4. Japan - C'mon a My House - Update: 09 Octr 2021. The following headings in the chapters as they appear. One can access by search & find or just scroll down.
Covid-19 in Japan, latest update
Why come to Japan
Getting to Japan
American Citizen Services of U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, A Gem for Amricans
Japanese Money
The Japanese Numbers
American Citizen Services of U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, A Gem for Amricans
Japanese Money
The Japanese Numbers
Climate
Getting Into the City from the Tokyo Airports
Getting Into the City from the Tokyo Airports
For sightseeing I advise
How long to Stay in Japan?
Starting New Life in Japan
The sexual psychology of the young Japanese woman
Good Reading About Japan
The sexual psychology of the young Japanese woman
Good Reading About Japan
Eating in Japan
Transportation
If you wish to tour Kyoto
If you wish to tour Kyoto
Creative Writing in Japan
Library Facilities in English
You have The Weekender
Library Facilities in English
You have The Weekender
Medical Care; Being a Patient in a Japanese University Hospital
Good Medical Care for U.S. & Other Foreigners
Good Medical Care for U.S. & Other Foreigners
Telephone Numbers
Lost & Found in Japan
Lost & Found in Japan
Employ a housekeeper,
Applying for Japanese Nationality/Passport
End Note: A Hongkong Tailor in Tokyo
Birthday and Wedding Cakes in Tokyo
A Good Luxury Hotel
Notes on expatriate life in Japan from an old expat
Walden in Japan
The Prices of a Coffee
Valuables found by looking down
McDonald`s in Japan.
Machines you don`t need to buy for home
Free WiFi on the Street
Point Cards
Why come to Japan
End Note: A Hongkong Tailor in Tokyo
Birthday and Wedding Cakes in Tokyo
A Good Luxury Hotel
Notes on expatriate life in Japan from an old expat
Walden in Japan
The Prices of a Coffee
Valuables found by looking down
McDonald`s in Japan.
Machines you don`t need to buy for home
Free WiFi on the Street
Point Cards
Covid-19 in Japan, latest update: - Covid-19 is a virus of the family of common cold viruses. It was first noticed, apparently a mutated new form, in Wuhan China in Winter 2019, and in January 2020 the first cases appeared in Japan. It is, initially, an airborne, touch-transmitted, upper respiratory infection that is most highly transmitted in basement type, poorly ventilated, crowded cafes or any place where people gather closely and talk and eat and drink a lot. Incubation is 1 to 2 weeks and first and most important symptoms are, usually, fever and then other upper respiratory and flu-like symptoms (But note that it differs from flu in that flu starts with the flu-like symptoms followed by the fever.) A striking symptom of C-19, seen in no other URI and noted in acute phase in 30% to 60% of patients, is loss of smell and taste (anosmia and ageusia). A dry cough is also typical. The mortality has ranged from less than 1% in low-risk countries like Japan to nearly 5% in high-risk nations like Peru. Mortality is due to severe ARD pneumonia and widespread vascular thrombosis often with final pulmonary embolism. Old age is biggest risk factor for dying from it. Best prevention is wearing face-nose mask on all human encounters and 6-feet-apart social distancing and keeping away from mass human gatherings. The daily cases in Japan first peaked in April 2020 at c.750, dropped drastically after the Prime Minister advised masks and social distancing for everyone, and then rebounded to peak at c.1100 on 30 July after these restrictions were relaxed. It has since fallen to c.500 cases with renewal of the restrictions. By 02 March 2021, Tokyo reported 121 daily cases, the lowest since the start of the pandemic here. This is due to Japan’s culture of routinely wearing face/nose masks at the slightest suspicion of any respiratory infection. New cases as of 13 May 2021 had jumped to 6,367 with 7-day average 6,425.
Pearls are that death from Covid-19 may be made less likely by taking a daily aspirin because it will reduce the risk of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and that the risk of catching Covid-19 may be reduced in persons who take ACE-I for medical indication, e.g., against hypertension, because the C-19 virus seems to need angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human cells for its development. Covid-19 vaccine started its availability March 2021 with priority to healthcare workers and by late April it was offered free to all elderly. As one of the elderly I signed up in April and I got my 1st shot of the Moderna vaccine 13 June 2021 along with thousands of other Tokyoites in central Tokyo. It is free of charge and I got my 2nd and final shot 18 July. No side effects noted. Now there is a PCR test from a nostril swab that tells if you caught C-190 after 2 hours of getting the swab.
Answer: It is foreigner friendly and you may find fellow friends. If you plan life or work in Japan
Getting to Japan: If you are a U.S. citizen, get a passport and with it alone you may make multiple, up-to-90-day stay, for 3 years. But also check visacentral.com . For the Tokyo/Yokohama and surrounding areas you will enter either at Narita International or Haneda International Airport, and United is the best airline for service and price. From east coast USA, the UA Flight is 13-hour, nonstop from Newark-Liberty Airport to Narita International Airport. (From West Coast USA 9+ hours) Alternative arrival airports are Kansai International located near Kyoto and Osaka, or Chitose International north in Hokkaido. Arriving non-Japanese passport-holders will be photo’d and fingerprinted each time on arrival from oversea, and luggage may be checked.
American Citizen Services of U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, A Gem for Amricans If you have any question on services for Americans, just telehone (03) 3224 5000 and ask for American Citizen Services. Then check the website under US Embassy Tokyo.
Japanese Money is Yen coins in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500; and then paper bills (rare 500) 1000, (rare 2,000) 5000 and 10,000. To see what they look like, just Google Japanese Money. Now, the rate is 1 U.S. dollar to c.111 JPY (Very chugging, or inexpensive JY; a time to convert from your USD for bargain price.
American Citizen Services of U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, A Gem for Amricans If you have any question on services for Americans, just telehone (03) 3224 5000 and ask for American Citizen Services. Then check the website under US Embassy Tokyo.
Japanese Money is Yen coins in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500; and then paper bills (rare 500) 1000, (rare 2,000) 5000 and 10,000. To see what they look like, just Google Japanese Money. Now, the rate is 1 U.S. dollar to c.111 JPY (Very chugging, or inexpensive JY; a time to convert from your USD for bargain price.
The Japanese Numbers: For 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; say or write ichi, ni, san, shi (or yon,), go, roku, shichi or nana, hachi, kyu, ju. When you get above 10, the system is easy to figure out once you see it. For example, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, .... is 10-1 ju-ichi, 10-2 ju-ni, 10-3 ju-san, 10-4 ju-yon, 15 ju-go, and so on. The number 100 is hyaku, 101 hyaku-ichi and so on. The 1,000 is sen, 2,000 ni sen; and so forth but 10,000 is man or ichi-man. Next comes 100,000 - ju man. 1-million is hyaku man, 10-million - ju man; then at 100-million, use oku or ichi oku and at 1-billion, ju oku.
