Host family

They live in a very nice area call Myoden, which is about 30 minutes away from Kahin Makuhari. It takes me an hour to commute to school, it's a 10 min walk to the station, 30 minutes train ride and 20 minutes walk to the campus. I'm very lucky that my school is in the direction that's going away from Tokyo, because the trains I get on are not crowded at all. I saw the "real Tokyo" today! I saw people waiting outside of the train doors to be pushed into the train by the "pushers". One of the e-pals said "Welcome to Japan" after I told her what I saw :P The host family is pretty nice, the 7 years old daughter Yuriko is very cute and seems very excited to have me as her host sister.The host family have had 6 host students before me, so they are very experienced. To be honest, I was expecting a warmer welcome and a huge dinner. But I guess that's not their style. I had cake sushi, spring rolls, soup and rice for my first dinner with the family. I'm still trying to get used to this host family and their 1 bathroom apartment. The bathroom is quite busy in the morning. The mom uses the bathroom at 7, dad at 7:20, daughter at 7:45. For the most of this week, I had to wake up at 7:15, so it was hard to use the bathroom in between host parents.

http://everyday.3yen.com

Homestay Orientation/ Kawaii things!

Housing Orientation

Don't wear shoes inside the house.
Make sure your feet don't smell.
Take a shower and clean yourself well before going into the bath tub.
Appreciate everything they do for you.
blah, blah, blah....

Kawaii things

Sticker photo booths! I wish I know what they are called in English and that they have more of these machines in America. We had 4 big guys and 2 girls inside the photo booth and took 10 pics. It was so much fun, we spent a ton of time decorating each picture. Then we went to this store with kawaii school supplies and random things.

 decorating

Engrish t shirts

 Me and Keri!! (neighbors in Jpn)

Asian parents (or probably just my parents)

Most parents call their kids the second their kid lands in a foreign country, but not mine. They didn't call (well, mostly cuz I didn't have a phone until yesterday), but they didn't reply to my email either. My dad called me 3 minutes ago, after I called him and told him to call me. I told him that I want to visit Korea during Golden Week ( a week of break in Japan), he said no and told me to study in the library.

Efffffffffffffffffffffff

It's not like I have bad grades. I AM NOT living in the library for a week when everyone's enjoying their break. In conclusion, I NEED a part time job in Japan. I need to be financially independent.

cell phone/ orientation schedule

My cell phone plan:

Cell phone company: Pic cell (uses Softbank service)
Phone rental: free
Usage charge:
Domestic/ International incoming calls/ messages: 0
Domestic Outgoing calls (same network): 20 yen
Domestic outgoing calls (different network): 63 yen
Outgoing texts (same network): 7 yen
Outgoing texts (different network): 20 - 600 yen




My suggestion is when you get to the airport, go to the Softbank counter and buy a prepaid cell phone. They have a plan that's 300 yen/ month for unlimited text messaging. Calling on cell phone is actually quite expensive in Jpn, so most people text. With the Softbank prepaid phone 300 yen text plan, you can text all you want. Pic cell charges ~ 7 - 20 yen/ text, so I feel that the Softbank plan is much better. A cell phone ranges from ~ 130 yen - 800 yen. Prepaid phone (less models to choose from) is about 130 yen.

Boring orientation Day 2

Academic policies, IES cultural events, volunteer opportunities aka super long and boring lectures. Sometimes, it's really hard to hear what the staff is speaking, because the staff speaks fast but doesn't enunciate enough.

The more helpful session is probably the one on transportation. When I looked at the Tokyo JR (train) and metro (subway) map, the first thing I thought was: this looks too complicated and messy. There are so many lines! I like Hong Kong train & subway map better, it's much easier to understand. Anyways, we watched a short video about how to take the train (IES probably assumes that Americans don't really take public transportation, which is very true). The staff said that trains and subways are usually punctual, but if there will be delays sometimes. If there's a delay, the ticket office will issue "delay certificate" for people to take to their company/ school. After all the intro, we filled out our application forms for buying monthly passes.

Application form for buying monthly pass

Student ID

Sub student ID for getting discount on monthly pass

We took the train to Nishi Furabashi for lunch with some e-pals today. 

train station

direction 

on the train

restaurant

We ordered our food from vending machines!

490 yen for udon & beef & rice bowl

Unfortunately, I don't remember everyone's name. The guy on the phone, Hiro (pronounced Hero in English) is an e-pal, the woman next to me is Watanebe-san, IES Tokyo staff.

Boring orientation

The actual orientation started today, last night was just the welcome dinner. Orientation today went from 9 - 4, we sat in a classroom almost all day listening to the staff workers repeat to us what's written on the orientation packet. Rules, emergency contacts, what to do if there's an earthquake, etc.

We got to meet our e-pals again for lunch though, which was nice. We had a quick Makuhari tour, learned where the police station, citibank, 7-11, IES Tokyo Center are. Then, we went to lunch in a shopping mall's food court.

 

 Beef & Spring Onion rice w/ RAW EGG!

That's right! I tried raw egg, I mixed raw egg into the rice bowl. I kind of did it the wrong way though, I didn't know that I was supposed to only mix in the yolk, the egg white wasn't needed. But it still tasted good. 

 Pix of my hotel room. Rooms are actually really nice, all rooms are single rooms with bathrooms.

OVTA hotel room

night view outside my room

Hello Tokyo!

