Because I'm leaving Japan but returning on the same visa, I need a re-entry permit (再入国許可, sainyuukoku kyoka) otherwise the visa would automatically be cancelled when I leave the country and when I come back it would only be on a tourist visa. This is true for student visas and working holiday visas, and probably work visas as well.
In order to get the re-entry permit, I had to go to my closest Regional Immigration Bureau (入国管理局, nyuukoku kanrikyoku), which thankfully wasn't too far away, in Tachikawa (立川). Last year I went to the other one in Tokyo, which was in the middle of nowhere in Shinagawa. Every area in Japan will have one of these Immigration Bureaus, but unfortunately if you live outside of the major cities, you may have to travel quite far to get to one. It's lucky that Tokyo has two!
To apply for a re-entry permit you need:
- an application form (available at the Immigration Bureau)
- passport with your Japanese visa inside
- Alien Card (外国人登録証明書, gaikokujin tourokushoumeisho, or just gaikokujin tourokusho)
- a special stamp (available at convenience stores)
- fee (Y3,000 for single re-entry, or Y6,000 for multiple)
So this morning I spoke to Wynne, an American girl who's in my class at ICU, and also lives in the same guesthouse as I do, because she went through the re-entry permit process a few weeks ago.
I went to my local city office (市役所, shiyakusho) to get a map and then took the train to Tachikawa. Following the instuctions on the map they gave me, I took the bus from stand #12 of the North exit of Tachikawa station bound for (北町, Kita-machi) and went to the 多摩車検場前 (Tama Shakenjou-mae) stop. The automatic announcements for this stop were in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, so obviously a lot of foreigners go there!
In order to get the re-entry permit you have to buy a special type of stamp from a convenience store. I found this very strange, but never mind, who am I to argue with the Japanese immigration laws! All the nearby shops seemed to sell the stamps, so I just went into one and asked for a 再入国許可のスタンプ (sainyuukoku kyoka no sutampu). I don't know if that was the correct way to ask in Japanese but they understood and asked if I wanted one for Y3,000 or Y6,000. The Y3,000 ones are for a single re-entry, which means you can leave Japan and come back once and continue using the same visa. The Y6,000 is for multiple re-entry, so you can leave and come back as many times as you want. This is the one I went for, because it's the same price as two singles, and I intend to go to China next year, and then if I go anywhere else I can do it without paying any extra money.
After buying the stamp, I asked the shop assistant where the Immigration Bureau was and she pointed me in the right direction. Once I was on that road it was clearly signed and only took about two minutes. It was quite a small building, with a foyer and a room to the right with a waiting area, a desk with three clerks serving people, and some tables with files of forms.
I took a form for re-entry permits and started to fill it in, when I realised that I should have taken a slip of paper from the ticket machine to lessen my waiting time. It took me a while to find the machine, but I knew there must be one because there was a screen with numbers being called. It turned out to be on the main desk, so I took one and I was 128, the number being served was 97. I finished filling out the form and sat down.
Two hours later I was served. I didn't mind the wait, because I know how frustrating bureaucracy can be, so I was patient.
The clerk asked to see my application form, passport, Alien Card and then asked me to affix the stamp to the form and sign it.
He then stuck a label in my passport, stapled a form into it and that was it. A whole two minutes! So it was quite an easy process, it just took a long time. I have to fill in the first section of the form stapled into my passport for when I leave Japan, and then the second section for when I return.
After getting the permit, I then walked back to the bus stop and waited for the bus back to Tachikawa station. Then a guy from Bangladesh started talking to me, because he said he recognised me from ICU! He was a graduate student and he had been in the Immigration Bureau getting a re-entry permit because he was returning home the same day as me! Our flights are 10 minutes apart and he's also getting a Limousine bus from Kichijoji on the same morning as me! We might be on the same bus, but I think I might be on the one before him. It was such a coincidence! Who knows, I might bump into him on Thursday!
When I got back I rang the Limousine bus company and officially reserved my ticket. It was my first phone conversation entirely in Japanese, and it was very scary! But I muddled through and, if I understood everything correctly, I have to go to Musashi Sakai before 2pm tomorrow and pick up the ticket. So I'll combine a trip to Higashi Koganei to pay my next month's rent tomorrow morning with picking it up.
