The X-Pat Files -  June 2007

 (Brought to you by H&R Consultants)

  The X-Pat Files Community E-Newsletter provides a forum for the spread of information useful for English speakers living in Aichi.  You can use the newsletter as an informational resource, and of course you can send in information you would like to share.
  This newsletter is a community service from The Japan Real Estate and Relocation company, H&R Consultants (www.japanhomesearch.com), and is edited by Sue Conolly (http://web.mac.com/conolly).

  Contents for This Edition

  1.  Ideas for a Rainy Day
  2.  Climbing Mount Fuji
  3.  Furniture Shopping
  4.  Ethnic Food Supplies
  5.  Health and Beauty
  6.  ACCJ Upcoming Events
  7.  Meet and Greet Lunch and Baby Group
  8.  Elevator/Escalator Access for Subway Stations
  9.  Call for Submissions for Nagoya Writes!
  10. Riding the Red Herring

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   1. Ideas for a Rainy Day

In early summer, most parts of Japan get visited by a rainy season, the so called tsuyu (or baiyu), literally meaning "plum rain", because it coincides with the season of plums ripening. The rainy season is caused by the collision of cold northerly and warm southerly air masses, which results in a relatively stable bad weather front over the Japanese archipelago for several weeks.

In most of Japan (including the Chubu Tokai region), the rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid July, while it affects the islands of Okinawa about one month earlier. Only Japan's northern most main island of Hokkaido gets barely affected by the rainy season.

During the rainy season it does not rain every day. In fact, Tokyo registers only an average of 12 rainy days in June, while 120 hours of sunshine are recorded. As for the amount of rainfall, it varies from days with intensive downpours to other days with occasional sprinkles.

Nevertheless, the rainy season is not the most suitable season for visiting Japan, even though it can have its advantages. For example, travel activity is rather low during June, which clears many popular outdoor attractions from the many visitors that are usually present.

Furthermore, some sights can be very attractive in rain, especially some temples, gardens and hot springs. All you need to enjoy traveling in the rain, is the right attitude and rain protection. (Source: japan-guide.com)

Koya-san

Kôyasan is home to an active monastic center founded twelve centuries ago by the priest Kûkai (posthumously known as Kôbô Daishi) for the study and practice of Esoteric Buddhism. It is the headquarters of the Kôyasan sect of Shingon Buddhism, a faith with a wide following throughout Japan.
Situated on a small plain at the top of Mount Kôya is the sacred area known as the Danjô Garan, a complex of temples, halls, pagodas and Buddhist statuary that welcome visitors to this serene and hallowed place.

Surrounded by a thick forest of massive cedars, the area known as Okuno-in, or the Inner Sanctuary, is the setting for a vast cemetery that features the mausolea of numerous famous Japanese, including that of the samurai ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi (or Taikô Hideyoshi) as well as memorials to the spirits of soldiers killed in the Pacific War.

The English Website for Kôyasan has links to different recommended walks for different purposes (such as family-oriented, spiritual etc) and also to temple lodgings that are available.  The rain just adds to the atmosphere!

Onsen

Hot spring baths are pleasant in any weather.  In winter there is nothing to beat the snow on your face as you soak in the hot water, and in summer the water refeshes your skin and makes the outside air seem more bearable.  In the rainy season too, the cool rain on your face nicely compliments the hot water in which you soak.  For those who have not yet braved the public nudity thing, Secret-Japan's website on onsen includes a "modesty factor" for each of the onsen they list, which gives you an idea of what to expect when you get there.  For what it's worth, the embarrassment usually only lasts until you hit the water, after which the experience is really all worth it!

Morikoro Park

It might seem strange to recommend a trip to the park during the rainy season, but the park that has taken the place of the Nagakute site of the Expo, has several attractions that will make your rainy day more pleasant.  For those with small children, there is no beating the huge indoor play space of Aichi Children's Center, and on the 3rd of June there is an international children's festival on at the Aichi International Children's Memorial Hall.  A new ice-skating rink and indoor pool have been built in what used to be the Global House of the expo (where they kept the mammoth bones!).  All of the information that I found on the internet was in Japanese, so check the opening times listed below before you set out.  You can get to Morikoro Park by Linimo from Fujigaoka Station on the Higashiyama Line or Yakusa on the Aichi Kanjo Line - get off at Aichikyuuhaku Kinen Koen Station.  Alternatively by car, the park is located out along the green road in Nagakute, before you come to Yakusa IC on your right.

Expo Memorial Hall (9:00-17:00) Admission Free
Indoor Pool (13:00-18:00 Weekdays, 10:00-18:00 Weekends)
Skating Rink (10:00-18:00)
Japanese Tea House (9:00-17:00)
Mori no Gasshuku Forest School (9:00-17:00) Admission Free
Aichi Children's Center (9:00-17:00, Closed Monday) Admission Free for Children, 300 yen for older than junior high school
Aichi International Children's Memorial Hall (9:00-17:00, Closed Monday)

Baseball - Go Dragons!

The Chunichi Dragons, who have their home in Nagoya used to play in an outdated stadium leaving them open to the elements.  Now Nagoya Dome keeps matches from being washed out, and are a perfect way to spend a rainy day.  Even the subway station (Nagoya Dome Mae Yada on the Meijo or purple line) is worth a trip to see the life-sized photos of each member of the Chunichi Dragons lining the walkway.

