How come Japan has so many different kinds of hobbies?

Asa Soho: Japan is a developed country with much population. So Japanese people enjoy all kids of hobbies.

Robt Heemstra: It could also be because the Japanese tend to go flat out with their hobbies, much like they do with many aspects of their lives. They tend not to do things half-assed; they either do them with this almost scary obsessiveness, or not at all. That could explain the bewildering variety of categories and suchlike.

Clifford Riggleman: Actually, the scarcity in hobbies and crafts in the US is only a recent thing (the last 2 generations or so). There was a time in the US where hobbies and crafts shops were very popular, especially mail order items were a huge business. I built my first computer back in 1985, a radio controlled airplane in 1974, and a rocking chair from mail ordered hobby catalogues. Within 1 mile of where I grew up, there were sewing/clothe shops; hobby shops for rockets, models, boats; woodcrafts, etc. There was even a shop that! had kits for built your own bikes, skateboards, and what we called back then trail-bikes which was small motocycles/scooters people rode on dirt trails.Why did it all seem to disappeared? The answer is that the Japanese like to preserve things. How else did you think they were able keep such arts crafts as ceramic/pottery making, silk kimonos, and swordmaking alive? The Japanese while willing to accept new things, they also know unlike others countries, how to keep the old ways alive. In the US and Europe, they like to throw everything away to make way for the new things....Show more

Maynard Phoubandith: How about to get some manuscripts of cinema, drama, play, manga, or anime and then role-play it? If your teacher doesn't like manga/anime, just write down these dialogue and use it. It could be without any actual body play, any costume, nor stage prop. People just get on chairs in a circle facing each other and just read aloud and orally play each role. Put much expr! ession and soul in each wards and lines. Facial expression is ! also important. You could switch each role among the group if you wanted. You can record this play and review it later. It'll be like a dubbing or acting in a radio drama. This could be funny, as well as it would be a good Japanese lessons for everyone....Show more