs, robotic nurses, will they soon eliminate the need for people?