Managing Money Between the U.S. and Japan

Whether you're traveling to Japan or planning to live there, figuring out how to handle your finances is essential. From exchanging cash to accessing accounts overseas, having a setup that works will make things much easier.

I spent over 10 years living in Japan and have been back and forth between the U.S. and Japan since. In this post, I’ll share my personal experiences with banking in both countries, as well as some tips for travelers and expats navigating international finances. Keep in mind that I’m not a financial advisor, this is just what has worked for me!

Banking in the U.S. for going abroad

When I first moved to Japan, my main U.S. bank was Bank of America, but over time, I realized it wasn’t the best fit. Eventually, I switched to a more flexible option.

My recommendation: Charles Schwab

I eventually made Charles Schwab’s “High Yield Investor Checking Account” my primary U.S. account. It’s a fantastic option for international travel and living because:

• It refunds all ATM fees worldwide

• There are no foreign transaction fees for cash withdrawals

• No monthly service fees, and it’s easy to manage online

With Schwab, I don’t have to worry about fees or exchange rates when withdrawing cash. I just go to any ATM, even ones in convenience stores, and the local currency comes straight out of my U.S. checking account.

For more details on Schwab’s checking account, check out their website.

Banking in Japan

If you’re planning to live in Japan, you’ll likely need a Japanese bank account for things like salary deposits or paying bills. However, opening a bank account in Japan is often more rigid compared to the U.S., and closing one can be even more difficult.

I’ve had experiences with a few Japanese banks such as Fukuoka Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ, and Japan Post’s Yucho. While I had no serious issues with them while living in Japan, like most domestic banks in the U.S., they had their limitations when considering things international.

My recommendation: SMBC PRESTIA

I decided to make my Japanese bank account at SMBC Prestia. It’s a great option for international people in Japan because:

• Available English support, both in-branch and through their app

• You get a JPY account and an international currency account which sometimes offers high-interest promotions, similar to a CD

• There’s no monthly fee for banking online while outside of Japan

• You’re able to access your account from SMBC ATMs, which is one of Japan’s biggest banks

PRESTIA branches are mainly in Tokyo, with a few locations in other Japanese cities. The branches that I’ve been to are also nicer than that of the other banks.

Credit Cards and Cash in Japan

When visiting Japan, many people assume they’ll need a lot of cash because of the country’s reputation as a cash-based society. While it’s true that many places (especially in rural areas or small shops) still only take cash, big cities like Tokyo are increasingly cashless.

Cashless payments in Japan

As of 2023, about 39.3% of transactions in Japan were cashless, which includes credit/debit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments according to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. [J]

For most of my purchases in Tokyo, I use Apple Pay or physical credit cards with an IC chip, with only the occasional need for cash.

Tip for Apple Pay: If you’re trying to use Apple Pay in Japan, don’t say “Apple Pay” to the cashier. Instead, ask to pay by “credit card” and then “touch,” as there’s often confusion about terminology.

There are places that don’t accept contactless payments but do accept credit card. These credit cards almost always need the IC chip. Some retailers and more commonly online checkouts don’t accept foreign credit cards for various reasons such as higher fees which causes them to lose money, and higher risk of fraud.

Amongst the credit cards that I’ve had most success with using in Japan are the Apple Card and American Express cards. Visa cards tend to have the most issues.

Choosing the right setup for your trip or move to Japan can help you immensely. Hopefully, my experiences help you find the right solutions for your needs!

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What Longtime Japan Residents Buy When Traveling in Japan

One of the issues many travelers have in Japan is fitting everything in their suitcases to return home. Japan has so many amazing things to buy, from snacks to cosmetics, clothes to knick knacks and more.

As someone who has over 13 years of experience living in Japan and frequently spends time there, my Japan trip shopping list is probably a bit different from most tourists’.

Here, I’ll share a few items that I often buy to take back to the US with me and continue updating it, so check back before your next trip!

I also made a video as well:

Food

Kijoan sanuki udon

Once you really dive into Japan’s various noodle dishes, you’ll realize that there’s a lot of different levels of noodle quality, and you’ll likely develop your favorites. Kijoan makes delicious udon and is based in one of the country’s udon capitals, Kagawa Prefecture. Their noodles are packed for delivery and are shiny and almost translucent at times, and also have a delicious chew to them.

Brand site: https://www.kijoan.com/ [J]

Find at: Kijoan

Good nori

As with noodles, there are many grades of nori. Especially if you’re a fan of sushi, you probably have begun to care about the quality of the nori. While nori is sold in markets overseas that carry Asian foods, they usually don’t have a large range to choose from, which is why we buy some while in Japan. This one here is a packet of 20 sheets and is from the Ariake Sea in Kumamoto Prefecture, waters that many say create the best nori in Japan.

Brand site: https://seijoishii.com/ [J]

Find at: Seijo Ishii, other higher-end markets like Kinokuniya, specialty shops, etc.

Kakepon ponzu

Known for producing shoyu (soy sauce) and miso after 29 of Nagasaki Prefecture’s breweries came together, Choko became a single brand in 1975. Adding to their shoyu and miso product line, they also make ponzu, the citrus sauce great for dipping meat and for using in salad dressing. Their tasty Kakepon is a fave, and it comes in both glass bottles as well as a squeezable bottle that helps keep freshness.

Brand site: https://choko.co.jp/ [J]

Find at: Supermarkets

Rayu chili oil

There are many different types of rayu chili oil toppings, but ones made by S&B are some of my favorites. Referred to as “okazu rayu” in Japanese meaning something like “side dish chili oil”, these rayu have ingredients like fried garlic, roasted almonds and other crunchy items in it. They may not be as spicy or deep as Chinese chili oils, but these go along great with meals, especially on white rice.

Brand site: https://www.sbfoods.co.jp/ [J]

Find at: Supermarkets

Snacks & sweets

Yuzukosho senbei

Rice cracker snacks such as arare or senbei are delicious and of course, there’s just way more variety in Japan. One that I like is this one with shoyu (soy sauce) and yuzu kosho flavoring. The yuzu kosho gives it a slightly citrus flavor with a bit of a kick.

Brand site: https://seijoishii.com/ [J]

Find at: Seijo Ishii supermarket (Tokyo)

Minimal chocolate

Minimal is a bean-to-bar brand that’s all about the craft of chocolate. They handle everything from bean selection and purchasing to processing, manufacturing, and sales. Being all about the craft, they carefully select cacao beans from Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, and pay close attention to the process as they say even a 1/1000 of a millimeter (1 micrometer) difference while crushing the beans changes the texture, aroma, and taste of the finished product.

Their main shop is in Tomigaya, one of Tokyo’s “coolest neighborhoods” and where we have an apartment, and they serve a range of chocolate treats from bars and tablets to drinks.

Brand site: https://mini-mal.tokyo/ [J]

Find at: Minimal

Shigekix

If you’re a fan of really sour candies such as Warheads or Super Lemon and like Haribo gummy bears because of their extreme chewiness, you just may love Shigekix. Extremely hard in texture, these tough gummies come in either circular tablets or rounded pyramids, and are available in several flavors. The packs are small and are resealable, so they’re easy to take with you. These are one of my favorite candies I’ve come across while living in Japan.

Brand site: https://shigekix.com/ [J]

Find at: Convenience stores, Daiso (Japan)

Fettuccine gummi

Alightly chewy gummy coated with a sour sugary layer similar to Sour Patch Kids or Sour Punch. These Fettuccine gummi packs are small and have a resealable bag so you don’t have to eat all at once or deal with trying to fold the package so they don’t spill.

Brand site: https://www.bourbon.co.jp/ [J]

Find at: Convenience stores, supermarkets

Azuma arare - Truffle salt flavor

A light rice cracker snack, arare has been among the favorites for Japanese to snack on from long ago. This particular one combines the traditional snack with Italian truffles to create a tasty and addictive cracker treat.

Brand site: https://www.azuma-arare.co.jp/ [J]

Find at: Seijo Ishii

Cosmetics

Deuxer hair wax

Japanese hair wax for men and women by a company called Number Three. There’s about 9 different types of Deuxer hair wax, each numbered from 1-6 and in different colored containers. There’s about 80g of the vegan and PeTA-certified wax in each container. I began using them after noticing a couple hair salons that I went to in Japan were using this brand. I usually get the 5 and it works pretty well for me.

Brand site: https://www.no3.co.jp/ [J]

Find at: Don Quijote, Loft

Rosa Rugosa milky lotion

Lotion from Machinaka Farm in Urahoro, Hokkaido. This lotion is made from essence from a Japanese-native shrub, Hamanasu, which mainly grows in Hokkaido, and aromatic distilled water. While I don’t have experience with this lotion personally, my friend grew to love it while traveling in Hokkaido and claims that this is the best lotion that he’s ever used.

Brand site: https://www.alexcious.com/

Find at: Online

Medicine & personal care

Botchan sekken soap

Known as a really basic soap, Botchan sekken soap can be found at drugstores throughout Japan. They’re a simple white bar-style of soap, and contains no lotions or scents. I have limited experience with them, however, the first time I used it I was surprised at how smooth my skin felt when I washed my face.

Brand site: https://botchan-sekken.jp/ [J]

Find at: Drugstores (Japan)

Ryukakusan

Find at: A soothing solution for itchy, scratchy and irritated throats. Ryukakusan is a powder that comes in small foil packets. If your throat is bothering you, tear one open, pour it in your mouth and swallow. The powder will turn into an easy-to-swallow cream-like substance and your throat will feel soothed. It was a hot item during Covid as many Chinese residents in Japan who knew about Ryukakusan’s benefits would buy them and ship them home to friends and family. I usually get the pink one which is a peach-mint flavor.

Brand site: https://www.ryukakusan.co.jp/ [J]

Find at: Drugstores (Japan)

Ugai

When going out each day, we tend to breath in all sorts of things. One cleanliness habit that many in Japan have is gargling after returning home. This helps with that and contains an alcohol to help get rid of germs in your mouth and throat. Just pour some in water and gargle.