Climate: in my Yokohama 8th floor flat on 01 April I recorded inside room temp. 70 degrees F (c.21 degrees C) comfortable without heating for my mostly unclothed body. On a 04 July nearly 6 AM, it was a comfortable 24.3 C (Meanwhile USA is sweating in triple digit Fahrenheit) From late Nov. the temp had fallen low enough that I needed my electric heater and it’s max. billing was from Jan. To March.
Getting Into the City from the Tokyo Airports Haneda Airport is inside Tokyo city proper and one may use a taxi or, inexpensively, the subway or train lines to get to parts of Tokyo or to Yokohama. If you are going to a big hotel, especially from the farther out Narita International Airport, a Limo Bus is best. You'll see the bus desk immediately after exiting the customs check, and just tell your hotel name and you can purchase ticket (c. Yen 3000 from Narita) or you may even be able to ride a free shuttle bus to a hotel near Narita Airport. Haneda was the domestic airport but recently it has been enlarged for international flights and it is much more convenient, if your destination or take-off point is Tokyo/Yokohama, than Narita International is. Many airlines offer a choice of flight arrival and departure between the two.
From Narita International Airport the trains to Tokyo are pleasant for group conversation and sightseeing and mostly get you into central Tokyo faster than a bus. Allow me to guide from Narita International now. (Most of this is useful for any airport entry into Japan) You step off your flight with a rolling luggage and follow the signs for arrivals. This will take you through Quarantine and to Passport Check. Arrivals are guided to form 3 separate lines - Japanese passports, foreign passports of long-term residents who have re-entry permits and foreign passports who do not have the re-entry permits. Passport processing is quick. Just have your passport out with customs declaration and you will be index-fingers-printed and head and shoulders photo'd by a device on the passport-check counter. Then go down escalator, pick up checked luggage and pass custom-check for luggage and maybe body search for drugs (rare). Generally you will not be required to open luggage but it is possible. If you're over 65 or even slightly disabled, you can get a wheelchair assist which will speed you.
You are now out of the arrival-area and you go out exit doors and will see greeters holding signs. (Note: there are 2 arrival areas on the Narita International arrival floor so if someone has come to greet you and you do not see him or her, either check the other arrival area or use cell phone to locate the greeter) If you are going into Tokyo by train, head to the nearby escalator and go down 2 flights to lowest level and walk diagonally across to the Narita Express (NEX) Line to your far right. On your left you'll see the Skyliner that advertises 38 minutes to Tokyo via the northern Nippori Station but that is misleading because Nippori is almost 30 minutes from Tokyo Central.
If you are taking a train, before buying the ticket, check to see when the next express is leaving for Tokyo. Sometimes there is as much as a 25-minute difference in wait for one of the line's trains to leave and you can save time by choosing the train that leaves soonest. If you decide on the Narita Express (Actually best for getting to Tokyo quickly) you may see that the the ticket-selling counter has a long line, so long it may cause you to miss a soon-departing train. But those who read here can avoid the long line by walking to the turnstile entrance, and you will see on your right the automatic ticket machines built into the wall. If you have brought a Yen 10,000 bill with you, as I advise, just insert it, down and to your left as you stand facing the ticket machine and then on the screen press the 140 Yen (or lowest price, since the price goes up at intervals) ticket and the machine will deliver the ticket and produce your cash and coin change. This lowest price ticket is the minimum trip ticket that pays for one stop down the line but it will give you entry into the turnstile. (Insert the ticket or, if you do not understand how to, ask the clerk who stands nearby). The ticket gets notched and returned to you and you should not lose it because it is your ticket to enter and ride. Then you continue straight ahead and down the escalator a few meters ahead and, onto the trains platform: the Narita Express track is on your right and the multiple-stop Airport Limited train on your left. The Narita Express goes nonstop from Airport to Tokyo, a 60-minute ride for Yen c.3,500. The Airport Limited makes stops for a 90-minute ride to Tokyo for Yen 1,280. If you are not in a rush, do the Airport Limited train. (Warning: at night the Airport Limited train may only go as far as Chiba City where it makes a long stop and you must get off and change there to the the train across the way on the same platform or you will end up back at the Airport. Always ask before you chose a many-stop Airport Limited train into Tokyo at night)
On the Narita Express if you have not already bought a reserved seat, you will be requested to show ticket to the conductor who walks through checking tickets and, if you have the 140-yen ticket, he will sell you a full ticket and give you a paper receipt you must use at your destination. On the other, the Airport Limited dtrain, no one will ask for your ticket but you must present it at your destination and pay the balance. (If you lose the ticket, no problem; the ticket-taker will trust your word and charge from your entry point)
Again, on timing into Tokyo: on the Narita Express platform, you may note that the Airport Limited is just about to leave and the next Narita Express is not leaving for 20 - 25 minutes. Then it is smart to take the earlier leaving Airport Limited for much cheaper price and almost same time to get you into Tokyo. This is an advantage of buying a 140-yen (or lowest price) entree ticket rather than reserving a seat on Narita Express. A point to know if you use the 140-Yen ticket on Narita Express is not to seat yourself until the Express leaves the Airport 2 Station, the next from starting station Airport-1, because all seats are supposed to be reserved although, practically, many remain empty. So you want to wait till all reserves are seated at Airport 2 Station closing doors.
Assuming you get off at Tokyo Station, another pearl point is to walk along the Tokyo Station platform to pillar 16 and you'll see the elevators (or if you're British, the lifts) there. Take an elevator to B-1 and you will find yourself exactly in front of the exit turnstiles and ticket-takers. You may have a question how to take the subways or the older surface transit from Tokyo Station to your final destination - a hotel or a friend's house address. The ticket-takers may be able to answer those questions in English.
Tokyo Station is the biggest hub in Tokyo. From it you can get anywhere - by subway, surface transit or taxi. Best to have a written instruction that shows your destination on a map and, if you are carrying a cell phone, have your destination's phone number. If you get lost in Tokyo Station or out on the street, it is not a big problem - the friendly passers-by will offer help and everyone speaks enough English to assist.
From Haneda Airport you simply take a city transit (train or bus) to your location in either city. Follow the signs to Tokyo or Yokohama.
