Author Topic: Tips for Tokyo  (Read 3524 times)

liveintokyo

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Tips for Tokyo
« on: February 14, 2015, 10:22:26 AM »
First post for me on the Forum. Found MMM about a month ago and have been reading my way through the articles (almost up to the end of 2013 so still got a way to go). I've done a search for Japan and Tokyo on the forum, but everything seemed to be a bit out of date, so starting a new post (sorry if this is out of line - didn't feel like lurking to test the waters).

About me - I'm an Aussie guy married to a Japanese national and we have 2 little girls (2nd was just born last week). I'm a professional musician and I first moved to Tokyo in 2002. I was away from 2007 - 2010 touring with a musical and then we decided to start on a family so we moved back towards the end of 2010 and bought an apartment here. We live in Ichikawa (so actually in Chiba, but it's a 30 second bike ride to a bridge that once you cross you are in Tokyo) and we moved to this area as it is alot cheaper than central living. Also there are plenty of parks/rivers/nature to keep us from going crazy.

Anyway here are some of my Tokyo tips -

Scooters can save you a fortune in travel expenses. As I work late nights (often missing the last train) I decided to buy a scooter several years ago.  The amount that I have saved on train fares was amazing. After the earthquake in 2011 I took a music teaching job for 2 years for a bit of job security (a lot of gigs dried up and I wanted to keep the income steady as I had a baby - fortunately the situation has improved). My company gave me 24,000 yen a month for my Transport. I rode my scooter to work (unless the weather was horrible) and kept the cash. I use my scooter whenever possible for late gigs and only use my car in the middle of winter or if it's a band gig. Of course for our local area we use bikes. I have a sports bike and my wife has an electric bike for carting the kids (which I use a lot too). My first daughter starts preschool in April so it's a 7km round trip that I'll be doing twice a day.

If you are a gym person (I try to be) have you checked out the facilities provided in your ward? When I used to live downtown the Meguro gym/bowling alley/pool was just down the road and it was pretty reasonable (can't remember as it was 8 years ago). However since moving out to Ichikawa it's amazing value. It costs 90 yen to use the gym and it's a great big open gym with free weights, machines, bikes etc. I try to go a few times a month. There are also 2 massive parks near our house so we go to them a lot.

If you are in the national health system then find some of the massage places that are covered. We have a seikotsuin right across the road from my house and it's between 500 - 1000 yen depending on what treatments you get. I'm a pianist so I get massage/electric massage on my arms and neck/shoulders a couple of times a month. Usually about an hour session and most I have paid is 1000 yen (and that was with heat pads etc). I've heard some of the accupuncture is covered too, but haven't found a place yet.

The internet plans are pretty good if you live in a relatively modern apartment block. We signed with U-com and it's about 2500 yen a month for really fast internet. We also have WOWOW cable TV (I know this is a big no-no, but we have it hooked up to my PS3 Nasene so we just go through the guide each month and program it to get the movies we want to see and I watch the UFC live - we get 80% of the big PPVs and we don't have to pay extra for them.  It's also about 2500 yen a month so for less than 5000 yen you can get great internet and cable (and being from Australia this is amazing - it would be at least 3 times that for much crappier service).

If you go to the supermarkets first thing in the morning or about 30 mins before closing then alot of fresh stuff is marked down. We get most of of meat and veg at least 40% off from our local supermarket (45 second walk from our apartment). For the big stuff we do a costco run once every couple of months in the car, and I do a twice monthly run to OK mart on my scooter. OK mart is a great supermarket where everything is much cheaper than regular supermarkets. http://www.ok-corporation.co.jp/

Well it's 2.20am here so I'm out of ideas (and have to go to bed). I'll update this thread as I think of other things and I'd love to hear from other people who are based in Tokyo/Japan.

chouchouu

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Re: Tips for Tokyo
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2015, 04:58:53 AM »
I used to live in Funabashi but that was fifteen years ago! Don't really have any advice for people who live in Japan but for visitors I recommend booking hotels through Rakuten, much cheaper than through foreign websites or travel agents. I had a habit of going through socks very quickly, my feet aren't all that big by western standards but I guess they're huge by Japanese standards, I spent quite a bit of money buying new socks constantly. So stock up I guess if you're moving to Japan.

Villanelle

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Re: Tips for Tokyo
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2015, 06:10:31 AM »
I lived in the Kanagawa Prefecture for 2.5 years, and will be returning for another 2.5 in 2016.

Not sure I have much advice to offer.  And our situation was a bit different as we had access to a US military base and resources.  But I am happy that, assuming nothing change, the yen situation will be much better for us.  It was 80 yen/US$ when we were there before, and now it's about 120yen/USD!

johnny847

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Re: Tips for Tokyo
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2015, 11:19:18 PM »
Any tips for things to see in Tokyo as a tourist? I'm going in April for about 3 days in Tokyo, and 8 days total in Japan (osaka, kyoto, maybe nara, and tokyo).

rpr

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Re: Tips for Tokyo
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2015, 11:27:23 PM »
I spent a couple days recently -- Tokyo sky tree, Sensoji temple, imperial palace  gardens. If you like electronics and comics, then Akihabara. I had a great time with good food and some alcoholic beverage consumption as well.


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JetsettingWelfareMom

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Re: Tips for Tokyo
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2015, 11:27:48 PM »
Do tell I'd love some tips if I ever get out of the airport (Osaka/Kansai). How widely is English spoken/written on signs? What about securing visas to stay long term?

rpr

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Re: Tips for Tokyo
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2015, 11:31:35 PM »

Do tell I'd love some tips if I ever get out of the airport (Osaka/Kansai). How widely is English spoken/written on signs? What about securing visas to stay long term?
English signage seem to exist most places. In central Tokyo, Ginza, areas etc, can get by with English spoken language but it gets harder outside. No idea about long term visas. I was visiting for about a week for work.


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Villanelle

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Re: Tips for Tokyo
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2015, 11:01:25 AM »
My tip for what to see in Tokyo is to go to Kyoto instead.  Tokyo does have some wonderful things to see, but to me, Kyoto is a thousand times better for sightseeing.  I'd want to live in Tokyo but visit Kyoto.  And if you can time it during Sakura (cherry blossom) season or the changing of the leaves, even better.  I see that you have Kyoto on your list.  Spend at least a few days there.  Kiyomizu temple, Kinkakuji (the golden temple), Ginkaku-ji (Silver temple), Gion, somewhere for a traditional meal, and so many other great things there.

The most amazing thing about Tokyo is simply the scale of it.  Going somewhere that gives you a view (Skytree is probably the most popular, but I believe it is expensive and there can be long lines) is important.  Then you can hit the Meiji Shrine, maybe see the Karajuku kids if that interests you, go to the Imperial gardens, stroll the streets of Asakusa, and whatever else floats your boat.

In both places, you can get by just fine with English.  There might be some adventures in eating if you go to smaller, off the beaten path restaurants, but I had some amazing food experiences by asking the waiter his favorite and seeing what showed up.  If you have a smartphone, download a translator app that doesn't need data. 

Also, the Japanese people are amazingly thoughtful and kind.  If you need help, ask.  If the person can't help you or doesn't speak English, they will often guide you to a booth, a koban (police box) or some other place where you can get the info you need.