Brand site: https://hc.kowa.co.jp/ [J]

Find at: Drugstores (Japan)

Nonio toothbrush

While I use an electronic toothbrush normally, I usually don’t pack it when traveling. Japan has great dental products and at reasonable prices. My U.S. dentist even said to look to Japan for items or treatment first as many things are first developed there and they also cost a lot in the U.S. Nonio has simple toothbrushes with small heads so they get around the mouth better, and they’re only a couple dollars at most.

Brand site: https://www.lion.co.jp/ [J]

Find at: Drugstores (Japan)

GUM unwaxed dental floss

Another great dental product in Japan is dental floss. They seem to have a better variety, this unwaxed dental floss by GUM, for example. Many of the items I find in the U.S. are waxed or are the type to glide a bit too smoothly. Another GUM floss in Japan is the type that slightly expands while you use it so that it creates more surface area in order to clean better. While these items likely can be found in some stores overseas, they’re probably a little cheaper and more common in Japan, which is why we buy them to take back.

Brand site: https://jp.sunstargum.com/ [J]

Find at: Drugstores (Japan)

Alcohol

Akabu nihonshu (sake)

Dating back to 1896, Akabu is a nihonshu (sake) brewery in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. Their bottles are designed with various samurai motifs and they’re smooth yet reasonably priced. While alcohol preference is subjective, I and those of around me who have drank nihonshu by Akabu found it to be really good.

Brand site: https://www.akabu1.com/ [J]

Find at: Select liquor shops (Japan)

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Planning a Casual Outdoor Wedding Party in Hawaii

After putting off a celebration for three years, my wife and I decided to have a casual party where friends and family from the U.S., Japan, and elsewhere could gather, have fun, and enjoy each others’ company. We decided to do it in Honolulu in the fall of 2023.

Even though we intended it to be casual, planning it was a lot of work. In this blog, I’ll share who we worked with for our wedding and our experiences with them.

Circumstances and wishes

• Accommodate approx. 120 guests

• No ceremony

• Fully outdoors

• Easy for guests to get to and from

• Sophisticated yet casual vibe

• No sit-down buffet or course dinner

• Minimum number of speeches and formalities

• Accommodate English and Japanese-speaking guests

Being that this wasn’t typical, all hotel packages didn’t fit and every time a coordinator or vendor we’d reached out to responded with an overly romantic message, we’d get the feeling that they wouldn’t be a match.

Despite these challenges, the night was a success and exceeded all of my expectations.

Here’s what we used and who we ended up working with from to make the night happen:

Invitations & Management

Wedsites

Wedsites - Wedding website, invitation management, guest and overall organization

Having guests that needed both English and Japanese communications added a challenge to finding a wedding management service. Wedsites was the only service that we could find that provided multi-lingual online invitation, email and website templates.

It wasn’t a perfect system. For example, it was difficult separating guests by their preferred language when sending out emails as there wasn’t an option to sort by it, so we had to check them one-by-one when sending. And because everything revolved around a template, we couldn’t control things such as how to display dates and time in a manner that was native to Japanese.

Overall though, it seemed like the best service that we could find that had some ability to accommodate multiple languages, and it did the job relatively well.

https://wedsites.com/

Venue

La Pietra School for Girls

The Great Lawn at La Pietra School was the main area for our wedding party

La Pietra was our first choice from the start, but they don’t open their schedules up until March, and that would be too close to our September target date to bet everything on them. We actually had the Hawaii State Art Museum lined up, but their communication with us was spotty at best and overall, they weren’t really helpful. We also found out later that due to their location and lack of parking, it would be basically impossible to have valet service, and the nearby area is not the safest for night events with friends and family.

Luckily, La Pietra notified us that we could select a target date with them and it happened to still be available. While they’re not the cheapest option and they come with some strict rules and limited parking, they were very responsive and helpful throughout the process. Their location at the foot of Diamond Head is fantastic, their campus is beautiful, and they made for a great location to have our celebration.

https://www.lapietra.edu/about/facility-rentals/inquiry

Planner/Coordinator

Lauren R.

Finding a planner/coordinator was a bit difficult, especially because we started our search only a few months before our date, and because most wedding planners have their set approach and teams. We, on the other hand, were looking for something a bit different from the typical.

Our planner/coordinator happened to be someone who had never done a wedding before.

We got connected to her through my mom’s friend. Moving back to Hawaii a few years ago, Lauren’s experience centered around doing events and corporate parties for companies on the U.S. Mainland, and her non-traditional approach and experience getting people to socialize and interact was perfect.

Throughout the process, she was very helpful and made sure everything went the way it was supposed to. She doesn’t have a website or anything that I know of (this was just a side gig, after all), but if anyone’s interested, contact me and I’ll reach out to her and see if she’s open to helping out. I’d definitely recommend her.

Catering

Livestock Tavern & Tchin Tchin! Bar

Salmon Mousse Profiteroles

Livestock Tavern

Bar

Tchin Tchin! Bar

Pork Belly Bao

Livestock Tavern

Shrimp & Garlic Sausage Skewers

Livestock Tavern

Ricotta & Fig Jam Bruschetta

Livestock Tavern

Two of Downtown Honolulu’s hippest spots, they’re actually run by the same company. While we reached out to a few other vendors, Livestock / Tchin Tchin! were the ones we were hoping for from the beginning because we wanted to have food and drink vendors that we actually liked at our party.

They were really good at working with us to adjust our menu as well as offer services to us so that we wouldn’t have to find someone else to help out. They provided cocktail foods and drinks, had wait staff walk around the party offering the dishes and bartenders handing out beer, pouring wine and mixing the cocktails.

At the end, they did all the clean up and everything went really smoothly. They even kept our leftover drinks for us to pick up at their restaurant a few days after. If you want friendly service and a crew that does things well, I recommend them.

https://livestocktavern.com/

For non-alcohol drinks (seltzers, coffee, water, kids’ juices), we bought and packed them ourselves, then brought them to the event. Livestock / Tchin Tchin! were willing to man those stations for us for the evening.

Black Sheep Cream Co.

Black Sheep Cream Co. has a small station setup to serve ice cream to the guests

Perhaps our favorite ice cream in Hawaii, Black Sheep Cream Co. was our first choice when we thought about having a dessert vendor. They have an amazing list of flavors to choose from, and we could choose 3 for our party, a cookies-and-cream one, coffee and black sesame.

They came about an hour into our party, discreetly set up a little cart under an umbrella that we were asked to get for them, and began serving. We were also able to pick up the leftovers from their Waipio location which was great since we like their ice cream so much.

https://www.instagram.com/blacksheepcreamco

The Alley @ Aiea Bowl

Lemon crunch and strawberry crunch cakes from The Alley at Aiea Bowl were among the desserts served at our wedding party

We’re not fans of most American cakes, they’re too sweet. But how can you have a party without cake, right? One of the cakes that we like is the lemon crunch cake from popular local spot Aiea Bowl.

We ordered lemon crunch cakes and a strawberry crunch cake of the same style, had someone pick them up and bring them to our party. Cake stands and servers were prepared by us, and our planner/coordinator helped with managing their set up and clean up. It seemed that everyone else liked them too as I think they were gone pretty quickly.

https://aieabowl.com/restaurant/bakery/

Hauoli Pastry

Chewy mochisadas from Hauoli Pastry were dropped off and placed for self-service

Hauoli Pastry and their mochisadas were introduced to us by our planner/coordinator. We had planned on having malasadas, the doughnut-like pastry that’s popular in Hawaii, but when I went to try these mochisadas at a school fair, I wanted to find a way to have them instead.

Mochisadas are small chewy, mochi-like doughnuts with a light sugar coating on the outside. John, the pastry chef and owner, had options to either set up a booth and cook them on-site or do a drop off just before dessert time. We chose the drop-off, our planner/coordinator handled it, and everything went smoothly. I’m really glad we were able to have these at our party, although I wish could’ve eaten more!

https://hauolipastry.com/

Tables, linens, etc.

Event Accents

Furniture was rented from Event Accents, and they transported, set up and took down everything

After browsing catalogs and reaching out to a few different furniture rental companies, Event Accents had the most options at reasonable prices, and they were able to accommodate our weekend event.

Their rental minimum for a weekend event was $5,000, but our order exceeded that mark. About 4 hours for set up and 2 hours for clean up was requested, so this did add to the time we needed to rent the venue. Everything was completed without issue and the staff was responsive and helpful throughout the process.

https://eventaccents.com/

WedCycle

Tables were decorated with a combination of rentals from WedCycle and The Wedding Linen Company, florals from Watanabe Floral and items we made or provided ourselves

We bought some of the small decorations ourselves on SHEIN and Amazon, and at places like Target, but we also rented a lot. WedCycle, a boutique rental service located in West Oahu, was a great option as it helped eliminate waste since we only had plans to use a lot of decorative items once.

While they asked to change the exchange time from what was planned, the owners were personable and everything went smoothly.

https://www.wedcyclehawaii.com/

The Wedding Linen Company

While Event Accents rented out linens through their partner, Fine Linen Rental, their prices were quite high and many of the options had to be shipped in. The Wedding Linen Company had the linens we needed for a lot less and they came pressed when our planner/coordinator picked them up.

https://theweddinglinencompany.com/

Wasara

Japanese brand Wasara makes stylish disposable plates, bowls and utensils

Due to the casual nature of our wedding party, we decided to have disposable plates and utensils. As you know, most of these types of things are unstylish. We decided to buy matte black plastic forks from Sabert, and we bought paper plates from Wasara.

Based in Japan, Wasara adds class to typical paper dishes and disposable utensils, items that almost always get overlooked in the U.S. Square-shaped and designed with a slight wave, these plates were easy to hold, just the right size for the cocktail foods, and they looked nice. A lot of guests made positive comments about them as they’re not known or seen.

https://wasara.jp

Floral

Watanabe Floral

The go-to place for flowers on Oahu, Watanabe Floral had options to customize floral arrangements for pick up or delivery as well as individual items for purchase.

Having Watanabe make the arrangements were ridiculously expensive, however. For an 8-foot garland for a farm table made of an arrangement of mainly greens and a little bit of small white flowers, we were quoted $640/each. For a 4-foot version, $320. Delivery would’ve been $40.