The official website of the Dragons is in Japanese, but tickets can be purchased in many ways.  The easiest to navigate online method seems to be http://eplus.jp/dragons/, and tickets can also be purchased through convenience stores such as Family Mart, Circle K, Sunkus and Lawson.  Ticket Pia Outlets also sell tickets, as do the following outlets.

Chunichi Service Center (First floor of Chunichi Bld in Sakae) TEL: 052-263-7282
Sakae Prechike 92   (Underground Sakae Mall) TEL: 052-953-0777
Nagoya Dome TEL: 052-712-5959

Regular Prices (a range of prime seats including food & drink also available)

Naiya (infield) Ｓ    5,800 yen
Naiya (infield) Ａ    4,800 yen
Naiya (infield) Ｂ    3,800 yen
Dragons Gaiya Ouen (outfield cheer-team)    1,800 yen    500 yen for children
Left Gaiya Ouen (left outfield cheer-team) 1,800 yen    500 yen for children
Visitor Gaiya Ouen (Visitor Outfield cheer-team) 1,800 yen    500 yen for children

5th floor seats
PanoramaＡ （infield）      2,500 yen    500 yen for children
PanoramaＢ （outfield）    1,500 yen    500 yen for children

Sushi Cabaret Club Live at Diamond Hall

Take four different guys from four different countries a Scottish vocalist/guitarist, an English keyboardist, an Australian bass player, and have them form a band in Nagoya, Japan. The Sushi Cabaret Club is that band, whose sound is a blend of old-school and contemporary rock, incorporating powerful and moving vocal melodies, insightful lyrics and rootsy grooves. Their songs range from beautiful acoustic ballads to high-driven rock with powerful hooks and anthemic choruses. Whilst the name reflects the band's Japanese conception, their music has a heavily influenced UK rock sound.

Sushi Cabaret Club 4th CD Release Party and Live
Saturday, June 2nd
Diamond Hall, Shinsakae exit #2 (Map at www.diamond-hall.com )
Time: 18:00 Doors Open 19:00 Start
Tickets: 2,000 yen Advanced ; 2,500 yen Door
Tickets are available from Ticket Pia, (P code: 254-780)

Shonen Knife Concert

If you're keen to get a look at a Japanese punk rock girl-band that counts among their fans foreign groups Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Redd Kross, the latter two also contributing to a tribute album "Every Band has a Shonen Knife Who Loves Them" in 1989.  Their crazy lyrics in Japanese and in English fit their musical style perfectly, among their album titles "Pretty Litte Baka Guy", "Genki! Shock!" and "Let's Knife!". 

The band will be playing at Club Upset in Ikeshita (5th floor of Ikeshita Amuzone Bld) on Thursday the 12th of July.  Doors open at 18:30 for a 19:00 start.  Door charge is 3000 yen and an advance drink fee is charged at the door.

If you miss the girls in Nagoya, you can also see them at the Fuji Rock Festival on the 28th of July.

Other Places to Go in Nagoya

Nagoya Convention and Visitors Bureau has a website in English which outlines many places you might find interesting on a rainy day.  How about the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, or Atsuta Shrine in the rain which would be beautiful!  How about the Tie-Dyeing Museum in Arimatsu, or for a modern touch the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology near Nagoya Station or the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagakute.  The rain is no excuse - get out there and see Japan for yourself!

Going to the Movies

Knowing what is on and where is a major stumbling block to seeing a movie if you can't read Japanese.  Nagoya Movies (http://www.nagoyamovies.com/) is the brainchild of two students at Nagoya International School.  You can search by the name of the movie, name of the cinema or location of the cinema you want to go to.  The links section is a delight in itself, providing links to a guide to Ramen in Nagoya, a guide to Nagoya Nightlife, and several other links to music and entertainment around Nagoya.

Stay Indoors & Keep Informed

Not into going out?  You can still stay informed about local and international events, using any of Japan's many English language news sources.  Check out the following links:

http://www.japantoday.com/
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/
http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/
 
There are also a couple more lighthearted sources of information about life and entertainment opportunities here.  Please check out the following sites.

http://www.seekjapan.jp
http://metropolis.co.jp/default.asp
http://www.bar-and-restaurant.com/en/

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  2. Climbing Mount Fuji

There is still room on the bus for those of you who would like to climb Mt Fuji while at the same time supporting a great cause! 

H&R Consultants and ReloJapan, in association with Hope International, are sponsoring two buses to the base of the mountain for this climb; one from Tokyo and one from Nagoya. We will pay your transportation costs (bus fees), so all you will need will be your registration fee of JPY 2,500 per person (or JPY 5,000 per family), your climbers insurance of JPY 500 per person, your shoes and a little bit of pocket money for replenishments and the after-climb onsen (hot springs).  We also kindly ask that you assist in raising some funds for Hope International, an organization that is doing great things for the not so fortunate in this world. This could be done through a simple donation, or you could ask others around you to sponsor you for your climb to the top of Fuji-san.
 
