2006-08-13 15:46:14 · 18 answers · asked by Dave F 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
Take everything in stride. I wish I would have gotten SkyPerfecTV (Satellite TV) when I first arrived. The English programming will be a good thing. I speak, read write Japanese, but sometimes I just want to watch English language programming from home.
Your first week will be filled with immigration and moving procedures. You will have to get a multi rentry permit, so you can take vacations and re enter Japan. You will need to register at the city hall.
Your first few months will be filled with learning and adjustments.
After a few months, the harder and difficult relaities of living in Japan will come to bother you. The comapny rules, and unwritten expectations will come as a shock to you. Even if I warn you ,it will still be hard to deal with. Everyone who comes here to work has this experience.
You will probably run at 110% percent for your first 2 months and then learn to settle down atfer that.
I dont work in eikawa, but it has been 3 years in Japan for me now.
2006-08-13 17:25:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Dammit!! I wanna go too!!!!
Have fun man. Tokyo is awesome.
Things will be different of course from your home town but expect it to be different and learn to love the differences.
It's easy to hate Japan if you're from another country but hang in there and you'll begin to truly love it.
First thing you gotta do is go Roppongi and make some friends dude. Hit the bars and clubs and make English speaking friends so they can give you advise on how to live ghetto fabulous in TOKYO!! But since you'll be exchanging phone numbers and email addresses alot, I suggest you get yourself a cell phone.
It's a necessity when living in Tokyo as I'm sure everyone knows.
Even more so than American Express. Don't leave home without it.
Oh and finding an apartment (preferably close by your work) and opening a bank account should be your next day thing to do.
Good luck!! And post or email me if you need help or advise!!
2006-08-14 12:33:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Dave. Good luck to you. I have been teaching English in Japan for over 2 years and I love it. The first thing you should do....Be patient. I know that sounds tough because it is. Study some Japanese. Make some new friends. Explore.
Downside to being new in Japan. It takes 3 weeks to process your Alien Registration Card. After this, you can open a bank account. After you have a bank, you can buy a cell phone. I know waiting for all of that to happen will be tough, but that is how it works here.
Be open minded. Have fun. Good luck to you!
2006-08-14 05:02:13 · answer #3 · answered by Adam 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My friend just got back from teaching in Taiwan for a year, if you're expecting to come back with a lot of money you're going to have to watch what you spend. It's easy to start partying all the time when you're away from friends and family for that long. I suggest you search out food markets and other necessities when you get there.
2006-08-13 23:24:16 · answer #4 · answered by LAUGHING MAGPIE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have some real Japanese sushi, udon / ramen noodles, and true unage don. We stayed around the Yebisu area, and there are tons of great restaurants. Just be aware, most Japanese people don't speak very good English, and when you go to local restaurants, unless you speak Japanese, bring a phrase book, have a smile, and bow as you thank you.
2006-08-13 23:17:34 · answer #5 · answered by acceb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dave, have fun. Get a reasonable place to live and start learning Hiragana and Katakana. Even if you are stimulated by the Japanese at first, stick with it and make some friends. Enjoy trying to understand the differences.
2006-08-13 23:49:43 · answer #6 · answered by justbhapy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I assume that you have got your working visa and enough cash (Japanese Yen) with you. Here are somethings that you have to deal with as soon as possible.
1) Report to your employer that you have reached Tokyo. Visit the school and check whether they have bought you the insurance or you need to buy one for yourself. (Buying a medical insurance is a must for anyone living in Japan)
2) Get a mobile phone Sim card! ~ Dokomo ~ for eg.
3) Go to the bank and open a saving / deposit account (at least)
4) Hunt for an apartment or if accommodation is provided in your employment, you should get to know your new address, telephone contact number. (Ask for assistance from the school administration staff to tour you around that area if you do not speak / read Japanese)
5) Alien Registration (gai jin to roku) - Bring along all relevant documents (copies & origin copy of your passport, your insurance recipt / card, reference letter from your employer, photos ... etc) and go to the relevent District Office (Ku yaku sho, Tokyo has 23 districts) for processing alien registration - yes we are aliens - you would get you gai jin to roku shou (id card) with your photo and finger print on that idenitify you during your stay in Japan. You must return this id card back to Japanese government before you moved out Japan.
6) Prepare yourself to have culture shock!!! Have fun!
2006-08-14 00:33:37 · answer #7 · answered by Aileen HK 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Lucky you. Japan is a beautiful place but EXPENSIVE. The first thing I would do is to make a friend with a native with whom I have things in common with.
2006-08-13 22:55:14 · answer #8 · answered by Tony T 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to bed b/c you are going to suffer from jet lag for a day or two.
2006-08-13 22:50:24 · answer #9 · answered by Sparkle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pre-paid cell (mobile) is cheap. Post-paid cost a lot.
good luck.
2006-08-14 00:05:10 · answer #10 · answered by Joriental 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