http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question List of questions posted to JapanInfoSwap.com en-us Accomodation We are a Belgian couple aiming to travel to Japan in September or October 2010. We are used to swapping our 120m² appartment in the centre of Brussels, Belgium. Anyone interested? Pictures of the apprtments and further information are of course available. Virginie 2010-02-19T10:05:09+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1058 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1058 Accomodation I often see large PET bottles filled with water placed in front of houses. Does anyone know the purpose of this? 2010-02-02T09:59:31+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1024 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1024 Food & Dining Out I've heard there are different types of Alcohol in Japan (nama　生/as in nama beer, haposhu　発泡酒, haposei　発泡性). Does anyone know what the difference is? The second two sure seem to give me a worse hangover than the nama stuff! 2010-01-28T15:07:07+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1057 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1057 Shopping and Fashion I finally decided to switch to Mac, but I'm afraid that I can't get one in Japan because it will have a Japanese operating system and keyboard. Does anyone know about buying an English Mac in Japan, and if so, where do I get one! 2010-01-28T14:17:05+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1053 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1053 Shopping and Fashion Does anyone know where I can get a region free DVD player? Should I just go to Akihabara? 2010-01-26T18:24:25+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1034 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1034 Recreation & Travel I have heard that Japan has a ban on the use of soft plastic fishing lures. Apparently as an anti pollution policy. Is this true? 2009-10-20T11:47:47+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1056 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1056 Coming to Japan I'm learning Japanese and I want to read Japanese publications to help me practice reading, but I can't read kanji. Is there some sort of newspaper or magazine for people learning the language? I can only find newspapers and magazines in English or Kanji-heavy Japanese. 2008-09-05T16:12:56+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1055 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1055 Shopping and Fashion I can't find Japanese Calligraphy anywhere. You'd think Japanese calligraphy would be abundant in Japan, home of Japanese Calligraphy, but you'd be wrong. Ive looked everywhere and I cant find anything good. I've looked in Asakusa, Kamakura, and other places like that and there's nothing. Where do I get nice calligraphy that isn't either sold in plastic shrink-wrap, or sold by a homeless man on the street? 2008-07-23T14:59:38+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1054 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1054 Recreation & Travel I'v been living in Japan for a while now, and I'm curious: do I need a fishing license to fish recreationally? I want to go out to a lake next weekend with my son, but besides fishing gear and other supplies, I have no idea what I need to do to get ready for this trip. 2008-07-23T12:20:38+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1051 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1051 Accomodation Are there any realtors/landlords that do not require key money? Is seems that if someplace offered this it would attract a lot of customers. 2008-05-02T18:41:07+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1041 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1041 Driving and Traffic Laws Can I drive in Japan using my US license? 2008-05-02T17:53:35+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1048 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1048 Finances I'm an American who's been living in Japan for almost two years - at first as an English teacher, but now I'm a programmer here in Nagoya. It seems I have a chance to start paying into the national pension system, since I am now officially working full-time. I hear that there are both advantages and disadvantages to being in the pension system. For my example, I plan on living and working here for about another four or five years. Is it worth it for me to join? 2008-05-02T17:49:30+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1022 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1022 Finances What is ward tax, and when do I have to pay it? 2008-05-02T17:29:17+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1045 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1045 Driving and Traffic Laws i've been in Tokyo for nearly a year. up until now i've always taken the train but i've started to think about getting a car. i'm just wondering if it's feasible to get around by car in the city, mainly in terms of time and parking. 2008-05-02T17:17:04+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1050 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1050 Coming to Japan I'm moving to Japan this summer, and I'm worried about language problems. I've heard that most Japanese people don't speak any English, and of course I can't speak a word of Japanese. I'd like to know what other people's experiences have been in this respect. Also, is it easy to pick up the language while you're there? 2008-05-02T17:16:13+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1049 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1049 Shopping and Fashion Does anyone know where I can buy a Wii game console English version in Japan? I can probably order them from an overseas vendor, such as Amazon or the like, but I don't want to pay the shipping if I can buy one in Japan. 2008-04-07T15:22:09+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1047 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1047 Shopping and Fashion Does anybody knows shops in Tokyo where you can buy Western styled underwear in a larger sizes? I went to Isetan and some other department stores but the Western brands were two to three times as expensive as in Europe... 2008-03-12T10:18:29+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1040 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1040 Accomodation What is the most effective why you have found to heat your appartment? I have an old kerosine heater, but refilling the tank is a pain, and it stinks! 