Hello.
B: Hello. Put your bag on that table and have a seat, please.
B: Could you tell your name and where you are from.
My name is.... and I live in ....City, ...Prefecture.
A: Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
A: My name is...... How are you, today?
I'm fine, but of course I am a little nervous, but fine, thank you.
A: Don't be nervous. You will be OK, we don't bite you. OK, I will
ask you some questions.
All right.
A: Can you tell me the weather of Japan?
Well, Japan has four clear-cut seasons, spring, summer, autumn and
winter. Also, Japan has a rainy season between early summer and
summer. It lasts about a month. Since Japan has four seasons, we
enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and gorgeous autumn leaves
in autumn. Summer and winter are nice, too.
A: Which season do you like best?
Well..., I like autumn best, because the weather is mild, not so
hot and cold, and not humid. And I like seeing autumn leaves, oh,
foods is the best in autumn. That's why I like autumn best.
A: What food do you like?
Hum...., I like seafood a lot.
A: I mean food in autumn.
Oh, food in autumn.., I like fruits, and sweet potatoes and maroon
(chestnuts が思いつかず). On a little cold day, a pot dish, such as Japanese
stew called oden is very good.
A: Um-mm.., sounds yummy! I would love it. Well, another question,
I went a temple the other day, but I know there are shrines in Japan,
too. How could I tell temples from shrines?
Shrines have a torii gate in front of a shrine.(ちょっと変な言い方)A torii
gate consists of two pillars connected at the top by two bars. (身振りもいれる)Most
of torii gate is red. Temples don't have a torii gate. The gate
of temples have doors. So, if you see a torii gate in front of the
building, you could tell, "oh, that is a shrine". If you
don't see a torii, that is a temple.
A: I understand. So, can you tell me the most famous shrine and
the most famous temple?
Well...., we are in Kanto area, so I think the most famous shrine
is Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, located in Tochigi prefecture. It is
within just one hour or one hour and a half train ride from Tokyo.
Toshogu Shrine is famous for Yomeimon, sun light gate. It is very
beautiful and decorative. Toshogu and Nikko attract a lot of people
from all over the world. And the most famous temple is..., Horyuji,
Horyu Temple in Nara. It is the oldest temple and it is one of the
World Heritage sites. You could feel tranquility if you see that.
Next to the temple, there is a five story tower. It is very beautiful.
I love it.
A: I would love it, too. Well next question, next year Beijing will
play host to the Olympics. When were the last Olympics in Japan?
The Nagano Olympics in 1998?
A: I mean the summer Olympics.
Oh, the last summer Olympics were held in Tokyo in 1964. Since I
was born in 1964, I couldn't enjoy seeing the Olympics unfortunately,
but my parents talked to me a lot.
A: Oh, did they? All right, final question to finish, I am planning
to go to hot springs next week, but I am shy so can I wear a bathing
suit in hot springs?
Um-mm...., actually I don't recommend you to wear a bathing suit
in hot springs, because...(何と言えばよいか悩んで), well if you are very shy,
you could ask a hotel service man to use the bath only for yourself.
There are a lot of small bath tubs. I think you could ask for. However,
if you want to feel Japanese customs, just try to take a bath in
naked(笑われてしまった!自分でも変なこと言ってるなあと思う。湯あみ着のことやタオルのことを言えばよかった、と後悔)
A: OK, I'll try. Thank you very much.
Is that over?(日本語の質問があると思っていたので、びっくりして)
A,B: Yes, that's over. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.(お辞儀をする)
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