Not a heck of a lot exciting is happening in Rural Gunma prefecture. As such I'm hoping to do some traveling soon (details to come later). To be honest, I really miss Fukuoka lately; More specifically, I really miss the dorm life I had there. I found some old never-before-seen video from back at the dorm in my computer and I think someday soon I'll throw it onto the blog here.
Anyways, last night I went to Oota city to have dinner with Miho at one of our favorite Italian restaurants =). After, we went to the game center (arcade) and played a bunch of strange but cool Japanese games - unfortunately I only had the camera on for a little bit at the game center though, was too busy playing and sort of forgot to take footage. After that, I introduce my favorite dessert of Japan; The Japanese Crepe (I know it is french, but the Japanese version is just so much better so it deserves to be distinguished as the "Japanese Crepe" because I've had the french version too and this is just so much better).
The video is not overly edited and mostly is just strung together raw footage; To be honest it's more for my own memory's sake than anything else so I'm pleased with it. Enjoy!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hey all, what's up?
This weekend was pretty frickin hot outside so I spent most of it in the comfort of my AC. However, I had a great time hanging out with Miho and I went to Japanese class on Sunday - which was pretty cool but the grammer we studied I already know like the back of my hand, however the kanji part of the class kicked my butt as usual. It's interesting going to this class because I'm the only student who speaks English, and a lot of the other students are Chinese (and the rest are brazilian, indian, etc.) The Chinese people in the class have one really big advantage and that is they can already read and write kanji for the most part. I feel really pressured to "catch up" with them somehow in the writing part, but I really think that will take a few years.
Anyways, I also finally went down to the post office and sent a package of goodies back to Canada to some friends back home (you know who you are), so I look forward to those being recieved finally. The package I put together was mostly filled with Manga, but also included stickers, some crazy Japanese erasers, and a postcard from Asakusa.
Lately this J-pop girlband has really gotten popular here, I'll post a video of one of their songs below, but it's interesting that a) they are not that cute (they are kinda cute though I guess, but I dont see why they're *all that*), b) their songs are catchy but get annoying quickly, and c) who the hell knows what their real voices sound like (take a listen to the track below to see what I mean).
There is also this song which realllly sounds like the 80s has returned. It's also featured in a commercial on TV so I hear it quite often; Catchy but too artificial to make it on to my favorites list.
And last but not least, everyone's favorite チョコレイト ディスコ Chocolate Disco
I just figured I'd share the ultra-pop music that is currently the top of the charts here in Japan. hehe. Mata~
This weekend was pretty frickin hot outside so I spent most of it in the comfort of my AC. However, I had a great time hanging out with Miho and I went to Japanese class on Sunday - which was pretty cool but the grammer we studied I already know like the back of my hand, however the kanji part of the class kicked my butt as usual. It's interesting going to this class because I'm the only student who speaks English, and a lot of the other students are Chinese (and the rest are brazilian, indian, etc.) The Chinese people in the class have one really big advantage and that is they can already read and write kanji for the most part. I feel really pressured to "catch up" with them somehow in the writing part, but I really think that will take a few years.
Anyways, I also finally went down to the post office and sent a package of goodies back to Canada to some friends back home (you know who you are), so I look forward to those being recieved finally. The package I put together was mostly filled with Manga, but also included stickers, some crazy Japanese erasers, and a postcard from Asakusa.
Lately this J-pop girlband has really gotten popular here, I'll post a video of one of their songs below, but it's interesting that a) they are not that cute (they are kinda cute though I guess, but I dont see why they're *all that*), b) their songs are catchy but get annoying quickly, and c) who the hell knows what their real voices sound like (take a listen to the track below to see what I mean).
There is also this song which realllly sounds like the 80s has returned. It's also featured in a commercial on TV so I hear it quite often; Catchy but too artificial to make it on to my favorites list.
And last but not least, everyone's favorite チョコレイト ディスコ Chocolate Disco
I just figured I'd share the ultra-pop music that is currently the top of the charts here in Japan. hehe. Mata~
Thursday, July 24, 2008
七夕
Hey everyone! Well, the summer is definitely here. Temperatures are so hot here I truly would take the cold Canadian winter over it any day!
