The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[sj33]

The gaijin cards were abolished in June or July this year. Apparently they want to entice more foreign workers into the country. Instead, gaijin get a regular registration card, the only difference being the flag of your country in the corner. I'm not sure what the real-world practical difference is, although maybe police won't pull you over anymore asking to see your gaijin card.

Thanks Kyrss, I think I have the guarantor issue sorted out though. When I initially arranged the apartment, I assumed the university would be able to act as a guarantor, but apparently they will only act as a guarantor for a list of university-approved agencies. The realtor is being extremely helpful though, he's going to find me a guarantor as long as I pay the guarantor fees. In retrospect, I should have gone with a university-approved agency, but as least this apartment is nice.

There are a couple of places that don't require a guarantor, but they're pretty grotty from what I saw. Basically glorified dormitories.

[DeathAdder]

[QUOTE=Kryss;1983165]This.

No more Gaijin cards?QUOTE]

It is just a revamping. We still have to carry a card, now machine-readable and with more information than the last one. The only practical change is not needing the reentry permit.

[shiffy]

I apologize in advance for going off topic. This will seem like a very strange post on a gaming forum! **Mods - please feel free to move or delete as appropriate.

I would appreciate a little advice from those folks who are living in Japan and are familiar with some of the Japanese wedding customs. (I don't know why I didn't think of it a few weeks ago as I have only just returned from a holiday in Japan).

A Japanese friend of mine will shortly be getting married (she is in Tokyo). I want to send some flowers for her upcoming wedding. But, from my limited understanding of Japanese culture is that flowers are mostly associated with funerals, so the last thing I want is to cause any offense.

So, a few questions really. Are flowers usually given to the bride & groom at Japanese weddings? If so, are there any flowers that I should avoid? And are there any florists in Tokyo who I could possibly arrange with to send the flowers?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[DeathAdder]

Just asked my wife, and she said that flowers aren't really associated with weddings in Japan. When we got married, we got mostly money presents from family. Other presents we got included champagne, nice wine, beer tokens, nice glasses and some extremely nice chocolates.

The wife continued to say that giving flowers isn't really the custom for any big occasion in Japan, but she thinks the thought will be appreciated if you do it, and suggests you make sure it's a very colourful bunch if you do.

[kryss]

OKOME-KEN! The gift that keeps you fed! ...Sadly not something you can buy from overseas.

Although you could send them rice.

Not sure if that's a thing though.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Just got back from a month of working in Japan.

It is fair to say our love affair is over. Behind the bright lights Japan is honestly one of the most backwards countries in the world. I don't know how any Gaijin can work there full time and not go insane. 12 hour days where nobody does anything but bow, act respectful and look busy is pathetic.

3rd world country, 1st world money.

[noobish hat]

Never a truer word spoken.

[nakamura]

Wow, fills me with excitement.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

I have no idea how they manage to make such great games when the whole society is based on people rigidly following procedures and never questioning anything.

[nakamura]

I would imagine work in the creative arts so to speak would be a little less rigid in most areas.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

I would imagine work in the creative arts so to speak would be a little less rigid in most areas.

Ive done some work with an advertising agency in Japan, and no.


Just the same.

[Ghost]

Just got back from a month of working in Japan.

It is fair to say our love affair is over. Behind the bright lights Japan is honestly one of the most backwards countries in the world. I don't know how any Gaijin can work there full time and not go insane. 12 hour days where nobody does anything but bow, act respectful and look busy is pathetic.

3rd world country, 1st world money.

What did you do there out of interest?

[kryss]

Never a truer word spoken.

Yup, sadly true. An Australian friend made the 3rd world comment many years ago while we were still living there. After a couple of years back in Oz, him and his wife are planning to return to settle I think though.

I would go back forever if I could get a job outside of english teaching.

[tokyochojin]

Aye. Totally agree. Still, no chavs.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

What did you do there out of interest?

Sat around in meetings, watching middle aged Japanese men sucking their teeth, bowing and looking serious.