JAF offers road services such as locked out, flat battery and towing etc with certain fees. JAF members are applicable to get free of charge for certain services while non-members can't.
JAF : http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/index.htm
Logo
Tow truck
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Saturday, October 1, 2011
JAF
Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)
JAF offers road services such as locked out, flat battery and towing etc with certain fees. JAF members are applicable to get free of charge for certain services while non-members can't.
JAF : http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/index.htm
Logo
Tow truck
JAF offers road services such as locked out, flat battery and towing etc with certain fees. JAF members are applicable to get free of charge for certain services while non-members can't.
JAF : http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/index.htm
LogoTow truck
Castle
Castle
One of the famous place (besides the temple) to visit in Japan is their castle.
For some castle, we can enter and there are also exhibition of the previous empire etc.
Castles
Castle's gate
At castle compound
One of the famous place (besides the temple) to visit in Japan is their castle.
For some castle, we can enter and there are also exhibition of the previous empire etc.
Castles
Castle's gate
At castle compoundTemple
Temple
Kyoto has a large number of temple such as kinkaku-ji, ginkaku-ji, kyomizudera etc.
Others are in Nara (World heritage) etc.
It is a one time must visit place in Japan.
Temples
Kyoto has a large number of temple such as kinkaku-ji, ginkaku-ji, kyomizudera etc.
Others are in Nara (World heritage) etc.
It is a one time must visit place in Japan.
TemplesParking
Parking
There are private parking space and public parking space.
Private parking space either you have your own or rented monthly.
The rent varies by area. For example monthly parking rent in Shibuya, Tokyo can cost around 30,000yen (almost half of a house rent) and in rural area in Yokohama (where we stayed before) cost around 7000yen.
Lift type parking space
For public parking space, you have to pay per hour or per day. For example 20minutes=100yen (day) and 60minutes=100yen (night) etc. Usually every parking space have the maximum charges on that day for example 24hrs=1200yen. Famous company in charge of the parking is TIMES.
Times Parking Map: http://www.times-info.net/map/
There are private parking space and public parking space.
Private parking space either you have your own or rented monthly.
The rent varies by area. For example monthly parking rent in Shibuya, Tokyo can cost around 30,000yen (almost half of a house rent) and in rural area in Yokohama (where we stayed before) cost around 7000yen.
Lift type parking spaceFor public parking space, you have to pay per hour or per day. For example 20minutes=100yen (day) and 60minutes=100yen (night) etc. Usually every parking space have the maximum charges on that day for example 24hrs=1200yen. Famous company in charge of the parking is TIMES.
Times Parking Map: http://www.times-info.net/map/
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Public transport
Public transport: Train, Bus etc.
Train and bus are used widely in Japan. There are bullet train, express train, local train, subway etc. You can check the details at the JR website (divided into JR east, JR west etc). There are private company running the railway too.
Japan Rail Pass http://www.japanrailpass.net/
JR East http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/index.html
JR West http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/global.html
Tokyo Metro http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html
Osaka public transport information http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.jp/foreign/english/index.html
Anyway, if you are traveling a lot using train e.g in Tokyo area, check out the 1-day pass ticket. Cheaper but valid only for certain distance and depends on the railway company.
I remember taking JR train using the 1-day pass ticket from Yokohama to Tokyo, and then make a stop at Tokyo St., Akihabara St., Ueno St., Shinjyuku St., Shibuya St., Harajyuku St., Shinagawa St and lots more. It costs around 1350yen. Usually, one short ride will cost around 150yen and above.
Bus and subway also have the 1-day pass ticket. For example, subway in Osaka, 1-day pass costs around 800yen during weekdays and 600yen during weekends and public holidays.
JR train
City Bus
If you like to travel using train e,g travel from Tokyo to Kyusyu, I suggest you to buy seishun 18 kippu. You get 5 tickets, price around 12000yen. 1 ticket can be used per day. You can travel as far as you like using the ticket.
If you are a visitor, you can buy unlimited-shinkansen-ride ticket and can ride the shinkansen all over Japan for a certain period of time. Price is below 30,000yen per person.
Bullet train@shinkansen
You can check the train time table by buying the time table book or check below websites.
http://transit.loco.yahoo.co.jp/ (time table in Japanese)
http://www.hyperdia.com/ (time table in English)
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/ (time table in English)
Tokyo JR train map
Tokyo Subway train map
Osaka Subway train map
Train and bus are used widely in Japan. There are bullet train, express train, local train, subway etc. You can check the details at the JR website (divided into JR east, JR west etc). There are private company running the railway too.
Japan Rail Pass http://www.japanrailpass.net/
JR East http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/index.html
JR West http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/global.html
Tokyo Metro http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html
Osaka public transport information http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.jp/foreign/english/index.html
Anyway, if you are traveling a lot using train e.g in Tokyo area, check out the 1-day pass ticket. Cheaper but valid only for certain distance and depends on the railway company.
