Travelling to Japan

[Blondefool]

Hi Johnny,

I'm just back from a 2 week trip to Japan where I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone and I can recommend all three. Also, all are easy to travel to as well. I've added my blog below as it actually covers the two weeks there and it might give you some ideas about where to go and what to do. I also have a guide i wrote up if you're interested as well. In terms
of money, I probably spent about £1000 - £1500 for the two weeks but that includes the bullet train, good hotels, sightseeing and shopping as well. I will say that you can live fairly cheaply as well, if you want.

If you have any questions or want any advice, just message me (though everyone seems to have brilliant advice). I'll leave you with this: going to Japan was the best thing I have ever done.


http://robbe-basford.blogspot.com/

Well I'm definitely getting psyched from all the advice and recommendations. Thanks for the input, I checked out part 4 of your blog and saw you went to the Ghibli Museum! How much does a ticket cost? The official site says I have to buy one in advance at "Lawson"? Can't I just buy one at the museum? Also, could you give me an estimate as to the price of admission for the Hama Rikyu Gardens? I'm travelling on a very tight budget and I would like to be able to account for all the activities I'm planning along... is it possible to get a tour of the Nintendo/Sony HQs?

You actually can't buy one at the museum as it is so popular. In fact, I believe there are only around 2000 tickets a day. It might seem like a lot but I arrived just after opening and there was a huge queue formed. I actually bought my ticket in the UK but as you are in Argentina, Lawson may be the best bet. I would budget this in though. If you're a fan of the films, then it is unmissable.

Hama Rikyu was around 800 Yen but I really enjoyed it. That said, there are loads of beautiful gardens and parks so you can miss out a few to save money. For example, the Imperial Palace Gardens are free and are a nice way to spend an hour or so.

You can enter the sony building as it has show rooms etc but I'm not sure about the Nintendo building.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

-snip-

Hi there. I'm actually travelling to Japan on Monday. Against the advice of the following very helpful soul.

-snip-

Unfortunately the situation I chose instead (teaching English in Indonesia) is essentially untenable. Now I'm heading over to Japan looking for work on whatever visa I can get on arrival.

(I'm aware this is illegal but I'm hoping that I can get a full-time visa from Singapore/Hong Kong after work is located)

I'll be travelling to Osaka which appears to be close to Kyoto so I'd love to meet up with @Terramax for a natter if you're willing.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

-snip-

Sorry for butting into your thread. It was just relevant to my situation.

Question for 'ya. I am moving Japan to study Abroad for a year. Would 200,000 Yen be good for a year's worth of exploring and what not? That is the equivalent to roughly 2000 USD, right?

Are your accommodation/meals paid for? That sounds a very small amount for a year.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

-snip-

Sorry for butting into your thread. It was just relevant to my situation.

Not at all, I hope you make good use of it

 

[Blondefool]

Question for 'ya. I am moving Japan to study Abroad for a year. Would 200,000 Yen be good for a year's worth of exploring and what not? That is the equivalent to roughly 2000 USD, right?

Uhh... that depends on what "exploring" is for you, and how much of your expenses are covered by your program. For example, when I factored out rent, if I was really studious about saving money, then I could get by on about 20,000Y per week. That covered my cooking, train fares, incidental shopping, and very occasional restaurants/nights out. If you don't drink much, if your food expenses are already covered, if you don't have any plans for shopping, and if you can build your travel plans around crashing at friends' houses and taking slow trains, you should be okay.

One potential problem: your mobile phone. I would find it very hard to get by in Japan without one in this day and age (though I did many years ago). I would expect to spend 3000Y/mo for a bottom-end phone you pretty much only use in emergencies, and 10,000/mo for a smart phone.

Also, I do plan on spending money and travelling over Japan since I am there for a year. Maybe visit Mt. Fuji, visit the hot springs, go to Hokkaido, etc. Also I may spend a lot at Super Potato when I am in Tokyo >.>

Dear Capitano,

I easily spent around £1500 in two weeks. You can live cheaper I imagine but I think $2000 might be too low.

 

[Terramax]

-snip-

Hi there. I'm actually travelling to Japan on Monday. Against the advice of the following very helpful soul.

-snip-

Unfortunately the situation I chose instead (teaching English in Indonesia) is essentially untenable. Now I'm heading over to Japan looking for work on whatever visa I can get on arrival.