At 3,776 meters, Fuji-san is probably one of the few mountains in the world that amateurs can climb without having to invest in lots of mountaineering equipment. It's a tough climb, but doing it together is one of the best and most quintessentially Japan experiences you can have.

Date: July 6th- 7th, 2007 (Friday / Saturday)
 
For further details, please click here. If you are interested, please get in quickly - there is limited room left available!
 

A Tale of Fuji...

After living here for over 10 years and seeing a number of my "tourist" friends conquer Fuji as a part of their travel itinerary, I thought it was my turn to give it a shot. Why the sudden motivation to undertake such a huge challenge, you ask? Well, I had the opportunity to work with and know the wonderful activities of HOPE International Development Agency, a local NPO working in impoverished nations. The "climb for a cause" aspect, raising money for people less fortunate than I, was all the impetus I needed. Having all the travel arrangements arranged for me and also having the camaraderie of climbing along side a group of others, were extra benefits to joining the HOPE Global Challenge Fuji Climb. At the time, a friend of mine was visiting with her kids so all together, our band of climbers (3 adults and 6 kids) set out from Nagoya with high hopes of reaching high places!

Leading up to the adventure, I tried to do my homework, asking many people who had done it and reading a lot on the internet. One thing I learned was that I had to prepare for all situations and then hope for the best of them. Weather plays a big factor when climbing Fuji and so we prepared rain gear, lots of light layers and sturdy shoes. Headlamps were a must as we were climbing at night to reach the top for the sunrise. We packed backpacks with plenty of water and high energy snacks along with bottled oxygen in anticipation of altitude sickness. Then we also prepared our minds to expect just about anything...after all we had 6 kids along with us!

Well, as luck would have it, it was drizzling rather consistently when we got off the bus at Station 5. And that was just the beginning... We experienced just about all the bad we had anticipated. Drenched, exhausted, hungry and light-headed we were all able to reach various "stations" with some getting as high as 8 (there are 10 total) But rather than being disappointed, we all felt rather accomplished at what we did succeed and despite not being able to summit, we are spurred on to attempt and conquer Fuji in the future. It was a great experience!

Though my family won't be able to make our "second attempt" this year due to other obligations, I would like to recommend it for anyone who has ever dreamed to do it...and for those who have never dreamed to do it! It definitely will give you something to "write home about". You can't beat the fact that H&R Consultants and ReloJapan are taking care of the details and you'll feel no greater exhilaration when you reach the top (let's be positive, after all...), knowing that the money you raised will change lives.

If Japan has a heart, it would be Tokyo, but its soul is definitely Fuji. Go on...give it a climb!


Erin Sakakibara
HOPE International Development Agency
Chair, Board of Directors
erin@hope-international.jp
www.hope-international.jp

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  3. Furniture Shopping
(Thank you to Mary Noguchi for information contained within this submission)

Mansai Kagu is a furniture store for new furniture that has slight damage in some way, at very reasonable prices.  There are three stores in the Nagoya area, each with a map that you can enlarge on the Japanese website:

Nagoya Kita (North) Shop
Address: 530 Rokugaike Kita-ku Nagoya
Phone: 052-902-7151
Free Dial: 0120-437-155
Hours of operation: 10:00-19:00

Nagoya Nakagawa Shop
Address: 4-14 Taihei Dori Nakagawa-ku Nagoya
Phone: 052-352-1311
Free Dial:  0120-839-155
Hours of operation: 10:00-19:00

Gifu Shop
Address: 5-4-5 Hino-Minami Gifu City
Phone: 058-248-4811
Free Dial:  0120-259-155
Hours of operation: 10:00-19:00

The Furniture Dome is another place you can see a lot of new furniture lined up, at fairly reasonable prices, some imported lines.  Their Japanese website is nonetheless easily navigated to find what you want.  There are two shops in the Nagoya area.

Nagoya Shinhonten Shop (main branch)
Address: 2-7 Kinjofuto Minato-ku Nagoya
Phone: 052-383-5555
Free Dial:  0120-075-810
Hours of operation: 10:00-20:00
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:00-21:00
Closed: 3rd Wednesday of each month, except December which opens every day

Inazawa Shop (less selection)
Address: Apita Town Inazawa, 1 Amaike Gotanda-cho Inazawa
Phone: 0587-21-1411
Free Dial:  0120-106-834
Hours of operation: 10:00-21:00
Closed: on irregular days, please check most recent information

Fujika (Fuji Kagu) is a large furniture store in Miyoshi which features American brand Ashley and Danish-born Bo Concept.  There is a map on the Japanese website along with photos of the building, where you can also see the different parts of the store and brands featured.  Driving along Route 153 towards Toyota, you will see Fujika, Bo Concept and Ashley on your right.

Ashley Homestore
Address: 1 Miyoshi Kamisugo, Miyoshi-cho, Aichi
Phone: 0561-34-3741
Fax:  0561-34-0625
Hours of operation: 10:00-19:00


Bo Concept
Address: 1 Miyoshi Kamisugo, Miyoshi-cho, Aichi
Phone: 0561-33-3080
Fax:  0561-33-3081
Hours of operation: 10:00-19:00
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:00-20:00

A favourite of all expats setting up home for the first time is Nitori, with reasonable prices and large range of homewares of reasonable quality.