This would’ve totaled to quite a bit considering there were several tables to cover, so we decided to purchase the items individually and put them together ourselves. It was a lot of work, but it saved us a lot of money in the end.

https://watanabefloral.com/

Cindy’s Lei Shoppe

Located in Chinatown, Cindy’s Lei Shoppe had a nice catalog at decent prices. Some leis we were considering weren’t available and a couple of our orders needed to be adjusted, but that can’t be helped as they depend on the flowers coming in.

Their staff was really friendly and patient, especially with me since I don’t know much about flowers and leis. We’re very satisfied with them and recommend them.

https://www.cindysleishoppe.com/

MC, music & entertainment

Torch Hawaii

Kaulana of Torch Hawaii did an amazing job MC’ing our wedding party

For lights, sound, MC and DJ, we went with Torch Hawaii as we’re connected through a mutual friend. They were able to overcome some big external issues that was out of either of our hands, and were flawless for our event.

The MC, Kaulana, was really personable and always made us feel relaxed and reassured that things were being taken care of just how we wanted it. He’s amazing at reading the crowd and their energy, and responding accordingly.

Prior to the party, we submitted a short song list so they could get a feel for what we wanted them to play throughout the evening, and the music was on point for the whole time. We’re really happy to have been able to work with them and would easily recommend them.

https://www.instagram.com/torchhawaii/

Jordan Paul

Kauai-based singer songwriter Jordan Paul performed live music at our wedding party

What’s an outdoor wedding party without live music, right? To set the mood at the beginning of our event and for the first hour or so, we had local singer songwriter (and my cousin) Jordan Paul perform. Based on Kauai, Jordan not only performs locally but has also toured as far away as Europe, performing for enthusiastic crowds there.

He was a breeze to work with and was exactly the vibe we were looking for. Guests who didn’t know we were related came up to us complimenting him, so I definitely recommend checking him out.

https://www.instagram.com/jordvnpaul/

Photography

Colby and Jess

Colby of Colby and Jess took great couples’ shots as well as candids at our wedding party

As someone who takes photos myself, I was a bit particular about who I wanted to work with. I looked around at potential candidates but would find reasons to not go through with them. I was referred to Colby and Jess by a great photographer we worked with in Japan, Sam Spicer.

Colby flew into Honolulu from Maui, was really chill and easygoing, and helped us feel relaxed in front of the camera. He was able to capture great photos of us, our event and the moments that happened and delivered 385 shots from the evening. We're very happy that we worked with Colby, wouldn't hesitate to work with him again, and would recommend him to anyone.

https://colbyandjess.com/

Signage

Zazzle

Zazzle allows users to design custom signage, stationary and more

Due to their wide range of customizable products, Zazzle proved to be a good one-stop option to get our signage and thank you stationary from. We ordered directional signs for parking and guidance, a welcome sign, drink and food menus, and tabletop directions on what to do with the disposable cameras that we had left out for guests to use.

Products could be designed on the site simply by editing existing designs, and everything arrived as ordered with no issues.

https://www.zazzle.com/

Guest Photo/Video Sharing

Guestpix

Guestpix lets wedding party guests easily upload their photos and videos that can be downloaded after for memories

We wanted our evening to be documented as much as possible, and getting the guests involved is a great way to do that. Guestpix allowed guests to easily upload the photos and videos they took into a gallery that could be downloaded and shared by us after.

This could be done by providing a link to an online drive, however this service was more seamless for those who may not be as tech-savvy. QR codes were generated by the service and we printed them out and left them around our event for easy access. We were able to download all of the content submitted and everything was separated into folders according to which guest uploaded them.

It’s a pretty easy tool to use and a great way to easily collect the photos and videos from your event.

https://guestpix.com/

Insurance

The Event Helper

Insurance was required for us to have by the venue, and we were able to get coverage quickly through The Event Helper. I’m not sure how they compare to other options, however I had no issues and getting coverage was pretty simple as it’s just going through a few pages of online questions.

https://application.theeventhelper.com/

Security

Honolulu Police Department

Officer presence was requested by the venue, and we were able to apply for an off-duty police officer through an online application. Payment was made by check directly to the officer who reported at the time of the event.

https://www.honolulupd.org/police-services/hire-a-special-duty-officer/order/

I hope my comprehensive list and reviews give some insight as to who you could potentially work with for a casual yet classy outdoor wedding party on Oahu. While planning was still a lot of work and at times quite chaotic, the actual wedding party went smoothly, guests had a great time and so did we - and that’s what matters.

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Buying an Apartment in Tokyo

Buying an apartment in Japan was one of the biggest decisions in my life and also one of the most tedious and length processes I’ve ever been a part of. But alas, I, someone who often overthinks and resists taking big risks, decided to pull the trigger and buy an apartment in central Tokyo.

Why we bought an apartment in Tokyo

Japan is a second home to me. It’s a place that I have a desire and need to visit, not just to be a tourist but to go about my daily life. My wife is Japanese and from Tokyo, so it would be a place where we’d come back to anyways, with or without a home.

I also recently started my own company with a Japanese corporation and do a lot of work with and in Japan.

In short, it made sense to have a place in Tokyo.

How much do apartments in central Tokyo cost?

Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world both in population and economic size. It’s a dense city with homes on the smaller side because space comes at a premium.

Factors that contribute to the cost are things like whether or not it’s in Tokyo’s main 23 wards, and if so, which ward, what the nearest train station is, how far it is from the train station, what type of construction the building is and the age of the apartment. The difference in what you can get for your money can be quite big

For example, it would be typical for a brand new 1-bedroom apartment in desirable wards such as Minato and Shibuya to start at around ¥128M. On the other hand, one outside the main 23 wards to start around ¥40M.

Housing for sale in central Tokyo. Red dots are ¥100M+, blue dots are ¥20M and under. - At Home

Many locals actually opt to purchase homes in more affordable areas that are outside of the main 23 wards.

Our budget was roughly US $325-400k. This amount meant that it would be a struggle to get a 1LDK (1 bedroom with living room and kitchen) in a highly desirable place in central Tokyo that wasn’t too old. For most Tokyo residents with a similar budget, it would make sense to live further away from central areas or from stations.

With this budget, you could get a lived-in 2-bedroom condo further out from central Tokyo or a brand new 2-story house in places such as the small city I lived in Fukuoka.

What we considered

Location-first

Because we don’t plan on being in Japan for most of the year, we had the option to be more flexible with the size of the apartment. We decided to sacrifice the space a little and prioritize location.

This would add a lot more convenience to our stays while also helping to limit depreciation in home value, which often happens in Japan.

Our target location was the Tomigaya area, an area that we had visited often while living in Tokyo. Over the years, this “Inner Shibuya” neighborhood has grown significantly in popularity with its highly-rated eateries and coffee shops, and despite it being just outside of Shibuya and Harajuku, it still retains a quaint and somewhat sophisticated vibe.

In 2023, Time Out magazine said that “Tomigaya is one of the world's top 10 coolest neighbourhoods”.

Earthquake resistance of buildings

While apartment hunting, we learned that buildings were built with varying earthquake standards depending on the year they were built.

The Japanese Shindo earthquake scale

Buildings built before 1981 were built to withstand a Shindo-5 on the Japanese scale measuring intensity. Buildings built in 1981 or later were built to withstand a Shindo-6 or 7.

“Shindo” measures the intensity of the earthquake that is felt.

Retrofitting

The government is trying to get all buildings along main roads retrofitted to help better secure them in the event of a disaster. Not all buildings have been retrofitted yet, however, meaning that if the government requests an apartment building to be retrofitted, residents there may have to pay some money.

While we looked at 5 different apartments in our general target area, only 2 were built after 1981. These would likely be the best options both in terms of safety and property value if we were to sell the apartment sometime in the future.

We decided to apply for one of those two, and luckily we were approved.

Purchasing

One difference with Japan versus the U.S. is that there’s more freedom in Japan regarding who you work with. You can work with multiple real-estate agents and companies while doing your search, and this is what we did.

When it was time to start the next phase of the process, we went to the real estate agency managing the property we wanted to discuss making the offer.

Making the offer

Offers are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, and buyers have the option to offer the asking amount or lower. If it’s lower but the next person offers the asking price, the buyer will likely sell to the one willing to pay the price they asked for.

After some consideration, we decided to offer the asking price and luckily the buyer accepted. While we entertained offering lower, the availability of a place like this that’s close to our budget is too uncommon and the demand in the area was just too high. We were reassured that we made the right choice when a second bid came in from someone who had been unsuccessfully looking for a place in the area for the past 7 years.

Locking in the agreement

We met with the agency and the seller in a 3-way meeting, signed and stamped several papers, and paid the seller ¥2.5M in cash to lock in the agreement. The reason why it’s recommended to pay in cash is to avoid fees. It is, however, a bit nerve-wracking to carry that much cash on you!

After this was completed, the long process of actually purchasing, handing over and registering the apartment began.

The entire process from searching to receiving the keys took a little over 3 months. It was lengthy, stressful, and something I was glad to have finally completed.

The next step is doing some renovations to the dated interior. I’ll update about that later, but this is a solid step forward in being able to have a life between two countries.

Don’t forget to watch my video which shows this entire process, including the apartments we looked at:
Watch on YouTube

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About My Japan-Related Business

In 2023, I officially started a business that works a lot with Japan.

After teaching English in Fukuoka, Japan as an ALT on the JET Program, I went back into the social media / digital marketing world. It was what I had done at a startup in Silicon Valley before moving to Japan.

I fortunately found a job at a medium-sized Japanese digital agency called TAM which had been around for more than a couple decades, and worked with the CEO to help crack a window so that the company could do more internationally related work.

What I’ve learned doing international marketing

The language and cultural barriers that exist between Japan and other countries, especially Western ones, prevent most Japanese companies from working with ones outside of Japan and vice versa. They also present enormous challenges for businesses trying to market and sell to and from Japan.

Throughout my years at TAM, I’ve worked on Japanese government projects, helping clients such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Yokohama City Government with outbound international marketing.

I’ve also worked with a lot of international companies trying to market to Japanese people - Small startups, large corporations, airlines, fashion brands and so on. While doing so, I’ve learned the different challenges that are common, what some of their needs are and what I could do to help them.

