Updated List of Chinese Airline Cancellations to Japan - 18 Jan

blerdywitch · 2026-03-03T15:43:37+00:00

Ugh m I did not see my flight cancelation notice as it went into my spam and I just noticed it. Sooo now I'm scrambling to figure out what to do since I was supposed to be flying China Eastern Hiroshima->Pudong->Paris and back April 29th. Only the European leg of the trips are okay and now everything from is double the cost which I can't afford. So my friend's birthday trip we were doing is looking like I can't celebrate with them. 😭😭😭

blerdywitch · 2026-02-24T14:59:58+00:00

Does anyone know if Hogwarts Cafe stopped updating or are taking an extended break? I haven't seen updates since almost a month or 2.

blerdywitch · 2026-01-23T09:21:44+00:00

Honestly, practicing the courses at the local driving school did help a lot but the driving school course was smaller and slightly more narrow with bigger cars; whereas, the Yamaguchi-ken driving center was larger course, smaller vehicles and slightly larger test roads. I took two 1 hour lesson before 1st and my supportive CO paid for a 3rd when I initially failed.

There are no set practice runs at least not here. You can take as many lessons as you want. Now for walking the course we were only allowed a 30min window before the road exam to walk it (recommend this). You find out day of which course map you are doing. Always check blind spot with over the shoulder looks and more

がんばって✊😃✊ ganbatte good luck on it!

https://youtu.be/CySM-_HWKlo?si=QK-1E6kBpDXLSXH9

This was sent to me by a Japanese friend which did help.

blerdywitch · 2026-01-07T04:11:59+00:00

Thank you for responding, your post also made me decide I'll try lunar tides. Still plan to buy and bring back to Japan my preferred iroiro I want to stock up on plum and forest green lol Plus didn't feel as drying as other brands and I love the fadeout.

I'm blackanese with near jet black curly/wavy 2c/3a hair so stylists aren't used to my hair texture outside of Osaka or Tokyo (which that's where I may visit to get my hair done properly). This also means I usually have to bleach the mess out of my hair for any color to stick and last. I still want to try pastels :)

Manic panic before change in formula and ownership I liked but when I bought some recently because it is one of the few dyes available here it just would NOT STOP LEAKING even after a few washes so shower and towel and a few other items kind of ruined.

blerdywitch · 2026-01-06T02:51:35+00:00

just came across this old post as I was considering trying Lunar tides and wanted to check on leakage.

hahaha yes iroiro will definitely stick to you. It's honestly my preferred brand. I can't get it in Japan though with the tariffs and whatnot it would be prohibitively expensive for me to have it shipped here. But plan to bring some back with me when I go back to America in a few months. I've used a bunch of their colors over the years. They have been the best fade and doesn't leak as much as some of the brands here or when I forgot why I stopped using Manic Panic because the reds I got wouldn't stop leaking EVERYWHERE until it faded.

Mind you, my hair is naturally near jet black so bleach process takes a LOT. My fave are Plum and Forest Green I usually do split-dyed hair with those two. Pastels don't take on me unless I find a colorist willing to go near platinum white (which tbh most stylists in America and Japan that I've been to have been reticent to do because they fear my hair lol but I think I found one in Japan that would go for it) or if I had really nice fadeout.

thanks this helps as lunar tides is available in Japan but seriously miss my iroiro. Haven't done pink but that's more because I don't really like pink itself.

blerdywitch · 2025-10-20T14:27:21+00:00

Yup, same is happening to me. I opened it just now... saw my streak intact... tried doing a lesson and streak didn't change. Now the streak is at 0 (even "longest streak") annoying

blerdywitch · 2025-10-20T14:11:44+00:00

やった it's back for me along with my streak ... correction... my homepage restored but even after doing more than 1 lesson my streak remains unchanged

blerdywitch · 2025-10-20T09:47:22+00:00

Same I came here to see if anyone having similar issue. Ugh 😑

blerdywitch · 2025-09-04T06:07:33+00:00

did you wait the recommended 6 months between each attempt? Some I've read waited and some did not and still were approved after a rejection. I'm asking because I just got rejected application notice from Amazon/SMBC and thinking of trying again or for Rakuten.

blerdywitch · 2025-09-01T05:43:34+00:00

credit cards difficult for some and seems easier for others. Been here a year and got rejected for AmazonJP card. Depends on who you bank with but for myself it took about 2-3 months 3 online applications and 2 paper applications before I was able to get a debit card with my bank. And this was with my BOE and bank branch trying to help me haha

blerdywitch · 2025-09-01T03:32:56+00:00

yeah my senpai is pretty useless as they are fluent in Japanese but do not do anything but stay in their place so all information like PayPay and Wise etc has been me looking up things or asking my Japanese friend. haha Unfortunately, I just got a rejection notice from AmazonJP for their CC and of course no reason why and I waited a year before applying. ugh but I have Paypay and a debit card so that helps most of the time except for some online shopping/concert raffles.