NITORI Nagoya Minato Shop
Address: 1-5 Sunami-cho Minato-ku Nagoya
Phone: 052-651-1555
Hours of operation: 10:00-21:00
MAP

NITORI Arimatsu Interchange Shop
Address: 1-1 Azairyu Oaza Okehazama Arimatsu-cho Midori-ku Nagoya
Phone: 052-623-6800
Hours of operation: 11:00-20:00
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:00-20:00
MAP

NITORI Ozone Shop
Address: Mets Ozone, 2-1-95 Yada Higashi-ku Nagoya
Phone: 052-721-0099
Hours of operation: 10:00-20:00
MAP

NITORI Nisshin Shop
Address: 1-1 Minowa Asada-cho Nisshin Aichi
Phone: 052-848-0033
Hours of operation: 11:00-20:00
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:00-20:00
MAP

NITORI Kasugai Shop
Address: 25-2 Azatokyu Ryokkenya-cho Kasugai Aichi
Phone: 0568-56-6761
Hours of operation: 10:00-20:00
MAP

NITORI Okazaki Shop
Address: 2-1 Koshimai Tozaki-cho Okazaki Aichi (2nd floor, Seibu)
Phone: 0564-59-1991
Hours of operation: 10:00-20:00
MAP

NITORI Toyokawa Shop
Address: 337-1 Nishifukada Masaoka-cho Toyokawa Aichi
Phone: 0533-83-2235
Hours of operation: 11:00-20:00
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:00-20:00
MAP

Finally, if you have a little bit more money to spend and really like good quality furniture, including a large range of imported, then you might try IDC Otsuka Kagu, which used to be a little inconvenient to town but is now right in Sakae:

IDC Otsuka Kagu
Address: 1-14-27 Higashi-Sakura Higashi-ku Nagoya
Directions: Come out of Exit 4A of Sakae Station and walk for 7 minutes
Phone: 052-951-4321
Hours of operation: 10:30-19:00


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  4. Ethnic Groceries
(Thank you to Theresa Turner for this information contained within this submission)

I came across a Thai grocery store in Sakae, and having lived in Thailand I was thrilled to find  morning glory "pak boong fai dang" and chinese kale/broccoli  "pak kana"  as well as fresh chillis and herbs  imported directly from Thailand.   They also sell curry pastes by the tub, much more economical than the import/international store single use  envelope size.  They carry everything  you need to make a delicious Thai meal :)
 
Tarn Store   
Address: 5-21-21 Sakae, Naka Ku, Nagoya
phone: 052-251-1728 
fax: 052-251-1673
open: 10 am til 9pm.
Directions: One set of lights north of  "Maru ta cho" intersection,  west of route 41 on a one way street .  Look for blue awning and red white and blue Thai flag on your right hand side


Editor's Note:  As I was cross-checking the above information I came across a list of ethnic food supply stores in Nagoya.  Here is what I found:

Sun Lemon
South-East Asian Groceries 
Address: 5-9-34 Sakae, Naka Ku, Nagoya
phone: 052-241-4700
Closed: Sundays and Public Holidays

Hikou
Chinese Food & Produce, Videos 
Address: 1-1-22-105 Koei Minato-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-655-2018
Closed: Mondays

Halal Shop
Halal Food, Videos, Islam Wear 
Address: 13-5 Sakomae-cho Nakamura-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-482-2000
Closed: Mondays

Ryuhou
Chinese Food & Produce
Address: 1-18-15 Imaike Chikusa-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-733-3319

The Amigos - Marunouchi
Brazilian & South American Food, Snacks, CD
Address: 1F Kato Bld., 1-15-3 Marunouchi Naka-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-220-4255

The Amigos - Homi Danchi
Address: 141-103 Koudan 5-1 Homigaoka Toyota
phone: 0565-43-1443

The Amigos - Kiba
Address: B-1F Ken Ei Mansion Kiba-cho 9-24 Kiba-cho Minato-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-698-4560

The Amigos - Odaka
Address: 26-1 Kamishioda Odaka-cho Midori-ku Nagoya
phone: 0526-25-4951

The Amigos - Okazaki
Address: 28-4 Aza Nishinobu Daiwa-cho Okazaki
phone: 0564-32-8690

The Amigos - Toyohashi
Address: 2-2-1 Kita Iwata, Toyohashi
phone: 0532-534101

Cibrasil Co. Ltd
Brazilian & South American Food, Bakery, Butcher, Restaurant, CD, Videos etc
Komaki-shi Muranaka Ikenomen 1368-1
Shop. Villa Nova 1F
Tel.: 0568-74-3826

Kankoku Tokusou
Korean Food & Videos
Address: 1-25-31 Shin-Sakae Naka-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-251-1937

Zafar Trading Co. Ltd.
Halal Food & Spices
Address: 11-91 Morigo-cho Atsuta-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-671-7107　

Nagoya Washita Shop
Okinawa Food & Produce
Address: 1F 3-24-20 Nishiki Naka-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-951-4789

Asia Food Center
Myanmar & Asian Groceries
Address: 1F 1-9-22 Kamimaezu Naka-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-323-4330　