However, with summer in Japan comes a wide variety of festivals, fireworks, and get-togethers.
This past week was my city's Tanabata festival. I previously showed a video I found on youtube of last years Tanabata, but I finally had the chance to make my own memories of it. So, to celebrate the occassion, Miho and I went out and bought Yukata and Jinbei. I made a video of the whole thing, so please enjoy.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Something funny
Well, life has been pretty relaxed lately here in Gunma, Japan. There's honestly not a heck of a lot to do in this really rural place.. But, I'm making the best of it, for the most part. Lately I've been studying Japanese, Kanji, and even MATH.
I've also been hanging out with Miho a lot. We generally go to the Mall, or to the game center or Karaoke, etc. And we usually eat dinner at either Primo - my favorite italian restaurant - or this Japanese ramen restaurant with a REALLY cute waitress.
Also, this is extremely unrelated but I found this and found it really funny. As far as political satire goes this video is one of the best I have seen. Better still, the website this video is from allows you to put yourself in the video, so look for me (kind of towards the second half. hint: my first appearance is marching with a campaign sign in hand).. Anyways, here it is:
Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!
And for an extra bit of fun, I made this one of Miho and myself:
Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Long overdue update!
Well, I'm FINALLY updating my blog after a month+ long hiatus! Lots and lots has happened! Lately I have been seeing some great movies at the theaters around here. I'm finding it's a great way to enjoyably practice my Japanese listening skills.
Recently, I finally saw the Hana Yori Dango: Final Movie! Which, although good, was just not as good as the TV series. It was still a great movie though!
Miho and I also went on a date and saw a cute romantic comedy called Boku no Kanojo wa Cyborg and I enjoyed it so much. However, when I looked around youtube for the trailer for the movie I found that no one had yet translated / subtitled it so I decided to translate+subtitle it myself for practice! (I would love to get in to Fan-subbing of J-drama or maybe even Anime someday) Anyways, here's my subtitled version:
Also, to play catch-up a little with the time I haven't posted anything in. Just before May we went to Tokyo and watched a baseball game - which was a totally amazing experience and in some ways completely different from seeing a major league game back home. I put together a little video of that adventure:
And finally.. Being that summer is definitely here (the temperature is crazy outside), the summer festival season in Japan has come into full swing. Yesterday I was teaching an English class for an NPO in Maebashi, and got the chance to participate in the festivities of Tanabata - Summer Star Festival. This festival was really really great and I regrettably didn't bring my Camera, but my city will soon have its own Tanabata and I'll be sure to get some pics / video. In the meantime, here is a great video I found about Tanabata, check it out:
Well, that's all for now, but I'll be sure to get my blog back into gear. I promise!
- Timothy
Recently, I finally saw the Hana Yori Dango: Final Movie! Which, although good, was just not as good as the TV series. It was still a great movie though!
Miho and I also went on a date and saw a cute romantic comedy called Boku no Kanojo wa Cyborg and I enjoyed it so much. However, when I looked around youtube for the trailer for the movie I found that no one had yet translated / subtitled it so I decided to translate+subtitle it myself for practice! (I would love to get in to Fan-subbing of J-drama or maybe even Anime someday) Anyways, here's my subtitled version:
Also, to play catch-up a little with the time I haven't posted anything in. Just before May we went to Tokyo and watched a baseball game - which was a totally amazing experience and in some ways completely different from seeing a major league game back home. I put together a little video of that adventure:
And finally.. Being that summer is definitely here (the temperature is crazy outside), the summer festival season in Japan has come into full swing. Yesterday I was teaching an English class for an NPO in Maebashi, and got the chance to participate in the festivities of Tanabata - Summer Star Festival. This festival was really really great and I regrettably didn't bring my Camera, but my city will soon have its own Tanabata and I'll be sure to get some pics / video. In the meantime, here is a great video I found about Tanabata, check it out:
Well, that's all for now, but I'll be sure to get my blog back into gear. I promise!