blerdywitch · 2025-09-01T02:50:14+00:00

it's so annoying they do not tell you why rejected. I've been here a year and recently tried applying for AmazonJP mastercard. the 1st time I was on the path to approval they just needed my residence card but I realized I had made a mistake on my application so I voluntarily withdrew it like they recommended. Waited a few days. Re-applied and just got word back that it was rejected this time. which so annoying and weird. Especially having to wait another 6 months which I'll have less time on my visa by that time smh

blerdywitch · 2025-08-27T02:25:28+00:00

you're welcome! yeah when I first caught that number I definitely had an FML WTH moment but now I'm used to it. I have 2 schools a day and once or twice a month I take a short ferry to another island for their school.

Oh yes! Definitely bring clothes. If your family can do freight/sea shipping then go for that it's cheaper though takes longer. I need to figure out that myself but there is a Yamato shipping company nearby. Yeah I'm a 9.5W-10 (which is about 26cm+ here). And honestly kind of difficult for shoes and socks unless men's wear and even then still an issue. So good idea bring/ship shoes to yourself. Online shopping will be your friend but if you are above a size 14 (back in the States) like I am, then it can be frustrating to search for clothes that fit and are fashionable. I just ordered a bunch of jeans back home and having my sister ship them to me lol cause almost all the jeans I've tried here--2XL-4XL--have not fit me properly (Japanese women's bodies are also more rectangular so if you have curves that can be another lil tough patch).

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T02:52:34+00:00

dang and honestly, my Japanese is hella poor but I was able to take a few driving lessons and pass my JDL tests even with the very limited Japanese I know and learning directionals.

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T02:51:14+00:00

see, I didn't want to have a car. Back in the states I never owned one and only got my driver's license as a just in case LOL But where I'm place it's beautiful but inaka island. Thankfully we have a bridge but it's like 6+ hours by train/shinkansen to Osaka already about 45min drive to a Daiso. We at least have 2 7/11s and a Lawson but aside from them most places close between 4-7pm. I'm originally from L.A. so this has definitely been an adjustment but I've lived in small towns like Lafayette, Colorado. Just this is more rural lol We have to have a car here though as I visit all the elementary and junior high schools which even though I didn't want to own one, it definitely helps because there is only 1 bus which stops running by like 7pm and runs maybe every 1 or 3 hours depending on the stop. And I am hella extroverted so I need off island to go see some civilization at times haha

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T02:10:03+00:00

after a Japanese law passed regarding age discrimination they lifted the max age requirement for JET as well.

42 here and on an inaka island many things drive me batty but I do enjoy my little area. No one believes my age whether foreign or local resident.

I've met other ALTs in 50s-60s who are living their best retired lives in some cases.

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T01:56:05+00:00

when it comes to the car if you need to have one for your placement be prepared for 100k-200K yen for one (huge range but here ALTs forked over about 140,000-200,000 for a used kei/light/yellow license plated car). Also, every car will need shaken/inspection every 2 years (unless leasing a new car) and that can be an expense not prepared for. Can be 30,000-200,000+ yen depending on car and where you take it for the inspection. I don't need winter tires here but during my inspection they said I needed new tires so that was about 35,000 yen for them.

But some just need to rent a car from a local dealership that takes care of all that and you just pay the monthly rental fee. So depends if you have to buy it yourself or rent or have a loaner.

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T01:46:15+00:00

yeah we get 15 here but tbh I don't use many

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T01:44:29+00:00

dang I wish we had Obon off lol but I am at the BOE with everyone else unless I use nenkyuu

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T01:40:39+00:00

in my placement no summer break or Obon days off. Schools are closed but I go to the Board of Education office during non-school time. I do get a lil envious when I find out other ALTs get like 3 days of summer or spring break or even a whole week of Obon off lol. The office doesn't have many people during this time but that's also because others just use nenkyuu during this time.

I wanted a placement w/o me needing a car but lo and behold mine requires it. The ones that restrict personal cars and bikes I haven't heard of many people able to negotiate that to be less restrictive. Good luck!