Day 1: Narita International Airport

My flight stopped in Terminal 2, so I had to take the free shuttle to Terminal 1. It was a hassle, since I had 3 suitcases with me. When I got to Terminal 1 North Wing Arrival Hall meeting point, I met the IES Tokyo staff and my e-pal. They helped me mail my bags to my host family and got me a bus ticket to the orientation hotel OVTA.

I felt that IES wasn't as organized as CIEE in the airport. CIEE had people waiting in Terminal 1 and 2 and they all wore the same yellow t-shirt, which made it really easy for students to find them. IES didn't have uniforms, didn't have people waiting in both terminals and didn't have people waiting outside the "tunnel" we come out of.

OVTA is in Makuhari, Chiba which is about an hour away from Narita Airport. The bus ride was very nice and I got to talk to my e-pal a lot. We took a walk around Makuhari after I put everything in the hotel room, and had welcome dinner with all the other IES students at 7pm.

 

Shin-san making his speech

Orientation welcome dinner

Unsweetened tea in a glass bottle

留学日本生活

長途電話國家區碼/ 城市區碼 :  81
緊急求助電話:  110
境外港人求助熱線(24小時)：+852-1868
中國駐當地大使館電話:  (3)3403 3388

生活雜貨

日本全國連鎖的「激安の殿堂 ドン･キホーテ」商品種類繁多，而且價格都非常實惠，在這裡食品、生活用品一應俱全，保證能解決您生活上的基本需求。而百圓商店則是更為 便宜的選擇，一定要去體會一下「連這個都只要一百圓」的驚訝！

食

日本超市通常都有每日特賣品，可多參考住家附近的超市DM，雞蛋通常以10個裝一盒，有特價時雞蛋約為每盒100日圓，牛奶約為150日圓不等，另外打烊前的生鮮食品也有半價到八折的優惠，可多多利用。

衣

日本全國各地均有名為UNIQLO的平價品牌，此外還有許多從中國、韓國進口的便宜商品，可多注意車站附近的臨時攤位。住東京的人不妨到上野的阿美橫走走，一定會讓你有驚奇的發現喲！

行

留學生大多可以申請通學用的「定期券」，分為一個月、三個月、六個月三種價格，只要在使用期限內都可以不限次數搭乘，而且在通學路線當中的車站都可以自由 進出，可以利用這個優點到不同的車站走走喔！ 另外騎腳踏車也是不錯的選擇，通常購物時都可以使用店家門口的暫停車位，但如果需要長時間停放，就必須停在住宿的地方或租用車站附近的固定車位，隨便停放 可是會被拖吊的喔！

參考網站

購物

日本的超市特集介紹 JP-Super.Com http://www.jp-super.com/	日本全國連鎖平價服飾店 UNIQLO http://www.uniqlo.com/jp/
日本全國連鎖生活雜貨店 激安の殿堂 ドン･キホーテ http://www.donki.com/index.php	日本全國連鎖百圓商店 DAISO http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/

交通

東京地鐵定期券票價查詢 東京metro http://www.tokyometro.jp/joshaken/unchin/index.html#TOP

東北、關東、甲信越等地區定期券票價查詢 JR東日本 https://www.calc.eki-net.com/asp/tcalcweb_input.asp

北陸、近畿、中國等地區定期券票價查詢 JR西日本 http://www.uniqlo.com/jp/

日本交通轉乘資訊，包含電車、巴士、航空等，輸入出發地及目的地，可檢索最快速或最便宜的交通方式及票價 乗換案内 時刻表 - goo 路線 http://transit.goo.ne.jp/

從日本回台灣或到其他國家的便宜機票 H.I.S.海外旅行 http://www.his-j.com/index.html

住宿

共立學生會館介紹 共立メンテナンス 學生會館 http://www.gakuseikaikan.com/index.html

依據地區別、地下鐵、私鐵或 JR 線來捜尋符合自已所需之學生會館。在東京都內還可依學校名來作捜尋。 學生會館HOT STATION http://www.gakuseikaikan.net/

刊載了多家女子學生會館資料 學生會館GUIDE http://www.gakusei-kaikan.com/

錄全國女子、男子學生會館的綜合介紹、查詢網站。 學生會館見聞 http://gakuseikaikan.kenbunroku.com/

介紹在東京都約可容納 5000 名學生之加盟會館情報。 首都圈學生會館協會 http://www.gakuseikaikan.gr.jp/

依照特色、房間種類、學長姐所在學生會館等條件來做捜尋。 e-女子學生會館GUID http://www.e-gk.com/

名古屋的留學生會館 (財)國際留學生會館 http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/ryukan/home_revised.htm