I remember taking JR train using the 1-day pass ticket from Yokohama to Tokyo, and then make a stop at Tokyo St., Akihabara St., Ueno St., Shinjyuku St., Shibuya St., Harajyuku St., Shinagawa St and lots more. It costs around 1350yen. Usually, one short ride will cost around 150yen and above.
Bus and subway also have the 1-day pass ticket. For example, subway in Osaka, 1-day pass costs around 800yen during weekdays and 600yen during weekends and public holidays.
JR train
City BusIf you like to travel using train e,g travel from Tokyo to Kyusyu, I suggest you to buy seishun 18 kippu. You get 5 tickets, price around 12000yen. 1 ticket can be used per day. You can travel as far as you like using the ticket.
If you are a visitor, you can buy unlimited-shinkansen-ride ticket and can ride the shinkansen all over Japan for a certain period of time. Price is below 30,000yen per person.
Bullet train@shinkansenYou can check the train time table by buying the time table book or check below websites.
http://transit.loco.yahoo.co.jp/ (time table in Japanese)
http://www.hyperdia.com/ (time table in English)
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/ (time table in English)
Tokyo JR train map
Tokyo Subway train map
Osaka Subway train mapFriday, June 17, 2011
Electrical and Electronic store
Shopping electrical/electronic items.
There are plenty of shopping complexes that specially selling electrical and electronic items.
Mostly, we don"t bargain but some electronic store do allow customer to bargain (you have to show prove such as picture,pamphlet etc that can show that other store is selling at cheaper price).
Some of the famous places are
Akihabara Electric town (Tokyo)
Nippon bashi Den-Den Town (Osaka)
Some of the famous stores are
Yodobashi (http://www.yodobashi.com/)
Yamada denki (http://www.yamada-denki.jp/)
Bic Camera (http://www.biccamera.com/)
Denkodo (http://www.denkodo.co.jp/)
Joshin (kansai) (http://joshinweb.jp/top.html)
The famous online stores are
kakaku.com (http://kakaku.com/)
*You can compare the cheapest price in the market.
Yahoo auction (http://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/)
There are plenty of shopping complexes that specially selling electrical and electronic items.
Mostly, we don"t bargain but some electronic store do allow customer to bargain (you have to show prove such as picture,pamphlet etc that can show that other store is selling at cheaper price).
Some of the famous places are
Akihabara Electric town (Tokyo)
Nippon bashi Den-Den Town (Osaka)
Some of the famous stores are
Yodobashi (http://www.yodobashi.com/)
Yamada denki (http://www.yamada-denki.jp/)
Bic Camera (http://www.biccamera.com/)
Denkodo (http://www.denkodo.co.jp/)
Joshin (kansai) (http://joshinweb.jp/top.html)
The famous online stores are
kakaku.com (http://kakaku.com/)
*You can compare the cheapest price in the market.
Yahoo auction (http://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/)
Souvenirs
Gifts and Souvenirs
Some of the famous places to buy souvenirs are in Asakusa@Tokyo and Akihabara@Tokyo.
Some major shopping complex such as Yodobashi also sell souvenirs.
Some of the famous places to buy souvenirs are in Asakusa@Tokyo and Akihabara@Tokyo.
Some major shopping complex such as Yodobashi also sell souvenirs.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Japanese foods
Foods
Some example of Japanese foods are sushi, sashimi, tenpura, takoyaki, okonomiyaki etc.
Price is quite reasonable. e.g cheap tenpura is around 500yen.
Japan is also famous of its bento box.
Tenpura set course
Sushi
Bento box
Some example of Japanese foods are sushi, sashimi, tenpura, takoyaki, okonomiyaki etc.
Price is quite reasonable. e.g cheap tenpura is around 500yen.
Japan is also famous of its bento box.
Tenpura set course
Sushi
Bento boxTuesday, June 14, 2011
Living Information
Living information for foreign residents.
Each prefecture/district has their own living information for foreign residents in English.
Other languages are also available.
You can get information like living procedures, taxes, welfare etc.
Please visit your nearest district office (区役所) for details.
There, you can ask about your alien registration card (ID card), insurance, child allowance etc.
Every months they will distribute leaflets or posters in English about activities held in your area.
Check it out.
Some of the living information website.
Osaka
http://www.osaka-livinginfo.jp/en/
Yokohama
http://www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/eng/tourism/
Sakura during spring (April)
Each prefecture/district has their own living information for foreign residents in English.
Other languages are also available.
You can get information like living procedures, taxes, welfare etc.
Please visit your nearest district office (区役所) for details.
There, you can ask about your alien registration card (ID card), insurance, child allowance etc.
Every months they will distribute leaflets or posters in English about activities held in your area.
Check it out.
Some of the living information website.