Carioca Shop
Brazilian Food (Feijoada ingredients etc), Videos
Address: 503-1 Saikachi Denpoji Tanyou-cho Ichinomiya City
phone: 0586-81-5326　

CT Trading
Philippine Food and Videos
 Address: 5F Kasugai Bld, 5-5-4 Sakae, Naka-ku Nagoya
phone: 052-265-1586　　　

Kaon
Chinese Food Supplies and Restaurant
 Address: 4F Central Sakae Bld, 4-5-5 Sakae, Naka-ku Nagoya
Open: 2pm - 3am

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  5. Health and Beauty


Pilates:  (Thank you to Joan Stewart for this submission)
Feeling tired or flabby or have muscle or body pain?  Pilates - with machines - can help you overcome all of those things very quickly.  The springs on the equipment provide a gentle resistance that does not stress your body.  Maki Noda is an excellent Pilates instructor who became a certified instructor in New York (and so speaks English) and has a full reformer, Cadillac, stability chair, and more at her studio - just a 2 minute walk from Jingu Nishi station (exit 4) on the Meijo line.  She does private sessions (1 hour by appointment.  My husband and I have done Pilates with instructors in Chicago and California and we think that Maki is one of the very best instructors we have worked with. We HIGHLY recommend her authentic Pilates instruction. Contact Maki Noda, Pilates Kenkou Dojo, 090-8137-7986, kenkoudojo@aa.sky.tkc.ne.jp



Waxing:  (Thank you to Joan Stewart for this submission)
Feeling a bit furry?  Hello Beauty in Ikeshita offers a full line of face and body waxing (yep, even bikini!) Taeko-san trained to do the waxing in Canada and their wax comes from Italy.  Of course they also do great nails! Contact information:  http://www.hellobeauty.net/english.html (052) 761-9090 e-mail: info@hellobeauty.net


Hairdresser: (Thank you to Joan Stewart for this submission)

Kenji of Visage Genuine near Parco in Yaba-cho does great cuts and really natural looking color (highlights, lowlights) on blondish folks like me.  He worked in the U.S. for several years and his English is great.  Toni & Guy/Visage have a member card system that (if your remember to bring your card to appointments!) entitles you to 50% off on your 5th and 10th visits and 100% off on your 15th visit!  What a deal!  

Visage Genuine
Ask For: Kenji
Address: 3-32-8 Sakae Naka-ku Nagoya
TEL    052-238-7708
Hours of Operation
Weekdays: 11:00〜19:00
Sundays and Holidays: 10:00〜17:00
Closed Mondays
Wesbite: http://bganet.jp/visage-genuine/
Print out the discount coupon by clicking on the picture of two little tickets to the right of the page!
Car Parking: no
Credit Cards Accepted:  SEASON･VISA･Master･JCB･AMEX･UFJ･NICOS･DINERS



Hairdresser: (Thank you to Geri White for this submission)
Serio Motoyama near Motoyama Station houses a great hairdresser who gives a great cut and good with color AND speaks English. Lots of foreigners now going to him. 

Serio Motoyama
Ask For: HAL (Chief Stylist)
Address: 1st Floor, 5-23 Nekogahoratohri Chikusa-ku Nagoya
TEL     052-782-8491
FAX     052-782-8494
FREEDIAL 0120-828-491
Hours of Operation 10:00〜17:30 (Perm)
10:00〜18:00 (Colour)
10:00〜19:00 (Cut)
Closed Mondays
Wesbite: http://bganet.jp/serio-motoyama/
e-mail: motoyama@e-serio.co.jp
Car Parking: 7 Spaces
Credit Cards Accepted:  JCB・VISA・Master・DC・AEON



Hairdresser:  (Thank you to Erin Sakakibara for this submission)
Yukiko Yamamoto is my hairdresser and has worked in NYC on two different occasions. She just recently returned at the beginning of this year and is working at a salon near to Tsukijiguchi (Nagoya Port area) called Tapisoro. She's excellent and cuts everyone in my family. She's good at color, too.  Nothing better for a harried mom than a GREAT day at the salon!

Tapisoro
Ask For: Yukiko Yamamoto (9 Years experience in New York)
Address: 1st Floor, 3-20-11 Koyo Minato-ku Nagoya
TEL     052-654-3655
FAX     052-654-3655
Hours of Operation
Weekdays: 11:00〜20:00(cut) 11:00〜19:00 (perm･color)
Weekends and Holidays: 10:00〜19:00(cut) 10:00〜18:00(perm･color)
Closed the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month
Wesbite: http://bganet.jp/tapisoro/
Print out the discount coupon by clicking on the picture of two little tickets to the right of the page!
Car Parking: Yes
Credit Cards Accepted:  JCB・AMEX・UFJ・NICOS・VISA・DC・UC・Master



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  6. ACCJ Upcoming Events

ACCJ Meet and Greet (Previously known as "Nomunication")
DATE: Monday, June 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
VENUE: Hilton Nagoya Lobby Lounge "Lanson bar"
COST: Members: 3,000 yen, Guests: 3,000 yen    
RSVP DEADLINE: noon, June 4

Enjoy a light appetizer buffet and ONE drink (additional drinks available for purchase) in the company of the key business people that Chubu has to offer. Make sure to bring allot of your business cards and a desire to network. As this is a great opportunity to introduce people to the ACCJ, please feel free to invite coworkers, colleagues, or any of your business associates who you feel would be interested in joining the ACCJ and/or contributing to the event.