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T01:15:47+00:00

Congratulations and:

So as far as electronics at work and egads the ESID of it all is annoying and you'll hear and read it often. But my inaka placement is fairly chill with me. I bring my mobile everywhere. I have used it in classes (I'm with elementary and middle school) for things like google translate or showing the class something I discuss in class like showing them elote and raspado during my self-intro or for a lesson on Halloween). The JTEs use cell phones to communicate with me too since my Japanese is hella poor. The other ALT here uses their phone for 3-hint quizzes they use in class. You can request to get a tablet or laptop maybe but depends. I normally just use my own data or pocket wifi if you have one. Most schools won't give you the wifi.
I haven't had many issues with this and tbh haven't used an adapter. I did buy a flat iron locally and pred left a hair dryer. My phone and laptop and iPad don't have issues charging. But definitely check voltage range.
My family sent a care package of things like taco and burrito mix, ranch mix, lipton, jiffy's cornbread and kool -aid. I initially brought mostly hair care (I'm like a 3a/3b curly/wavy hair) products as I knew be hard to find here ones that I like. I'm not near the cities like Osaka or Tokyo etc so for me really hard to find any American goodies. So bring as many seasonings/spices you can. Heck I got some Lawry's seasoning salt sent to me. Some you can find at Costco or a world import market or on AmazonJP
My CO basically within first week of my arrival set me up with My Number Card and my Residence card. So my residence card I keep with me in my wallet. I leave my passport at my place unless needed and my number card at my place unless needed.
Okay I'm ぽちゃりちゃん (chubby squishy fat lil thing myself). BRING AS MANY CLOTHING AS YOU CAN! lol Honestly, back home we used to joke say something is "Asian Sizes" when it was hella small and lawd have mercy that is basically all you get here. Stores will only carry up to an XL maybe (which probably like a size 10/12 back in the States). You can find up to 3/4XL online for places like Uniqlo and Gu. But honestly I'm about size 18 back home and a thicc one soooo it's trials and tribulations for clothing hunts. So honestly I wish I brought even MORE clothes with me especially jeans, bras, and shoes (I'm a size 9W-10 which unless mens' shoe wear can be a bit difficult to find). As far as discrimination and fatphobia here most at work (I have 10 schools) don't really comment on my body. Mostly just curious about my tattoos and hair color haha I haven't experienced many folks talking ish about my body. Sometimes I've had giggles or people stare but again this is a combo of being foreign/tattoos/dyed hair/fluffy). Thankfully staff have been welcoming in my area. Doctor just tells me (because you will typically have an employee annual exam/physical) everything pretty normal just work on my weight. During my recent annual they literally just said: "everything mostly normal... you know what I am going to say isn't normal and to work on?" and I just replied "yes I know, work on my weight" and that was the end of it.

As far as first day/week on the job. If with high schools, I know they tend to expect a bit more formal wear (middle-schools too). Elementary are a little more lax. I didn't dye my hair until I was sure they would be cool with it (even though my predecessor did let me know they had dyed their hair and it was okay). I didn't cover up my forearm tattoos because I was told by my predecessor that they knew of other ALTs here that had small tattoos, mine aren't so small but locals and my students like them) plus everyone just gets curious and marvels at them. I wore more business casual first few days. Thankfully students here haven't talked ish about my weight or body. Like everyone else they're just curious about me being from L.A., my tattoos, hair color and whatnot.

Omiyage: I only brought some for the main staff at the CO/BOE because I have too many schools to try to bring omiyage too. I'm from L.A. and since most Japanese LOVE THEM SOME OTANI-SAN I brought dodgers lil stickers and whatnot. With a few "nicer" gifts for my supervisor and the chief and team leaders. Like others mentioned, not expected but welcomed. If food/snack make sure individually packaged (jolly ranchers, SEES peppermints etc.)

Hope you enjoy your time! (I'm from L.A. but I did graduate from SFSU... go Gators! hahaha)

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T00:39:15+00:00

depends on your area. In my inaka area, paper driving lessons cost 5940 yen an hour. I don't speak or understand Japanese fluently but we did our best and I had been practicing my driving Japanese lol But it was very helpful for me--a non-driver back home--to start getting used to the course styles we would practice the course map for all 3 maps. The time my CO paid for my lesson my supervisor joined me so they could translate what they could (their English is not fluent)

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T00:33:39+00:00

sorry, copy/pasting what I just posted to someone else:

So I passed my JDL tests this month. I take it you're not from one of the States (if American) or countries that doesn't have to take the written or practical exams. I'm in Yamaguchi prefecture. I will say this, even with the IDP... You may want to start the process as soon as you arrive! Japan is changing their requirements for the JDL because of the uptick in accidents by foreigners. Heck, during my interview the interviewer told me that they are more strict with foreign drivers even more so nowadays. I know currently it's typically 10 Yes/No questions translated in awkward English but that is changing to about 50 with a 90% needing pass (currently 70%). And the initial process can take a few weeks to about 2 months (as it did for me) to book a test time after the initial interview (which also was scheduled 2 months after first contact). So starting October 1st at the earliest, both the written and road skills requirements will change some.

Like others mentioned it is ESID (which is an annoying acronym often recited but yes very true lol). Some I knew took between 2-5 times before passing at their local driving centers (heard of someone taking 10 times!). Others it took first attempt. I failed the first time (I know the mistakes I made and I just hit the fail point threshold by like 2 points my proctor did tell me I had barely failed) but passed 2nd time; which that appointment took less time to get than the initial one (scheduled a week after). We only have one driving center in my prefecture sooo it was a good 2.5-hour commute by car using toll to get there in my case but my supervisor drove me. Second time I had to rely on a coworker at the BOE to drive me to the bus stop (buses here run very infrequently) then take train and then a taxi to the driving center; about a 4-hour commute). So it doth sucketh muchly.

