|
Grand Fromage posted:I always like finding the weird poo poo like an external USB 3.0 5.25 floppy drive that no one else on Earth would ever sell. Found a discman with Blu-tooth capabilities at Tower Records. Did a double take when I first saw it
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 10:23
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 10, 2024 15:23 |
|
|
youcallthatatwist posted:So tomorrow I'll be catching my flight to Tokyo, where I'll be living and studying for a year. Anything, uh, crucial that I should know before I get there? Nothing springs to mind. https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/ if you nihongo, https://www.genkimobile.com/ if you nihongon't
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 10:38
|
|
|
JP residents use LINE not skype or messenger hth
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 10:40
|
|
|
youcallthatatwist posted:So tomorrow I'll be catching my flight to Tokyo, where I'll be living and studying for a year. Anything, uh, crucial that I should know before I get there? Stringent posted:Nothing springs to mind. Specifically the long-term service for Genki Mobile is SonixNet (they're both from the same company, Assist Solutions). You can get both unmetered data and voice/SMS for 3,900 JPY/month, which is a good deal. Unmetered is effectively unlimited but you have a 3gb limit within 3 days, at which point you begin to get throttled. Basically unless you're watching a whole lotta youtube on your phone or whatever you should be good. I switched to them from Softbank my last year or so in Japan and it was great. They have very responsive native English service and a good price point. Their small office is right by Azabu-juuban too, which is fairly central and you can go pick up your SIM in person if you want, etc. Here's their SIM service: http://www.asolutions.co.jp/service/details/sonixnet-sim.html You can go data only but be aware theres a bunch of circumstances (signing up for basically anything official, reservations, etc.) in which people will ask for phone numbers and you may be denied stuff or have an issue if you don't have one. Can be worked around in many cases probably, but you may only be saving ~150 USD or so over the year at potentially the cost of a bunch of hassle, so it's about the relative value of that. Just whatever you do don't sign up with one of the big 3: SoftBank, AU, DOCOMO Also like peanut said download LINE, and make sure to register an email to it, and download the computer client, etc. Will make your life easier. Literally everyone uses LINE for communication in Japan. Where are you going to study?
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 10:56
|
|
|
LimburgLimbo posted:Specifically the long-term service for Genki Mobile is SonixNet (they're both from the same company, Assist Solutions). You can get both unmetered data and voice/SMS for 3,900 JPY/month, which is a good deal. Unmetered is effectively unlimited but you have a 3gb limit within 3 days, at which point you begin to get throttled. Basically unless you're watching a whole lotta youtube on your phone or whatever you should be good. I switched to them from Softbank my last year or so in Japan and it was great. They have very responsive native English service and a good price point. Their small office is right by Azabu-juuban too, which is fairly central and you can go pick up your SIM in person if you want, etc. Thanks for the advice! I'm going to be at Waseda, staying in a dorm room nearby.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 11:07
|
|
|
youcallthatatwist posted:Thanks for the advice! I'm going to be at Waseda, staying in a dorm room nearby. Oh cool I live on the other side of Toyama from Waseda.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 11:11
|
|
|
youcallthatatwist posted:Thanks for the advice! I'm going to be at Waseda, staying in a dorm room nearby. Nice, presumably you’re taking the SILS classes and all? Don’t expect too much from the general classes, use this year to experience a lot and learn a bunch of Japanese and expand your horizons and make friends/more than friends with a bunch of dude(ttes). There’s a goon Line group too which is cool for information and bullshit as long as you don’t mind constant verbal abuse.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 11:28
|
|
|
from the last page but punk rebel ecks posted:Great suggestions! aaaaaaaand this is how I know you're trolling. JFC. also general note for anybody else with real questions and wanting advice moving forward: you'll get A LOT farther with questions like "hey I like cycling, what can I do for that in Tokyo/Osaka/Japan?" than just "So, Japan, right?" There's a metric gently caress-ton of stuff to do in Japan, there's something for just about every kind of traveler, but without knowing those details it's hard to give advice. More details help the goons that have been around, know Tokyo/Osaka/Japan well and can provide good advice to do so well and not waste anybody's time. Otherwise we'll just tell you to go to Shibuya Hub. (Though you should probably do that anyways.)
