The other day I opened a Japanese bank account because I'm jobhunting and I knew there was a possibility I'll get the JASSO Scholarship for three months.
I went back to the bank I had an account with in 2008, Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ. And it was much easier this time!
I still had a bit of difficulty understanding everything, but I had an inkan stamp (印鑑) and I was over 20, so there was no problem there.
They didn't want to give me an account when they realised that I hadn't got a job yet, but I told them that I'd be getting a scholarship so needed an account for that. (I didn't mention that there was only a possibility I'd get it!)
In under an hour, everything was sorted, which was much much quicker than the three hours it took with my limited Japanese two years ago!
I even got Disney characters on my bank book (通帳, tsuuchou) and cash card (キャッシュカード, kyasshu kaado), instead of the boring red ones. They gave me the choice, and of course there was no contest!
So, now I'm all ready for the scholarship and job money. Fingers crossed!
Showing posts with label bank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bank. Show all posts
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Friday, March 21, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Some Questions Answered
I have been contacted by someone who wants to do the same thing as me, and will face the same obstacles as I did because of their age.
This post will hopefully answer their questions, and help anyone else in a similar position.
1. Is Gaba a weekend training course?
Gaba is a conversation school (eikaiwa) where I teach students. The training I was referring to in my previous posts was the school's training. It may be confusing as they refer to their teachers (like me) as 'instructors'. The busiest times at conversation schools are weekdays evenings and weekends, and you decide your own schedule at Gaba, so that's when I work.
2. How did you go about finding private students and then tutoring them? Is GABA essential to do this?
I found my private students through a company called the Foreign Instructor Centre (unfortunately I can't find their website). I found that company on GaijinPot.com and applied to them through it, and now they send me the details of prospective students usually around five times a day. When you reply to them saying you're interested in a student, you suggest a time and place for the lessons, they ask the student if they're interested too. Then they arrange an unpaid thirty-minute demo lesson between you and the student. If the student likes you, they arrange with both you and the company to meet a certain amount of times every week.
Gaba is not essential to do this. In effect, I have two jobs. I work at Gaba on weekends and weekday evenings, and meet private students at different times spread throughout weekdays.
3. Also, I did read on your blog about another job interview?
I have had several other job offers from other schools, I've lost count but it's probably close to fifteen. All of these schools found me via my 50-word advert on Jobs In Japan.com.
4. What other types of jobs would it be POSSIBLE for someone like me to get? The only one I'm aware of at the moment is working in a restaurant.
I think the best option for any native-English speaker coming to Japan is teaching English. I am 18 and started work a month after arriving, and, two weeks later I've earned around Y30,000 (£150). Gaijinpot.com advertises for all types of jobs, but the most common is definitely teaching.
5. I didn't find anything on your blog about homestays, so I'm guessing you completely scrapped it, or ignored it?
That's true, in my blog post on Accommodation I didn't mention homestays.
Honestly, this is because I had forgotten about it being a viable option. Personally, I wouldn't want to stay with a family for 10 months or so, because I would want more privacy and freedom than might be offered. However, it might be a good idea to organise one for the first few nights as they can meet you at the airport, and introduce you to the Japanese language and culture with less of a shock.
My recommendation is definitely a guesthouse, or gaijinhouse. This means you live with other foreigners and share your kitchen, bathroom and living room with them. You might have your own rooms (like me), or stay in a dormitory. I am staying with Sakura House. There is more information on how to organise monthly (it is minimum stay of one month) accommodation with them on an earlier post.
If your heart is set on a homestay, here are a few websites I've found that might be useful.
Go Japan's Homestay page (follow the links on the page)
Go Japan's Homestay advice page
Homestayweb.com (helpfully split up into area/city)
Homestay Program Index
6. I'm just wondering how you got your apartment? In terms of coming to Japan, and having that apartment already rented? (Or arranged?). Did you have that done through a website like Gaijinpot?
I arranged my guesthouse through Sakura's House website. There's more information about the best way to find what you want with them on my Accommodation post.
7. I do meet the requirements for the Working Holiday Visa, and I'm just wondering when I should apply for it?
Basically, you should apply for the visa somewhere between six months and three weeks before you want to enter Japan and enter Japan within six months of receiving the visa. It takes about one week for the visa to be issued after application. There's more information on my Visa post.
8. About the language. My Japanese is worse than shocking.
Don't worry about language ability. English is everywhere, and although I have knowledge of Japanese, none of it was practical experience, so think of what I have done so far as using English only. Ask for someone who speaks English at banks, or shops or wherever you need help, and 90% of the time, someone with be able to help you, at least in Tokyo. I have made improvements in my language ability, but have encountered difficulties and frustration, as I mentioned last week.
9. How should I set up a bank account? Is there a specific bank I can go to that will do it? (Being under 20 years old.)
The bank account was difficult, I must admit. Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank was recommended to me by Gaba, who said that I would be able to open an account there being under 20, because I would be working with them. If a company like Gaba asks you to open an account, they might be able to help you open one, like Gaba did for me. If you work with private students (not arranged through the Foreign Instructor Centre as they require a bank account) then you will be paid in cash so you don't need to worry. More information here.
10. Finally, about the mobile phone. I read on one of your blogs about needing a 20 year old to buy a mobile phone over there. Is this in every case?
As far as I know, this is in every case. Also, most phone companies are shutting down pre-paid (pay-as-you-go) services in the next few months because of crime. This is unfortunate, as the service is almost perfect for foreigners staying for a few months. I'm not sure exactly when they are being phased out totally, but they are no longer available at big-chain electronic stores or even the phone company branch shops. I had to buy mine from a convenience store.
With regard to finding someone over 20, I just asked a housemate if he knew anyone over 20 who could help me out, and I had a phone by the following evening! Sum0 (from Sum0's Japan Blog) found someone at Mickey House in Shinjuku (a language exchange cafe) who bought one for him, so maybe you could take a trip there when you arrive. Maybe my earlier post on Mobile Phones will be helpful too.
This post will hopefully answer their questions, and help anyone else in a similar position.
1. Is Gaba a weekend training course?
Gaba is a conversation school (eikaiwa) where I teach students. The training I was referring to in my previous posts was the school's training. It may be confusing as they refer to their teachers (like me) as 'instructors'. The busiest times at conversation schools are weekdays evenings and weekends, and you decide your own schedule at Gaba, so that's when I work.
2. How did you go about finding private students and then tutoring them? Is GABA essential to do this?
I found my private students through a company called the Foreign Instructor Centre (unfortunately I can't find their website). I found that company on GaijinPot.com and applied to them through it, and now they send me the details of prospective students usually around five times a day. When you reply to them saying you're interested in a student, you suggest a time and place for the lessons, they ask the student if they're interested too. Then they arrange an unpaid thirty-minute demo lesson between you and the student. If the student likes you, they arrange with both you and the company to meet a certain amount of times every week.
Gaba is not essential to do this. In effect, I have two jobs. I work at Gaba on weekends and weekday evenings, and meet private students at different times spread throughout weekdays.
3. Also, I did read on your blog about another job interview?
I have had several other job offers from other schools, I've lost count but it's probably close to fifteen. All of these schools found me via my 50-word advert on Jobs In Japan.com.
4. What other types of jobs would it be POSSIBLE for someone like me to get? The only one I'm aware of at the moment is working in a restaurant.
I think the best option for any native-English speaker coming to Japan is teaching English. I am 18 and started work a month after arriving, and, two weeks later I've earned around Y30,000 (£150). Gaijinpot.com advertises for all types of jobs, but the most common is definitely teaching.
5. I didn't find anything on your blog about homestays, so I'm guessing you completely scrapped it, or ignored it?
That's true, in my blog post on Accommodation I didn't mention homestays.
