If you have not already, then you are probably seriously considering the wonderful possibility of heading off to Japan (Nihon) for either a holiday, working holiday or for migration purposes. If so, then the following information will be of great benefit to you.
In Nihon religion does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese people today. Although, the recognised religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shintoism, the average person typically follows the religious rituals only at ceremonies like birth, weddings and funerals, and may visit a shrine or temple on New Year and participate at local festivals (matsuri). It could be said the Japanese are rather superstitious people.
Everyone in Nihon belongs to and associates themselves to a team, albeit a family, an office or a tightly knitted group of friends. The group takes precedence over any individual desire, responsibility or initiative. Though this is changing greatly amongst the younger generations of today's Nihon, it is still a fundamental behaviour that has shaped Nihon and its people.
One of first things you should take note of is that the voltage throughout Nihon is 100 Volts, and Japanese electrical plugs have two pins. So be sure to buy an adapter before hand, as buying one in Nihon could prove difficult unless that is if you have time to visit Akihabara (electric city) in Tokyo, or other similar places.
1. Sorry - Excuse me (for getting someone's attention),
2. Sorry (if you bump into someone), and
3. Thank you (if someone went through a slight effort to do something to you) - this is why people tend to say Japanese people are always saying sorry.
At Home:
Most houses and flats in Nihon do not have central heating. Instead, air conditioners are used to heat each room, as well as under floor heating in some houses. Many houses also have a heat able table (kotatsu), which is great for the winter seasons.
While it is not uncommon for Japanese homes to have Western style beds, nevertheless, the futon is still the most popular and convenient.
Now, you have had a wonderfully long journey to Nihon and you most definitely would want to have a long stretched soak in the bathtub (ofuro). Well, you would be in for a shock as Japanese ofuro are shorter in width but much deeper in depth than your adorable Western ofuro. Most bathrooms are separated with a changing area and wash area. You only need your amenities and maybe a small towel in the wash area.
How to have a bath Japanese style:
1. There will be a small computer device on the wall next to the ofuro, be sure to press the 'on' button (most likely a green/blue button). Pull the cover over the ofuro, and it will heat up with water. You can adjust the temperature, as you like. Should be ready in 5 minutes.
2. Have a shower first.
3. Dip yourself into the ofuro and relax as best you can - though you are in a sitting position, but you will soon get used to this.
4. You should not use soap in the ofuro as usually in households the water in the ofuro is used by others (which is why everyone has a shower first).
Family:
Moving to Japan with children may seem like a daunting task, but there is a lot of advice and many international English schools, albeit at a cost. You will be able to find community centres with plenty of information in your local area, and there should be no problem integrating your children into Japanese society. Gradually, your children will learn Japanese and feel right at home. However, it would be best for your children to learn all about Japan before migrating.
For useful information on Japan for children, and family related issues please visit the useful links section.
During your first few weeks in Nihon you would not necessarily be worrying about shopping as you would most likely buy snacks and food from the convenience stores (Konbini [Seven Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, etc]) or eat out at delicious restaurants. But do make a note that having cereal for breakfast (asa gohan) is not so popular. Miso soup, toast or Natto (fermented soya beans) and rice are a common asa gohan in Nihon.
Getting Around:
The train (densha) system in Nihon is perhaps the most convenient and reliable in the whole world, and do not worry about not being able to speak Japanese at the early stages. In most of the cities, all train stations (eki) have English signs and tourist information points. Just have a gaze over everybody to find one. And no, Japanese people are not all as small as you may think.
Densha and buses are always on time! If the electronic timetable board says the densha will arrive at 10am, it will! The densha in the morning are very busy and many times you can find station staff pushing people onto the densha. Everybody usually sticks to the rules applied on each public transport, and waiting lines are always normally kept in respectful order. Because public transport is always on time, Japanese people can live their lives successfully to a time schedule. You would be wise to note that with regards to travelling on the bus, you pay as you get off. Enter and collect the ticket from back door - pay the exact cash or use the 'shiharaiki' (pay money machine, which you can use to change money on the bus) located to the left of the bus driver.
In Public:
Eating while walking is frowned upon by older generations. The same applies for blowing your nose. Eating is seen as an act where you should take your time. This way of thinking also reduces littering, and respecting the environment, which would go a long way to explaining why Japan is such a clean country.
The Japanese are very friendly and willing to help, and are perhaps the most genuinely acceptant towards foreigners in the world. You can walk around without being glared at or made to feel uncomfortable.
