The import duty on English-language books and magazines in Japan blows your mind. ¥600~¥800 for your daily newspaper, ¥1500 for the New Yorker or Economist, ¥2000 for a novel.

If you are new to Tokyo, never mind the price, just locating English-language books can be an issue. Here are my favorite ... read more »]]> The import duty on English-language books and magazines in Japan blows your mind. ¥600~¥800 for your daily newspaper, ¥1500 for the New Yorker or Economist, ¥2000 for a novel.

If you are new to Tokyo, never mind the price, just locating English-language books can be an issue. Here are my favorite places:

If you just like reading and don’t mind what

See my earlier post on Freecycle & Sayonara Sales. Hang out on the Freecycle mailing list for a while and a bag of assorted books usually pops up, alternatively, foreigners leaving town give away books as the first order of business so larger, open-house Sayonara Sales are a good bet.

Magazines and Newspapers

There isn’t a real cheap way of getting these. It may work out more economical to subscribe to your favorites on the international tariff rather than buying them in Tokyo. If you just need an occasional fix, these are the top foreign-language stocking bookstores.

Aoyama Book Center (Roppongi & Omote Sando)
Stocks a large range of fashion, current affairs, and especially arts, design magazines. The Roppongi branch also has free English language magazine Metropolis by the counter and a good selection of (expensive) English language fiction, Japanese study books, and travel guides in the back of the store. The ABC stores are quite heavily focused on arts books so you may find the odd book in the Japanese section that is English.


Kinokuniya (Shinjuku)
Both the main Kinokuniya (East Exit) and the larger branch store (Southern Terrace Exit) have fashion, style, and current affairs magazines as well as a few newspapers in stock, but the larger Southern Terrace store probably has a larger selection. Massive (for Japan) English language fiction and non-fiction section as well.


Tower Records (Shibuya)
Tower Records was the first place I found English language books in Japan. It has a good selection but ABC is probably better for magazines, and Kinokuniya is probably better for books. It stocks the Guardian Weekly and sometimes The Times for UK customers, has free English weekly Metropolis, and an exhaustive collection of Lonely Planet guides for anywhere you might care to go.

Used Book Stores

The used book stores in Tokyo may have a larger selection that the stock in any of the mainstream stores listed above. The choice is limited to what other Tokyo residents have been reading but you’d be surprised what you find.
Check out:

The Blue Parrot (Takadanobaba)
Friendly service and they pay the best price for books if you need to sell any. Large selection of fiction and Japan / Japanese related material but also stocks a fair amount of non-fiction and some DVDS. Look out for periodic sales, advertised in Metropolis, for super-value half price days. Website is here blueparrottokyo.com

Good Day Books (Ebisu)
Good Day Books claims to be Tokyo’s biggest and best with over 40,000 books in stock. It also has quite a community around it with a book club (though this seems to be aimed at quite a specific.. male audience – all geopolitics and war… no Jane Austen fans here. The homepage is gooddaybooks.com

Specific Books

Best place for books that you absolutely need is amazon.co.jp which you should be able to navigate in English. Japan’s version of Amazon allows you to select cash on delivery as a payment method, which avoids any need for a credit card if you don’t have one. Just pay the delivery guy when he gets to your door.

That’s about it, just make sure not to buy or sell books from Book Off which is a complete rip-off. They buy English-language books for a fraction of the Japanese-book price and sell them for way over the Japanese-book price.

This post is for those who have already got their translation. See my introduction in Part 1, here

Post Nav jump to… Things to Bring Easy and Hard Nationalities Exempt from Practical Test If you are American or other non-exempt country Getting to the Licensing Authority

You have your translation! If not see Part ... read more »]]> This post is for those who have already got their translation. See my introduction in Part 1, here

Post Nav
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Things to Bring
Easy and Hard
Nationalities Exempt from Practical Test
If you are American or other non-exempt country
Getting to the Licensing Authority

Things to Bring

You have your translation!
If not see Part 1, here

You have your driving license
including counter-part for those that have one

Your Passport
(says to have ALL the passports since you got your license, but not sure how strict that is)

Your Alien Registration Card
(which says you are legally in the country and you live in the area)

A Passport Photograph
3cm x 2.4cm

Something that proves you were in the country you obtained your license from (not Japan) for more than 90 days
(in my case my degree certificate proving I was in the country, at school)

Easy and Hard

Sorry guys, there is a catch. What is your nationality? Japan gives an easy ride to those from 22 countries and 1 region.

If you are in the list of countries below you should be able to get your license transferred by submitting the documents above

Nationalities Exempt from the Practical Test

• 
  Australia
• 
  Austria
• 
  Belgium
• 
  Canada
• 
  Czech Republic
• 
  Denmark
• 
  Finland
• 
  France
• 
  Germany
• 
  Greece
• 
  Holland
• 
  Iceland
• 
  Ireland
• 
  Italy
• 
  Luxembourg
• 
  New Zealand
• 
  Norway
• 
  Portugal
• 
  South Korea
• 
  Spain
• 
  Sweden
• 
  Switzerland
• 
  Taiwan
• 
  UK

If you are not in the list above you will have to take a practical test which you will likely fail a few times before you get your license (Americans fall in to this category, oh the irony)

If you are American or other non-exempt country

Oh bad luck to you. The process for getting a driver’s license with a test involved is much more money and time. I suggest you seriously evaluate your need for a car in this, the most heavenly of all public transport-ified countries in the world, as a hint to learn about sustainable transport. Please take what you learn back to America and reduce your country’s environmentally reckless dependence on cars……. If you are really determined to get your license however *groan*, this guy gives you a pretty in-depth run down of the practical test: Pass the driving test in Japan.

Getting to the Licensing Authority

As I mentioned in Part 1:

The place where you get your translation and where you get your license are different places!.

Again, there are 2 to choose from. Both in completely stupid locations. Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to put the offices for people applying, but not yet having driving licenses in locations that are *really* difficult to get to using public transport…. what bastards.

Samezu

The least stupid of the 2 in terms of location is Samezu. This is located an 8 minute walk from Samezu station which you can reach by changing at Shingawa on to the 京浜急行 (Keihin Kyuko) Line.
The address is: 品川区東大井1-12-5 (1-12-5 Higashi-oi, Shingawa-ku).
Phone: 03-3474-1374
Opening times: Weekdays, 8:00~11:00, 13:00~15:00

Fuchu

The complete *mission*, is Fuchu driving license, located no where near Fuchu. Take your pick from the following 4 stations from which to get a bus from:
JR Musashi-Koganei: Take the Keio bus headed for Tamacho or Chofu Station.
JR Mitaka: Take the Odakyu bus for Musashi-Koganei
Keio Chofu: Take Keio bus for Musashi Koganei
Keio Tama Reien: Take Keio bus for Musashi Koganei
The address is: 府中市多磨町3-1-1 (3-1-1 Tamacho, Fuchu-city).
Phone: 042-362-3591
Opening times: Weekdays, 8:00~11:00, 13:00~15:00

Conclusion: a driver’s license will benefit you in a few select situations in Japan. If your nationality is one of those exempt from the practical test, the procedures are straightforward. If not, consider whether you need a license in the best public transit enabled country in the world.

This post introduces you to driving in Japan

Post Nav jump to… Do you really need a car? Having said that… Easy and Hard Nationalities Exempt from Practical Test ★ The First Step – Translation ★ Getting There Things you need to bring Stage one: Complete

Let me start this post with a brief preamble.

This post moves on from Claudia’s How To’s #3: Get a Cellphone and the later How To’s #20: Get a Prepaid Cellphone. Cellphones are the life blood of Tokyo, and in the world’s earliest and most complete adopter of the 3G network you shouldn’t be surprised to find many adults, ... read more »]]> This post moves on from Claudia’s How To’s #3: Get a Cellphone and the later How To’s #20: Get a Prepaid Cellphone. Cellphones are the life blood of Tokyo, and in the world’s earliest and most complete adopter of the 3G network you shouldn’t be surprised to find many adults, even grandmas, who have cellphones and only email on their phone – wiping out the need for a computer in everyday life…. interesting huh!

Apple may not have anticipated, however, how reluctant Japanese customers, many who have been loyal to rival carriers for more than a decade would stubbornly stick to their hard won cheap contracts rather than go over to a vastly more expensive plan even if it means missing out on the most innovative technology of the decade.
Like many (all?) other countries, Japan was bestowed the iphone under conditions of exclusivity to a single carrier. In the UK and Canada, rumors abound that this deal is coming to an end, but currently, in Japan you must have a contract with Softbank – They’re the only gig in town baby. So anyway, because foreigners in Japan don’t have these uber cheap 10 year loyalty call-plans, the foreign population of Tokyo are percentage-wise significantly more endowed with iPhones, than the indigenous population.

The best thing about this, is you never get lost again owing to a pretty good bilingual GPS and you can astound your Japanese friends with their retrograde technology by actually giving them directions! ha! I never tire of that.

There are a few things you will need

iPhone has contract / visa difficulties which mean you need to prioritize this at the very beginning of your stay in Japan!!
• You need to have 2 years left on your visa. They let me off with one month less, but they are otherwise pretty strict. Even though breaking contract in Japan is not as expensive and thoroughly unfair as countries like the UK, you just cannot get the contract without proof of being in Japan for the length of the contract. Sorry!
• Like all cellphones on contract, you need your passport and or gaijin card to prove the above and provide ID. By the way, delaying getting your gaijin card is not worth the hassle, get on that right now if you have been putting it off!
• The iPhone looks like it needs a guaranteed payment each month. Unlike other phones where you can sometimes pay when you are invoiced through your local convenience store – (i.e. you will need a bank account & direct debit, or credit card, but they usually accept foreign credit cards as well).

Things you should know

The iPhone is more expensive than other options, most people think it is worth it though.

• Specify the unlimited internet option. If you’ve had an iPhone before, you know how it’s usefulness is drawn almost entirely from it’s on-the-go internet functionality. Owing to the aforementioned 3G take up and computer-bypassing effect, WiFi is super rare in Japan, and conversely 3G coverage works up to the 6th station of Mt. Fuji (I know, I’ve tested it.. boy was I popular telling the stats of wikipedia to my otherwise spiritually engaged climbing partners..). So, getting anything other than the unlimited internet option is going to cost you lots of money in the long run.
• Make friends with only other Softbank people. Well, do so if you want to save money – there are incredible free minute periods and I think free mail to anyone on the Softbank network. This will be easier to achieve, as, as I said, foreigners are far more likely to be Softbank and iPhone activated.
• Pay about ¥8000 ~ ¥9000 per month. Sorry… that’s how much it costs.

My top 3 Japan related apps

These are all paid apps… I guess quite a bit of specialist knowledge goes into them so I haven’t found equivalent free versions… Have you?

1.

Shin Kanji Like you are going to lug around a 1108 page Nelson dictionary in this day in age. Guessing kanji used to give me such a headache, but ShinKanji has that little handwriting recognition software in it so you are instantly literate (after doing a little iPhone doodle)

2.

Gengou Just found this, it’s only a few cents. No more worrying about which godamn Heisei / Showa year you were born in ~ instant reference!

3.

Anki for iPhone I am a paid up member of the anki cult. If you are learning Japanese this is indispensable. Read my full review here. Have a heart for the hard working developer who got no money the whole time he developed the desktop version and online server – pay up the exorbitant fee he wants for it and consider it a donation / investment in further improved Japanese learning technology for the future!
Well, that’s my slightly practical slash boring recommendations, maybe Claudia has some cool ninja games she could share??

Conclusion: Don’t resist the iPhone! It makes Tokyo living so much easier – if you are eligible go get one!!

For more info see this pdf by Softbank.

Post Nav jump to… Eikawa Part time jobs, working holiday & dependent visa holders Skilled Work Japanese necessary?

This post is intended to be an introduction to a very complex topic. I welcome your feedback and look forward to helping you with further detailed guides on-demand. Let me know in the comments section, what work ... read more »]]> Post Nav
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Eikawa
Part time jobs, working holiday & dependent visa holders
Skilled Work
Japanese necessary?

This post is intended to be an introduction to a very complex topic. I welcome your feedback and look forward to helping you with further detailed guides on-demand. Let me know in the comments section, what work questions you want answered.

Reality Check

In most cases, the decision to work in Japan is no easy route to fame, money, success or career building. Your successes in Japan will be hard won, and maybe only you will appreciate how much you achieved in finding a job you loved here. That said, it is possible to work in Japan, in the field of your choice and find it rewarding depending on your personal levels of perseverance, resourcefulness, networking skills and of course a little luck.

