Friday, January 3, 2014
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Visiting Japan : Part 1 Getting Here
I have many friends and family who'd like to visit while we are stationed in Japan. Two of which always email me within 2 hours of each other with questions about the trip :) As a result I will be creating a series of posts to guide anyone who would like to come visit me specifically. While there will be general useful tips too, the random reader should heed this warning.
We live in Yokohama.
There are 2 major aiports to fly into Japan. Narita, which is North of Tokyo and Haneda, which is South of Tokyo. While there are more flights to Narita, it is about 2 hours to Yokohama via public transit (and lots of transfers) or 90 minutes via Narita Express Train (4,100 Yen).
Haneda has fewer flights but it takes 21 minutes via two public transit trains and only 440 Yen.
After 20 hours of travel I was VERY grateful that I flew into Haneda. If you fly into Haneda I will probably meet you at the airport, I won't do that for Narita!
http://his-usa.com/en/top/Top.aspx
http://www.jtbusa.com/
http://www.iace-asia.com/
http://www.flightpedia.org/search.html
JAPAN= NIPPON-KOKU
We live in Yokohama.
There are 2 major aiports to fly into Japan. Narita, which is North of Tokyo and Haneda, which is South of Tokyo. While there are more flights to Narita, it is about 2 hours to Yokohama via public transit (and lots of transfers) or 90 minutes via Narita Express Train (4,100 Yen).
Haneda has fewer flights but it takes 21 minutes via two public transit trains and only 440 Yen.
After 20 hours of travel I was VERY grateful that I flew into Haneda. If you fly into Haneda I will probably meet you at the airport, I won't do that for Narita!
FLIGHTS
Japanese LOVE travel agents. They don't have a billion cheap travel sites. Other than your standard sites (Orbitz, Kayak, CheapFlights, and regular Airlines) take a look at these local companies for flights and tour information.http://his-usa.com/en/top/Top.aspx
http://www.jtbusa.com/
http://www.iace-asia.com/
http://www.flightpedia.org/search.html
TRAINS
Don't worry about not speaking Japanese. Most of the signs are also in English!
See how there's a point on the left side of the green stripe?
That means that's the direction the train is traveling.
You are at Yokohama Station and the next stop is Sakuragicho. The last stop you were at was Higashi-Kanagawa.
You will see these type of signs at almost all of the stations.
ASKING DIRECTIONS
You may get a little confused and second guess yourself at times. Just ask a platform or train conductor. They all have hats like this guy. Some have blazers, microphones or flags.
SPEAK SLOWLY. VERY SLOWLY. E-NUN-CI-ATE EVERY SYLLABLE.
Most Japanese studied english in school, that doesn't mean they've been practicing so speak slow and smile. If they can't help they will find someone who can.
How to pronounce Yokohama
How to pronounce "Excuse Me"
Wave and say "Su-mi-ma-sen". Point to the train in question. Ask "Yokohama?"
I have tested this method dozens of times, from conductors, to old ladies, to 20 somethings. It works. 90% of the time you will be on the correct train- or A correct train.
It may be a local but you'll get here, a long as you're going in the right direction. Most trains lead to Yokohama, as it's the 2nd largest city in Japan and Yokohama Station in a huge transportation hub.
USE YOUR SMARTPHONE
Check with your carrier about international roaming charges. Figure out how to turn everything off except your wi-fi, or your 3G if you want to spend a little extra. Or borrow someone's iPod Touch
The streets here are more confusing than London. Nothing is in a straight line, they don't use "blocks" for directions they use landmarks and most of the street signs are NOT in English or Romanji. So having that GPS on your phone makes traveling on your own much more efficient.
Get the GOOGLE TRANSLATE App.
Want to ask a store keeper a question and they dont speak any English?
Type in your question. Turn your phone horizontal to have the text fill the whole screen and show to the person.
Or press the 
symbol to have the app speak for you
symbol to have the app speak for you
Friday, November 9, 2012
Weird flavors I love
Because of my Italian heritage and adventurous palate, many flavors (like weird aquatic life) aren't strange to me. Feel free to add your experiences in the comments!
In the summer Japan has soft-serve ice cream in flavors like gree-tea and SWEET POTATO
Individually the flavors are okay but together they will change your life! So delicious!
Also the sweet potatos that grow in Japan are PURPLE!
PIZZA here is amazing! It's all gourmet and like an edible piece of art. This one is from my favorite Italian spot in Yokohama Il Rigoletto Ocean Club. This is the four cheese pizza with honey drizzle
I met Kanna at a camping trip and she offered me one of her bbq smoked eggs from the giftshop at the onsen. OMG I never knew a hard-boiled egg could be packed with such delicious meaty flavor! I have to figure out how to make these myself
In the summer Japan has soft-serve ice cream in flavors like gree-tea and SWEET POTATO
Individually the flavors are okay but together they will change your life! So delicious!
Also the sweet potatos that grow in Japan are PURPLE!
Desserts here tend to be a lot less sweet (less sugar) then they are in the US. Which means you get to eat more with out a terrible sugar belly ache after. Which happens to me now every time I eat one American candy bar on base now!