For sightseeing I advise a morning that starts with boat from Hinode Peer. (Ask your hotel lobby manager how to get to Shimbashi Yurikamome Station). Buy a ticket to the Hinode Station and follow signs in English to the 10 AM boat. Up theSumida River
n afternoon, see other area -Ginza, or the Emperor's Palace in Hibiya Park Tokyo Tower
From Narita International Airport the trains to Tokyo are pleasant for group conversation and sightseeing and mostly get you into central Tokyo faster than a bus. Allow me to guide from Narita International now. (Most of this is useful for any airport entry into Japan) You step off your flight with a rolling luggage and follow the signs for arrivals. This will take you through Quarantine and to Passport Check. Arrivals are guided to form 3 separate lines - Japanese passports, foreign passports of long-term residents who have re-entry permits and foreign passports who do not have the re-entry permits. Passport processing is quick. Just have your passport out with customs declaration and you will be index-fingers-printed and head and shoulders photo'd by a device on the passport-check counter. Then go down escalator, pick up checked luggage and pass custom-check for luggage and maybe body search for drugs (rare). Generally you will not be required to open luggage but it is possible. If you're over 65 or even slightly disabled, you can get a wheelchair assist which will speed you.
You are now out of the arrival-area and you go out exit doors and will see greeters holding signs. (Note: there are 2 arrival areas on the Narita International arrival floor so if someone has come to greet you and you do not see him or her, either check the other arrival area or use cell phone to locate the greeter) If you are going into Tokyo by train, head to the nearby escalator and go down 2 flights to lowest level and walk diagonally across to the Narita Express (NEX) Line to your far right. On your left you'll see the Skyliner that advertises 38 minutes to Tokyo via the northern Nippori Station but that is misleading because Nippori is almost 30 minutes from Tokyo Central.
If you are taking a train, before buying the ticket, check to see when the next express is leaving for Tokyo. Sometimes there is as much as a 25-minute difference in wait for one of the line's trains to leave and you can save time by choosing the train that leaves soonest. If you decide on the Narita Express (Actually best for getting to Tokyo quickly) you may see that the the ticket-selling counter has a long line, so long it may cause you to miss a soon-departing train. But those who read here can avoid the long line by walking to the turnstile entrance, and you will see on your right the automatic ticket machines built into the wall. If you have brought a Yen 10,000 bill with you, as I advise, just insert it, down and to your left as you stand facing the ticket machine and then on the screen press the 140 Yen (or lowest price, since the price goes up at intervals) ticket and the machine will deliver the ticket and produce your cash and coin change. This lowest price ticket is the minimum trip ticket that pays for one stop down the line but it will give you entry into the turnstile. (Insert the ticket or, if you do not understand how to, ask the clerk who stands nearby). The ticket gets notched and returned to you and you should not lose it because it is your ticket to enter and ride. Then you continue straight ahead and down the escalator a few meters ahead and, onto the trains platform: the Narita Express track is on your right and the multiple-stop Airport Limited train on your left. The Narita Express goes nonstop from Airport to Tokyo, a 60-minute ride for Yen c.3,500. The Airport Limited makes stops for a 90-minute ride to Tokyo for Yen 1,280. If you are not in a rush, do the Airport Limited train. (Warning: at night the Airport Limited train may only go as far as Chiba City where it makes a long stop and you must get off and change there to the the train across the way on the same platform or you will end up back at the Airport. Always ask before you chose a many-stop Airport Limited train into Tokyo at night)
On the Narita Express if you have not already bought a reserved seat, you will be requested to show ticket to the conductor who walks through checking tickets and, if you have the 140-yen ticket, he will sell you a full ticket and give you a paper receipt you must use at your destination. On the other, the Airport Limited dtrain, no one will ask for your ticket but you must present it at your destination and pay the balance. (If you lose the ticket, no problem; the ticket-taker will trust your word and charge from your entry point)
Again, on timing into Tokyo: on the Narita Express platform, you may note that the Airport Limited is just about to leave and the next Narita Express is not leaving for 20 - 25 minutes. Then it is smart to take the earlier leaving Airport Limited for much cheaper price and almost same time to get you into Tokyo. This is an advantage of buying a 140-yen (or lowest price) entree ticket rather than reserving a seat on Narita Express. A point to know if you use the 140-Yen ticket on Narita Express is not to seat yourself until the Express leaves the Airport 2 Station, the next from starting station Airport-1, because all seats are supposed to be reserved although, practically, many remain empty. So you want to wait till all reserves are seated at Airport 2 Station closing doors.
Assuming you get off at Tokyo Station, another pearl point is to walk along the Tokyo Station platform to pillar 16 and you'll see the elevators (or if you're British, the lifts) there. Take an elevator to B-1 and you will find yourself exactly in front of the exit turnstiles and ticket-takers. You may have a question how to take the subways or the older surface transit from Tokyo Station to your final destination - a hotel or a friend's house address. The ticket-takers may be able to answer those questions in English.
Tokyo Station is the biggest hub in Tokyo. From it you can get anywhere - by subway, surface transit or taxi. Best to have a written instruction that shows your destination on a map and, if you are carrying a cell phone, have your destination's phone number. If you get lost in Tokyo Station or out on the street, it is not a big problem - the friendly passers-by will offer help and everyone speaks enough English to assist.
From Haneda Airport you simply take a city transit (train or bus) to your location in either city. Follow the signs to Tokyo or Yokohama.
For sightseeing I advise a morning that starts with boat from Hinode Peer. (Ask your hotel lobby manager how to get to Shimbashi Yurikamome Station). Buy a ticket to the Hinode Station and follow signs in English to the 10 AM boat. Up the
n afternoon, see other area -
How long to stay in Japan? For a first timer, I say 1 or 2 days for Tokyo Hiroshima Sapporo Japan
If you are to start new life in Japan
Once you have job and residence status, you can develop social life. The Japanese are friendly and like to practice English, the women are open to marriage proposal and other proposition, and the men find foreign women alluring.
The sexual psychology of the young Japanese woman (This section may seem very frank to non-Japanese readers but it comes from a millennial university-educated Japanese woman and could be useful especially to American men) The Japanese young woman has many things in common with the young European or American woman but differences exist. The young Japanese woman tends to be a little less free with sexual favors than young women in the U.S.A. so it is a good idea for a foreign man not to rush a Japanese girl into a sexual relationship. Especially do not do any guessing by trying to grope or embrace a woman for kissing. At least one preliminary date and some discussion of a close, perhaps sexual relationship is the best approach. This may be on a mutual vacation weekend at a nearby health spa. Then, in lovemaking, unless discussed ahead of time, a foreign man should not be too aggressive. At the start, best to be very straight and with good preliminary romantic petting. (Japanese women call it "cuddling") Also, especially with the first encounter, the foreign man is expected to practice good hygiene because there is much worry about foreigners spreading sexually transmitted disease, especially HIV/AIDS and now Covid-19. So, a mutual hot bath or shower and good obvious mouthwash before the lovemaking is de requier as also is the full use of a condom, which the foreign man is expected to provide.
