(still in shock - so excited - going to be an awesome time - still in shock)
Long story short, I am moving to Japan because of work. Maybe indefinately, maybe not.
State side, I am well on top of handling my affairs: auto, bills, bank, property, all around ‘stuff’.
My questions are based for “over there”…
Topic one…CELLPHONES!
I keep smart in the tech world and know full well the US Cell Phone techonogy is years behind its time. Moving too Japan is a cell-phone-philes’ dream come true. Due any of you Dopers know much about what I can expect from the Japanese cell phone market (aside from better tech)? Specifics would be helpful, such as ‘are there contracts’. can phones (such as GSM) be used in the states if/when I return? How do the prices compare to American plans?
Property!
To rent or own - that is the question which preoccupies my mind. And how does this compare? Is it the same as the US? -individual utilities? one big bill? My company has offices in Tokyo and Sasebo.
Furniture!!!
Please Dopers, for all that is sacred and holy, help me decorate my living space! What is considered modern? traditional? I am very Japanese culture ignorant. I heard something about bed rolls?
Culture!
I am a very perceptive and sensitive person, so I won’t openly offend anyone with my American ignorance. Is there something that I will probably due without knowing?
That’s all I can think of for now. How many of you have experiences in Japan? I know that there is an American Naval base in Sasebo. I’m also thinking of starting a blog to post pictures of my adventure.
I don’t know much about living in Japan (though I would like to go there), but know a littl bit about cellphones.
Japanese second-generation digital cellphones (comparable to the second-generation GSM or CDMA phones used in the States) use a unique standard. They do not work outside Japan, and there is no GSM or CDMA in Japan. Japan does have a third-generation digital system, as does the States, but I don’t know how compatible they are.
Usually people rent phones when they visit Japan. (I think you can put your GSM SIM card in a rented Japanese phone and it will still work.)
Yeah, the school explicitly advises potential students that the course is intense, and that if you can’t commit yourself, don’t start. Still, a collection of basic knowledge like how to understand maps and find your way around can’t hurt.
This may seem kind of minor now, but don’t be afraid of their dollar stores when you get there. They’re everywhere, and TONS better than the dollar stores here. You can get lots of your minor things (cooking utensils, plates, snacks, etc) there.
I feel that Tokyo Player and other dopers currently living in Japan will have better tips for you than me (I only lived there for 10 months) but I thought this little tidbit would help.
Congratulations! Japan’s a fun place to be. I’ve lived in Tokyo / Yokohama for 18 years and still very much enjoy it.
Good. Settle everything you can before you get over here. With the Net and email, Skype, etc., it’s easier and cheaper nw to communicate back home but handling anything legal can be a pain.
I don’t know what the prices are in America, but for Japan, you can get yesterday’s model cell for for very little. There are three main carriers, AU, Softbank and Docomo. Each of the site here have the details of the contracts on the site. Let me know if you have questions.
Note, however that only a limited models have menus in English. Even with intensive Japanese classes, you won’t pick up enough Japanese kanji to run a cell phone.
Softbank claims to have zero yen phones, but their costs are buried in the monthly bill, and unless you’ll be here for several years then you may have to pay off the phone when you leave.
I like my cell phones and they have cool features. I’m not aware of any cell phone that can be transferred to a US carrier if you get transferred back.
Rent, and if you have any questions concerning this, rent. Also, in case I didn’t mention it clearly enough, rent.
What is the arrangement for your apartment? Does your company pay for it? Do you get an “expat” (expatriate) package where they provide a larger apartment for you?
Be prepared to be surprised by the size of apartments. I used to live in a 460 sq ft apartment with my wife, in the suburbs, for the equivalent of US$1200 a month. Expats typically live in larger apartments but companies pay for them.
At the very least, you need to have them rent the apartment for you, and they should pick up the “key month” (usually two months rent which is basically just a gift to the landlords) and the deposit, which is also two month’s rent, and usually they take one of the months for “cleaning” at the end. It’s a racket.
Japanese condos (called “mansions”) do not keep their value over time. The only way it would make sense would be if you were going to be here for at least 10 to 15 years, and you knew exactly what you wanted. Since it’s a first time for you to live here and it sounds like you don’t know if you’ll be here for 15 years, then don’t even consider buying. Sublight owns a condo and I’m just buying a house, but we’ve been here for years and know what we’re getting into.