東京都中野區的學生宿舍 日本哲學堂學生宿舍 http://www.dorm.com.tw/

免押金、禮金、保證人之住宿系統 Leopalace http://www.leopalace21.com.tw/

日本旅遊情報

全日本各地旅館飯店預約情報 YODOZO~ZU http://www.jp-super.com/

日本溫泉、交通、住宿、旅遊計畫等相關資訊 日本國際觀光振興機構 http://www.welcome2japan.hk/index.html

日本旅遊情報 YOKOSO JAPAN http://www.visit-japan.jp/

日本國內旅行的套裝行程，讓您日本旅遊一把罩 西鐵旅行 http://www.nishitetsutravel.jp/

留学日本生活省钱小绝

发布日期：2010-02-20     来源：新东方前途搜狐博客

如何在号称世界物价之最的东京经济地度过留学生活，是很多即将留学日本的中国学生最关心的问题，下面记者就介绍一些专家和过来人在东京留学省钱的小窍门。
二手电器也好用
经验关键词：向前辈买二手电器
东 京大学的学生一般都是一个人一个寝室，虽然不到10平方米，但寝室可谓“麻雀虽小，五脏俱全”。日本的电器很便宜，像电饭锅、微波炉这样的小家电 一般都是自己买，但是大的家用电器一般用二手的。毕业的学长们在离校时，都会把不用的家电放在走廊里，让下届的学弟、学妹自己挑选，这样的家电只用了两三 年，还都非常好用。当然也有要离校的学生卖给新生的，只需要讲价，一般几百日元就能拿到不错的二手家电。
出行买月票最划算
经验关键词：上网查路线、打出租车要讲价
东京人出门，尽量利用城市轻轨或地铁等公共交通，这些交通工具比驾车更快捷且准时。多数日本的交通公司对大学正式学生购票优惠。东京地铁学生月票，一个月5000日元，而轻轨一个月只要2500日元，如果购买三个月的通票只7100日元。
东京的交通比较复杂，即使一个在东京居住了十几年的人也难熟悉全部网络。留学生在出行前会先上网查询，日本在网上的交通示意图做得很精确，它会告诉你全程所花时间、票价、如何等车等。
日本的出租车很贵，起价660日元，跳表跳得很快，连日本人都不经常打车，但如果几个人一起合伙打车还可以和司机讲价。
吃便宜有窍门
经验关键词：选时段消费
日本的牛肉最贵，100克要200日元左右，也就是说，一斤牛肉相当人民币70多块钱，猪肉、鸡肉、鱼肉也很贵，一袋方便面最便宜的也要100日元。
去超市买生鱼片，一般晚上是半价，一小盒100日元左右。在日本的大学周围有很多超市，不同超市有不同的便宜货品。
几个留学生还可以去吃快餐，能吃到比萨、火锅、烤肉等很多东西，这样的自助餐店一般在上午11点至下午3点价格最便宜，一个人需要1000日元。
住学校寝室最便宜
经验关键词：租房子读懂契约书、了解奖学金申请及学费减免条件
东 京大学的学生寝室一年的费用加上煤气、水电费，大约需要一万三千日元左右;在外面租房子，三个人一起合租也要12万日元。想要租房子的同学，可以 先去大学生活协同组合(广大生协)或房屋中介公司，找到自己中意的房子，要入住时需要签约。为防止日后纠纷，请仔细阅读契约书，完全理解内容后再签约。
除房租的开销大，学费也是中国留学生的一大开销，很多留学生都希望拿到奖学金，在日本有很多民间奖学金支给团体，其他也有大学自己提供或由地方公共团体提供的奖学金，想申请奖学金的同学，可以留意学校的公告板等把握住奖学金的情报，不放弃多次申请的努力是很重要的。
除了奖学金，在国立大学，对于经济困难的学生，有减免学费的全额或半额制度，提出文件种类及减免许可证人数等依大学而有不同，详细情况要向各大学的承办人询问。
**

日本旅游应注意的礼节和习惯 乘坐滚梯时应靠左站立，将右侧让给赶路的人。早上第一次见面的人应说：早上好;晚上分开时要说：辛苦了。
入住日式旅馆习惯：
日式旅馆榻榻米房间为四人一间。(洋室为两人一间)白天是起居室，晚间为卧室。由旅馆店员为您准备专用被褥。日式旅馆备有拖鞋和浴衣，客人入住后可马上换上浴衣出入旅馆任何地方。穿浴衣的方法是左侧搭右侧。
泡温泉的习惯：
入 住温泉旅馆可免费享用旅馆内温泉浴场及桑那。日式旅馆一般分为男汤和女汤。有时会更变地点。各种温泉对治疗肌肉 酸痛，背痛等疾病及美容等极为有效。泡温泉前需在淋浴处先将身体冲洗干净，然后入浴。温泉温度都很高，故一次不要泡过 长时间，10分钟左右为宜。酒后及有心脏病，身体虚弱者禁止入浴。否则后果自负。

2010.04約書亞巡迴宣傳

約書亞樂團即將於4/17～5/16於北中南展開七場的巡迴敬拜晚會，約書亞樂團團長 周巽光牧師表示：「天堂的氣氛就是敬拜，就是神榮耀的同在，我們渴望，在敬拜禱告的啟 示中，來領受神對於每個城市的命定是什麼，也讓我們每個人都能愛這塊屬於我們的土地與 城市，讓我們的土地能走進神的計畫之中。」 

4/23(五) 新竹
時間：19:00-21:30
地點：明新科技大學中正堂（新竹縣新豐鄉新興路1號）

Exchanging plane ticket with mileages:

I was originally going to take Mar 23 flight to Japan, since I wasn't actually buying a ticket, the airline put me on waitlist for Mar 23 for a long time, so I bought a ticket for Mar 21. It gave me so much trouble! Going to Tokyo 2 days early means I have to find hotel and place to store my suitcases, and waste at least $150! grrrrr. So, I stayed home yesterday and preped everything, booked hotel, searched luggage storage.