- Timothy
Friday, May 9, 2008
Earthquake Update
Well, I thought they were over for a while, but I was wrong..
This morning at about 9AM Japan time, there was ANOTHER quake, and this one was not from Mikagi prefecture (the previous two were, and Mikagi is a ways away in the north part of the main island of Honshuu), the quake this morning was centered IN the Kanto area (where Tokyo is and where I live). It wasn't very big, but now there is some evidence from researchers and sensors that, you guessed it, it is related to the previous earthquake as the movement of one tectonic plate inevitably effects the plates around it. Now there is speculation that in the next while we may have another fairly large earthquake because one of the plates offshore from Tokyo appears to have shifted a little due to the previous quakes. No one knows for sure though, all I know is that to spite being semi-excited about being in an earthquake before I came to Japan, now that I've been in a couple (and they weren't even that strong, just average), I REALLY would prefer NOT to have any more of them. I don't trust the integrity of my house either, as it's a bit old (19 years - yes that is considered old here as most modern houses have a shelf life of about 30 years due to the earthquakes they have to endure) and theres now a small crack in part of my wall from the shifting that the ENTIRE HOUSE does when a quake hits.
Phew, sorry to rant, but I have quakes on the mind now.. Anyways, I'm brushing up my disaster plans as I write this - in my head - that's how I can do that and write this at the same time.
Anyways, take care until next time.
This morning at about 9AM Japan time, there was ANOTHER quake, and this one was not from Mikagi prefecture (the previous two were, and Mikagi is a ways away in the north part of the main island of Honshuu), the quake this morning was centered IN the Kanto area (where Tokyo is and where I live). It wasn't very big, but now there is some evidence from researchers and sensors that, you guessed it, it is related to the previous earthquake as the movement of one tectonic plate inevitably effects the plates around it. Now there is speculation that in the next while we may have another fairly large earthquake because one of the plates offshore from Tokyo appears to have shifted a little due to the previous quakes. No one knows for sure though, all I know is that to spite being semi-excited about being in an earthquake before I came to Japan, now that I've been in a couple (and they weren't even that strong, just average), I REALLY would prefer NOT to have any more of them. I don't trust the integrity of my house either, as it's a bit old (19 years - yes that is considered old here as most modern houses have a shelf life of about 30 years due to the earthquakes they have to endure) and theres now a small crack in part of my wall from the shifting that the ENTIRE HOUSE does when a quake hits.
Phew, sorry to rant, but I have quakes on the mind now.. Anyways, I'm brushing up my disaster plans as I write this - in my head - that's how I can do that and write this at the same time.
Anyways, take care until next time.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Day Trip / Earthquakes
Well I havent really done the best job lately keeping this blog updated. It is not due to a lack of excitment, in fact lately I have been rather busy and I have some great pictures and video that I will soon get around to putting together and posting up here.
So, two big things to mention for now though. First, we had a rather sizable earthquake last night. Actually, not sizable but only average.. However, this one lasted for a good 30 seconds, and about 2 minutes later there was another one that was even stronger than the first. Then there were some small aftershocks, and then it was over... so I thought.. about 2 hours later at about 3am I felt another big tremour.
Secondly, today I sort of did a spir of the moment thing and decided to take a train to Asakusa, Tokyo. I just really needed to go out exploring, and find that feeling that reminds me of why I came to Japan.. And that feeling of being able to go anywhere and blaze my own trail by myself. And to that goal, has been SUCCESS.. I am really looking forward to starting my Japanese class this sunday.
Anyways, until next time when I post some cool videos and stuff.. This is Timo, signing off..
*NEXT TIME* Gone to a baseball game in Japan, totally different experience, and geek-kingdom of AKIHABARA.. check it out here soon.. I mean it SOON..
So, two big things to mention for now though. First, we had a rather sizable earthquake last night. Actually, not sizable but only average.. However, this one lasted for a good 30 seconds, and about 2 minutes later there was another one that was even stronger than the first. Then there were some small aftershocks, and then it was over... so I thought.. about 2 hours later at about 3am I felt another big tremour.