I will continue doing this through my new company.

My company is called TAMKO X, and we are an independently operating company within the TAM Group.

What my company does

The TAM Group has several companies within it doing things like digital ad strategy, content production, e-commerce site design, AI tool building, VR world creation and more. And with the way that we’re set up, we can all draw upon the group’s resources, knowledge and network when we need to in order to best help clients.

For the projects I’ve been a part of in the past several years, I collaborated with Japanese specialists at TAM because they know the market the best and they’re Japanese themselves. They currently live in Japan so they have an up-to-date pulse on things, so together we’re able to help out and provide a lot of value to these international clients.

The challenges we help businesses with

I’ve learned that most of the challenges international businesses face when trying to market to Japan extends beyond just translating and learning business etiquette and things like that.

Much of it relates to how to actually reach and communicate with people in Japan in a natural way, how to build relevance with their lifestyles which can be quite different so they pay attention, and then how to spark an interest so they think about buying.

A lot of times the approach in marketing communications is quite different from how they’d be done in places like the US, for example, and there are a lot of nuances to think about and figure out.

We help localize and connect culture so that our clients have a better chance at getting Japanese customers. We do this through things like native Japanese social media, content creation and transcreation, influencer marketing, Japanese ad management, website creation, Japanese article creation and publications. Basically if it’s a form of digital communication that can have an affect on people, we can do it.

I’m looking forward to continue working with those I currently work with but also working with new passionate clients and new people who would like to collaborate on these types of project as well.

If you’re interested, feel free to contact me.

Website: https://tamkox.com

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Why Moving Back May Be Hard After Living Abroad

I’m basically an immigrant in my home country of the US.

This is the result of living overseas for about 13 years. Here, I’ll highlight some general challenges that I’ve either faced or realized may be an issue that can affect those moving back to the US from wherever they may be.

If you are living abroad and planning to move back to the US or are planning to move abroad, you may find my realizations useful.

1. You may lack relevant professional experience

The work you do overseas may not have much relevance to a job you’re looking to do back home. Even for someone like me who works in marketing, some of the things I do is for the Japanese market, which would be quite different if an employer was looking to market to people in the US.

Even if you do have relevant experience, it may be likely that an employer will favor someone who is equally as qualified as you if their experience is in the US. Why? People want to protect themselves and make sure they’re doing their job correctly.

Not being able to judge your foreign work, skills, company, clients, etc., means more risk to the person in charge of hiring.

You may also have fewer professional connections since you’ve been away.

Knowing people and maintaining those relationships matters. The longer you’re away, the higher the chance that your professional relationships have weakened over time.

Your relevance will decrease with time and distance. This is why I believe you should build some your personal brand (reputation) online at some level so that you can be found from anywhere and people can’t connect with you based on interest.

2. The US government may doubt you

There’s a chance you’ll run into issues with moving back to the US if you’ve been overseas for a while. This is especially true if you end up marrying a foreigner and are sponsoring them for a spousal visa.

While applying for a spousal visa for my Japanese wife, I was asked to provide more proof that I actually intended to move back to the US. This is difficult because while the US has “permanent addresses” that could be a sign of intention to relocate back if it’s a U.S. address, there’s no official legal documentation for it.

I ended up having to gather various pieces of evidence that I still kept an American base, signaling an intention to one day move back. I talked about it in my video, but basically if you’ve been gone for a while, it might not exactly be free sailing back home.

3. Your credit might be good but too weak

Just because your credit score is good doesn’t mean you won’t run into problems, I realized.

I had no problems getting a mobile phone contract nor a new credit card, but I wasn’t able to get a good rate for a car lease. I wasn’t denied, but the amount was roughly double what was being advertised even with a decent downpayment.

The reason given to me was that while my credit was good, I didn’t have enough credit history.

I had never taken out a personal loan or car loan, never bought a house and didn’t have any tuition loans. I did have credit cards, but due to living overseas, they were rarely used.

Even though my credit score was said to be 114 points above the average for my age, that didn’t mean that I was being offered what others with that score were when it comes to bigger purchases.

4. You may notice “gaps” in your existing relationships due to time and distance

When you first move back and see friends, family and acquaintances, things are great because they’re happy you’re back and you can have a good time reminiscing about your past experiences together.

You’ll realize, however, that everyone has different lives, routines and rhythms that aren’t like how they were before. And the same goes for you since you’ve likely changed quite a bit while living abroad.

Activities and interests that tied you together before may have changed, and rebuilding your relationships requires some adjusting. There may be a bit of feeling like an outsider, because in a sense, you are. But if you’re both willing to work at it, you should be able to bring your relationship up to speed and build on them.

I hope this provides some insight into what challenges are common for American expats when moving back to the US. I’m sure this doesn’t cover them all and returning may be difficult, but having an international life isn’t meant to be simple.

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Street Photography: Chinatown, Honolulu

Chinatown in Honolulu, Hawaii, is not only a historical center of the city, it’s also arguably one of Hawaii’s best areas for street photography.

Around the Lunar New Year in 2023, I felt an urge to shoot some street photos. I decided to go to Chinatown with my camera and make a video showing where I was walking and what my perspectives were while taking these shots.

Here’s what I took that day:

If you want to see how I shot these, please take a look:

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New Year’s Differences: Japanese vs Japanese-American

I’ve spent many Holiday seasons in Japan while living there for 13 years. There are a lot of differences during that time compared to the US. For one, Christmas is more family focused in the US while it’s more like a Valentine’s Day in Japan. There’s also way more gift giving in the US than there is in Japan. 

New Year’s is quiet and family focused in Japan and more of a party and celebration in the US. New Year’s is also more of the focus in Japan as there’s a long holiday during this time.

I’m Japanese-American and grew up celebrating New Year’s with some Japanese traditions which is common amongst Japanese-Americans in Hawaii. There are probably some differences between Japanese-Americans in Hawaii vs the U.S. Mainland and even between families, just as there are differences between regions in Japan, but I’ll share some observations I’ve had from my personal experiences.

1. There’s not much mochi pounding in Japan

One of the big things that I’ve noticed is that there’s more focus on making mochi in Hawaii than in Japan.

Mochi is a food made of rice that’s been pounded and made into a sticky texture. For New Year’s, it’s used in a traditional Japanese soup called ozoni, and when I was growing up, we pounded the rice with a machine and relatives would come over and shape the mochi with our hands.

My uncle and his family host an annual mochitsuki, or mochi pounding, event to bring people together and teach kids Japanese traditions. I’ve also noticed that many other Japanese-American families and groups in Hawaii doing the same.

In my 13 years in Japan, I only saw mochi pounding twice.

Once was part of a City Hall activity and once was for a school activity for students. I’ve lived both in Tokyo and in a smaller locale, and I’ve seen a family do it.

The principal at the school that held the activity said it’s a dying culture which is why he decided to have it for the students. While many in the neighborhood use to gather to take part in the tradition when he was younger, nowadays, most Japanese just buy mochi at the store.

2. There’s no kadomatsu in homes

Kadomatsu is a Japanese New Year decoration mainly made with bamboo, leaves, and rope.

In Hawaii, they’re sold even at places like Costco and Whole Foods. Family friends also made them and gifted them to us during the season. It might be that we were doing it wrong as a family, but we put them on display in our house.

It’s not as common for people in Japan to decorate with kadomatsu, it’s more common for businesses and shrines.

What I learned however, is that it’s supposed to be displayed outside because it’s meant to guide Gods and spirits. I’ve also never seen a kadomatsu at my wife’s home or any other Japanese friend’s home around this time of year.

3. Hawaii Japanese New Year’s food is different from Japanese New Year’s food

In Japan, New Year’s has a lot of cultural traditions and that includes food. There’s traditional dishes like osechi ryori where basically each item has a meaning.

In Hawaii, food is more representative of the mixed backgrounds of families, so you can have Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino - basically all sorts of foods mixed together.

It may be that some dishes are localized from a part of Japan I’m not familiar with, but even New Year’s dishes labeled as “Japanese” in Hawaii are different.

“Namasu” in Hawaii is more commonly called “sunomono” in Japan

In Hawaii, namasu is mainly vinegered cucumber slices and wakame seaweed. In Japan, it’s mostly thinly sliced and vinegered carrots and daikon.

Seeing how culture changes as time passes or situations change due to immigration or relocation is interesting. I’m glad I could experience both Japanese New Year’s culture and Hawaii Japanese-American New Year’s cultures.

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Unexpected Struggles Moving From Japan to the US

My wife and I recently moved out of Japan to Hawaii, USA, with the expectation that we’d be back in Japan from time to time.

She’s Japanese, and even though we did a lot to prepare for the move so we could maintain an international life, there are things that we forgot, didn’t know or just made mistakes with.

If you plan to do the same, I recommend you to make sure you avoid these issues better than we did so you can avoid future hassles.

1. Double check your bank status

Banking has been the biggest issue since leaving Japan because we can’t access our money. Here’s what happened.

Opting to not pay monthly international usage fees was a mistake

My wife’s main bank account is with Mitsubishi UFJ, one of the major banks. With most banks in Japan, if you’re going to be overseas, you’re supposed to opt-in to be charged a monthly fee, which we thought to was mainly so we could use functions such as international bank transfers. 

The plan was to use Wise for these transfers since it’s a service that helps you transfer money overseas between accounts for a lot cheaper. Using it doesn’t require international bank transfers since you transfer money to their Japan account and they deposit that amount into the overseas one, meaning we wouldn’t be doing anything “international” with UFJ.

Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to even be overseas really and use your bank account normally unless you pay that monthly fee.

When my wife tried to make a domestic transfer while in the US, she was immediately locked out of her account. 

Don’t forget going through the extra security checks

After doing away with my UFJ account (it was my main account, but long story), I decided to have my secondary account at Yucho Bank (Japan Post) be my main one.

I overlooked the fact that I hadn’t applied to use all of the features of my bank account. 

Like at many banks, just because you’ve gone through the process of opening a bank account and are able to use online banking, it doesn’t mean you can use other functions such as sending and receiving money.