This morning, the freaking airline called and told me they've put me on Mar 23 flight to Tokyo. WTF?! I spent so much time searching for hotel and planning what I'm going to do once I get to Tokyo! I still decided to take Mar 23 flight though, cuz it'll save me a lot of $

Mar 23 CX548

HKG 09:25

NRT 14:25

(4 hours flight)

Tokyo for free

Free Bird's Eye View of Tokyo
On the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku (west exit) there are two free observation galleries. With stunning views of Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Yokohama, this has to be one of the best free gifts the city has to offer.
Open: 09:30am to 05:30 (07:30 on Sunday). Closed: Monday (Tuesday if Monday was a public holiday).
Tel 5321 1111.

Free Shrines, Temples, Pagoda and Palaces

The Imperial Palace

There's free admission into the grounds of most shrines and temples. Tokyo's most famous are the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine, Sensoji Temple (in Asakusa) and Zojoji Temple (near Tokyo Tower). Don't forget too, the Imperial Palace.

Free Gardens

Higashi-Gyoen - The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (Tokyo Station)

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are amongst Tokyo's most beautiful. Inside you'll also find a museum housing Emperor Showa's art collection. Entrance is free. Open: 09:00 am - 04:30 pm (last admission - 04:00pm).

Free Parks

Yoyogi Park (JR Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line)

On a Sunday when Yoyogi Park becomes the centre stage for street performers and bands it's free entertainment all day!

Ueno Park (UENO KOEN) (JR Ueno Station on the JR Yamanote Line).

Ueno Park is famous for it's cherry blossoms and lotuses. The lotuses bloom in summer, the cherry blossoms in late March /early April.

Free Museums

The Sumo Wrestling Museum (JR Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line)

The Sumo Wrestling Museum is next to the Kokugikan Sumo Wrestling Stadium. The exhibits include pictures of the all-time greats and various bits of memorabilia. (10:30 am - 04:30 pm most days) Another free museum - the Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum, is close by.

The NHK Broadcasting Museum (Near to Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Subway Line)

With a chance to read your own news bulletin (in English), the NHK Broadcasting Museum also looks at how the 1964 Tokyo Olympics advanced broadcasting technology. (9:30 to 4:30 Tuesday to Sunday).

The TEPCO Electric Energy Museum (Shibuya, close to Tower Records).

TEPCO stands for the Tokyo Electric Power Company. A large, scale model of a nuclear reactor is amongst the many exhibits. (10:00am to 06:00pm. Closed Wednesdays).

The Kanto Eathquake Memorial Museum (JR Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Local Line)

Situated in the grounds of Tokyo Memorial Temple, the Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum acknowledges the devastation and loss of life which occurred during the 1923 earthquake. (9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Mondays.) The Sumo Wrestling Museum (also free) is close by.

Free Places to Soak Up the Atmosphere

For a good view of the city skyline go to the promenade that runs along the front of the Decks Shopping Mall in Odaiba. (Take the Yurikamome Monorail from JR Shimbashi Station to Odaiba Kaihen Koen Station)

To see more people than you've ever seen before, try walking through Shinjuku Station in the rush hour, standing at the Ginza Sukiyabashi crossing, or crossing the road next to the Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Station.

For the eccentric and bizarre side of life, go to Harajuku on a Sunday.

To feel bang up to date with the latest technology, go to Akihabara.

Free Showrooms

With all the latest gadgets to try out, the Sony Building in Ginza (near to the Sukiyabashi Crossing) is open everyday from 10:00am to 08:00pm.

Toyota Mega Web in Pallette Town, Odaiba is a gigantic car showroom featuring cars of the future. It's open 11:00 am to 9:00pm daily. Tel 0070 800 489 000.

Free Internet Access

In the T-Next Toshiba Showroom in Shinjuku, you can have up to one hour's free internet access. The showroom is located on the ninth floor of the Park Tower building. (Leave Shinjuku Station via the South Exit, walk down Koshu Kaido Dori Avenue towards Hatsudai; it's then close to the Washington Hotel). Open 10:00am to 06:00pm, closed on Wednesdays. Tel 03 5322 1048.

Almost Free Shopping (100YEN)

With everything inside (food, souvenirs, stationery, toiletries etc) costing only 100 yen, look out for the "100 Yen" shops! There's one in most districts - the branch in Shibuya has five floors!

Free Food and (Coffee Refills)

Food

It's free samples galore in the basement food halls of many department stores. Alternatively try the Nakimese Shopping Arcade in Asakusa (Ginza Line or TOEI Asakusa Line).

Coffee Refills

Coffee shops and fast food restaurants don't usually offer free refills but Wendy's in Ginza is the exception, as are some branches of McDonalds - watch out for the signs (in English) behind the counter.

Free Magazines

The listings magazine Tokyo Classified is free, and can be picked up from Tower Records in Shibuya.

Free Tissues

You won't need to buy tissues in Tokyo. For advertising purposes packet upon packet is given out free in the street every day.

http://www.tokyoessentials.com/free.html

Send your baggage from the airport to where you stay

Great service. Honestly, I hate carry huge suitcases from the airport to the hotel. It's such a hassle carrying them  on and off public transportation.

Baggage Delivery Services

Fees vary by weight and delivery company. Please check at the individual counters.

