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Know your Receipts in Japan!
Are you in Japan on business and working with a Japanese firm? Will you be taking your clients out for a meal?Recently I have been doing some consulting work for one of Japan’s eminent Chinese cuisine restaurants, Ginza Aster, and I learned that many of the international clients are confused by t…(1173 words)
Don't Wear Black in Japan
In Japan, the color white is attributed to happiness and good times. Death is a time of mourning and so people must dress in the color of depression, black. Men usually wear a black suit with a black tie (dress shirt is usually white). Women are also usually in a black dress. Wearing a formal black…(129 words)
GenS
You can show your gratitude for the long-lasting favorable relationship!
When you write a Japanese business email to your customer (client), the sentence often begin with a greeting phrase "Itsumo osewani natte orimasu," meaning that "I am grateful of your kind service, always." And the same phrase can be used when you receive a phone call from Japanese client. The …(162 words)
KenjiTee
Bringing Your Meds To Japan? Study The Laws A Little.
For a long time, the ubiquitous sinus medicine Vicks Inhaler was the butt of jokes among resident foreigners in Japan. Signs used to grace airport terminals with the familiar cream-and-green device with a big red "X" imposed over it. The reason, though was rational. Over-the-counter Inhalers so…(1300 words)
jdlawrence
Need Aspirin in Japan
Bufarin is a type of aspirin that works very well as a pain killer. It wil help you with a headache, fever, or any pain in general. It is one of the most popular medicines and is available at any pharmacy. Just ask for Ba fa rin. The pharmacist should be able to understand. In comparison to in th…(124 words)
GenS
Another Way of Doing a Toast: "Otsukare (-sama)"
As everyone knows and some other senpais comment, it's usually the case with a toast that we say "Kanpai" ( as you say "cheers") before we begin to drink at a party. But we have another way of doing a toast.In a casual setting where we go out for a drink after work before going home, we someti…(297 words)
maxnino
How to choose medicines when sick or injured
It depends on the symptoms or conditions, but here are some good general medicines:* Makiron （マキロン） is a disinfectant; use on cuts, scrapes, or small wounds.* Oronine （オロナイン） is an ointment with disinfectant properties; use on cuts, scrapes, or small wounds to aid healing.*…(155 words)
Andrea Miyata
To avoid spreading germs and to protect from seasonal pollen
In Japan a surgical mask is generally used when people get sick. It is common to see many people wearing such a mask during winter. In Japan, people are sensitive about coughing in trains or in areas with a high number of people. So those who wear masks don't want to spread their germs and don't wa…(125 words)
yukiroryo
Preserved alpha rice
Have you ever heard of preserved alpha rice? It is packed in pouch and very useful for disaster cases. Even without gas or electricity, it can be cooked with hot water or water! We joined the children's outdoor event the other day and one of the NPO groups was demonstrating how to cook preseved…(165 words)
EmiOnishi
Junkudo Books - Ikebukuro Station East Exit
Junkudo is a very big bookstore (about 10 stories high) with everything from magazines to children's books to best sellers to the classics. There is a whole floor given over to English books only. One nice feature in this very nice store is that there a chairs dotted around the whole building on ev…(113 words)
Andrew Grimes
Kawasaki St Clare's Church
7:30 PM Dec 24 the Christmas eve service.The church is location near to Chin Kawabashi hospital about 15 minutes by walk from the Kawasaki JR station 20 minutes from Kawasaki Keikyu station.Location: http://4sq.com/uilyuaKaizuka Kyoukai 〒210-0014 Kawasaki City Kawasakiku Kaizuka 1-8-9 r…(52 words)
idivilayil
100 Yen Shop Listing for Yokohama
I was recently asked by a group of tourists, “Can you tell us where the nearest convenience store is?”“Why bother with a conbini?” I replied. “There’s a 100 yen shop just down the street. They’ll have whatever you need. And for less.”Cue the sound of joy and jubilation. Oh happy day.100…(264 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
HOW I BUY CONTACTS !!!!!
To buy a contact lens in Japan is very easy .You can get one at any drug store ! but the best drug easiest you can see in town is the MATSUMOTO KYOSHI DRUG STORE is allover Japan !!!(37 words)
Pop
Experience Your Own “Japanese Style Wedding” in Tokyo!