The sexual psychology of the young Japanese woman (This section may seem very frank to non-Japanese readers but it comes from a millennial university-educated Japanese woman and could be useful especially to American men) The Japanese young woman has many things in common with the young European or American woman but differences exist. The young Japanese woman tends to be a little less free with sexual favors than young women in the U.S.A. so it is a good idea for a foreign man not to rush a Japanese girl into a sexual relationship. Especially do not do any guessing by trying to grope or embrace a woman for kissing. At least one preliminary date and some discussion of a close, perhaps sexual relationship is the best approach. This may be on a mutual vacation weekend at a nearby health spa. Then, in lovemaking, unless discussed ahead of time, a foreign man should not be too aggressive. At the start, best to be very straight and with good preliminary romantic petting. (Japanese women call it "cuddling") Also, especially with the first encounter, the foreign man is expected to practice good hygiene because there is much worry about foreigners spreading sexually transmitted disease, especially HIV/AIDS and now Covid-19. So, a mutual hot bath or shower and good obvious mouthwash before the lovemaking is de requier as also is the full use of a condom, which the foreign man is expected to provide.
Good reading about Japan Japan
Eating in Japan
If you are going to sample gourmet restaurants (steak house, cutlet, chops, fish & chips etc.), keep in mind that prices may vary much depending on whether you go after 5 pm, on weekends, or midday of Tues to Fridays. The best prices are weekdays between 2 pm and 4 pm. The worst and highest prices are on weekends, holidays and evenings.
If you are going to sample gourmet restaurants (steak house, cutlet, chops, fish & chips etc.), keep in mind that prices may vary much depending on whether you go after 5 pm, on weekends, or midday of Tues to Fridays. The best prices are weekdays between 2 pm and 4 pm. The worst and highest prices are on weekends, holidays and evenings.
Noodle shop: best buy is mori soba, plain, thin, cool noodles, with chopsticks and dipped in mustard-spiced soy sauce. Order the regular size not the big size and get the usual price Yen c.550 (But prices go up). If you want hot, then try tanuki soba.
Curry Rice nice: Price in franchise take-out like Matsuya is as low as Yen 380. For a calorie-counting-eater, the serving may be take-out and split into two eatings. Noodle restaurants offer at higher price. And don't forget the Cup Noodle that you buy in a 24-hr Lawson or 7/11 store. For Yen c.160 the Light,
198 K-calorie size, you get a good tasting, low-calorie noodle lunch
that just needs hot water.
Sushi is popular but has raw food risk.
Fast Food eating is best at McDonald`s. Doutors (Said: “Daughters”) is too expensive!
Fast Food eating is best at McDonald`s. Doutors (Said: “Daughters”) is too expensive!
Hotel eating is expensive.
Here is a use of chopsticks, or ohashi, in Japan
Transportation : Ticket is sold at station via vending machine, priced for distance traveled from entrance to exit. If you do not know your destination ticket price, just put in the minimum price using 100, 50 or 10 Yen coins (Indicated on the machine; minimums are 140 to 170 or 180 Yen for subways or for JR surface it is 140 Yen or at Narita Airport 140 Yen; but the price goes up each year). The ticket gives entrée, and at destination you present the ticket. If you have any question, ask the station clerks, all of whom are usually cooperative and know enough English to help. Most city transit stations close a little after 12 Midnight so best reach your final destination before 12 Midnight.
Taxis are safe, efficient and reasonably priced. Uber is available. Most drivers do not understand much English so, if you leave from hotel, have hotel employee tell the driver your destination, otherwise have business card or map to destination or its telephone number so driver may call by his cell phone for instruction on getting there. Do not tip.
Taxis are safe, efficient and reasonably priced. Uber is available. Most drivers do not understand much English so, if you leave from hotel, have hotel employee tell the driver your destination, otherwise have business card or map to destination or its telephone number so driver may call by his cell phone for instruction on getting there. Do not tip.
If you wish to tour Kyoto the ancient capital Tokyo
Leaving Japan
Creative Writing in Japan: If you are staying in Tokyo and like to write stories or poetry, the Tokyo Writers Workshop meets third Sunday every month and you may find out about a meeting by telephoning (0424) 69 33 77 and speak with John or else Google it.
Library Facilities in English The Kokusai Bunka Kaikan (International House URL: http//www.i-house.or.jp) located not far from the Roppongi Crossing Subway Station (even closer to the Azabu Jyu-ban Oedo line station) has an excellent English-language library with public internet that foreigners may use Mon. to Sat. 9 am to 5 pm.
The Weekender Speaking of fine magazines for the expat, The Weekender is tops for fashion, sightseeing, social meetings and whatever else an expat in Tokyo might like. You may pick one up at any big hotel in lobby.
Library Facilities in English The Kokusai Bunka Kaikan (International House URL: http//www.i-house.or.jp) located not far from the Roppongi Crossing Subway Station (even closer to the Azabu Jyu-ban Oedo line station) has an excellent English-language library with public internet that foreigners may use Mon. to Sat. 9 am to 5 pm.
The Weekender Speaking of fine magazines for the expat, The Weekender is tops for fashion, sightseeing, social meetings and whatever else an expat in Tokyo might like. You may pick one up at any big hotel in lobby.
The
Medical Care The excellent English-language Jikei Medical University Library with latest medical/nursing literature publications in stacks is open 8 AM till 10 PM weekdays and Saturday, and afternoons from 1 PM on Sundays. (Closed on national holidays). For info, Tel (03) 3433 1111, ask "Toshokan, onegai shimasu" and wait to be connected. It is near the Mita-Line Subway Onarimon Station; and have an ID for the library.
Japanese physician offices generally do not like to have foreigners as patients but exceptions exist. Two clinics I know that cater to foreigners are KIC (info@kic.clinic) and Tokyo and Medical and Surgical Clinic (outside Tokyo or cellphone, call 03 3436 3028 for info; in Tokyo landphone drop the 03). The usual fee for seeing a general doctor at TMSC is 12- to 14-thousand JY. It is located acrss the street from the Tokyo Tower, nearest subway is Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Subway line.
Also, of course you may call or text my Night&Day Medical Advisory at 080 5034 9898 (Use email: edwardstim-eaj@softbank.ne.jp . From North America digit 1 702 234 1015 to telephone or text me in Japan. And you may call or text using the telephone numbers) for free telephone medical advice.