Honestly, this is because I had forgotten about it being a viable option. Personally, I wouldn't want to stay with a family for 10 months or so, because I would want more privacy and freedom than might be offered. However, it might be a good idea to organise one for the first few nights as they can meet you at the airport, and introduce you to the Japanese language and culture with less of a shock.
My recommendation is definitely a guesthouse, or gaijinhouse. This means you live with other foreigners and share your kitchen, bathroom and living room with them. You might have your own rooms (like me), or stay in a dormitory. I am staying with Sakura House. There is more information on how to organise monthly (it is minimum stay of one month) accommodation with them on an earlier post.
If your heart is set on a homestay, here are a few websites I've found that might be useful.
Go Japan's Homestay page (follow the links on the page)
Go Japan's Homestay advice page
Homestayweb.com (helpfully split up into area/city)
Homestay Program Index
6. I'm just wondering how you got your apartment? In terms of coming to Japan, and having that apartment already rented? (Or arranged?). Did you have that done through a website like Gaijinpot?
I arranged my guesthouse through Sakura's House website. There's more information about the best way to find what you want with them on my Accommodation post.
7. I do meet the requirements for the Working Holiday Visa, and I'm just wondering when I should apply for it?
Basically, you should apply for the visa somewhere between six months and three weeks before you want to enter Japan and enter Japan within six months of receiving the visa. It takes about one week for the visa to be issued after application. There's more information on my Visa post.
8. About the language. My Japanese is worse than shocking.
Don't worry about language ability. English is everywhere, and although I have knowledge of Japanese, none of it was practical experience, so think of what I have done so far as using English only. Ask for someone who speaks English at banks, or shops or wherever you need help, and 90% of the time, someone with be able to help you, at least in Tokyo. I have made improvements in my language ability, but have encountered difficulties and frustration, as I mentioned last week.
9. How should I set up a bank account? Is there a specific bank I can go to that will do it? (Being under 20 years old.)
The bank account was difficult, I must admit. Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank was recommended to me by Gaba, who said that I would be able to open an account there being under 20, because I would be working with them. If a company like Gaba asks you to open an account, they might be able to help you open one, like Gaba did for me. If you work with private students (not arranged through the Foreign Instructor Centre as they require a bank account) then you will be paid in cash so you don't need to worry. More information here.
10. Finally, about the mobile phone. I read on one of your blogs about needing a 20 year old to buy a mobile phone over there. Is this in every case?
As far as I know, this is in every case. Also, most phone companies are shutting down pre-paid (pay-as-you-go) services in the next few months because of crime. This is unfortunate, as the service is almost perfect for foreigners staying for a few months. I'm not sure exactly when they are being phased out totally, but they are no longer available at big-chain electronic stores or even the phone company branch shops. I had to buy mine from a convenience store.
With regard to finding someone over 20, I just asked a housemate if he knew anyone over 20 who could help me out, and I had a phone by the following evening! Sum0 (from Sum0's Japan Blog) found someone at Mickey House in Shinjuku (a language exchange cafe) who bought one for him, so maybe you could take a trip there when you arrive. Maybe my earlier post on Mobile Phones will be helpful too.
Books I recommend are 'Japan: A Working Holiday Guide', by Louise Southerden (this has been my bible for the last few years). In terms of teaching, I think 'How to Teach English', by Jeremy Harmer is very good.
I hope this has been helpful, and has answered any questions you have. If there are still some problems, let me know and I'll try to help you sort them out!
Some follow-up questions have been asked, so I will try to answer them as best I can.
1. I would want to stay by myself and rent my own apartment. I definitely want an apartment where I have my own kitchen etc, and not shared facilities. I checked the Sakura House website, and noticed they had apartments, as well as guesthouses and dorms. Do the apartments have shared bathroom, kitchen and living room? (I wasn't too sure from the website).
I have had a look at Sakura House's website and apartments do seem very appealing. I can't speak for all the apartment premises they offer, but the first one I checked was Nakano Heights. It includes a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom in a 17 sq metre space. The washing facilities are located outside the room so may be shared. The monthly rent is Y115,000 (£575) so it's more expensive than dormitories and guesthouses, but the cheapest apartment Sakura House offers is Y80,000 (£400). Some other apartments do have shared bathroom and kitchen facilities, and may be at the cheaper end.
2. I'll have a look on Google for other websites with apartments in Tokyo and see if I have any luck. I'll hope for finding one with no key money required and a small deposit. Any ideas?
I had a look online and found this website which offers apartments all over Tokyo. In most cases, you will need a guarantor, someone who lives in Japan and has a stable income, among other requirements, which is difficult to do! But they also offer 'Serviced Apartments', which sound easier to get into. You can choose a 'Long-stay apartment' and have a hunt through what you want. Prices seem to start at around Y80,000 (£400).
3. Also, about your answers to you teaching English. You stated you have two jobs. Gaba and private tutoring? Just wondering - how much money do you make through both of these, and how many students you have taken on / how many lessons you average out a week?
I have two private students, one I see once a week for a two hour lesson (Y2,000/hour) and the other I see three times a week for hour-long lessons (also Y2,000/hour). This comes out as Y10,000 (£50)/week from private students. On top of that, I work at Gaba for 1,400/40-minute lesson (soon to be 1,500/lesson). I aim to do 20 lessons a week at Gaba but at the moment it's more like 15. So, I suppose on average I aim to earn about Y30,000/week (£150).
For more information on money and living costs, see my post on Budgets.
A couple more questions:
1. Did you go to Gaba when you arrived in Japan for a 'certificate' ? ie. to get a job with them? Just wondering how it was, and what it involved?
Yes, what they call 'Certification' is actually just their in-house training. Once you complete the three 9-hour days of training and get at least 70% on the test at the end, you can start working for them. The test was very simple and you can use any textbooks or internet resources in the room to help you. I applied to Gaba through Gaijinpot.com and that's how I found the job.
The training basically involved sitting there for a hours on end taking notes, and then practising teaching each other, with one pretending to be a Japanese student, the other teaching them a lesson from the textbook. On the third day, we taught real Japanese people, which was more interesting.
2. I read that you do 15 lessons a week - do you get an email from Gaba with details of a student who wants lessons, then you just have to respond and confirm if you can or cannot do it? (I read something like that on one of your blog entries - was that with Gaba or your own private teaching?)
That system works for my private students. The way Gaba works is that I submit the schedule I want to work in, for example, March, on February 10th and then students book lessons online. The students do choose their teachers but I've already said that I'm okay to work that lesson, so no confirmation is needed.
3. Also, you said you aim to do 20 lessons a week. Does this mean that you get the opportunity to do more lessons? How many do you think on average you could do each week?
I can do as little or as much work as I want to. I could put myself down for every available lesson under the sun - although that would be stupid. I work the busiest times, weekday evenings and weekends, and that adds up to around 15 a week. If I worked longer hours at these times, or worked during weekdays (not much chance of getting booked here because everyone's at work!) then I could work 50-60 lessons a week. You would have to be pretty lucky to actually get booked for these times though, as you only get paid for the lessons you teach.
4. Is it completely random where a student contacts Gaba and is assigned to a random teacher, or can they choose? - can a student 'pick you' in the sense that once you teach them, they can decide if they want to have future lessons with you?
Most of the time they choose, but sometimes they are assigned to a particular teacher because the managers think they would work well together, and sometimes they say 'I don't mind' and they get put with whoever's available. And yes, in order to become popular with students at Gaba, you need to do good lessons so students come back and book your lessons!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Shinjuku
I had to go and pay Sakura House my rent for February today. I can't believe I've been here for nearly a month - that's crazy!
Sakura House's main office is in Shinjuku, which I haven't been to since my first day, and I couldn't really absorb things around me then!