2008-03-12T10:17:03+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1038 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1038 Recreation & Travel Whats the best way to go about buying ski wear and snowboarding equipment at a reasonable price? Are there sales at the end of the season here? 2008-03-12T10:14:54+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1033 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1033 Health & Fitness I'm wondering if anybody knows a good spot to work out in / around the Meguro area? 2008-03-12T10:14:20+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1032 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1032 Living with Kids in Japan Does any have have any recommendations for an English speaking daycare facility with in resonable distance of Meguro Station 2008-03-12T10:14:03+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1031 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1031 Food & Dining Out Does anyone know an English speaking vet in Tokyo? My cat is as sick as a dog. I live in Ebisu, so any recommendations near Ebisu station would be great. Many thanks in advance! 2008-03-12T10:13:46+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1029 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1029 Food & Dining Out Can anyone suggest an 'authentic' English pub somewhere in Minato-ku? I feel liek a pint right now..! 2008-03-12T10:13:25+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1028 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1028 Recreation & Travel I heard from a friend that Casino is planned to be opened soon in Odaiba..Is this true? 2008-03-12T10:12:33+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1025 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1025 Accomodation I have just moved to Nagoya city, and I am really confused about the rubbish disposal system. I know that paper has to be separated from burnable rubbish - but what does a receipt count as? I heard that is not "paper" but burnable! Please advise. 2008-03-12T10:12:07+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1023 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1023 Coming to Japan I'm currently evaluating an assigment in Japan inmy company's Tokyo office.The assignment will be for 3 years, but my company is offering what seems to be a very reasonable housing budget, and other allowances. The office is in the Shinagawa area. I'm married with 2 children and I'm concern about finding housing that my family will be comfortable in while still allowing me a short commute. Am I likely to be able to find a good size appartment for 1,000,000 per month in this Shinagawa area? 2008-03-12T10:11:35+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1021 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1021 Accomodation What is the usual amount of notice needed when terminating a lease? 2008-03-12T10:11:01+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1027 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1027 Coming to Japan I'm hoping to find some opinions regarding international shipping companies. I am interested in finding what shippers people may have used in the past and what your experience with them was. 2008-03-12T10:10:29+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1037 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1037 Shopping and Fashion I want to buy a book from Amazon U.K., but it seems that they don't deliver to Japan. Anyone got any advice? 2008-03-12T10:10:03+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1042 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1042 Food & Dining Out On Valentine’s Day I received chocolate from a co-worker. I understand that in Japan on Valentine's Day females give chocolate to male friends and colleagues and on White Day males give chocolate to female friends and colleagues. My confusion lies in the fact that I am a female and I received chocolate on Valentine's Day from a male. Does this action have an ulterior meaning and if so, what should I do about it? 2008-03-12T10:09:29+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1044 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1044 Accomodation After speaking with quite a few people it seems that tenants very rarely get their deposit back when they move out no matter how clean it is. I'd like to hear who has had similar problems with getting their deposit returned. 2008-03-12T10:09:14+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1030 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1030 Food & Dining Out Is it possible to buy Toohey's Extra Dry (beer)somewhere -anywhere- in Tokyo? I'd sell my wife for one right now! 2008-03-12T10:05:42+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1035 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1035 Recreation & Travel It looks as though there is already a decent amount of snow fall, and that ski resorts are already open. Can anyone suggest a good ski resort that is within easy reach of Tokyo? 2008-03-12T10:05:30+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1020 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1020 Recreation & Travel Can anyone recommend a decent, but reasonably priced hotel in Shinjuku? 2008-03-12T10:05:05+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1026 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1026 Food & Dining Out I have heard that a second branch of Burger King has opened in Tokyo. Does any one know where it is? Shinjuku and...? 2008-03-12T10:01:57+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1036 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1036 Driving and Traffic Laws Dear reader, I have been in Japan now for a while now. But it is the fist time for me to acutally drive in Japan and would like to go skiing. I have heard stories that you don't need any snow chains if there is no snow on the road. I have also heard that no matter how the road condition is, if there is a sign to put snow chains you need to put them on. I do not know which rule to follow and have not been able to go up to the mountains. The season is getting close to an end. Could anyone give me any advice? Cheers, John 2008-03-10T12:23:05+09:00 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1046 http://www.japaninfoswap.com/question/show/1046