If you start non tourist living and working inJapan
Medical Care; Being a Patient in a Japanese University Hospital:
Note that Japan has an excellent public ambulance system. But it would be very helpful for a foreigner to have a Japanese doctor, available by telephone, who can direct the ambulance to take you to his university hospital. In a recent experience of mine, because I am over age 65 and have a low enough salary my NHI paid 90% of the ambulance and subsequent hospital fees which relieved me of a great deal of anxiety because the total cost of my hospitalization was 360,000 yen a week. I was put in a hospital bed on the orthopedic ward due to fracture accident. In the Japanese university hospital, not much English is spoken or understood. So, it is helpful to have a Japanese or foreign friend or co-worker, for interpreter, who is fluent in Japanese and your language. The hospital beds are comfortable and the mattress is air-inflated to prevent pressure sores and you have hand controls that allow you to elevate and lower your bed, elevate your feet at the knee and elevate and lower your head. The room lights are turned on 6 AM and out at 9 PM but there is an overhead light over your head that will allow you to read without disturbing your roommates at night. The usual room contains 6 beds partitioned by curtains and there is not a great deal of space for visitors (visiting hours 2-8 Mon.-Sat., 11-10 Sunday but now modified by Covid-19). The hospital room and the care that goes with it is covered by the insurance, but if you want a private, single room, you must pay a much higher fee not covered by the insurance. The food service, I found, tolerable and you can choose to have Western style food, which means you will get bread in the morning rather than rice, and beef and pork rather than fish, and also things like spaghetti and macaroni. Also, it is useful to know that you can delay your meals, for example, lunch is served 12 noon but it can be delayed till 2 PM and the supper is served 5:45 PM but can be delayed till 7:30 PM.
Unless you are on a special diet for your illness, you are free to have people bring you alternative food. If you are mobile, there is a 1st floor Lawson (in Jikei Hospital, but other hospitals have similar convenience stores) where you can buy all kinds of goodies to eat. If you want coffee in the morning (in Jikei), take the elevator to floor 1, the Lawson Convenience Station which opens at 7 AM.
Medical Care The excellent English-language Jikei Medical University Library with latest medical/nursing literature publications in stacks is open 8 AM till 10 PM weekdays and Saturday, and afternoons from 1 PM on Sundays. (Closed on national holidays). For info, Tel (03) 3433 1111, ask "Toshokan, onegai shimasu" and wait to be connected. It is near the Mita-Line Subway Onarimon Station; and have an ID for the library.
Japanese physician offices generally do not like to have foreigners as patients but exceptions exist. Two clinics I know that cater to foreigners are KIC (info@kic.clinic) and Tokyo and Medical and Surgical Clinic (outside Tokyo or cellphone, call 03 3436 3028 for info; in Tokyo landphone drop the 03). The usual fee for seeing a general doctor at TMSC is 12- to 14-thousand JY. It is located acrss the street from the Tokyo Tower, nearest subway is Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Subway line.
Also, of course you may call or text my Night&Day Medical Advisory at 080 5034 9898 (Use email: edwardstim-eaj@softbank.ne.jp . From North America digit 1 702 234 1015 to telephone or text me in Japan. And you may call or text using the telephone numbers) for free telephone medical advice.
If you start non tourist living and working in
Medical Care; Being a Patient in a Japanese University Hospital:
Note that Japan has an excellent public ambulance system. But it would be very helpful for a foreigner to have a Japanese doctor, available by telephone, who can direct the ambulance to take you to his university hospital. In a recent experience of mine, because I am over age 65 and have a low enough salary my NHI paid 90% of the ambulance and subsequent hospital fees which relieved me of a great deal of anxiety because the total cost of my hospitalization was 360,000 yen a week. I was put in a hospital bed on the orthopedic ward due to fracture accident. In the Japanese university hospital, not much English is spoken or understood. So, it is helpful to have a Japanese or foreign friend or co-worker, for interpreter, who is fluent in Japanese and your language. The hospital beds are comfortable and the mattress is air-inflated to prevent pressure sores and you have hand controls that allow you to elevate and lower your bed, elevate your feet at the knee and elevate and lower your head. The room lights are turned on 6 AM and out at 9 PM but there is an overhead light over your head that will allow you to read without disturbing your roommates at night. The usual room contains 6 beds partitioned by curtains and there is not a great deal of space for visitors (visiting hours 2-8 Mon.-Sat., 11-10 Sunday but now modified by Covid-19). The hospital room and the care that goes with it is covered by the insurance, but if you want a private, single room, you must pay a much higher fee not covered by the insurance. The food service, I found, tolerable and you can choose to have Western style food, which means you will get bread in the morning rather than rice, and beef and pork rather than fish, and also things like spaghetti and macaroni. Also, it is useful to know that you can delay your meals, for example, lunch is served 12 noon but it can be delayed till 2 PM and the supper is served 5:45 PM but can be delayed till 7:30 PM.
Unless you are on a special diet for your illness, you are free to have people bring you alternative food. If you are mobile, there is a 1st floor Lawson (in Jikei Hospital, but other hospitals have similar convenience stores) where you can buy all kinds of goodies to eat. If you want coffee in the morning (in Jikei), take the elevator to floor 1, the Lawson Convenience Station which opens at 7 AM.
Telephone Numbers Inside Japan, the telephone numbers are written with brackets for area code: (03) is Tokyo; (0424) is Narita International Airport area. Calling inside the area code on land phones does not require the area code but on cell phone it does. Calling from outside Japan, use your region's international access code, then Japan country code 81 and drop the first zero of area code, e.g., from North America 011 81 80 5034 9898, you'll get me, Dr Stim.
Finding an address in Japan starts with the place name, and the section name followed by three hyphenated numbers. For example in Tokyo Ben's Cafe, Takadanobaba 1-29-21. You need to know what is the closest station. Then you go to the station and ask at the usually obvious police box (Koban). The first number is the section-area, or chome, the second number is the block, and the 3rd number is the building number. Once you get experienced you can find it from the map located out on the street in front of every station. Most places have a Google map that may be accessed on internet under its name, e.g., "Ben's Cafe." In taxi, show the address to your driver.
Lost & Found in Japan is very good because the Japanese are honest and the system is efficient. If you lose something important, first check ASAP where you lost it if you know (hotel, airport, department store, etc.) by calling to the local place's Lost & Found. If it's like a money card or key or other important pocket item, check with local police office or call central Tokyo police. You'll be astounded how efficient the system is. I know, first hand by 2 experiences. Several months ago my bank cash card went missing. I went to my bank, thinking to cancel the lost one and get a new one. As soon as I said "lost money card". they called the police central and the computer immediately located the card that had dropped from my pocket on the subway and been given to the police by the subway car cleaner at the end of the line. I went to the local police station where the card was found and had it back at once. For longer term lost and found, the police have a building at Iidabashi that you may contact through any police station. More recently, I was coming back to my office by subway and when I arrived at my office I discovered to my horror that my Japan foreigner registration card and my bank money card had dropped out of my inside pocket on the subway! This could have been a catastrophe because the foreigner card must be presented at airports for overseas trips and I planned to do a trip in a week. Since I discovered the loss immediately on arrival at my office and could locate that it must have happened on a particular subway line only in the previous hour. I immediately called the subway line through telephone information and within minutes discovered that my lost cards had been found by a subway conductor and were being kept in the station master's office at a nearby station. A good example of the super efficiency of lost and found in Japan if you know the system by reading this.