On the way, I stopped at a Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank branch and exchanged my first traveller's cheques since arriving. I bought £1,000 worth in dollars ($2,000) from my local post office (Money Saving Expert recommends buying them this way) in Birmingham. There was no problem there. I didn't even need ID, I just signed them and she got me my yen. The most widely accepted types of Cheque are Visa, American Express and Mastercard. I had American Express. It doesn't matter that I had dollars and I'm British, I thought American dollars would be widely accepted here, and they are.
My memory steered me through the crowds of Shinjuku and I found Sakura House with little difficulty. They asked me to provide an emergency contact in Japan (I couldn't when I arrived because I didn't know anyone!) so I gave them the number of a housemate.
Then I decided to do something that I've really wanted to do for a really long time.
Yes! The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building!! It's the mother of all buildings.
It wasn't a hugely clear day so I wouldn't be able to see a huge amount, Mt Fuji for example, but the observation deck on the 45th floor is free so I plan to return on a clearer afternoon and stay until nightfall.
I was quite high up! That's Shinjuku Chuo Park.
You hear loads of people say it, but Tokyo just sprawls doesn't it. The sound of that word describes it perfectly. Sprrrawll.
That's where Mt. Fuji should be.
Tokyo Park Hyatt again.
I don't know what this building has on top. It looked like a football stadium to me, but somehow I doubt it. Lots of buildings had helipads and gardens on top.
This view was very impressive. All these monolithic buildings just right there. The best word I can find to describe them is 'solid'. That sounds strange, but I can't think of a better term.
There's the rip-off of the Empire State building and Yoyogi Park hiding behind a building. I could actually say that I'd been in New York with this view.
Central Park...
... and the Empire State building.
At the bottom of the TMG (Tokyo Metropolitan Government building), there's a plaza with a random red structure that looks slightly like a tongue.
Sunrise... smogset.
I nearly stayed until it was dark, but decided to come for a longer period of time on a really really clear day like there's been over the past few weeks. I think the views will be even more spectacular.
Sakura House's main office is in Shinjuku, which I haven't been to since my first day, and I couldn't really absorb things around me then!
On the way, I stopped at a Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank branch and exchanged my first traveller's cheques since arriving. I bought £1,000 worth in dollars ($2,000) from my local post office (Money Saving Expert recommends buying them this way) in Birmingham. There was no problem there. I didn't even need ID, I just signed them and she got me my yen. The most widely accepted types of Cheque are Visa, American Express and Mastercard. I had American Express. It doesn't matter that I had dollars and I'm British, I thought American dollars would be widely accepted here, and they are.
My memory steered me through the crowds of Shinjuku and I found Sakura House with little difficulty. They asked me to provide an emergency contact in Japan (I couldn't when I arrived because I didn't know anyone!) so I gave them the number of a housemate.
Then I decided to do something that I've really wanted to do for a really long time.
Yes! The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building!! It's the mother of all buildings.
It wasn't a hugely clear day so I wouldn't be able to see a huge amount, Mt Fuji for example, but the observation deck on the 45th floor is free so I plan to return on a clearer afternoon and stay until nightfall.
This is a building that looks very similar nearby, but they are different, honest.
The Tokyo Park Hyatt! Of 'Lost in Translation' fame.
The lift rides up and down were quite crowded but the journey took about 1 minute each way to travel 45 floors. Everyone's ears were popping!
Here is the other tower. I was inside one of them!
I was quite high up! That's Shinjuku Chuo Park.
You hear loads of people say it, but Tokyo just sprawls doesn't it. The sound of that word describes it perfectly. Sprrrawll.
That's where Mt. Fuji should be.
Tokyo Park Hyatt again.
I don't know what this building has on top. It looked like a football stadium to me, but somehow I doubt it. Lots of buildings had helipads and gardens on top.
This view was very impressive. All these monolithic buildings just right there. The best word I can find to describe them is 'solid'. That sounds strange, but I can't think of a better term.
There's the rip-off of the Empire State building and Yoyogi Park hiding behind a building. I could actually say that I'd been in New York with this view.
Central Park...
... and the Empire State building.
At the bottom of the TMG (Tokyo Metropolitan Government building), there's a plaza with a random red structure that looks slightly like a tongue.
Sunrise... smogset.
I nearly stayed until it was dark, but decided to come for a longer period of time on a really really clear day like there's been over the past few weeks. I think the views will be even more spectacular.
As it was Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day), I then went home (via the supermarket for sugar, flour and lemon) and made several pancakes. I had some batter left over so I shared with my housemates.
More job offers! I've agreed to meet another woman tomorrow afternoon for a 30-minute demo lesson. I also rejected five more offers of private students because there's just too many!
I got an email asking if I'd be interested in teaching for 4 hours on Saturday and getting Y12,000 for it! That's £60! I will have to see though as I've already submitted my Gaba schedule and said I'll work Saturdays.
The school I went to last week, Riverside, have asked me to work when one of their teachers is ill, regardless of my plans to move to Kyoto! So that worked out nicely. But I still might not get any work from them if they all stay healthy.
I checked my Gaba schedule online and 6 of the 17 lessons I put myself down for on Saturday, Sunday and Monday have been booked. You can only see the coming week so I don't know about the rest of the month yet. Two of those six were 'Student specifically requested that teacher' so yay!
Monday, February 4, 2008
English Teaching
What a day!
I got up at 8.30 to meet a Japanese woman for a demo lesson in Hiro-o (about 25 minutes on the subway from me) in a coffee shop. This was arranged through the Foreign Instructor Centre which I found through Gaijinpot.com.
I got there half an hour early (my map came in handy!) and then realised that I'd spent all my cash on the big shop yesterday, so I went to the nearby Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and used my new cash card for the first time. And to my surprise, it worked fine! The ATM had an 'English' button and it was all very simple. You don't even need a cash card, you can press the front page of your bank book that they give you when you open an account onto the machine and you can withdraw cash that way!
I'd read that ATMs were not very common in Japan, but I have found this to be very untrue. There is one in almost every konbini (convenience store) like ampm or 7-11, which are open for as long as the shop is (these accept foreign cards and have English instructions but charge Y210 (£1)) and almost all bank branches have an ATM Corner, which are open slightly longer than the actual bank, but are not 24-hour.
Just as a little aside here, I opened a Nationwide (a British bank) account before I left because their current account (FlexAccount) doesn't charge for card use overseas! You can withdraw cash from any cash machine with the Cirrus symbol and they don't charge you! The cash machine might though. You have to have an account with them for 7 months before you can get a debit card though, probably so people don't just open an account for a holiday! Not like me at all... Lots of ATMs have the Cirrus symbol, I was worried it would be a Europe-only thing but the one in the 7-11 over the road from me has it!
Anyway, for those of you more interested in teaching than money, the lesson! She rang me to say she was there and we got our coffees and went up onto the little roof terrace where it was lovely and sunny.
She said she wanted conversation practice so we chatted about ourselves for a little while. It was quite fun, and she was very good at English.
I had made a lesson plan beforehand. I had bought a multi-coloured pen and a pad of paper from a convenience store (they came to about Y450 or so) so I was prepared!
We ended with a little game where I had written a series of nouns, verbs and adjectives down and I asked her to make sentences using first one, and then, two, and finally, three of the words.
She seemed to enjoy it as she made arrangements for a regular weekly lesson! Which I thought was great, a private student!
Then I walked (following my tourist map very closely) from Hiro-o to Omotesando and had lunch at Subway.
Then I spent a couple of hours in Omotesando Hills, which was verrry nice. It's like a mixture of Birmingham's Bull Ring and Mailbox. Quite compact, but on three floors and very posh-looking. To quote Homer: "This place looks expensive. I feel like I'm wasting a fortune just standing here!" Yeah, that Homer.
The toilets were very fancy. They had a hand-dryer shaped like a trouser press attached to the wall, and you put your hands into the slot and jets of air pummel them until they're dry! But they didn't compare to the Bull Ring's toilets, it's worth going to Birmingham just for them! They won an award.
