What to bring

[Rogue_7]

Ok, so I leave for Japan in a little over two weeks. I am in the middle of packing up my stuff, and I am curious Az, PF, and anybody else who is living there now, what should I bring that I just can't get ahold of? Also, is there anything I totally shouldn't bring? Thanx in advance.

[BluZytrix]

Hey, where are you headed to. I have the exact same question and I'm also leaving in exactly two weeks from today.

[Rogue_7]

Okazaki, a town a bit south-west of Nagoya!

Tokyo eh? Good luck, you're gonna need it! ;-)

[BluZytrix]

Are you going for school, or just to chill or... I'm going to attend Keio University for a Year and get some serious Japanese learned.

[Rogue_7]

I have a position with GEOS Language Company. Like JET, but ghetto style! Eh, it pays more than I make now, and will provide more intellectual challenge too. Checking out books and dvds all day is pretty mind numbing, and considering I have done that for 5 years, I really need a change.

[BluZytrix]

Hey that's great that you have the gumption to just say "this path is suboptimal and I'm going to Japan." Many people would really have a hard time doing that. I commend you sir. I wish you luck on your program. Do you happen to be versed in the language to which Japanese people speak?

[Rogue_7]

not yet. I have been studying it bit by bit, but I am one of those people that think its a pretty tough language, especially when you don't have many opportunities to use it! That 2nd problem will soon be fixed, for sure. Luckily GEOS offers a free course in Japanese to all new hires, and I bet a more structured approach will be better than trying to learn by myself from books at tapes. At least I hope so.

Heh yeah, I won't say I'm not a wee bit intimidated to be dropping everything and ditching the states for a few years, but heck, why not? It'll be fun, and I need some alcholism +60 as Az put it. ;-)

[CuPoNoOdLe]

Well, from what ive seen in the boards and editorials, you need deodorant!!! and LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY!!

[erbiumfiber]

In addition to deodorant,medicine of all kinds. Medicine is kept behind the freakin' counter in the drug store, so you have to ask the pharmacist. So maybe you don't feel like discussing your migraine headache in broken Japanese. Plus the over-the-counter medicines are pretty weak, you really need to go to a doctor to get something that would equal regular strength cold medicine in the United States.

Besides medicine, there are other toiletries you may prefer from home and help keep away homesickness. Yes, I'm talking about toothpaste. You know you have a favorite brand and flavor so bring a few tubes with you. If you really don't care, then have fun trying all the Japanese varieties.

You can get American shampoo, soap, and razors here so don't stock up. Also my electric toothbrush worked fine over here.

It took me a while to find a pillow I liked so if you really need a certain pillow to get to sleep, bring it along.

It's been said on the other thread that condoms are a good idea although Pierrot says some Japanese brands are fine. Only you know what's right for you.

Remember you can order American food and other American products (for a price) from fbcusa.com (foreign buyers' club).

If you're a vastly different size from the Japanese, bring plenty of clothes, underwear, shoes, etc. I can fit into Japanese clothes just fine, but not Japanese women's shoes. (I am a woman's size 8, American, it's about average).

That's all I can think about for now. Happy trails! We should have a board get-together somewhere in Japan- that'd be cool...

[Rogue_7]

thank you! Now I know, and knowing is half the battle. I can wear Medium size Japanese shirts (as my Engrish collection attests), but I am very worried about shoes. I have trouble buying shoes here in the states!

[BluZytrix]

Thanks for the reply. I have already started gathering clothes for the trip. Also, my size 14 shoes are an absolute pain to find even in the States, so I have to get a few pairs soon.

I would love to meet up with people from the board. It would be nothing short of fascinating. Perhaps even hunting down Az for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

[Jormungand]

wut kinda boos they have in japan they got things ud find in america or just japanese beer and saki?

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

Buy one of GeneralAdmission's "Gaijin Smash!!" T-Shirts.

:D

[Rogue_7]

Shoju - clear alchohal, often distilled from Sweet Potatos. Smooth, cheap, and tasty- especially with Orange Juice.
Chu-Hi- Think sprite or other soft-drinkish beverage. Only slightly more alchohalic than beer. Tastes great, more hangover.
Japanese Plum Wine- Haven't had it yet, but I hear it is awsome stuff.
Beer- Asahii, Saporro etc
Other random import stuff, the usual suspects.

[akitaka]

Plum wine is nice. I'm not sure how strong in alchohol is strong, but to me, it's mild and has an aromatic flavor. Kind of like sangaria, only more to the sake side of things. Often ryoukans or Jp inns have it.

Chu-hi...haha I remember a campaign they had where you could win a beer-pouring robot. You had it at remote and it would grab a small can and pour you a glass ;)

[BluZytrix]

Oh, I was trying to think of some nice gifts to bring for people. What is inexpensive that would be a great gift to people I meet in Japan?

[Henjin]

That's a good question. I'd like to know too.

[akitaka]

Heh...my family brought over random gifts from AZ, and some trendy clothes for younger relatives. It's cheaper here than there, at least.

Cactus for a rainy enviroment? Why not?

[Inu Ga Urusai]

Make sure your canteen is full. Bring plenty of grenades and lots of ammo. When you hit the beach, stay low. The shore bombardment will have missed any of the machine gun nests that are really dug in and you're going to catch hell from them. Watch your crossfire. Wait for the flamethrower units to take out the foxholes before you hit the treeline. When you get into the jungle, be wary of snipers and boobytraps. And keep your eyes up. They like to hide in the trees and jump on your head.

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

Don't forget to bring some birth control pills.

