Job Discussion Forums

[pnksweater]

I'm sure someone will take this the wrong way... but honestly, Japanese porn is horrible. And I don't mean because it's all pixilated in the essential areas. As a woman I find the way women are portrayed in Japanese porn to be horrible and a major turn off. While bringing it with you may not be the smartest idea, the internet is a godsend in my opnion.

Don't bring any illigal substances with you or any sort of paraphanalia. If you want to risk doing it here you'll be able to find all the necessary equipment at a head shop found in most large cities.

Unless you have sensitive skin, or allergies, or a favorite brand that is key to your happiness, don't bring huge amounts of soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. Toothpaste is also a silly thing to stock up on. Deoderant/anti-persperant is not. Drug stores here are very well stocked. But then if you have african hair, or you have acne prone skin, you will want to bring the items you'll need to survive.

The music is a tough one. As my husband worked as a DJ in Tokyo bringing hundreds of CDs (minus the cases) and records was essential to his line of work. Bring it if you need it for work. Skip it if not. When you decide to go back home you may very well ditch your collection in Japan to save room for the things you really want to take home. Additionally, all that music is going to cramp your most likely tiny apartment. Take your favorites and plan on scrounging for used CDs or burning things off the internet. When you go back home your collection waiting for you will be like a big fat present under the x-mas tree.

[Sweetsee]

Hi Denise,

I left all the crap I had accumulated in my whole life in my Dad's garage when I first came here in '89. Went back one time and dropped it all off in front of the Salvation Army one morning just before they opened, wasn't my idea but it felt good when it was over and done with. The early birds down there were psyched, pulled away from the curb a little misty eyed but I knew I was finally free. Just stuff.


Enjoy,
s

[JimDunlop2]

Funny you should relate that story, Sweetsee. We did EXACTLY the same thing last Spring when we visited Canada after 2 years of living in Japan. We emptied out the mini-storage we had been renting, took the furniture to the auction house and everything else to Goodwill (similar to Sally-ann if you're not familiar with these charities). Only difference is, we did it just after they opened in the morning so the staff helped us unload the van...

[Sweetsee]

Too funny, eh Jim?
Same-same but different.

[Gordon]

We did the same thing last summer. 3 years it sat in my parent's house. We had a massive garage sale, people barely touched the stuff and then we gave it all away to a hospice. Bitter sweet at the time, but now am glad it is gone.

[Sweetsee]

Looking back on it I can't remember a single thing that was in those cardboard boxes. The worst part was the old man saying get all that sh*t out of my garage, and when I asked if I could stay there for a couple weeks, in limbo between here and there, he said to ask his girlfriend. I split, pissed. Seems I didn't grab all my baggage afterall, whoops.

[Jazz1975]

This is a great list and will get me to start thinking of what I should bring with me and what I should leave at home. As it is right now, I've already started "downsizing" and have made a sizable "dent". Being that as it may, I know I'll still have to leave some things at home.

With regard to cd's, it won't be much of a problem deciding which ones to bring-the salsa ones will go with me for sure, but the other ones can stay at home as my plan is to rely on internet radio providing I can buy a laptop.

However, my achilles heel will most likely be my clothes. Although I don't have as much as other women (imo), this will still be an issue as I will still have a hard time being selective of what to take with me. Having said that, I will take someone's advice earlier (on another thread) about bringing what I need for two seasons and having the rest shipped over. That'll probably make the selection process a lot easier. Shopping for clothes & shoes won't be an issue as I am short and wear a small shoe size.

Great minds think alike @ toiletries, medications, photos and memetoes of home. The mementoes will be another achilles heel for me as I will have a hard time being selective. Pictures won't be an issue. I'll burn them onto a few cd rom's to take with me and print out a few favorites to be put in frames.

[Jazz1975]

"Unless you have sensitive skin, or allergies, or a favorite brand that is key to your happiness, don't bring huge amounts of soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. Toothpaste is also a silly thing to stock up on. Deoderant/anti-persperant is not. Drug stores here are very well stocked. But then if you have african hair, or you have acne prone skin, you will want to bring the items you'll need to survive."

Whoops! Missed this one the first time. Good point.

[ghostrider]

I want to copy everything to external hard drives and pack them in my suitcase because there's no way I'm lugging around thousands of CDs and DVDs and storing them in a tiny apartment. If I'm one of the unlucky ones to get everything searched, does anyone know if they also scan external hardrives? I've read they probably don't care so much about MP3s since they have no idea how you obtained them, but I'm not so sure about DVDs or TV shows.

[Lynn]

What not to bring:

Shampoo/conditioner

I really wasted space in my suitcase. Furthermore, you'll have to pay the airline an excess fee because it's heavy, too.

What to bring:

-photo album
-a favorite sweater or towel or something that makes you feel comfortable when you might be homesick or going through culture shock.

[Eva Pilot]

If you are Australian, a cricket bat.

Seven months in and I realise I am dying here without one.

[Hoser]

[Canuck2112]

I wish I brought:
1.) More deodorant: the stuff here is awful
2.) More toothpaste: You can buy it here, even with fluoride, but its pretty subpar IMO.
3.) More clothes, especially shoes: I'm pretty tall/big with large feet. Shopping can be very difficult at times.
4.) More nutritional supplements: Japan's supplement industry baffles me. Sometimes they're way ahead of the game...they jumped onto things like resveratrol and lycopene way before other countries caught up. Other times they're so behind the times its not even funny...having protein bars made entirely out of collagen (a completely useless protein) and high dose iron supplements. If you are into training or general health bring your supplements from home...they're better and CHEAPER.

I didn't need to bring so many/much:
1.) Alcohol: Japan has a wonderful store called YAMAYA which has a selection that destroys any Canadian Liquor Store. Scotch whiskey, Jamaican rum, Belgian beer, Canadian Icewine...Yamaya has it all, and often for cheaper than back home.
2.) Misc. Toiletries (Razors, shampoo, hair wax, etc): Didn't need them. Lots of drug stores here.
3.) Gifts from home: Maybe I'm not making as much as an effort to befriend Japanese people as I should, because nearly all the gifts I brought 2 years ago are still sitting in my suitcase.
4.) Condoms: The usual advice posted on Daves is "Bring LOTS of Condoms", as if the ones here are easily tearable, thimble sized little nubs. Its true the drugstore ones can be a bit snug but go to any sex-shop and you should be able to find brands from back home at reasonable prices.

[Neongene]

I'm currently in the process of getting myself ready for the job hunt. I'm certified, and my school will basically find my work for me. So at the moment i'm selling everything I own and saving up as much money as I possibly can.

the only thing I will have to my name will be a guitar, a laptop, iPod, clothes, a CD Wallet and a toothbrush.

one question - I'm 5, 11" and I have an size 11 shoe, i'm going to be screwed in Japan? Should I bring lots of shoes?

[milesdenman]

I'm still in the UK at the moment and buy a lot of clothes and shoes mail order off the internet. Can't you order stuff from the internet in Japan?