Eikaiwa

If your dream is to teach English as a foreign language to varyingly able and interested students, you’re in heaven! If you’re a man you’ll get marriage proposals, if you’re a woman you’ll end up in a bathtub (just kidding!! But do expect a certain amount of ever so slightly off-color interest from a small proportion of male clients) and there’ll be no end of laughs to be had at the r/l b/v etc. pronunciations you will endure. Seriously speaking though, some long term Tokyo residents have made a life out of this and you can advance your career over time by staying pro-active, trying to get into a university on the Japan University Green List or other institution which will give you the kind of long term benefits that you would need for a lengthy stay in this country. Japan is also a place to practice your entrepreneurial skills – supplementing your income with private lessons, English + businesses (English + public speaking / presentation skills; English + business classes; art classes in English are all examples I’ve seen), or even setting up your own school. It is essential though that you don’t stay put in the commercialized eikawa companies for a long time, simply because they have no interest in you long term and pay, benefits and career progression are deliberately not part of their business model. On the other hand, this is a great place for short 1-3 year stays if your main purpose is to experience Japan and get paid while doing so. Search for major companies on the web, some will offer visa sponsorship.

Requirements
• You will almost certainly need to be educated to degree level.
• You should be over 20 years old (20 is the age of consent in Japan, it may be difficult to get a job as a teacher while still legally a child. Your age also probably rules out you having a degree – the first requirement)
• You should be a native English speaker. This is often listed as a requirement, and foreigners from non-English speaking countries are frequently discriminated against even if they have perfect, or very very good English. This rather extreme advert shows a pervasive stereotype of the blonde Caucasian English teacher expected. My advice is: If you know that your English is very very good, and that you would feel confident teaching, I would tentatively suggest you lie. Say that one of your parents is from a native English speaking country or something. As long as your accent is not very strong, it is unlikely that they will notice, and having studied the grammar as grammar I think you may make a better teacher than many native English speakers. No guarantees, but the rule about native English speakers is in most cases overkill.

Part time jobs, working holiday & dependent visa holders

For those who don’t need to rely on employment for their visa status, the variety of jobs may be slightly wider with less effort required. Eikawa is still going to provide the easiest, steady income way above the minimum wage. Alternatively you can try:

• Private students for English lessons – try signing up to Sagasu Sensei / Find a Teacher sister sites. The fee per hour is usually very good, but you may find your lessons are at erratic hours or at coffee shops on opposites sides of town. Be a little bit careful with personal safety, sticking to public places is always a good idea. (Check out my friend ToLokyo for more Japan life vids)

• Work for any of the businesses in the English community ranging from book stores (Ebisu, Takadanobaba), English language media (Metropolis , The Hiragana Times, Koe and many many others that will require you to do some research to find them, Events like Design FestaWhich sometimes employ foreign staff and many more. The better you know the English language community, the more you will find opportunities for casual work, often in quite interesting areas.

• Modeling & extras agencies. There is a strong demand for foreign models in Japan. The work is casual and not overly frequent, but it is well paid. See this article from someone has done this.
• Pubs and bars, this is only really possible in places with lots of foreign customers unless you speak some Japanese. Roppongi would be a good place to try. However, beware that compared to high minimum wages that you may be used to in Europe for example, the Japanese minimum wage is around ¥800 which is very difficult to live on if it is your only job. Even working a full 40 hour week you would have less than ¥150,000 a month – a very austere wage.

Requirements
• Appropriate visa and or permission to work stamp in your passport – Student visa (shugaku and ryugaku), working holiday, dependent.
• Flexibility and often low wage expectation
• Networking skills!

Skilled Work

Many people have given up in their searches for satisfying jobs in their particular field in Japan. Tight immigration policies and language issues are barriers that you will find whatever route you take.

Reality Check 2
Working in your dream job is Japan is going to take much more time than you think!

Method 1: Apply from or be transferred from abroad This is by far the easiest option. If your company, or a company based in Japan wants you enough to relocate you, they will sweeten the deal with a whole host of housing, salary and benefits packages. Rarely will you need any Japanese. The only catch is you won’t have a very authentic Japanese experience caught in the Roppongi ex-pat bubble, and the packages are usually quite short term.

Method 2: Complete a degree in Japan
By going through some part of the Japanese education system, you gain credibility for being well adjusted to the country by the time you graduate. Your school will probably also offer “shushoku Katsudo” – employment seeking activities where you may be able to get introduced to a company through “Setsumeikai” explanatory meetings and sign up for an interview with the company. The catch is that your Japanese needs to be quite good and you need to find a company receptive to foreigners. Many foreign students do get employed out of grad school in Japan, but keep in mind it may not be the most exciting job offer ever – but at least it will be in your field. Remember you have a 6 month period or longer after you graduate where you can make use of the “shushoku visa” – looking for work visa. Even if you don’t have work, you are allowed to remain to look for work during this period, you will need evidence of attending interviews etc. to get extensions on this.

Method 3: Move closer to your dream job from a mundane starting point
This is a choice for those who really have steely determination. Whether you come to Japan as an Eikawa teacher, or through whatever other means it will take you some years to find the right people and build up your career in Japan. The opportunities are out there but you will have to amass very strong networks, maintain an excellent track record and maybe learn Japanese to a high level. Many foreigners have made it in their field – architects, academics, dancers, interpreters, restaurateurs, artists, entrepreneurs so do not think it impossible. For inspiration, see the weekly column in Metropolis which reports on successful foreigners in a surprising array of fields. This is a long term pursuit so treat it as such.

The dilemma, learn Japanese or not?

Learning Japanese can be extremely helpful when looking for your dream job in Japan. Jobs in the foreign sector or Eikawa may not need it, but even if you are working for an English language newspaper, you’ll find a limit to your research powers if you cannot speak or read Japanese for example. The trouble is that without a very high level of Japanese, the rewards can be somewhat limited, and some people are of the view that companies that are purely Japanese-speaking may have longer working hours and generally have a work culture that is difficult for foreigners to adjust to. These are valid points, and although learning Japanese to a high level is an enormous task in and of itself, I would advise learning it as soon as you can, even if at a slow pace, if you plan to stay in Japan for a longer time. Opportunities for Japanese speakers are more varied and out number English-only jobs and you will get more out of your experience in Japan if you speak the language. Unless you know for sure that you will never need Japanese, it would be better to start adding this skill to your set from the moment you arrive.

What has your experience of work been in Japan? What work how-tos would you like to see here? e-mail us and let us know!

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!

If the wait for free furniture is dragging on, or maybe you’re just looking for the last few items or extra creature comforts that your Freecycle or Sayonara sale searches didn’t turn up, there is still the Japanese “recycle shop” where you can keep an eye on your budget, and ... read more »]]>

If the wait for free furniture is dragging on, or maybe you’re just looking for the last few items or extra creature comforts that your Freecycle or Sayonara sale searches didn’t turn up, there is still the Japanese “recycle shop” where you can keep an eye on your budget, and find some attractive and unique pieces of furniture.

A little cultural insight:

Although Japan has a long history of buying and selling used things – especially clothes (kimono) and books come to mind – the culture of looking after things really well means most Japanese consumers tend to turn their nose up at used items that show any significant wear and tear – for this reason, many bargains are out there waiting for you!
Recently, there are even quite large chain stores selling used furniture, and the slightly upmarket ones seem to source some quite cool, designer style stuff that looks like it came from bankrupted boutique cafés, salons, and the homes of recently expired wealthy.
You will find the odd one or two places in the centre of town – and the map below shows one I know of Yoyogi, but more numerous are the lucrative outer streets from stations between 10 and 30 minutes outside the Yamanote line.

Do Buy
Sofas, chairs, tables – There is almost always an absolute bargain option in this category.
Shelving, odds & ends, unusual and designer objects
White goods – Although they will cost some money ( From ¥11,000 for a washing machine, ¥6000 for a 60cm³ fridge without freezer, ¥9000 for a small 1-2 person fridge with freezer) This is about half the price at an electrical store, and sometimes you’ll find much
cheaper options if the machine is a little old looking – only for those who have exhausted Freecycle and Sayonara Sale options first.
Rice cookers! Best buy
Lampshades for your ceiling

Don’t Buy
Lamps standing or desk – Why are these so expensive compared to everything else?? No great solution for this problem – can only suggest a trek out to ikea on this front.
Dishes & Cutlery – cheaper and less yuk factor at the 100yen store.

Anyone want to help me populate this map? Hit me up in the comments if you want to collaborate on this Recycle / Second-hand shop map of Tokyo

View Recycle Shops Tokyo in a larger map

Post Nav jump to… Freecycle Sayonara Sales

Target: You are in Japan for anything less than 5 years.

Japan is reputed to be one of the most expensive countries in the world, and there is truth in that statement. However, bypassing this hurdle can be surprisingly easy by keeping your ear to the ground.

Today ... read more »]]> Post Nav
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Freecycle
Sayonara Sales

Target: You are in Japan for anything less than 5 years.

Japan is reputed to be one of the most expensive countries in the world, and there is truth in that statement. However, bypassing this hurdle can be surprisingly easy by keeping your ear to the ground.

Today I’m gonna tell you about 2 miraculous benefits of a transient wealthy foreign community and a culture of looking after things really well, that will save you tens of thousands in cold hard yen.

Freecycle

You may have heard of Freecycle, a worldwide, yet localized network of people giving away their stuff because it’s better for the planet that way. In the 7 years since it started, over 7 million members have been stemming the landfill tide and getting free stuff in the process.

Some of the groups across the world have been touched by infighting over moderation and management issues, but the Tokyo Freecycle group gets along well, and about 1500 people across the city exchange primarily furniture and books in English through a mailing list.

To give you an idea, these are listings from a single random week in June.
• OFFER: baby bouncer, mobile for crib, memory mold
• OFFER: 180 lt refrigerator
• OFFER: folding chair
• OFFER: Double Bed
• OFFER: Shelving
• OFFER: cameras
• OFFER: Books
• OFFER: small fridge
• OFFER: digital alarm clock
• OFFER: desk lamp
• OFFER: Kitchen Table & 2 chairs
• OFFER: 3 piece desk set
• OFFER: Kitchen counter

The stuff is almost always in good / like new condition because most foreigners in Tokyo are passing through and selling it is a hassle. In a single week, taking this as an example you are likely to be able to kit your whole apartment for just the cost of getting it home. For smaller items this can be done by picking up from the owner, occasionally people with bigger items also have transport. For other ways of transporting see Claudia’s post on Convenience Store >>to>> Home Delivery, or my forth coming post Hiring a Van / A Man with a Van.

Stick to the etiquette of the group: no spamming; no posts other than those with the headings OFFER, TAKEN, WANTED; Don’t post loads of wanted ads, it’s annoying. 1 or 2 is ok though, try something broad like WANTED: basic household items; Don’t forget to freecycle back when you leave, especially since it might be the cheapest way to get rid of bulky items like your fridge.
Get on Tokyo Freecycle by joining the (non-Japanese) yahoo group: here.
(requires free account signup)

Sayonara Sales

Sayonara Sales are the lifeblood of the foreign community in Japan. A google archive search reveals the phrase starting to turn up around 1998, but methinks it was there far before then. It is almost a ritual for short and medium term residents to open their apartment up and sell off their crap. A cleansing ritual that turns the mind back to the mother country, or wherever else they are drifting off to.

What to expect

The subtypes of Tokyo foreigner are numerous and biodiverse, however witnessing them at the time of their Sayonara Sale is an interesting anthropological litmus test. Whether they are young care-free English teachers, Roppongi ex-pats with brats screaming and running around, or any other variety of stereotype(!) they share one thing in common…. They are very stressed out!

Don’t let this put you off, sure you are walking into their living nightmare, but by taking their stuff away you are lessening the pain and you are even in an excellent bargaining position since everyone leaves it until the last minute and has no choice but to sell cut price.

You can also expect some very decent stuff. Most people didn’t know how easy it was to get free stuff when they first got here so there is usually a lot of unoffensive Muji / Ikea furniture. Other stuff obviously shows signs of wear and tear – books and clothes etc. But this is the perfect place to come and get your first haul to kit out your entire apartment at a fraction of the real cost.

Where to find them

My favorite places to find Sayonara sales are:

The ever popular
GaijinPot.com
This link will take you to sales tagged “Sayonara”. From there you can choose a location convenient for you to pick up from. (BTW if you don’t know better already, DO NOT go reading the forums on Gaijin Pot, aka the quickest way to turn into a racist and plunge yourself into clinically recognized TokyoDepression)… you’re gonna read it now ain’t ya

The true and steady
Metropolis.co.jp
Metropolis, the biggest circulation English language magazine also has all it’s ads online. No function to narrow your search by area, but these ads are always up to date and numerous.