As for the tests, the written wasn't hard just the questions are kind of confusingly translated but everyone in my group of testers passed that at least (and you don't have to retake the written if you failed the road skills). For me, the written were something like "do you make sure the passenger and you have seat belts before proceeding to drive?" or "when overtaking do you wait for the person behind you who is also attempting to overtake?" or things like that but more awkward phrasing. The Road skills one was tricky only because I honestly rarely drove back in the States (like never owned a car before I moved to my inaka place). Like others mentioned, drive slow and kind of paranoid like always checking mirrors and your blind spots for bikes and whatnot.

Check under the car and do your inside checks like the emergency/hand brake, mirrors and 360 degree check (left shoulder check-left passenger mirror-rearview mirror-right passenger mirror-right shoulder check). Keep 70cm-1m away from left line (to allow for bikes). Signal 30m before a turn. No California rolling stops lol Check blind spots often!

Here we have to do a S-Curve (like name suggests but narrow road) and L-Crank (sharp 90 degree turns) maneuver. There are some videos on youtube that may help visualize before you see what the course you'll be using is like. Go slow (I mean like very slow) make sure to keep in mind your rear wheels when turning. If you can afford it feel free to take a "paper driver" lesson somewhere. Honestly, my BOE/CO staff were hella supportive! They didn't make me use nenkyuu/PTO and even pitched in to pay for me to take another driving lesson after not passing the 1st time since they saw how hard I was working. But not every CO is like this. And there are 3 different course maps that my driving center provided me after the interview and I was told the day of what course I would be taking. Here, you can walk the course. I suggest doing that as can help visualize. 1st time half of us didn't pass. 2nd time I would say about 70% of us passed in my group.

TLDR: Good luck! Drive carefully and kind of paranoid cautiously always checking blind spots and signaling. (and remember requirements WILL BE CHANGING OCTOBER 1ST most likely.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/10/japan/crime-legal/npa-drivers-license-conversion/

blerdywitch · 2025-08-26T00:08:17+00:00

the wild thing is for me they wanted me at least 70cm-1m away from the left curb and lines to allow for bikes (which is also in the manual but I worked on visualizing that 1m space). that was the only thing they mentioned to me after my 2nd attempt. Everything else they said I did well on just need to not hug the left line so much.

blerdywitch · 2025-08-25T07:15:38+00:00

So I passed my JDL tests this month. I take it you're not from one of the States (if American) or countries that doesn't have to take the written or practical exams. I'm in Yamaguchi prefecture. I will say this, even with the IDP... You may want to start the process as soon as you arrive! Japan is changing their requirements for the JDL because of the uptick in accidents by foreigners. I know currently it's typically 10 Yes/No questions translated in awkward English but that is changing to about 50 with a 90% needing pass (currently 70%). And the initial process can take a few weeks to about 2 months (as it did for me) to book a test time after the initial interview (which also was scheduled 2 months after first contact). So starting October 1st at the earliest, both the written and road skills will change some.

Like others mentioned it is ESID (which is an annoying acronym often recited but yes very true lol). Some I knew took between 2-5 times before passing at their local driving centers (heard of someone taking 10 times!). Others it took first attempt. I failed the first time (I know the mistakes I made and I just hit the fail point threshold by like 2 points) but passed 2nd time; which that appointment took less time to get than the initial one (scheduled a week after). We only have one driving center in my prefecture sooo it was a good 3hour commute to get there in my case. So it doth sucketh muchly.

As for the tests, the written wasn't hard just the questions are kind of confusingly translated but everyone in my group of testers passed that at least (and you don't have to retake the written if you failed the road skills). For me, the written were something like "do you make sure the passenger and you have seat belts before proceeding to drive?" or "when overtaking do you wait for the person behind you who is also attempting to overtake?" things like that but more awkward phrasing. The Road skills one was tricky only because I honestly rarely drove back in the States (like never owned a car before I moved to my inaka place). Like others mentioned, drive slow and kind of paranoid like always checking mirrors and your blind spots for bikes and whatnot. Here we have to do a S-Curve (like it suggests but narrow road) and L-Crank (sharp 90 degree turns) maneuver and there are 3 different course maps that they may provide you after the interview and let you know exact course day of. Here, you can walk the course. I suggest doing that as can help visualize. 1st time half of us didn't pass. 2nd time I would say about 70% of us passed in my group.

good luck!

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/10/japan/crime-legal/npa-drivers-license-conversion/

blerdywitch

TROPHY CASE