You will find public toilets more readily available in supermarkets, electronic stores, konbini stores and more. Some toilets even come equipped with a baby seat within the actual cubicle so that you can keep a firm and assured eye on your precious one while doing your business.
On Business:
If you are in Nihon on business then mastering the way of the business card (meishi) exchange is vital. In Nihon it is common to address someone by position status and not by the name of person (this is if you work with this person). How low you bow when meeting clients depends on whether they are older than you and if they are of a higher position than you.
Before anything say 'hajimemashite' (how do you do). When you hand over your business card, it is polite to do so holding your business card with your right hand or two hands. It is most polite to hand over your meishi and say: 'Yoroshiku onegaishimasu' (while there is no direct translation or expression for this term in English, it expresses both respect and politeness and could be simply understood as 'Nice to meet you/thank you').
When sitting at the table, business cards are placed faced up in order of importance from left to right, top to bottom. This follows the way Japanese people write Japanese characters from left to right and top to bottom. Maybe this is an unconscious practise. Japanese people do not like to say 'NO' directly - this is similar to many different situations, inside and outside of work. So expect to hear a 'maybe' or 'probably'. Also, be sure to have double-sided (English/Japanese) meishi, as this would show your seriousness and professionalism.
Emergency:
You can call the police (keisatsu) by dialling 110, fire brigade (shoubousho) 119, and ambulance (kyuukyuusha) 119. Alternatively, you can speak to someone at a police kiosk (koban). If you should need hospital information in English, then call: 03-5285-8181. Also, the AMDA International Medical Information centre can be contacted at: 03-5285-8088, and the Japan Helpline at 0120-461-997.
If you are using a public phone (denwa bokkusu [box]) to make an emergency call, push the red button before you dial 110 or 119. No money is needed.
To use the public telephones for general use you need to have a prepaid magnetic telephone card (you can buy them at a konbini or vending machines) or 10yen/100yen coins. Simply pick up the phone and insert a telephone card into the slot or insert coins, and then dial the number you want. You can make international calls from the tall grey phones and tall green phones with gold faces, using coins or magnetic phone cards.
Visiting the many accessible bento (lunch box) kiosks (which can be found at your local konbini or eki) and cheap restaurants like Yoshinoya is a firm favourite for lunchtime (hiru gohan) and general snacking in Nihon. While a bento might not be cool for the youngsters, for us gaijin (foreigners) they are both cheap and delicious.
Much care is taken in preparing the bento. It usually consists of sweet, sour (plum), salty (pickled vegetables), and savoury (piece of fried fish, sausage etc..) items of food. Presentation, quality and taste count more than quantity and speed of preparation.
In the suburbs and countryside in particular, it is common to hear a neighbourhood message first at 4pm, followed by another one at 5pm. These announcements are to tell all children that it is time to go home. And it is very effective. You would seldom see children hanging out or just wandering the streets after 5-6 o'clock in the evening.
Buying Products:
If it has not already become a good friend then make it! The 50 pence shop (hyaku en shop) sells a wide range of products from toys, files and folders to household items such as bowls plates, mats and so forth. The hyaku en shop is fantastic for tourists to pick up quality looking gifts, and for domestic residents on a low budget.
Most areas have department (depato) stores, which have everything inside, from clothes' shops, chemists, furniture, toys, supermarkets, hyaku en shops and much more. So you can easily buy body care products, cosmetics, batteries, blank CDs and tapes, umbrellas, newspapers, magazines and comics, contraception, and everything else you may want and need.
Konbini stores offer a wide range of services, many of which can be accessed through automated multi-purpose terminals (the user menu is usually in Japanese only), ATM, copier/fax, ticket reservations, digital camera prints, bill payment, delivery services (takuhaibin), such as parcels or luggage, and most have toilets.
By now you would also probably like to send a postcard or letter home to family or friends. So being able to spot a post office (yuubinkyoku) is essential. Each yuubinkyoku provide a range of postal services such as the sending of letters, parcels, post cards, registered mail, savings, insurance and takuhaibin services. And yes, it is OK to write your address in English.
By now you would probably have made some wonderful new friends (tomodachi). The Japanese rarely entertain at home, but if you are invited to someone's house, accept it is an honour, as this means that your host feels comfortable and close with you. So before heading out to Nihon be sure to have packed some British teabags and perhaps biscuits as they make for a wonderful gift (it is considered a normal practise to bring a small gift when visiting someone's house).
If you have this honour then be wise to learn the following phrases, which can be used when eating out with friends also:
O-jama shimasu
Sorry for disturbing (while entering someone's house)
Note: Always take your shoes off at the door!
