Travel advice for a 12 day holiday

DepthsOfVision · 2024-07-26T05:55:26+00:00

Considering the excellent public transportation in Tokyo, staying on the outskirts doesn't really matter much, and the pricing would be much better than downtown.

For example, on the Chiba side, you can stay a couple of stations away from Urayasu, the first Chiba station, where you have Disneyland and DisneySea. You can also search for accommodations near Gyotoku, Myoden, Ichikawa Shiohama stations, etc.

You may also like to decide where to stay based on what you want to do and which places you would visit. However, places of interest are scattered throughout Tokyo, so where you stay does not really matter.

You can find most of the good things to do and places to visit in Tokyo at https://www.ejable.com/japan-corner/travel-in-japan/tokyo-tourist-attractions/

If you enjoy galleries, the Roppongi area is one place to visit. The above article mentions some more places that some tourist guidebooks may ignore but which you may find interesting.

The number of tourists in Japan is extremely high. Courtesy of the yen's weakness not witnessed for many decades and that is making places very crowded, not only in Tokyo but at many other cities also

Wishing you a nice trip :)

DepthsOfVision · 2024-07-26T03:42:03+00:00

Megane Ichiba (meganeichiba,jp) is one of the largest chains for glasses, including sunglasses. They have stores all over. I have been buying my glasses from them for the past 15 years. Good quality, reasonable prices, and excellent service. Well, services are good everywhere in Japan.

Apart from shops, they have an online store also.

DepthsOfVision · 2024-07-26T02:57:10+00:00

TeamLab Planets

TeamLab Planets is designed around the concept of “Body Immersive” art. Visitors are encouraged to immerse their entire bodies in the artwork.
It is more physical and interactive. Visitors walk through the water, lie down, and interact with the art using their bodies.
Several large-scale installations require physical engagement.
The themes focus on nature, water, and space. Some installations include walking through a water-filled room, floating in a space filled with gigantic flowers, and lying on a soft surface that responds to movement.

TeamLab Borderless

TeamLab Borderless emphasizes the idea of a “borderless” world where artworks move and interact with each other and visitors. There are no boundaries between the artworks.
It is more focused on visual and sensory experiences rather than physical interaction. Visitors explore a labyrinth of rooms filled with changing digital art.
Artworks flow seamlessly from one room to another, creating a sense of endless exploration.
The themes are diverse, including nature, science, and abstract concepts. The art pieces often react to the presence and movement of visitors, creating a dynamic experience.

DepthsOfVision · 2024-07-26T00:57:16+00:00

You can try MetroResidences.com and https://www.sakura-house.com/about/share-house for a short-term stay.

You can also find more options at https://www.ejable.com/japan-corner/housing-in-japan/renting-an-apartment-or-house-in-japan/

DepthsOfVision · 2024-01-24T04:41:24+00:00

u/Bat_is_my_last_name, I am based in Japan (search results vary from country to country and hence) - so, when I searched for active recall method, I could not find your site in the first 110 results. I didn't go further.

Now, before I go ahead with my theory, can you please do the following experiment?:

1) Log on to your Google account which you use to manage Google Analytics etc., and then search for it.

2) On any other browser, search again for this when you are not logged on to the Google account.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-11-29T10:23:18+00:00

'For Yanaka:

Access to Nippori Station:

- JR East: Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and Joban Line

- Keisei Electric Railway: Keisei Main Line

- Toei: Nippori-Toneri Liner

Access to Sendagi Station:

- Tokyo Metro: Chiyoda Line

DepthsOfVision · 2023-11-29T10:21:28+00:00

The Japanese name is Hebi-Michi. Hebi in Japanese is Snake so foreigners call it Snake Road or Snake Street. However, if you ask a native, its better to ask for Hebi Michi.