Secondly, today I sort of did a spir of the moment thing and decided to take a train to Asakusa, Tokyo. I just really needed to go out exploring, and find that feeling that reminds me of why I came to Japan.. And that feeling of being able to go anywhere and blaze my own trail by myself. And to that goal, has been SUCCESS.. I am really looking forward to starting my Japanese class this sunday.
Anyways, until next time when I post some cool videos and stuff.. This is Timo, signing off..
*NEXT TIME* Gone to a baseball game in Japan, totally different experience, and geek-kingdom of AKIHABARA.. check it out here soon.. I mean it SOON..
Monday, April 14, 2008
Mom Came to Japan
Above: Mom and me under some Sakura trees while cherry-blossom viewing at the park near my house
Well, it's been some time between updates and I appologize to everyone who has been waiting to read. Anyways, my MOM came to visit me for two weeks and we had an AWSOME time! I was really happy to see her, but there are lots of people I miss from back in Windsor too and for everyone who can't come visit me I hope my mom can fill you in on my life here better than my blog does.
My mom stayed at my place in Gunma, but because Gunma has basically nothing cool to see or do (that's not true either as my mom found out) we also stayed in Tokyo for a couple days to see the sights and I think my mom fell in love with the city of Tokyo as much as I did when I arrived.
During her time here, she volunteered at the international kindergarten I was working at, saw many different sides of Tokyo including Shibuya crossing, Asakusa, Ebisu, Harakjuku, and so on, and even ventured for a hike up Akagi mountain here in Gunma. Aside from that, when she was stuck in the house while I had to work, she was brave and went exploring by herself and found her own favorite place near here - the local grocery store.Akemi-san was also very kind and showed my mom around the beautiful city of Yokohama (part of Tokyo) and they really had a great time together too I think.
It was great to see my mom, but also felt kind of strange to have her close by after being over here on my own for the past 4 and a half months. Anyways, I miss her every time I go to the grocery store (kind of inside joke). I got a tone of pictures, so I'll upload some of them below...
above: Mom and Akemi in Yokohama - My mom was very lucky because the Sakura trees were blossoming just when she arrived and it only lasts for about a week in terms of full bloom, so the timing couldn't of been better.
My mom had the chance to visit Yokohama, a very beautiful and modern city in the Tokyo area.
We made a point one night of venturing out to Tokyo Tower, which is pretty much a must-see. My mom and me both ate some cheap 7-11 Bento food for dinner afterwards to escape the high prices of the area's restaurants, but it was a memorable night anyways.
We also visited Harajuku (where the free hugs picture above was taken) and saw the great emperial garden/forest there. Here my mom stands under a giant Tori gate.
We got really lucky when in Asakusa one day and happened to see a young Maiko (apprentice geisha), she was so beautiful!!!
My mom was also a hit at the school I was teaching at! They don't have many clowns in Japan so she was a special treat!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Picking up Mom
Well, I am sitting in the internet kiosk room thing at Narita international airport in Tokyo. I'm waiting for my mom to arrive. Will she arrive? haha, I only say that because I can't be sure if she made her transfer in Chicago, if she is on the right plane, etc. We have no way to contact each other until she comes out of the arrivals gate.
Anyways, I should have lots of interesting posts about our time together. I am really looking forward to showing her around Japan! Right now though my head kind of hurts, but I think it's because of a slight anxiety about meeting my mom, I haven't seen her, or anyone else from my home town for that matter in over 4 months(except Mr. and Mrs. Taguchi who moved back to Japan from my home town after I came here by chance). Anyways, we have a long day of trains ahead of us to get back into Tokyo and get to Sakura Hostel where we'll spend the night before heading back to Gunma tommorow.
Anyways, I should have lots of interesting posts about our time together. I am really looking forward to showing her around Japan! Right now though my head kind of hurts, but I think it's because of a slight anxiety about meeting my mom, I haven't seen her, or anyone else from my home town for that matter in over 4 months(except Mr. and Mrs. Taguchi who moved back to Japan from my home town after I came here by chance). Anyways, we have a long day of trains ahead of us to get back into Tokyo and get to Sakura Hostel where we'll spend the night before heading back to Gunma tommorow.
