You know you’ve been in Japan too long when you catch the commute train on the way home and are standing next to a sumo wrestler (in full yukata, get (clogs) and little cloth bag), and you hardly bat an eyelid.

Or when a flicker of mild annoyance crosses you when the train is a couple of minutes late for the SECOND! time in a year. Shocking.

Related posts:

1. Sumo
2. Finally Some Sumo Pictures
3. More Sumo Photos

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Post tags: Living in Japan, Sumo

At the end of last year Japan set up a new immigration system where all foreigners (even those with permanent residency in Japan) get photographed and fingerprinted when entering Japanese airports. Similar to the American system.

Obviously most foreigners are a bit upset about this (me in particular as having a work visa, last time I came through immigration I could skip the “Alien” queue and go straight through with the Japanese people, it took about 2 minutes to get through as opposed to the hour long wait I had before – now I have to go back to the long queue).

This system is put in place to stop terrorists, undesirables and previously deported people coming back (I believe they’ve stopped about 30 since it’s been in place). (As an aside the only terrorist attacks in Japan so far have been by Japanese people).

I think only Japan and America have this system in place, although I was amused to hear Brazil’s reaction after America set this scheme up. They only fingerprint American’s coming into Brazil. hehe.

I was even more surprised when, recently we went to Universal Studios in Osaka, and now everyone is photographed (not just foreigners, thankfully) going in at the turnstiles. I guess this is to stop terrorists or other unwanted people too, although there was no explanation given for it.

I wonder how many other places are going to set up similar systems in the future. Going to the local library or supermarket might become a slower process.

It’s not as bad as England though, where I read that some pubs and clubs fingerprint people going on a night out!

Related posts:

1. Green Tea and the Model Room

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Post tags: Japanese Immigration, Living in Japan, USJ

Snow in Ashiya

As part of the process of getting hitched in Japan I have to give lots of money to the British Consulate so they can pin a notice of marriage on a board on the 19th floor of a building downtown that nobody will find (the Consulate sign on the building is almost invisible next to the garish bright reds and whites of the other companies housed there), and then they issue me (for another wad of cash) with a Notice of No-Impediment.

Which I then take to the City Hall where I live with some more forms and my fiancee and I are thence onwards legally married

It’s the first time I’ve been to a Consulate Office, not sure what the difference between that and an embassy is, but I was a little bit surprised. It’s hidden away on the 19th floor of a building and seemingly staffed entirely by Japanese. (At least the 4 female staff that I came into contact with). I sat in the very nice reception area showing BBC News, while next to me 3 Japanese salarymen were trying to sell one of the consular staff some carpet. It takes 3 people to sell carpet here in Japan. Just like it takes 3 people to guide cars into Supermarket car-parks. Everyone gets a job!

Another lady came out and asked me for my passport etc which she whisked away to photocopy I guess, and then a few minutes later she came back and led me into an interview room. It was like one of those glass divide booths you see in American prisons on tv (and I guess in real life if you’re unfortunate enough to experience that). She left the room, went round the back and came in through the door on the other side of the glass divide.
It was then I noticed the old framed photo of the Queen and the Duke, at a quirky angle, on the back wall. Very British. Would have preferred the one you find in pubs in England of the Queen Mum pulling a pint though.

She took my cash, mis-spelt my name on the receipt and left. Then another lady came in and we did the whole affadavit thing. I had to put my finger on my signature with my right hand, and my left hand rested on a Bible while I swore that this was my name, etc. She seemed happy enough with that. And it was all over. My notice goes up on the board for 21 days after which they will send me my document.

I checked out the board on the way out, and there were about 10 other notices up there. All but one of them were English Teachers (the other was an “artist” – probably a part-time English teacher).
Not sure what that says about English Teachers here or the range of job opportunities for foreigners, but anyway.

Apart from the 30 minute wait beforehand (I always get places early), the whole thing took 5 minutes and £126.

Gonna be married in about a month – might time it for White Day (the Japanese 2nd Valentines day, 14th Feb is for girls to give blokes chocolates, the 14th March – White Day – is for blokes to give the chocolate giving girls even more expensive presents back – 3x the value according to my girlfriend! Yikes).

No related posts.

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Post tags: British Consulate, Getting Married in Japan, Living in Japan

Well we finally moved flat last week! Yay! It was a fairly painless process, we packed everything up, and the moving company (the wonderful Breaks again) came and picked it up on the Saturday afternoon – I was at work, but Aki tells me it only took them 45 minutes – good work fellas, we gave them some beers as thanks.
Moving day was Sunday, so up at the crack of dawn (well 7) and at the new place (about a 1 minute drive away) before everyone else. We got first dibs on the lift as our company was there so early, and had everything moved in by about 9.30!
The new place is great! lots of room, it even has a long corridor from the front door to the living room, which I keep staring down, marvelling at the size of it – it’s long compared to what I’ve experienced in Japan so far.

The balcony is great with a beautiful view of mountains (and houses), and we had it tiled so it looks like a proper terrace.
Haven’t tried the mist sauna yet, as it’s too hot and humid here, but the house talks to you! When you change temperature on the water or different modes in the bathroom (shower, bath, sauna, etc.) a ladies voice tells you what you’ve done. Cool!
The living room is just the right size, and fits our 42inch Hitachi plasma tv perfectly
It’s been a week since we’ve moved in, and all the boxes are unpacked, the lights and air con have been fitted, and we just acquired a nice espresso/filter coffee machine. Feels like home
p.s. photos will follow when it all looks perfect. (sofa is being delivered at the end of the month)

Related posts:

1. Checking out the New Pad

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Post tags: Living in Japan, Moving House

Just last Sunday we got to go inside our new flat for the first time – it’s practically finished! We were checking for any damages or changes we need before they finish. They did a pretty good job, we only found a couple of things that weren’t straight – light switches, that kind of thing, so no major problems.

The Front Door

The balcony is great, really big, and a nice view of the mountains

Mountain View

I have a tatami room which is a good size and has a hanging rail for kimonos to dry (or other clothes I guess).
The alcove is a little small but it’s ok.

View from Tatami Room

View From Balcony

Kitchen

Kitchen

The bathroom is also very exciting, it has about 3 sauna settings, mist, micro, and some’at else. Apparently you can read a book, wearing glasses in the mist sauna and the book and glasses don’t get wet. I’m a little skeptical about this however.

The other 2 rooms are a nice too (although only contain cupboards so not too exciting) – the bedroom and our office.
Overall, can’t wait!

We spent a lot of money on that day, choosing curtains and other accessories (the tiled balcony, a UV screen over the big window to block 30% of heat and uv rays, etc.) oh, and a name plaque for the front door with our names on it! First time I’ve had one of those

The Tatami Room

View from the Front Door

Related posts:

1. Moving Flat

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Post tags: Living in Japan, Moving House