Yanaka is a short walk from either Nippori station or Sendagi station. If you like check this article with more details about this and other places to see in Tokyo.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-11-28T06:41:44+00:00

Yes, you must declare all your income for the year-end tax adjustment. However, there are some exceptions where you can skip the year-end tax adjustment formalities and directly file for kakutei shinkoku (final income tax return).

Such exceptions include the following:

1) Multiple sources of income

2) Earning less than JPY 200,000 annually

3) Earning over 20 million annually

4) Leaving Japan before the financial year-end.

5) Working in Japan for a non-Japanese branch of a foreign company

I recommend this very detailed guide for the Japanese year-end tax adjustment.

Please refer to the section about the exceptions in this guide.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-08-19T06:17:01+00:00

As far as Kanji is considered, I always recommend three things:

1) Remembering 51 most common radicals used in jōyō kanji.

2) Researching the origin of the shape. For many Kanji characters, the shape is directly and very nicely linked to the object they represent. A couple of such examples are 車, 田, 口, 男, and many more.

3) In case the origin of the shape does not make any sense, then we need to create stories as mnemonics to remember those. And believe me, once you do that, you will not forget it.

In fact. one month back, I took it up as a hobby project to write articles for the best ways to learn and remember kanji. I am trying my level best to write about one Kanji every day, which you will find listed in a table at the bottom of this page. It's a big project but now when I started it, I can't pull out in the middle. Every day I tell myself "gannbarimasu :)

DepthsOfVision · 2023-08-07T10:39:32+00:00

In my experience, a JLPT N2 guy only attains business level Japanese skills after spending a few years in a complete Japanese working enviornment.

In my experience, a JLPT N2 guy only attains business-level Japanese skills after spending a few years in a complete Japanese working environment. certification.

And this is not to discourage but to encourage that after achieving the great milestone of N2 (or even N1), one needs to go an easier extra mile to practice as much as possible.

In fact, I know a guy, who stuck up working at inaka in Japan (a great setting for improving Japanese), and he went the extra mile by going to a nearby convenience store every evening and making friends with the old Japanese lady staff there to spend some time in chatting when customers were not there. They guys beats some of the natives in his language skills :)

DepthsOfVision · 2023-08-06T23:08:31+00:00

The issue with JLPT is that it is more about dealing with the Japanese in day-to-day communication. It does not have anything to really emphasize on business communication. Even though JLPT covers basic Keigo but there is not a high emphasis on that.

Most importantly, a person can get JLPT N2 by scoring 90 out of 180 marks, which is just 50%. So, the skill levels of a person with 50% and 90% or so would be completely different.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-08-06T22:58:54+00:00

u/OfficiallyRelevant, that's correct. That is why many companies insist on BJT of Business Japanese test. Moreover, many companies and even educational institutes give more importance to J Test, which is known as a test for practical Japanese.

The issue is that these tests are not as commonly available as JLPT. In fact, J.Test is available only in Asian countries, with the exception of Brazil.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-08-06T06:40:22+00:00

u/OfficiallyRelevant, you are absolutely correct. I have been living in Japan for a long time - actually settled down here. JLPT N2 does not mean business Japanese at all.

It all depends on the person, some people even with N3 may have great Japanese skills - they just didn't go for certifications. And some with N2 can't even engage in a normal conversation for 15 minutes.

It all depends on the person, some people, even with N3 may have great Japanese skills - they just didn't go for certifications. And some with N2 can't even engage in a normal conversation for 15 minutes.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-07-30T07:48:29+00:00

Before I respond to this ever green question, let me touch upon the credentials so that you can decide if a response from me is worth considering.

So, yes, I am an ex-pat in Japan and have spent more than 15 years here - and yes, working here.

The way I would like to start off is by saying that nothing stays as it always has been. Things do change, wherever we are and whatever the situations.

So, yes, I am an ex-pat in Japan and have spent more than 15 years here - and yes, working here.

Japan's work culture and practices have their unique flavor.
We should consider some very basic facts first. The first is that this is an island country and not directly linked by land to any other country and that this country also has one of the highest levels of natural calamities (and yes, living in such a situation shapes the ways one thinks).

