They are there to help
Sometimes there is no officer in the police box because they are out on patrol. If you need to talk to someone just pick up the phone on the desk. You don't have to dial. An officer will answer on the other end.(43 words)
Kenji
Police
Use your 100yen at McDonalds or 100yen shop
You may think what could be in your 100yen burger.There is so much you could choose from at a 100 yen shop.Food, gardening utilities, clothes, cups, you name it.If you wish to get most out of your change.100yen shop or Mc Donald's(45 words)
Yuuki I
100 yen shop
Telepathy or just lost in translation?
Any major city in Japan you'll notice how crowed it can get.People don't yell or fuss.When you want to get through the people in the train.You simply put your hand out in front of the person you want to get by and people will know you want to go through.Amazing!!(54 words)
Yuuki I
Train City
Call TELL!
If you want an immediate counseling in English, it would be best to call the Tokyo English LIfe Line (TELL) for a free and anonymous phone call for any types of issues or information needed. They are open to calls from 9am to 11pm daily. Their telephone number is 03-5774-0992. If you want to me…(83 words)
RieS
Tokyo
Are you allowed to Use Your Cellphone in the Train in Japan?
In Japan, using cellphones in the train is ok. In fact, you will see a lot of people texting on their cellphones in the train. However, there are rules to cellphone use. First of all, using cellphones near the priority seating is a big NoNo. Priority seats are where people with pacemakers sit and c…(125 words)
GenS
Train Etiquette Japan Priority Seat cell phone
Church services in English
St. Paul International Lutheran Church near Iidabashi station in Tokyo has English services and Sunday School for children too. Friendly people and services just like back home, you will find many nationalities and Japanese who attend regularly. Communion is held every Sunday. You can find infor…(52 words)
Kevin
Tokyo
Where are ATMs that accept my foreign issued bank card in Tokyo?
Japanese post offices in most major Japanese cities accept foreign-issued bank cards and credit cards.(15 words)
mark
Tokyo Bank Post office
Church in Tokyo
Franciscan Chapel Center (address: 4-2-37 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, phone: 03-3401-2141/2142) is the English-speaking Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Tokyo.(22 words)
Mayu
Tokyo Roppongi
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
Beef Thanksgiving Tokyo Yokohama
"Hajimemashite"
When you meet Japanese people, you can say "Hajimemashite", meaning "Nice to meet you."Even though you cannot speak Japanese well, that words will give Japanese people a sense of familiarity.(31 words)
elicok
Etiquette
Credit Cards
If you lose your wallet while traveling in Tokyo, I would recommend searching thoroughly, and waiting a few days for a report before cancelling your cards. One time, I lost my bag with my wallet and cancelled all my cards for fear of fraudulent use. However, after making a report to the local polic…(132 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Police
How to be prepared for an Earthquake in Japan?
You would be very surprised at the items you can find in Japan for that just-in-case feeling. A lot of the items would be very convenient to have in your bag during your travels around the world, so a leisurely jaunt to Tokyu Hands in Shibuya would be a very educational and helpful experience. Find…(144 words)
Earthquake
Japan
Tokyo
Shibuya
Disaster
Tokyu Hands
Bring the prescription to the nearest pharmacy
You should have received the prescription from your doctor/hospital. You can just bring it to any pharmacy that has a sign of "処方せん" or "処方箋" that means "prescription".(27 words)
juninada
Hospital Medicine
Slowly and directly
The first thing you can try when you communicate to non native English speaker is just speaking slowly. Another thing is try speaking directly. For example using active sentence instead of passive or try not using too much polite expressions.(40 words)
juninada
Stop by a TRAVELEX!