Monday, March 17, 2008
From the countryside in Gunma..
Hello everyone, I am still alive. I just happen to live in the middle of nowhere at the moment and thus have no internet access except at the internet cafe or manga cafe.
Anhyways, it seems like I found a place to move to in Isesaki which is about a 5 minute walk from the train station there and thus I can commute to Tokyo or Ota where Miho lives rather easily (however the train to Tokyo takes about 2 hours, but its really cheap, about 15 dollars if you convert from yen)
My mom is comming in just a week or so, so I`m hoping that there are no snags in her travels. It also looks like maybe I will move to my new apartment before she arrives. I am really looking forward to touring her around Tokyo and generally spending time with her. I`ve also started a second job part time just on saturdays teaching English at a school called COSMO. The pay is decent and its a lot of fun. In fact, I think its very similar to GenkiJACS except they teach english instead of japanese. ^.^;
I have been havig a hard time adjusting to my other job though - the kindergarten teaching job - it is so not teaching actually its just a really really giant babysitting job. At least this is how it feels most of the time. Every once and a while though I really like it. Most of the time though I just feel overwhelmed.
Anhyways, it seems like I found a place to move to in Isesaki which is about a 5 minute walk from the train station there and thus I can commute to Tokyo or Ota where Miho lives rather easily (however the train to Tokyo takes about 2 hours, but its really cheap, about 15 dollars if you convert from yen)
My mom is comming in just a week or so, so I`m hoping that there are no snags in her travels. It also looks like maybe I will move to my new apartment before she arrives. I am really looking forward to touring her around Tokyo and generally spending time with her. I`ve also started a second job part time just on saturdays teaching English at a school called COSMO. The pay is decent and its a lot of fun. In fact, I think its very similar to GenkiJACS except they teach english instead of japanese. ^.^;
I have been havig a hard time adjusting to my other job though - the kindergarten teaching job - it is so not teaching actually its just a really really giant babysitting job. At least this is how it feels most of the time. Every once and a while though I really like it. Most of the time though I just feel overwhelmed.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
*NOTE: This is my second post in one day, so make sure you read my other post (below this one) about my adventure today!
Anyways, I've been hearing this song a lot everywhere here as it's racing to the top of the charts here in Japan. For some reason I like it even though it's not really my type of music. The first time I saw this music video was actually on the side of one of the buildings at Shibuya Crossing (see picture):
The singer is Utada Hikari - the same singer that sings one of the theme songs for Hana Yori Dango season 2 (mom you know the song, it starts with the word arigatou), anyways this song called Heart Station took a minute for me to recognize when I found it on youtube, but at about 1:05 it changes pace and I immediate recognized it. Give it a listen, maybe you'll like it, maybe you wont:
A little note on the translation that is in the video: The one line she says at about 3:29 in the video is himitu no herutsu which can be translated in 2 ways actually and I think it's a play on words. The translator put "Secret Frequency" because they took Herutsu to mean "Hz" as in Hertz - this japanese word is borrowed from english, but Herutsu can also mean a word borrowed from German meaning Herz which means Heart.. SO.. it could be interpretted as Secret Heart OR Secret Station/frequency which is a really good play of words because the song is called Heart Station hehe.. I have to admit I'm proud to have figured that out! haha. Enjoy the song:
Anyways, I've been hearing this song a lot everywhere here as it's racing to the top of the charts here in Japan. For some reason I like it even though it's not really my type of music. The first time I saw this music video was actually on the side of one of the buildings at Shibuya Crossing (see picture):
The singer is Utada Hikari - the same singer that sings one of the theme songs for Hana Yori Dango season 2 (mom you know the song, it starts with the word arigatou), anyways this song called Heart Station took a minute for me to recognize when I found it on youtube, but at about 1:05 it changes pace and I immediate recognized it. Give it a listen, maybe you'll like it, maybe you wont:
A little note on the translation that is in the video: The one line she says at about 3:29 in the video is himitu no herutsu which can be translated in 2 ways actually and I think it's a play on words. The translator put "Secret Frequency" because they took Herutsu to mean "Hz" as in Hertz - this japanese word is borrowed from english, but Herutsu can also mean a word borrowed from German meaning Herz which means Heart.. SO.. it could be interpretted as Secret Heart OR Secret Station/frequency which is a really good play of words because the song is called Heart Station hehe.. I have to admit I'm proud to have figured that out! haha. Enjoy the song:
Kamakura
Well, today Akemi-san and her friend Junko-san took me to Kamakura - a small town outside of Tokyo that she described as a "mini kyoto" because of its many many ancient temples and shrines and extremely traditional Japanese culture. I must say that it was absolutely wonderful and enchanting. The entire feeling of the place was like I was back in time, not to mention I sincerely enjoyed the pleasant company of Akemi and her friend Junko.