[erbiumfiber]

Watch out- the Engrish.com sizes I believe correspond to American sizes. When I buy Japanese men's shirts (usually short-sleeved summer shirts) I usually go medium (I'm 5' 5" about 128lbs) or sometimes small. But you will probably at least fit into large shirts. The length of pants can be a real problem for men. Japanese have much shorter legs and longer torsos than Westerners. I bought a pair of men's sweat pants in L and it just fit (and then shrunk in the drier).

Shoes tend to come in wide widths- everything I've seen is marked E, EE, EEE, etc. I am assuming that is the same meaning as in the US but I could be wrong. My daughter had problems with shoes being too wide. Of course, for things like sneakers and lace-up shoes, you can compensate for the width.

In terms of things to bring, food from your region is a particularly good idea. I lived in the Washington, DC area, so I brought chocolates wrapped in pictures of sights around Washington. Local wine is a good choice but then you've got customs problems and wine is a pain to carry. Upon accepting my job, I sent a smoked salmon from Ireland to my company (I am of Irish heritage). Go to some tourist sight in your area and check out the gift shop- there'll be some candy that represents that tourist sight or colonial America, or something.

If you live in an area not particularly known for anything outside the US, Ghirardelli (spelling?) chocolates I have found are quite popular (I brought a bunch back when I went to San Francisco).

Chocolate covered macadamia nuts from Hawaii are also a big hit as is anything edible from Las Vegas.

[BluZytrix]

Thanks for the advice. I'm excited to hear about the shoes being wide. I can not communicate to you how frustrating it was looking for shoes today. I finally found a new balance store to get some 14 EEEE size shoes for just over a bill. High I know, but a small price to pay for shoes that really fit. I was thinking of getting some of this coffee/chocolate bar that is made in Seattle to bring with me. I am aware that there are shops targeted at hip-hop people where I can get likea 3XL shirt or something at.

[Henjin]

Do they even have anything that corresponds to an American L or XL?

[akitaka]

Well then you might as well wonder how O Sumo-sans get their tees. Causally, though, American L/XL/XXL(!!) aren't seen often. Maybe you could order them?

L sizes are reasonably easy to find, as I've had some sent over from relatives a while back. Never XL, or biggerm though.

[deepbluevibes]

Shoes tend to come in wide widths- everything I've seen is marked E, EE, EEE, etc. I am assuming that is the same meaning as in the US but I could be wrong. My daughter had problems with shoes being too wide. Of course, for things like sneakers and lace-up shoes, you can compensate for the width.

Ghirardelli (spelling?) chocolates I have found are quite popular (I brought a bunch back when I went to San Francisco).


YES THANK GOD. I have very wide feet and I cannot find any shoes that have wide feet here in california, so i think i'm definitely going to buy a pair of shoes when I go to tokyo. How are average prices compared to america? (av. price in california for a good pair of sneakers is about $60-$70)

also, my dad works at a Ghiradeli place... and gets boxes full of it ^^ for free haha

is it weird to just give that stuff out to people you barely know though or ?

[Monkey]

Hmm another Okazaki person :D

I'm not too sure about things to bring. Nagoya is a fairly major city, although it is an industrial one. I managed to find most things I needed there (except condoms...). I even found in one of the major department stores an area where they sell english language books. I'm not talking about textbooks here but actual novels. That cheered me up no end :D

I've been to Okazaki quite a few times and the only real advice I can give you is about the bars. There's one run by an American guy, I believe he's from chicago. It's called "Izakaya Ja Nai" It's not too hard to find and all the gaijin hang out there. There's also the south park bar which had a decent nomihodai deal going on.

If you pop into Nagoya I recommend going to the ID bar, it is quite popular with japanes and foreigners alike so you get a chance to intermingle whilst not entirely feeling out of place.

I'm sure if I scratch my memory I can think of some more places to go, those are the ones that stick out at the mo though. I might be able to rustle up some directions to major places in Okazaki and Nagoya if I try.

Luckily it's a nice area, there is a large school in Okazaki especially for foreigners so there is a large gaijin count. Don't be surprised if you meet more than you would normally expect. Hope you have fun out there.

[BluZytrix]

I'm sure you have a New Balance store around in Cali. They carry up to a size EEEEEE(6) in width. I just dropped a bill on a pair yesterday for width 4E. I can't find them anywhere else.

[Rogue_7]

Hmm another Okazaki person :D

I'm not too sure about things to bring. Nagoya is a fairly major city, although it is an industrial one. I managed to find most things I needed there (except condoms...). I even found in one of the major department stores an area where they sell english language books. I'm not talking about textbooks here but actual novels. That cheered me up no end :D

I've been to Okazaki quite a few times and the only real advice I can give you is about the bars. There's one run by an American guy, I believe he's from chicago. It's called "Izakaya Ja Nai" It's not too hard to find and all the gaijin hang out there. There's also the south park bar which had a decent nomihodai deal going on.

If you pop into Nagoya I recommend going to the ID bar, it is quite popular with japanes and foreigners alike so you get a chance to intermingle whilst not entirely feeling out of place.

I'm sure if I scratch my memory I can think of some more places to go, those are the ones that stick out at the mo though. I might be able to rustle up some directions to major places in Okazaki and Nagoya if I try.

Luckily it's a nice area, there is a large school in Okazaki especially for foreigners so there is a large gaijin count. Don't be surprised if you meet more than you would normally expect. Hope you have fun out there.


thanks for the tips man! rock on. Yeah, I've looked online, and it seems like a pretty cool area.

[Jormungand]

they have weed in japan? im sure they have it but is it hard to get and is it any good?

[deepbluevibes]

I'm sure you have a New Balance store around in Cali. They carry up to a size EEEEEE(6) in width. I just dropped a bill on a pair yesterday for width 4E. I can't find them anywhere else.

yes, but out here if you're not fashionable they kill you, and new balance = track runners shoes.. not casual. i've bought them before though.