This will depend if you are expat or not. If you are on an expat package, they company will often lease furniture for you. If not, then you’ll be living in a tiny apartment and won’t need to worry about it!
Bedrolls, or futon as they are called, are only used in tatami rooms. More and more Japanese are using beds now.
Anyway, back to the furniture, you can get a wide selection. The first question is the size of the apartment, then look at the options after that.
Pick up a book on Japanese culture and manners and you’ll do fine. I haven’t looked at any for a long time, so I can’t recommend any thing in particular. I liked the movie Mr. Baseball .
If you’re perceptive, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Watch the natives, and copy.
A few things:
Don’t touch people. Don’t shake hands unless they offer first, don’t kiss their wives in greeting and don’t hug. People bow here. You’ll be dealing with people who are used to Westerners, so they will likely shake hands, but I’d let them take the lead. They know that Westerns do this, so it won’t be too much of a shock anyway.
Money is treated with respect, never throw it. When paying in stores people will put money in the small tray instead of directly handing it, but failure to do so isn’t a huge deal.
Don’t eat while walking around.
Don’t talk really loud, unless you’re drunk, then you can shout your intimate conversations.
Feel free to ask as many questions as you want. There’s a number of us living here.
Find out first about living arrangements. That’s the biggest issue you’ll need to know.
To add some more detail about cell phones (I just got one this September):
There are three main cell phone companies in Japan: Softbank, AU, and DoCoMo. Au and Softbank aim towards young people while Docomo is the most established company. In the end, however, most of them cost about the same. I have heard that Softbank has worse coverage in rural areas and that DoCoMo is the most expensive. Take it with a grain of salt though.
I personally have an AU phone–it gets reception pretty much everywhere. It works pretty well although the prices are shockingly high to me sometimes–but in America, I had a pay as you go phone, which is much cheaper. Those types of phones are not common here, and probably not worth your while. Japan is highly dependent on cell phones, and they are incredibly useful in this country.
Plans–
Japan generally does do contracts but they are not the same as in the States. The Japanese cell phone industry has a strong bias towards internet usage rather than speaking. Minutes are very pricy here. There are not really any unlimited minutes like there are in the states. It is very expensive to talk on the phone. That is why you see texting so much–you will notice it as soon as you get here. Virtuallly all cell phones in Japan are internet-equipped and for a small monthly fee you can use it. On top of this fee, there is another fee–a certain amount of yen per kilobytes downloaded. This applies to general internet usage as well as sending emails. Texting is not as common because you cannot text to someone who has a different phone company–the networks are not compatible. However, you can, of course, email.
Basically, plans are divided into cell phone minutes and internet kb charges. If you get a basic plan, you pay a flat fee to use the cell phone and you pay by the minute and by the kilobyte. Softbank has a white plan that costs $10 per month that basically does this. But you can pay more and get a certain amount of free minutes and/or kbs per month. In addition, you can pay more per month and get reduced costs. e.g. 10 yen per minute instead of 20 yen per minute (just a random example). There are also plans where the price depends on the time of day, of course.
Basically, it is all incredibly confusing. Don`t worry about it too much. There are plans that aer cheaper for someone who wants to do a lot of talking, and plans that are cheaper for someone who wants to do a lot of texting/internet usage, and there are plans that are somewhere in between. That should be your main concern. Other than that, decide which phone looks cooler and go with that company…
Prices vary greatly. My cell phone bill was $200 when I went overseas (highly inflated charges.) My normal price is around $40 or $50 but I use internet a lot and almost never call people or talk. A lot of my Japanese friends (young college students) have $80 or $90 per month bills. But it varies a lot.
As far as I know, none of the mobile providers in Japan charge you for receiving calls. The person who leaves their phone in the box all month pays the same charge as the one who doesn’t make any calls but gets a hundred a day.
As for furniture, it may seem like a letdown if you’re hoping to go native, but Ikea is great if you’re looking to furnish a new apartment on a budget. I wish it had been here when I arrived, as most of the Japanese furniture stores charge absolutely absurd prices, IMO. There are two near Tokyo (one in Chiba to the east, one around Yokohama to the west), and their delivery charges are reasonable.
You’ll want Western furniture, anyway, as Japanese things tend to be built small. That tends to run really expensive at department stores or inexpensive at Ikea.
A couple more tips.
Make sure that all of your finances can be handled via the Net, of course.
You’ll want to get your international driver’s license before you come over. It’s only valid for a year, but getting a Japanese lisense is difficult.
