Job Discussion Forums

marinboy · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Location: osaka

Hi,

I'm coming to work in Osaka at the end of January and I'm trying to work out how many clothes and pairs of shoes to bring. I'm a big guy; i.e. 6'1" tall, 42" chest and 36" waist - oh and size 11 (UK) 12(US) feet.

Am I going to have trouble buying clothes?

If not are they expensive compared to the UK or is they good choice of shops price wise?

Is these anything else you would suggest I bring from home; I read on here to bring deodorant, anything else?

supervisor133 · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Australia

I bought a new pair of "work" shoes and a new pair of runners before I left, just in case. I have similar size feet to you and while these things can be found it really depends on where you are living. I recommend buying these things before you go and save yourself some frustration if you can't find something in your size.

I did buy a couple of business shirts whilst living in Japan but as far as work attire goes I went prepared. Things like t-shirts and extra jackets for winter and the like shouldn't be a problem.

rai · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 119 Location: Osaka

There's a big and tall men's shop called Grandback on the ninth floor of the Bic Camera building in Osaka. Not very good quality, but it does in a pinch. You can also have stuff tailor-made at Brooks Brothers at Namba Parks. Their custom-made dress shirts are a good deal, actually.

Shoes are a pain; I wear size 12 (American), which is 30 centimeters in Japan. Most shops only go up to 28 centimeters, and when you DO find 30 centimeter shoes, the selection is usually pretty limited. There's a Skechers store in the arcade shopping area near Shinsaibashi Station on the Midosuji subway line that has some 30 centimeter casual shoes. Crap quality, but I find some slip-ons occasionally.

Yeah, try to bring slip-ons, 'cuz lacing and unlacing your shoes all the time gets boring (unless you're gonna be working for a conversation school, in which case don't worry, I don't think they change shoes at work).

Don't worry about WHERE these places are exactly now, I'd just write 'em down and ask co-workers when you get here. Or just post again later. My advice is this: If you're really choosy about clothes, try to bring them with you. Remember, you can always ship a box of stuff to yourself before you leave. You can find bigger sizes here, but the quality isn't that great and the selection is weak (although at Grandback, you can get big-size yakuza-style clothes, so that's fun).

Oh, and the Daiei department store/grocery store chain used to have a big and tall section. Strictly crap, but cheap. Maybe they still have it.

sallycat · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 303 Location: behind you. BOO!

seastarr · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 76

I brought toothpaste, but it is possible to find western brands, there's just not a huge selection....other than that, theres not much you won't be able to buy in Osaka. Bring things that remind you of home and that you can show your students.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

If you're going to live in a big city, you'll find lots of things. Never hurts to know the Foreign Buyers Club www.fbcusa.com for some special food needs, even frozen turkeys!

Clothes. Grandback is a good place for some bigger sizes, as mentioned. Remember, too, that even though a waist or chest size on shirts may be the same, the shoulder and sleeve sizes may be different, so try on everything if you can here before buying! Same goes with pants; waist and inseam may work for you, but try them on to confirm that there is plenty of space in the seat.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

I'm about the same size as you and it can be a pain sometimes. Ask around for a shop called AOYAMA. I remember seeing pant sizes all the way up to 105cm/38inches. I had no problems finding pants and suits there.

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

I'd definitely second the comment about shoes being a problem. I'm a size 10 in the UK, which is roughly 28 or 29 in Japan. I actually find most shoe shops have the bottom shelf marked as 27, but often the shoes on it are 26.5!! 28s are much more common than they used to be but plenty of shops still won't have any. Above 28, you really have to start looking and are probably often limited to the "freaks' corner" (er...I mean, big size section Very Happy

) that a few shops have.

Another thing to bear in mind with shoes, is that many bigger sizes in Japan seem to be bigger in length, but not in width. A few times I was delighted to have eventually found a 28 or 29 and hastily bought them because I was just so sick of looking everywhere; but then regretted my haste as I found them to be uncomfortably tight.