Job Discussion Forums

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Sorry Aspara, 'mod cons' is not popular in N. America, though I have seen it before (never heard it used). I like some punk, but I wasn't listening to it in 1979..... Razz

I've never heard anyone (British, Kiwi, Aussie, etc..) use it, perhaps I hang out with an older crowd Cool

.

It just sounded more like a texting or net short hand. I suppose it would be similar to 'air con', but I would say that and 'AC' or much more commonly used than 'mod con'.

Back on track, some things here medicine wise are much weaker for the same brand or are missing some ingredients. I get pseudopheds and allergy medicine from my dad in the States, much cheaper for the former and the latter doesn't require a prescription.

Suwon23 · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 50

Thanks for the help, everybody! Let me clarify a couple of things:

1) Regarding "American" toothpaste: It's not that I'm a jingoistic, flag-waving, French-boycotting redneck. I suppose you could re-write that "any toothpaste that works." Korean toothpaste is worthless. It doesn't even have fluoride in it. So I'm asking if regular Japanese toothpaste is any good.

2) Same for deodorant. Totally unheard of in Korea, but from your descriptions, it sounds like it's fairly common in Japan (remember, I'm going to the middle of nowhere so specialty shops are not an option).

While we're on the subject, what about foods not indigenous to Japanese cuisine, specifically spices? I know I''ll be able to find wasabi, curry, shoyu, etc., but what about things like oregano, dill, or cayenne pepper? Will I have to travel to a big city to find them?

Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239

Just my opinion...

1.) In general, Japanese toothpaste is not very good. You can buy aquafresh at any drug store, but aside from that you're stuck with Japanese brands. Most of them are without fluoride and don't taste like mint. Some I've tried are actually salty.

2.) Deodorant...widely available in Japan but usually weak, roll-on stuff. If you use a stick or gel deodorant you should bring some.

As for spices, you might have to go to a Yamaya to get them. Yamaya is a reasonably priced import store. In my experience even the smallest Japanese cities either have a Yamaya or are within reasonable driving distance of one.

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

Oregano and cayenne pepper plus a wide range of other common spices are available in my local supermarket- dill possible, but it's not something I look out for myself so I haven't noticed.

A lot of this depends where you will be- if you are going to anywhere within shooting distance of a reasonable sized city, you can find most things, as I said above. If you will be in an extremely rural part of Kochi or Yamagata prefectures or somewhere similar it's going to be a different story.

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

oregano, cayenne pepper -- no problem anywhere
dill -- big problem; get it from home
Ask about other spices if you like. I cook a lot and am always on the lookout for things that I thought were common. You will be happy to know that most herbs and spices are sold in at least one brand name that is written in English or katakana, so you won't have problems reading it.

toothpaste here is not worthless! Not all has fluoride, but the types that do are common and easy to spot (look for the MSP in English or the large フ and small つ). Some people will complain about the taste, but from reports that I have read on several forums, those people are very picky. Besides, there is a wide range of toothpastes here, so bring a big tube from home and try out what you see here until you absolutely need it.

deodorant. Most common foreign brand (only one I've seen) is Ban, and yes, you will get complaints from many people. I use a Japanese brand, and it is only a deodorant, not an antiperspirant! Plus I use an unscented type because I find all the scented types are terribly strong scented and unappealing. Japanese do not use personal health care products that smell strongly, including perfume, so it amazes me that this stuff exists. I suggest getting what you need from home.

Canuck,
The OP has expressly stated they don't want to depend on import stores, so suggesting Yamaya is out of line here. Besides, I've never heard of it, so it's not everywhere.

Suwon23 · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 50

The spices seem like a suspiciously happy ending... In Korea, non-Korean spices are totally unknown. I had to take a two-hour train journey to an Indian grocery store in central Seoul for anything not part of the garlic-pepper-sesame-curry-soy pantheon. Are you really confident that non-Japanese spices are available in grocery stores, even in rural areas?

Other ones I like are paprika and cilantro.

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

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

Japanese people like Italian food, Chinese food, Mexican food, Indian food, Thai food, and so the usual spices are widely available here. You aren't coming to a province of Korea, this is a completely different country, so it's likely a lot of things will be different.

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

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

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject:

Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239