Job Discussion Forums

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

Some places accept the temp certs, some don't. YMMV.

About the bank account and phone, I know so many people that just used their work number to sign up. I used my home phone number (as we were required to have it for DSL, but the phone wasn't hooked up) and changed it after I got a cell. But YMMV with banks. I went into one Shinsei and was told that I couldn't be signed up because my temp registration cert didn't have my number on it (as they were talking about my address in Japanese - turns out they were referring to my postcode). Went to another branch and was signed up right away. My gaijin card doesn't even have my postcode on it.

Chris21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 366 Location: Japan

The best way to Costco from Namba is to go to Umeda on the Midosuji line and then change to the Hankyu line. On the Hankyu line, go two or three local stops until you get to Sonoda. From Sonoda, it's only a 20-minute walk to Costco (over the bridge, under the overpass, and past the 7-11... it'll be on your left, on the other side of Carrefoure). You can also take a shuttle bus offered by Carrefoure (which is next to Costco).

For the trip back, you can have Costco deliver locally for only 500yen per box (if you don't want to lug your groceries on the train).

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:33 am Post subject:

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

No Ali, you don't.

Chris21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 366 Location: Japan

I've never ridden on the shuttle bus, so I'm not sure what their policy is... I can imagine more than a few Costco shoppers have hitched a ride. From what I saw, it looked pretty easy to get on.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:43 am Post subject:

kinshachi · Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 50 Location: Sydney

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

That's Sir, to you Ali!

Anharchy · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 14

I do believe that I read on the forums that ECC uses UFJ. After hearing the glowing reviews of Shinsei thus far, do you think they'd be willing to let me use Shinsei instead? Or is it going to be a case of me needing to just transfer cash into a Shinsei account?

Thanks everyone! I hope this thread helps some future Osaka-ite as well as it's helping me!

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

I'm sure ECC would happily pay money into a Shinsei bank account (I have no basis for this though!!) HOWEVER you'll need to get this set up yourself and when you first arrive, this will not be easy!

So, my advice would be to just go with the flow and let ECC set you up with your UFJ account. Then when you've settled and relaxed, sign up with Shinsei.

Anharchy · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 14

Hey everyone! So I:m in Osaka now, typing on a computer in the aPrecio in Namba. We managed to catch the JCom guy as he left our next-door neighbor:s place, and were able to set up internet with just our credit card. Pretty sweet. They:ll be installing it on Sunday!

What exactly is the Japanese term for the blue temporary card? The woman at Sumiyoshi Ward office had no idea what I was talking about, especially since my Japanese is pretty much what you would call *broken*.

Also, does anyone know where any decent recycle shops are in Osaka? I:m appalled by the price of rice cookers and kettles, and definitely thinking it might be better to either a: get them from a recycle shop; b: order off Amazon; or c: have my parents ship me some.

Thanks for all the help, and Sim/other ECC employees - I hope I:ll get to meet you guys in person at work or something Smile

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

WELCOME!!!!!!!

The blue thing is actually a form, not a card. And I'm sorry but I can't for the life of me remember it's name. All I know is in order to get it, you need to fill out a white form.

Electric stuff....

I bought my kettle for �2000 and my rice cooker recently for �5000. There was a cool place I called "Yellow Store" in Daikokucho (cause it was yellow - I'm a genius) but it's being torn down as we speak. You could try Nipponbashi / DenDen Town for cheaper electrical stuff. 2nd-hand things are pretty rare in Japan. As is recycling.

24601 · Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 75

scorchio · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Sydney

I believe the blue form is called the Certificate of Registered Matters.

At the Ward office they should have a book hanging around called "A guide for living in Osaka: Enjoy Osaka". They have copies in many languages, with a Japanese translation on the opposite page. This is pure gold, as you can find what you want in English and point to it in Japanese! Hurrah! The info about the certificate is under section C: Visas/Passports/Other Formalities.

Also you should be able to get an english only copy of this book to take home for free. But then again - ward offices tend to differ dramatically. So I hope you can find it.

We got our phone and internet set up using only the blue form and a cell phone number (so we had to get phone first, then head to internet booth).
We went to Labi1 in Namba which is great as there is usually someone who speaks English there. We went through Vodafone and NTT for our internet. It took only about 1-2 weeks for inni to be set up, even though they told us 4 weeks.

I'm with ECC in Osaka too. Welcome! Good luck with the crazy 2 weeks of training!