Reserving Shinkansen Tickets in English

No mean feat!

I went to Tokyo station yesterday (which was the Vernal Equinox public holiday where people visit their ancestors' graves) to investigate Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket prices from Tokyo to Kyoto for my family for the Kansai-leg of our holiday.

Yesterday seemed to go swimmingly, except for the crazy price of Y123,000 (over £600) for five of us (four adults, one child) so I told them I'd return tomorrow (today) and buy them then. I spoke with my family that evening and discussed the best course of action. We decided to go ahead and buy the reserved tickets. I did find unreserved tickets that were much cheaper from a ticket machine at the station for Y71,000 (£350) but unreserved means there is no guarantee of a seat, or that you will be together, plus it will probably be a smoking area. Those tickets are valid for seven days after purchase.

So today I went back to buy the reserved tickets. I didn't get as lost in the maze of underground tunnels and shopping malls as I did yesterday, but it wasn't easy to find the Midori no Madoguchi (Reservation Window).

I got to the front of the line and asked if the man spoke English, same answer as usual - "sukoshi" (a little).

I had written my request for times and type of train down in kanji so I just pointed at it and said "Kore o totte okitai desu" which is probably wrong but it's the closest to "I want to reserve this" that I know! He seemed to understand anyway, and put all the information into the computer and showed me the price. Same as yesterday, Y123,000. I gave him my VISA debit card and everything seemed to be going well. What followed then was about twenty minutes of miscommunication, which eventually resulted in me understanding that there was a limit on my card of Y60,000. He told me I should ring VISA to change it, but I asked if I could pay Y60,000 by card, and the rest in cash. He said that was "Daijoubu" (this is the most useful phrase in the world I think. It means "It's fine" or "Sure" and I say it at least five times every day). I told him I would come back soon, and he held the tickets for me.

So I trekked to several ATMs, all of which didn't accept foreign cards, so I had to go and try to find a combini (convenience store) but stumbled upon a yuubinkyoku (post office) with an ATM Corner. This did take foreign cards so I took Y40,000 (£200) from my Nationwide account. It wouldn't let me take more than this, whether that's because my account had no money left, there was a limit on the card, or on the ATM, I don't know. But I got another Y10,000 from my Lloyds TSB account and headed back to Tokyo station.

I queued again, and waited until the same man was free. This time it was very easy. He took Y60,000 from my debit card, and the rest in cash. I even got Y1,000 change! In the middle of this, a Japanese woman who randomly spoke excellent English interrupted and asked the man to write something down for her, but I didn't mind. Once again, "daijoubu"! I told the woman her English was "sugoi" (great).

The seats I reserved were in the non-smoking section, and were in one row. Shinkansen seats are three on one side, two on the other, so my family will fill a row. My logic for choosing this, rather than a clump of seats, was that whichever side of the train the sights like Mt Fuji are, we will be able to take photos without leaning over anyone. The only thing I'm unsure about is the direction the seats are facing, I don't know if we'll be going backwards or forwards (I later found that all the seats are forward-facing), which may be unpleasant but fingers crossed it will all be okay!

The man gave me five JR rulers, which was very nice, and I thanked him many times and said "Anata wa shinsetsu desu" (You are kind).

I had no idea there was a limit on my card, but Sakura House took Y80,000 from it without a problem occuring. Maybe they did two transactions or something.

We've decided against buying JR Rail Passes for the duration of the holiday because the price of the Shinkansen tickets falls just short of the JR Pass' cost. Random trips on the Yamanote line around Tokyo won't make up the difference, but if the trip to Hakone we'll do was on a JR Line, then it would be worth it, but it's not so we will do without.

Either way, I walked away with a sense of satisfaction, pleased to have accomplished something!

Spring is Here

In mid-February, there were a few days of really strong wind, which made news every day here. It caused a lot of damage, billboards being snapped off Shinjuku skyscrapers, restaurants in Ginza being gutted, and shops' wares flying across roads.

A couple of days after this, I realised that it was Haru-Ichiban. This is the first wind that blows from the south of Japan, and it signifies the start of Spring. This warm wind symbolises something good, but it does it in a rather destructive way! Thankfully, I don't think anyone was hurt this year, but it must have happened in the past.

And, with Spring, comes Japan's prized sakura (blossom). It's hard to explain how much they mean to the Japanese people, having these beautiful natural art-pieces bloom on trees in the darkest, gloomiest corners of Tokyo.

And I didn't really understand, until I saw my first bunch. As it's still only mid-March, they haven't bloomed fully yet, but I hope that by the time my family arrive, the country will be a canvas of pinks and whites.

Here are some photos I took near Kiyosumi Gardens over the Sumida River from my guesthouse.

