Oranges and Assassins

40 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Japan

Before I jump straight into this list, I want to clarify that some of these points may be generally incorrect, or could be exclusive to Tokyo. I could also have some of my reasonings wrong. This list is simply something I compiled based off of my own experiences throughout the year that I lived and traveled throughout Japan. This list is also not, in any way, a complete one. I'm sure if you search the internet you can find many other very true facts about Japan that I have forgotten to list here. In urban areas there will, at any given time or place, be at least one コンビニ ("conbini" / convenience store) within walking distance. Japanese people don’t usually have middle names . Japanese people are very interested in each others' blood type - it's like astrology in America, except people take it very seriously. Expect to be asked what your blood type is at least once. Japanese deodorant supposedly doesn't work very well. I brought my own deodo...

Never Forget

On November 25th I got on a bus headed toward Iwate, a coastal prefecture in Northern Japan located half way between the Northernmost part before the Hokkaido island, and Fukushima, where, on March 11th a powerplant encountered many difficulties and became dangerous to the surrounding area. The city we went to was called Rikuzentakata. Rikuzentakata is a unique place, because it is located in a nook of land with the sea accessible on two sides. Before I go any further into this story, I want to explain why I am bothering at all. Unless you were very young on March 11th, 2011 or have no access to the media, you are fully aware of what happened in Norhern Japan, and realize the destruction it caused. So, why bring it up again? It is true that, by telling you about my experience in Iwate, I will not change what happened. But that is not my purpose. What I ask of you is that you simply never forget what you know. As of now, eight months a...

Costs, Budgeting, and Money Matters

In this post I will summarize my budget and expenses during my year abroad. Please note that general living expenses will vary based on a number of things, including the lifestyle of the person, the current exchange rate (during this time -2011 - 2012- it was between 70 and 85 cents to the 100 yen), the costs of things in general at the time, and personal preferences and ability to budget. These amounts are listed in yen. They are approximate numbers. Living: Summer term room and board (Ginkgo House): 80,000 Autumn term room and board (Global House): 206,000 Winter term room and board (Global House): 206,000 Spring term room and board (Global House): 206,000 Bedding: 14,700 --- Required rented Noguchi Co. bedding (all bedsheets, blankets, pillows, futon, etc) for one year. NOTE: "room and board" includes the dorm living amount and extra dorm fees. One time expenses: Required insurance: 8,000 to 10,000 Bicycle: 10,000 --- I highly recommend buying a bicyc...

Alysse Abroad

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