Itadakimasu
Thank you for the meal (said before eating or drinking anything)
Oishii
It is delicious (complementing the delicious food)
Note: If eating sushi: the correct way to eat is by placing the whole piece into you mouth and not by eating small digestible pieces. Note: That food is separated into different bowls and plates.
There is apparently a 'right way' to hold chopsticks (hashi) for maximum picking up power. The two chopsticks should pivot on the middle finger. And also pour the drinks for your seniors when their glasses are becoming empty.
Only in Nihon will you get a toilet (toire), which has an array of knobs and buttons. Toire seats are always warm (it warms up when you sit down on it). You can select how you want your bottom washed, and depending on the setting, massage mode, light sprinkle or even power jet.
Although you have taken some sort of British gift to your host, you may be suffering from some cravings of your own, like chocolate digestive biscuits, and sadly there is no substitute in Nihon. So make sure you have a generous friend back home that is willing to send you items over.
Bank Account:
Japanese banks (ginkou) are usually open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00.
In order to open an account at a ginkou, a gaijin is required to present his/her Alien Registration Card, the document any gaijin needs to apply for when staying in Nihon for more than 90 days, and an inkan (personal stamp) or signature is also needed. It is possible to pay telephone and utility bills at the ginkou, ATMs, yuubinkyoku and at some konbini stores.
At ATMs one can withdraw, deposit and transfer money, and pay bills. Most ATMs are unavailable on weekends and during the night. ATMs and cash dispenser machines found in konbini stores are often available around the clock. As a traveller in Nihon, be aware that most Japanese ATMs do not accept foreign credit cards. Only the international ATMs found in the yuubinkyoku and in a few major depato and airports accept foreign credit and debit cards.
Mobile Phones:
Mobile phones (keitai) in Nihon are omnipresent and incorporate wonderful functions, such as Internet browsers, games, cameras, televisions, wallets and train passes. There is not a pay as you go option for keitai in Nihon.
Note: mobile phones from the UK, including GSM phones, are likely not to work in Nihon. Therefore, temporary visitors to Nihon can rent keitai or purchase prepaid keitai through various companies, some of which have a counter at the airports. However, gaijin will need to present their alien registration card in order to subscribe to a contract.
Accommodation:
You will have to go to a real estate agent to rent a flat in Nihon. It is rare to rent accommodation through a landlord and to share with others. As well as having their own outlets real estate agents always advertise through various publications like the newspaper (shinbun).
Please note that some flats have a two-year contract, which could be a problem if you are not sure how long you intend to stay in Japan. Some landlords are naturally reluctant to rent their flats to gaijin who are not able to communicate in Japanese, but it is possible to rent a Gaijin House Accommodation (see useful links).
There are several fees that have to be initially paid for and most are non-refundable. These include: reservation fee (tetsukekin), deposit (shikikin), key money (reikin), and the service fee (chukai tesuryo). Your company will normally sort this out on your behalf.
You will often see the words LDK, which is an abbreviation for Living, Dining and Kitchen area.
Some examples are:
1K = one room flat with kitchen
1DK = one room flat with dining and kitchen area
1LDK = one room flat with a living, dining and kitchen area
Now that you have settled in, you should know how to sort out and throw away your rubbish (gomi). In Nihon, gomi is separated into burnable, non-burnable and recyclable items. You will have to check for signs around your local area for collection days.
Jobs:
The following three websites will be your job and family related search hub stations. It is considered highly valuable to have a university degree and Japanese speaking and writing skills if you intend to work for Japanese companies. Experience as it is globally, is essential.
For links to apply to teach English in Japan, please visit the useful links section.
At Work:
Japanese are workaholics, and seniority overrides skill on most occasions. On the whole if there are two people up for promotion, the person who has been at the company longer will get it.
You will never find an employee sitting idly. Pretending to be busy or dusting away invisible dust is very popular. It may have been heard before, but loyalty is seen as a valuable trait in employees, which is why you often get husbands who are willing to live away from their family, because of work.
Punctuality is key and most Japanese citizens do not arrive any later than 15-30 minutes before work start time. The myths are true about the way Japanese people work. Many Japanese people work more than 12 hours in one day and some even sleep in the office overnight.
Living in Japan can be a very exciting and rewarding experience just as long as you are willing to accept and understand the Japanese language and culture. Whatever weird and wacky stories you have heard about Japan are most likely far from the truth or influenced by our common misunderstanding of Japan. The big cities are fantastic for young people who want to work and have fun, but if you are considering a long-term stay in Japan especially with children, then living in the suburbs or countryside is advisably the best option. Enjoy your stay!
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