One part of the common security checks in Japan

In order to be able to do this, you need to go through additional security checks, and I overlooked the fact that I hadn’t done it. Because of this, my bank didn’t allow me to connect with Wise for domestic transfers.

2. Prepare for Apple ID Issues

As you may know if you’re an iPhone user, your Apple ID is not universal - it’s tied to a country.

Because I had an iPhone before moving to Japan in the US, that was my main account. I ended up getting a Japan Apple ID as well because there are certain apps that are useful in Japan and not available in the US App Store.

After moving back to the US, I needed to update my Japan apps and when I tried to login, Apple sent a confirmation code to my Japan phone number, the number I had cancelled when I left the country

Go through an account recovery with Apple

I had to make an account recovery request and go through a series of steps.

Once the request is successfully submitted, you’re told that you’ll be contacted exactly 2 weeks from the time of submission to finish up the process.

I went in and changed my Japanese Apple ID to my US phone number so that I could log in again. Thankfully all that worked out and I can access the Japan App Store.

The inability to switch county settings for accounts is not only an Apple problem

This is an issue with other apps as well. For example, for LINE, you have to go through a somewhat tedious process to change your linked phone number if you move countries.

3. Know that you can’t switch countries for Google AdSense

A lot of people will start a blog or YouTube channel when living abroad, and some will monetize it with Google AdSense.

This may lead to Google AdSense depositing payouts in your Japanese bank account. This was the case for me.

Despite registering my US tax info as required for US citizens, Google does not allow you to switch the country it’s tied to once it’s set.

How to switch countries for Google AdSense

1. Cancel your Google AdSense account

2. Open a new account in your new country

3. Submit a request to have your new account connected to your YouTube channel

It can take a little while and during this time, you don’t get paid. This is the only way I know of.

I hope this helps. Feel free to share or ask any questions you might have.

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Initial Reverse Culture Shocks Moving From Tokyo, Japan to Hawaii, USA

I lived in Japan for a total of 13 years, experiencing life both in the countryside and in the big city of Tokyo.

I would occasionally visit the US, most often my hometown of Honolulu, and there were always things that would stand out and require me to readjust to. Due to the pandemic, this is the longest period of not being in the US I’ve ever had.

A couple months ago, I returned to Honolulu to live. These are 11 things that are catching my attention in this early phase of reverse culture shock.

1. Service is way more casual

This was apparent right from my flight from Japan on Hawaiian Airlines. Staff were friendly and treated passengers like friends.

“Here’s your dinner, snack or whatever you want to call it.” said the flight attendant giving me my meal. Whatever I want to call it?

To her credit, the Hawaiian Airlines meal is more than a snack but definitely lacking as a meal compared to other airlines, so it is a bit hard to label.

Hawaiian Airlines’ meal from Tokyo to Honolulu has more unused tray space vs. other airlines on the same route

“You don’t want your cookie? It’s the best part!” another flight attendant said while picking up the meal trays.

Casual and friendly? Yes. Fitting with the local culture in Hawaii? Yes. As someone who grew up in Hawaii, it’s fine with me, but this type of service may be seen as too casual for someone expecting to be treated like a customer.

This is a huge contrast to how it typically is in Japan, as everything is formal, by the book, and overall really good but often lacking in human connection and empathy.

2. Smartphone apps are a lot better

Many in Japan are mobile-only, yet the smartphone app ecosystem is not as robust as it is in the US.

For example, the main app for my bank account at JP Post only allows me to see my balance and transactions. If I want to send money, I need to apply, go through a tedious security check, and use a second app. If I want to access my account on a PC, I need to apply for yet another login, and then use that separate login.

A separate app for Japan Post Bank used to authenticate customers again so they can use their account features in yet another app

Hakuyosha, a dry cleaning chain, has an app where you can register as a customer and earn points. It doesn’t keep transactions and you can’t use it to drop off or pick up your dry cleaning.

Systems aren’t connected which makes many apps in Japan less useful and feel like they’re several years behind the US in terms of functionality.

3. Mask usage varies

At the time I left Japan in last August 2022, nearly everyone still wore masks indoors and outdoors, although it began to decrease.

I’m not sure how many wore it because they wanted to, felt they had to, or did it because it was what everyone else was doing and didn’t want to cause problems by not doing so.

Coming back to the US, it seems to vary by location and time of day, at least in Honolulu. Overall, I’d say around 20-30% wear masks indoors.

4. Prices are high

The higher prices on everything, especially now with inflation issues, are a hard pill to swallow.

JPY value versus USD over the past year until mid-Oct 2022

Add into the equation the fact that I’ve been earning Japanese yen, a currency that has lost more than -26% in value against USD so far in 2022 (as of Oct), prices and my severely weakened buying power are catching my attention.

Tipping at restaurants, something not done in Japan, add to things, of course.

5. No updated price tags sometimes

While I’ve only seen this at Macy’s so far, I found it too odd to ignore. With no price tag on some items, there were signs saying to download their app and scan the item with it in order to “get prices in a snap”.

Macy’s asking people to download their app and scan items in their store in order to know their prices

Why would a store make you go through an extra step to see the price? Being physically so close to the point of purchase, store should make buying easy to do.

The overall feel of the store at the location I went to was also a bit dingy and disheveled, especially compared with department stores in Japan.

6. Way more dog-friendly

A dog walks out of a clothing store in a mall with its owner

Dogs in banks, cafes, clothing stores, etc. This is something I’m not use to seeing in Japan as dogs basically need to be tied up outside.

The dogs I’ve seen have been bigger than most in Japan, well-trained, well-behaved, and the overall pet dog environment seems to be a lot better.

7. Linear TV is dead

Streaming streaming streaming. Japan is full of streaming services as well, but not to the level that it is in the US.

Japan also doesn’t have YouTube TV, the service that basically gives you everything cable would. They also don’t have services like HBO Max, Peacock, etc. and they have limited cable TV that’s free (unless you pay the NHK bill or let their salesperson in, which most don’t).

8. Fruits aren’t as good on average

Japanese tourists like to take photos. of the fruit section in American supermarkets because of how they’re piled up in volumes. Unfortunately, the typical fruit doesn’t taste as good as their Japanese counterpart.

A juicy melon from Hokkaido, Japan. The juice in the cup on the right is just from cutting these slices

I’ve had good mangoes so far (I’m in Hawaii so go figure), but strawberries, melons, grapes… just not as good as Japan’s.

Bruised strawberries being sold at a supermarket in Honolulu

9. Trash is easier but probably not as good

In Honolulu, there are 3 trash bins: A grey one for regular trash, a blue one for recyclables, and a green one for yard waste.

In Japan, it varies by city, but in central Tokyo, most trash needs to be separated a lot more, despite being one of the relaxed cities when it comes to trash disposal.

This includes taking off labels from plastic bottles when disposing them, glass bottles, cans, burnable trash, etc. Milk cartons need to be separated. The disposal of slightly bigger objects need to be paid for and a pick-up needs to be scheduled. There are more rules and even in restaurants, paper and plastic are separated and there is another receptacle to get rid of any liquid before throwing cups away.

Trash in Japan has to be thoroughly separated, for example these plastic bottles with labels and caps removed

It feels odd to throw so many types of trash in a single waste basket or bin. It’s easier and more convenient, but is probably not as good and takes more work at recycling facilities.

10. Modern Japanese toilets are more common

The bathroom in general is one area that the US lags behind. Toilets and showers were so basic for the longest time.

While I’ve been aware of the increase in focus on modern Japanese toilets, as well as brands coming up selling attachable bidets, it’s interesting to see it first hand. From seeing them mentioned in hit drama series This Is Us to seeing TOTO washlet attachments being sold at Costco, it’s a welcomed change in American hygiene.

TOTO washlets being sold at Costco

11. Social Security Numbers are useful

This is overlooked as Americans, but my Japanese wife noticed how important social security numbers are.

Japan introduced their own version of an SSN a few years ago called “My Number”, and it still has very little usage due to systems not being connected with each other.

Many places don’t take My Number and choose to verify or check people’s status through traditional, analog methods such as official residence forms.

If you’d like to watch me cover this topic, check out the video here.

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What I Learned When Moving Out of Japan

I recently moved out of my 1-bedroom Tokyo apartment (1LDK) and out of Japan, and moved back to the US.

It's a lot of work, even more than when moving in the US, and it can be pretty expensive.

Here are a few realizations and lessons I learned while going through the process.

The cost to throw away small items adds up

We may think about how much an item costs and whether or not there are expenses for it down the road, but we usually don’t think about how much it’ll cost to throw then away later.

In Japan, there's even a charge for throwing away something like a small container. You’ll have to buy special stickers to be able to throw them away as well as schedule an appointment for someone to come and pick up your specific item.

¥400 fee + need to call for collection for this container

¥400 fee + need to call for collection for this furo bath cover

Even if you live in an apartment complex where multiple items have been paid for and are awaiting pick-up, they won’t come and collect everyone’s items.

A ¥300 steal at Daiso may cost you ¥400 and time to get the trash stickers and schedule that pickup.

Breaking down trash is time-consuming

The process of throwing away things takes longer than if you’re moving in the US because there's more work involved.

Each item needs to be broken down and separated by individual parts - burnable, metal, etc., then thrown away appropriately in separate bags or bins.

If you have a lot of foreign products, it's worse.

Packaging from many non-Japanese companies often are "nice" these days because it’s seen as a value-add and a differentiator in an era where it’s typical for people to show the "unboxing" of them.

However, the truth is that most of their packaging are not made to be easily broken down or folded flat for easy recycling, which is required in Japan.

Using Mercari is helpful

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist works minimally at best, although I have used the latter in Japan.

I've sold several things on Mercari (make sure you’re using the Japan app, which is different from the US one).

Note: Like with any customer service in Japan, the amount of etiquette you have to have to have in order to successfully interact with Japanese buyers on the app is crazy, it’s not like how it is in the US whatsoever.

Once you get the hang of it though, it begins to get smoother and you can get rid of a lot of unneeded items around your house.

You can ship items easily at a combini.

I used 2 combinis to ship Mercari items and I recommend 7-11.