And then on Wednesday I can check-in online in the morning, and then I'll cycle into ICU to use their printers and print my boarding pass. I'll also see if they have sorted out my work permit application so I can pick that up. Then in the afternoon I'll pack, and then get up at 5am on Thursday and fly back home!
It's all incredible! I really can't believe it's happening! I think the next post I write will be from Birmingham, probably when I wake up in my own bed, in my own room, in my own country! Wow, it's going to be amazing...
Showing posts with label immigration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immigration. Show all posts
Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Arrival in Japan
First things first - wooo, I'm here!
It's lovely to be back in Tokyo! I hadn't realised how much I missed it until I got on the train and started seeing places I remembered. Especially when we passed the Shinjuku skyscraper district - I love those buildings!
But anyway, I should start at the beginning. My family and I drove down to London Heathrow airport on Wednesday morning. It took about an hour and a half, despite part of the motorway being closed due to a gas leak. We parked and walked up to Terminal 3, where I heard my name shouted by Rob, one of the other students going to ICU. Katy, the other one of the three of us, was already there, along with another student going to a different University we were flying out with. There was one other too, but we decided not to wait for him before we checked in. There was no queue at the JAL desk, and we all got in with no problems. I'm sure our bags were overweight, but the woman didn't say anything - maybe she took pity on us!
I met my family upstairs and we had lunch. My stomach was churning like crazy, with that bizarre mix of anxiety and excitement. I managed to eat a jacket potato and the hour passed very quickly. It was too quick! Suddenly I was saying goodbye to my family again, with tears in my eyes. We had done it before, and we knew what goodbyes are like. But of course that doesn't make them any easier!
I waved until I had passed into the security check with the other four. I was okay then, because I started focussing on the next section of the journey. I didn't beep at the metal detector, which was surprising! All my stuff was okay, despite being overweight, but of course they don't weigh hand luggage.
We made our way down to Gate 27 and had our boarding passes checked. I realised that I'd meant to ask if there were any aisle seats available, because my long legs are awful in cramped seats. I asked at the gate if there were any aisle seats available, and they said that a party hadn't turned up, and I could have their seats if they didn't arrive in time. I waited for about 15 minutes and the party didn't check in so I moved four rows back, so not too far from the rest of my group, who were spread across two rows, but where I could sit more comfortably. I'm very glad I asked!
The 11 hour 45 minute flight went much quicker than I thought it would. I watched one and a half films, and then tried, largely unsuccessfully, to sleep for the rest of the time. I think I got about 3 hours in the end, but it was very hard to tell because I kept waking up to readjust my position.
I wasn't nearly as worried or stressed as when I first arrived in Japan. I knew where everything was, and that I was with other people, and we were being met by locals. Everything felt much safer and more secure than last time!
We went through the swine flu check and immigration like a breeze. Narita Airport is so quiet and calm, it's the exact opposite of British airports. They took my fingerprints and photo at immigration, just like last time, and checked my visa. I think the inspector was a little perplexed at seeing two visa stamps in my passport, but he didn't ask any questions.
We left the customs check with no problems (you have to fill out two forms on the plane, one for immigration, and one for customs) because we weren't carrying any prohibited or restricted items. Then we met Rob's good friend and a couple of students from ICU who I'd been in contact with. They were all really really nice and helped us all with our heavy baggage. We bought tickets to 東小金井 (Higashi Koganei), which is where the head office of our guesthouse company is. From Narita Airport (outside Tokyo to the east) to the western suburbs where we're living, it took about two hours, and three trains. It was quite hot (around 30C) and humid, especially as we weren't used to it, but not as bad as I remembered it being. Maybe it was because it's the end of August, rather than the beginning, which is when I left last year. But Rob's friend said that Japan's summer this year had been cooler overall than average. That's not a problem with me!