For clothing, are you large or have big feet, etc? I have a difficult time getting anything in even my sizes (I’m 6’, but have long arms and legs and wear size 12 shoes, which I can’t find here.)
Wait to buy your digital camera until you get here. We’ve got all the good stuff!
You’re moving to Japan? I’m so jealous! I graduate soon and I’ve been trying to get a job over there. I’ve tried applying to teach English, but have gotten rejected twice for knowing Japanese language and culture. I’ve applied for a few businesses and been rejected for not knowing enough language and culture, particularly reading/writing. Sucks
But anyway! I can’t help your questions more than others already have, but I DO know some amazing links that will get you up to speed on all things Japanese.
And how could I forget www.tofugu.com ! It’s got a little bit about everything; it should really get your interest piqued. Also don’t hesitate to ask any specific questions
Sasebo! When I married Papa Tiger, he had been living in Sasebo for several years; he worked at the Navy base and lived in town. I joined him there for a couple of months before moving back to the US.
Sasebo-specific stuff: The town is built on a STEEP hill, so be prepared to spend your life going up and downhill. Parking is scarce and VERY expensive, so plan on walking/bicycling a lot. Up and downhill.
We lived in a rental condo in an otherwise Japanese building. About 500 square feet, including the tiniest kitchen I have ever seen. We only had a oven because Papa Tiger had been able, after a couple of years there, to buy a tiny American stove through the Navy exchange; Japanese kitchens don’t normally have ovens, just gas-powered cooktops. Also, the power supply to the entire apartment was low enough that you couldn’t run two electric appliances at the same time. You’ll need power converters, obviously, for Western appliances.
We had tatami floors, so covered them with a selection of lovely carpets – obtained from the gomi or trash, or as the Americans in Sasebo called it, gomi-shopping; the Japanese will throw out many, many things that seem perfectly usable to Americans, so gomi-shopping can be a great way to get lovely things. (Papa Tiger knew one American government employee who collected enough beautiful furniture via gomi-shopping to open a furniture store when he got home – so keep your eyes peeled! There’s a large trash day for each area of town once a month; learn the schedule!)
Our apartment had a bathroom with a small tub in it, but for serious bathing we went to the neighborhood sento, or bathhouse, several times a week. Of all the things we both miss most about Japan, the sento is high on the list! We had an American friend with a Japanese wife who taught us sento etiquette, but even so not everyone approved of having a Westerner sharing their bath waters. Oh well, it’s not like it’s something I could do anything about! There’s also a national park not that far from Sasebo that has just amazing bathing in volcanic waters; I limped in with a permanently aching knee, and walked out pain-free for three weeks. So do try the baths!
We also slept on a regular bed, but didn’t used a frame, just put the mattress and box spring on the floor to avoid damaging the tatami. Tatami is very soft and easily damaged by American standards, so do plan to be careful. You’ll have to put a tatami deposit down, and pay for its replacement when you move out. You’ll also have to put hefty deposits down on things like TV service, so be prepared.
Because of the Navy base in Sasebo, there’s an area of bars in town where, when ships are in, things can get a little dicey because of all the drunken sailors. In fact, it was so bad while we were there that the higher-ups declared that no drunkenness was allowed. Except for that bar area when the ships were in, however, I have never felt safer anywhere in my life; I could walk around town at any hour, day or night, and not have to worry. This was 12 years ago, so things may have changed, but I doubt they’ve changed that much.
When we were there, it was a totally cash economy, and although credit cards were accepted in a very few places, those places were few and far between. Again, this may have changed, but be prepared to pay cash.
There’s a million wonderful restaurants in and around Sasebo. Our favorites were one yakitori place nicknamed by local Americans as “The Drunken Raccoon” – I’ll get the Japanese name from Papa Tiger when he gets home – and another one outside town named “Woody Life.” You’ll find your own, I’m sure. Few restaurants have menus in English, and they’re often mangled, so enjoy!
Be prepared for it to be VERY hot in the summer. I’m talking 45C with nearly 100% humidity (which makes bicycling up and down those hills lots of fun!). And also be prepared for typhoons. Kyushu gets its share. A lot of newer construction has wire mesh embedded in the windows, which definitely helps.
Most of all: Have fun! There’s endless things to see and do on Kyushu alone, just within a few hours’ drive. Have a wonderful time – and if you have a spare bedroom, you may have guests one of these days!