Osaka
http://www.osaka-livinginfo.jp/en/
Yokohama
http://www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/eng/tourism/
Sakura during spring (April)Saturday, June 11, 2011
What to bring?
Things to bring
Of course, don't forget to bring your pants, shirts, underwear, toothbrush etc.
However, I recommend not buy new things such as sweater etc (if you want to buy, go ahead).
You can buy second hand stuff over here.
e.g rather buying a new 5000~6000yen sweater, you can get used a 1000yen sweater.
After you reach Japan, buying used furniture, used home appliances can save a lots of money.
Trust me, the second hand items over here mostly are in perfect shape ( some items can be categorized as junk too). Some items do come with box and manuals.
Some of the famous second hand shops are Hard-off, 2nd street (Kansai), Ryohin-kaikan (Kansai).
If you have time, go to the flea market. At flea market, they sell new and used items.
The schedule in Kanto area is here and in Kansai area is here. I recommend you to go to the flea market at Nissan stadium at Yokohama.
Of course, don't forget to bring your pants, shirts, underwear, toothbrush etc.
However, I recommend not buy new things such as sweater etc (if you want to buy, go ahead).
You can buy second hand stuff over here.
e.g rather buying a new 5000~6000yen sweater, you can get used a 1000yen sweater.
After you reach Japan, buying used furniture, used home appliances can save a lots of money.
Trust me, the second hand items over here mostly are in perfect shape ( some items can be categorized as junk too). Some items do come with box and manuals.
Some of the famous second hand shops are Hard-off, 2nd street (Kansai), Ryohin-kaikan (Kansai).
If you have time, go to the flea market. At flea market, they sell new and used items.The schedule in Kanto area is here and in Kansai area is here. I recommend you to go to the flea market at Nissan stadium at Yokohama.
Food
Food
Besides Japanese food (Sushi, Tenpura, Sashimi), there are Mcdonalds, KFC, Pizza etc.
You can also find Pakistani or Indian restaurant selling naan, tandori chicken etc as well as Thai shop, Indian shop selling spicy, chili etc.
There are shops selling imported foods such as Jupiter, Kaldi, Yamaya etc.
For muslim, HALAL food can be ordered online. One of the famous shops is Baticrom.
Some mosques is selling HALAL food too.
Some said Japan is an expensive country (in term of foods) but in real, some shops do offer reasonable price (unless if you want to eat at Ginza or Roppongi).
Cheap tendon (tenpura+rice) is around 500yen and cheap pasta is around 500yen @ Saizeriya.
A plate of cheap sushi cost around 105yen per plate (cheaper than the price selling in Malaysia etc). Cheap soba or udon ( Japanese noodle) cost around 200yen.
You can get free Ocha (Japanese tea) and water (while in other country you have to pay for a glass of water)
Anyway, we recommend you to bring your own spicy etc as much as you can before coming to Japan. Because some of the spicy etc sold here is not the same as you imagine ( e.g might not be hot as you expected)
Besides Japanese food (Sushi, Tenpura, Sashimi), there are Mcdonalds, KFC, Pizza etc.
You can also find Pakistani or Indian restaurant selling naan, tandori chicken etc as well as Thai shop, Indian shop selling spicy, chili etc.
There are shops selling imported foods such as Jupiter, Kaldi, Yamaya etc.
For muslim, HALAL food can be ordered online. One of the famous shops is Baticrom.
Some mosques is selling HALAL food too.
Some said Japan is an expensive country (in term of foods) but in real, some shops do offer reasonable price (unless if you want to eat at Ginza or Roppongi).
Cheap tendon (tenpura+rice) is around 500yen and cheap pasta is around 500yen @ Saizeriya.
A plate of cheap sushi cost around 105yen per plate (cheaper than the price selling in Malaysia etc). Cheap soba or udon ( Japanese noodle) cost around 200yen.
You can get free Ocha (Japanese tea) and water (while in other country you have to pay for a glass of water)
Anyway, we recommend you to bring your own spicy etc as much as you can before coming to Japan. Because some of the spicy etc sold here is not the same as you imagine ( e.g might not be hot as you expected)
Where is Japan?
Japan map
Source: Google map
Source: Google mapJapan is located in Asia.
Major cities are Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Sendai, Sapporo, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka etc.
Currency is YEN.
Language is Japanese (Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana). English is seldom used.
Voltage is 100V (but the frequency of electric current is differ 50Hz - Kanto, Tohoku, Hokkaido area and 60hz - Kansai, Kyushu etc )
Regions of Japan
Hokkaido: Hokaido
Tohoku : Akita, Iwate, Miyagi etc
Kanto : Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Kanagawa etc
Chubu : Nagano, Niigata, Toyama, Yamanashi etc
Kansai : Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara etc
Chugoku : Hiroshima, Yamaguchi etc
Shikoku : Tokushima, Kagawa etc
Kyushu : Fukuoka, Oita, Miyazaki etc
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