Watching the scenery flash by as we made our way through central Tokyo was amazing. I recognised so many places, and just looking at the train map brought back fond memories of last time. We were all very tired, and everything seemed a bit like a dream, I think particularly for Katy, who has never been to Japan before. But we got to Higashi Koganei station with no problems, thanks to our local guides. We thanked them very much and were then picked up in a brightly coloured van and taken to the office. The office was right by a small wooded area, and there was a deafening roar of cicadas! I'd never heard anything like it. I really hoped I wouldn't be able to hear any from my room. We were talked through the contract and the rules of the guesthouse, and we paid our deposits and first month's rent.
That took just over an hour, and then they drove us to our guesthouse. I was glad we could go straight there even though it was late afternoon, because they had said that if we didn't arrive by 15:30, we might not be able to check in that day, and would have to stay in temporary rooms in the head office. We were shown to our rooms, and we sorted everything out, and then were left to it.
We were all a bit dazed and confused, but we knew we couldn't go to sleep, as it was only 6pm, so we met Rob's friend again in the town near the station, and went for some dinner in an izakaya (Japanese pub). We got back at about 21:30, and I was dead to the world by half past 10, and I slept dead through until 6:30am this morning, when I woken up, either by the bright sunlight (the curtains here are just as transparent as in Sakura House last year) or the gradual heat as the room warmed up.
Today we did some shopping and bought some food while exploring the local area, and I'm feeling quite comfortable here. We made our first group meal this evening, noodles with beef in a tomato sauce. I think that's a really good way to save money, as the meal split between the three of us was only Y380. We'll definitely be doing that a lot!
I'm fully unpacked now, and I'm feeling much more like it's a home now. Everything has its place and I'm getting used to the layout of the house. Tomorrow we're going to try to figure out the best route to ICU. Wish us luck!
It's lovely to be back in Tokyo! I hadn't realised how much I missed it until I got on the train and started seeing places I remembered. Especially when we passed the Shinjuku skyscraper district - I love those buildings!
But anyway, I should start at the beginning. My family and I drove down to London Heathrow airport on Wednesday morning. It took about an hour and a half, despite part of the motorway being closed due to a gas leak. We parked and walked up to Terminal 3, where I heard my name shouted by Rob, one of the other students going to ICU. Katy, the other one of the three of us, was already there, along with another student going to a different University we were flying out with. There was one other too, but we decided not to wait for him before we checked in. There was no queue at the JAL desk, and we all got in with no problems. I'm sure our bags were overweight, but the woman didn't say anything - maybe she took pity on us!
I met my family upstairs and we had lunch. My stomach was churning like crazy, with that bizarre mix of anxiety and excitement. I managed to eat a jacket potato and the hour passed very quickly. It was too quick! Suddenly I was saying goodbye to my family again, with tears in my eyes. We had done it before, and we knew what goodbyes are like. But of course that doesn't make them any easier!
I waved until I had passed into the security check with the other four. I was okay then, because I started focussing on the next section of the journey. I didn't beep at the metal detector, which was surprising! All my stuff was okay, despite being overweight, but of course they don't weigh hand luggage.
We made our way down to Gate 27 and had our boarding passes checked. I realised that I'd meant to ask if there were any aisle seats available, because my long legs are awful in cramped seats. I asked at the gate if there were any aisle seats available, and they said that a party hadn't turned up, and I could have their seats if they didn't arrive in time. I waited for about 15 minutes and the party didn't check in so I moved four rows back, so not too far from the rest of my group, who were spread across two rows, but where I could sit more comfortably. I'm very glad I asked!
The 11 hour 45 minute flight went much quicker than I thought it would. I watched one and a half films, and then tried, largely unsuccessfully, to sleep for the rest of the time. I think I got about 3 hours in the end, but it was very hard to tell because I kept waking up to readjust my position.
I wasn't nearly as worried or stressed as when I first arrived in Japan. I knew where everything was, and that I was with other people, and we were being met by locals. Everything felt much safer and more secure than last time!
We went through the swine flu check and immigration like a breeze. Narita Airport is so quiet and calm, it's the exact opposite of British airports. They took my fingerprints and photo at immigration, just like last time, and checked my visa. I think the inspector was a little perplexed at seeing two visa stamps in my passport, but he didn't ask any questions.