Terminal 1 North & South Wing, 1st floor (Arrival Lobby), 4th floor (Departure Lobby)

Delivery Company: Yamato	GPA Counter	Telephone: +81(0)476-32-4755
Delivery Company: Fukuyama	JAL ABC, Inc. Counter	Telephone: 0120-9191-20* or +81(0)3-3545-2800 * Dialing within Japan only.
Delivery Company: KTC or Sagawa or Seibu	Kamataki Counter	Telephone: +81(0)476-35-2855
Delivery Company: Sagawa	ANA Skyporter Counter	Telephone: 0120-007-952 * Dialing within Japan only.

Terminal 2 Main Building, 1st floor (Arrival Lobby), 3rd floor (Departure Lobby)

Delivery Company: Yamato	GPA Counter	Telephone: +81(0)476-32-4755
Delivery Company: Fukuyama	JAL ABC, Inc. Counter	Telephone: 0120-9191-20* or +81(0)3-3545-2800 * Dialing within Japan only.
Delivery Company: KTC or Sagawa or Seibu	Kamataki Counter	Telephone: +81(0)476-35-2855
Delivery Company: Sagawa	ANA Skyporter Counter	Telephone: 0120-007-952 * Dialing within Japan only.

Ten Steps on Arrival...

The IES Abroad Tokyo representatives and Japanese students from Kanda University (KUIS) and Meikai University are anxiously awaiting your arrival.    If you completed your arrival questionnaire on-time, they should know about what time your plane arrives into Narita International Airport and will meet you there.    Like any other major airport, arrival into Narita can be a bit confusing.   

We ask that you follow these ten simple steps to ensure that your arrival is smooth and as stress free as possible.

If you plan to arrive in Japan before the official arrival date, you should contact the IES Abroad Center or IES Abroad Chicago to make arrangements to meet the group at the airport or at the orientation site.    If you are arriving after 6:00pm on the arrival date, you will need to make your own way to the orientation hotel (see below).

Step One: Welcome in Narita International Airport! You must be tired from your long flight; take a few minutes to stretch and freshen up.    Soon, you'll be meeting the IES ABROAD staff, some E-Pals volunteers!

Step Two: Passport Control Make sure you have properly filled out the disembarkation card and present it along with your passport.    Notice that there are separate lines for Japanese and non-Japanese arrivals.

Step Three: Baggage Claim Check your flight number and proceed to the proper baggage turntable.    Baggage carts are available for passengers who need them.    There are restrooms nearby, too!

Step Four: Customs Inspection Students not exceeding the duty-free limit should proceed to a Green Channel Customs Table for customs inspection.    Students exceeding the limit or who are unsure should proceed to the Red Channel Customs table for inspection.    Because of increased security at the airport, you should be prepared to open your luggage.

Step Five: Proceed to the Arrival Lobby Here we go!    Students will be met at the place called “Meeting Point” in the North Wing arrival lobby of Terminal 1 of the Narita Airport between 11:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. on the arrival day.    There are several Meeting Points at Narita airport.    Please come to the Meeting Point located in the North Wing, terminal 1.    (Please refer to the map attached) Look for IES Abroad staff or students volunteers with “IES Abroad Tokyo” sign.    If you arrive at Terminal 2, you must take a bus to Terminal 1.    Phone a center staff person if you are having trouble! (See below)

Again, students arriving into Terminal 2 will have to take a Terminal Connection Bus to get to Terminal 1 where IES Abroad staff members and E-pal volunteers will be waiting to greet you.    The bus will let you off at the entrance to the underground concourse from where you should proceed to the Meeting Point.    Consult this site for information on Narita Intl. Airport, http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/terminal/index.html

Step Six: Money Exchange After you have met the IES Abroad staff and the other students, you will be given time to exchange money. Students in the past have exchanged about $300USD at the airport money exchange counters. There are also Plus and Cirrus ATM machines at the airport where you can withdraw Japanese money off your debit card.
Spring 2010 Program Arrival Instructions

Step Seven: Sending Luggage Ahead Keep one bag containing the clothing and personal effects you will need for the orientation (4 nights), and the remainder of your luggage should be sent from the airport to your housing to await your arrival.    (You can carry this one bag easily by yourself, right?)    You will not have access to the forwarded luggage until the end of the welcome orientation.    You must pay in Yen cash for the charge of transporting your luggage from the airport (usually less than $20 equivalent per bag).    Transporting luggage in this manner is almost universal for travelers in Japan.    Sidewalks, subways and busses are simply too crowded to carry bulky luggage.

Step Eight: Departure for Orientation Hotel Once several students have arrived, an IES Abroad staff and student volunteers will escort the group to the orientation hotel located in Kaihin Makuhari.    It takes about 40 minutes, by bus, from the Narita airport.    Students will be responsible for the ¥1,100 bus fare.    We will be using the OVTA (Overseas Vocational Training Association) complex this semester for our orientation lodging, morning meals and the various orientation sessions.

Step Nine: Dinner & Free Time! After you have checked into the orientation facility (Overseas Vocational Training Association), there is a welcome dimmer planned for that night from 7:00p.m to 9:00p.m. Also, Makuhari is a fabulous city!    Enjoy your evening and remember your Japanese language learning starts now!

Step Ten: You have arrived! For the next few days, we have planned a welcome orientation so you can get to know one another, learn about the semester events and get ready for life in Japan.    In order to make this a smooth and effective orientation, we ask that you follow the schedule as planned and attend punctually all sessions.    Have a good night's sleep and see you first thing in the morning!


