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[feisty-red]

I have just learned my new home is Funabashi, Chiba. Anyone from there?

And my other question is where can I find good maps? Some of these Japanese sites I have looked at were tough to navigate or just not in English. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[opalgrav]

Hey Feisty.

Take the train to Shin-Tsudanuma or JR-Tsudanuma. There's a Maruzen bookstore close to the JR station (When you see the Lotteria near the station just cross a couple of streets) with an English section on the 3rd floor, and in one corner is a bunch of maps for around Japan. I haven't seen any local maps there, though-- only in Japanese. But once you've gotten used to the Kanji used for different places, you can probably go ahead and get a Japanese map.

[TokyoLiz]

Funabashi is a good location for getting all around Kanto. Nice going!

Here's the PDF from JR East, with stations indicated in English - http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/info/map_a4ol.pdf

JR East's English page can be found at http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/travel_info/index.html

Tokyo Metro's English page, guiding you around the spaghetti of subways, can be found at
http://www.tokyometro.jp/e/index.html

To get around, I recommend you click on the English button at
http://www.hyperdia.com/

The Mother of All Maruzens is located at Tokyo Station, Marunouchi west exit, which is easy from Funabashi on the Sobu train. You'll find a vast English section there.

[Apsara]

Definitely a handy location transport-wise- all kinds of train/ subway lines seem to go through Funabashi or Nishi-funabashi. Relatively close to Narita airport too, and being in Chiba, also not too far from beaches.

[tigerwood]

Your not working for LSJ Language Systems Japan are you?
If you are check out the posts on all the other forums about this company the advice is stay away while you still have some money in your bank account.

[JimDunlop2]

Living in Funabashi gives you the good fortune of being located next door to one of Japan's only Ikea stores! Plus, the LaLaPort shopping mall complex is a nice treat too. Also, there's a Costco in Chiba City which isn't so terribly far from Funabashi either.

I make a point of driving into Funabashi when I come to Tokyo -- I get my Swedish goods on.... Before Christmas I bought 200x500ml cans of Swedish Christmas beer. Delicious stuff! Made sure to buy enough to last me (and my wife) a while....

Sorry, can't help you much in the maps department. I have two myself -- a Japan atlas (in English) and a greater Tokyo atlas (also in English) but neither of them have Funabashi in detail. Your best bet might be to find the local International Center once you arrive -- they may have something better for you.

[feisty-red]

JimDunlop2-
What is this Swedish beer treat you speak of and where can I get some? Would love to give it a try. I'll try anything at least once. What other Sweidsh goodies are worth taking note of? Chocolate?

To everyone else, thanks! Sounds like I was placed in a good area. I will be working for ECC in Chiba. (Not LSG, no worries.) Perhaps though I will be commuting far for Chiba from what I can see on the map. But it's easy to get around you all say? Super!!!

Very excited to get there, be there in less than 2 weeks.

[bornslippy1981]

Feisty,

I think you're American from some of your other posts.

There's a Costco in Funabashi as Jim Dunlop pointed out. I'd recommend getting the card at home. It's $50 for a year. I'm not sure how much it is in Japan, but it's one less thing to get when you get here, and if you have zero Japanese ability, it makes things less daunting. Then again, those challenges really help the experience. I remember it taking 4 hours for me to ge a bank account, and 6 hours over 2 days for me to get a cell phone. Looking back on it nearly two years later, it was great fun.

Anyway, I haven't been to the Costco in Chiba, but I've heard they do have American size clothes there.

Good luck with your move.

[JimDunlop2]