Employ a housekeeper, the pay rate is c.1500 Yen an hour. The ladies who clean the office where you work can usually be recruited. And pay cash.
Applying for Japanese Nationality/Passport A non Japanese person wishing to change nationality to Japanese should first call the Ministry of Justice in Tokyo at (03) 3580 4111 and connect with extension 2034. If not fluent in Japanese, have a Japanese friend ask for information about how to change a foreign nationality into a Japanese one. The questioner will be directed to his or her local Ministry of Justice office, the Nationality () Department. Then one makes a first consultation (sodan) appointment in which one is tested for understanding Japanese and being minimally competent in reading and writing in the hiragana/katakana system. The application involves: 1) An investigation by the Ministry of Justice for criminal activity during one's previous stays in Japan; and 2) documentation of one's family members and spouses (birth, marriage & death certificates), one's recent tax returns in Japan, and one's previous passports and bank books in Japan.
End Note: A Hongkong Tailor in Tokyo: For custom-made clothes by a master tailor using best European and English materials for good price for quality and high honesty in dealing, one should click onto www.himarkmartintailors.com or call in Japan 090 6116 2965 to speak with Aroon.
Weekend and Holiday Post Office: On Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays the local post offices are closed. In Tokyo, use the Central Post Office at Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit, In Yokohama, use the Central Post Office at Yokohama Station, east exit. In other large city inquire at hotel or at street police box. For airmail say hikoki de, or for special deliver sokutatsu and for registered mail kakitome.
Birthday and Wedding Cakes in Tokyo
If you need an inscribed birthday or wedding cake custom-made, use Bellas between Shirogane-Takanawa Mita Subway and Sengakuji stations. Information at WWW.BELLAS-TOKYO.COM. and order at email ORDERS@BELLAS-TOKYO.com
A Good Luxury Hotel. I have experience with the Tokyo Dome Hotel near Suidobashi Station, 15 minutes from central Tokyo. (Tel. in Japan 03 5805 2111) It is a 43-story structure with striking views from its lifts and from the 43rd floor Sky Bar & Restaurant (also known as Artists Cafe). If you use a luxury hotel and want the best, try in the Dome, the 39th, 40th and 41st floors for the Executive rooms that come with an Executive Lounge that gives you a very delicious self-serve breakfast from 7 to 10 AM, a coffee time 1 to 5 PM and a drinks & snacks time after 5 PM. The Lounge has a desktop computer that is rarely used by Japanese and also good reading and pretty views. Also a seminar room is available by appointment. And you may invite non-hotel guest friends for breakfast, snack & drinks and seminar-room conference. All rooms have free WiFi as does the lobby and floors. Cost of executive floor rooms officially minimally is Yen 35,000 to 55,000, a 2 PM check-in and 11 AM check out; but ask for best price and you might be given room fees down to 20,000 Yen especially in slack season (Spring and Winter). Best to make reservation ahead for "best price" but you may also try the same day any time till 2 PM. The famous Imperial Hotel is terribly expensive and just terrible. Stay away!
| Notes on expatriate life in Japan from old expat | |||||||||
| The above is basically directed toward the new traveler to Japan. But from here, I wish to give my pearls as an old expat who has spent the years mostly in Tokyo. It will be about eating, shopping, meeting friends. I will keep adding; so what you read now may have a look of incompleteness. |
Allow me to go into my experiences in my local Higashi/Nishi (E./W.) Kanagawa Yokohama area, which more or less mirror the experience throughout Japan. The two main supermarkets are Aeon and Maruetsu at or very near the immediate west exits side of the Higashi Kanagawa JR Station. The SMkTs, especially Aeon, are now highly automated and instead of having to wait on long, slow lines to pay, one may use the automated self-serve pay section which moves quickly. Aeon has generally lower prices for same products than Maruetsu with occasional exception; also it is open 7 days a week and Holidays from 7 AM to 10 PM while Maruetsu opens at 10 AM. Both have attached Department Stores. For after hours one may use the three chain convenience stores—-Lawson, 7/11, Family Mart—- and pay slightly higher prices for the convenience. My experience is with Lawson and my impression is that it is the best in terms of price, product and store locations. And Lawson’s, in contrast to the other two, shows local differences in price, product and type of store (Lawson’s Stations and Natural Lawson’s) I find 3 Lawson stores within walking distance from my flat, each with its own special bargains and good product availability.
On using subways and other mass transit: In Tokyo the mass transit is the JR surface trains (Yamanote and Chuo) lines, the Subways, and the buses. Of the trains, the surface lines are least expensive (Basic entry ticket today JY 140) but mostly they are big circles that may miss inside parts of Tokyo that are better accessed by the subways. Subways are a bit more expensive (JY 170/180 for basic entry) Buses are of 2 types: 1) the private buses which are larger and rather expensive, and also hard for foreigners to understand. And 2), recently, the community borough buses (Minato-ku, Bunkyo ku, etc.), which are all only JY 100 for full trip and can be very convenient but you need to understand Japanese. These community buses are instantly recognizable because smaller, and cutely painted with cartoonish designs.. A good example for foreigners who may want to find the Kokusai Bunka Kaikan (International House of Japan) is the Minato-ku community bus between the popular JR Tamachi Station and the Bunka Kaikan, which is in Roppongi and normally rather hard to find.
Also a pearl: When one buys a ticket for transit on the machine at station entry, the tendency is to locate the price and then buy that price ticket. A better way is to buy the least expensive ticket to get you on the platform (JY 140 for JR) and then pay the remainder at end of trip. In addition to speeding your way you may save money because some ticket price info is overpriced. For example if you are taking Hibiya Subway Line from Hibiya to Roppongi the ticket price of the chart will be listed at JY 280, exorbitantly high because is based on a roundabout route. The direct fee is actually the lowest, JY 170.
A warning during hot, humid summer days when your 1000-JY cash notes may get moistened in a sweaty pocket and will not work in ticket or other delivery machines. Be sure to have a supply of JY100/JY500 coins because the ticket sellers are very unkind about replacing moist cash notes.
Pasmo is a travel credit card you buy at subway and ticket machines. One charges the card usually up to 10,000 yen and it automatically pays for tickets until next charge. Also can be used to make purchases in many stores. If you are a long term expat, the Pasmo is useful and convenient but if you buy a card be sure to copy its data because you pay a 500-Yen deposit on the card and if you lose it and do not have the data where and when you bought it, you not only lose 500 Yen but somebody else may use the money you put in the card.
