Somebody wrote me recently and ask what this is.    If you moved into a new place recently, you might have seen this.  It is the hook up for a washing machine.  (known in Japanese as 洗濯機置場)

Now if you are trying to get a washing machine you have a couple ... read more »]]>

Somebody wrote me recently and ask what this is.    If you moved into a new place recently, you might have seen this.  It is the hook up for a washing machine.  (known in Japanese as 洗濯機置場)

Now if you are trying to get a washing machine you have a couple choices, you can try to pick one up from:

• freecycle shops – quality is questionable
• Sayonara sales – like on craiglist tokyo. sometimes as cheap as 4000yen
• Department stores -like yodabashi camera.  expensive, but they will ship and install for you

My personal experience was buying it from Softmap – Google maps location

I found out about a combo washer and refrigerator deal, but it was a special sale.  I had to wake up at like 5am to be first in line to get a ticket that would allow me the deal.  I ended up with a good deal, and it was a smooth transaction with shipping and installing.   If you are choosing to pick one up for cheap, you’ll have to arrange for kuroneko to come help you move it.

As for installing…you are on your own.  Sorry >_<

On a completely unrelated note, have you see japans dog washing machines!

Hey There, Louise here. Anyone else out there take the JLPT today? Well if it got you thinking about who studies Japanese and how well they fare, satiate yourself with these infographics from yours truly ~

* Numbers from the JEES Reports of 2009 Summer & Winter tests and their report from ... read more »]]> Hey There,
Louise here. Anyone else out there take the JLPT today? Well if it got you thinking about who studies Japanese and how well they fare, satiate yourself with these infographics from yours truly ~

* Numbers from the JEES Reports of 2009 Summer & Winter tests and their report from last 26 years of testing.
* Note that from the test today onwards, there are now 5 levels on the JLPT. Text books and curriculums are still thin on the ground so old JLPT numbers are still being used as a guide by majority of students.

Hey guys,

I’ve been getting some awesome fan mail from you guys, and I hope you answers proved useful. For all of those who haven’t e-mailed me directly, sorry I haven’t been keeping up with the blog. I’ve just started work with Ubisoft and it’s been one helluva ride. ... read more »]]> Hey guys,

I’ve been getting some awesome fan mail from you guys, and I hope you answers proved useful. For all of those who haven’t e-mailed me directly, sorry I haven’t been keeping up with the blog. I’ve just started work with Ubisoft and it’s been one helluva ride. I still have a lots I want to write about.  In fact, I have posts that are roughs and never finalized.  I’ll try to post more regularly. In the mean time, I’ve decided to post more content that I get from Tokyo Gaijins to fill the interim.  I love getting your fan mail questions so go for it! claudiajmng@gmail.com

Jan. 23~24 Myoko Suginohara ski/snowboarding

For questions contact: info@tokyogaijins.com

Enjoy a great weekend of skiing and snowboarding at Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort. This resort is extremely famed as one of the highest-caliber ski slopes in Japan, with 3,700 feet (1,124 m) in vertical drop and one of the longest ski runs in Japan at an unbelievable distance of 5.3 miles (8.5 km) in length.

Nice long trails designed with you in mind at any level. And with such long runs, you don’t have to worry about losing your valuable ski time waiting for the lifts. Its ski lifts swiftly bear skiers up to 2 miles (3 km) in one stretch, and it has three relating lines of quad lifts that can carry skiers to the peak. SNOWBOARDERS this is for you, since they offer a very nice snow park, where you can show off your skills. This resort has it all for every level of skier or snowboarder. A great chance to truly relax while playing in the snow.

Myoko Suginohara ski/snowboarding
January 23~24 (Saturday~Sunday)
Myokokogen, Niigata
Confirmed participants: 23 | Spots available: 22 | RSVP

A brief description of what will happen on the event:

* Fri (Jan 22)
- Meet at Tokyo station Yaesu central exit at 7:30pm
- Get on the bus
- Arrive in Myokokogen around 11:45pm
- Check-in at the lodge
- Sleep

* Sat (Jan 23)
- Breakfast at 7:30am
- Get the gear on
- Ski/snowboarding until 5pm
- Onsen/relax
- Dinner at 6pm
- Karaoke party

* Sun (Jan 24)
- Breakfast at 7:30am
- Get the gear on
- Ski/snowboarding until 4pm
- Onsen
- Check out at the lodge
- Get on the bus
- Arrive back in Shinjuku around 9:30pm
+++ End of the event +++

Price: 26,000yen
Price includes;
• Private bus transportation (round-trip)
• Two (2) nights accommodation
• Two (2) days lift pass
• Dinner for Sat
• Breakfast for Sat & Sun
• Ski insurance

Optional;
• Boots & ski/snowboard set (2,000yen for 2 days)
• Ski jacket & pants set (2,000yen for 2 days)
• Gloves (500yen for 2 days)
• Goggles (500yen for 2 days)
• Ski/snowboarding group lesson (3,000yen/person for 3hrs)
• Private room for couples (3,000yen/person for 2 nights)

Take note of the following:

• Itinerary may vary due to the weather, traffic conditions, and other unavoidable circumstances.
• Group discount (of 4 or more) 1,000yen/person.
• Minimum of 4 and maximum of 7 persons for shared room.
• Rooms are allocated to your preference, M or F only, mixed or group of friends.
• Private room for couples available at extra cost.
• Good skiers must rent/pay own boots & ski set directly from a proper rental shop to personally check the quality.
• Quality of rentals at the hotel are OK for casual skiers/snowboarders.
• Extra 2,000yen rental fee if boots size bigger than JPN 29.
• Ski/snowboarding group lesson is from 10am until 1pm on Saturday and it’s for beginners only.
• Lunch not provided but available at the ski resort.
• Vegetarians can be accommodated but advance notice necessary.
• Soap, shampoo & rinse are provided in the onsen.
• You can check-out at 10am the latest on Sunday but you must put your stuff in the luggage room before going ski/snowboarding.
• Final details will be sent to the participants two days before the event.

What to wear/bring:

• Skis/boots/poles (if you have)
• Snowboard/boots (if you have)
• Ski jacket/pants/gloves (if you have)
• Ski goggles (if you have)
• Winter/warm/thermal/extra clothes
• Winter hat
• Winter gloves
• Comfortable shoes/socks
• Towel
• Soap/shampoo/rinse
• Lip balm
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Eye mask
• Ear plugs
• MP3/iPod player
• Book (to read on the bus)
• Camera
• Cellphone
• Cash