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Surviving in Japan: (without much Japanese)
www.survivingnjapan.com
13
#99514 in All

What You Should Know About Donating Blood in Japan

The last few Lifelines columns Ive written for The Japan Times have covered various aspects of donating blood in Japan, including responses from many of you about your experiences (thank you for shar...

2 days ago 1 person likes this

Q&A: Tall and Plus Size Clothing in Japan

Weve talked about the difficulties of finding tall and plus size clothes in Japan before, but today we have a couple questions from readers regarding trying to find specific stores, so Im hoping thos...

3 days ago

A new twice-monthly veggie box option from now through November

Finding safe, pesticide-free, low or no additive, organic and/or radiation-free produce in Japan can be a challenge at times, especially if your Japanese isnt up to par. Not everyone is interested in...

5 days ago 1 person likes this

HOW TO: Find Shinkansen and Express Train Seating Charts and Train Layouts

If youre like me, you may have issues getting a seat on the train in an area youd like to be in, such as, near a bathroom, or away -- far away -- from a smoking car. Of course, most express trains in...

22 may 12 1 person likes this

45 Japan Links and Tips to Check Out From the Past 2 Weeks - May 20

Wisteria and a bee at the Wisteria Festival in Fujieda, Shizuoka There has been a lot of information the past two weeks, so much so that Ive hardly been able to share everything via Twitter or Facebo...

20 may 12

Japan Summer Survival Guide 2012

Its still May, but summer is just around the corner, and the weather lately, at least here in Shizuoka, has certainly felt like summer weather. Ive included a roundup of previous summer-related posts...

18 may 12 1 person likes this

What You Should Know About Mental Health in Japan and How to Find Help [Interview]

As expats, sometimes life can get stressful. Really stressful. Perhaps to the point of needing help in the form of counseling. But how do you get that kind of help in a foreign country, especially if...

15 may 12 1 person likes this

Most Helpful Comments on Surviving in Japan - May 11

Were back with another around of most helpful comments from the past couple weeks. Received a few suggestions regarding where/how to get spices and herbs in Japan, a deodorant tip, one idea to repel ...

11 may 12 1 person likes this

HOW TO: Find a Clinic or Hospital That Prescribes Birth Control Pills or Emergency Contraception

You may have an idea of what kind of birth control pills are available in Japan, if thats what youre looking for, or maybe youd prefer an IUD. But what if you arent sure where to go for a b...

09 may 12 1 person likes this

31 Japan Links You Might Want to Read - May 6

Fuji Matsuri (Wisteria Festival) in Fujieda, Shizuoka Weve got lots of fascinating stuff this week: Can expats ever truly fit in here in Japan? Rainy season kicked off early in Okinawa (its...

06 may 12

Dermatology in Japan: What its like, and answers to your questions [Interview]

Today Id like to introduce Dr. Chin-Huai Keong, certified dermatologist and director of Garden Clinic Hiroo in Tokyo. Dr. Keong has kindly taken the time to answer several questions for us,...

04 may 12 1 person likes this

Spices and Herbs in Japan

Ive heard people say how difficult it is to find spices in Japan and that you should bring your own. While from personal experience I know there are some spices and herbs (like cilantro) that are a l...

01 may 12 1 person likes this

Yamato (Kuroneko) Overhauls English Website; Redelivery, Pickup Now Available in English Online

Looks like my previous posts on how to arrange a redelivery via Yamato (Kuroneko) will become almost obsolete! (Though I still recommend them for Japanese/kanji reading practice, if anything). Yamato...

24 apr 12 1 person likes this

25 Fun and Helpful Japan Links From the Past 2 Weeks - April 22

Still sakura season! Back again for another round of top Japan links from the past couple weeks. There wasnt as much to choose from as usual, but I think the selections below are both useful and some...

22 apr 12

Alternative Work in Japan: Freelancing in Tokyo [Interview]

Today Id like to introduce David Chester, who wrote Freelancing in Tokyo: A Unique Guide to Achieving Financial Success in Japans Most Expensive City. Im frequently asked about "other types ...

20 apr 12

New: Most Helpful Comments on Surviving in Japan

So many of you have offered great advice, additional tips, or other useful suggestions in response to posts here on SiJ and even on Facebook and Twitter. So, although I often add helpful comments int...

18 apr 12

The Ultimate Guide to Reading Food Labels in Japan

When I first came to Japan, attempting to read food labels and understand what things were and what was IN what I was buying and eating was a huge obstacle. I could read hiragana, katakana and some k...

10 apr 12 1 person likes this

35 Valuable Japan Links From the Past 2 Weeks

This years sakura! Another round of top Japan links from the past two weeks for your perusal and enjoyment. Hope youre enjoying the spring blossoms if theyve popped up where you are! Living in Japan ...

08 apr 12 1 person likes this

Q&A: Opticians, Glasses in Japan

Q: What do you know about Opticians in Japan? I wear glasses and although I am not blind without them but I am a little paranoid of breaking/losing my specs whilst on holiday or hopefully if I get to...

03 apr 12 1 person likes this

HOW TO: Ship electronics with lithium ion batteries from Japan

I recently tried to ship an old MacBook Pro and iPhone to my sister in the U.S. We took them to the post office, paid 8,000 yen, and went on our merry way. A postal worker called us later to say that...

30 mar 12 1 person likes this

30 Clickable Japan Links From the Past 2 Weeks

Flowers are budding and blooming everywhere, and how refreshing it is! Spring is here folks (although I wish the weather would warm up here in Shizuoka). Heres another round of top Japan links from t...

25 mar 12 2 people like this

15 Ways to Survive Hay Fever Season in Japan

Plum blossoms are blooming, cherry blossoms are either budding or blooming, depending on where you are in Japan, and various other types of trees and flowers are starting to show their spring colors....

23 mar 12 2 people like this

Japan Import Tax: The Basics

If you live in Japan, its probably likely youve ordered something from overseas at some point in time, whether its clothes, shoes, or dry goods, among other things. If youve ordered anything expensiv...

21 mar 12

Q&A: Travel insurance options?

Kathleen recently wrote in asking about travel insurance options. Q: Do you have any recommendations or information on travel insurance (ex missed flights/connections etc).? A: Ive never us...

16 mar 12

HOW TO: Upload and Print a Document at 7-11 and Circle K in Japan

Now that you have the how-tos to set up an online network print account to upload your documents from home and print at 7-11 and Circle K, in this post youll learn how to upload and print out these d...

14 mar 12

35 Useful and Entertaining Japan Links From the Past 2 Weeks

Shed and tea bushes in rural Japan Hope you all enjoyed a fabulous weekend. Mine went by all too quickly, although Im excited because were heading out of town this coming weekend for a few days! Time...

12 mar 12

Thinking back on March 11

Ive been thinking about what to write for this day. Should I stay silent and not post at all? Should I come up with some "in remembrance" post? Its all still so fresh in my mind - hard to bel...

11 mar 12 1 person likes this

Q&A: Concert tickets in Japan

Q: Beverly asked over on Facebook how and where to buy concert tickets in Japan (more specifically,  for the upcoming Lady Gaga concert in May). I know you can buy tickets at various convenience...

08 mar 12

A Guide to Convenience Store Copy, Print, and Fax Services in Japan

In my last post, how to print in Japan without owning a printer, I mentioned a few places to print out your documents in Japan and listed two guides explaining how to set up a "net print" acc...

06 mar 12

HOW TO: Print in Japan Without Owning a Printer

My first months here in Japan I found myself needing to print things more often than I would have thought before arriving. I didnt have a printer (and still dont) and I would print things out at work...

28 feb 12

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