Arriving after 6:00pm? Don't panic!    It is simple to go to the orientation hotel (OVTA) on your own.    There is a money exchange counter at the airport in each terminal.    Also, please give one of the Center Staff a call to let us know that you have arrived. After you enter the arrival lobby with your luggage, walk over to the Keisei Limousine Bus (京成バ ス) counter and purchase a ticket (¥1,100) bound for Kaihin Makuhari Station (海浜幕張駅).    The sales clerk will give you a ticket and tell you the stand number from which the bus departs. (They can speak English!)    The attendants will stow your luggage on the bus, so sit back and relax during the ride to Kaihin Makuhari (It takes about 40 minutes).    Don’t forget to change money and send your excess luggage ahead!

After 6:00p.m. buses depart from Terminal 1 and 2 at the following times:
Once you arrive at Kaihin Makuhari Station, you will see OVTA from the bus stop.    It is a tall white building located to the right side of Carrefour supermarket.    This is not a typical hotel, but a study/training center.    Simply, walk around the Makuhari Amuse Mall (a cinema/ restaurant complex) and you’ll see OVTA directly in front of you. Just go in and announce your arrival at the desk as a student with the IES Abroad Tokyo Program. The walk from the bus stop should take less than five minutes.




Arriving Early?

If you are planning to arrive early into Japan you should have already made arrangements to meet the Center Staff at either the Narita airport or the OVTA facility on the arrival date. Unfortunately, the IES Abroad Tokyo Center cannot arrange for you to check into OVTA earlier than the scheduled arrival date but if you let us know ahead of time, we can arrange a room for you at a nearby hotel.
Arriving into Tokyo’s Haneda Airport? (羽田空港??)

If your airline is flying into Haneda Airport, please be sure to let IES Abroad know right away if you haven’t already indicated this on your arrival form.    Getting to Kaihin Makuhari and eventually to the OVTA is very easy.    The Keisei Limousine Bus Service also operates direct bus shuttles to Kaihin Makuhari station each hour for ¥1,120 yen.

IES: Pros & Cons

Pros:

- preps everything for you
- all you have to do is buy your plane ticket, follow the instructions on the welcome packet
- good for 1st time traveler
- staff workers are nice (at least the one who contacted me in the States is, I don't know about the Tokyo staff yet. I'll upadte when I get there)

Cons:

- many restrictions, many rules
- too set up, not adventurous enough

hotel reservation- japan

people always say that japanese doesnt really speak english
its quite true
but there are still ways to communicate

i called center hotel narita today to make a reservation
the ladies are the nicest people ever
they're so polite and helpful
it was difficult communicating with them
esp when it came to telling them my email

they kept saying
u-i-n instead of y-i-n
it took me such a long time to figure out
that they probably pronounce "y" as "u"

the first time i spent 30 mins making a hotel reservation

每天就只知道叫我教妹妹
幫妹妹補習
你自己也不想想她有多難教

每次跟她說要溫習了
叫她做功課
或叫她拿學校教的東西出來的時候
她就大發脾氣

你叫她做她愛的事情
她當然高興啦
說我買書給她看
她都好高興
那是當然的啊
買的那些是她喜歡看得書
是課外閱讀麻
又不是學校英文科看的無聊書

說補習老師來幫她補習
她都會乖乖的補
那是當然的啊
外人教本來就是比較容易啊
就像我以前小時後不喜歡讓你教一樣麻

就像一群媽媽大聲討論教小孩經
說到自己多厲害
3姑6婆提供一堆意見
你去教別人家的小孩
一定不會打罵
回家教自己的就不一定了
回到家看到小孩不乖
還不是一樣罵啊打啊
只會掛者一隻嘴

讓我教自己妹妹
一樣的道理麻
我天生就不是教書的人
你要我怎麼辦麻

這個假期我要去找實習你又不高興
一直想要我幫公司忙
一直想要我在家教妹妹
我就沒去找實習了

現在是我要幫妹妹補習
她就發我脾氣也
她發玩我脾氣
我還要被你罵說
我為甚麼沒多花點時間教她
念我沒有關心自己妹妹
現在是她不讓我教也！

Japan Housing Placement!

Got my housing placement today! I got placed with a host family :)
It's a family of three, the couple have a 7 year old daughter.
Myoden, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba  272-0111
It's about an hour away from Tokyo city,
which is farther than I wanted.
But it's all good.

Email from my host family:

Dear Yinting-san

Hello,Yinting-san. My name is Mikiko Nishimura , your host mother
for the upcoming spring semester.
I've just received your photos and essay from IES yesterday.
Have you got my information ?

My family and I are really looking forward to meeting you and spending
a wonderful time with you during your homestay in our home.
My daughter Yuriko asks me many times "When will this girl come to
my home?".She hopes to get along well with you because she has no
brothers and sisters.

If you have any questions about us or Japanese life, don't hesitate
to hear them to me at all.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

 Mikiko Nishimura

5 things you don't think to pack for Jpn

Ali Lemer- Lonely Planet Author

There are some things that are obvious choices from your trip to Japan. Extra memory card to capture all those wild street fashions. Extra suitcase for vending machine trinkets. But tissues? Lonely Planet staffer Ali Lemer shares a few of the things she wishes she’d packed.