The untested but interesting
SayonaraSale.com
I haven’t actually used this, but some bright spark has made a website devoted to sayonara sales in Japan. Have you used this site? How did it work out?

Conclusion: You’re nuts to spend money on furniture in Japan when there is so much free and nearly free stuff out there. Don’t bother buying new stuff unless you are here for 5 years or more…

Post Nav jump to… Price Map Basic Estate Agent Codes Deposit & Key money Wa and Yō Apartment and Mansion Wa and Yō The One Room (Usagi Goya) Lofts All About Bathrooms

Japan has some interesting peculiarities when it comes to real estate. Rooms that perplex and delight. Maybe you’ve figured out where to search for your apartment but now ... read more »]]> Post Nav
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Price Map
Basic Estate Agent Codes
Deposit & Key money
Wa and Yō
Apartment and Mansion
Wa and Yō
The One Room (Usagi Goya)
Lofts
All About Bathrooms

Japan has some interesting peculiarities when it comes to real estate. Rooms that perplex and delight. Maybe you’ve figured out where to search for your apartment but now you’ve got to know what to look for. Here’s my guide on what’s what.

Price Map

Here is a semi-translated map of the current rental rates in Tokyo for One-rooms, 1K apartments and mansions:

Basic Estate Agent Codes

帖 / Jō The unit of measurement in Japanese rooms, based on tatami mats that are 1.82m long × 92cm wide, roughly the size of a human being with a margin.

1,2,3,4… Number of separate bedrooms – “one room” (ワンルーム) style studios where you sleep in your kitchen are not listed as 1**

L,D,K Living, Dining, Kitchen. Often in Japanese real estate this can be all one room. As a rough guide, estate agents will list up to 3.5 Jō space as a kitchen (enough room for a stove and basin unit, a fridge, and for you to stand and cook. nothing else), 4 Jō – 6 Jō as a DK dining and kitchen space… (enough for a small table and 2 chairs – a table and 4 chairs), and 7 Jō plus as an LDK where you can presumably get a sofa in as well. There are some apartments where the L is a separate room from the DK, but predominantly the pattern is to classify a room big enough for a sofa and a small table as an LDK

UBThe Unit Bath. A bizarre invention where your bathroom looks like a space pod – seemingly formed out of a single piece of plastic and inserted into your apartment. Generally a sign of a low grade apartment, varying styles from toilet butted up next to bath, or my personal favorite – shower head over the toilet :S. See below for more details

BT別[Insert god rays and angel chorus] The holy grail of Japanese apartments – the separate bath and toilet. Sign of a good apartment – toilet and bathroom are in different places!! Learn this Kanji which means separate!

S Strange unusual letter that will confuse most Japanese people. Means varyingly: service room, storage room – 納戸 Nando, normal room but has no windows… (contained inside the middle of a structure perhaps)

SB Shoe box… weren’t expecting that were you!

MB Meter box.. (fusebox) now it’s just getting silly.

押 押し入れ Oshiire This is useful. It means a type of Japanese closet that has a shelf in the middle. Traditionally used for Futons but will fit your clothes on a squished up rail on the top part, or maybe your computer as a desk if you are inventive?

CL Western style full length closet

CF Cushioned flooring. Curious… This generally means the owner used to have tatami mats, but it wasn’t selling or it was too much maintenance so they put flooring over the top of it and made it kinda bouncy..!

玄 This is a random kanji, but in the context of apartments it means the area of the entrance where you take off your shoes and put them in the…. SB

木造 There are lots of codes for different building materials. If you see this kanji, it means the building is made out of wood, generally a sign of a low grade apartment or an old building. Not great for earthquakes, they will wobble a lot more, and in severe earthquakes will burn quickly in fires that inevitably break out. However in the case of the Big One, it’s questionable whether any structure is going to withstand it and in a way, at least if it’s a wooden structure you fall only one or two floors rather than 27 and er.. it’s lightweight?!

SR Shower room. Not that common

Shikikin & Reikin (Deposit & Key Money)

In very simple terms, shiki-kin (敷金) is deposit money that you can* get back, rei-kin (礼金) is gift money you give to the owner and don’t get back. Say what?! Gift money?. Yup, if you haven’t heard already, Japan is a country where you give up to 2 months rent as a present to the rich capitalist bastard who owns your home. Oh the injustice. What’s up with that? Well, back to a recurrent theme, Japan is a country built on a foundation of personal relationships of trust… However, over the course of the Edo and Meiji eras, Tokyo exploded in population size, meaning young students and unskilled workers flooded to Tokyo without any relatives there who could vouch for them or protect them. In order to win the trust of the owner who would usually only let their property to people they knew and trusted, or people who had closeby relatives who could be hounded for late rent money, out-of-town relatives started a custom of paying the landlord some gift money up front to ensure a smooth arrangement and make the landlord feel an obligation to look after the tenant. But this ain’t the Meiji era and I’m not a penniless carpenter from the boondocks! In modern times though, paying this exorbitant fee gives you absolutely nothing in return, and yet continues to be applied to almost all properties. Japanese Wikipedia suggests it is more common in the Kanto area due to this history, though other major cities like Osaka also use this system regularly. What do I do? Not much you can do really. All the more reason to choose your apartment really carefully, because it costs a lot to move. You can try asking your estate agent for no-reikin properties, but they are still less common in Tokyo and may limit your choice too much. So how much money do I need? Anything up to 6 months worth of rent: 2 month’s deposit, 2 month’s key money, 1 month’s agent fee, 1st month’s rent in advance Anything else? Yes…. usually the contract term is 2 years and you have to pay more key money at the end of it. Maybe not as much as before but a significant amount that you won’t get back. Also, you probably won’t get all your deposit back. Try your best by cleaning the apartment to a state of perfection before you leave.

Apartment and Mansion

There are two concepts in Japanese real estate that may differ from your home country. As a general rule,

Apartment means : Cheap(er), low grade, wooden structure, old, low ceiling height, dark – frosted windows, cockroaches, low or no monthly maintenance fee, 1 2 or 3 story building, metallic cheap kitchen often without a stove – just a gas pipe for you to fit a detachable unit to, thin walls, unit baths

Mansion means : non-wooden structure, high rise or taller building, expensive monthly maintenance (¥6000+), caretaker employed around 2 days a week, thick walls, western and or Japanese rooms, better light, separate bath and toilet

Conclusion? Yes mansions are better than apartments and probably where you will want to live long term. Having said that, plenty of foreigners choose apartments on the basis of price, location or availability, and having lived in one myself for a year, I can report it is doable with minimum discomfort. Don’t mistake the apartment style for a more authentic Japanese experience though – almost all Japanese people, women especially, dislike this style of housing, thinking it dirty and unsafe, and would rather live in a more inconvenient location than in this style apartment unless they have no other choice.

Wa and Yō

Learn this kanji!
和洋
WaYō

JapaneseWestern

The One Room (Usagi Goya)

This is a Japanese experiment in hygiene. Eat, sleep, work, entertain, in a space barely bigger than the Tokyo Tower elevator. Cook your food, turn around, you’re in your bedroom… I’ve seen some great photography projects of these usagi-goyas. They have a kind of cult appeal. At least in my mind. A great place to collect thousands of manga comics and lose your mind.

Lofts

These peculiarly Japanese style apartments, though less common, offer you a way out of the one-room hell. Use the downstairs for eating, working, entertaining, and retire at night to a little nook up above. Like in this picture, some of the nooks even have air conditioning. Not for the claustrophobic!

Separate Bath and Toilet, UB and No Bath or Toilet?!

As already mentioned, separate bath and toilet and the Unit Bath Space Pod are markers for the quality of the apartment, and the cost of the rent. There is one more culture shock apartment type – those listed without a bath or a toilet!!! This often fools foreign apartment seekers because the headline price is always stupidly low. As low as ¥45,000 in central Shibuya. Unfortunately, no joy… this is scary ghetto apartment land! Well maybe not. But I certainly have never met a foreigner who moved into this type of accommodation (contact me if you have!). The principal seems to be a very small apartment-style room (hopefully Japanese so you can at least put your bed away during the day) and then a communally shared bathroom and toilet. There is no mention of management so who knows who cleans these areas. Alternatively you may find one of the increasingly rare buildings with no bathroom at all. These places rely on a local Sentō public bath to service the renters. This is some hard core Japanese culture experience! And, a great idea for a blog – “blog without a bathroom!”… haha. Anyway, on closer inspection we can see the setup – pretty grim and in all honesty, estate agents might be hesitant to let you live in one, worrying about whether you could deal with the culture, may also have de-facto male-only restrictions.
FYI, these Japanese style toilets are not limited to communal-style apartments. I’ve had a couple of shocks being shown around regular apartments with estate agents and finding such a squat toilet… very weird in your own home!!
Note: the no-bath apartment is not the same as a guest-house / gaijin house. They are not advertised in English, are much smaller, very poorly built and cockroach friendly wooden structures. In all honesty, you’re unlikely to come close to living in one, but it’s good to be aware of what the super-cheap headline price is concealing.

Conclusion

Learn the estate agent lingo so you can find an appropriate apartment and enjoy the cultural experience of peculiar housing

Post Nav jump to… Why is This Important? Things you will need How to Search How to Visit an Estate Agent Finally

Tokyo How to’s #1: Finding a Place to Live) I wanted to develop the theme a bit more with some hard won insights into getting not just any place to live, but a good ... read more »]]> Post Nav
jump to…
Why is This Important?
Things you will need
How to Search
How to Visit an Estate Agent
Finally

Tokyo How to’s #1: Finding a Place to Live) I wanted to develop the theme a bit more with some hard won insights into getting not just any place to live, but a good apartment. This involves going past the small English-speaking offerings, and getting stuck in to the Japanese estate agent culture. Some classes of Tokyo expat will have the luxury of having their apartment sourced for them before they arrive. For the rest, read on.

Why is this important?

Tokyo is an exhausting city, especially at the beginning. Having a place to cocoon away from the madness will absolutely make the difference between you fleeing the country or managing a long term rewarding stay. Trust me, bumping into yourself on the way out of the shower-toilet hybrid with see through doors on to your kitchen (fact) will get old. fast.

What you will need on your quest

• To be in Japan Anything that you are able to organize from overseas is likely to be overpriced, a long way from transport links, or just horrible… or a combination. Be warned.

• Patience! Do not expect to get off the boat and get a place the same day. Use Claudia’s previous guide to get yourself a temporary place and plan to live there for 3-4 weeks. If school / work etc is starting, then come before then because you may not get a chance to hunt once life proper starts. If you already have an apartment to base yourself from, again spending a long time wading through adverts will pay off.

• A Japanese person (or JLPT N1 level J-skills). This is no joke! This is not the place to practice your college 101 Japanese vocab, save that for something that isn’t going to impact on where you wake up every single day.

While it is just about possible to get a place without fluent conversational Japanese, it is extremely unlikely that you will get a good place.

These are actual responses from estate agents that friends repeatedly recount:
(Most extreme and rare) Estate agent crosses fingers, gets up out of seat, and walks to the door so that you can’t come in and you hobble backwards out the store.
(Frequent) Estate agent botches some version of ‘No English’ ‘Can’t English’ etc. and the conversation stops because estate agent is embarrassed and hopes you are going to go away.
(Frustratingly often) Estate agent is nice internationally minded person but bends too easily to the will of crotchety old owners. Expect replies like: that apartment has already gone (and that one too, and that one too), the owner cannot give us the key today (or tomorrow or the next day) – read: the owner doesn’t want a foreigner in their apartment but we’re ducking the issue by giving you these excuses.

Do not think that this is necessarily an indicator of general Japanese feeling, or that the problem is unrecognized.

In recent times, with over 4 million unoccupied rental housing units in the country, the Japan Property Management Association is increasingly urging the conservative landowners of Japan to reconsider foreign tenants in a more welcoming light – check this Japan Times article for more on that. In any case, anger does not usually do anything to help the situation, so relax and don’t fear – a nice apartment is awaiting you if you just give it a little more time and effort.

• Proof of Income. For workers: payslips / work contract. For students: a scholarship contract or letter, preferably with an inkan stamp or if not signed by the foundation. For students receiving money from parents / savings account back home – you are in a tricky category, some places will be satisfied with a few bank statements from abroad, for others you may make life easier if you move money into Japan so they can see the money in a Japanese bank account in your name (be careful of the exchange rate though!). For those on a working holiday visa with no job yet, you are in the trickiest category, your best bet is to stick with the temporary housing until you have a job with provable income and or proof of savings.