We left the customs check with no problems (you have to fill out two forms on the plane, one for immigration, and one for customs) because we weren't carrying any prohibited or restricted items. Then we met Rob's good friend and a couple of students from ICU who I'd been in contact with. They were all really really nice and helped us all with our heavy baggage. We bought tickets to 東小金井 (Higashi Koganei), which is where the head office of our guesthouse company is. From Narita Airport (outside Tokyo to the east) to the western suburbs where we're living, it took about two hours, and three trains. It was quite hot (around 30C) and humid, especially as we weren't used to it, but not as bad as I remembered it being. Maybe it was because it's the end of August, rather than the beginning, which is when I left last year. But Rob's friend said that Japan's summer this year had been cooler overall than average. That's not a problem with me!
Watching the scenery flash by as we made our way through central Tokyo was amazing. I recognised so many places, and just looking at the train map brought back fond memories of last time. We were all very tired, and everything seemed a bit like a dream, I think particularly for Katy, who has never been to Japan before. But we got to Higashi Koganei station with no problems, thanks to our local guides. We thanked them very much and were then picked up in a brightly coloured van and taken to the office. The office was right by a small wooded area, and there was a deafening roar of cicadas! I'd never heard anything like it. I really hoped I wouldn't be able to hear any from my room. We were talked through the contract and the rules of the guesthouse, and we paid our deposits and first month's rent.
That took just over an hour, and then they drove us to our guesthouse. I was glad we could go straight there even though it was late afternoon, because they had said that if we didn't arrive by 15:30, we might not be able to check in that day, and would have to stay in temporary rooms in the head office. We were shown to our rooms, and we sorted everything out, and then were left to it.
We were all a bit dazed and confused, but we knew we couldn't go to sleep, as it was only 6pm, so we met Rob's friend again in the town near the station, and went for some dinner in an izakaya (Japanese pub). We got back at about 21:30, and I was dead to the world by half past 10, and I slept dead through until 6:30am this morning, when I woken up, either by the bright sunlight (the curtains here are just as transparent as in Sakura House last year) or the gradual heat as the room warmed up.
Today we did some shopping and bought some food while exploring the local area, and I'm feeling quite comfortable here. We made our first group meal this evening, noodles with beef in a tomato sauce. I think that's a really good way to save money, as the meal split between the three of us was only Y380. We'll definitely be doing that a lot!
I'm fully unpacked now, and I'm feeling much more like it's a home now. Everything has its place and I'm getting used to the layout of the house. Tomorrow we're going to try to figure out the best route to ICU. Wish us luck!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Alien Registration
If you are staying in Japan for more than 90 days, then you need to apply for an Alien Registration card at your current nearest city, town, village, or ward hall. If you change address, visa status or name in the time you have one you must notify your nearest visa office (it doesn't have to be the same one as you originally registered with) and they supply you with a new one. This seems crazy to me, as with the Working Holiday visa, you have to move around a lot and your address might change weekly! But never mind. I applied for mine today.
As I am residing in Chuo-ku, I had to find the Chuo ward office. I went to Tokyo's visa immigration office in Shinagawa last week in an effort to try to find the address, because I couldn't find it anywhere, and afterwards found a website with all of Tokyo's ward offices.
The visa immigration office was a real trial to find, and when I got there it was one Japanese man in an office above a convenience store, who didn't speak any English and I thought - "this doesn't seem as grand as the name suggested, this can't be the place I want" and it wasn't! But, through my garbled Japanese and frantic gesticulating, he printed me a Chuo-ku Living Guide, which not only has the ward office address inside, it has all the information about living there; including disaster procedures, education, health and transport information.
So today I took three metros (even though it's not that far away, there's no direct route) down to Tsukiji (where the famous fish market is), and found the ward office (it's right outside Exit 1). I went inside and started to fill in a yellow form on a table marked 'For foreigners', then realised it was a form for people wanting proof that they were an official alien, which I was not yet! So I sat down and waited until someone was free then went up to ask them where I should go. Turns out I was in the right place. I sat down and she talked me through it (she didn't speak much English so I used Japanese) and gave me an example of what a properly filled out form should look like. The form was quite simple, I made a couple of mistakes though. I said that 'Sakura House' was the head of the household, but it turned out that I was the head of the household. So the other people in my guesthouse need to bow down to me!! (No stereotypical pun intended there.)