I walked around the whole place, and found it funny that there were guards stationed around, seemingly just to warn you that there were a couple of steps up or down.
There was a Billabong, a North Face and fancy shops and restaurants. The interesting thing was that the shops all had loads of space, but there was hardly anything in them. Most shops in Tokyo cram as much into their tiny space as possible but here it's like they're saying "We're rich enough to be selling one item in our entire store".
After exhausting that place, I headed off to Gaba for my introduction to the school. I arrived at 14.30 and left at 19.30. In that five hours, I went through different aspects of the job in more detail, had a look at some textbooks we didn't cover in the first three days of training and made my schedule for February.
I start work there on Saturday. I thought that might give students enough time to find me and book a couple of my lessons. No guarantee of lessons here!
The overall impression I got was that they expect us to do a lot of work, for minimal pay. I think Gaba pay the lowest rates in the Japanese English-teaching industry. Correct me if I'm wrong but I've heard that. But they gave me a job! So I shouldn't sniff at it.
I got home at 8 and made myself a chicken and vegetable curry. I'm keeping a record of all my spendings (and soon, earnings) so I'm going to see whether it's cheaper to buy ready meals every day, or shop in supermarkets and cook for myself. It will be interesting to see...
Things are falling into place! And I know it seems weird, but I've actually started thinking about how I'll miss Tokyo when I move to Kyoto. But, it's the people that make a place, and the people I know in Tokyo are great. They keep me going!
I got up at 8.30 to meet a Japanese woman for a demo lesson in Hiro-o (about 25 minutes on the subway from me) in a coffee shop. This was arranged through the Foreign Instructor Centre which I found through Gaijinpot.com.
I got there half an hour early (my map came in handy!) and then realised that I'd spent all my cash on the big shop yesterday, so I went to the nearby Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and used my new cash card for the first time. And to my surprise, it worked fine! The ATM had an 'English' button and it was all very simple. You don't even need a cash card, you can press the front page of your bank book that they give you when you open an account onto the machine and you can withdraw cash that way!
I'd read that ATMs were not very common in Japan, but I have found this to be very untrue. There is one in almost every konbini (convenience store) like ampm or 7-11, which are open for as long as the shop is (these accept foreign cards and have English instructions but charge Y210 (£1)) and almost all bank branches have an ATM Corner, which are open slightly longer than the actual bank, but are not 24-hour.
Just as a little aside here, I opened a Nationwide (a British bank) account before I left because their current account (FlexAccount) doesn't charge for card use overseas! You can withdraw cash from any cash machine with the Cirrus symbol and they don't charge you! The cash machine might though. You have to have an account with them for 7 months before you can get a debit card though, probably so people don't just open an account for a holiday! Not like me at all... Lots of ATMs have the Cirrus symbol, I was worried it would be a Europe-only thing but the one in the 7-11 over the road from me has it!
Anyway, for those of you more interested in teaching than money, the lesson! She rang me to say she was there and we got our coffees and went up onto the little roof terrace where it was lovely and sunny.
She said she wanted conversation practice so we chatted about ourselves for a little while. It was quite fun, and she was very good at English.
I had made a lesson plan beforehand. I had bought a multi-coloured pen and a pad of paper from a convenience store (they came to about Y450 or so) so I was prepared!
We ended with a little game where I had written a series of nouns, verbs and adjectives down and I asked her to make sentences using first one, and then, two, and finally, three of the words.
She seemed to enjoy it as she made arrangements for a regular weekly lesson! Which I thought was great, a private student!
Then I walked (following my tourist map very closely) from Hiro-o to Omotesando and had lunch at Subway.
Then I spent a couple of hours in Omotesando Hills, which was verrry nice. It's like a mixture of Birmingham's Bull Ring and Mailbox. Quite compact, but on three floors and very posh-looking. To quote Homer: "This place looks expensive. I feel like I'm wasting a fortune just standing here!" Yeah, that Homer.
The toilets were very fancy. They had a hand-dryer shaped like a trouser press attached to the wall, and you put your hands into the slot and jets of air pummel them until they're dry! But they didn't compare to the Bull Ring's toilets, it's worth going to Birmingham just for them! They won an award.
I walked around the whole place, and found it funny that there were guards stationed around, seemingly just to warn you that there were a couple of steps up or down.
There was a Billabong, a North Face and fancy shops and restaurants. The interesting thing was that the shops all had loads of space, but there was hardly anything in them. Most shops in Tokyo cram as much into their tiny space as possible but here it's like they're saying "We're rich enough to be selling one item in our entire store".
After exhausting that place, I headed off to Gaba for my introduction to the school. I arrived at 14.30 and left at 19.30. In that five hours, I went through different aspects of the job in more detail, had a look at some textbooks we didn't cover in the first three days of training and made my schedule for February.
I start work there on Saturday. I thought that might give students enough time to find me and book a couple of my lessons. No guarantee of lessons here!
The overall impression I got was that they expect us to do a lot of work, for minimal pay. I think Gaba pay the lowest rates in the Japanese English-teaching industry. Correct me if I'm wrong but I've heard that. But they gave me a job! So I shouldn't sniff at it.
I got home at 8 and made myself a chicken and vegetable curry. I'm keeping a record of all my spendings (and soon, earnings) so I'm going to see whether it's cheaper to buy ready meals every day, or shop in supermarkets and cook for myself. It will be interesting to see...
Things are falling into place! And I know it seems weird, but I've actually started thinking about how I'll miss Tokyo when I move to Kyoto. But, it's the people that make a place, and the people I know in Tokyo are great. They keep me going!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Collecting My Cash Card
I received a message from the postman a couple of days ago saying that he'd tried to deliver my cash card but because I was at Gaba training I'd missed it.
I couldn't decipher the message so this morning I asked one of my multi-lingual housemates (whose language ability is amazing, have a look at his blog) to help me. He rang them up for me and found out where the letter was and how I could collect it.
So I set out for Nihonbashi (pronounced Nihombashi) , for the big post office there. It was only one stop on the Toei Asakusa Line but it cost Y170 (the cheapest fare for that line, I think the very cheapest one is Y130), which is about 80p. So much cheaper than Birmingham! The journey lasted about 2 minutes and then it was very easy to find the post office. I didn't need the map I'd drawn, but better safe than extremely sorry.
I queued at the main counter (only two windows were in use, the place was really quiet, probably because it's Saturday) and the man there directed me to a separate room to the left. The window looked closed but I could see someone in the office behind it so I waited.
He came and I gave him the message I was left. He went to find my letter and asked for ID. I showed him my new Gaikokujin Tourokusho Card (Alien Card) and he asked if he could write my passport number down.
Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank had told me that I would need to use my inkan (name stamp) to sign for the letter but my signature was fine.
That was very painless! Not the usual disaster my little trips are!
I had the afternoon free so I decided to attempt walking home from there. I knew that was very risky as I didn't have a map on me, but I followed the river and my sense of direction. And to my shock, it took less than half an hour to get back!
I went looking for postcards on the way, I thought Tokyo City Air Terminal should have them, but there were none to be found. I think I might have to go to a Tourist Information Centre as they're not very popular here.
During my search, I found a magazine called 'Bing!', which only a sad few will understand, and an extremely new Rough Guide to Tokyo, published February 2008, which is very impressive as it's only the 2nd February today.
Tonight, a group of us from the guesthouse and friends are going to a party I was invited to by an English teaching website (Findateacher.net) in Shibuya, which should be fun!
I couldn't decipher the message so this morning I asked one of my multi-lingual housemates (whose language ability is amazing, have a look at his blog) to help me. He rang them up for me and found out where the letter was and how I could collect it.
So I set out for Nihonbashi (pronounced Nihombashi) , for the big post office there. It was only one stop on the Toei Asakusa Line but it cost Y170 (the cheapest fare for that line, I think the very cheapest one is Y130), which is about 80p. So much cheaper than Birmingham! The journey lasted about 2 minutes and then it was very easy to find the post office. I didn't need the map I'd drawn, but better safe than extremely sorry.
