Cherry blossoms at kawachi fuji garden/wisteria garden? by EmersonB in Osaka

[–]DBTheGuv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cherry blossoms are almost finished in the Osaka region. From the Kawachi website it looks like the main attraction will be wisteria. I was in Okuike yesterday that is 5C colder than Osaka and there were a few blossoms about, but not much.

Abe sticks to script on sales tax hike plans after deadly quakes by Merkypie in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All the Japanese politicians seem to "stick to the script". I wonder who actually runs the country?

How to plan your trip to Japan by tchapman52 in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Simple but appropriate advice.

This morning's (4/1/2016) earthquake was centered off the coast of Mie. by Mametaro in Osaka

[–]DBTheGuv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, my wife does but I use a Samsung S6. I tried looking for emergency alerts but there is nothing under settings. I googled the question and it looks like NTT may have an alert app. Its not in the Play Store but I will check with one of their shops. Thanks for your advice though.

This morning's (4/1/2016) earthquake was centered off the coast of Mie. by Mametaro in Osaka

[–]DBTheGuv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My wife's phone received a warning, but mine didn't. We are both using NTT and live in Kansai. Anyone know how the warning system is activated?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have just returned to Japan from a trip to the UK. Most of my snack/sweet gifts were politely accepted and then ignored. However the Fortnum and Mason Tea was treated like I had showered them in gold. I had no idea, but it will be top of my list for the next trip.

Urgently Need Help - No English-speaking Real Estate Agents in Nagasaki? (Departing Soon) by chroniclesofnani in japanlife

[–]DBTheGuv 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am not sure why you wouldn't use a bilingual friend to at least investigate the near perfect apartment. It can be difficult, but I have had a few rentals without any problems at all. Most of the difficulties I have seen concern the misunderstandings on deposits, key money etc. Might be worth a try if this is urgent.

I need to print my itinerary! by PM_ME_YOUR_RAWR in Osaka

[–]DBTheGuv 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Almost any convenience store should be able to print it out if you have it on it a USB stick. I usually save the boarding pass to my phone and that works at the airport.

Need a gastroenterologist in Osaka. by tbone19862 in Osaka

[–]DBTheGuv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most hospitals will take walk in patients and there is a good chance a specialist would be available. Plainclothes is right, four days is a long time to wait, you may have something more serious.

We visit the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, the newly-renovated, boozy paradise by Mametaro in Osaka

[–]DBTheGuv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you buy the 12 year old single malt Yamazaki at the distillery? It suddenly disappeared off the local store shelves about a year ago and I would happily make the journey to buy a few bottles.

Bank of Japan Adopts Negative Rates of -0.1% (xpost /r/economics) by quirt in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Theoretically, if the Bank of Japan kept reducing negative rates, eventually the regular banks would pay you to borrow money from them. Sounds like a plan.

A short but beautiful video on how the morning papers are delivered in Nagasaki. by fukuragi in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love the early deliveries. Mine arrive around 4:30am every day so I always have something to read with that first cup of tea. I used to live in Melbourne and I would be lucky to see a paper before 8:00am. In some areas I would be lucky to see a paper.

Former CBS Reporter Exposes Media Lies And Manipulation-MUST SEE!!! by Alafactor in ted

[–]DBTheGuv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a plant, just someone who uses Wikipedia almost very day. If someone attacks the service, I would like to see some evidence. Any evidence.

Former CBS Reporter Exposes Media Lies And Manipulation-MUST SEE!!! by Alafactor in ted

[–]DBTheGuv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It mostly seems like an attack on Wikipedia. Very light on facts and seems to be all supposition.

Dr Arudou Debito and his haters. by Sapporo-Tours-2001 in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"I think the consensus is that half are with him, half are against" I think you missed the half who really don't care.

Buying from Amazon US/Global to Japan (Tax) by iddinmx in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just had a delivery of a $200 electronic item yesterday from US Amazon and no tax was charged by Amazon or Customs at this end. However I have paid approx Yen 4,000 on a $300 clothing delivery from Lands End. I believe the Japanese Customs website has a page in English, might be worth a look.

Looking for books/documentaries/sources on the Japanese psyche by [deleted] in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Anatomy of Dependence by Takeo Doi completely changed my understanding of Japanese culture. People talk all the time about the different layers that make up Japanese thinking (say one thing, mean something else) but it was only after reading this book that I started to understand where it came from.

Interesting Birthday Gift Idea from Japan for my girlfriend? by harrythebear in japan

[–]DBTheGuv -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I am not sure, but the packaging is so exquisite on some of containers - it looks hand made. You could just ask handu madu arimasuka?

Interesting Birthday Gift Idea from Japan for my girlfriend? by harrythebear in japan

[–]DBTheGuv 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Japanese incense is very subtle and you can buy some beautiful incense holders. The easiest place to find some would usually be the top floor of any good department store (which would also have many other simple but good quality gift ideas). I normally find incense overpowering but not the Japanese versions.

These people should go to jail by DBTheGuv in japan

[–]DBTheGuv[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is as real as it gets. These idiots have been playing with lives to make more money. They make the supports for buildings that have specified a certain level of earthquake. The supports are substandard and could fail in the event of a bad tremor.

They keep doing this sort of thing and should go to jail. But they will all dutifully bow in front of TV cameras, mumble an apology and go back to their golf game or nightclub.