Non-Lacing Shoes
One of Japan’s best-known customs is removing shoes upon entering a home. But a lot of other places you might visit – ryokans, temples, museums, historical sites, even some restaurants – may require that you doff your footwear at the door, too. Make things easier for yourself – and save time – by forgoing those high lace-up boots for shoes that simply slip on and off, or else have Velcro fasteners.

Tissues
If you’re eating out casually in Japan – in cafes, getting takeaway, etc – you’ll notice that napkins often aren’t given out to customers. It’s a good idea to carry a travel packet of tissues with you for snack times (especially if you’re travelling with kids).
 
Washcloth
Public bathrooms in Japan usually don’t have paper towels, and there are some that don’t even have hand dryers (or else there’s only one, which might mean waiting). Keep a small towel or washcloth in your bag for drying your hands after you’ve washed them. (A cool, moist towel on your neck will also help keep you cool during Japan’s hot and humid summer.)

Hand Sanitiser
Similarly, some bathrooms you encounter may not even have soap, especially on shinkansen (bullet trains). A small bottle of hand sanitiser will come in handy, even for the non-germophobes.

Umbrella
Even if you’re visiting outside of ‘plum rain’ season (June and July), Japan’s island-weather system means it can rain almost any time of the year. Inexpensive umbrellas are available for purchase, of course, but they don’t fold up, and you may find that a compact travel umbrella is easier to carry when the sun comes out again.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/tokyo/travel-tips-and-articles/42/37418

About tissues, I heard that a lot of shops give out free tissue packs on the streets as promotion items.

Free Tokyo

In Japan there are many fascinating places that you can enjoy for free. These include such diverse attractions as beer museums, food galleries, hi-tech consumer electronics showrooms, cosmetics factories and television studios. With so many different places to visit there’s bound to be something of interest for everyone.

Food & Drink Facilities

The Sapporo Beer Museum

Description : Come here for details of beer history and a clear explanation of the brewing process.
Open : 9:00-15:40
Close : Dec. 29 - Jan. 5
Contact : 011-731-4368 (Japanese)
Address : Kita 7-jo Higashi 9-chome, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Access : About 10 min. by bus from JR Sapporo Sta.
URL : http://www.sapporobeer.jp/english/guide/sapporo/ (Japanese/English)

Area Guide

Otokoyama Sake Museum

Description : A display of various valuable items that explain the history and cultural significance of sake-brewing, a traditional Japanese technology. The exhibits include a number of documents of historical importance dating back around 330 years. Come to see not only the sake-brewing equipment, but also woodblock prints and literature featuring rice wine.
Open : 9:00 - 17:00
Close : Dec. 31- Jan. 3
Contact : 0166-48-1931 (Japanese)
Address : Nagayama 2-jo 7-chome, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido
Access : About 20 min. by bus from JR Asahikawa Sta.
URL : http://www.otokoyama.com/english/otoko_b/
otoko_b2/index.html (Japanese/English)

Area Guide

Furano Wine Factory

Description : Furano is one of Japan's top winemaking areas, and the Furano Wine Factory is a key facility. Visitors can learn about the winemaking process and test taste the results. In June through August the factory is illuminated along with the adjoining lavender field, creating a beautiful and mysterious appearance.
Open : 11:00 - 20:00 (May.-Oct.), 11:00 - 19:00 (Nov.-Apr.)
Close : Late Dec.- early Jan.
Contact : 0167-23-4155 (Japanese)
Address : Shimizuyama, Furano-shi, Hokkaido
Access : 5 min. by taxi from JR Furano Sta.

Area Guide

Furano Cheese Factory

Description : The cheese produced in this factory comes from cows milked on local dairy farms. Visitors can observe the process of making cheese and taste fresh samples. At a do-it-yourself facility, visitors can try their hand at making butter and ice cream.
Open : 9:00 - 17:00 (May-Oct.), 9:00 - 16:00 (Nov.-Apr.)
Close : Open every day (May.-Oct.). Closed on Sundays, and first and third Saturdays (Nov.-Apr.)
Contact : 0167-23-1156 (Japanese)
Address : Nakago-ku, Furano-shi, Hokkaido
Access : About 8 min. by car from JR Furano Sta.

Area Guide

Kirin Yokohama Beer Village

Description : Learn more about the history and production of beer in a relaxed atmosphere.
Open : 10:00 - 17:00
Close : Every Monday (Oct.-May.), Late Dec.- early Jan.
Contact : 045-503-8250 (Japanese/English)
Address : Kirin Beer Yokohama Factory, 1-17-1, Namamugi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken
Access : About 8 min. walk from Namamugi Sta. on Keikyu Line
URL : http://www.kirin.co.jp/about/brewery/factory/yoko/ (Japanese)

Suzuhiro Kamaboko (Fishcake) Museum

Description : Find out more about various types of fishcake and fishpaste through exhibits and panel displays. Watch the masters make kamaboko using a traditional method.
Open : 10:00 - 17:00
Close : Late Dec. - early Jan.
Contact : 0465-24-6262 (Japanese/English)
Address : 245 Kazamatsuri, Odawara-shi, Kanagawa-ken
Access : About 7 min. by Hakone Tozan Tetsudo from Odawara Sta. to Kazamatsuri Sta. then about 1 min. walk