This tree is directly outside my window. It stands in the centre of the smallest park in the world, basically just a few slabs of concrete and some plants and a tree. But it's the smallest park in the world, right next to me, so I like it.

These two aren't of blossom, I know, but I think they're pretty anyway!

These are not the only symbols of Spring arriving. The temperature has hit 17C several times over the past two weeks, and that was lovely. Unfortunately, with Winter behind us, so are the days of continuous bright, clear blue skies.

Now, there are many dull, overcast days. Everyone seems a little duller in this weather, but I'm very comfortable and at home with the grey and omnipresent twilight - I'm British! What I don't like is that it's already becoming more humid! It's not warm enough to go out without a coat, but I get all sticky and warm with a coat on! Where's the comfortable medium!? Still, better than the 8C and rain that Birmingham has I suppose.

Monica Wu's Concert

A few weeks ago, I posted about the Taiwanese singer Monica Wu, who is currently performing her new album, Shinkirou, in Tokyo.

Two nights ago, I went to see one of her shows at the JAL City Hotel in Yotsuya, near Shinjuku. It cost Y4,500 (£22.50) for entrance, including a five-course meal, which we ate as she sang three sets throughout the evening.

It was beautiful, and the food was very tasty. And, the singing was amazing. It was great to be so close to her as she sang. Lots of people from the bus tour to Chiba were there and I "chatted" to them in my limited Japanese.

And, as always happens whenever I venture anywhere, I had a microphone shoved in my face!
The conversation between Monica and the announcer lady turned to English words and how Japanese people pronounce them and how native-speakers pronounce them. Monica said 'water' and the announcer couldn't get it quite right, and then Monica pointed me out of about 50 people and said 'He's English, ask him!' Oh dear...

So the announcer brought the microphone over to me, and asked me questions in Japanese! I didn't really understand what she said, but the first word was 'mizu' (water), so I guessed she wanted me to say it. So I said 'water' and everyone clapped. Then she asked me my name (I think) so I said 'Watashi no namae wa Miles' (My name is Miles) and Monica said 'He doesn't speak Japanese' so everyone clapped and the announcer left me be. Why me!? Well, I suppose I was asking for it, being the only foreigner in the restaurant! It was a really nice evening, and you can see the photos and videos below.

If you like what you see, Monica has gigs coming up in Tokyo soon. The next one is on Saturday 5th April in Chiyoda-ku. The details are on her website. I really recommend going, the singing is great, and the conversation is lively and entertaining. Don't miss it!

Fatigue

It is very strange, but over the last week or so I've been struck by extreme exhaustion.

It got to the point where I would sleep for 11 hours every night, get up for a private lesson, go back to bed for a few hours, and then get up for Gaba in the evening, with the help of three cups of strong coffee.

I have never been so continuously tired in my life. Thankfully, it's gotten better this weekend but I am still yawning at the strangest times.

I really don't know why I feel like this. But I do have some theories.

It could be simply that I'm not used to working evenings and my body is adjusting to the different time of day being the most intensive.

It might be that because I don't have proper days off, as I work long hours over the weekend, and some weekday lunchtimes, and some weekday evenings, that my body is just feeling the strain.

Perhaps I am not getting a vitamin or mineral my body is used to a plentiful supply of because of the change in diet.

It's possible that my being away from home, and trying to fend for myself, encountering obstacle after obstacle, is draining me of energy. Homesickness still hasn't hit me terribly, but I do occassionally stare into space thinking of random places at home, around Birmingham, and in the UK. Places I never thought I'd miss are prominent in my memory, like the Selly Oak Triangle, an area of crazy traffic around Sainsbury's in south Birmingham.

Whatever the reason, I don't like being this tired! Hopefully I'll adjust soon and I'll be back on top form soon. Maybe I just need a break, which the holiday in 11 days will be!

The Master Plan

Right. Plans change.

This is nothing too dramatic, but my plans for my Japan trip have altered since I arrived.

I originally intended to stay in Tokyo until my family came out to see me on holiday in late March/ early April, then move to Kyoto for a few months, and end up in Kyushu for summer, and then fly home in early August.

Now I think I will live primarily in Tokyo for the entire seven months, but take a few weeks off at a time to explore different regions of Japan.

There are several reasons for this:

1) I intended to move away from Tokyo because I thought it would be hideously crowded, noisy, dirty and stressful, but it's not. It's a great city and I'm really enjoying living here. In fact, I would recommend everyone staying in Tokyo for a few months, because it's such an incredible experience.

2) It took me a month to find and start work. While this isn't a long time, relatively speaking, jobs in Tokyo are pretty thick on the ground, and would be much harder to find in Kyoto. Not impossible by any means, but harder. People outside of Tokyo might be less open to learning from an 18-year old, and the pay is bound to be less.