She told me I needed to come back in a month to collect my Alien Registration Card, I think I may have just missed a period or something, because she kept saying "nyuu perioddo". So I have to wait a month! I have the number of the card I would be given, so maybe that will be enough for potential employers/ phone distributors but I have to say, I doubt it, as there is no guarantee that I will be granted the Alien Registration Card. Although I can't see why I wouldn't be, it's still not a definite.
So things are getting tough at the moment. I have job interviews, bank accounts and phones to sort out, and the biggest barrier at the moment is my age. No one said anything about problems with being under 20! But we shall see... time will tell. As will some phonecalls tomorrow...
As I am residing in Chuo-ku, I had to find the Chuo ward office. I went to Tokyo's visa immigration office in Shinagawa last week in an effort to try to find the address, because I couldn't find it anywhere, and afterwards found a website with all of Tokyo's ward offices.
The visa immigration office was a real trial to find, and when I got there it was one Japanese man in an office above a convenience store, who didn't speak any English and I thought - "this doesn't seem as grand as the name suggested, this can't be the place I want" and it wasn't! But, through my garbled Japanese and frantic gesticulating, he printed me a Chuo-ku Living Guide, which not only has the ward office address inside, it has all the information about living there; including disaster procedures, education, health and transport information.
So today I took three metros (even though it's not that far away, there's no direct route) down to Tsukiji (where the famous fish market is), and found the ward office (it's right outside Exit 1). I went inside and started to fill in a yellow form on a table marked 'For foreigners', then realised it was a form for people wanting proof that they were an official alien, which I was not yet! So I sat down and waited until someone was free then went up to ask them where I should go. Turns out I was in the right place. I sat down and she talked me through it (she didn't speak much English so I used Japanese) and gave me an example of what a properly filled out form should look like. The form was quite simple, I made a couple of mistakes though. I said that 'Sakura House' was the head of the household, but it turned out that I was the head of the household. So the other people in my guesthouse need to bow down to me!! (No stereotypical pun intended there.)
She told me I needed to come back in a month to collect my Alien Registration Card, I think I may have just missed a period or something, because she kept saying "nyuu perioddo". So I have to wait a month! I have the number of the card I would be given, so maybe that will be enough for potential employers/ phone distributors but I have to say, I doubt it, as there is no guarantee that I will be granted the Alien Registration Card. Although I can't see why I wouldn't be, it's still not a definite.
So things are getting tough at the moment. I have job interviews, bank accounts and phones to sort out, and the biggest barrier at the moment is my age. No one said anything about problems with being under 20! But we shall see... time will tell. As will some phonecalls tomorrow...
Friday, January 11, 2008
Packing and the Flight
I am now at the end of my fifth day here in Tokyo, and I have been so busy sorting things out and settling in that my blog has had to take a bit of a back-seat. But it's finally taken up it's back-seat driving ways and has reared his head again. So I'll start from where I left off...
My last few days at home in the UK were really quite manic. There were so many last minute things to sort out, so many jobs left unfinished, so many bags needing to be packed...
But I got it all done, through the magic of lists and planning each day's activities (very sad I know but it gets the job done).
For anyone planning to do something similar, the following list should be useful, if not, then it's probably best just to skip it.
What I packed:
In my laptop bag:
Webcam
Headphones
Ethernet cable (for wired connection at Sakura House)
Laptop and power supply
Memory stick
In my rucksack: (my rucksack was my hand/ cabin luggage. BA gave me a limit of one (they changed it to two the following day) bag weighing 5kg and measuring 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. The weight wasn't really an issue, as long it fit the size restrictions and you could lift it into the overhead storage space without help, it was fine)
Japanese course (see How to Teach Yourself Japanese)
Japan: A Working Holiday Guide by Louise Southerden
DK Japan Travel Guide
Leaflets about Japan (I collected these from the Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO) in London - in particular a fold-out map of Tokyo, a Limousine bus guide, NTT Docomo information and a Tokyo subway guide.
