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fox1
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 268
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 Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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wicked, thanks!
| Zzonkmiles wrote: |
Judging from your original post, it looks like you've only been in Osaka for about a month. In case you don't know, Amagasaki is only two stations away from Umeda by the local JR train (or one stop away by express), and it shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes to get there. That's about how long it takes to get from Umeda to Namba on the subway.
You also might need to consider the possibility that people have already told you just about everything they know regarding where to buy foreign goods in the city. Seeing that this IS Japan, those "minor things" you wish to buy might not even be sold here at all. I strongly recommend checking out Costco or getting your family back home to mail these items to you. |
nothing wrong with asking though... right!?  Also, not boldening "Osaka" because I think Amagasaki is outside Osaka. "Seeing this IS Japan", perhaps a strong likelihood that i can get the stuff. Like I say, no problem with asking the question, not that tough. There are stores in Osaka where you can get foreign stuff. Only a couple of things I need, and I don't totally need them but there's a few more places in Osaka, as far as I know, and I'm wondering if people know em
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| You also might need to consider the possibility that people have already told you just about everything they know regarding where to buy foreign goods in the city. |
I know ..I should have 'considered' that possibility, but, you know, anything's possible though, right...? You can even be recommended Hankyu Dept Store after your post |
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Rorschach
Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 130
Location: Osaka
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| PAULH wrote: |
The basement floor of Hankyu department store in Umeda has an imported foods section. I have bought Vegemite and Muesli there. |
That is very nice to hear! I have been getting my mother to send Vegemite over but if I can buy it in Umeda that's even better. Most of fox1's questions have been answered but just on pools, try find your local municipal gymnasium. More often than not they have gym facilities and a pool available for use at very cheap prices. I used to use the one at Namihaiya Dome in Kadomaminami - perhaps the best pool in Osaka (IMO). I live in Toyonaka City now and I know there is a public pool nearby in Ryokuchikoen. If you can't find a local gym you can pay the extra money and go to Tipness, Konami or Sports Oasis. These are top flight gyms which usually have a pool/spa (the one in Kyobashi definitely has both). They are near all of the major train stations. Although these sports clubs can be prohibitively expensive at times.
Just on foreigners in Japan. I won't speak for everyone here but if someone comes up to me on the street asking for some help I am more than happy to go out of my way to make sure they get to where they are going. I remember being a newbie myself and sometimes it can be a scary experience. That said, I'm not the kind of person to go out of my way to make small talk with strangers on trains or in the street. I never did it at home, I'm not about to pick up the habit here just because I am in the minority and I wouldn't expect it of others. |
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fox1
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 5:26 am Post subject: |
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you guys, anyone know where several Higuchi supermarkets are in Osaka? I know the one above Imazato.
any others around. great. cheap |
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fox1
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:12 am Post subject: |
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alright here's one thing!!
Is ringing your bike bell rude or not? I know that I do ring the bell, especially if I'm approaching some small kids, say, with their parents.
Of course I slow right down, but I just want to let them know I'm coming. Same with other people too... is it considered rude/uncouth to ring the bell, or is it just seen as a 'fair' warning? |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:14 am Post subject: |
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| fox1 wrote: |
| alright Of course I slow right down, but I just want to let them know I'm coming. Same with other people too... is it considered rude/uncouth to ring the bell, or is it just seen as a 'fair' warning? |
Fox, without appearing rude, that is what bells are for. People seem to get hung up on this "Japanese being polite" thing without considering that bicycles have bells to warn people you are coming down on them. Try to give them at least 2 seconds warning to get out of the way.
Its bad enough that people ride on the footpath anyway without actually bowling them over. |
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fox1
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:22 am Post subject: |
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nothing wrong with asking.
also, there is logic to my question. It's a question that can be asked. If youring the bell loudly, is that considered rude? "PAULH", what's up with asking that?
I'm an extremely sensible rider. Not once in my time here, and I ride often hours a day, have I bumped into anyone.... and I ride quite speedy SOME of the time.
I DO ring the bell when I see fit, and in a way that I see fit |
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fox1
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:26 am Post subject: |
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Cars also have horns to warn people. And you could say, oh why ask the question...it's so obvious, they have the horn to warn people. But yeah, sometimes, it is considered rude.