Right: I took this picture for my Mom, this tree was just absolutely amazing looking, the picture doesn't do it justice but my mom would love it!
I was extremely lucky though, as I had the chance to observe a Japanese wedding ceremony - 2 of them in fact - taking place at one of the shrines. Akemi said today is a "good luck" day on the Japanese calender - some days are bad luck, some normal, and some good, today is a good one, so many people may choose to get married today.Anyways, I also bought an Omikuji kind of a fortune, you pay 100 yen, shake a small barrel, and a stick comes out that determines which fortune you get. Mine was a good one (I've improved, until now I always get so-so or even bad ones - but no fear because if they're not good you just tie them to the tree or to the rope and the bad luck is said to be taken away by the wind - see image below)
I finally have put together another video outlining todays events including a full bit about the wedding that I really really felt moved by, please watch it:
This is also my second last day staying at the Taguchi's house as I'm moving to Gunma from tomorrow night. They have been amazingly wonderful to me and I really hope I can make it up somehow some day! Anyways, I had a really great day today and it was nice to feel enchanted about being in Japan again. The novelty of this trip was slightly rekindled today to say the least. ^.^ Hope you all enjoy the video (see above)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I have been extremely busy lately trying to get everything sorted out in terms of my job and where I will live. Things are still rather up-in-the-air right now. I actually spent a day at ICS on Saturday with a class that I might be soon taking over by myself. I think it will be ok, but the problem is that ICS is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so the closest place I found I could live in is like 5km away. And for some reason there is no train station or anything like that in Tamamura, so going to Tokyo or even to neighboring Oota to visit Miho would be difficult.
Anyways, Miho suggested also looking at another school called OES that has a school right next to oota station (which would mean I could easily go to anywhere in the Tokyo area). So on Tuesday I had an interview and I think it went well, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Anyways, between all the craziness, I have tried to keep enjoying myself.. I went to Shibuya and Asakusa (areas of Tokyo) a couple times. I bought a souvenir in Asakusa, and grabbed a picture of one of the weird stores in Shibuya (see below).
I also have some photos from my last few days at the dorm that I want to upload to here. We ate french style crepe. I really miss Fukuoka lately. *la sigh*
A group shot of a bunch of people at Tomo dorm in Fukuoka. I'm the nerdy white guy in the glasses
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
This wont be too long, just wanted to note that I'm having a great time with the Taguchis! However, they are both busy today so I will be going out to explore Tokyo a bit. Haven't decided where I'll go but Akemi gave me a subway pass to use. It's called Suica and it has an IC Chip in it, so you don't have to swipe it or anything you just keep it in your wallet and when you pass through the gate, you wave your wallet past the sensor and it beeps and lets you through. So convenient compared to the subway pass I bought in Fukuoka.
Anyways, I hopefully wont get too lost wandering around by myself, Tokyo is huge after all.
PS - found out today that my mom is finally comming to visit! I am so excited to show her around!
PSS - I will be doing my first training class this Saturday at the school I'm teaching at, feeling kind of nervous, but looking forward to getting my feet wet.
Anyways, I hopefully wont get too lost wandering around by myself, Tokyo is huge after all.
PS - found out today that my mom is finally comming to visit! I am so excited to show her around!