At 7-11, you just bring the packaged item to the checkout counter and the staff will scan your QR shipping code that comes up in the app, give you a postal sticker that you stick on the package, and done. They take your item and ship it, there is no money exchange or writing of addresses, nothing.

My experience at FamilyMart wasn’t as good. They require using a kiosk in order to create a ticket to ship your item. Then, you need to take them to the cashier before doing the same as 7-11.

Sell clothes at a second-hand shop

While selling items on Mercari was helpful, selling clothing was quite hard.

This is why we ended up taking a lot of our clothes to a second-hand clothing shop in Shimokitazawa, the Tokyo neighborhood known for things like thrifting.

We used TreFacStyle. If you download their app and create an account, they’ll give you an added percentage for the items that they buy.

Clothes have little value.

It was a slap in the face to know how little value our clothes actually had.

Here are some of the things I sold that they paid the most for:

• Burberry Black suit: ¥4240

• Haglöfs rain jacket: ¥2000

• Burberry Black sport coat: ¥1500

• Sisley trench coat: ¥1000

• Porter messenger bag: ¥1000

• Nike tech jacket: ¥600

And here are some of the items I sold that they paid the least for or refused to take:

• J.Crew button down shirt: ¥20 each

• Banana Republic knit: ¥20

• J.Crew knit: ¥20

• Hugo Boss tie: Didn’t take

• Futura shirt: Didn’t take

• Y-3 sneakers (kind of worn condition): Didn’t take

I know thrifters like to buy clothing for reasons like it’s trendy or more eco-friendly, but these stores don’t pay much for them meaning thrifters are paying prices that are insanely bloated.

Use AirTags to track your boxes and luggage

Apple’s AirTags are great for tracking your boxes or luggage when you ship them or check them in on your flight.

I put a few of them inside pockets or items inside the boxes. Updates on their whereabouts weren’t realtime, but they were frequently updated and I could see where they were in the truck, at the holding center, port, etc.

Just a note, because AirTags link to your Apple account, it might be a good idea to link some of them to your partner or someone else’s account if you plan to use the AirTags for daily use after and don’t need all of them. I’ve learned that once their paired with your account, it’s hard to unpair them and I didn’t need so many AirTags after my items arrived.

I hope this helps. Feel free to share or ask any questions you might have.

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Do Foreign English Teachers Actually Impact Japanese Students?

The Japan government spends a lot of tax payer money for English education through initiatives such as their JET Program. Many private companies also hire native English speakers to teach the language to children and adults alike.

Despite this, Japan ranked 78th in the EF English Proficiency Index in 2021, placing them in the category of “Low proficiency”.

We can debate the reasons as to why this is. Entrance exam centric education that focuses mainly on reading and writing. Completely different grammatical structure and pronunciation. Japanese English teachers who can’t speak themselves. Unqualified native English teachers. Not enough class time with native English speakers. Lack of practical need.

The list goes on, and the purpose isn’t to figure out why English proficiency in Japan is so low.

You see, I began my life in Japan as one of those native assistant English language teachers (ALTs) on the JET Program in a very rural area of Fukuoka.

While I have no hard data, I would bet that the vast majority of my students I taught in junior high school - around 1,000 each year at 2-3 schools - are unable to have a simple conversation in English.

But I can understand that. After all, I still struggle with Japanese myself despite being fully immersed, living in Japan for years.

And I’d also add that despite what it’s described as, ALTs on the JET Program aren’t merely language instructors. They are cultural representatives, are meant to be accessible international touch points for Japanese students, and they often become positive ambassadors of Japan when they return to their home countries.

I wanted to know, however, was there any meaning for me to be in Japan at these schools at all? Being paid with tax payers’ money, did my presence impact the next generation of Japan at all?

Former student interviews

This was no scientific research method, but I asked a few students directly what they thought about having myself and other foreign English teachers in their schools.

Thanks to social media, some students and I have kept in touch of the years, so I interviewed 4 of them about this.

Here’s some background, just for context about who they are.

• I taught each student for all 3 years of their junior high school years

• They all went to the same junior high school in the same city

• 3 are the same age (24), 1 was in the class below (22)

• They either live in or frequent Tokyo, meaning they’re experiences and motivations are likely wider than typical

• The interview was a surprise, so they had no time to prep for it

• I gave them the option of speaking in English or Japanese

How did my students view ALTs?

Here are the takeaways that I got.

Nako: “It’s so fun, and interesting.” She uses English in her professional life as a graphic designer and would like to continue doing so.

Santa: “Because there are a lot of Japanese who can’t speak English, to have that closeness… and from a student’s point of view, I think they’re happy. So I’d like to see it increase even more.” Though he doesn’t use it much while working as a fashion stylist, he’s positive about it.

Mayu: “I think it’s good because I could meet Barrett.” At the moment, she’s finishing up college, but feels positive about communicating.

Nanase: “Being in Japan, there are few chances to be exposed to English, especially for elementary and middle school students. When you’re an adult, opportunities increase a little bit, but that’s not the case when you’re a kid, so in that regard, having an ALT in the school to create opportunities to be exposed to English is a very positive thing.” She’s done a stay abroad and looks to do more.

I also received messages from other former students.

Conclusion

As with most ALTs on the JET Program, I had a lot of students. I’d visit each class in each grade at each school.

I actually felt fortunate, though, that I was only rotating between 2 or 3 schools year year because it allowed me to have more time to get to know my students and form relationships with them. Another ALT that was teaching in Fukuoka at the same time as me had 21 schools, meaning he’d see each class maybe once a year.

It’s impossible as an ALT on the JET Program to effectively teach everyone English, get them interested in foreign cultures, or even form any kind of relationship with them.

I consider myself lucky. As much as I taught my students, they taught me a lot as well about Japanese and local culture, school and personal life, how they viewed things. Interacting with them even helped me find my next job in Japan, a non-teaching one at that. Being placed in this small city in Fukuoka, meeting them was based off nothing but serendipity, and I think there’s meaning in that.

So was there any meaning in me being there and did I, as an ALT on the JET Program, make an impact on my students?

I’d say the fact that I’m still in touch with many and them being willing to do the interview points to yes. And I’m sure this is the case for many other English ALTs in Japan as well.

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What You Get in Tokyo for $1,800/Month

Tokyo is one of the world’s major cities and one of its biggest.

There are more than 37 million people in the greater metropolitan area, almost 14 million in the city proper, and Tokyo has the biggest economy of any city in the world. It’s safe to say that space comes at a premium.

Just like my previous $950/month Tokyo studio apartment, you will either find this $1,800/month 1-bedroom apartment expensive or a good deal, depending on where you’re from.

The location

As with anywhere, the location has a lot to do with the price. The metropolitan area of Tokyo is made up of 23 wards, and each operates with some autonomy. Because of this, each has slightly different residential taxes and average rent prices.

In fact, when comparing average rent prices between the cheapest and most expensive wards, the most expensive (Shibuya ward) is more than double the cheapest (Katsushika ward).

The average rent for a 1LDK (1-bedroom apartment) in central Tokyo (within the 23 wards) is said to be about ﾥ145,782 or $1,458 per month in 2022 [J].

Ward: Setagaya

My apartment was in the Setagaya ward which is west-southwest from the center of Tokyo. It has just under 1 million residents and is the second largest ward in Tokyo in terms of area. Its residential taxes and rent prices, while generally cheaper than others wards like Minato or Shibuya, is slightly above average.

The most well known area in Setagaya is probably Shimokitazawa, an area known for its subculture, thrift stores, small bars and live houses, and a spot where many performing artists get their starts.

This apartment is about 3 minutes from there by train.

Station: Kyodo

A Kyodo street in the snow

My wife and I chose an apartment in Kyodo [MAP] - a residential area about 15 minutes from Shinjuku and Shibuya.

There is one train line that goes to Kyodo - the Odakyu line. The Odakyu line goes from Shinjuku all the way out west to the Hachiōji area and down to Kanagawa prefecture.

The station and train lines that go through it are important factors when deciding where to live in Tokyo, and it also affects the price.

An Odakyu line train leaving Kyodo Station

At Kyodo Station, the regular and express trains stop, which makes it more desirable. The rapid express train doesn’t stop, however.

There are also some trains that become Chiyoda line trains. Personally, I think that the Chiyoda line is one of the best lines in Tokyo because it goes to popular areas such as Harajuku, Omotesando/Aoyama, Nogizaka (right next to Roppongi), Hibiya (next to Yurakucho and Ginza), Nijūbashimae (Marunouchi and Tokyo Station area).

It was also easy for me to get to work, taking around 40 minutes door-to-door with 1 easy transfer on the same platform or none at all.

Corty shopping complex

Our apartment was only a 5 minute walk from Kyodo station. Around the station area, there are about 3 supermarkets, dry cleaning, convenience stores, a gym, and other food places and coffee shops.

It’s also worth noting that Gotokuji and Yamashita station are only about 10 minutes away, making the Setagaya line also accessible.

The apartment building

Our apartment building in Kyodo

The apartment building is an 11-story concrete building built in 2010. In Japan, they refer to this type of apartment as a “mansion”, which tends to be more expensive to rent when compared to “apāto” types.

It’s a corner unit which is nice, but there wasn’t anything special about the view. It faces west and looked down at a main street below, and if you look around the corner, you can see the Shinjuku skyline in the distance.

Key features

• “Auto-lock” - A secure entry system into the building (there’s actually 2 to get in)

• Security camera system in the lobby and elevator

• Video intercom to allow people into the building

• Front desk/concierge service

• Delivery boxes - A self-serve, secure locker system for box deliveries in case you’re not home

• Courtyard area outside of the lobby

• Car parking garage (extra fee) - A covered parking lot meet to the apartment building

Mail and delivery box area

The building is located next to the train tracks, so it can be a little on the noisy side when you’re outside. The apartments are equipped with double-paned glass so almost all of that noise is filtered out.

To the front of the west side of apartment is a gym, and the other side faces a street.

The apartment complex is owned by Odakyu, the same company that runs the train lines, has department stores and a lot more. They also run the promenade that leads up to the building from Kyodo station.

