Job Discussion Forums

[matter]

I was curious what items one might not think to bring with them when going to teach in Japan. Also what things just take up weight and should be left at home. Anything that you really wish you had brought in that first month?

I was thinking of bringing my rollerblades along (if they'll fit/not too much weight) Would it be better to just buy a bike when I'm there?

Unfortunately the company I'm going with did not tell me which city I'm going to yet.

Could I assume that most company apartments have internet access? I was planning on bringing a laptop along. I hear that laptops are not much cheaper there.

Would it make sense to bring Japanese textbooks along?

Other than that, I was planning on having enough clothes for a year, which isn't much for me. (dress shirts, ties, pants, good shoes, sox)

[Canuk girl]

Don't bring too many books, you can borrow from your friends, or buy them at used stores. I'd bring my roller blades if I did it again, but then again, you would have to blade on the road... and riding a bike is scary enough on roads here, having a little metal between you and a car builds courage.. if I brought blades they'd be more for recreation, and less for transportation. Which company are you going with? I would assume most appartments, if its with a big four school, do not have internet in them already. Laptops are NOT much cheaper here, but they weigh less, preform better, and have Japanese operating systems.
Hope this helps.

[Glenski]

This has been discussed a lot, so you might want to do a search.

Bikes vs. rollerblades. Wait until you are here, then make the decision. Shipping your blades won't take long and won't cost much. Secondhand bikes abound.

I agree with canuck girl on lack of Internet access. You will have to choose a provider and related services yourself. As for the laptop itself, you can buy one here, but it depends on where you live. You can get English OS, but it usually costs a little more. Besides, warrantees of computers are limited here; they usually aren't good outside Japan, and you can't always get an English operator manual (even online). About the only real advantage I can see is that monitors are much higher quality here.

Japanese textbooks? Why not, especially if you are familiar with them already? Just don't bring tons of them. Ship them ahead of time via sea mail (4-6 weeks).

Seasonal clothing may also depend on where you get posted. Not much use for long underwear, parkas, and snow boots in Kyushu, for example.

[Glenski]

Check out FAQ2, item 15 for some additional tips.

[TokyoLiz]

If you play a musical instrument other than piano, you might want to bring it with you. I brought my accordion. Yes, one of those weapons of mass destruction. I paid Can $250 for a well-used Italian made squeezebox, and suspect that to buy a used one here I'd have to pay four times as much. Musical instruments can be a big bother.

If your feet are big, then bring shoes. Lots and lots of shoes. Big women's shoes means 24 plus cm, and for men it's 27 plus (guys, correct me if I'm wrong).

If you use over-the-counter drugs, like asprin or PMS remedies or cold remedies, bring them with you. It's really hard to find drugs that resemble the ones you're used to at home.

I'd say bring minimal books. You'll find lots of shops in cities, and you can always order them over the Net.

[denise]

I left my rollerblades behind and bought a pair here. I wear a size 6 in the US--about 23.5 here--and I had no problem finding a pair, although they were a bit more expensive than in the States. The roads are a bit rough sometimes, but oh well... (I did lug my ice skates with me, though, only to discover that the closest rink closed down for good about two weeks before I got here--sob sob.)

I got a laptop in the States just before I came, and despite the additional weight, I'm glad I did. I just feel much more comfortable with an English operating system.

I think a previous poster mentioned pain killers, etc.--I agree whole-heartedly. Any toiletries that you are particularly fond of you should find a way to bring--even ship yourself a boxload of 'em.

d

edit: Oooops, that's a women's size 6 for the rollerblades--I'm guessing by your inclusion of ties in your wardrobe that you're a guy. I don't know the sizing system for men--what you'll be able to find, etc.

[Brooks]

deoderant. Maybe flouride toothpaste too.
Floss, shaving cream and razor blades can be expensive here, so I stock up on vacations.

I like going to Barnes and Noble too, since books are expensive at Japanese bookstores.

I don`t like the cold medecine available at drug stores (since it doesn`t work) so I also buy that in the US.

and I really wish I brought ear plugs, especially for the landing at Narita.

[Glenski]

[shmooj]

[ellienihon]

I'm planning on getting an m-bag from the post office. It costs US$11 to send up to 11 pounds of printed material by surface mail. When I came back from Japan last time, I also used one of these to send back papers and books.

One of the things I'm really having a quandary over is my computer. I have my connections through it, but I don't see shipping it as an option.

[Brooks]

well Glenski, where I live in Kanagawa I can`t always find the toothpaste I want.

Shmooj, save your snide comments for the Korean board. I prefer the medecine I get from the clinic at my school, because it works

[matter]

Cool, thanks for the advice everyone.

I just got my plane tickets in the mail today

[shmooj]

[Brooks]

Korea sucks for some teaching IMHO. Nah, I will stay in Japan.
I can say that Korean university jobs have long vacations. And that is a good thing.

My school`s clinic has medecine that seems to help me get over a cold.
Whenever I have bought from a Japanese drug store has never helped me get over a cold.
The school`s medecine is stronger and works for me and doesn`t cost much (1000 yen).　It works like Actifed.

Although Glenski can give great advice, what is true in Sapporo isn`t always true in other parts of Japan. Glenski may have better better drug stores than there are in my neighborhood.

[guest of Japan]

Cold medicine doesn't cure colds. However it does alleviate the symptoms which are actually reactions by your body from fighting the cold.

I'm usually quite content with Japanese cold medicine. Although sometimes I miss the coma inducing effects of NyQuil.

Flouride is well discussed in the dentist thread.