• Proof of ID. Usually your passport and or alien registration card, plus school enrollment if you are a student.

What to do: Search

• First question: Will your company or school be your guarantor?. This will change your attack style. If you can get your company or school to guarantee you, you will have smooth sailing.

• Use said Japanese person to help you search Forrent.jp This is by far the biggest apartment listing site out there.

Or you can botch your way through without a Japanese person by following these steps. On the blue map click bottom right for Kanto region. On the next page click 東京 for Tokyo. Then, use wikipedia to find the names of the train line you want. i.e. search for Yamanote Line and reference the Kanji at the top of the page. You can literally copy the kanji and then use Ctrl+F to find it on the forrent page. The next thing is to again use Wikipedia to reference the station name. Finally use my annotated picture below to navigate the various search criteria.

You only need to fill out the following three really:
• Max rent per month. (In the drop down, 8.5= ¥85,000 etc.)
• Distance from the station – to prevent unscrupulous agents who list anything in a 10 mile radius as being next to the station you are searching for, best to check at least 15 minutes max from the station.
• Either apartment style (Note that if you want all apartments that are 2K and up you have to select all styles 2K, 2DK, 2LDK ~ up to ~ 5K) OR Min apartment size – 20m is tiny rabbit hutch, 25m is probably average, 30m is starting to get to a big livable space by Tokyo standards. Couples will want at least 30m to stop fights from happening!

Select Kanto region to access Tokyo trainlines on forrent.jp

Select 東京 to access Tokyo area page. Taken from http://www.forrent.jp/kanto/

Use wikipedia to find the Japanese kanji name of your trainline.

Copy the Japanese Kanji you found on wikipedia and use it to search the trainlines page.

inally, on this page, again referencing Wikipedia, click the station names you want, then input other search options

What to do: visit

• Now that you have several apartments you want to see, print them out and find where the estate agent is – listed at the bottom under 取り扱い店舗. Again use said Japanese person to make this process infinitely smoother!

Agent details are at the bottom of the page, why not use google maps to search for the location listed

• In my experience, it is best to go to see the agent face to face. Dress like a presentable upstanding citizen and take your Japanese person, and all your documents, and show the agent the print outs and say that you would like to see these houses which you saw they were advertising on the internet.

• At this point You will probably be asked to fill in some contact detail forms. They may also tell you that the apartments you chose are not actually very good and they have a whole host of other ones to show you. This may actually be true because the photos on the internet are sometimes misleading. Say thank you and that you will look at anything else suitable but be firm that you came to see those apartments.

• If you don’t have a guarantor, don’t panic. Make sure you have your financial details in order and can explain what you are doing in Japan. Ask the agent if the properties you want to see will accept a guarantor company – widely becoming a standard insurance that you pay at the beginning of the lease instead of using the traditional guarantor. Your choice may be more limited but it is not as much of a problem as it used to be.

• Tell them you don’t want to pay key money. Say that you would prefer to search for apartments with no key money and you may turn up some gems. There are quite a few out there nowadays but not generally on the best apartments – however, your estate agent will always be trying to get more money out of you so might be best to go in with a strong first position, and then compromise later if nothing good comes up.

• At this point you should be on a smooth course. Avoid delays and hiccups by bringing all the proper paper work with you from the beginning. Don’t be completely crest fallen if it falls through at the last minute. Pick yourself up and hit the search pages again.

Finally

Japan is a country built on networks of trust. As a foreigner, your network is disjointed at best and non-existent at worst and this clashes with the conservative, wary landlords of Japan. It is perhaps regrettable but taking a Japanese person with you who will champion your cause is invaluable, as will having legitimate places of work or study as a backdrop to your application.

Myth buster. Although most apartments have a 1~2 year contract, leaving early will not incur you the remaining months rent. Check this with your agent before you sign, but usually the contract is more for your protection – the landlord agrees not to chuck you out, or charge more key money (which they often do) before the end of the 2 year period

Conclusion

Getting an apartment is still a chore! Improve your chances by co-opting a Japanese assistant and approaching the task with patience and lots of legit paperwork

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.

Hi Folks,

As you can see, TokyoSurvival is undergoing some construction.  I can’t officially announce a launch date yet, but it’s coming! I’ve been working together with some friends, and I hope to relaunch the website with a steady stream of Tokyo survival tips.  Please stay tuned.

If you have any ... read more »]]>

Hi Folks,

As you can see, TokyoSurvival is undergoing some construction.  I can’t officially announce a launch date yet, but it’s coming! I’ve been working together with some friends, and I hope to relaunch the website with a steady stream of Tokyo survival tips.  Please stay tuned.

If you have any requests for How To’s or questions about Japanese culture, please feel free to e-mail Claudia@tokyosurvival.com

In the mean time, please enjoy my favorite How To:

http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-6-survive-a-rush-hour-train

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

They finally have a relatively tourist and short stay friendly system for prepaid phones. It is darn reasonable too! Before getting a cell was a crazy ordeal; You had to sign a contract and pay crazy rates for only 30 minutes a month!

Visiting friends for a short period of ... read more »]]> They finally have a relatively tourist and short stay friendly system for prepaid phones. It is darn reasonable too! Before getting a cell was a crazy ordeal; You had to sign a contract and pay crazy rates for only 30 minutes a month!

Visiting friends for a short period of time is a pain without the coordination convenience of a phone. The only prepaid phones that were available were the ones for rent at the airport. THEY WERE AND STILL ARE TERRIBLE! The Rates are horrible and the phone is incredibly old. Worst is the LACK OF E-MAIL! If you have friends in Japan, this is a necessity.







Introducing the new softbank prepaid phone. It’s only 4000yen for the cellphone and prepaid phone cards. The rates are still pretty bad at 9 yen per 6 seconds. However, they don’t over charge you for short conversations, which I greatly appreciate. These prepaid cards can be purchased at local convenient stores if you run out of minutes.

Now the best part:
Unlimited e-mails for 300yen a month! isn’t that insane!?!
My old cellphone charged be 1000yen for every 10,000 e-mails… which seem like a lot… but you can blast thought it pretty quickly if you are using it like instant messaging.

Notes and the Catch:

• The phone only lasts for a year.
• You can only have e-mail only and emergency calls only up to 90 days. Otherwise you need to add more money to your prepaid minutes.
• Choosing you own e-mail is possible, but difficult to figure it out.  I had to use a crazy looking one.
• You need to get a Japanese person to handle the contract for you or have an alien registration card (my friend was able to do it without it… but that is a pretty big inconsistency… so assume that you need a Japanese person).
• Go to Flagship Softbank Stores!!! The one in Shibuya is the one I went to.  Locations that sell softbank phones like yodabashi and akiba do NOT have prepaid cells.  The large one in Harajuku might have it, but I have not confirmed.
• PUSH PUSH PUSH! I hiked all over the city trying to get this damn phone.  I called to make sure they had it, only for them to tell me that they didn’t.  When I insisted that someone confirmed that they did have it, than they were able to sell me the phone (not before disappearing for 15 minutes to check with their manager of course). It was frustrating needless to say.

Finding a Softbank Store:

• Maps of Flagship Stores!
• Harajuku:                      Shibuya:

So getting the phone was still a little painful and infuriating, but in the end I was infinitely satisfied with my phone. After everything, it cost me a little over 8000 yen to get me set up.  Of course, I am not counting the cost of training around the damn city >_<! I got the 730SC – I was satisfied with the screen, functionality, and buttons (if they are to flat its hard to type). However, I never figured out how to get infrared to work.

If you are indeed staying a longer time in Japan: Please check out my older posts on my overview of cellphone carriers How To’s#3:  Getting a Cellphone(j-phone)

Alright! Although my blog is mostly for people living in Tokyo for a longer period of time, I guess it provides it’s uses for travelers as well.

My friends and some of my blogs visitors have asked me about hotels.  Living in Japan, I’ve always sought my refuge in everything but ... read more »]]>


Alright! Although my blog is mostly for people living in Tokyo for a longer period of time, I guess it provides it’s uses for travelers as well.

My friends and some of my blogs visitors have asked me about hotels.  Living in Japan, I’ve always sought my refuge in everything but hotels.






So your options are as such:

• Friends homes: I had host families and made lots of friends over the years. (Not everyone has a spare room, or as open to share their home… just a heads up)
• Hostels: are good but still a little unsafe. (Your stuff can still get stolen!)
• Ryokan (旅館): Japanese style hotels are expensive but super nice!  You get to wear the yukatas and eat japanese billion course meal ^_^
• Minshuku (民宿): Japanese style bed and breakfast.  Usually owned by families.  Food is usually mediocre and AC is limited.
• Hotels: I stayed at Daichi in Kichijoji, nice but expensive. Loved the brunch buffet!

If you are unfamiliar with Japanese customs (bathing, cuisine, squatting toilets), I suggest you stay at a hotel. Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Kichijoji have Airport Limousines (If I am not mistaken). Those are far more convenient than taking the train. With luggage and such, it’s going to be a pain to navigate through the crowded stations. Especially, if you are going to Shinjuku!

Warning: Do not book a hotel near the airport.  Narita is 2 hours away from Tokyo and it is not a cheap train ride!

There are Japanese websites that aggregate hotel rates, but alas, they are in Japanese…and chances are, if you reading this post, you cannot read Japanese.  However, I do have a solution!

I love sites like these, I mean I like saving money…but my time is also worth something as well.  So you’ll know you’ll get a good deal if you use one of these sites:

• Hotelscombined.com : It’s searches a over 30 hotel booking website, so it’s a pretty good resource.
• Booking.com: Similar…If you select the hotel, it will tell you which rooms they have available those days.

• Comfortable shoes
• Dufflebag (you are gonna have tons of stuff to bring home^_^)
• Simple phrasebook
• Camera
• Medicine (Ibuprofen, stomach medicine)
• CASH (The country mostly operates in cash on a day to day basis; credit cards are only for large purchases)

So I know how it is.

You go anywhere in Tokyo and you’ll end up having to spend a bunch not only on transportation, but on food and whatever cool nick knacks you find.

I will now introduce you to my cheapest and favorite pass time in Japan.

Shisha!

Yes…I do indeed speak of ... read more »]]> So I know how it is.

You go anywhere in Tokyo and you’ll end up having to spend a bunch not only on transportation, but on food and whatever cool nick knacks you find.

I will now introduce you to my cheapest and favorite pass time in Japan.

Shisha!

Yes…I do indeed speak of hookah or the water tobacco.  Guess what… it is dirt cheap and good.  You get your own hookah for 400 yen and you are expected to buy a drink from around 200 yen.  All in all, it’s a really cheap way to spend a couple hours.  I used to go here about once a week.  They also offer free mixes.  My personal favorite flavors are: Honey and Rose/Vanilla mix.  This place is literally a hole in the wall and super tiny.  Still a great place with great people though.

(Warning: whoever said hookah is better for you than cigarettes was lying.  I am telling you up front that it is like smoking 100 cigarettes.  You have been warned…Also, water tobacco isn’t legal in Japan…but they get away with calling themselves something herbal.  Just an FYI.. You aren’t going to get deported or anything, so no worries)

It is located in a place very close to my heart… Shimokitazawa(下北沢,)

Shimokitazawa is a great spot for cheap dining and shopping and very much has a culture of it’s own.  It reminded me of Haight Ashbury in San Francisco.  In fact, there is a store called Haight Ashbury!  This is not covered in a lot of tourist books so it’s tourist free.  Only people who have stayed in Tokyo for a while know of this place.   It’s also a great place to meet other cool international people.

STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS WITH PHOTOS

Step 1: Trains

You can take a train from Shinjuku or Shibuya.  I normally ride from from Shibuya on Keio.  Shinjuku and Odakyuu still confuses the hell out of me.  So save yourself the heartache and take the Keio Line in Shibuya toward Meidaemae (train map).  If you are taking local, it is 4 stops; rapid is only 1 stop.

Step 2: Do you see this sign? If you don’t, you are at the wrong station!

Step 3: It is a little tricky and maze like but you can do it! Just makes sure you are heading toward this sign.  You want to go North. Once you arrive at the gate, go right and head toward North exit.

Step 4: Turn left when you exit.   You should see the Mizuho bank.

Step 5: Walk up the parked bikes.  You will have no choice but to turn right.

Step 6: When you reach the T intersection the right again.  (This use to be a Isetan…not sure what it’ll be now)









Step 7:keep walking.  You will walk a few more blocks.  You’ll pass a “freshness burger”  and Starbucks.  You’ll eventually walk down a small decline and see a Lawons on your right.