On using subways and other mass transit: In Tokyo the mass transit is the JR surface trains (Yamanote and Chuo) lines, the Subways, and the buses. Of the trains, the surface lines are least expensive (Basic entry ticket today JY 140) but mostly they are big circles that may miss inside parts of Tokyo that are better accessed by the subways. Subways are a bit more expensive (JY 170/180 for basic entry) Buses are of 2 types: 1) the private buses which are larger and rather expensive, and also hard for foreigners to understand. And 2), recently, the community borough buses (Minato-ku, Bunkyo ku, etc.), which are all only JY 100 for full trip and can be very convenient but you need to understand Japanese. These community buses are instantly recognizable because smaller, and cutely painted with cartoonish designs.. A good example for foreigners who may want to find the Kokusai Bunka Kaikan (International House of Japan) is the Minato-ku community bus between the popular JR Tamachi Station and the Bunka Kaikan, which is in Roppongi and normally rather hard to find.
Also a pearl: When one buys a ticket for transit on the machine at station entry, the tendency is to locate the price and then buy that price ticket. A better way is to buy the least expensive ticket to get you on the platform (JY 140 for JR) and then pay the remainder at end of trip. In addition to speeding your way you may save money because some ticket price info is overpriced. For example if you are taking Hibiya Subway Line from Hibiya to Roppongi the ticket price of the chart will be listed at JY 280, exorbitantly high because is based on a roundabout route. The direct fee is actually the lowest, JY 170.
A warning during hot, humid summer days when your 1000-JY cash notes may get moistened in a sweaty pocket and will not work in ticket or other delivery machines. Be sure to have a supply of JY100/JY500 coins because the ticket sellers are very unkind about replacing moist cash notes.
Pasmo is a travel credit card you buy at subway and ticket machines. One charges the card usually up to 10,000 yen and it automatically pays for tickets until next charge. Also can be used to make purchases in many stores. If you are a long term expat, the Pasmo is useful and convenient but if you buy a card be sure to copy its data because you pay a 500-Yen deposit on the card and if you lose it and do not have the data where and when you bought it, you not only lose 500 Yen but somebody else may use the money you put in the card.
Walden in Japan
Readers may recall the classic Walden by Thoreau wherein one person determined the basics of living by a pond in Massachusetts in the 1840s. Here, now, I give my Walden in Japan, give the basics for an expat living in Japan, basing it on my own experiences and observations living in the Tokyo/Yokohama area (Japan is very uniform so this applies anywhere from Hokkaido to Okinawa). It will be in the form of subjects as they have come to mind from recent experience.
The Prices of a Coffee: I do not advise, nor am I, becoming a person addicted to coffee. I use it for a particular need: motivating and energizing especially in the morning. And the can of Black Coffee, I find, is good for that. I note the machine price varies in JY, mostly from 140 to 100, but I found in large supermarkets, not in machine, the same can of black may be as low as 68 (plus the 10% sales tax). For very low price machine coffee, if you are in Roppongi, Gaien Higashi Dori is the wide east-west street that runs east from the Roppongi Crossing where the subway station is toward the Tokyo Tower (the Tower looms on your eastern horizon). When you come to the first big crossing underpass make an exact 90-degree right angle turn (Your right) and walk about 100 meters downhill and you should spot two machines advertising 100-Yen cans and one of the machine gives the two types of 80-Yen cans. But hold on! Since then, I discovered a 50-Yen machine sweetened UCG can that is delivered pleasantly hot from the machine, a bright white one located outside the Maeda Building, Haircut Salon in Higashi Azabu 3-chome, 7-9, on north side of the wide street and about 175 meters from the Toei Subway Azabu Jyu-ban Crossing Stn. Then cf. the cans:
Pokka UCC Blended
JY Cost 80 50
Amount 190 gm 185 gm
K-calories 39 13
Sweeten Dextrin(Glucose) Ace K (Arti.)
If you buy Blendy coffee sticks at your local supermarket you get up to 150 mg caffeine at c.18 JpY, a drink. Best taste is to use 140- to 180-ml water). Best yet is to stop habitual morning coffee, as I did, and substitute a small chocolate 120 yen McDonald’s McShake, which will supply your breakfast calorie expense, and the chocolate has enough caffeine plus its placebo affect to satisfy your caffeine habit. (You may also empty your Blendy’s coffee powder cachet into the McShake)
Also how you use coffee: To me coffee is only for motivation and energizing (So caffeine coffee). I do not drink it in the street. Also do not mix black coffee with anything. I mean, have it Black! and before any food is eaten! This is to maximize the caffeine effect on the empty stomach.
Valuables found by looking down: Because of my age and a bad back I tend to walk in a stooped position and get quite a glimpse of the pavement as I go. And I have discovered many rewards, ranging from the 10,000 JpY cash note someone inadvertently dropped, to the stick of gum lost from a pack by a gum-chewer walker. (A list of recent finds: unopened tissues, paper clips, valuable coins, candy in wrappers, chewing gum in wrappers, pachinko balls, Mintia-packaged mint pills, and even a packaged dinner inadvertently dropped that I advertently ate at home with great pleasure). In between I have gotten rich from the money and had good eating from the wrapped candies, and many other goodies people drop on the pavement as they rush by. I am not advising telescoping the pavement as you walk. Always be aware of what is above and beside and behind you. But keep scanning the pavement as you go and be a happier fellow.
Kleenex Type Tissues are continuously being handed out at stations in Japan (and also, the napkins given with your McDonald's order) so you should collect and not buy. And keep in mind these tissues can replace toilet paper, kitchen roll paper, napkins ... .
Readers may recall the classic Walden by Thoreau wherein one person determined the basics of living by a pond in Massachusetts in the 1840s. Here, now, I give my Walden in Japan, give the basics for an expat living in Japan, basing it on my own experiences and observations living in the Tokyo/Yokohama area (Japan is very uniform so this applies anywhere from Hokkaido to Okinawa). It will be in the form of subjects as they have come to mind from recent experience.