I queued at the main counter (only two windows were in use, the place was really quiet, probably because it's Saturday) and the man there directed me to a separate room to the left. The window looked closed but I could see someone in the office behind it so I waited.
He came and I gave him the message I was left. He went to find my letter and asked for ID. I showed him my new Gaikokujin Tourokusho Card (Alien Card) and he asked if he could write my passport number down.
Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank had told me that I would need to use my inkan (name stamp) to sign for the letter but my signature was fine.
That was very painless! Not the usual disaster my little trips are!
I had the afternoon free so I decided to attempt walking home from there. I knew that was very risky as I didn't have a map on me, but I followed the river and my sense of direction. And to my shock, it took less than half an hour to get back!
I went looking for postcards on the way, I thought Tokyo City Air Terminal should have them, but there were none to be found. I think I might have to go to a Tourist Information Centre as they're not very popular here.
During my search, I found a magazine called 'Bing!', which only a sad few will understand, and an extremely new Rough Guide to Tokyo, published February 2008, which is very impressive as it's only the 2nd February today.
Tonight, a group of us from the guesthouse and friends are going to a party I was invited to by an English teaching website (Findateacher.net) in Shibuya, which should be fun!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Hanko Registration
Unless you know exactly where a place is, never, ever go anywhere without a map, and even then, take one anyway.
I went to collect the Hanko name stamp I bought on Friday this morning. It was just outside the train station, but I still got lost. It took me 15 minutes to find the place, but when I did it was very easy. He remembered me and produced my stamp, showing me the mark it made.
If you need to find out how to write your name in Japanese (it will probably be in katakana) then this site is quite good. Mine is just my surname in katakana, but you could have it in kanji similar to the sounds in your name too, but it's probably best to stick to simple to avoid any possible confusion.
Then I headed to Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank to change my official signature from 'sign' to Hanko stamp. It has a different name when you use it for official documents, an inkan. Easier to remember because it has the word 'ink' in it.
I asked one of the employees how to do it and she gave me a couple of forms to fill in my name and address on. Then I took a ticket from the machine and waited for half an hour to be called. It was then that I realised I hadn't brought the proof of Alien Registration with me. I thought I'd have to go back and get it but it turned out it wasn't a problem. I filled in some forms and stamped about a billion things. The whole process took about 45 minutes, but it would have been quicker if I could have understood everything she said to me.
That was done! This wasn't on my initial itinerary but I decided to go to Chuo-ku Ward Office to see if I had to register my inkan as my official signature.
I did have to! I asked one of the men standing near the door and he helped me through the form, then gave me a ticket from the machine and I waited. I was called up to the counter after about 10 minutes and they gave me another form to fill in, and I had to sign and stamp in several boxes. The whole process took about 45 minutes again. At one point, I saw a card with my face on it in a folder they were using and I wondered if it was my Gaikokujin Tourokusho (Alien Registration Card).
It wasn't a problem here either that I didn't have the receipt of my Alien Registration or the certificate. I did have my passport and that seemed to do.
They gave me the certificate that said that I had registered my inkan as my official signature and a card that I could put into any Ward Office in Chuo-ku to obtain a copy of this certificate. I had to choose a 4-digit PIN number for this. It cost me Y350 (£1.75ish).
And then they surprised me by giving me my Alien Registration Card! I was meant to collect it on Valentine's Day but it was ready early! So that was definitely a trip worth making.
Another successful morning! I can now cross a lot of things off my 'To-do List'!
Friday, January 25, 2008
My Bank Account, Gaba Contract & Hanko
Big morning, not day, just morning.
I got up at 7am (the earliest I've been up the whole time) to get into my business clothes and get to Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank for their opening time at 9am.
Something I feel is very important for you to know, is that I had 'What Hurts The Most' by Cascada stuck in my head for the entire day. Which was very annoying, as it sucks!
I left my guesthouse at about 8.15 and walked to Ningyocho station on the Hibiya line. I was all psyched up for a Tokyo rush hour but I was very disappointed to find that there were about 2 people standing on the entire train and there were free seats! So I went the couple of stops to Kodenmacho and followed the map MUFJ Tsukiji branch gave me yesterday. I didn't actually need it, it was just round the corner from the exit. I waited outside the bank (it was 8.40), watching the world go by. It was another very clear, cloud-less morning so it was pleasant enough.
As soon as the metal gate came up inside at 9 sharp, I ducked under it and showed my documents and the letter from the Tsukiji branch to the first person I saw. She got me the first ticket of the day, 601, for me and asked me to sit and wait. I was there for 5 minutes, then I was called.
I didn't even have to speak that much. The letter and the documents spoke for themselves. The woman went through it, asked for some help from an older worker a couple of times, and filled in other forms. I was terrified the whole time, watching the clock behind her click past 9.30.
She asked me to wait on the chairs again, after getting me to sign about 500 pieces of paper, squeezing my signature into a Hanko stamp-sized circle. She needed me to fill in one document again because I'd written my name the Western way and it needed to Japanese-style i.e. surname followed by first and middle names.
She kept biting her lip and asking for help. I was eyeing her pleadingly, expecting her at any moment to say "Sorry. Is impossible".
But that moment never came! She gave me my bank book and paid Y10,000 (£50) into my account. I didn't really know what she wanted me to do. She pointed at a box on a form and said "Write money. Your money." I was thinking: All my money? What is this for?
But I had a Y10,000 note on me so I paid that in. She gave me my bank book, passport and proof of Alien Registration back. She said that my cash card would arrive in a week's time, which I already knew. I had to choose my PIN there and then. I just had to write it down on a form she gave me. Not very private really...
I left at just gone 10 with a smile. One down, two to go!
I got back on the Hibiya line (I don't really like the Hibiya line, it's old and there are no cool screens) and headed back to Ningyocho and onto Ebisu for the Gaba Recruitment Centre.
I stood for the beginning of the journey, then grabbed a seat when it opened up. Two middle-aged women got on and one sat next to me. The other stood and chatted. I felt bad so I stood and said "Douzo" (please), pointing to the seat. She smiled and sat down, thanking me. Then the other offered me a little chocolate liquer. I smiled broadly and thanked her very much, saying it was delicious. She said it was whisky. I said, "I KNOW!"
When I got off at Ebisu, they both smiled and waved as I thanked them again. How nice...
On the way to Gaba, I passed a shop with a board outside proclaiming 'Seruraito for Ladies', which sounds suspiciously like Cellulite for Ladies. Then I used a toilet that had a seat warmer, bottom cleaner (shockingly I didn't investigate that) and deoderant, all that could be controlled by a control panel built into the toilet's 'arm'.
I got to Gaba half an hour early, but that gave me a chance to read the contract thoroughly to make sure I wasn't selling them my soul or anything. We went through all the documents until about 12. Then came the embarrassing part! Students at Gaba choose their instructor through an online profile with a picture and video so we had to smile and say a bit about ourselves. How hideous...
I start my Gaba Certification (three days unpaid training) on Tuesday.
Then I walked back to the station with a woman who had to borrow my jacket for the photo. She thought I was Australian (probably the hair) and much older than I actually am (18 if you didn't know). She said I spoke very clearly and I said it was probably my British accent. She suggested that on top of that, I was used to speaking as clearly as possible for non-English speakers. She asked how long I'd been in Japan and was shocked when I said "two weeks", she thought I must have been here for much longer.
Went all the way back to Kodenmacho, this time for the Hanko shop there. I showed the man my letter from the bank and he asked me what type of Hanko I wanted. It looked like he was offering me half my name on one, or all of it on another. So I took the one with all of it! That cost me Y4,300 (about £20), and considering there were some there for Y70,000 (£350), I thought it was a pretty good deal!