Step 8: Turn left at the Lawsons and walk a block or two.You will pas under the shimokitazawa ichibangai sign.  you will reach a T intersection and smell the wonderful sheesha.  Next to the hookah shop is the a french restaurant.

So for all of you who have read my previous post about the dangers of Japanese toilets… I wanted to share with you a good laugh from one of my fellow bloggers. I will list excerpts from the post but I highly recommend reading the whole thing!

Reannon of Taken ... read more »]]> So for all of you who have read my previous post about the dangers of Japanese toilets… I wanted to share with you a good laugh from one of my fellow bloggers. I will list excerpts from the post but I highly recommend reading the whole thing!

Reannon of Taken by the Wind wrote:

“The 999th reason why I hate kanji”

“I woke up this morning at seven, stepped into the shower, and sleepily pushed the button that turns on the hot water heater….Or so I thought.”

“Suddenly the bathroom erupted into chaos. Sirens blared, an automated computer voice started shouting instructions at me through the vent over the bathtub and I screamed in terror. “

“Apparently the button located near the hot water heater wasn’t outlined in pink because it symbolized ‘heat’, but because it was the emergency call button. I’d just unwittingly notified the doorman, the receptionist and possibly the police, that I was having a heart attack in the bathtub.”

“I could hear the intercom buzzing so I grabbed a towel and dashed towards the front door…I punched every button, pausing for a second after each one to shout: ‘moshi moshi!’ into the microphone.”

“…Yes, I set off the fire alarm.“

“Damn. I forgot the Japanese word for mistake. “Misutaiku!” I yelled, pronouncing the English word with a Japanese accent.”

“Chotto Matte (Just a moment),” came the reply….there was a knock on the door.”

“I only had enough time to quickly rearrange my towel back into place before I watched in horror as the front door clicked open and in walked a police officer.”

“Not only do I have to be ‘that idiot gaijin who can’t read’ but I have to be caught wearing nothing but a towel with sopping wet hair and ugly mascara tracks running down my cheeks.”

“Funnily enough, this has happened to me twice before…”

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Please read the whole thing at http://reannon-takenbythewind.blogspot.com/2009/04/999th-reason-why-i-hate-kanji.html

If you are new to Japan, let me tell you about Golden Week. It is a glorious time when nobody works and everybody travels….and I do quite mean EVERYBODY! If you know what is good for you…Don’t leave the house!

I am giving you fair warning to let you know that ... read more »]]> If you are new to Japan, let me tell you about Golden Week. It is a glorious time when nobody works and everybody travels….and I do quite mean EVERYBODY! If you know what is good for you…Don’t leave the house!

I am giving you fair warning to let you know that Shibuya and Shinjuku will be twice as crowded…It is normally pretty crowded, but it’s usually efficient at least.

People book their vacations MONTHS in advance…sometimes even half a year. If you are planning to do an impromptu trip, it is going to cost you a lot of money. Even the cheap places mark up their prices. You can expect to spend at least 10,000 yen to travel and eat for a few days during golden week.

Notes: Travel activity is anticipated to peak on May 2 with people leaving the large urban centers and on May 6 in the opposite direction. Heavy traffic can also be expected on April 29 and May 3 and 5.

A Bit ‘o’ History
In 1948, Japan decided on holidays. They just so happened to all be concentrated into one week, end of April to early May. There is a huge spike in spending during this week and everybody makes money! In 1951, “Jiyū Gakkō” had record sales and the director of Daiei Films to coined the phrase”Golden Week” based on the Japanese radio lingo “golden time,” which denotes the period with the highest listener ratings.

So…if you think there is some awesome ancient history about golden week….sorry to disappoint. It’s kinda like how department stores in New York invented Santa and Coca Cola made him red. It’s still awesome though^_^.

At the time, April 29 was a national holiday celebrating the birth of the Shōwa Emperor. Upon his death in 1989, the day was renamed “Greenery Day”. In 2007, Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 was renamed Shōwa Day to commemorate the late Emperor.

Thought this was funny… so I tried to google image some pictures for this blog post. This is the first image that comes up..it is a Japanese ad for getting a wax…I guess everyone was clicking on it..haha.

http://www.nuajapan.com/campaigns

Shibazakura “The Ground Sakura”

When: Mid April – Early May

Where: Hitsujiyama Koen in Chichibu, Saitama

How: From Ueno or Tokyo station ride to Ōmiya station. Reserved seat costs ¥2800, and a non-reserved seat cost ¥1580. (Japan Rail Pass or JR East Rail Pass work) Do yourself a favor and get the reserved seats! ... read more »]]>

Shibazakura
“The Ground Sakura”

When: Mid April – Early May

Where: Hitsujiyama Koen in Chichibu, Saitama

How: From Ueno or Tokyo station ride to Ōmiya station. Reserved seat costs ¥2800, and a non-reserved seat cost ¥1580. (Japan Rail Pass or JR East Rail Pass work) Do yourself a favor and get the reserved seats! Tickets sell out on the way back…so don’t get stranded!

My notes: It was great! The azaleas aren’t as vast as advertised but it is still an amazing sight. Shibazakura is kind of considered and obaa-san place. There are some very decent matsuri food, like huge yaki-ika. I recommend that you leave most of your stuff in the lockers by the station. It’s a very nice hike in the park so enjoy!

Footage I took from Shibazakura last year!

Karōshi 過労死 is Death by Overwork Only in Japan does such a thing exist or is even an issue. Japan has been known for it’s hustle and bustle lifestyle but not without a cost. All those who live in Japan know that when it turns night, every izakaya is ... read more »]]>
Karōshi 過労死 is Death by Overwork

Only in Japan does such a thing exist or is even an issue. Japan has been known for it’s hustle and bustle lifestyle but not without a cost. All those who live in Japan know that when it turns night, every izakaya is filled with drunken salarymen. However, for every one of those there is one somewhere else working excessive overtime.

Karoshi is usually a stroke or heart attack. However, suicide that was caused by stress is also considered Karoshi. This is a recognized death by insurance companies. If a family member dies of Karoshi the company that they worked for will pay out the family…not well mind you.

This is a serious problem in Japan and they have attempted to rectify it, but after understanding the dynamics of the culture, I can say that it won’t change anytime soon. The expectation from workers is intense.

I know people who sleep a a couple hours a night to than wake up and go to work. The offices pay for dinner and taxi cab fare. I also know people who’s companies have paid for hotels nearby the office so that they do not need to leave for too long.

I will leave the topic of crazy suicide rates in Japan for another day. Now please enjoy this un-PC game based on Karoshi

ENJOY!

This is by far is the most beautiful sight you will ever see. No photograph can ever do it justice. When it is that time of year, all time seems to stand still. The endless white and pink pedals fluttering down makes you feel blessed that you ... read more »]]> This is by far is the most beautiful sight you will ever see. No photograph can ever do it justice. When it is that time of year, all time seems to stand still. The endless white and pink pedals fluttering down makes you feel blessed that you are alive. You see it in movies and you hear about it but this is a once in a life time MUST SEE! So for all those in Japan…you should feel blessed.

Sakura Season varies from location to location. For Tokyo it is blossoming right now! There is actually an adventure called Sakura Chasing. Because of the change in climate from north to south, spring hits at a different time. You can thus travel from North to South chasing blossoming sakura for about a month and a half. You can imagine that it is an expensive endeavor. However, I hope to one day do it myself

Hanami (花見) - It literally means “Flower Watching”. It is when Sakura Season comes, and you pretty much go get drunk with your friends all day long. People will spend the night in the cold to reserve the best hanami spots through out the park!

When I say drunk..I don’t mean a little tipsy… People get PLASTERED! They do CRAZY things. The norm is dancing, singing songs, play instruments, doing homoerotic dares…o_O like the boys in this photo…—>

Preparation: Bring a tarp, blanket, alcohol, TONS of snacks, and a Camera!(you never know what your gonna see!) I saw some guys go swimming in the public pond!

Warning: The line to go to the bathroom is going to be enormous…so if you need to go start waiting in line early, and don’t wait till that absolute LAST MINUTE!!!

Inokashira Park:

5 min walk from Kichijoji (JR Chuo Line)
1 min walk from Inokashira Kōen (Keio Line)
…Just follow the signs that say Inokashira Park.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Park:(MAP)


JR・KEIO・ODAKYU Lines:Shinjuku sta. “south exit” 10min. walk
SEIBU SHINJUKU Line: Seibu shinjuku sta. 15min. walk
Marunouchi Line(Subway): Shinjuku gyoen mae sta. “Exhit1″ 5min. walk
Toei Shinjuku Line(Subway): Shinjuku 3 chome sta.: “C１&C５exit” 5min. walk

Don’t know where to go? Just follow the trail of Japanese people! TAKE SOME GREAT PICTURES!

Hey all,

Sorry for the delay in recent posts. It’s mid-terms time, and I can’t write as many posts as I would like. I will be moving this blog to tokyosurvival.com soon, so look forward to it! For now, please enjoy and attend the Kanamura festival.^_^ I ... read more »]]> Hey all,

Sorry for the delay in recent posts. It’s mid-terms time, and I can’t write as many posts as I would like. I will be moving this blog to tokyosurvival.com soon, so look forward to it! For now, please enjoy and attend the Kanamura festival.^_^ I attended it last year and it was great!

Warning: there will be 70%+ gaijin attending.

-Claudia

What: Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus)
When: April 5 (Sunday)
Where: Kawasaki, Kanagawa

Start time: 10:30AM(it is best to go earlier)
End time: 4:30PM

Nearest station: Kawasakidaishi (Keikyu line)
Direction: Take the south exit and follow the Gaijin crowd. Kanayama shrine is just a minute walk from the station.

The Kanamara Matsuri, also called Festival of the Steel Phallus, or in layman’s term “Penis festival”, is an annual Shinto fertility festival held in Kawasaki, Japan in spring. The penis is the central theme of the event, and it decorated in every aspect of the festival; in illustrations, candy, carved vegetables, decoration, a parade of mikoshis, etc.

There is a huge 4 foot tall penis permanently at the shrine year round.

The best part about this festival is that it is right next to a kindergarten school o_o

Note: Not too many Japanese people know about this festival, it is more popular in foreign countries, so be careful who you speak to this about this wild festival. You might still get odd looks if you flaunt your pictures. ENJOY!

Check URL’s for:
* Train times & connections
* Weather forecast
* Kanamara festival
* Photos

(some of this information was copied from a Tokyo Gaijin e-mail)

These are educational for Gaijin and Tokyoites alike… If you are ever on riding a Metro subway train you will see these posters up.

Most of these don’t-do’s are committed by drunk people at night.

ENJOY!!

Please also enjoy:

空気読めない Kuuki Yomenai = K.Y.(Adj,,n.)

When I first heard it I thought of something dirty. Don’t lie, you know you did too! It literally means “cannot read the air” While you are living in Japan you will find this is a commonly used phrase. It is NOT ONLY used by young people. ... read more »]]>
空気読めない
Kuuki Yomenai = K.Y.(Adj,,n.)

When I first heard it I thought of something dirty. Don’t lie, you know you did too!

It literally means “cannot read the air”

While you are living in Japan you will find this is a commonly used phrase. It is NOT ONLY used by young people. It is referring to a person who is oblivious to his current surrounding, and may say or do something insensitive or inappropriate.

This has a negative connotation of ignorance.
Synonymous words would be : Dense or Thick-headed.
Another variation is C.K.Y.
C is for Chou = super, really, extremely

Aizuchi (相槌 or あいづち)

It is the act of nodding your head an uttering something to reassure the speaker that you are listening. This is VITAL to communicating in Japan.

The noise that is often used is:

To be safe, just stick with the ... read more »]]>
Aizuchi (相槌 or あいづち)

It is the act of nodding your head an uttering something to reassure the speaker that you are listening. This is VITAL to communicating in Japan.

The noise that is often used is:

• “un”
• “ee”(pronounced “eh”)
• “hai”
• “soune”
• “sou desuka”
• “sou desune”
• more variations of “sou”(haha)
• variations of “hontou”

To be safe, just stick with the top 3.

When: when any Japanese person is talking, regardless of status.

How: constantly nod your head(like a boggle head), and say “un” every 4-6 nods.

Why: To be polite, and further integrated in the culture that is Japan.

I actually participated in a study on how Gaijin learn or pick up Aizuchi. They recorded me speaking Japanese and English. If you live their long enough and you converse enough in Japanese you WILL pick it up. It’s only when you go back to your country that people ask you why you keep constantly nodding and interrupting them, that you realize that you subconsciously picked it up.