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 14:03
|
|
|
LimburgLimbo posted:Nice, presumably you’re taking the SILS classes and all? Don’t expect too much from the general classes, use this year to experience a lot and learn a bunch of Japanese and expand your horizons and make friends/more than friends with a bunch of dude(ttes). There’s a goon Line group too which is cool for information and bullshit as long as you don’t mind constant verbal abuse. Yeah, I'll be taking SILS classes for the most part - primarily gen ed stuff, but I also need to take a few classes related to my major. I'll probably join the LINE group once I know if I can use my current phone in Japan.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 15:07
|
|
|
harperdc posted:
Actually no one gives a gently caress.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 15:45
|
|
|
Getting a 7 day JR Pass... Sept 24 we're going from Tokyo to Hakone, then the next day we're going to Kyoto. We'll be staying in Kyoto until the 1st where we'll then go back to Tokyo for a night. While we're in Kyoto we'll do day trips to Nara and Osaka. It would probably make the most sense to activate the JR Pass on the 25th, right? Then maybe the Hakone Free Pass for when we're in Hakone since we'll need to take a bus to get to our Ryokan.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 16:49
|
|
|
You don't tip in Japan. Wish somebody told me before the waitress ran out after me.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 16:52
|
|
|
totalnewbie posted:You don't tip in Japan. You can do what you want, tipping isn’t customary but if you’re not from a place and want to do something different that isn’t harmful then gently caress it, tip.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 17:08
|
|
|
Grand Fromage posted:Velocipede. Personally I would prefer a rickshaw pulled by a robot velociraptor, but that's probably just me.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 17:20
|
|
|
totalnewbie posted:You don't tip in Japan. Tips are baked into the cost in many places through 'otooshi'. Depending on how cheap the place/big the meal is, it can easily cost as much as a typical 10-20% tip.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 17:23
|
|
|
Yeah they may not have tips but they don't include tax and a lot of places have those annoying seating fees so your bill always seems wrong. I now understand why people find that stuff so annoying in the US.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 17:27
|
|
|
Yeah, for a study abroad, definitely get a real phone number. Usually, all of the phone companies offer an equivalent of a cheap plan for students, which will be really cheap; you will want the phone number for sure for friends and things. To register a phone plan with a real number, you will probably need a bank account. To get a bank account (I'm not sure about this since the process may have changed --- i'm old), you will probably need to register at the ward office first, and they will give a form indicating that they are processing residence, which you need to give to the bank. But yeah the rest the school will mostly help tell you.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 18:17
|
|
|
And for real, if you aren't Japanese, do not underestimate culture shock. It's probably not going to really happen your first month or so, but will build up slowly, and is normal and happens.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 18:23
|
|
|
XyrlocShammypants posted:You can do what you want, tipping isn’t customary but if you’re not from a place and want to do something different that isn’t harmful then gently caress it, tip. People will probably literally not understand why you’re leaving money or trying to give them money and it will be embarrassing and annoying for everyone involved unless you’re able to explain yourself in Japanese. Don’t tip. If it’s a nice place where you’re getting the kind of personalized service that would call for it there’s probably already a service charge as well. Trying to force dumbshit time-wasting customs down someone’s throat in their own drat country is loving annoying and is actually actively disruptive and if you want to import stupid loving American habits then please do everyone a favor and stay the gently caress wherever you’re from thanks. ntan1 posted:Yeah, for a study abroad, definitely get a real phone number. Usually, all of the phone companies offer an equivalent of a cheap plan for students, which will be really cheap; you will want the phone number for sure for friends and things. You’d maybe need a bank account for one of the big 3 service providers but you’re already loving up if you’re going there anyway. The MNVO I linked gives you a number and unmetered data for literally half of what you’d get from one of those places with minimal hassle and great English support and all you should need is a credit card. youcallthatatwist posted:Yeah, I'll be taking SILS classes for the most part - primarily gen ed stuff, but I also need to take a few classes related to my major. I'll probably join the LINE group once I know if I can use my current phone in Japan. Whatever your major is be prepared for the classes to suck. Try to see if you can find some non-dumbass students quickly (this could be a feat at SILS) and ask who the decent professors are.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 19:28
|
|
|
harperdc posted:from the last page but Go gently caress yourself.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 19:35
|
|
|
yeah what LimburgLimbo said is probably more up to date these days. And second on your classes are going to suck. gently caress, Saturday classes were the worst.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 19:40
|
|
|
If you want to import an American custom how about soap in the toilet room so you can wash your hands properly in the lil tank refill sink. It's a great idea but there's never any loving soap. 