3) Gaba, while it has its faults, is so flexible it suits me great. It allows me to take a few weeks off and go travelling, while I can put private lessons on hold for a week or so just by telling my students when I'm not available.

4) I will still be able to visit all the places I wanted to see, just not experience living there. When I come back for my Uni course in September 2009 I might ask to be located in a smaller city outside Tokyo, if I start to tire of it by the time August arrives.

5) The monthly-stay guesthouses I found in Kyoto are not as good a standard as Sakura House's in Tokyo. They weren't bad, but I could find faults like a) only Japanese-style rooms available, b) electricity is extra cost, c) very expensive, etc.

6) I'm emotionally attached! I love my area, the people I share my guesthouse with, and Tokyo! I don't want to leave them yet!

So that's my reasoning for staying in Tokyo. I hope I don't live to regret it, but I don't think I will, as long as I visit those places on my list.

In terms of the next few weeks, my family arrive in less than two weeks, and are here for nine days. We will spend the first five nights in Tokyo, before going to Kyoto for two days, then returning to Tokyo for their flight home. I can't wait to see them, and it's so surreal that I'll see them soon!

More Gaba Training

Last week I had another fun day of Gaba training at Ebisu.

There isn't much to report on this topic. It was very similar to the first three days of training I had in January. In fact, some of it was downright repetition.

It was 9 hours long, but the last two hours were an optional 'forum', which we got paid Y5,000 (£25) for attending.

The compulsory section ended with a test. The questions were essay-style, with space to write a few paragraphs for each answer. But, similarly to the test at the end of Initial Training, it was open-book, and if you take notes during the morning, it's very simple. I got 94%, the same as my first test.

There's one more day of compulsory training in May for me, and then I think I might have been trained enough!

Tearful Farewell

One of my housemates moved out this morning. Hyunwoo went back home to Korea.

It wasn't quite a tearful goodbye, but it was very sad. He was the first housemate I met, and he's been so helpful to me, helping me buy my Softbank phone, and chatting to me, teaching me Japanese. We even did an interview for his blog on language learning and how I came to Japan, which might be interesting for you.

And although there was quite a sizeable age difference (9 years in international terms, but 11 in Korean years because when Koreans are born they are 1 year old, then as soon as New Year passes, they become 2) he will become one of my best friends for life, as will everyone I've met here.

I wish him every success in the future, and with his language learning (not that he needs much luck in that department!) and I look forward to seeing him again, wherever that may be.

Do I Enjoy Gaba?

A few more questions have been asked about what I think of Gaba, and I think it might help for you to know what my feelings are.

1. I'm just wondering how GABA is for you personally? In terms of, how 'easy' it is to work with GABA (in terms of no complications)?

Relatively simple actually. They ask a lot though. For example, extra days of pointless, repetitive training, the occassional random test they ask you to do in return for next month's pay, and the like. But working there helped me get a bank account, which has made life much easier! The system takes a little bit of getting used to but I think I understand how it all works now.

2. How convenient is it for you?

I think the job works very well for Working Holiday makers. It gives me the flexibility to easily take time off for travelling and you can work your Gaba schedule around private students or other commitments like study etc.

3. How is the pay working out for you?

The pay is okay. It's one of the lowest in the eikaiwa (conversation school) industry, at Y1,400 (£7) per 40 minute lesson, soon to be raised to Y1,500 (£7.50). It's not too bad though. Every weekend I generally earn about £100.

4. Do you enjoy working there?

This is a tough question to answer. And the simple reply is 'yes', but I think you might want more than that. It's definitely more stressful than teaching private students, and it feels a bit stiff as you have to wear a suit for the lessons, but if the students are friendly and enjoy chatting, then it's very rewarding, and you can really enjoy the day.

5. Have you stopped job hunting now?

Yes, I've finished job hunting now. Until my private students move on, I have the income I need and I'm supported enough.

I hope this answers your questions and dispels any fears you may have!

Earthquake!

Okay, you might be a little disappointed after seeing that title.

But it's true, there was an earthquake two nights ago. Tokyo experiences earthquakes several times a day, but most are far too small to be noticeable.

This was the first one I've actually felt and been sure that it was an earthquake. It was about 2.30am and I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep, when I heard a faint rumble.

That rumble became more of a painful groan, and then my bed started shaking. At first I thought I might have been dreaming, but floating in and out of consciousness. But the bed was definitely rocking from side to side and there was a rumbling from the foundations of the building.

It lasted maybe 10-15 seconds, then everything was calm again and I fell asleep.

