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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-29-getting-english-language-books/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-28-transferring-your-drivers-license2/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-26-how-to-get-an-iphone-in-japan/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-to%e2%80%99s-25-work-in-japan/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/what-the-heck-is-%e6%b4%97%e6%bf%af%e6%a9%9f%e7%bd%ae%e5%a0%b4/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-24-feather-your-nest-aka-recycle-shop-shopping/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-to%e2%80%99s-23-dont-pay-for-furniture/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-to%e2%80%99s-22-decoding-apartment-adverts/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/getting-a-good-apartment/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/arbitrary-crap/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/relaunching/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/sorry-for-the-absence/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-20-get-a-prepaid-cellphone/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-to-19-find-a-hotel-people-keep-asking/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-to18-find-something-cheap-to-do-in-tokyos-greatest-spot/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-4-japanese-toilets-continued/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/culture-note-6-happy-golden-week-%e3%82%b4%e3%83%bc%e3%83%ab%e3%83%87%e3%83%b3%e3%82%a6%e3%82%a3%e3%83%bc%e3%82%af/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-to-17-continue-to-hanami-after-hanami-season-follow-the-sakura/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/culture-note-5-what-is-karoshi/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/culture-note-4-what-is-hanami-or-sakura-season/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/culture-note-3-what-is-kanamura-matsuri-aka-the-penis-festival/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/culture-note-2-what-is-ky-and-why-is-it-important/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/culture-note-1-what-is-aizuchi-and-why-does-everyone-look-like-a-bogglehead/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-to-15-eat-out-in-japan-must-know-words/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-to-14-deal-with-losing-your-wallet/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-13-understand-the-eerie-quietness-of-a-tokyo-train/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-12-understand-the-difference-between-tabehodai-and-viking/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-11-attend-universitycollege-with-english-courses/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-9-enjoy-the-wonders-of-suicapasmo-and-commuter-passes/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-7-lose-weight-in-japan/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/guitar-heroeat-you-heart-out/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/how-tos-6-survive-a-rush-hour-train_/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-5-how-to-read-a-train-map/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-4-japanese-toilets-modern-and-squatters/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-3-getting-a-cellphone-j-phone/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-2-moving/

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 »]]> http://www.tokyosurvival.com/tokyo-how-tos-1-finding-a-place-to-live/