This is a list of things/words you need to know:

Kinen-Seki and Kitsuen-Seki:

These will be the first thing your hear when you enter a restaurant. It means non-smoking and smoking. In Japan, smoking is still allowed in doors. This was a bit of a culture shock to me, ... read more »]]>

This is a list of things/words you need to know:

Kinen-Seki and Kitsuen-Seki:

These will be the first thing your hear when you enter a restaurant. It means non-smoking and smoking. In Japan, smoking is still allowed in doors. This was a bit of a culture shock to me, since I grew up in San Francisco. We haven’t had smoking sections since I was a child.

If you wand non-smoking you say “kinen-seki onegaishimasu”.

Note: their little dividers will do little to block the smoke from wafting into your nostrils. Also, if you have sensitive eyes like I do…invest in some eyedrops…o_o

Oshibori(おしぼり or お絞り):

Wherever, you eat you will have a wet towelette to clean your hands. You will have this regardless of whether or not you will be eating with your hands.

Note: hot in the winter, cold in the summer

WARNING: DO NOT WIPE YOUR FACE WITH THIS (I’ve seen some salarymen do it. but it’s a no-no)

Osusume(おすすめ or お勧め):

It means recommendation. Most places will have a recommendation written on the menu. So learn the kanji well…because you will be seeing it. Also, sometimes you won’t be able to read the menu. It is very useful to ask your waitor/waitress what is their recommendation.

“Osusume ha..” is acceptable… or
“Anata no osusume ha nan desuka” if you are determined to speak in whole sentences.

Teishoku:

LEARN THIS KANJI, IT WILL BE YOUR SAVIOR!

I love love…LOVE Teishoku! It is set meals! Considering that I was hungry for the first 4 months in Japan, I looked forward to these reasonably prices filling meals. Lunch time is of course cheaper, and it always comes with delicious miso(even at Denny’s)

I find that the family owned hole-in-the-wall spots can be pretty darn delicious…so start looking! And share you favorite spots with your friends.

Omochikaeri:

It means “to go”. If you go to fast food restaurants they will ask you for here or to go.
Note: There are no such things as doggie bags in Japan. People will just look at you funny.

Betsu-Betsu:

Whenever you eat at a restaurant you will almost always pay at the door. Before you pay, just say the magic words “betsu betsu” and they will very easily SPLIT THE CHECK. Each person will pay only for their own meal, and since gratuity is included it just makes it easier.

Note: I’m more impressed because I am American…Because if you ask an American waitor/waitress to split the check, they look at you as if you asked them to do advanced quantum physics.

“Gochisou sama deshita” (ごちそうさまでした):

“Thank you for a wonderful meal”

This is very useful for relationship building…and it’s pretty standard for politeness.

Whether you live in a dorm or go to you favorite sushi place. You should say that as your are leaving. Say it loud and proudly, to further emphasize how delicious the meal was! It will make them happy, and make you happy for feeling like you are a part of the culture.

I had Kaiten-sushi(revolving sushi) way to often… so I used it regularly. The preparers will remember you, and it will help your cultural immersion in Japan!

Gan Batte!

Call me clumsy… but I’ve lost my wallet 3 times in Japan… It happens… you walk around a lot..things go in and out of your bag..it’s bound to happen.

However, each time I lost it, it was not only returned but had ALL THE CASH! This would happen ... read more »]]> Call me clumsy… but I’ve lost my wallet 3 times in Japan… It happens… you walk around a lot..things go in and out of your bag..it’s bound to happen.

However, each time I lost it, it was not only returned but had ALL THE CASH! This would happen ONLY in Japan!

Mind you that I’d carry about 30,000yen at minimum ($300USD) You live in Japan long enough, you know…that you ALWAYS need to have cash!

In either case, this is possibly my favorite attribute to why Japanese people are so great! They are so considerate. In America, the best you could hope for…in the case of a lost wallet is…is your empty wallet with all your ID’s and credit cards. Not in Japan..my experience has been phenomenal. If it was at school I got it in the lost and found. College students are poor…I would not have been surprised to find my money missing.

The other occasions I lost my wallet, I was called by the cops. They found like bank card which had my cellphone number on it.(talk about service!) They called to inform me where it was, and I was able to pick it up within a couple hours of loosing it. Luckily I had some change for the train…or it would have been yabai…(no good)

So in Japan here is the protocol for receiving all your money back! This is not mentioned in textbooks or anything of that sort. So yes…japanese people are considerate…but it is also assumed that you will be grateful…and thus be osewaninatta(in debted to).

Rule of thumb is about 20-30% of the cash that was in the wallet. Wherever your wallet was returned to, they will often leave contact information…it is up to you to contact them and give them thank you money.

1. Lose wallet
2. Get wallet back with all the cash
3. Give Thanks in the form of 20-30% of wallet content

you got it? and it doesn’t hurt to ask a Japanese friend for help on this matter.

World’s most populated city, along with the most advanced rail systems….

Tokyo is famous for their crowded trains. Now, combine the idea your average encounter with Asians(likely to be Chinese, and loud) except multiply that by thousands… and you will probably have an image that it is unbearably NOISY!

However, Japan is ... read more »]]> World’s most populated city, along with the most advanced rail systems….

Tokyo is famous for their crowded trains. Now, combine the idea your average encounter with Asians(likely to be Chinese, and loud) except multiply that by thousands… and you will probably have an image that it is unbearably NOISY!

However, Japan is quite the opposite.

When I say eerily quiet, I do mean it. You will never have heard such intense silence in your life (Except possibly a Japanese movie theater before a film starts…I’ll explain in a future post)

There is generally some minimal noise created by living beings. Such as: coughing, shuffling, breathing… In the trains though, you are left with only the sounds of: the tracks, cellphone button clicking (e-mails), PSP’s, tapping of a DS, or a rude person with earphones too loud. I mean..you can honestly hear a sneeze practically in the next car over.

Now for people who live in Japan for longer periods of time, you will likely have your handy iPod or mp3 player on hand all the time. But one of these days, you will forget to charge it or you didn’t plug it in correctly…and BAM! It’s your morning commute and you are deprived of your music and/or podcasts for the remainder of your journey. It is at that moment, when you realize that it’s quiet….scary quiet.

To make things clear, the only time that it is not quiet is during the late evenings….which are usually loaded with drunken salary men and rowdy young people who are trying to catch the last train home.

In most countries, trains will be noisy…but why….is it in Japan it is the norm to be near silent?

Well when I asked a number of my Japanese friends as well as students, the best understanding i can provide is it’s historical context…

When trains were first introduced, it was a luxurious form of transportation. People would dress up, and exhibit a “proper” image. During that time, it would be rude and inappropriate to be boisterous. It is only over time, that the train system evolved to span the entirety of Japan…and grow into one of the world’s most efficient systems. It may no longer be considered and a upper-class luxury anymore, but the importance of caring for others is still very much there

In addition, considering that you are often face-deep in somebody’s armpit during a rush hour train…don’t you think it’s nicer that nobody is talking and yapping away letting their morning breath into the already stuffy train?

Although this is a generalized statement, Japanese people are very much the type to care for others. It is both a positive and negative attribute…But if you are to live or stay in Japan, it is one of the core understanding that is needed to understand Japanese culture…

So next time you are in the train…understand hat by being loud and inconsiderate of others, you would be infringing on another persons overall comfort and experience…Thus, it is important as foreigners that we respect and abide by this social rule of in train silence. Many foreigners feel it is stupid to abide by this rule..and that Japanese people simply care too much…but in the end…if you are in THEIR country, you should abide by THEIR rules.

So please….Don’t be a BAD foreigner, and be courteous in the train. (don’t eat on the train either!)

Please also read How to Survive a Rush Hour Train!

Suggestion on how to endure the silence:

• keep you Ipod charged!
• Podcast are your friend
• Go to Kinokuniya to buy some books (hard to read in a rush hour train though)
• Nintendo DS/PSP is a godsend! (i advise nintendo DS for it’s more casual games…racing games and realtime games are ill advised)
• Learn to sleep standing up (I did it…so can you)
• Cellphone e-mails ( I use to text my friends at home..it’s usually the number#@thecarrieremail.com)
• meditate

If you have lived in Japan, you are likely to be familiar with that fact that the portions are smaller. However, that does not mean you can not have a full stomach! Believe it or not, there are quite a few of these places all around! Introducing ... read more »]]> If you have lived in Japan, you are likely to be familiar with that fact that the portions are smaller. However, that does not mean you can not have a full stomach! Believe it or not, there are quite a few of these places all around! Introducing the two forms of all-you can eat in Japan!:

Tabehodai:
The best translation for “all you can eat”. What this means is that you are sitting at a table and you can place as many orders as your would like. At izakayas (drinking places), this usually goes along with nomihodai, which is all you can drink! From a select menu you can call as many plates as you want.

My personal favorites are Shakey’s Pizza and Guts Soul. These are two chains, that are scattered around different stations in Tokyo. Shakey’s (easily located in Harajuku and Shibuya) is all you can eat pizza! There are different set you can purchase, that allow you to have more of a selection with pizza, sides, and drink! I suggest you avoid the corn and tuna one. Sounds interesting at first…but it’s really not that appetizing especially when they provide the entirety of a 12 inch pizza.o_O

Guts Soul how I love thee… This is superiorly cheap korean BBQ. During lunch hours I believe they offer a better deal, but the evening prices are not bad either! The cheapest one is 980yen and it ranges to 1500yen. The difference is only in the selection of meet. The cheapest one is limited only to pork and some lower cut beef. The more expensive ones, give you the option to eat better cuts. Personally, it all goes down good. The ones I ate at was located at yoyogi and nakano. Try to mix in some veggies…for the sake of nutrition.^_^

OH! and for the sushi connoisseur, there is a all you can eat tsukiji tabehodai place at the kinshichyou station! It’s amazing! A little bit expensive, I believe it was 2500yen a head but it was worth it! You can eat all ootoro(fatty tuna) the whole night if you so choose.

Viking:
Alright…this was pretty confusing to me, too. So Viking means buffet…Took me a while to figure that one out. I think its because there is a stereotype that Vikings ate a lot. Also, it is easier to pronounce that “buffet” for Japanese people.

The difference is that you must walk up to get your food. Viking is less tasty in my opinion. It is about the same price as tabehodai more or less. The less enjoyable features is that all the good stuff gets gobbled immediately and the remaining dregs is not very enjoyable. The temperatures of everything is not quite right, and new trays always take a while to come out>_<. I've had indian food Viking, which wasn't half bad. My worse experience was with a Thai Viking in shinjuku that caused me and my friends to have an upset stomach. o_O I will however recommend a place in Harajuku, across from the Daiso called “Dessert Paradise”. There is a plethora of amazing cakes and pies to choose from! There is also a very enjoyable pasta/soup bar where you can fill up on actual sustenance before you hovel sweets into your face for 30 minutes.

With all this in mind, enjoy a night out with your friends and your full stomach! Be careful though, you are probably not accustomed to overeating and you will have negative effects. Full stomach = Happy points. Falling asleep from food coma/bloated stomach pains = -Happy points. So consume with caution!

I want to begin with the fact that I went to Sophia University (上智大学, Jōchi daigaku)for a year.

Choosing a school: With Sophia it was a good school and there is definitely some prestige to the name. In my experience, when I let Japanese people know what school I attended, it was ... read more »]]>
I want to begin with the fact that I went to Sophia University (上智大学, Jōchi daigaku)for a year.

Choosing a school:

With Sophia it was a good school and there is definitely some prestige to the name. In my experience, when I let Japanese people know what school I attended, it was like saying I attended Stanford or Berkeley. The FLA(faculty of the liberal arts) program is all in English. They have an decent selection of classes. Sophia is one of the top schools with the largest English program. FLA students make up about 10% of the entire Sophia school student body. It may have risen since I was there.

Other schools you may want to consider is Temple, ICU, and Waseda. and Keio University. Tokyo University, aka Todai, I believe only has specialty courses and graduate programs in english. All these schools are all in Tokyo area.

Applying and getting into these schools as a degree student is not difficult. The requirements for a foreigner are not NEARLY as strict as they are for Japanese.

