Job Discussion Forums

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Quibby, just go to amazon.co.jp. You shouldn't even need help from someone who reads Japanese- click on the tab that says "English" or "View this page in English". Free shipping on anything over 1,500 yen as above, which is often just one book for me (maybe I buy bigger books?)

There has never been an English book I wanted that they couldn't send, and I order some pretty obscure stuff- yoga books etc. They usually deliver within a week- once I got a book the next day. Don't waste your money getting books shipped from overseas.

Victoria's Secret do ship here, but watch out for customs duty on some items. Leather shoes for example attract around 40% customs duty, which I found out the expensive way.

wabisabi365 · Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 111 Location: japan

I second that Amazon Japan plug ... It's cheap and fast, and I have never had a problem. I've received book orders in 24 hours for less than it would cost to order from Canada. Amazing. And if any of your foreign pals have a birthday or need a pick-me-up, it's reallly nice to send a book as a surprise gift. I don't work for Amazon or anything, I just had this happen the other day. I got a knock on my door, signed for my unexpected package, and there was a book I had told my friend about only a few days earlier. She got on-line and ordered it without telling me... It made my day.

ws365

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

Oh, yeah, ordering from Amazon Japan is a smart idea. They just dont seem to have as much stuff as the states and they didnt have the specific book I needed. But I wont order from overseas again...waaaay to expensive.. Now I just buy whatever english books they have at the bookstore, stupid or not..lol.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Have you checked your local library Quibby? Probably they don't have much but you might find some light reading. Not sure about more rural areas but they have a reasonable number of foreign books at my local library. I have read pretty much everything that interested me there over the last 5 years and am now starting on the rest of it- am on the Dean Koontz section now... Laughing

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

English books at the library??? I never thought of that...I have just been spending a fortune and collecting them...
Do you think they would have some at the school library?

chollimaspeed · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 120

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Have never been in a school library in Japan, so not sure there. Some libraries have more English books than others- if you are lucky they might have some decent books, or they might have next to nothing.

If you come down to Tokyo any time have a look at some of the used book shops like Good Day in Ebisu, or even Book-Off (do you have one near you anywhere? My nearest one has lots of English books). Good Day will also give you credit for any used books you bring in that they accept which you can put towards buying books there.

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

You will NEVER find a bra here, just stock up. I almost laugh when I see the bras here...they are super small. If you spend enough at home they will last a good long while. I only bought a few before I came and they will last a very long time.
Definitley be prepared to be grabbed.. At kindergardens the kids would line up to touch my boobs, I would try to run but they were faster and would run up next me to, touch, and run away, many little boys were able to get to me before I was able to escape, they also touched my behind...it was awful..............so yes, be prepared.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

The bras fit you because you are probably one of the lucky ones with no extra flab. hehe. sorry, I didnt mean that I laugh at the people who wear them, just at the fact that I cant...you understand right? hehe...:runs away:

:comes back:
Short story, japan has the best swimsuits. They have about 5 pieces, and have cute designs. They cover all that you want covered and are perfect. Well I wanted to buy one, so I tried on a reasonable size (like the states) and that didnt work, then a bigger and bigger and BIGGER! None fit me!!! The body of the swimsuit would get bigger but the bra part did not! I was soooo depressed that I gave up on the swimsuit hunt.
But one good thing is that if I ever want to be a porn star I know where to get my costumes...

maya.the.bee · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 118 Location: Stgo

if i had the chance again i would have brought my bicycle. yes, i can get one here...but. it fit me. it was paid for. and i wouldn't have to jump thru hoops finding a shop, finding a quality bike (that i can afford), getting fit....for the effort involved in replacing it, definitely worth bringing it.

books i wouldn't bring. libraries will order books if you request them. there are used book shops around (city & inaka). and people are really good about sharing what they've already read.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Actually, I'm not fond of the bikinis you can get here- that's something I always buy in New Zealand. Over-decorated and a lot of curiously old-fashioned styles- maybe you found a better shop Quibby. I need something I can surf in.