The man there was very nice and helped me out with my Japanese. He asked me where I was from (he thought I was American) and explained that I could pick the Hanko up on Monday.
Then I headed back home for lunch at 14.00, a little tired but pleased.
I got up at 7am (the earliest I've been up the whole time) to get into my business clothes and get to Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank for their opening time at 9am.
Something I feel is very important for you to know, is that I had 'What Hurts The Most' by Cascada stuck in my head for the entire day. Which was very annoying, as it sucks!
I left my guesthouse at about 8.15 and walked to Ningyocho station on the Hibiya line. I was all psyched up for a Tokyo rush hour but I was very disappointed to find that there were about 2 people standing on the entire train and there were free seats! So I went the couple of stops to Kodenmacho and followed the map MUFJ Tsukiji branch gave me yesterday. I didn't actually need it, it was just round the corner from the exit. I waited outside the bank (it was 8.40), watching the world go by. It was another very clear, cloud-less morning so it was pleasant enough.
As soon as the metal gate came up inside at 9 sharp, I ducked under it and showed my documents and the letter from the Tsukiji branch to the first person I saw. She got me the first ticket of the day, 601, for me and asked me to sit and wait. I was there for 5 minutes, then I was called.
I didn't even have to speak that much. The letter and the documents spoke for themselves. The woman went through it, asked for some help from an older worker a couple of times, and filled in other forms. I was terrified the whole time, watching the clock behind her click past 9.30.
She asked me to wait on the chairs again, after getting me to sign about 500 pieces of paper, squeezing my signature into a Hanko stamp-sized circle. She needed me to fill in one document again because I'd written my name the Western way and it needed to Japanese-style i.e. surname followed by first and middle names.
She kept biting her lip and asking for help. I was eyeing her pleadingly, expecting her at any moment to say "Sorry. Is impossible".
But that moment never came! She gave me my bank book and paid Y10,000 (£50) into my account. I didn't really know what she wanted me to do. She pointed at a box on a form and said "Write money. Your money." I was thinking: All my money? What is this for?
But I had a Y10,000 note on me so I paid that in. She gave me my bank book, passport and proof of Alien Registration back. She said that my cash card would arrive in a week's time, which I already knew. I had to choose my PIN there and then. I just had to write it down on a form she gave me. Not very private really...
I left at just gone 10 with a smile. One down, two to go!
I got back on the Hibiya line (I don't really like the Hibiya line, it's old and there are no cool screens) and headed back to Ningyocho and onto Ebisu for the Gaba Recruitment Centre.
I stood for the beginning of the journey, then grabbed a seat when it opened up. Two middle-aged women got on and one sat next to me. The other stood and chatted. I felt bad so I stood and said "Douzo" (please), pointing to the seat. She smiled and sat down, thanking me. Then the other offered me a little chocolate liquer. I smiled broadly and thanked her very much, saying it was delicious. She said it was whisky. I said, "I KNOW!"
When I got off at Ebisu, they both smiled and waved as I thanked them again. How nice...
On the way to Gaba, I passed a shop with a board outside proclaiming 'Seruraito for Ladies', which sounds suspiciously like Cellulite for Ladies. Then I used a toilet that had a seat warmer, bottom cleaner (shockingly I didn't investigate that) and deoderant, all that could be controlled by a control panel built into the toilet's 'arm'.
I got to Gaba half an hour early, but that gave me a chance to read the contract thoroughly to make sure I wasn't selling them my soul or anything. We went through all the documents until about 12. Then came the embarrassing part! Students at Gaba choose their instructor through an online profile with a picture and video so we had to smile and say a bit about ourselves. How hideous...
I start my Gaba Certification (three days unpaid training) on Tuesday.
Then I walked back to the station with a woman who had to borrow my jacket for the photo. She thought I was Australian (probably the hair) and much older than I actually am (18 if you didn't know). She said I spoke very clearly and I said it was probably my British accent. She suggested that on top of that, I was used to speaking as clearly as possible for non-English speakers. She asked how long I'd been in Japan and was shocked when I said "two weeks", she thought I must have been here for much longer.
Went all the way back to Kodenmacho, this time for the Hanko shop there. I showed the man my letter from the bank and he asked me what type of Hanko I wanted. It looked like he was offering me half my name on one, or all of it on another. So I took the one with all of it! That cost me Y4,300 (about £20), and considering there were some there for Y70,000 (£350), I thought it was a pretty good deal!
The man there was very nice and helped me out with my Japanese. He asked me where I was from (he thought I was American) and explained that I could pick the Hanko up on Monday.
Then I headed back home for lunch at 14.00, a little tired but pleased.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Bank Accounts
What a day!
To quote 'Friends', could it have BEEN any more hectic?
It started off nicely enough. I woke up and lazed in bed for a bit, turned on my Softbank phone and started playing with it - then it rings! And it's Gaba, confirming that I've got the job, and need to have a bank account open before contract signing at 11am tomorrow.
So I hurriedly ring Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ (Gaba's recommended bank) to ask if the receipt of my Alien Registration card will be enough to open an account and if Gaba were right and, because I would be working with them, I could open an account despite being under 20. They said yes, that's fine.
So I hopped on the Hibiya line to Nihonbashi, prepared for another three hour search for the right bank, but I was sure I'd passed MUFJ several hundred times before, and I had! I found it on a map written entirely in kanji (go me) and it was a very short walk away.
I took a number from the ticket machine and waited for about 15 minutes. I went up to the counter when my number (75) was called and I asked if she spoke English. She didn't, so she got someone who did. She said to open an account, I had to go upstairs, so one of the workers showed me the way. I then spoke to a woman who supposedly (not supposably) spoke English and after about an hour of language negotiation, I understood that the receipt was not enough. I needed a more official document. So I left, and then returned, armed with the fact that I had rung Head Office and they had said the receipt was fine. Then I spoke to a Japanese-American woman (why couldn't I speak to her in the first place?) who said that unfortunately, the receipt was not enough, and she would ask her manager to ring Gaba and explain the situation. She wrote down the name of the document I needed in kanji for me.
So I hurried to Chuo-ku Ward Office, two subway trips away, where I applied for my Alien Registration card last week, and filled in one of the yellow forms labelled 'For Foreigners'. I think she called it a 'genpo' (pronounced 'gempo'). It was the right form! I wondered how long this document would take - days, weeks, months? It took about 10 minutes. Yay! I had to pay Y300 (£1.50).
By this time it was 14.30 and all MUFJ branches close at 15.00. So I ran back to Tsukiji station, where I'd seen an arrow on the station pointing to the nearest branch. So I went back, Pasmo'ed my way onto the platform, then found the right exit. And it wouldn't let me leave! I explained in extremely broken Japanese to the guard that I hadn't been on a train, I'd just come onto the platform. He used my Pasmo card to buy another ticket (grgh) and I left. The MUFJ bank was just around the corner and I arrived with 10 minutes til closing time.
I was sure they would send me away, saying it was too late to open a bank account, come back tomorrow, but they sat me down with some forms and helped me through them. I had to write my name, address, phone number and date of birth several times on different pieces of paper, but, at about 15.10, they told me to get a ticket from the machine, and wait for it to be called. Ten minutes later, 723 was called and I went up to the counter.
The woman didn't speak English and was desperately trying to tell me something. About 15 minutes later, she told me I'd have to come back another day with a Japanese-speaking friend. No!! I asked if there was anyone who spoke English at the bank. She went to have a look. And there was! A very nice woman who introduced herself as Nakamura, and spoke very good English, then took over.
Then came the real problems! First of all, they spent over 30 minutes pondering over my address, because what I had written on the forms was different to what the Ward Office had written. They checked Sakura House's website, used an interactive map to find my exact building, used online address finders etc etc. I suggested they rang Sakura House to confirm the address, but they said it would be an invasion of privacy. I didn't mind! Finally, it took me reciting my address, in Japanese, back to them. It turns out that I hadn't written the building name (because it was extremely long and didn't fit into the space on the form) on their document so they were confused.