(I'm aware this is illegal but I'm hoping that I can get a full-time visa from Singapore/Hong Kong after work is located)

I'll be travelling to Osaka which appears to be close to Kyoto so I'd love to meet up with @Terramax for a natter if you're willing.

Indeed, I could do a natter on either a Saturday or Sunday. Trying to meet in Osaka will be difficult though as I don't know the area that well.

Regarding getting a visa, are you sure it will be illegal? Depending on what country you're living in, you can stay legally for a certain number of months. For instance, Brits like me can stay up to 3 months with but a passport. Ozzies are 6 months I believe.

If you want a job, getting a work visa should be fairly easy. At the moment, all I've been asked to do it support copies proving I've finished school and college from native England. What I would suggest, is that you do the same. Bring copies, or better yet, might be worth bringing originals if you're not afraid to take those with you.

Regarding how hard it is to get a job in English, I'm not sure. I applied to 6 jobs in the space of a week. Only 1 of those replied, and it ended up being the job I agreed on, so I didn't continue applying. Other teachers have told me they're desperate for native English speakers, but I'm a tad dubious on the matter. But you're much more likely to get a job if you're applying from within the country, that's for certain.

 

[Terramax]

Question for 'ya. I am moving Japan to study Abroad for a year. Would 200,000 Yen be good for a year's worth of exploring and what not? That is the equivalent to roughly 2000 USD, right?

That's an ok figure as long as a.) you're not going sightseeing every week (which I doubt if you're studying) and b.) you don't go out drinking every night. As mentioned before, clubbing can be very expensive.

So I assume the phone I have now is useless in Japan? iPhone 5.

Yes. Most phones don't work in Japan. Or, if they do, the price of calling or texting is astronomical. I think the cheapest phone (which is the one I and everyone else buys) is a phone from softbank. The phone itself is about 3000-5000yen, I think. You have to buy a phone card to add money, so that's an additional 3000yen. And then the phone charger. Usually phone chargers are 1500yen, but if you go to a 100yen store, you can get a usb charger, and just charge the phone from your laptop for just 100yen

Which reminds me, as well as convenience stores, there are loads of 100yen stores in Japan (the equivalent of £1 stores in England), where most products are just 100yen. If you're on a very tight budget, you can buy a heck of a lot of items from these places. Plates, cups, cutlery, and other cooking utensils. Foods of all kinds, clothes like scarfs and gloves. stationary for studies. Tonnes of stuff, all for 100yen. There have been some days where, bored to go to real supermarkets, I've spent just 600 in 1 day on all 3 meals (I have a 100yen store, literally around the corner from my apartment, which I'm going to now to get some milk).

 

[Terramax]

Now that I think of it, do colleges also go by the "Six Days of Classes, One Day Off" a week thing?

Sadly, I don't go to either a college or Uni so I wouldn't know. I'm currently in a private language school (5 days a week) for 1 more month before work.

I will say that it wouldn't surprise me though. Many school students go to school 6 or 7 days a week. It's not rare for some parents to send their children to school at least 6 days a week, to get the edge on education. I've learnt that school in Japan is immensely competitive. Every Sunday I see kids in school uniforms either on the way to, or on their way back. Although I'm aware some of these are just school clubs i.e. baseball. Still, I'd never see that in England.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Indeed, I could do a natter on either a Saturday or Sunday. Trying to meet in Osaka will be difficult though as I don't know the area that well.

Regarding getting a visa, are you sure it will be illegal? Depending on what country you're living in, you can stay legally for a certain number of months. For instance, Brits like me can stay up to 3 months with but a passport. Ozzies are 6 months I believe.

If you want a job, getting a work visa should be fairly easy. At the moment, all I've been asked to do it support copies proving I've finished school and college from native England. What I would suggest, is that you do the same. Bring copies, or better yet, might be worth bringing originals if you're not afraid to take those with you.

Regarding how hard it is to get a job in English, I'm not sure. I applied to 6 jobs in the space of a week. Only 1 of those replied, and it ended up being the job I agreed on, so I didn't continue applying. Other teachers have told me they're desperate for native English speakers, but I'm a tad dubious on the matter. But you're much more likely to get a job if you're applying from within the country, that's for certain.

Well I was more implying that I'd take a trip to Kyoto to see you so that it won't cost you anything. I wouldn't ask you to spend the money for a complete stranger.

I can stay without a visa since I'm a brit too but I technically can't work during that time, so I'd need a work visa. Can I do that in-country? I've got copies of my university degree and teaching qualification on this computer which is coming with me. Since I'm not currently in the UK I can't get a hold of the originals.

