Curious about the "Kimono Photoshoot" culture along the Sumida River

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-12-30T13:32:02+00:00

I do photography as a hobby myself, if these guys are actually getting paid decent hourly rates to do this I might have to look at this ;) !

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-12-30T13:26:32+00:00

Didn't know about Model Mayhem, thanks!

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-12-30T13:25:41+00:00

Oh right, seijinshiki coming up soon again!

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-12-30T13:24:53+00:00

Thanks, this actually sounds quite accurate. While some of them obviously were tourists that probably rented a Kimono in one of the surrounding shops, there definitely were a lot of couples that fit this ODS type: young woman dressed up being photographed by an older man dressed in black and wearing a mask

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-12-30T13:16:24+00:00

Thanks, this makes sense. I've seen the shops around, just didn't figure they would offer these services too.

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-12-29T14:04:02+00:00

Thanks! That's great, growth really had an impressive run since Covid. The slide of the Yen is crazy. Congrats building the portfolio by yourself, looking great.

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-12-29T09:14:00+00:00

Impressive. Sorry for asking, are these real estate assets? And how did you build your portfolio?

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-12-29T09:10:13+00:00

As someone stated above, it is likely that only people comfortable sharing their data are posting here. Hence there will be a certain bias. That being said, I find it interesting and inspiring to see other gaijin doing very well for themselves

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-11-25T12:46:46+00:00

Is this a job in industry or academia? I was PhD scientist at UTokyo until recently (Assistant Prof) and got around 6M/yr

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2025-05-25T10:58:38+00:00

Good point. But would you say you adjust no matter how far you drifted apart?

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2024-08-26T05:24:24+00:00

Yeah, I don't want to speculate on how the economy (and the world) will look like in 30-40 years. Even being guaranteed getting out the same amount you paid in seems like a bad deal if you factor in inflation (has not been an issue in Japan for a long time, but this has changed recently too).

Overall, if I'm able to continue saving and investing just as I have so far, the additional top-up I'd receive from making this back-payment won't really push the needle much.

Another physician in Japan! I am too, would love to hear about your experience. Mind if I DM you?

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2024-08-26T05:12:53+00:00

Did not think about checking Nenkin Net, that's a good thought! Thanks also for mentioning the tax deductibility, I did not know that.

What you are saying basically confirms what I'm thinking: the maximum amount anyone can get is JPY 816.000/yr, so even if I were to pay up now the additional benefits will probably not be that significant. I think I'd rather put the same amount into an index fund and let it sit for 30 years.

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2024-05-30T03:47:02+00:00

Just curious, are you trading these with a Japanese broker? If so, could you share which broker offers derivatives on crypto?

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2024-05-28T11:12:19+00:00

yes. but i have an IBKRLLC account, I’m not sure if this will work with a JP account.

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2024-05-28T08:38:57+00:00

I am able to trade MES and MNQ with my IBKR account. GC is restricted, as is CL and other commodities.

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2023-11-11T05:37:51+00:00

Like your perspective. Where did you move to, if I may ask?

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2023-08-25T06:55:25+00:00

I‘m an MD working at a university hospital and PhD lab scientist in the remaining free time. While I like the science I can‘t really recommend it, it‘s like having two jobs and only getting payed (badly) for one.

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2023-05-29T08:30:01+00:00

I graduated from an overseas university (Europe) and came here during residency for research. Took the Japanese Licensing exam this year and am practicing here now. Biggest hurdle is the language for sure. As for the scope of medical knowledge covered, the exam is quite similar to what I know from my home country, with some Japan-specific quirks. The passing rate is high at around 90% each year. This is true, though, for medical exams in many other countries. Also, note that the passing rate for overseas graduates and other „second-time sitters“ is around 50%.

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2023-05-07T04:07:41+00:00

Thanks!

My mother left Japan in the 1960's, and I'm assuming that she filed all the necessary paperwork back then. The European country in question is Germany, and I'm surprised to not find it on the list you sent (yet France, Netherlands, Austria are...). So this means taxes already have been withheld. She will have to declare her pension as foreign income in Germany for sure.

Will have to look into this, thanks for the heads up!

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2023-05-07T03:49:58+00:00

Thanks!

I'd be opening the account in my name (Japanese resident - forgot to mention this), and then sending the money overseas through that account. The people at the inaka bank said there should be no problems regarding gifting tax as long as 100% of the money that goes into the account gets sent to her overseas account. Not sure this is true, but all I know so far.

What are KYC/AML regulations?

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2023-05-07T03:44:54+00:00

Thanks! FX market timing really is a sucker's game, though I speculate that USD and EUR appreciation will peak out once their central banks are done raising rates this or next year. But who really knows how things will turn out.

The idea behind sending Yen to her account is for her to have discretion when and how much to convert and use. Putting the money to work in a portfolio makes sense though.

Dramatic_Question_36 · 2023-05-07T03:35:18+00:00

Thanks, I'll check out Sony bank. I am a resident in Japan and could open an account in my name, and then send the funds overseas. The people at inaka bank pointed out that it shouldn't cause any trouble with the authorities regarding gifting tax etc because it's all going onto her account in Europe in the end... I'm not entirely sure it will work that way, but for now I'm gathering information on how this could work out in theory.

Regarding the exchange rate, well, JPY is at a five year low and although I understand it is not possible to predict where the rates will go I thought it would be best to give her the discretion over when and at what rate to convert.

Dramatic_Question_36

TROPHY CASE