And in fact, (the whole point of my question obviously) I guess that in some instances the bike bell can be used objectionably.
I am not hung up on the Japanese polite thing. I have respect for people wherever I go. I don't see massive differences in the behaviour of peoples anyway , whether it's home or here. It's all mighty similar stuff |
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Rorschach
Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 130
Location: Osaka
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:15 am Post subject: |
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| It's just common sense really. I always ring my bell when I am coming around a blind corner or a group of obasans have stretched themselves across the footpath. Despite the odd dirty look it's better to give fair warning than clipping someone and then incurring all sorts of personal liablity problems. The bell is perhaps the most useful thing on the bike given how narrow and crammed some of the streets are here. |
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fox1
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 7:12 am Post subject: |
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hey guys
do you clued-in people know the best place (or a good place) to get rice-cookers. And any particular type...?
also...i guess, do you know where's best to get pots, pans, also: do you guys know anything about "homestays"? Are they done, are they possible, how to get started? thank you |
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Brooks
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1369
Location: Sagamihara
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 7:52 am Post subject: |
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| Honmachi or Tennoji |
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Rorschach
Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 130
Location: Osaka
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| Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Rice cookers are cheap usually. You'd be able to find something cheap in Yodobashi or Biccamera. Den Den Town would also net you a cheap price if you are willing to walk around. |
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fox1
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:27 am Post subject: |
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| you know the tuna you get from the supermarket, particularly that white can brand. I'm looking for Tuna in water... anyone know where or which one that is |
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Zzonkmiles
Joined: 05 Apr 2003
Posts: 309
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| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:11 am Post subject: |
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| fox1 wrote: |
| you know the tuna you get from the supermarket, particularly that white can brand. I'm looking for Tuna in water... anyone know where or which one that is |
Okay, I have to say something. I don't mean to be rude. Really, I don't. There's nothing wrong with asking questions, especially when you're a stranger in a strange land, but it seems like you are asking the people of this board to hold your hand and basically live your life in Japan for you whenever life here does not go as seamlessly as it appears you would like it to be.
I don't know what "white can brand" of tuna you're talking about. Maybe nobody on this board knows what you're talking about, especially if you don't even tell us the actual brand name. We don't even know the name of the supermarket! Here's an idea: If you can read or speak a little bit of Japanese, you could ask one of the actual shop workers where it is. Or maybe the shop clerk speaks a little bit of English. Either way, I'm sure that person would better be able to help you than the members of this board. How's that for an idea? Or how about checking out various supermarkets in nearby neighborhoods and comparing their products? Or does that make too much sense? 
Does this answer your question? Or do you want to know where you can find a certain flavor of an unknown brand of potato chips too? I'll give you a hint. It's at the corner of those two streets and has a colorful sign with posters in the window.
Get out there and explore, man! Sheesh! Part of living here means taking chances and learning from your own experiences! I can't speak for anyone else, but even though the people on this board can be quite helpful, I'm not so sure they are prepared to field questions almost daily about random stores' inventories, especially when you describe the products you seek so vaguely. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:42 am Post subject: |
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Have you ever walked into a sushi bar pointed out something in the window without even knowing what it is or what it tastes like? Do you only buy things that you know the brand name of?
Same difference. Even if it doesn't have your favorite brand in the super you might strike it lucky by finding something else you never knew existed and is just as good, even if you cant read the label. Japan is much more fun when you get out of your comfort zone and extend your limits a bit and be a bit adventurous.
Dont just hang around all the gaijin bars with CNN and NFL on the big screen and dont cling to security blankets. |
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freddie's friend daniel
Joined: 17 Apr 2005
Posts: 84
Location: Osaka-fu
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| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:10 am Post subject: |
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Not trying to hold your hand by any means but there are a few pointers about tuna in a previous thread...
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=23006&highlight=tuna
It's not that far back actually. Do a key-word search of the board and I bet 4 times out of five, you'll find a thread dealing with your query on some level at least. If you are really in need of advice and can't find an answer with a wee bit of research, it might be better to start a new thread instead of tagging every new question on to the end of this one. |
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