The Prices of a Coffee: I do not advise, nor am I, becoming a person addicted to coffee. I use it for a particular need: motivating and energizing especially in the morning. And the can of Black Coffee, I find, is good for that. I note the machine price varies in JY, mostly from 140 to 100, but I found in large supermarkets, not in machine, the same can of black may be as low as 68 (plus the 10% sales tax). For very low price machine coffee, if you are in Roppongi, Gaien Higashi Dori is the wide east-west street that runs east from the Roppongi Crossing where the subway station is toward the Tokyo Tower (the Tower looms on your eastern horizon). When you come to the first big crossing underpass make an exact 90-degree right angle turn (Your right) and walk about 100 meters downhill and you should spot two machines advertising 100-Yen cans and one of the machine gives the two types of 80-Yen cans. But hold on! Since then, I discovered a 50-Yen machine sweetened UCG can that is delivered pleasantly hot from the machine, a bright white one located outside the Maeda Building, Haircut Salon in Higashi Azabu 3-chome, 7-9, on north side of the wide street and about 175 meters from the Toei Subway Azabu Jyu-ban Crossing Stn. Then cf. the cans:
Pokka UCC Blended
JY Cost 80 50
Amount 190 gm 185 gm
K-calories 39 13
Sweeten Dextrin(Glucose) Ace K (Arti.)
If you buy Blendy coffee sticks at your local supermarket you get up to 150 mg caffeine at c.18 JpY, a drink. Best taste is to use 140- to 180-ml water). Best yet is to stop habitual morning coffee, as I did, and substitute a small chocolate 120 yen McDonald’s McShake, which will supply your breakfast calorie expense, and the chocolate has enough caffeine plus its placebo affect to satisfy your caffeine habit. (You may also empty your Blendy’s coffee powder cachet into the McShake)
Also how you use coffee: To me coffee is only for motivation and energizing (So caffeine coffee). I do not drink it in the street. Also do not mix black coffee with anything. I mean, have it Black! and before any food is eaten! This is to maximize the caffeine effect on the empty stomach.
Valuables found by looking down: Because of my age and a bad back I tend to walk in a stooped position and get quite a glimpse of the pavement as I go. And I have discovered many rewards, ranging from the 10,000 JpY cash note someone inadvertently dropped, to the stick of gum lost from a pack by a gum-chewer walker. (A list of recent finds: unopened tissues, paper clips, valuable coins, candy in wrappers, chewing gum in wrappers, pachinko balls, Mintia-packaged mint pills, and even a packaged dinner inadvertently dropped that I advertently ate at home with great pleasure). In between I have gotten rich from the money and had good eating from the wrapped candies, and many other goodies people drop on the pavement as they rush by. I am not advising telescoping the pavement as you walk. Always be aware of what is above and beside and behind you. But keep scanning the pavement as you go and be a happier fellow.
Kleenex Type Tissues are continuously being handed out at stations in Japan (and also, the napkins given with your McDonald's order) so you should collect and not buy. And keep in mind these tissues can replace toilet paper, kitchen roll paper, napkins ... .
And, less frequent, promotional energy drinks, as freebies v
McDonald's in Japan, a Source of Much Saving and Good Eating: A great source of money saving and good eating ! First, the 110 JY (U.S. c. USD $1) burger is a best buy for the central part of a lunch. And if you like the custard ice cream, the small-size McShake --- vanilla, choco or strawberry --- is best buy for JY 120. And for morning snack: the 250-Y set of bacon&egg on hot melted American cheese in a muffin with hot coffee and free ketchup, creme and sugar really satisfies as you sit using the free WiFi.
Machines You Don't Need to Buy for Home: Desktop or laptop computer may be replaced (in their useful for you function) by public-use computers in libraries and big hotels as I have been doing these last months. Better yet an IPad can satisfy most computer needs. And without any loss of feeling of need, as I've discovered. Home washing machine and dryer (Almost everyone buys or pays more rent for today) for a single person may be replaced by coin machine whose price for a wash&dry ranges from 400 to 600 yen, and I found one across from the Kanagawa-ku Kuyakusho for 200 yen on Mon. to Fri., 1 to 4 pm.
A fridge, I have done without for years because I'm a single who quickly eats up and drinks up his food and drink
Free WiFi is now available in every public telephone booth in Tokyo.These booths are located on the street and state on the window, Free WiFi. Also many hotels and fast food places. The new iPads all have built-ins. So do not waste money on home WiFi router.
About accessing the free WiFi: Some places, like the Sheraton hotels give automatically free WiFi merely by being in their vicinity. But with others, like the McDonald’s, you must go to your gear icon, scroll to WiFi, and click, On. Most (McDonald’s) give 1 hour. Street telephone booths give 10 minutes.
Point Cards : Stores where you buy regularly, including McDonald's, offer point cards where you register points for each purchase and can usually exchange for free or discounted buys. As with all these small plastic cards, stow them carefully against loss and make sure to initially register them.
50 JY Celery or lettuce Replacing Expensive Salads: In the supers, 7/11s and Lawsons you pay over 100 to 200 JY for salads with your meal. Why not buy a large 50 JY celery stalk or lettuce that you may use - leaves and all - by scissoring it up for 3 or 4 salad replacements.
McDonald's in Japan, a Source of Much Saving and Good Eating: A great source of money saving and good eating ! First, the 110 JY (U.S. c. USD $1) burger is a best buy for the central part of a lunch. And if you like the custard ice cream, the small-size McShake --- vanilla, choco or strawberry --- is best buy for JY 120. And for morning snack: the 250-Y set of bacon&egg on hot melted American cheese in a muffin with hot coffee and free ketchup, creme and sugar really satisfies as you sit using the free WiFi.
Machines You Don't Need to Buy for Home: Desktop or laptop computer may be replaced (in their useful for you function) by public-use computers in libraries and big hotels as I have been doing these last months. Better yet an IPad can satisfy most computer needs. And without any loss of feeling of need, as I've discovered. Home washing machine and dryer (Almost everyone buys or pays more rent for today) for a single person may be replaced by coin machine whose price for a wash&dry ranges from 400 to 600 yen, and I found one across from the Kanagawa-ku Kuyakusho for 200 yen on Mon. to Fri., 1 to 4 pm.
A fridge, I have done without for years because I'm a single who quickly eats up and drinks up his food and drink
Free WiFi is now available in every public telephone booth in Tokyo.These booths are located on the street and state on the window, Free WiFi. Also many hotels and fast food places. The new iPads all have built-ins. So do not waste money on home WiFi router.
About accessing the free WiFi: Some places, like the Sheraton hotels give automatically free WiFi merely by being in their vicinity. But with others, like the McDonald’s, you must go to your gear icon, scroll to WiFi, and click, On. Most (McDonald’s) give 1 hour. Street telephone booths give 10 minutes.
Point Cards : Stores where you buy regularly, including McDonald's, offer point cards where you register points for each purchase and can usually exchange for free or discounted buys. As with all these small plastic cards, stow them carefully against loss and make sure to initially register them.
50 JY Celery or lettuce Replacing Expensive Salads: In the supers, 7/11s and Lawsons you pay over 100 to 200 JY for salads with your meal. Why not buy a large 50 JY celery stalk or lettuce that you may use - leaves and all - by scissoring it up for 3 or 4 salad replacements.
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