What’s the most romantic place in the world? Paris? Hawaii? Rome? Those may be some of the obvious contenders, but there seems to be an increasing number of people who would name Tokyo as the most romantic travel destination.This idea of Tokyo as a modern day romance capital, combined with the …(238 words)
Japanista
Eyecity
In Japan you can't purchase prescription contacts without a doctor's visit. Eye exams are fairly simple and the prescription is usually valid for 6 months. There are many places to buy contacts and lots of train stations seem to have a Eyecity nearby. (http://www.eyecity.jp/)Non-prescriptio…(65 words)
mkawamura
Tokyo Baptist Church in Daikanyama, Shibuya
If you are a Baptist and looking for a church to attend, Tokyo Baptist Church is perhaps one of the prominent one in Tokyo to attend.Excerpt from Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Baptist_Church---Tokyo Baptist Church (organized on January 5, 1958) is an English speaking in…(95 words)
Andrew Soh Chih Jen
Be prepared and learn how to survive…natural disaster.
Sorry for those look for fun items and experiences in Japan. The title won’t be something international tourists expect to find... but as you know, in Japan we often have earthquakes, including very big ones some times, because of that, the government provides a center called “the Disaster Preventi…(613 words)
TomokoI
Try to use exact change, or the nearest tenth above
There may be some other ideas about how to physically use the change after the 1, 5, and 10 yen coins have piled up on you, but I always advise to use the change as efficiently as possible before it gets to that point. One tip I have for how to use your change properly is to always try and match th…(97 words)
KurtisW
Show me your socks, and I'll tell if if you have a tear
When in Japan, there will be many occasions to take your shoes off:visiting a lab? take off your shoesa temple: off they goa Japanese restaurant: all shoes stay at the entranceJapanese people are socks freaks. They have all kind of colors and patterns. 5 fingers's socks, tabi-esque 2 fi…(149 words)
Claire
Japan: entirely another planet for advertisement
If you are in Japan, you have seen it. It is everywhere. It is either fixed or mobile. Sometimes fixed in mobile environment like the handles in trains. I am talking about advertisement. For this, Japan is another planet. Well you do find the straightforward ones like beer or laundry powder…(274 words)
Claire
There is a food called "COPPE-PAN-SANDO"
There is a food called "COPPE-PAN-SANDO=コッペパンサンド".It is similar to a hot dog, but the Japanese do not think it's the same.Hot dog came from the United States."COPPE-PAN-SANDO=コッペパンサンド" It is inspired from the hot dog.Food that is sandwiched between the hot dog bun has al…(78 words)
asteka
Convenient words, "Otsukaresama desu"
"Otsukaresama desu" is one of the most convenient greetings you can use at the office. This words can be used almost anytime in the office and any of your colleagues including your boss. When you come across someone in day time or when you are going home in the evening.(50 words)
juninada
For English books, Bookoff in Jiyugaoka and Naka Meguro
Since the closure of Bookoff Cafe in Shiroganedai, the Bookoffs in Jiyugaoka and Naka Meguro are probably best equipped with English books. So it seems that these shops picked up most of the used books from Shiroganedai.It should be said that Jiyugaoka recently (February 2014), is offering …(62 words)
Steve
Sorry, but...no..
In Japan, the most common gesture you will likely see is the small “X” that people will make with their index fingers, somewhat like a cross. This is for all intents and purposes a relatively polite way of saying no; or more specifically, no, we’re closed, or no, you cannot enter here. It may feel …(175 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Union Church is great for English Language Services in Japan
If you are planning to shop at Omotesando Hills or go to the Oriental Bazaar, Tokyo Union Church is situated just along the main Omotesando road on the left when you have Harajuku ahead of you. This is the church where many expats go and it would be a familiar protestant service for visitors from t…(106 words)
Call 119!