I asked people the next day, just to check that I wasn't imagining it, and yes! Tokyo de jishin!

It wasn't as scary as I thought it might be. However, I was half-conscious. It would have been much more worrying if I'd been standing up in the middle of the day and other people were around, then we were all thrown off balance by the earth's shudder.

Statistically, Japan has a major earthquake every 60 years, and the last one was in 1923. Scary, huh? Long overdue. If you did Geography, or are generally just knowledgeable, then you might be wondering what the 1995 Kobe Earthquake was if not a major earthquake. The Great Hanshin (as it's also called) earthquake killed around 5,000 people on January 17th 1995 in the Kansai port town of Kobe. The majority of the damage was caused by the collapse of a section of the Hanshin Expressway, which links Kobe and Osaka. The epicentre of the earthquake was under Awaji Island, in the Seto Inland Sea, which runs between Honshu and Japan's smallest main island of Shikoku. This island lies on the triple subduction zone of the Pacific, Eurasian and Phillipine tectonic plates, which originally created the Japanese archipelago. (And yes, I wrote all that from memory - I'm so sad, but it was my A-level CASE study!)

However, the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake was something else entirely. It flattened half of the Tokyo connurbation (one of the two reasons Tokyo is such a modern, and confusingly laid-out city now (the other was WWII bombing)), and killed an estimated 140,000 people (this figure includes missing people, but it's 90 years later and they haven't turned up). I just can't imagine that many people being killed from maybe a 20-second quake, it's terrible.

Fingers crossed the Tokai (the name given to this type of earthquake) earthquake chooses not to strike too soon. Or worse still, Mt Fuji deciding to become un-dormant and erupt for the first time in centuries.

A word of advice if you live in an earthquake-prone area. Turn off the gas during an earthquake! The majority of damage from an earthquake is done by fires resulting from burst gas pipes. Also, open a window or door to prevent jamming so you have an escape route. Then get under a strong structure, like a door or table.

Update of my Last Few Weeks

I realise that I've been a bit rubbish with my postings recently. This is because I've been so busy and tired with work. Today is my first day off since I started teaching a month ago - so tired!

So this post is just to catch you all up with what I've been up to, and things I've noticed.

First, let's have some pretty photos! This is the building where I work at twilight.

This was in Omotesando towards the end of February. I had to fight through the hordes of couples after Valentine's Day to take this photo.

Now for some of the random things I've seen around the place.

Some vending machines around bus stations and train stations accept Pasmo cards as payment for the drinks or food! Brilliant!

One day on the way home from work I passed a girl in Omotesando station who was staring at me (more than usual I mean) and I glanced at her. Then I realised that I recognised her! She'd been sitting opposite me a few days before on the subway!! A city of 12 million people odd and it's still not impossible to see someone twice!

After that, I went up onto the platform and there were two Americans shouting at the top of their voices. Absolutely everyone was staring at them and I wondered if they were drunk, but they seemed perfectly sober. Just very loud. You're giving gaijin a bad name! Shut up! They got on the same train carriage as me and continued their conversation, or shouting match. Grgh.

Bratz dolls are available here. Enough said.

I was waiting for a student at Gaba one day and I started rumaging through the bookcase they have in the waiting area, and I came across a book all about the best places to drink tea in Britain! It was written in Mr Scruff's trademark handwriting so I'm sure he must have had something to do with it. It was an amazing experience. Mr Scruff is a British DJ who plays up and down the country, and pretty much every year at the Big Chill festival, at the beginning of August. If you can go, I really recommend it. It's a great, relaxed weekend.

Last one now. I saw the most random thing in Omotesando last week. Driving along the road was a huge bus with a giant picture of the Pink Panther painted on the side. The windows were screens showing animations of the Pink Panther. And, the best bit, it was playing the theme tune! As embarrassed as I am to admit it, I did find my feet moving to the beat of the music, and I had to bury my face in my coat because I started laughing. Only in Japan.

Softbank Phones For All!

I was under the impression that all Softbank pre-paid (Pay-As-You-Go) service mobile phones were being phased out this year. Recently I have been told otherwise.

Maybe this will cheer you up!

I'd bet you a beer the "phased out" means the 2G service. Here's a press release from Softbank, which states "...2G携帯電話サービス（プリペイド含む）の新規契約申し込み受付を、かねてからご案内しておりましたとおり、2008年3月31日（月）をもって終了します"

"New applications for 2G mobile phone service (including prepaid) will as previously announced no longer be accepted after March 31, 2008". However, the 3rd paragraph explicitly says 3G prepaid service will be introduced from February. Fortunately for all short-term Japan visitors who need a mobile at sane prices!

Many thanks to the almighty Penguin for pointing that out!

Thank you very much.