Then there was a problem with me using my signature to open an account at this branch. The Nihonbashi branch said "Sign ok" but the Tsukiji branch needed a Hanko (name stamp) to open one. I said I didn't have one. She then printed me out a map and wrote me a note to the owner of the nearest Hanko shop to my home.
Then they said that I had to open an account at the branch nearest to my home - Oudenma-cho branch (right by my nearest Hanko shop, conveniently) and couldn't open one here for me. I asked if Oudenma-cho would allow me to open an account with my signature, not a stamp. They rang them up, and found out that it would be okay to open one with my signature, but I would need a Hanko later to transfer my official signature to the stamp.
Nakamura said that I could get my bank book immediately when I opened the account, but my bank card would be sent in the post using Special Delivery. If I missed the postman (very likely as he might not know where to go for my room) he'd leave a message, and I would have to take my passport, my Hanko and the message to a post office (not sure which one) and collect it from there. That would be 7-10 days after I opened my account.
Then they realised that I needed proof that I was working at Gaba (something Gaba had told me wasn't needed) so I produced my preliminary contract I'd been given. They said it was okay but tomorrow the Oudenma-cho branch would need to ring Gaba to confirm.
Then Gaba phoned me. It was one of those Phoebe moments (sorry, another 'Friends' quote, but I miss it) - "Ugh, who's phone is that? It's so annoying. Everywhere you go!"
And yes, it was mine. I explained the situation to them and they said that if I couldn't open an account by 11am tomorrow, we'd have to re-schedule the contract signing in February. No!! I can't put this off, I need money!
I explained to Nakamura the urgency of me opening this account before 11am tomorrow and she wrote a note to someone at Oudenma-cho explaining the situation. Then she stuck a note on the Gaba contract saying it was okay to ring Gaba to confirm that I was going to work there.
By this time, it was nearly 16.45 and I knew that they must be really frustrated with me. I kept apologising and they shook their heads and said it was fine. I was the last customer left in the bank, all of the workers were still there, but I felt bad using up their time.
They printed me out a map of the Oudenma-cho branch's location and labelled the nearest subway exit and the route for me. Then they wished me good luck and they hoped for the best for tomorrow.
I took the Hibiya line home, bought two ready meals (I hadn't eaten anything all day) and flopped down at 18.00 to get some nourishment.
So, tomorrow, I'm going to get up at 7am, get into my business clothes, go straight to the Oudenma-cho branch for its opening at 9am, hopefully there won't be any problems (ha!), I'll get my bank book, then go to the Gaba Recruitment Centre at Ebisu and sign my contract. After that, I can go back to the same area as Oudenma-cho and order my Hanko name stamp (it takes a day to make it). That's the plan! But I'd put money on something going wrong and there being SOME problem.
Many thanks to the people at Tsukiji's Mitsubishi UFJ Bank. They were the nicest customer service people I've ever met. They were very friendly, understanding, interested in my travels, eager to help, and went well beyond the call of duty (and their finishing time).
Big day tomorrow! Fingers crossed it all goes to plan...
To quote 'Friends', could it have BEEN any more hectic?
It started off nicely enough. I woke up and lazed in bed for a bit, turned on my Softbank phone and started playing with it - then it rings! And it's Gaba, confirming that I've got the job, and need to have a bank account open before contract signing at 11am tomorrow.
So I hurriedly ring Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ (Gaba's recommended bank) to ask if the receipt of my Alien Registration card will be enough to open an account and if Gaba were right and, because I would be working with them, I could open an account despite being under 20. They said yes, that's fine.
So I hopped on the Hibiya line to Nihonbashi, prepared for another three hour search for the right bank, but I was sure I'd passed MUFJ several hundred times before, and I had! I found it on a map written entirely in kanji (go me) and it was a very short walk away.
I took a number from the ticket machine and waited for about 15 minutes. I went up to the counter when my number (75) was called and I asked if she spoke English. She didn't, so she got someone who did. She said to open an account, I had to go upstairs, so one of the workers showed me the way. I then spoke to a woman who supposedly (not supposably) spoke English and after about an hour of language negotiation, I understood that the receipt was not enough. I needed a more official document. So I left, and then returned, armed with the fact that I had rung Head Office and they had said the receipt was fine. Then I spoke to a Japanese-American woman (why couldn't I speak to her in the first place?) who said that unfortunately, the receipt was not enough, and she would ask her manager to ring Gaba and explain the situation. She wrote down the name of the document I needed in kanji for me.
So I hurried to Chuo-ku Ward Office, two subway trips away, where I applied for my Alien Registration card last week, and filled in one of the yellow forms labelled 'For Foreigners'. I think she called it a 'genpo' (pronounced 'gempo'). It was the right form! I wondered how long this document would take - days, weeks, months? It took about 10 minutes. Yay! I had to pay Y300 (£1.50).
By this time it was 14.30 and all MUFJ branches close at 15.00. So I ran back to Tsukiji station, where I'd seen an arrow on the station pointing to the nearest branch. So I went back, Pasmo'ed my way onto the platform, then found the right exit. And it wouldn't let me leave! I explained in extremely broken Japanese to the guard that I hadn't been on a train, I'd just come onto the platform. He used my Pasmo card to buy another ticket (grgh) and I left. The MUFJ bank was just around the corner and I arrived with 10 minutes til closing time.
I was sure they would send me away, saying it was too late to open a bank account, come back tomorrow, but they sat me down with some forms and helped me through them. I had to write my name, address, phone number and date of birth several times on different pieces of paper, but, at about 15.10, they told me to get a ticket from the machine, and wait for it to be called. Ten minutes later, 723 was called and I went up to the counter.
The woman didn't speak English and was desperately trying to tell me something. About 15 minutes later, she told me I'd have to come back another day with a Japanese-speaking friend. No!! I asked if there was anyone who spoke English at the bank. She went to have a look. And there was! A very nice woman who introduced herself as Nakamura, and spoke very good English, then took over.
Then came the real problems! First of all, they spent over 30 minutes pondering over my address, because what I had written on the forms was different to what the Ward Office had written. They checked Sakura House's website, used an interactive map to find my exact building, used online address finders etc etc. I suggested they rang Sakura House to confirm the address, but they said it would be an invasion of privacy. I didn't mind! Finally, it took me reciting my address, in Japanese, back to them. It turns out that I hadn't written the building name (because it was extremely long and didn't fit into the space on the form) on their document so they were confused.
Then there was a problem with me using my signature to open an account at this branch. The Nihonbashi branch said "Sign ok" but the Tsukiji branch needed a Hanko (name stamp) to open one. I said I didn't have one. She then printed me out a map and wrote me a note to the owner of the nearest Hanko shop to my home.
Then they said that I had to open an account at the branch nearest to my home - Oudenma-cho branch (right by my nearest Hanko shop, conveniently) and couldn't open one here for me. I asked if Oudenma-cho would allow me to open an account with my signature, not a stamp. They rang them up, and found out that it would be okay to open one with my signature, but I would need a Hanko later to transfer my official signature to the stamp.
Nakamura said that I could get my bank book immediately when I opened the account, but my bank card would be sent in the post using Special Delivery. If I missed the postman (very likely as he might not know where to go for my room) he'd leave a message, and I would have to take my passport, my Hanko and the message to a post office (not sure which one) and collect it from there. That would be 7-10 days after I opened my account.
Then they realised that I needed proof that I was working at Gaba (something Gaba had told me wasn't needed) so I produced my preliminary contract I'd been given. They said it was okay but tomorrow the Oudenma-cho branch would need to ring Gaba to confirm.