-=-=-=-

Independent Business Committee Meeting
DATE: Thursday, June 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
VENUE: Nagoya Kokusai Center
SPEAKER: To be announced
COST: Members: 3,000 yen, guests: 4,000 yen   DEADLINE: noon, June 21

-=-=-=-

The Success of Continental Airlines in Japan
DATE: Thursday, June 28, noon to 2 p.m.
VENUE: Hilton Nagoya
COST: Members: 3,500 yen, guests: 5,000 yen  
RSVP DEADLINE: noon, June 27

Mr. Charles Duncan, Managing Director of Continental Airlines Japan will discuss Continental's 24 year history Japan and how it has leveraged the unique aspects of the travel market in Chubu relative to other parts of Japan. More recently, Charles will touch on Centrair's successes and disappointments for Continental.


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  7. Meet and Greet Luncheon and Playgroup for Babies
(thank you to Helen Braithwaite and Misty Johnson for information contained within this submission)

Two events that make a young expat mother's life all the richer - the Meet and Greet luncheon (not just for mothers!) and the Baby/Toddler Group.

Meet and Greet Luncheon
Date: Tuesday, 12th June
Time: 11:30am
Place: Shooters Sports Bar and Grill, Fushimi  (http://www.shooters-nagoya.com)
Price: 1500 yen for buffet lunch and a drink.
RSVP: to Helen Braithwaite at helenjbraithwaite@gmail.com or phone on 090-2186-3717 as soon as possible but by Saturday the 9th of June at the latest.

For those of you who are new to Nagoya please come and join us for lunch.  Meet and Greet lunch is the ideal place to make new friends, have a chat and find out what is going on in Nagoya.  Shooters has a relaxed atmosphere and is closed during the day except for our event, so we have the run of the place.  This means that it is a VERY easy event for mothers with babies or small children.  It also means, however, that I must ask for an RSVP so that Shooters can cater for the correct number of people.


Baby and Toddler Group
Provides opportunity to meet kids of the same age for future play dates.
Meets:  2nd & 4th Thursdays
Time:  11am-2pm
Place:  Members' homes
Please contact Misty Johnson for information on the upcoming play dates.
Phone:  050-5206-2375
Email:  mistysuejohnson@yahoo.com


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  8. Elevator and Escalator Access for Subway Stations

The Nagoya Transportation Bureau's Japanese website has a list of stations and where their elevators and escalators are, for passengers with special needs like baby buggies or wheelchairs.  The website is easy enough to navigate if you know the kanji of the station you want to find, but below is a list of elevators as they appear on the website.  In regard to escalators, I have listed them at the heading of each subway line, and made a special note for the stations that have no escalators at all.  Click the names of the station for a layout of the station showing elevators, escalators and also toilets, lost and found, coin lockers, wheel chair slopes and ticket offices. 

HIGASHIYAMA LINE (Yellow)
Note:  All Higashiyama Line Stations except ShinSakae Machi and Chikusa have escalators to the platforms, but only Takabata, Hata and Iwatsuka also have escalators to street level.

Takabata - Elevator near #1 Exit, also has an elevator to the platform
Hatta - Elevator near South Hiroba, also has an elevator to the platform
Iwatsuka - Elevator near #1 Exit, also has an elevator to the platform
Nakamura Koen - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform
Nakamura Nisseki - Only for passengers coming from Nagoya direction, escalators only to platform and not to street level.
Honjin - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform
Kamejima - no elevators, escalators only to platform and not to street level.
Nagoya - elevators located:
Midland Square Building
Nagoya Terminal Building (6:30 to 23:00)
Lucent Avenue (8:00 to 22:00)
Nagoya Station also has an elevator to the platform
Fushimi - Elevator in Nittochi Nagoya Building (7:00 to 22:00), no elevator to platform
Sakae - elevators located:
Sunshine Sakae
Oasis 21 (7:00 to 23:00)
Chunichi Building (7:30 to 22:15)
Sakae Station also has an elevator to the platform
Shin-Sakae Machi - no elevators OR escalators
Chikusa -  Elevator near main Hiroba, also has an elevator to the platform, NO escalators
Imaike - Elevator in Imaike Gas Building (9:00 to 22:00, closed over New Year) , also has an elevator to the platform 
Ikeshita - Elevator in Kodan St Claire (housing development 7:00-24:00), also has an elevator to the platform
Kakuozan - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Motoyama - Has an elevator to the platform only, escalators only to platform and not to street level.
Higashiyama Koen - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform
Hoshigaoka - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform
Issha - Has an elevator to the platform only, escalators only to platform and not to street level.
Kamiyashiro - Has an elevator to the platform only, escalators only to platform and not to street level.
Hongo - Has an elevator to the platform only, escalators only to platform and not to street level.
Fujigaoka - to the south wicket, also has an elevator to the platform

MEIJO LINE
Note:  All Meijo Line Stations except Shiyakosho, Hisaya Odori and Kamimaezu have escalators to the platforms, but only Higashi Betsuin, Kanayama, Mizuho Undojo Higashi, Nagoyako and all stations from Yagoto to Nagoya Dome Mae Yada also have escalators to street level.