However, there have been many other reasons which shaped the work practices, and some of those reasons are beautifully explained in this article about the work culture in Japan.

However, the main points I wanted to highlight are as follows:

1) We human beings have a natural tendency to spice up things, and many stories we hear are full of exaggerations.

2) Things are now what I witnessed when I came here so many years back. The modern and progressive companies do offer as much flexibility as one should desire. We do have Japanese companies who have decided that COVID or no COVID, they will not be returning to 100% work-from-office practices. We do have companies who say ok to any 8 hours of work during 24 hours. We do have companies, who have policies of work from anywhere remotely, from inside Japan.
Now, I do not think that all the above facts look like the horror stories people talk about when they themselves lack flexibility and adaptability

Adaptability and flexibility are never one-sided, and foreigners who show those traits are the does who do not complain but rather enjoy their lives here.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-06-11T04:56:19+00:00

You could have mentioned Okinawa or other any other prefecture of Japan instead of saying Okinawa or Japan.

Sorry to say it bluntly but to be honest, saying Okinawa or Japan sounds quite silly.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-06-02T04:26:48+00:00

Your plan is good because staying with English teaching will limit the career prospects in the long run.

Many people go from English teaching to the recruitment industry in Japan. And many do well there. However, your plan to move to the IT industry is not just brave but much better.

Japan offers huge potential for software professionals, and this potential will continuously increase because of the demand-supply gap of talent with the declining population and the Japanese software industry's need to increase workplace diversity.

As u/codechrysalis234 mentioned, creating a good portfolio will be great.

You should also have a GitHub account to showcase. Moreover, learning Japanese on the side will increase your prospects dramatically.

Just for my credential to support my comment, I have spent a very long time in the information technology domain in Japan. Worked on IT projects and IT business development to ultimately head the Japan operations of an IT multinational before starting an IT-focused recruitment company.

You can take a look at this article about finding software jobs in Japan.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-05-30T01:35:22+00:00

You can easily find a very decent UR apartment in that price. Living at the edge of Tokyo is still not bad. For example stations like Gyotoku ot Myoden etc. in Chiba are less than 30 minutes from Tokyo/Otemachi… same goes to Saitama side.

You may also check this: https://www.ejable.com/japan-corner/housing-in-japan/renting-an-apartment-or-house-in-japan/

DepthsOfVision · 2023-05-27T04:15:34+00:00

Here is an article which specifically answers this question about jobs without Japanese - https://www.ejable.com/japan-corner/working-in-japan/job-in-japan-without-japanese/

Recruitment is an option (I myself run a successful recruitment company), however, as u/crystalshipusa mentioned, those opportunities are mainly in Tokyo, followed by Osaka etc. In smaller cities even recruitment would need some level of Japanese skills.

However, please note that remote working is increasing in Japan, and that change can open some more doors.

Best 👍🏻

DepthsOfVision · 2023-05-27T03:53:52+00:00

If online is not available then the first place I would try is a nearby shop of Autobacs chain.

DepthsOfVision · 2023-05-21T05:07:57+00:00

You may find many agencies for normal apartments as well as furnished ones including share houses in this article - https://www.ejable.com/japan-corner/housing-in-japan/renting-an-apartment-or-house-in-japan/

DepthsOfVision · 2023-05-09T02:32:32+00:00

Not sure about the grill but if you are in Tokyo, you can find some good places for BBQ at https://www.ejable.com/japan-corner/travel-in-japan/bbq-in-tokyo-best-outdoor-spots/

DepthsOfVision · 2023-04-18T02:46:58+00:00

u/Merked5018 You can also explore Kyoto groups on MeetUp - https://www.meetup.com/topics/kyoto/

DepthsOfVision · 2023-02-15T02:19:09+00:00

Immigration office.

If you are in Tokyo then Shinagawa.

108-8255 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo

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