There are many Travelex stalls in Japan, usually at famous sightseeing areas or major stations. For example, near Kaminari-mon in Asakusa, one of the famous sightseeing spots in Tokyo, there is a small Travelex stall. There is also another one in Yokohama station. Look out for a blue and red sign!(51 words)
RieS
Tokyo Yokohama Asakusa
Post Offices Take Most Cards
Tokyo post offices accept most foreign ATM cards and can be found in all Japanese cities. They usually have a couple machines and they are often available after the main post office closes. Look for the red T-shaped sign or ask a Japanese person for the yuubinkyoku.(47 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Bank Post office
Try exploring the local area around you
Most people in Tokyo either intend on staying out all night, until the trains begin in the morning, or make it a point to get to the station early, even before the very last train to their respective destination. However, if you're one of the many who with every intention of returning home for the …(147 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Train
Tokyo Counseling Services
I would recommend the Tokyo Counseling Services which offer counseling in both English and Japanese. You can listen to an interview on Tokyo Podcast with Dr. Andrew Grimes who is the director of the clinic. http://www.tokyo-podcast.com/suicide-in-japan/(40 words)
anthonyjoh
Tokyo
Approach Casually
The police boxes placed all over the cities are not necessarily meant to scare you, or keep constant watch on you. I, as an American, have been conditioned somewhat to be afraid of police officers, and always suspicious that I myself am under suspicion for something. This has caused me to take a gr…(132 words)
KurtisW
Police
When accidents happen
When you are in an accident.Things to know are...Was anyone hurt?Did you damage someone else property?Know your insurance before hand. The police in Japan will not help you, they will only do their job. Which is take record of the accident, they won't tell you who's fault is was. That's n…(137 words)
Yuuki I
Tokyo Police
Catholic Mass
St. Ignatius Church in Yotsuya/Kojimachi, adjacent to Sophia University (the Jesuit university), has Mass in English(17 words)
Mike's
Tokyo
Many stores catering to mountain climbers
Many stores that cater to mountain climbers and hikers usually have items useful in responding to disasters (water purifier bottles for example); the Ogawamachi area of Tokyo, near Ochanomizu/Meiji University/Nikolai-do (Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral), is full of such stores, but ICI Ishii S…(91 words)
Mike's
Tokyo Sport Osaka Mountain Disaster Nagoya Fukuoka
Arigato, demo Gomennasai
Say thanks but no thanks - "Arigato, demo Gomennasai"... or better yet for English-speakers, "Thank you, demo Gomennasai" and if the "inviter" is persistent, just say "No, no, Gomennasai"(29 words)
Mike's
Don't hesitate!
Do not hesitate to ask around! There are so many services around you that are willing to help you get to your destination. I recommend either 1) Go to the information desk at the nearby mall or department store, 2) go to the police station or 3) ask a foreigner (or local) on the street (they may be…(76 words)
RieS
Tokyo Police Department store
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
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
Japan Food McDonalds Tokyo Fukuoka
The Post Office is the best place when you need CASH!
In my experience, it's hard for my co-workers from overseas to take out cash by their cards. I found that many cards work well at the Post Office.http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html(39 words)
Shinji
Tokyo Bank Post office
You should enjoy staying at a Tube Hotel called a Capsule Room Hotel!!!
It's amazing and you can feel another world to stay a Tube Hotel. It's Cool Japan. The price is around USD40 per night.(23 words)
Shinji
Hotel Train
Usually on New Year's Day, people hold mochi-tsuki events near the shrines or governmental facilities.
You can participate in this event. Entry fee money is 500 yen. It is 10 minutes' walk from Shibuya Station.①KODOMONOSHIROhttp://www.kodomono-shiro.jpMAPhttp://map.livedoor.com/map/?lat=35.6590833333333&lng=139.710611111111&name=&zoom=(33 words)
Spaceman
Shibuya Event New year
Don't worry!
If you are at a department store or mall, I recommend you to go to the information desk to give the lost item that you have found. If you are on the street, it would be best to give the lost item to the police station. Although they may ask you to fill in a form, do not hesitate. You will have …(111 words)
RieS
Police Department store
Safety in Japan
I have heard from some of my foreigner friends that in some countries, people would rather avoid getting involve with the police than seek justice for a small problem. In Japan, you don't have to worry about the police taking advantage of you. Although they can be a hassle at times do the the amoun…(281 words)
GenS
Police Japan Shinjuku lost emergency koban police station policeman
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
Funeral
harsh or soft?
In an informal occasion, for example if asked to enter a restaurant or bar by an employee or if a waiter is asking whether you would want another drink or dessert, the most simple and straightforward way would be to say, "kekkoudesu" (meaning "no, it's okay") would be okay. This does not sound as h…(103 words)
RieS
Restaurant Drink Dessert
Getting ready for earthquakes
At Mark Is, the new mall in Minatomirai, on the 4th floor, there is an exhibition on how to prevent yourself from getting hurt by taking some precautions for your house during an earthquake. There were things such as putting attachments that prevent your bookshelves from falling over, locks on draw…(85 words)
RieS
Tokyo Earthquake Disaster
In the case of a small car accident
If a small car accident, such as bumping into another car, you should both go to the side of the road and discuss the situation. Let's say that person A's car bumped into person B's car. They should both take down the other car's license plate and ther other person's name, phone number and address.…(109 words)
RieS
Tokyo Police
Kinokuniya Bookstore in Shinjuku
I strongly recommend you should go to the two Kinokuniya book stores in Shinjuku. One is at the south exit and the other at the east exit of Shinjuku JR station. You can see lots of variety of English books there.(41 words)
yumin
Tokyo Shinjuku
Kansha shimasu
This pharse "kansya-shimasu" is to appreciate what you have done for me. This is one of the polite expressions to say thank you very much.(25 words)
yumin
Koban system
This is the unique sytem in Japan. Whenever or wherever you lose your way. why don't you stop by the police box, where the policemen kindly give you a helping hand where to go. You can make fully use of these police boxes.(43 words)
yumin
Police