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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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
Walking Alone at Age 7: Japan’s Independent Kids
Opening with the Japanese proverb kawaii ko ni wa tabi saseyo, which translates to “send the beloved child on a journey” and means something like ‘leave them be, let them try,’ this new mini-documentary from Australian TV channel SBS 2 depicts one of the significant cultural differences between Jap…(462 words)
Japanista
Getting contact lenses in Japan - Megane Super
There are a lot of contact lens and eye glasses super stores around Tokyo, but I have always had a good experience at Megane Super. You do need to get an eye exam the first time, but that is easy enough and not too expensive, probably about 3500 JPY.Then they fit you for your lenses, most l…(103 words)
William Nealy
100 yen shop is a cheap choice
You can buy underwear for 100 yen at a 100 yen shop. They even sell disposable underwear that are made of some sort of plastic, if you like to travel light. You can find every sort of undergarment you could want and a few that you might have a hard time identifying.(53 words)
Kenji
Appropriate attire for funerals
Everyone in Japan wears black for funerals. For men, this consists of a black suit (no pattern or design), white button-up shirt, black shoes (with no ornamentation), and a black necktie. For women, this consists of either a black suit (skirt or slacks with a jacket) and a black blouse, or a blac…(155 words)
Andrea Miyata
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
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
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
Need Contacts in Japan? Find an Opthamologist!
In Japan, you need a doctor's prescription in order to purchase contact lenses at a store. The easiest way to buy them is to go to your nearby ophthalmologist. There, you will be able to get a prescription and also buy purchase contact lenses. There is also the option of purchasing online but that …(66 words)
GenS
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
Black or Dark Suits/Dresses
If you are in Japan during a funeral, a dark suit should be worn for men, along with a black tie. Very inexpensive black ties can be found for men in most men's clothing stores and department stores. For women, black or dark dresses.(44 words)
Sweet42.195
Go to a nearby cellphone store!
When I run out of battery on my cellphones and if I am not carrying along a charger, I often go to a nearby cellphone store and ask them if I can charge my phone. The cellphone store you go to, however, depends on your mobile phone operator (the biggest ones being Docomo, AU and SoftBank). You shou…(83 words)
RieS
Tokyo Baptist Church in Japan is a great place to celebrate Christmas
Although I have not attended Tokyo Baptist Church personally, I understand they have multiple English services (even one at 7 p.m. on Saturdays!). Here is the link: http://www.tokyobaptist.org/live/services/times.html# However, if you want the ambience of a traditional church building, Tokyo Union…(64 words)
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
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
How to Be Prepared for Rain in Japan
In my Hawaiian home, we get some type of rain in the morning or evening, the wind gusts strong and a Typhoon comes by every once-in-a-while, but the temperature is pretty much paradise year-round. I was 12 before I realized how each and every day’s weather can be such an exciting experience!My …(889 words)
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
Men In Black
When going to a funeral in Japan.Wear a black suit and a black tie.Also bring along a Jyuzu it is believed that the round stones keep away spirits that you don't wish to take home.(37 words)
Yuuki I
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
Hotels are pretty fair for exchange rates AND there are more ATM Options
Unlike in many countries, I feel that the hotel exchange rates in Tokyo are pretty fair and accurate. The best is to change money at the airport but if you need to change more later- then most of the large hotels can take care of your request (depending on currency) Also if you are using an interna…(108 words)
LShannon
What do do on a rainy day in Tokyo
It always feels like such a waste when it is grey and rainy for an entire weekend.So, what DOES one do on a rainy afternoon in Tokyo or Yokohama?Go to the spa, of course!There are several to choose from, depending on your location. LaQua in Tokyo, EAS and Manyo in Yokohama, Oedo Onsen M…(147 words)
Chiara
Tourist Tip #2: Coin Lockers will Free Your Hands (and Mind)
Imagine: your hands are full with bags and boxes of on-sale purchases and more. The only thing is, now you’re on your way to spend hours going temple hopping, and then finish with dinner at a recommended cozy restaurant. What are you going to do with all of those bags and boxes?Never fear, do w…(353 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
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
Keep your attire dark
Some women may wear a dark colored kimono but recently I've noticed that most women wear a black formal dress. Men wear a dark suit with a white shirt and a black tie.(33 words)
Kenji
MUJI, Tokyu Hands, Loft
You can buy disaster prevention goods at major lifestyle retail chains, such as Tokyu Hands, Loft and MUJI. http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/www.loft.co.jp/http://www.muji.net/Or you can even order them on Amazon Japan. http://www.amazon.co.jp/Highly recommend to purchase bottles of wa…(58 words)
Natchan
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
Thanksgiving meals in Yokohama
This is not in Tokyo but rather in Yokohama. There is a country club called Yokohama Country and Athletics club which has Thanksgiving dinner every year. There are many foreigners who come and enjoy the delicious turkey and spend time with their family. I go there every year and the food gets bett…(72 words)
Jules
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