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 19:44
|
|
|
Jerome Louis posted:Getting a 7 day JR Pass... Sept 24 we're going from Tokyo to Hakone, then the next day we're going to Kyoto. We'll be staying in Kyoto until the 1st where we'll then go back to Tokyo for a night. While we're in Kyoto we'll do day trips to Nara and Osaka. It would probably make the most sense to activate the JR Pass on the 25th, right? Then maybe the Hakone Free Pass for when we're in Hakone since we'll need to take a bus to get to our Ryokan. Only a few major stations can exchange the JR Pass voucher, so redeem it in Tokyo, but set the date for your departure from Hakone.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2018 23:51
|
|
|
Shouldn’t the school have some sort of orientation day to set you up with a phone and bank account!
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 00:20
|
|
|
caberham posted:Shouldn’t the school have some sort of orientation day to set you up with a phone and bank account! lol
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 00:21
|
|
|
Tipping isn't unheard of in Japan, check out the 心付け culture at ryokans. It's also pretty common for regulars to also buy a drink for the bartender when they order their first drink. Also for weddings the parents give out plenty of tips to the various vendors and people involved in putting it on. But yeah none of that has to do with gaijin eating at a regular restaurant or izakaya. zmcnulty fucked around with this message at 01:06 on Sep 10, 2018 |
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 01:03
|
|
|
I want Japan to import the concept of trash cans in public spaces.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 01:58
|
|
|
Magna Kaser posted:I want Japan to import the concept of trash cans in public spaces.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 02:21
|
|
|
zmcnulty posted:Tipping isn't unheard of in Japan, check out the 心付け culture at ryokans. It's also pretty common for regulars to also buy a drink for the bartender when they order their first drink. I do this at my local sushi bar in the US (regular, have a keep). For ryokans, it's really only done when asking for something extra and is supposed to only happen at the beginning of your stay, not the end.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 03:37
|
|
|
I'm from Canada. Is there anything that is especially inexpensive to buy in Japan and bring back? I'm thinking about picking up at least a chef's knife.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 05:37
|
|
|
Washlets.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 05:39
|
|
|
Definitely get a washlet. It's a game changer.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 05:44
|
|
|
Not necessary to buy Japanese knives in a store in Tokyo, instead find out what you want a buy it from https://www.chefknivestogo.com/ same with a washlet. Just get it direct from toto ntan1 fucked around with this message at 05:57 on Sep 10, 2018 |
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 05:53
|
|
|
ridiculous kit kat flavors, ninja boots.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 06:39
|
|
|
ntan1 posted:Not necessary to buy Japanese knives in a store in Tokyo, instead find out what you want a buy it from https://www.chefknivestogo.com/ I use Tsukiji Masamoto knives and the website that carries them outside of Japan has like a 2-300% markup.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 06:40
|
|
|
Which? chefknivestogo has their standard stainless line and a couple of others at very little markup. Sure tsukiji has a better selection, but do most people really need special fish knives?
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 07:14
|
|
|
I’m lobbying my girlfriend for a wash let now.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 07:14
|
|
|
Magna Kaser posted:I want Japan to import the concept of trash cans in public spaces. There used to be public trans cans before the aum attack, I was told.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 07:19
|
|
|
ntan1 posted:Which? chefknivestogo has their standard stainless line and a couple of others at very little markup. Sure tsukiji has a better selection, but do most people really need special fish knives? They also sell a bunch of knives and they make pretty good souvenirs. I just have stringent help me out
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 07:19
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 10, 2024 15:23 |
|
|
konbini trash cans - sure there is a sign that says "do not put trash from home into these trash cans", but this is when pretending you don't know Japanese has its merits.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2018 07:20
|
|