Job Discussion Forums

Celeste · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 10:19 pm Post subject:

You will not be able to get cash from ALL bank machines, but you will be able to use your foriegn credit card in a few of them. The only bank machine I knew of that could take a Canadian card when I arrived in F ukuoka was in the international airport. I hear there are a few more now, but I haven't had to use them. What city will you be in? If it is a major city, you should be alright. If you are in a small town, you may not be able to use your card.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Gordon,

My wife doesn't allow me to use the gas heat too much. Honestly the kerosine heater is far more effective. My first year in Japan I refused to use the kerosine heater, citing fumes as my aversion. The second year I was tired of being cold. The fumes from the kerosine heater really aren't that bad. The first time you use it is the worst.

Diderot,

I think you will find VISA as the most useful credit card here. You can do a cash withdrawal from an ATM, but not every ATM. Don't be perturbed about the $3000. It is highly unlikely that you'll need all of it. You'll be facing enough challenges during your first month in Japan, if you can help it, it's better to not have money troubles added to the list. Also, your first AEON paycheck will only be for about two weeks work, so it's best if you are not relying on your paychecks until the second one comes.

junglegirl · Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 9

Hi Diderot

I have never been to asia (not yet) however I have been to Europe and the US. You will want to call the Credit Card company and let them know that you will be "travelling" in Asia for a year. If you do not they may freeze your credit card once you make a purchase (as they may think it has been stolen).

J

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

That's good advice junglegirl. It's happened to me before. Your discover card (never seen one before) will be useless here.

Guest,
Yes I hate the kerosene heater and ours is really old so it's really smelly. I use it in our bedroom when it gets extra cold.

Celeste · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 12:50 am Post subject:

Am I the only person in the world using electric heat? I can't stand the kerosene heaters, and the gas one that came with my apartment is of questionable vintage. The air conditioner has a heat setting, though. I also have a little portable electric heater to take the chill off the bedroom. I use a kotatsu. My winter bills are not outrageous (certainly no more than they would be in Canada). My most recent lot of bills I paid 11 000 yen for electricity, 7 000 yen for gas, and 3 000 yen for water.

THe gas bill is cheaper in the summer, but the electric bill is about the same because I love air conditioning. Spring and fall, we have a bit of a reprieve from the electric costs. It really is about the same as what I paid to heat my house in Vancouver.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

On the topic of utilities ... anyone heard of the "urban legend" of a "fixed-rate" electric bill? I heard of this from a teacher a few years back and didn't believe it. Than I moved to Kagoshima. In my apartment all appliances are electric (no gas). Every month a pay between 3,200 and 3,800 regardless of usage. Example, last year I was gone the entire month of August. Everything was turned off except the fridge, which I set on "1". When I received the bill for August it came to 3,200 yen with which I can assume are fictional watt usage hours. By contrast, blasting my electric heater (the in-wall type which double as A/C) for approximately 6 hours a day in January, ran me 3,600 yen. I am not complaining, of course, but this baffles me. And it is not town-wide. I co-worker pays twice what I do for seemingly similar usage.