I fly into Osaka really late tomorrow so the day after I'll message you and we'll sort out a meet-up if that's alright?

 

[Zeren]

I stayed in Tokyo for a month and spent roughly $7,000 USD. I stayed in a nice hotel and walked or took the subway everywhere I went. The plane ticket cost $1500 for a round trip.

 

[trollnystan]

SNIP SNIP SNIPPITY

Sorry to butt in, but if you have a smart phone - either Android or iPhone/iPad - there is a a pretty good app called Human Japanese available. I studied Japanese in upper secondary school/high school and got pretty good grades, but I got the app to refresh my memory of it recently. I recommend it, but it costs. Link to Google Play app store. There's also a free version if you just want to test it.

It'll give you a nice base at the very least, and they've released the Intermediate version on iPad so it shouldn't be long for it to come out on iPhone/Android. There's also a PC/Mac version available on their homepage.

Sorry for the salespitch =S But I do really recommend it!

 

[Terramax]

Well I was more implying that I'd take a trip to Kyoto to see you so that it won't cost you anything. I wouldn't ask you to spend the money for a complete stranger.

Oops. Now worries then.

I can stay without a visa since I'm a brit too but I technically can't work during that time, so I'd need a work visa. Can I do that in-country? I've got copies of my university degree and teaching qualification on this computer which is coming with me. Since I'm not currently in the UK I can't get a hold of the originals.

I fly into Osaka really late tomorrow so the day after I'll message you and we'll sort out a meet-up if that's alright?

If a job is willing to sponser you then, yes, I believe copies out to be enough to get a job in this country. You've got 3 months to find one, and that's plenty of time. There appear to be a lot of jobs in the Osaka area, but of course, more in Tokyo.

As for meeting up, give me a message any time. I'm in school until 4:45, Monday to Friday, so it'll be after then that I can meet up during the week. Message me to say where you're staying also so I can figure out how/ where to meet you.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Well I was more implying that I'd take a trip to Kyoto to see you so that it won't cost you anything. I wouldn't ask you to spend the money for a complete stranger.

Oops. Now worries then.

I can stay without a visa since I'm a brit too but I technically can't work during that time, so I'd need a work visa. Can I do that in-country? I've got copies of my university degree and teaching qualification on this computer which is coming with me. Since I'm not currently in the UK I can't get a hold of the originals.

I fly into Osaka really late tomorrow so the day after I'll message you and we'll sort out a meet-up if that's alright?

If a job is willing to sponser you then, yes, I believe copies out to be enough to get a job in this country. You've got 3 months to find one, and that's plenty of time. There appear to be a lot of jobs in the Osaka area, but of course, more in Tokyo.

As for meeting up, give me a message any time. I'm in school until 4:45, Monday to Friday, so it'll be after then that I can meet up during the week. Message me to say where you're staying also so I can figure out how/ where to meet you.

Will do.

I'm not limiting my search to Osaka, I just chose it because it's fairly central which means I can get to Tokyo or Fukuoka (I'm already arranging an interview there) or other places easily.

 

[Terramax]

Will do.

I'm not limiting my search to Osaka, I just chose it because it's fairly central which means I can get to Tokyo or Fukuoka (I'm already arranging an interview there) or other places easily.

Nice. Originally, I wanted to get a job in Fukuoka (as there's a Japanese girl living there that I wanted to meet again), but I couldn't find anyway.

captch: Roll Over

Why? What are you gonna do?

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

SNIP SNIP SNIPPITY

Sorry to butt in, but if you have a smart phone - either Android or iPhone/iPad - there is a a pretty good app called Human Japanese available. I studied Japanese in upper secondary school/high school and got pretty good grades, but I got the app to refresh my memory of it recently. I recommend it, but it costs. Link to Google Play app store. There's also a free version if you just want to test it.

It'll give you a nice base at the very least, and they've released the Intermediate version on iPad so it shouldn't be long for it to come out on iPhone/Android. There's also a PC/Mac version available on their homepage.

Sorry for the salespitch =S But I do really recommend it!

No smart phone over here man. They're too big, fragile and clunky for me (plus expensive) so I just stick to my little, iron-skinned dumb phone

And you need to work on your sales pitch! Watch some infomercials by Billy Mays and soak in the super salesman glory!

 

[Angie7F]

Regarding phones, you can rent one at the airport.
I think it is good for you to have one because there are very few public phones now.
The rate is expensive, but at least you will be able to make phone calls if necessary.