Things you should know before choosing a school in Tokyo:

Tokyo people are notorious for being a little distant, so you may not be able to make as many super japanese friends. Instead, you’ll meet a lot of quasi-americanized japanese that are friendly, and chill but likely speak a lot of english. I went to Tokyo with determination to make Japanese friends. I joined clubs, and tried really hard(more than I should have really…) I tried to speak completely in Japanese, be more japanese…but in the end…I didn’t succeed to the extent I wanted to.(This was a consensus among many of the exchange students)

You will however be able to meet a lot of other students around the world, which was great experience for making multicultural friendships. European, Australian, Taiwanese…you name it… it’s all good.^_^ I made a lot of everlasting friendships and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

More Information about My Sophia experience:

Sophia is one stop away from Shinjuku, and is in central tokyo. Extremely convenient location, but if you live out in the sticks, the commute can be rough.

Sophia has contracts with many schools, so you might consider a year long study abroad, instead of signing on as a degree student. That is what I did, My home school is University of San Francisco.

My personal opinions of the Sophia are not that great. I loved the people at th school, but I honestly wasn’t that impressed. It could be possible I maybe more accustomed to American style of teaching, thus giving me a biased opinion. I like the more challenging ,”hit the ground running” kind of learning in American schools. School in Japan are by FAR much more laid back than American Universities.

In the end, 1 year was enough for me… it also didn’t help that I was paying 17k+ of my schools tuition per semester. (Note: directly applying to Sophia is a much better idea, tuition is significantly cheaper) Even with the direct contract, many of my units couldn’t transfer…that could be faulted on my own homeschool though.

I wasn’t impressed, however, I met a few people who decided to transfer to Sophia. Their reasoning still evades me, since a Japanese Degree isn’t worth diddly in the states. So not only have you squandered your “education”, but you are completely ill fit to go beyond office grunt in the American world. Only those with severe ambitions can really take a lot more out of their Japanese experience outside of school. I maybe being a little critical, but I feel that many of the exchange students squander their experience more than cherish it. So I see no point in wasting your time,money, and energy if you aren’t bettering yourself or the world with it. Alright..cathartic sequence…over…my apologies…

Anywho… Sophia is one of the better programs you can choose from.

My Personal Suggestions:

If it is more about learning Japanese, I would recommend a place closer to the outskirts like ICU. Where people are more friendly and likely to chat it up with you. If you are severely determined about japanese…skip the program and opt for language school. I attended Naganuma my last 4 months in Tokyo. I learned more in those 4 months thanthe 12 months before.

If you want to pursue your desired major, than your best plan is to go to an American university, and spend some time abroad. Because many of the programs don’t have as wide of a selection in your major and an American school would. So be sure to find a school that is contracted, and just try to take your general requirement courses at the Japanese University.(Literature, History, English, that kinda thing) Sophia’s FLA website isnt googlable…so be sure to go to http://www.fcc.sophia.ac.jp/index.html . They have a class catalog you can look at also.

Additional options: You can also do the CIEE program to Sophia, but I think it’s ridiculously expensive. The benefit are the liaisons, and cultural field trips. In my 15 months in Tokyo I have met many students in CIEE, trust me when I say you would prefer to go outside of the program, and keep your freedom.

How do you manage to have millions of people traveling via train in a crowded city like Tokyo?

The answer: Suica/Pasmo

These are cards that cost about 500yen($5) and can work as prepaid tickets. You scan it over the ticketing sensor and it automatically deducts yours fare amount from your card. The ... read more »]]> How do you manage to have millions of people traveling via train in a crowded city like Tokyo?

The answer: Suica/Pasmo

These are cards that cost about 500yen($5) and can work as prepaid tickets. You scan it over the ticketing sensor and it automatically deducts yours fare amount from your card. The sensors can go through wallets and even small purses. You can use these for all ticketing booths that have a scanner.(Metro, JR, Keio, Odakyu)

Be careful not to go too quickly otherwise it won’t scan and than at the next station you will have to speak with the counter person to fix your card.

I would like to state that SUICA is better than PASMO. Suica is with the JR system and Pasmo is with Keio and Metro. Suica is more than just prepaid tickets for trains and buses.

Suica can be used at vending machines, convenient stores and electronic stores. For example, at Akihabara, you can pay for many of your purchases using Suica. Thinking about buying a new laptop? got two grand on your Suica?… why not…

Granted thats an excessive example…It is still pretty convenient. In fact, many cellphones have allow you to use your cellphone as a Suica. However adding money is kind of a pain, and it might scratch up your ridiculously aesthetic j-phone.

TEIKI (定期) – Commuter Pass

The commuter pass is a must for anybody living in Japan for longer than a month. You pay a set amount for a pass that lets you unlimitedly travel between one station and another. Students gets discounts, and companies will sponsor work passes(Note: for student discount you must show your school ID). If you are neither, you should buy one anyways if you find yourself traveling to one big station all the time.

Good ones to have are ones going to Shinjuku. Since that is a big station, you will likely depart from there all the time. Having one of these allows you to freely travel back and forth between your home and wherever. So you don’t have to worry about the cost if you forget your cell or something.

You can buy your commuter pass and have it as a card or you can have it directly printed onto your Suica. You can do it via machines, or speak with and attendant and “midorimadoguichi” (Translation: Green Window). You may purchase it for 1,3, or 6 months. The costs of the commuter pass will vary on distance and time frame.

It’s rare… but I’ve heard of people getting commuter passes with the Shinkansen!(bullet trains) 0_O

What to do if you lose your Suica and thus your Commuter Pass?

I love the Japanese system! So this has happened to me once, but I was fortunate enough to have someone explain to me the system before I spent a hundred dollars on another commuter pass.

If you lose your Suica or Pasmo, go to the train office. Tell them that you dropped it (suica/pasmo wo Otoshita)… than ask what should you do..(dou sureba ii desuka?)… They should hear your accented Japanese, and proceed to help you by speaking bad English or extremely slow Japanese.

They will ask you for 500yen to buy a new card, and print the new commuter pass on it at no additional charge! How great is that!

And when you go back to your country or whatever, you can sell your Suica back to the station and return your 500yen!

Additional Information: Suica works in the Kansai area. However, it goes by ICOcard. So use any of the JR machines to add money. However, these do not work on the Hankyu line.

This entry is not how to get into a English teaching program like JET. This is for individuals already in Japan who want to some pocket money. There are two ways:

1. Get a work permit and work for a company

It is a pretty commonly known that many people lose weight whilst in Japan. If you were raised in a fat country such America, you will spend the first 3 months or so hungry. ALL THE TIME! I shall elaborate.

Before, Due to a couple of Judo related injuries ... read more »]]>
It is a pretty commonly known that many people lose weight whilst in Japan. If you were raised in a fat country such America, you will spend the first 3 months or so hungry. ALL THE TIME! I shall elaborate.

Before, Due to a couple of Judo related injuries I was on crutches for a total of 13 months over a course of 2 years. What does that result in? Massive weight gain! Especially when your staple food in Lengua Super burritos….::drool:: (by the way; Lengua is beef tongue). My heaviest point was 162lbs, and I am 5’6″. I was noticeably fatter, since my body likes to store all of it in my face. (good bye jawline)

Now that I have lived in Japan for approximately 15 months, I have lost approximately 24lbs total. This is not counting the 10 lbs I lost before I came to Japan. I set a goal for myself, and had a lifestyle change. For those looking for a quick cheat to lose weight, I’m sorry you won’t find the answer here. When it comes right down to it, its healthy eating, exercise, and building good habits. The following is small changes I have made, that can be implemented to those not in Japan. They are in order of what I believe really was most effective.

LOSING WEIGHT Factors!:

1. Walking: believe it or not, it makes a huge difference! In Japan, you walk EVERYWHERE. In order to do anything you must walk. My legs were sore for the first month. Ever heard of “10,000 steps a day”? Use a pedometer to keep track. It’s great because it feels like a video game. You want to get a higher score so you opt to take the stairs. In fact, small options like that burn a good amount of calories compared to walking. In Japan, when I felt my score was low, I wandered in a nearby shopping street for about 15 minutes. 15 minutes there and than 15 minutes back equals about a third of how much I need for the day. After a while I didn’t need it anymore.
2. Portion Size: It is noticeably different in Japan. I would say about 20% to 40% less, depending on the type of meal. Everyone jokes about it, but after 15 months…I realize that how much I overate in the past. Like I said before, I was hungry ALL THE TIME for the first 3 months. What changed?…my stomach size. It shrank by half within 8 months. My unit of measurement was a burrito. I use to be able to finish an enormous 11 inch super burrito. Now, if I attempt to eat half, I am on the verge of death. It doesn’t matter what you eat as long as you control your portions!
3. Calorie Counting: It depends on each person, but we all burn about 1600 to 2200 calories per day. You can go here to find yours. There are forms of dieting where you keep a log of your daily intake. It is very effective I hear, but I was too lazy. However, I did keep a mental log. Japan makes calorie counting so much easier! Many of the restaurants let you know the amount of calories, as well as grams of fat, in your meal. You’d be surprised to find that some salads have almost the same calories as sandwiches. In either case, keep concisous and make healthier choices.

There are many other contributers, such as: green tea, less greasy methods of cooking, and no fridge or cupboard to raid. When comes right down it is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE. I just used my stay in Japan to push off of. I plan to continue my healthy habits upon my return, and maintain the my weight. I am now at my normal weight, absent of injuries and crutches.

Also, I have decided to only eat burritos once a month. And opt for the “sourcream, guacaomole, and excess everything” -less options.(this is just a personal choice, burritos are my weakness)

MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES AND EXERCISE!

Good luck to all. Additionally, I will post before and after photos of my weightloss journey.

The anticipated Guitar hero on tour is seems pretty impressive, but come July 28th, Japan is selling their mega awesome rhythm/ synthesizer/ karaoke/ interactive rock band game.

Introducing…

Daigasso! Band Brothers DX

It’s bigger and better than the first Daigasso in 2004!

The video is in Japanese, ... read more »]]> The anticipated Guitar hero on tour is seems pretty impressive, but come July 28^th, Japan is selling their mega awesome rhythm/ synthesizer/ karaoke/ interactive rock band game.

Introducing…

Daigasso! Band Brothers DX

It’s bigger and better than the first Daigasso in 2004!

The video is in Japanese, but here is a run down of it’s AWESOMENESS!

The first feature starts with implementing the mic. You sing into your DS mic, whilst the lyrics scroll on the bottom. It counts your accuracy, and you get ranking and scores. However, for the Japanese gamers, I guess playing this part of the game in train is out of the question.

Second, we have the normal rhythm based game using the D-pad and the ‘a’ ‘b’ buttons. Once the song is chosen, you can pick from various instruments. The examples given in the commercial are the: Flute, Guitar, Percussions, Shamisen, and Electric Guitar. Of course, it would not be complete, if you can’t stroke the strings of your digital guitar.

Third feature is the vast collection of songs. Built into the game you can choose anything from classics to J-pop. What the Japanese consider “classics”?…I have no idea. However, you can use your wifi connection and download and store up to 100 songs of your liking!

Fourth is that synthesizer! You can use the digital piano to create notes on your music sheet, or you can move them around yourself. This is midi-based composing, so you can choose the instruments and create your own songs.

Fourth is my personal favorite, you have many ways of interacting with your friends! All the music that you have, rather downloaded or personally composed can be shared with friends. And for the rhythm game, you can link up to 8 people and have your own digital rock out! Best part, is you only need one copy of the game.

Lastly, you can connect via Nintendo wifi to your wii and have all the music played on your TV Stereo,instead of you dinky DS Speakers. House party via DS? Uh…yes!

If we are to compare, Guitar hero has completely different game play and an enormous cult following. Moreover, this game is at the moment only playable by those who understand Japanese. If and when will be introduced in the states? Unknown. But all in all, you have to admit….Daigasso! Band Brothers DX is pretty awesome!

Tokyo is THE most populated city on the Planet. With a population over 12 million people, they have designed one of the world’s most efficient train systems. Thus, creating a society where commuting via train is better than by car. So what happens when everybody travels at ... read more »]]> Tokyo is THE most populated city on the Planet. With a population over 12 million people, they have designed one of the world’s most efficient train systems. Thus, creating a society where commuting via train is better than by car. So what happens when everybody travels at the same time to school and work?

ABSOLUTE HELL!

After experiencing it first hand, you feel a closer understanding as to why the suicide rate is three times higher in Japan than in America. You truly want to kill yourself.
Some would describe it as sardines in a can. However, I believe it’s much closer to trying to close your luggage, after you’ve over packed. You have to sit on it and have a friend hold the edges together as you move the zipper inch by inch…and you are the travel size tooth paste.

Yes, I think that would be a much more accurate description. Especially since there are platform workers who’s only job is to push you into the train, so that the doors can shut.