My hubby discovered an amazing cafe by us that only serves Green Tea flavored cakes and sundaes. Each time I've gone there are easily only 1-2 dudes in the whole place :)
Each Sundae comes with a little side dish of salted sea weed in case you need a savory break in order to finish the whole thing.
Snacks are always a fun adventure! These are air puffed cheddar animal snacks, that taste like real cheese not nasty processed Goldfish. And they help you learn English
Old School Toilets- VERY OLD SCHOOL
Sorry for my terrible writing habit. The past 2 months I've been taking photos and writing tons of posts in my head!
I wanted to share my experience with Japanese style PUBLIC toilets. They are rare, and most times only Western-style are available.
You're probably asking yourself what exactly is the difference...
The moral of the story is 99% of the time you will get a normal toilet while in Japan (it may be super pimped out but at least you'll be able to sit!)
This article will hopefully save someone some dispair that 1% of the time!
I wanted to share my experience with Japanese style PUBLIC toilets. They are rare, and most times only Western-style are available.
You're probably asking yourself what exactly is the difference...
No, I didn't walk into a men's room! I thought I did the first time I went into one in a tiny family owned Japanese restaurant. Thankfully I was wearing a skirt but I was wondering if I should take everything off or just pull down and hope not to splash. Eventually I asked some Japanese friends, they said you just squat and hope not to splash!
The moral of the story is 99% of the time you will get a normal toilet while in Japan (it may be super pimped out but at least you'll be able to sit!)
This article will hopefully save someone some dispair that 1% of the time!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Command Sponsorship Vs Overseas Screening & SOFA stamp
I hope this post is able to help advise a fellow Navy spouse.
Everyone's experience is very individual, based on when they were married and where in their career their spouse was.
Mine went something like this-
1. Husband received orders
2. We got married
3. He left for new PCS (Permanent Change of Station) overseas at Yokosuka Japan
4. Husband had orders changed to reflect a spouse
5. I started overseas screening in NYC
6. He found out I can move to his new PCS without Overseas Screening approval and begin Command Sponsorship approval INSTEAD of overseas screening
7. I found out I could get my SOFA stamp before I was Command Sponsored!
8. Command Sponsorship paperwork complete, screened, and awaiting completion from husband's command
1. He received orders about 6 months before we got married. He could not have altered until after we were married
2. Yay! Marriage!
3. Boo! after 1.5 weeks of marriage he leaves
4. Husband went through a frustrating amount of phone calls and answer hunting to get orders changed and to get me to Japan- and I love him even more for it
5. SO FRUSTRATING. Closest military hospital is in West Point, all paperwork needs to go through them, you'll need all your health records from the past 7 years to complete an Overseas Screening. I recommend just leaving and doing Command Sponsorship if you can. Because I had Tricare Standard I was able to get appointments with local Tricare doctors. HOWEVER the wait for West Point's approval of OS paperwork is at least 3 weeks
6. I went to Japan, on a tourist Visa (90days). I then started Command Sponsorship paperwork (this CAN be done while a ship is underway the OS office will coordinate with ship ).
7. I went to Immigration Office in Yokohama. I brought my Passpot, Military ID, husband's military orders, & dependent paperwork ( I got this confirmation paperwork when we registered me for my ID). I filled out a form to cancel my Tourist Visa. They then cancelled my Tourist Visa and stamped my passport. It took about 90 minutes, and they were all super friendly!
Now that I'm SOFA sponsored I do not have to worry about Command Sponsorship approval before the end of my tourist visa- PHEW!
8. My fate is in the Captain's hands! At least I can stay in Japan. I can't register at the base for a PO Box, register in DBIZ or make regular doctor's appointments (ER only and excluding command sponsorship appts)
Leave questions below- I'll do my best to answer!
Everyone's experience is very individual, based on when they were married and where in their career their spouse was.
Mine went something like this-
1. Husband received orders
2. We got married
3. He left for new PCS (Permanent Change of Station) overseas at Yokosuka Japan
4. Husband had orders changed to reflect a spouse
5. I started overseas screening in NYC
6. He found out I can move to his new PCS without Overseas Screening approval and begin Command Sponsorship approval INSTEAD of overseas screening
7. I found out I could get my SOFA stamp before I was Command Sponsored!
8. Command Sponsorship paperwork complete, screened, and awaiting completion from husband's command
1. He received orders about 6 months before we got married. He could not have altered until after we were married
2. Yay! Marriage!
3. Boo! after 1.5 weeks of marriage he leaves
4. Husband went through a frustrating amount of phone calls and answer hunting to get orders changed and to get me to Japan- and I love him even more for it
5. SO FRUSTRATING. Closest military hospital is in West Point, all paperwork needs to go through them, you'll need all your health records from the past 7 years to complete an Overseas Screening. I recommend just leaving and doing Command Sponsorship if you can. Because I had Tricare Standard I was able to get appointments with local Tricare doctors. HOWEVER the wait for West Point's approval of OS paperwork is at least 3 weeks
6. I went to Japan, on a tourist Visa (90days). I then started Command Sponsorship paperwork (this CAN be done while a ship is underway the OS office will coordinate with ship ).