Lobby

The building has staff and a concierge that helps out with tasks such as mailing boxes, getting dry cleaning done, etc., however they come at an extra fee. The staff are really nice though.

Courtyard

The entire area, including the apartment building, are very well maintained by the Odakyu staff. They’re always cleaning, doing landscaping, and even worked through the night on a snowy night to clear the ice.

The apartment

Living room

This apartment is classified in Japan as a 1LDK, which means 1 bedroom, a living room, dining area, and a kitchen.

Apartment layout

Key features

• 47.15 sq. m (506 sq. ft.)

• Stove with 3 gas burners, grill

• TOTO toilet with remote bidet, heated seats, etc.

• Bathroom with anti-fog heated mirror cabinet

• Flat-floor shower and a tub that automatically fills, reheats and circulates water while maintaining temperature

• Dryer function that allows clothes drying in the shower

• Washing machine hookup with hot and cold water

• 2 AC/heater units (1 in living room, 1 in bedroom)

• Large balcony with open-air view

• 2 sliding doors with double-paned glass

• Higher than typical ceiling

Bedroom. For reference, the bed is a full-sized bed.

TOTO toilet, separate from the bathroom.

Bathroom with washing machine hook-up

Flat-floor shower and tub unit. Tub has functions like auto-fill, reheat, circulate. The shower also can dry clothes.

Balcony

Fees and costs

The monthly rent totaled to ¥180,000 or about $1,800 USD, depending on the exchange rate. This included the management and service fee of ¥7,000 ($70). When looking at the monthly costs, it’s pretty reasonable considering the size and density of the city, and quality of the apartment itself.

The initial costs, however, were a bit high as often is the case.

Initial costs

While exact costs may vary depending on the rental agency, it is typical that there will be a deposit and “key money” amongst a few other smaller fees. The key money is what was a bit different from any rental experience that I had.

There’s also the typical and non-refundable “thank you” fee to the property owner for letting us rent, it’s paid at the beginning of each contract term. This means that you’ll pay it again if you choose to stay at the location and renew for another 2 years.

Personally, I think it’s a ridiculous fee, especially if you’re a good renter because you’re the one actually helping the property owner out, but that’s the norm in Japan.

They take out a cleaning fee from the deposit when moving out.

My initial moving-in expenses were something like this:

Deposit: ¥180,000 (1-month’s rent)
Key/thank you money: ¥180,000
1st month’s rent: ¥180,000
Key fee: ¥22,000
Insurance: ¥10,400 (1/year)
Total: ¥572,400 (approx.)

It’s also worth mentioning that in Japan, the tenant is responsible for providing their own appliances.

This includes things like refrigerator, washing machine, and light fixtures. Luckily, electronics stores have sets for sale and you can find appliances at reasonable prices.

Utilities

The rent didn’t include any utilities.

Our monthly utility bills on average for 2 people were something like this:

Electricity: ¥5,576 (depending on season)
Gas: ¥4,804
Sewer & Water: ¥6,975 (once every 3 months)
Internet: ¥4,734
Total: ¥22,089/month (approx.)

I wrote more about utility costs in Tokyo here.

This may total to be more than a lot of other cities around the world. However, to get to live in one of the best cities in the world, a huge one at that, was worth it.

Check out more in Tokyo.

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What it's Like Doing a Marketing Pitch to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Over the years working in marketing in Tokyo, I’ve been able to work with larger international companies, small startups and boutique businesses, as well as a couple municipal governments in Japan.

Each project is different, and the desired way of pitching and presenting can vary according to the potential client, but the way that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government does theirs is unlike any other I’ve experienced.

RFP & Initial Phase

In order to even have a chance at presenting, your company has to first be registered as a potential partner in a database. This is to check credentials.

The government will send out an RFP (Request for Proposal) as they head into the next fiscal year, which begins each April. The project in our case, is a one that gets re-evaluated each year, so the period is from April until the next March.

If after your submitted proposal is accepted, an appointment to go and present is handed out.

Pitch / Presentation

Each company is allowed to have 2 people present. They check in with security at the bottom of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, then go up to appropriate floor 10 minutes before the scheduled appointment time.

There is a waiting table to wait at, then someone comes to greet you and take you to the presentation room.

Presentation room

The organization of the presentation room is as shown above.

There is a desk and chairs for 2 presenters.

Directly in front are 5 desks each on the panel. They’re made up of government officials and possible a consultant that they work with, depending on the project.

On the side are 3 more people who work with the government and serve as moderators.

Procedure

Once you enter the room, you bow and give your greeting (in Japanese, of course).

One key rule here is that you are never allowed to say who you are or what company you’re from. This is to maintain anonymity so people on the panel aren’t subconsciously swayed by a name.

After all, it’s a government project that’s funded by tax payers, so legally and morally, it’s best to not have give preference to one private company over another. Presenters will be referred to as “Company A”, “Company B”, and so on.

When everyone is ready to begin, the moderators will run a stopwatch for 10 minutes. This is for the entire presentation. Japanese marketing presentations are quite detailed and don’t contain large visuals or impact slides like some Western pitches do, so it’s impossible to cover everything sufficiently in the 10 minutes.

A pitch has to be carefully prepared ahead of time, highlighting the key areas. This is to make the presentation time efficient.

Next, another 10 minutes are timed for Q&A. Here, members on the panel will freely ask questions in which the presenters need to respond quickly and concisely.

Finish

After the Q&A session, the presenters stand up, bow and give their greetings, and walk out to conclude the pitch.

Results are given a little later.

You may check out the project that this was for here.

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Street Photography: Gotokuji & Kyodo, Tokyo

Gotokuji and Kyodo, Tokyo, are two neighboring areas in Setagaya Ward. The famous “maneki neko” temple is in Gotokuji, and Kyodo is home to a university, some schools and a larger station

It began snowing heavily for Tokyo one winter day in 2022, and I decided to go our with my camera and make a video while I took some street photography.

I also made a video of myself taking these photos that winter evening. Please watch if you’re interested:

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Street Photography: Koenji, Tokyo

The area of Koenji, Tokyo, is considered by locals as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city. It’s best known for its alternative subcultures, and on a late fall afternoon in 2021, I decided to go there for some street photography.

I also made a video of myself taking these photos that day. Please watch if you’re interested:

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Monthly Utility Costs in Tokyo

I lived for a bit by myself and then moved in with my then girlfriend now wife into a different apartment, so I’ll be sharing how much monthly utility costs were at each.

To preface, I’d just like to state that there are of course variables that can affect your overall monthly cost of living, and cost of utilities as well, so I’ll also share some of my personal situations and choices so you can have a little more context.

First, these are the two apartments I’ll be comparing:

• 1K studio (1 room + kitchen), 24 sq. meters (258 sq. ft.), 1 AC/heater unit

• 1LDK (1 bedroom + living room, dining area, kitchen), 47.15 sq. meters (506 sq. ft.), 2 AC/heater units

Furthermore, there are 2 general types of apartments in Japan - “aparto / アパート” and “mansion / マンション”. Aparto apartments tend to be simpler so they may have less insulation, however, they’re generally cheaper rent-wise. Mansion apartments aren’t actually mansions (it’s weird, I know), but they’re usually medium to large sized buildings that use more concrete and likely have a little more insulation, but they’re generally more expensive rent-wise.

Both apartments I lived in and are comparing are the mansion type.

Gas

Provider: Tokyo Gas

Gas is mainly used for the stove and water heater.

This is a utility that can have quite a range depending on your lifestyle, especially with water heating.

Taking baths in a furo - where you soak in a tub of hot water after showering - is done by most Japanese people every day. A lot of foreigners have adopted this into their lifestyle as well, especially in the winter because it’s refreshing and feels good. 

When I lived alone, I never took furo baths. Even now, we rarely use it, probably not even every month except for in the colder seasons.

I usually cooked simple things for dinner when I lived alone, so mainly just for 15-20 minutes to fry some meat and vegetables. Now, thankfully my wife likes to cook, bake and have more proper meals, so the kitchen is used a lot more than when I was living alone.

Single - 1K studio costs

• February: 2,646 JPY

• May: 1,965 JPY

• August: 1,442 JPY

• November: 1,982 JPY

Avg: 2,009 JPY (~USD $17.66)

Couple - 1LDK costs

• February: 5,675 JPY

• May: 5,929 JPY

• August: 2,992 JPY

• November: 4,621 JPY

Avg: 4,804 JPY (~USD $42.23)

Water

Provider: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks

The water bill covers water and sewer, and comes once every 3 months. The bill is for that 3-month period.

Again, whether or not you take furo baths will probably impact your water bill quite a bit.

I’m generally a shower person - I shower once in the evening for about 10 minutes max. In the summer though, I occasionally take a shower in the day as well because it’s so hot and sticky here. Even now with my wife, we will only take furo baths occasionally, usually in the colder months.

When I lived alone, there was almost no fluctuation in the bills, so I’ll just share the average.

Single - 1K studio costs

Avg: 3,717 JPY (~USD $32.64)

Couple - 1LDK costs

• Winter: 6,254 JPY

• Spring: 7,825 JPY

• Summer: 7,040 JPY

• Fall: 6,778 JPY

Avg: 6,975 JPY (~USD $61.22)

Electricity

Provider: TEPCO

Electricity is for the lights, AC/heater, and some miscellaneous items like appliances, intercom, toilet controls, etc.

In both apartments, the lights were either florescent or LED. Lifestyles were pretty typical - lights were turned off in rooms not in use and there was nothing going on like crypto mining or anything like that.

Single - 1K studio costs

• February: 5,644 JPY

• May: 2,696 JPY

• August: 4,170 JPY

• November: 2,471 JPY

Avg: 3,745 JPY (~USD $32.59)

Couple - 1LDK costs

• February: 6,254 JPY

• May: 4,820 JPY

• August: 7,747 JPY

• November: 3,473 JPY

Avg: 5,576 JPY (~USD $48.52)

Internet & Phone

Provider: Softbank

Internet is interesting in Japan as you have to pay your bill to two companies, one is for the connection (usually NTT) and one is to the provider (I had OCN).