If you have an iphone5, you could probably just use the free wifi in hotels and starbucks etc.
But starbucks and mcdonalds is sloooooow.

For cheap lodging, i suggest doing what college students do to pass a night in Japan.
a) karaoke box. they offer over night plans for around 3500 yen, i think
b) internet cafe. Choose a chair with flat seats and you can sleep. Big internet cafes have showers for free, as well as meals.
Also, internet cafes have internet connetcion. of course.
c) capsule hotels. I think many people have come across these in movies and stuff but it is still around, and still very cheap.
Any major station should have a few of these, but they fill up quickly.

d) not very cheap, but fun alternative would be love hotels.
If you end up staying up all night and need a place to crash with good amenities, love hotels are a cheap alternative.

Like katatori-kun, i also live in Japan, so if you need any help or have more questions, feel free to PM me

 

[Verlander]

My advice (for what it's worth) is to go legally, leave with plenty of time on your visa, and don't expect to stay. They enjoy tourists, but don't tolerate people who stay longer than their welcome.

Japan can be pretty expensive too, make sure you're prepared. Can also be quite a lonely place, might be worth traveling with someone.

 

[VanQ]

I believe this will shed some light on the subject:
http://www.cracked.com/article_20118_5-things-nobody-tells-you-about-living-in-japan.html

Oh wow, I never thought Cracked would write and publish an article that is genuinely educational. I have only spent a month there in December of last year and I was really humbled by how different the culture is but how it's also just a normal country like any other with folks just trying to bring home the bread and bacon. I have saved this link to send to people in future who think all the wrong things about Japan.

 

[VanQ]

Sorry for being blunt, I've just seen this article brought up at least 5 separate times in threads about Japan, and despite living in Japan for near to a decade and experiencing things that directly contradict most of the claims of this article, people still try to argue with me that it's accurate. It drives me up the wall because expat communities in Japan tend to form these mythologies that they swear up and down are true and the memes keep getting passed on because people who only stay in Japan for a short time (most expats) never get the experience to contradict them.

I'm glad you were blunt. It's better than sugar coating it and me not getting the message. I myself have only scratched the bare minimum when it comes to experiencing life in Japan. I only spent a month there and loved it. Hoping I can get an exchange through my university where I'm studying Japanese.

#5. Everything Is Frightfully Low-Tech

While I do agree from my little experience that there's a lot of low-tech stuff there, I never had trouble finding ATMs or getting a train which never once was late. It's absolutely a country of convenience in the cities at least.

#4. The Houses Have No Heat

I had the opportunity while I was there to stay with a family in Osaka for three nights. Their home was over 700 years old but still very comfortable and warm.

#3. The Hospitals Close on Evenings and Weekends

I can't comment on this. Luckily my trip was hospital free.

#2. You Will Always Be an Outsider

Now I agree that this is bullshit. I have only been studying Japanese for a year and the moment I attempted to speak even a little bit people opened up so much. On top of that, the family I stayed with invited me to join them for Hatsumoude, they shared Toshikoshi soba and New year's lunch with me and even allowed me to accompany them to pray at their father's grave with them. It was the most uplifting New Year experience in my life.
There's just no way a xenophobe would allow you to join them for such an occasion.

#1. The Country Really Isn't That Weird

While the thrust of what he's saying here is totally true, his examples are just bizarre. Anyone who doesn't realize that porn isn't really a part of ordinary Japanese television is an idiot who shouldn't be allowed to handle scissors without supervision.

From what I saw of TV while there, it was mostly just variety shows and food shows. Pretty boring stuff. I did catch an episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! but that show has really dropped the ball.

I'll be sure not to spread that link around. And I'll keep working my ass off to get that exchange. I feel like a month was just enough time that I was starting to really love the place and I had to come home.

 

[trollnystan]

SNIP

No smart phone over here man. They're too big, fragile and clunky for me (plus expensive) so I just stick to my little, iron-skinned dumb phone

And you need to work on your sales pitch! Watch some infomercials by Billy Mays and soak in the super salesman glory!

Ah, know that feel about it costing. I only got mine because I got money after my paternal grandmother, my last grandparent, died. So THAT'S a fun connection to have with your phone =/

Yeah, was never much of a salesperson. I got fired from my telephone sales job after only two months lol =P

Anyway, there is always the PC version if you feel like spending money on that, and they have a demo version of that too I believe!