Area Guide

Suntory Tomi-no-oka Winery

Description : One of the largest wineries in the country. Visitors can observe winemaking, taste the wine, and go for walks.
Open : 9:30 - 16:40
Close : Late Dec.- early Jan., Every Saturday
Contact : 0551-28-7311 (Japanese)
Address : 2786 Onuta, Futaba-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken
Access : 30 min. by taxi from JR Kofu Sta.
URL : http://www.suntory.co.jp/wine/tominooka/
guide/index.html (Japanese)

Area Guide

Mars Wine (Factory Tour)

Description : Visitors can observe the process of making wine through to the finished product, and enjoy the taste of luxury wine.
Open : 8:30 - 17:00
Close : Open every day
Contact : 055-262-4121 (Japanese)
Address : 126 Yamasaki, Isawa-cho, Higashiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi-ken
Access : About 10 min. walk from JR Isawa-onsen Sta.

Instant Ramen Museum

Description : Panels and models illustrate the history of instant ramen, now a globally popular dish.
Open : 10:00 - 16:00
Close : Every Tuesday (or the next day, Wednesday, when Tuesday is a national holiday)
Contact : 0727-52-0825 (Japanese)
Address : 8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka
Access : About 7 min. walk from Ikeda Sta. on Hankyu Takarazuka Line

Kawachi Wine Kan

Description : A display devoted to the history of winemaking and the tools that are used. Wine-tasting is an option.
Open : 10:00-17:00
Close : Open every day
Contact : 0729-56-0181 (Japanese)
Address : 1027 Komagatani, Habikino-shi, Osaka
Access : About 8 min. walk from Komagatani Sta. on Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line

Kobe Shushinkan

Description : Four sake-making facilities including a brew house are used to offer insights into the process of producing rice wine, and into Japanese culture itself. There's also a sake-tasting area.
Open : 10:00 - 18:00
Close : Open every day except Jan. 1-3
Contact : 078-841-1121 (Japanese)
Address : 1-8-17 Mikagetuka-machi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo-ken
Access : About 9 min. by Hanshin Line from Sannomiya Sta. to Ishiyagawa Sta. then about 8 min. walk

Area Guide

Rice Gallery Ginza

Description : Come here to get a clear idea of the rice-production process. Feel free to take home and try out the rice recipes provided. Possible purchases include cosmetics, ice cream and tableware--all made using rice.
Open : 11:00-19:00
Close : Every Monday
Contact : 03-3289-7300 (Japanese)
Address : 1 & 2F, Ginza Gas Hall Bldg., 7-9-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Access : About 3 min. walk from Subway Ginza Sta.

Area Guide

Rice Gallery Shinsaibashi

Open : 11:00-19:30
Close : Every Monday
Contact : 06-6245-4219 (Japanese)
Address : 1F, Chiyoda Seimei Midosuji Bldg., 1-5-5 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access : About 3 min. walk from Shinsaibashi Sta. on Subway Midosuji Line

Area Guide

Rice Gallery Tenjin

Open : 10:00 - 20:00
Close : Third Tuesday
Contact : 092-725-4841 (Japanese)
Address : 6F, IMS, 1-7-11 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Access : About 3 min. walk from Subway Tenjin Sta.

Area Guide

Index

Great Locations for Cosmetics Fans

Shiseido Cosmetic Garden [C] Omotesando

Description : A showroom featuring Shiseido's cosmetic products. You can refer to monitors for guidance on technique as you explore the product range. Specialist staff are on hand to offer further advice.
Open : 11:00 - 19:30
Close : Every Monday, second Tuesday
Contact : 03-5474-1534 (Japanese)
Address : 1F, Harajuku Piaza Bldg., 4-26-18 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access : About 7 min. walk from Omotesando Sta. on Subway Ginza Line

Area Guide

Shiseido Kamakura Factory

Description : The Shiseido Kamaura Factory includes the Shiseido Gallery. Here there is an area for trying out cosmetics.
Open : 9:00 - 16:00
Close : Every Saturday and Sunday. National holidays
Contact : 0467-44-6141 (Japanese)
Address : 1-2-3 Iwase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa-ken
Access : About 10 min. walk from JR Ofuna Sta.

Menard Cosmetage

Description : As well as trying out cosmetics, you can also help yourself to a leisurely cup of tea. Staff can offer advice about how to care for skin.
Open : 11:00 - 19:30
Close : Every Sunday and national holidays
Contact : 0120-194362 (Japanese)
Address : 1F, Shinjuku L-Tower, 1-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access : About 5 min. walk from JR Shinjuku Sta.

Area Guide

Index

Household Appliances

National Center TOKYO

Address : 1-5-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel : 03-6218-0010
Access : 1-min. walk from Shiodome Sta. on Subway Toei Oedo Line.
Hours : 10:00-19:00; 10:00-18:00 on Sun.
URL : http://national.jp/center/tokyo/

TOTO Super Space

Address : 26th Fl.; & 27th Fl., Shinjuku L Tower, 1-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tel : 03-3345-1010
Access : 5-min. walk from Shinjuku Sta. (West Exit)
Hours : 10:00-18:00 Closed on the 1st and 2nd Wed.
URL : http://www.e-seikatsutoto.com/sr_new/scripts/
tenji.asp?sr=028&corner=K

All information is based on data as of May 2007 and is subject to change without notice.
© 2007 Japan National Tourist Organization. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.