shoot in Shimoda-japanese public "bus"&hot "spling"

I have already explained how a casting day of a model in Japan goes. This is what happens when you get a job. After 3,5 hours driving south of Tokyo we arrived (Luckily, I got to do this job for the "spling summer" collection catalog for a Japanese brand with my lovely flatmate) . It was dark and it was raining. We were shown to our "loom" in a cozy holiday house on the beach.

Since we were told that there will be a dinner upon arrival we sat and waited until somebody came to pick us up. In a while the client (middle age woman) came in again and said:

C-client, M1-model1 M2-model2

C: We are going to take a Japanese public "bus". You know?
M1: Bus? Oh, that's ok! (I thought we were going there by bus)
C: Japanese public "bus". You want?
M1: Yes, it's ok. We can take the bus.
C: Ok. You will need a towel.
M1 (thinking) A towel for the bus???
M2: Do we need to take our bathing suits as well.
C: Japanese public "bus". No! No! No bathing suits.
M1: A towel?
C: Yes, Japanese public "bus", very healthy.
M1 (imagining) ...probably some kind of open bus, and since it is raining, we need towels to dry ourselves.
C: You want?
M1: Yes, yes, it's ok. We can take the bus...
M2: No! No! Ok, I understand. I got two towels for both of us. (M1 still doesn't undestand but doesn't bother saying anything)

SO we left the house. For my surprise we had to get into the same van, that we came on from Tokyo, so I was still confused where this public bus was. I started imagining some kind of lift going up to the mountains. Maybe I was just too tired...and hungry...

Anyway, during the drive my friend M2, as an English native speaker, explained that what they meant is a "bath" and not "bus". Ok, that explains the towels, I thought. But why no bathing suits? I started another dialogue, similar to the one above. It came out that there are hot springs in the area, and we are going to a nude bath.

And yet, we arrived at the restaurant. No bath?! Whatever. Let's eat. After a very nice dinner, with green tea, tempura, rice and...

"sea vegetables" salad,

sashimi,

eel and last but not least...

Shimoda's famous fish (including eye balls!!!)


Finally we left and went to the BATH





What makes working as a model in Japan so easy:

-breakfast box ("tamagoyaki"- fried egg; rice balls; fried chicken) every time the same! In case you don't like it they are almost always prepared with sandwiches or croissants. And if they still don't have what you like, some of the countless assistants will go to the next convenient store to get you what you ask for!

-facial massage- each time before you get your make up done! Only in Japan!

-photographer explains/shows exactly what he wants

-public (photographer+ 2 assitants, make-up artist+ 1 assistant; hairstylist+1/2 assistants; a driver; director of the production; PR of the company you are shooting for...and at least 5 more people you have no idea what there positions exactly are, everybody on the set looking at you, taking pictures with their Iphones and exclaiming "kawai"(cute) every time you change your pose)

-warming pads (they stick them all around the invisible parts of your clothes, put them in your pockets or even in your shoes...)

- gas heater when you are shooting outside, air-conditioning on at least 30 degrees when you are in a studio or in the car so that everybody can go around in their t-shirts...

-van (no matter how many people from the team there are, the models always get 2 seats each, a blanket, pillow and warming pads...so that you can stretch out and sleep, while the assistants are crammed on tiny pull-out seats )

candy basket in the bus

-perfect organization

-get all (bath, food, convenient store) paid for

-lunch in a traditional Japanese restaurant
If you were told that you will finish your job at 3pm, it means that you will be finished by 1pm and will than be taken out for lunch.

Conclusion:

In the course of 2 hours we saw somebody eating an eye ball, saw all the female clients naked, saw a 4-inch long spider and tried a sour-salty plum.

If you don't mind using the "sign language" and not being aware of anything that is going on around you. If you like seafood and the smell of seaweed even in the subway and are capable of smiling with your best "angel look" all the time 12 hours a day, then you should definitely come model in Japan.
You will be treated with the most respect and care. You will never be cold, hungry or feel disrespected in any way.
What is more, you will be surprised by the ability of the Japanese to plan out every detail and predict every possible scenario of the entire day. You will experience excellent service, hygiene and politeness like you have never seen it before anywhere in the world.