My mobile phone service provider is Softbank, and because they also provide internet, they sold me on combining my phone and internet bills together. The cost was about the same, maybe a few hundred yen cheaper, and it’s more convenient to have it all combined together.

The service was in my name so I was able to carry it from my 1K apartment to my 1LDK one.

There are 2 types of lines, one for apartments and one for houses. Mine is the apartment one and it’s a Hikari fiber-optic connection.

Internet

4,734 JPY (~USD $41.24)

My phone plan includes 20GB of data per month that rolls over, but if I talk on the phone, I have to pay according to use. Phone calls are expensive in Japan compared to places like the US, and that’s one reason why most opt to use apps like LINE.

I also purchased my iPhone directly from Apple, so my monthly bill doesn’t include any monthly device payment.

Phone

Avg: 7,570 JPY (~USD $66.00)

Total monthly averages

Single - 1K studio costs (besides phone)

Avg: 14,205 JPY (~USD $123.76)

Couple - 1LDK costs (besides phone)

Avg: 22,088 JPY (~USD $192.44)

I hope that helps. Watch my video to see more.

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How to Survive Summers in Japan

In 2020, the hottest day in Tokyo had a real feel of 116℉/46.7℃. While that’s on the extreme end, summers in Japan are HOT. I can’t stress that enough.

During the Tokyo Olympics, heat became one of the issues and many athletes themselves brought it up.

If you’re like me where you absolutely hate heat and humidity, summer in Japan is not for you. However, if you plan to live in Japan or visit during the summer, you’re going to have to deal with it somehow.

Having lived (survived) numerous oven-like feeling summers in Japan, I’ve learned of a few everyday things that help me a little. They may help you if you’re in need.

Everyday items

1. UNIQLO Airism

Airism from UNIQLO [J] comes in different forms but is meant to help keep you cool in the summer heat.

There are a few different options, but I recommend these seamless, micro-mesh v-necks.

Like many, I used to try to simply wear less clothes in the summer, so I wouldn’t wear an undershirt. These however, help keep your shirt from getting sweaty and sticking to your body. They make it a little easier for air to pass through which helps keep you cooler.

2. Summer pants

I’m a long jeans guy but in the summer, they get put away as it’s just way too hot. Instead, going for lightweight and/or breathable bottoms made for this weather is highly recommended.

My favorite shorts I’ve found are by a Japanese brand called Minotaur, and they are ridiculously lightweight - it’s like you’re not wearing anything. Having shorts are a minimum requirement, but ones like these can have a huge difference to standard, cotton shorts.

They can be a bit pricey depending on the brand, but UNIQLO [J] and some other places have good and reasonable options as well.

3. Menthol sprays

If you go to a drug store or shops like Loft or Tokyu Hands, you’ll find shelves of items such as menthol sprays that help with the heat.

You can either spray them on the insides of your clothes which will give a cool sensation when you wear them, at least for a little while, or you can also directly spray them on your skin. There’s also gels and wipes that have the same effect.

4. Wet towels

Towels that hold moisture and stay cool for a long time can be found in a lot of stores and they’re really convenient, especially if you’ll be outdoors for a while.

I don’t really use them as much in Tokyo, but I used to a lot when I was living in Fukuoka and would bike each day to work under the brutal summer sun. Just wet them and put them around your neck, then re-wet them as needed.

5. Mini fan

Pocket or carry bag-sized mini fans can really help especially on those muggy days, or in trains when ventilation is low or when they get really crowded.

Some fans are tiny and palm-sized, other’s are a little bigger and there are ones with rechargeable batteries that can also be used to charge your phone. A completely different and convenient design are flat ones that can be worn around your neck so they’re blowing air on you hands-free.

6. Powder Lotions

Powdered lotions, often with some kind of scent or deodorant, spreads a fine powder on your skin to help make you less sticky.

Sea Breeze might be the most popular brand but I personally like 8x4 because the powder to liquid ratio seems to be better. Japanese summers will leave you hot and sticky, so this can really help.

Got any other good tips?

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Tokyo Olympics 2020: What it's Been Like Living in Tokyo

When Tokyo was announced as the location for the 2020 Olympics, it was a huge deal.

It represented the return of Japan to the forefront of the global stage, it turned Japanese words like “omotenashi” into marketable slogans, it further invigorated the push for foreign tourism, sparked new businesses, renovations and developments eying the year.

Ultimately, it gave hope to country that was being called stagnant.

Truth be told, I love the Olympics.

The Dream Team, Kerri Strug landing, Apollo Anton Ohno, Usain Bolt, Vince Carter’s massive dunk, Mosely on the moguls, Michael Phelps, the men’s swimming relay comeback, Beijing’s mind-blowing opening ceremony, Rikako Ikee’s coming back from leukemia. All of it.

I like seeing people from around the world who are at the top of what they do, come together and compete, and let me feel excitement and sense greatness in sports - most of which I would never watch or even know about if it weren’t for the Olympics.

I had always wanted to see the Olympics in person. 

A friend and I talked about wanting to drive up from San Francisco to Vancouver for theirs. So of course when I was sitting in my apartment in Fukuoka watching the TV and “Tokyo 2020” was announced, it was just such a big thing. I’d have to stay a long time more in Japan, but I had a chance to live in the host country. I set this arbitrary date that I’d try to be in Japan at least until then.

So of course, when tickets became available, I had to try and get some.

Olympic Ticket Lottery

The process was tedious. You had to go on a site, to make an account that allowed you to go to another area to TRY to buy. For the first site, just to get in it said I was about the 900,000th person waiting to even make an account.

Finally after a few hours I got in, had to receive an automated phone call to confirm my identity, and then I could apply for tickets.

You could apply for up to 30 tickets, so if you’re going with another person, that’s 15 events. But for each event, you had to choose things like if it’s a medal round, what seating section you’re applying for - and of course these prices varied. It was a lottery.

And then the results came in.

Many in Japan were pissed because very few people got tickets and it seemed like there was more preference for foreigners. But my wife and I lucked out - between the two of us, we got 3 events, pretty good ones too. We got 2 medal round swimming events and 1 men’s basketball semifinal.

We had the option to buy, and they were not cheap. The basketball one was around USD $100 per person and swimming was about USD $700 per person. But we thought, it’s a once in a lifetime experience, so we bought all of them knowing we had the option to sell one back later.

But then the pandemic hit.

Tokyo’s Olympic Problems

The Tokyo Olympics had a lot of problems from the start.

There we’re rumors of inside deals, the logo being stolen, issues with the Zaha Hadid designed stadium and its replacement, Yoshiro Mori and his sexist comments, the shadiness of celebrated choreographer MIKIKO being pushed out after she designed the opening ceremony and replaced with someone who made rude remarks about Naomi Watanabe, the musician who bragged about severe bullying, the other who joked about the Holocaust…

You get the point.

Questionable handling of Covid-19

As Olympic problems mounted, Japan’s handling of the virus continued and is still getting mixed reviews.

Emergency declarations

There have been 4 emergency declarations in Tokyo.

Without the legal power to completely lockdown, these declarations have been largely focused on restricting night life - from closing shops early to banning alcohol sales. More recently, rules labeled as silly such as no drinking after 8PM or being only able to drink by yourself have been introduced.

Each time these declarations are lifted, the situation gets worse, and while the first 2 helped decrease people out and about, the last two haven’t really done anything.

Emergency declaration impact 1-4. Light purple represents people movement 2 weeks prior and dark purple represents the first day of the emergency. Based on a study of Docomo phone data in 5 areas of Tokyo.

It seems like people are a bit over the silliness.

Slow and tedious vaccine rollout

And while this was going on, in the critical months leading up to the already postponed Olympics, there’s a super slow vaccine rollout and just a lot of mixed messaging.

We have concerts and events being cancelled, businesses being asked to close early, and we have a push to bring in thousands of people from around the world for the Olympics.

Meanwhile, I finally received my voucher to qualify me to get the vaccine last week in mid-July. The actual timeline of getting the first jab however is September.

Olympics or Covid-19?

Of course all of this makes it look like the government has their priorities mixed up and isn’t acting in the best interest of their people.

It’s no surprise that there’s a lot of people pretty vocal about how crazy this all is. There’s been talk about the incompetence of the government and how it’s all about the money… Dentsu.

I too think that holding the Olympics during this situation is kind of nonsense.

The decision to do or not do the Olympics is not that simple.

We don’t really know all the details, however. If you look back at Twitter, you’ll find that people already had strong opinions for a while just based off of headline reading and mixed frustrations only to have new information come out later. And while the new information may not sway opinions, it does point to the fact that we still don’t really know everything other than it’s stupid and that the IOC is looking like a bunch of assholes.

One thing we overlook is the fact that the the government isn’t just one thing. There’s a lot of internal arguments going on.

For example, Olympic-related events were planned in various wards around Tokyo, but some ward governments were refusing the metropolitan government because of the potential liability. 

And Dentsu… it’s easy to hate Dentsu, the agency that’s associated with “Karoshi” - death by overwork and Olympic greed.

But there’s not all that much talk about the small businesses that depend on work from them. Dentsu doesn’t put boots on the ground, it’s a lot of outsourcing to small and medium sized companies who then outsource to even smaller companies, freelancers and artists.

Those people are the ones whose livelihood depends on these kinds of projects.

If you’ve visited Tokyo in the past few years, you might’ve noticed a lot of the construction and renovations going on. There’s a lot of new things made for or at least made with the Olympics in mind. And their stopping or cancelling are bound to have an impact.

It’s just an unfortunate overall

Especially with this being such a huge event that was portrayed as a pivotal moment for a country, you can’t help but think that things would’ve been handled just a little bit better to make sure it happens in the best way.

Hope things will go well. If you want to watch my video on this, please check it out.

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Social Media in Japan in 2021

Whether you’re trying to market your business to Japanese consumers, make Japanese friends, or keep in touch with a Japanese person you met on a trip or on an exchange, being in the same “communication space” is very important.

You can download this “Social Media in Japan in 2021” deck
I put together for free.

It covers:

• Media consumption trends by Japanese people

• The shift of attention in Japan

• Activities done in mobile devices

• A breakdown of the most popular social media apps in Japan

If this looks interesting to you, download the full deck here:

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