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

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.