Being inside of a rush hour Tokyo train can truly be dangerous. It is not unheard of to dislocate something, or break a rib(or two).

If you are traveling at the hours of 7:00-9:00, both AM and PM, it is unavoidable. The last train is as bad as rush hour, if not worse. People are pissed drunk and reek of various foul odors.

Thus I provide you with tips on how to survive…

SCENARIO 1: You are first in the train

Highlighted are the desired positions. You want the corner between the door and seats, and the center isle. You are less likely to get squished…these are prime locations. Avoid walls, if the train makes and abrupt stop or turn, you will be in a serious amount of pain.

Note: If you are not getting of at a big station or transfer platform, be ready to push for you life. If you are commuting, try to memorize, which side the doors open on to help you strategically move to these locations.

SCENARIO 2:You are the last to get in.

If you are last in, getting a strategic position is not possible(you are screwed). The train will be packed…and I mean…scary packed. But remember… “IF THERE IS NO ROOM, MAKE ROOM”. Only on occasion will you encounter a situation where it is physically impossible to get in.

Since there are no strategic points, I will provide tips.

Go in Backwards——–Watch your Foot———-Use you arm as leverage

NECESSARY NOTES:

Diagram 1———————–Diagram 2

Diagram 1:
You will encounter people resisting your efforts to get into the train. SCREW THEM! They are being assholes and they should know better. Tuck in our elbows and Push HARDER!

Diagram 2:
For those individual with a low tolerance for pain, AVOID OPEN TOE SHOES! Opt for steel toe combat boots.

*be wary of the enormous gaps between the train and the platform*
(people fall in between all the time!)

Saikyou, Chuo and Yamanote line are notoriously the worst.

Japan is famous for efficient railway system. You can travel almost the entirety of Japan by train.

It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t come up with an easier way to read train maps…

In the big stations they may have two maps; one in Japanese, one in English. However, most of ... read more »]]>

Japan is famous for efficient railway system. You can travel almost the entirety of Japan by train.

It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t come up with an easier way to read train maps…

In the big stations they may have two maps; one in Japanese, one in English. However, most of the time you will not be that fortunate. For those traveling short term and long term in Tokyo, I highly advise having the following train maps printed out and with you at all times.(Especially if you cannot read Kanji)

Listed are the 4 rail systems used in Tokyo:(the link goes to the English train maps)

• JR: Japan Railways is the oldest of all. And has rails going up and down all of Japan
• Keio: Travels from central Tokyo to the far West of Tokyo prefecture.
• Odakyu: Famous for it “romance” series of cars…(Whatever that means)
• Metro: The subway, it’s so easy to get lost…and the map is the worst…

If you are riding anything other than the Metro, you need to know what train you are about to ride on. You need to know if it’s Local, Rapid, Special Express, or whatever. You follow that line on the map, and wherever there is a white dot, it stops. On the JR and Keio map, the big stations have highlighted names, the trains definitely stop there no matter what.

For the Metro, since they are underground they don’t really have a rapid. The map looks absolutely insane, but if you just look at it for a little longer, it will begin to make sense. Every station list which line also runs through there. Fortunately, you can ride the JR instead to the more popular places, except for roppongi.

The new F line(fukotoshin)that just opened will not be in many guidebooks. It hits Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya it appears extremely convenient, however I do not have first hand knowledge.

The Infamous Japanese Toilet….

Daily stops to do your ‘business’ has never been more complicated. There are a few variations; some familiar and some unfamiliar.

We start with the butt spraying water jet, which is number one for strange experiences. You can control the heat, and strength of the ... read more »]]>

The Infamous Japanese Toilet….

Daily stops to do your ‘business’ has never been more complicated. There are a few variations; some familiar and some unfamiliar.

We start with the butt spraying water jet, which is number one for strange experiences. You can control the heat, and strength of the steam to suit your preference. Some also have a hot air button, to dry off your bum after thorough wash.

The normal,one directional silver knob we are use to, puts the user in a predicament when encountering a Japaneses flusher;which can be absurdly confusing.

To begin, there is a 大(big) and 小(small) flush. Further explanations about appropriate usage, in unnecessary I think. Usually the flusher is in an obvious position. However, sometimes it is a panel on the wall with a variety of buttons, differing in size and color. If you can’t read, it is usually safe to just push the biggest button(no guarantees). I’ve personally been confused on a number of occasions. I don’t know if you ever truly get use to it.

The Sensor Flusher is blackish red box flesh against the wall. You have to cover your hand over the sensor in order to flush.

The Dreaded SQUATTER!

It takes getting use to, but it’s not that bad. At least, you don’t have to worry about having a clean toilet seat…

So the appropriate way to use it is to face the flusher, in the direction of the dome…i guess it’s to prevent splatter…? *shivers*

It’s confusing because in other part of Asia with squatters, it’s the opposite.

Don’t worry, unless you are horribly drunk, you will not get anything on your shoes or pants…(again, no guarantees) Think about it this way….”What did people do before inventing sitting toilets?”. It works, don’t worry.

Additional Notes:

When visiting a Japanese person’s home, and looking for the bathroom, be sure to say “TOIRE”(phonetically: Toy-reh) instead. You will avoid a lot of confusion.

Upon entering, you will soon realize why they call it a water closet, emphasis on CLOSET. Like all sanitary people, we wash our hands after we’re done. The Japanese have created a wonderful way of conserving water, by having the faucet above the tank… so please use that…and not the kitchen sink…

My personal favorite oddity is the Otohime… translated into “sounds princess”. It is as ridiculous as it sounds. It is a used to mask urinating noises, by having a repeated flushing sound go off. It’s more widely used in toilets in Tokyo than in other parts of Japan. Additionally, many of the Sensor Flusher have this feature. Simply wave your hand across the sensor and it will trigger the “sound princess”.

This concludes the Japanese toilet info blog.

Everybody knows the Japan is the nation of cellphones. The coolest and latest. You can watch TV, surf the web, send e-mails and stalk your friends. Every non-Japanese person yearns for these gorgeous phones. Believe it or not, it is NOT THAT EASY!

Short trips: Pick up ... read more »]]>
Everybody knows the Japan is the nation of cellphones. The coolest and latest. You can watch TV, surf the web, send e-mails and stalk your friends. Every non-Japanese person yearns for these gorgeous phones. Believe it or not, it is NOT THAT EASY!

Short trips: Pick up a pre-paid cellphone at the Airport. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND A PREPAID OUTSIDE OF THE AIRPORT.

Longer stays:

Let us start by stating that all cellphone companies require a 1 year contract at minimum. If you are staying less, you are subject to cancellation costs. The longer you keep it the less it will cost to cancel.

Many of these phones will NOT work abroad, unless unlocked(which is a pain in the butt). Many of the nifty features will not work also. So you will be left with a extremely pretty phone. I emphasize that it is JUST a phone, outside of the states. So make consider that when buying a phone.

Important info worth knowing:

You will also be unpleasantly surprised that Cellphone minutes are outrageously expensive compared to the states. The plans also have absurdly few minutes. So get use to talking like an auctioneer.

They have SMS, it is called c-mail. However, very few people use it. E-mail is the most popular form of communication. DO BUY a e-mail plan. Keep in mind that because of bad communication, they will tell you that its 1000yen for 10,000 e-mails. That is a lie. It is up too 10,000,and your e-mail fee can be as high as 3500. It only starts at 1000yen…

Also, you should also know that minutes are only incurred onto the caller. It cost you nothing to receive calls. I also believe that messages consume you minutes only for the length of the message, so checking it over and and over again makes no difference.

Docomo

I don’t know too much information about the, beside them being one of the oldest carriers in Japan. They carry many of the the typical looking J-phones.

* many different types of discounts http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp
Willcom

They are one of the newer carriers within the last year. There phone selection is mostly that of the PDA Smartphone and portable internet type devices. Don’t know too much

*best for internet at your fingertips
*many Flat rate plans.

http://www.willcom-inc.com

EM Mobile

The newest carrier. Not to much information. They have a VERY small selection, and carry mostly portable internet type devices. They carry the best models in their class. Sells Internet PC-cards.

http://www.emobile.jp

Recommendation: Save yourself the trouble of hating life. Bring your Luggage to the convenience stores(I used Lawsons), you can have your luggage delivered as early as the next morning. You can choose at what time you want it to be delivered, to make sure that you will be there. It is ... read more »]]> Recommendation:
Save yourself the trouble of hating life. Bring your Luggage to the convenience stores(I used Lawsons), you can have your luggage delivered as early as the next morning. You can choose at what time you want it to be delivered, to make sure that you will be there. It is quite nifty. Prices can range from 500yen to 1500yen, depending on the size of your luggage. Weight is not an issue.
If you have appliances that you don’t have boxes for, contact companies like “kuroneko”(translated: Black Cat). They will provide boxes and deliver it. Price of this service varies. The amount of money you save by self delivering(train cost included) is not worth your time and mental health.

If you are lucky and have a Japanese friend with a drivers license renting a van is a possibility.

I lived in Japan for 15 months. And after my initial settling, I moved twice. I must say that moving has been one of my worst experiences in Japan, and one of the most taxing ordeal I’ve endured. You are not just physically tired, your mentally beaten down into mush. By the time your done, you feel like a shell of a human being. I never appreciated living in the states more.

The U.S. is a lovely country in which everyone drives a car, and nice fit lifting capable friends are not hard to reach.

When it come to moving by yourself as Gaijin, it straight sucks in Japan. Oh…and by the way…no matter how small you are..or how big your luggage is…NOBODY WILL HELP YOU! This is no joke, when you see someone struggling up the stairs with large luggage, normal instinct is to help. Not in Japan though, the luggage can be 1 to 1 ratio in weight and mass to the person carrying it, and no one will even bother to help. They just walk past you…watching your sweat pour into your eyes. (by the way: elevators are not as well placed as you may hope. And they only exit in the larger stations)

To begin, I must say that finding a place to live in Tokyo is a chore. I am not exactly sure how it is in other countries, but compared to the US, it is really troublesome.

There are many different options to live in as a foreigner in Japan, here ... read more »]]> To begin, I must say that finding a place to live in Tokyo is a chore. I am not exactly sure how it is in other countries, but compared to the US, it is really troublesome.

There are many different options to live in as a foreigner in Japan, here is a list:

• Dorms: Some are mixed, some are not. It is always all boys or all girls. Some you will have prepared meals, shared facilities, and a nice public bath. There are also ones that are like individual studio, with kitchenette and bathroom. Cons: Usually have a curfew(and they WILL lock you out), need to report whenever you are not coming home, hit or miss when it comes to the managers.
• Guesthouse: In short, it is a room in a house with shared facilities. There are guesthouses with only Gaijin and ones that are mixed with Japanese people. In general though, majority seem to be Gaijin only. Pro: cheap, big kitchen, possibility of having interesting housemates, and most of the time it is furnished
• Apartments: AKA Usagigoya (rabbit hutch). These range in size and in price. In Japan apartments are referred only to buildings with 2 floors. There are furnished and unfurnished
• Mansions: Unfortunately, it isn’t what you think…the Japanese refer to it as apartment buildings that are taller than 2 floors. Often they have secured front doors so it’s safer. Nicer facilities, and are usually newer buildings. Cons: usually very very expensive

Biggest problem incoming foreigners will find is that in order to get an apartment of a mansion you need to have a guarantor. The guarantor cannot just be a resident of Japan but needs to have full Japanese citizenship.

If you manage to get that in order. Not only are you obligated to contract for a year or two,you have to pay a ridiculous amount of move in fees. Which can add up anywhere between 3-6 months worth of rent in advance. There is the deposit, commission, managerial , and gift fee(which is absolutely preposterous, it’s money you give to the owner…i guess to thank them for letting you stay there?)

The deposit you never really get it all back, they will always find a reason to keep most of it. One is the cleaning fee which about $200-$300. No matter how much you clean it(which you need to) they will send in professionals to clean it after you anyways.

I’ve lived in a dorm and apartment personally. I pay more for my apartment in total, but I lived in a new well lit apartment.

Recommendation:

My personal recommendations for people staying less than a year, and wants to not worry about additional costs is to look at furnished room on these sites:

• http://tokyo.craigslist.jp/
  
• http://www.sakura-house.com/
• http://www.tokyoapartments.jp

Others websites can be found by googling for “monthly mansion”, “guesthouse”, or ” short-term apartments”

If you are currently located in Tokyo, there are free magazines that you can get at HMV and Tower Records called METROPOLIS and BULLETIN BOARDS. These both have classifieds as well as addition useful information.

Good luck house hunting. You are welcome to questions and comments!