7. I went to Immigration Office in Yokohama. I brought my Passpot, Military ID, husband's military orders, & dependent paperwork ( I got this confirmation paperwork when we registered me for my ID). I filled out a form to cancel my Tourist Visa. They then cancelled my Tourist Visa and stamped my passport. It took about 90 minutes, and they were all super friendly!
Now that I'm SOFA sponsored I do not have to worry about Command Sponsorship approval before the end of my tourist visa- PHEW!
8. My fate is in the Captain's hands! At least I can stay in Japan. I can't register at the base for a PO Box, register in DBIZ or make regular doctor's appointments (ER only and excluding command sponsorship appts)
Leave questions below- I'll do my best to answer!
Japanese Fashion and Shopping
I keep writing posts in my head when I'm out and about and forgetting to do it when I get home.
Back in NYC the summer is hot with a few unbearably humid days in August, resulting in everyone wearing as little as possible to survive. Here in Japan every day in August is unbearably humid and hot. September has not been much better, according to friends it will easily stay 70F into November. But instead of wearing less clothing, the Japanese wear more. The style is Hobo chic + anthroplogie = lots of loose layers and no tight fitting clothes. They love horizontal striped and nautical themed, navy blue articles & accessories. I rarely see jeans, though it may happen more in the fall/winter.
Also 80% of women wear heels or wedges everywhere. I've seen women wearing heel trekking up the hundreds of steps to shrines & temples. Sometimes I noticed women with shoes that are obviously a half size too big or too small. I wondered why until I went shoe shopping for interview heels. Shoes here are labeled in 2 ways, either by cm size or S, M, L. S/M/L shoes- 3 sizes to fit ALL women?? I don't know the logic behind this system. In the US I'm a size 7, and have the smallest feet of all of my friends. Here I fit a size L. I could squeeze into a M but it's too uncomfortable, I'd rather stuff the toes of a L if I need.
RETURNING CLOTHES. I had to return some clothes to the local H&M. The word to return clothes is Henpin (hen-peen). I walked up to the purchase counter held up the bad and said Henpin- thankfully I got a cashier who spoke English, but she appreciated my effort. When you buy with a Credit Card- You will only get credit back on the Credit Card if you return EVERYTHING on the receipt. So she gave me cash back. Aslo there were no returns on accessories, they wouldn't accept the headband I never used that still had the tags.
LOCKERSIn every major train station and shopping mall there are lockers you can rent for ¥100-500 depending on the size. So you can shop comfortably without lugging bags around
CASH ECONOMY
Most of Japan is a cash economy so unless you shop at a major chain, you'll have some issues using a credit card
PACK YOUR OWN BAGS
At grocery stores and house ware shops they may want you to bag your own items. They will ring you up, transfer all items to a new basket and throw some plastic bags in there. After paying take your basket to a counter by the door and bag yourself- tape and packing materials will be on the counter too.
SIZES
Consult a chart to convert your US sizes to Cm
Back in NYC the summer is hot with a few unbearably humid days in August, resulting in everyone wearing as little as possible to survive. Here in Japan every day in August is unbearably humid and hot. September has not been much better, according to friends it will easily stay 70F into November. But instead of wearing less clothing, the Japanese wear more. The style is Hobo chic + anthroplogie = lots of loose layers and no tight fitting clothes. They love horizontal striped and nautical themed, navy blue articles & accessories. I rarely see jeans, though it may happen more in the fall/winter.
Also 80% of women wear heels or wedges everywhere. I've seen women wearing heel trekking up the hundreds of steps to shrines & temples. Sometimes I noticed women with shoes that are obviously a half size too big or too small. I wondered why until I went shoe shopping for interview heels. Shoes here are labeled in 2 ways, either by cm size or S, M, L. S/M/L shoes- 3 sizes to fit ALL women?? I don't know the logic behind this system. In the US I'm a size 7, and have the smallest feet of all of my friends. Here I fit a size L. I could squeeze into a M but it's too uncomfortable, I'd rather stuff the toes of a L if I need.
RETURNING CLOTHES. I had to return some clothes to the local H&M. The word to return clothes is Henpin (hen-peen). I walked up to the purchase counter held up the bad and said Henpin- thankfully I got a cashier who spoke English, but she appreciated my effort. When you buy with a Credit Card- You will only get credit back on the Credit Card if you return EVERYTHING on the receipt. So she gave me cash back. Aslo there were no returns on accessories, they wouldn't accept the headband I never used that still had the tags.
LOCKERSIn every major train station and shopping mall there are lockers you can rent for ¥100-500 depending on the size. So you can shop comfortably without lugging bags around
CASH ECONOMY
Most of Japan is a cash economy so unless you shop at a major chain, you'll have some issues using a credit card
PACK YOUR OWN BAGS
At grocery stores and house ware shops they may want you to bag your own items. They will ring you up, transfer all items to a new basket and throw some plastic bags in there. After paying take your basket to a counter by the door and bag yourself- tape and packing materials will be on the counter too.
SIZES
Consult a chart to convert your US sizes to Cm
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