Then Gaba phoned me. It was one of those Phoebe moments (sorry, another 'Friends' quote, but I miss it) - "Ugh, who's phone is that? It's so annoying. Everywhere you go!"
And yes, it was mine. I explained the situation to them and they said that if I couldn't open an account by 11am tomorrow, we'd have to re-schedule the contract signing in February. No!! I can't put this off, I need money!
I explained to Nakamura the urgency of me opening this account before 11am tomorrow and she wrote a note to someone at Oudenma-cho explaining the situation. Then she stuck a note on the Gaba contract saying it was okay to ring Gaba to confirm that I was going to work there.
By this time, it was nearly 16.45 and I knew that they must be really frustrated with me. I kept apologising and they shook their heads and said it was fine. I was the last customer left in the bank, all of the workers were still there, but I felt bad using up their time.
They printed me out a map of the Oudenma-cho branch's location and labelled the nearest subway exit and the route for me. Then they wished me good luck and they hoped for the best for tomorrow.
I took the Hibiya line home, bought two ready meals (I hadn't eaten anything all day) and flopped down at 18.00 to get some nourishment.
So, tomorrow, I'm going to get up at 7am, get into my business clothes, go straight to the Oudenma-cho branch for its opening at 9am, hopefully there won't be any problems (ha!), I'll get my bank book, then go to the Gaba Recruitment Centre at Ebisu and sign my contract. After that, I can go back to the same area as Oudenma-cho and order my Hanko name stamp (it takes a day to make it). That's the plan! But I'd put money on something going wrong and there being SOME problem.
Many thanks to the people at Tsukiji's Mitsubishi UFJ Bank. They were the nicest customer service people I've ever met. They were very friendly, understanding, interested in my travels, eager to help, and went well beyond the call of duty (and their finishing time).
Big day tomorrow! Fingers crossed it all goes to plan...
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Second Interview at Gaba
Wow, that came around fast. I had my first interview five days ago, where did that time go??
I arrived at Gaba ten minutes early, but the woman who was interviewing me came out and got me just 15 seconds after I'd arrived. She took me into one of their booths and sat me down. She gave me a textbook and said that I had five minutes to prepare a five minute lesson based around one of the activities in the textbook. She then left me to it.
Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! The activity was on teaching the difference between 'want' and 'need'. She had given me a blank piece of paper so I tore it in half neatly and wrote 'NEED' on one half and 'WANT' on the other. I had a bottle of water in my bag and one of the examples given in the book was "I want to have some water" and "I need some water" so I got that out and hastily pieced together a quick lesson. I'm sure Felicity Huffman was teaching a lesson in a nearby room.
When she came back, she acted as a low-level student, and I introduced the words using my 'flashcards'. Then I acted being desperately thirsty for some water and pointing to 'NEED' and then drinking. Then I acted normal and calmly drank some water, pointing to 'WANT'. And my lesson went something like that. She seemed to think it went okay.
She then asked me to rate it out of 10. I gave it 6. She asked me how I'd improve it. I said that there should have been more student talking time (STT) than teacher talking time (TTT) as the student would be paying for as much exposure to English conversation as possible.
The questions that followed were things like:
Why do you want to work at Gaba?
Why did you come to Japan?
Why do you want to teach English?
What qualities do you possess that make you suitable for this position?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a person?
If a student wanted to meet you outside of a lesson what would you say? (They didn't tell me before, but I assumed that they would operate a no-fraternising policy, which they do.)
If a student asked you what a word meant and you didn't know, what would you say? (I said I'd be honest and say I didn't know, then either go and find out, or find out for the next lesson.)
If a student brought in a work document written in English and asked you to help them with it, would you be able to?
I'm pretty sure the last two questions were aimed directly at me as I'm under 20, and are not standard interview questions.
She seemed to be pretty impressed with me, from what I gathered, and she asked me to come back for a third interview (which I have to have being under 20 to make sure I understand enough business English to teach there - which I'm not sure I do, but we will see) tomorrow evening. That one is with someone big at Gaba, a manager of some kind. Eeek!
She also said that one bank (Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank) would let me open an account if I said I'd be working at Gaba!
I got back and was racked with contrasting thoughts about whether to take the job or not if I was offered the position. But I think that I will take the position if offered it. But we will see what tomorrow brings.
I arrived at Gaba ten minutes early, but the woman who was interviewing me came out and got me just 15 seconds after I'd arrived. She took me into one of their booths and sat me down. She gave me a textbook and said that I had five minutes to prepare a five minute lesson based around one of the activities in the textbook. She then left me to it.
Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! The activity was on teaching the difference between 'want' and 'need'. She had given me a blank piece of paper so I tore it in half neatly and wrote 'NEED' on one half and 'WANT' on the other. I had a bottle of water in my bag and one of the examples given in the book was "I want to have some water" and "I need some water" so I got that out and hastily pieced together a quick lesson. I'm sure Felicity Huffman was teaching a lesson in a nearby room.
When she came back, she acted as a low-level student, and I introduced the words using my 'flashcards'. Then I acted being desperately thirsty for some water and pointing to 'NEED' and then drinking. Then I acted normal and calmly drank some water, pointing to 'WANT'. And my lesson went something like that. She seemed to think it went okay.
She then asked me to rate it out of 10. I gave it 6. She asked me how I'd improve it. I said that there should have been more student talking time (STT) than teacher talking time (TTT) as the student would be paying for as much exposure to English conversation as possible.
The questions that followed were things like:
Why do you want to work at Gaba?
Why did you come to Japan?
Why do you want to teach English?
What qualities do you possess that make you suitable for this position?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a person?
If a student wanted to meet you outside of a lesson what would you say? (They didn't tell me before, but I assumed that they would operate a no-fraternising policy, which they do.)
If a student asked you what a word meant and you didn't know, what would you say? (I said I'd be honest and say I didn't know, then either go and find out, or find out for the next lesson.)
If a student brought in a work document written in English and asked you to help them with it, would you be able to?
I'm pretty sure the last two questions were aimed directly at me as I'm under 20, and are not standard interview questions.
She seemed to be pretty impressed with me, from what I gathered, and she asked me to come back for a third interview (which I have to have being under 20 to make sure I understand enough business English to teach there - which I'm not sure I do, but we will see) tomorrow evening. That one is with someone big at Gaba, a manager of some kind. Eeek!
She also said that one bank (Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank) would let me open an account if I said I'd be working at Gaba!
I got back and was racked with contrasting thoughts about whether to take the job or not if I was offered the position. But I think that I will take the position if offered it. But we will see what tomorrow brings.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Shinsei Bank
Toukyou wa fukuzatsu dayou!
Tokyo is complicated. A profound statement.
Today I wanted to find out if I could actually open a Japanese bank account being under 20 once and for all. So I took the subway one stop to Mitsukoshimae station, spent ages trying to remember which exit it was (there are about 25 from this station) and finally decided on one. I walked the 350 metres up to it, then exited, deciding to try to find the bank above-ground.
Long story short, three hours later I ended up at the first building I walked past to go to Shinsei bank (recommended by the JAWHM).
And guess what! No bank accounts for under-20s! Which confirmed what I knew already, I just needed to hear it from the horse's mouth. And those words were: "Izu imposhibaru". But I wasn't downcast. I'd seen most of Nihonbashi, a very nice modern area housing some of Tokyo's oldest businesses, particularly financial centres, and found out what I needed to know.
I came back, and found that some carriages on trains are Women Only in the morning rush hour on some lines. Presumably to avoid sexual harassment issues.
I bought a couple of last minute supplies for the stirfry, applied for another 12 jobs on Gaijin Pot.com (one of which had over 1,700 other applicants - so not much chance of getting that one!) and then started cooking.
It was chicken, noodles, carrots, mushrooms, onion, and soy sauce. And it worked very well! As usual, I made too much, but it was very tasty. 
Then I had strawberries and Oreos for pudding. So it was a very tasty meal all in all.
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