Ozone - Elevator near west exit and main hiroba, also has an elevator to the platform
Heian Dori - Elevator near Heian Dori Intersection, also has an elevator to the platform
Shiga Hon Dori - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Kurokawa - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform
Meijo Koen - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Shiyakusho (City Hall) - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform, NO escalators
Hisaya Odori - Elevators located:
Annex Building (10:00-22:00)
Central Park (7:00-22:00)
Urban Net Nagoya Building (7:00-22:00)
Hisaya Odori Station also has an elevator to the platform, but NO escalators
Sakae - elevators located:
Sunshine Sakae
Oasis 21 (7:00 to 23:00)
Chunichi Building (7:30 to 22:15)
The Meijo line in Sakae Station towards Kanayama also has an elevator to the Higashiyama Line platform,  and towards Sunadabashi has an elevator to the ticket gates.
Yaba-cho - Slope and elevator from Hisaya Odori Park, no elevator to platform
Kamimaezu - Elevator near Kamimaezu Higashi Intersection, also has an elevator to the platform, but NO escalators
Higashibetsuin - no elevators, but has escalators to platform and also to street level
Kanayama - Elevator to the west of Loop Kanayama, also has an elevator to the platform
Hibino - Elevator near Hibino Intersection and One in Belcrate Hibino B, also has an elevator to the platform
Rokuban-cho - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Tokai-Dori - Elevator to road level, also has an elevator to the platform
Minato Kuyakusho - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Tsukijiguchi - Elevator to road level, also has an elevator to the platform
Nagoya-ko (Nagoya Port) - Elevator near exit #3, no elevator to platform
Nagoya Dome Mae Yada - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Sunadabashi - Elevator near exit #3, also has an elevator to the platform
Chayagasaka - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform
Jiyugaoka - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform
Motoyama - Elevator near Motoyama Intersection SE, also has an elevator to the platform
Nagoya Daigaku - Elevator near exit #3, also has an elevator to the platform
Yagoto Nisseki - Elevator near exit #2 near hospital, also has an elevator to the platform
Yagoto - Elevator near exit #6 and near Annex, also has an elevator to the platform
Sogo Rehabiri Center - Elevator near exit #1&2, also has an elevator to the platform
Mizuho Undojo Higashi - Elevator near exit #2&3, also has an elevator to the platform
Aratamabashi - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform
Myoon Dori - no elevators, escalators only to platform and not to street level.
Horita - Elevator near exit #3, also has an elevator to the platform
Tenma-cho - no elevators, escalators only to platform and not to street level.
Jingu-nishi - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform    
Nishi Takakura - no elevators, escalators only to platform and not to street level.

TSURUMAI LINE
Note:  All Tsurumai Line Stations except Joshin have escalators to the platforms, but only Shonai Ryokuchi Koen, Shonai Dori, Gokiso, and Hara also have escalators to street level.

Kamiotai - has an elevator to the platform only, and no escalator to street level
Shonai Ryokuchi Koen - Elevator near exit #2&3, also has an elevator to the platform  
Shonai Dori - has an elevator to the platform only, but has escalators
Joshin - Elevator near exit #5, also has an elevator to the platform, but NO escalators
Sengen-cho - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Marunouchi - Elevator near Sakura Dori North, also has an elevator to the platform
Fushimi - Elevator in Nittochi Nagoya Building (7:00 to 22:00), elevators to Akaike direction platform and Kami-Otai direction platform.
Osu Kannon - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform
Kamimaezu - Elevator near Kamimaezu East Intersection, also has an elevator to the platform
Tsurumai - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform
Arahata - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Gokiso - Elevator in Showa Ward Office, also has an elevator to the platform
Kawana - no elevators, escalators only to platforms
Irinaka - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Yagoto - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Shiogamaguchi - no elevators, escalators only to platforms
Ueda - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform    
Hara - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform    
Hirabari - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform    
Akaike - no elevators, escalator only to platform and not to street level

SAKURADORI LINE (Red)
Note:  All Sakuradori Line Stations have escalators to the platforms, but only Gokiso, Sakurayama, Undojonishi, Tsurusato and Nonami also have escalators to street level.

Nakamura Kuyakusho - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform    
Nagoya - elevators located:
JR Concourse
Midland Square Building
Nagoya Terminal Building (6:30 to 23:00)
Lucent Avenue (8:00 to 22:00)
Nagoya Station also has an elevator to the platform
Kokusai Center (International Center) - Elevator in Kokusai Center Bld (8:00-22:30, closed on 2nd Sunday of February), also has an elevator to the platform
Marunouchi - Elevator near Sakura Dori North, also has an elevator to the platform
Hisaya Odori - Elevators located:
Annex Building (10:00-22:00)
Central Park (7:00-22:00)
Urban Net Nagoya Building (7:00-22:00)
Hisaya Odori Station also has an elevator to the platform
Takaoka - Elevator near exit #1&2, also has an elevator to the platform 
Kurumamichi - Elevator near exit #3&4, also has an elevator to the platform 
Imaike - Elevator in Imaike Gas Building (9:00 to 22:00, closed over New Year) , also has an elevator to the platform 
Fukiage - Elevator near exit #5, also has an elevator to the platform
Gokiso - Elevator in Showa Ward Office, also has an elevator to the platform
Sakurayama -  Elevator in City Hospital, also has an elevator to the platform
Mizuho Kuyakusho - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform
Mizuho Undojo Nishi - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Aratamabashi - Elevator near bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform
Sakura Honmachi - Elevator near exit #1, also has an elevator to the platform
Tsurusato - Elevator near exit #2, also has an elevator to the platform
Nonami - Elevator near exit #3, also has an elevator to the platform