In Japan, the emergency phone number is 119. Ambulances are free in Japan, so don't hesitate to call for one if the there is a significant emergency. If you do not speak Japanese, it is best to ask a Japanese person nearby to explain the situation to the operator for best results.(51 words)
KurtisW
McD's In Japan
Charging your electronic devices using any "unofficial" plug will get you into trouble. Trust me, I'm writing from firsthand experience. I was on a 7 day bicycle trip down South to Fukuoka and needed electricity desperately. I was at a hotspring and tried sneaking some juice while I was soaking in …(125 words)
GenS
A Nearby Combini in Japan
If you are in desperate need of a map or guidebook, look for a nearby convenience store (they are everywhere). You will definitely find one. However, selection is limited and finding an English guidebook or map would be rare. If you want an English guidebook or map, you will have a better chanc…(121 words)
GenS
Look for the "Uketsuke", Hospital Care in Japan
Although my experience at hospitals in other countries is limited, I don't think the process at a Japanese hospital is particularly unique. All you have to do when you get to a hospital is to find the "uketsuke" (front desk), which is usually located right by the entrance, and talk to a nurse about…(212 words)
GenS
What the Dickens? in Ebisu
One of the best loved and most frequented British Pubs in the heart of Tokyo (Ebisu st.) hosts an annual week long Turkey day feast for around 2,000yen per plate.They also have free entrance and free live music with some of the best band to be found on the scene.Ask for Scottish John, the o…(68 words)
Career Coach Brent
Convenience store solves all
If you find that at some point you have no more underwear in your luggage, or you forgot underwear altogether, never fear for there are easy solutions.My favorite convenience store, "Lawson 100" is a slightly different convenience store that can be likened more to an "all around" food store. Wi…(125 words)
KurtisW
Place you can eat a Thanksgiving meal in Tokyo
You can have a Thanksgiving meal which is Turkey at Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo at Roppongi and Hard Rock Cafe Ueno-eki at JR Ueno station. They will probably serve the meal from Nov 15th to 30th.(36 words)
shinR
Signs to be Improved
Most signs in Tokyo, at least, all of the major ones crucial for navigating, have English transcriptions. However, sometimes it may be a bit confusing seeing just the transcriptions of the words, and not the actual meaning.For example: "yamate-'doori'", doori means street, but as of now only th…(140 words)
KurtisW
This is not an unusual happening in Japan because there are many places to help you out
This problem can be easily solved by getting to any convenience store as they will have basic sizes (S, M, L, LL) and probably just white or black colors. If you are looking for more variety than it will be easy to find a Uniqlo clothing store which has a very good selection for men and women at af…(60 words)
JudithMikami
Yuzuyu (bathing with Yuzu) in winter.
There are a lot of customs in Japan and many of them are associated with healthy life. One of the examples is the yuzu bath in winter, known commonly as yuzuyu. It is said to improve blood circulation, guard against colds, warm the body, and cure neuralgia and pain in the lower back. I hope you wil…(96 words)
OKAKI-sun
Funny souvenirs from Japan
Yesterday, I was screening the cosmetics section of Zakka, the small beauty outlet inside Kyoto station and I found wonderful promises of beauty and youthfullness! These huuuuge sections, that you also find in Loft and Tokyu Hands like shops are wonderful. You spend 5 minutes there and underst…(387 words)
Claire
Commuting during Rush Hour !
Imagine you have to board your 7:45am train by hook or by crook (so you can arrive in office on schedule). Let's add to this imagination, images of japan train rush and getting shoved by polite train conductors without any apology. So how do you board train now, especially during mad rush on weekda…(303 words)
Samir Bodhe
Basic tips if you are visiting Japan on a business trip
In case you are on a business visit here are some tips for making most of any business visit to Japan 1. Carry name card with your Name (preferably in Japanese & English), Contact details (email / tel /address) 2. Carry a 1 to 4 pager company profile (again preferably in Japanese).3. Comp…(870 words)
suku
Good Smoking Rule in Japan
Many years ago, my Dad as well as some of my other family members from the US were stationed in various parts of Japan from just after WWII. When I was with them, one of the questions they often ask me is about cigarette smokers and proper manner for smoking in Japan.During their assignments in…(272 words)
AustinA
Key is to greet in Japanese and with a sincere humble intent
Japanese greet often amongst themselves though it is not like in US or other countries where even if you dont know anybody people say "Hey hello - whats up" or something. But typically there are daily greetings like Good Morning (Ohayo Gozaimasu) or Good Night (Oyasumi Nasai) etc. - which perhaps…(281 words)
suku