PSS - I will be doing my first training class this Saturday at the school I'm teaching at, feeling kind of nervous, but looking forward to getting my feet wet.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I survived!
Well, after what had to be the worst plane flight I have ever experienced, followed by a skillful landing by our pilot, fighting against unpresidented and fluxuating gusts of winds, onto a fog-covered, near zero visability runway, the people in ANA flight 254 gave a small standing ovation to the crew of the aircraft.
Anyways, it was quite the experience. Needless to say, I`ve arrived in Tokyo.
I spent the weekend with Miho trying to find an apartment for myself, buy a cell-phone and such. Japan is very strict about apartment rentals and usually requires a Hyoushounin (Co-Signer) if you are a foreigner or if you are not a full time worker.
Also, there are a number of other fees attached renting an apartment from most places. Key-Money is usually an extra month`s rent paid up front on top of the first and last months rent, and this is not refunded it is a present for the landlord. There is also a security deposit which is about 2 months of rent worth, and a cleaning fee of about 10,000 Yen (100 dollars). The security deposit is refunded, the cleaning fee is not. There is also a commission paid to the realtor (you dont rent places here by shopping for houses with for-rent signs. Rentals are only advertised at this large rental agency offices).
Anyways, there is this paper about the whole headache of the process someone already wrote in their blog, but I can`t find it right now, but basically, your $800/Month apartment will cost like $6000 upfront or something ridiculous like this, regardless of if you are a foreigner or not.
So how do people do it? Well, most smaller places (what we would call a bachelor) don`t have some of these fees attached, while some student-housing companies and such have basically no extra fees at all. So, Miho was going to be my co-signer and get this all set-up, but because she is a contract worker, even though she works full time, they could not accept her as a co-signer, and in-fact if she were to rent an apartment herself she would require her mother to co-sign even though she is Japanese.
So yea, it was kind of annoying and as of right now I am not %100 sure where I will live yet but we will figure something out.
In the mean time, Mr. and Mrs. Taguchi have invited me to stay at their place for 2 weeks in Tokyo. They are so generous and kind people. Today Mrs. Taguchi and her friend and I will go out shopping in Shibuya, not that I have a lot of money to spend, but it should be fun anyways I think.
またかくよ・・
Anyways, it was quite the experience. Needless to say, I`ve arrived in Tokyo.
I spent the weekend with Miho trying to find an apartment for myself, buy a cell-phone and such. Japan is very strict about apartment rentals and usually requires a Hyoushounin (Co-Signer) if you are a foreigner or if you are not a full time worker.
Also, there are a number of other fees attached renting an apartment from most places. Key-Money is usually an extra month`s rent paid up front on top of the first and last months rent, and this is not refunded it is a present for the landlord. There is also a security deposit which is about 2 months of rent worth, and a cleaning fee of about 10,000 Yen (100 dollars). The security deposit is refunded, the cleaning fee is not. There is also a commission paid to the realtor (you dont rent places here by shopping for houses with for-rent signs. Rentals are only advertised at this large rental agency offices).
Anyways, there is this paper about the whole headache of the process someone already wrote in their blog, but I can`t find it right now, but basically, your $800/Month apartment will cost like $6000 upfront or something ridiculous like this, regardless of if you are a foreigner or not.
So how do people do it? Well, most smaller places (what we would call a bachelor) don`t have some of these fees attached, while some student-housing companies and such have basically no extra fees at all. So, Miho was going to be my co-signer and get this all set-up, but because she is a contract worker, even though she works full time, they could not accept her as a co-signer, and in-fact if she were to rent an apartment herself she would require her mother to co-sign even though she is Japanese.
So yea, it was kind of annoying and as of right now I am not %100 sure where I will live yet but we will figure something out.
In the mean time, Mr. and Mrs. Taguchi have invited me to stay at their place for 2 weeks in Tokyo. They are so generous and kind people. Today Mrs. Taguchi and her friend and I will go out shopping in Shibuya, not that I have a lot of money to spend, but it should be fun anyways I think.
またかくよ・・
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