KAMIIIDA LINE
Note:  both stations listed below also have escalators both to the platform and up to street level.

Kamiiida - Elevator near exit #3 near the bus terminal, also has an elevator to the platform
Heian Dori - Elevator near Heian Dori Intersection, also has an elevator to the platform


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 9. Call for Submissions - Nagoya Writes!
(Thank you to Megan Mackenzie for this submission)

Nagoya Writes, the English literary journal, is accepting submissions for our next issue, entitled "Patterns".  Interested writers can submit up to six poems or one piece of prose (under 3000 words) with the theme patterns somehow mixed in.  Please email Megan (mkmackenz@yahoo.com) if interested in submitting work as the submission deadline is fast approaching.  The group also hosts monthly open readings and writing workshops.


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  10. Riding the Red Herring
Sue Conolly

A life coach friend recently wrote about red herrings in her newsletter.

In case you're not familiar with the term, a red herring is something that lures you away from the correct path -- a deliberate distraction or misleading information. The idea comes from fox hunting, when smoked herring was dragged across the fox's trail to confuse the hounds... Are you prone to embrace your distractions sometimes?... Are you grabbing onto any red herrings lately? You know they're taking you away from a better answer or truly important goal, but you give them time, attention, and importance. You successfully sideline yourself from the real game. It's easy to do, but once you realize you're holding a cold, wet, and smelly fish ... throw it back! Things might not seem easy, but they will get clearer.

I only too painfully know what it is like to be holding a cold, wet, smelly fish!  Sometimes in our lives it is easy to think that we shouldn't get distracted, we should stick to the path.  Don't do anything that's not going to better your life.  But what happens, when it's the wet smelly fish you need to be holding in order to get to the next stage on your journey?  What happens when that red herring turns out to be your best friend?

A friend sent me a link to this address given to Stanford University students by Steve Jobs (here is the text version for those who can't see the video).  In it, he talks about a time in his life when he was attending university.  He dropped out of university because he didn't feel like it was worth the money his parents had to scrape together in order to send him.  After dropping out formally, he continued to attend lectures as a monitor, which freed him up to choose classes he liked rather than classes that he needed to graduate from a certain course.  He chose calligraphy - one giant big red herring it would seem.  However, it was in this class that Steve Jobs learned about fonts, spacing, and other asthetic qualities which he then built in to the first Macintosh computer.  I remember the days of the first Macintosh computers - at the time those crazy little boxes seemed so sleek and sophisticated, if only because they didn't use that boxy computer font that other computers used.  All thanks to Steve's red herring!

When I think back on my life, I can think of one major example of the friendly red herring in my life.  After five years of high school and one year of university studying Japanese, I was completely burned out.  I threw in the towel, and in second year university studied psychology instead.  Some subjects were really interesting and I found it easy to apply myself, but the necessary subjects, the ones I needed to graduate, included things I didn't find thrilling, like statistics and physiology.  I was not the best student to say the least.  I dragged myself around to classes, but when something came up that sounded more interesting I more often than not took red herring opportunities.  One day, I was faced with the option of dissecting a sheep's brain, or taking an impulse road trip to the ocean.  Do I need to tell you which choice I made?

Here's the thing.  Because I missed that sheep's brain experiment, I would not have been able to pass that subject.  Without that one subject, I would not be able to proceed to the next level of study for any psychology subjects.  It was clear to me at that time, that I was not invested in what I was doing.  It made me think hard about my choices.  I found out that if I pulled out of the subject within the next two days, that subject would not appear on my permenant record.  I also found out that one could take a break from university without penalty.  On that same day, the biggest red herring crossed my path.

"I wonder if I could go to Japan...?"

From that red herring day, it took three weeks until I landed at Narita airport.  In that time I got a passport, a bank loan, a visa, tickets, a Japan Rail Pass and a back pack.  It was a very busy three weeks, a lot of work for a red herring you might think!

A year and a half later I returned to Australia with a renewed love for Japanese, and for that matter, psychology.  I had no trouble fitting back into university life, with a double major in Japanese language and culture, and because I was no longer majoring in psychology I was free to take only the subjects that interested me.  I did an external course in couselling, and put bread and butter on my table as a telephone counsellor for Kids Help Line.  It was the best of all worlds, all thanks to my giant red herring.  The red herring also introduced me to my husband, so he can't have been all bad...

True red herrings are of course things that distract you from where you really should be going.  Sometimes its hard to see the signposts for the trees though, so a well-timed red herring can actually be your seeing-eye dog.
 
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