Game Boy (very retro but it will keep me entertained)
Slumber mask
Ear plugs
Pens & paper
Handfan (for the heat and humidity of summer)
Smints
Photocopies of important documents (e.g. passport, visa, flight itinerary)
Laptop bag
Suitcase: (this was over BA's limit of 23kg per bag but because of their baggage restrictions, you can check a piece of hold luggage in if it's up to 32kg. From November 2008 there will be a charge of £25 if you go over 23kg but for me it was free! You can't check in a bag (only one allowed) if it's over 32kg though so I'm glad mine was 26kg. The maximum dimensions could add up to 158cm at the most.)
3 casual tops
5 casual T-shirts
3 casual shirts
3 casual trousers
2 work jackets (I bought these in the Christmas sales)
3 work shirts (long-sleeved as the Japanese only wear short in August)
3 work trousers
1 pair of shorts
8 pairs of socks
5 pairs of underwear
Toothpaste
Japanese-UK plug adaptor (doesn't alter voltage, you'd need a transformer to do that - they are expensive and bulky, so I didn't bother. Japan operates on 100V so UK appliances (240V) run very slowly (my mobile needs 13 hours to charge here) but North American appliances (110V) should be fine.
Torch (in case of earthquakes/ powercuts)
2 belts
4-way adaptor for all my gadgets
Business cards (these are not essential but it has been said that you don't exist in Japan if you don't have a meishi/ business card and mine are very pretty!)
2 toothbrushes
Comb
Mini-shampoo, body wash etc.
Body puff
Shaving stuff
Deoderant (apparently this is hard to get hold of in Japan)
2 towels
Waterproof trousers (rainy season (tsuyu) is from mid-May to mid-June)
Gloves, scarf and hat (I haven't needed these so far and it is mid-January so maybe not needed if you're sticking to Tokyo or the South/ West, but definitely recommended for higher altitudes and any further North/ East)
Lightweight coat (Japan is generally quite humid so light clothes will do well)
Batteries
Tissues (although don't blow your nose in public, sniff yes, but do not blow!)
Plasters and medicine (you might not be able to get hold of medicines you want in Japan)
3 business ties
Sunglasses (I thought it would be wishful thinking to bring suntan lotion but apparently it is difficult to get high quality stuff here in Japan and anywhere South/ West of Tokyo can hit 40C in summer so be prepared!)
Swimming shorts
Penknife (make sure it's in your HOLD luggage, not your hand/ cabin luggage - it will be confiscated!)
Copies of my CV/ resume
Books
Sentimental things to remind you of home e.g. family photo, favourite toy (these can also be good conversation starters in English lessons!)
What I wore on the plane:
Jeans
T-shirt
Comfortable zip hoodie
Trainers
Coat
Well that concludes the first half of this post. Now, on to the flight!
My family all drove down to London's Heathrow airport to wave me off. Another contingent drove up from Wiltshire as well so I had a full entourage at the departure gate.
I had checked-in online the previous day on BA's website, but other airlines probably offer the same service. I heartily recommend that you do this. At first I thought "No, it's too much hassle. Too many things to do before you've even got to the airport!" But if you don't do it online, then you have to do it at a touch-screen with a queue behind you anyway. Plus, as you can check-in from 24 hours before your flight, you can see what seat you've been allocated and change it if you want to. You then print your Boarding Pass, it can be in black-and-white or full colour, or if you don't have a printer, you can still check-in online and they print it for you at the airport!
So we arrived and I was extremely nervous. I kept going over everything that could go wrong in my mind, every little detail, but most of all, the thought that I WAS LEAVING HOME! I was leaving my family, friends and country for the first time in my life. I'd said my goodbyes the night before; if any of you have seen the episode of 'Friends' where Rachel says goodbye to the group the night before she was going to fly to Paris, then you'll understand.
I collected the yen I had pre-ordered online from the Travelex desk. Money Saving Expert.com says that this is one of the best rates on foreign currency exchange you can get so it's worth it.
Then we sat in Wetherspoons and waited for more of the family to arrive. They came soon after we did and we all had lunch (I only had a little bit, my stomach was all over the place) and drinks. They gave me some letters and a couple of extra lovely sentimental things, which I have on my desk or in the bookcase.
All too soon, 13.30 came and I knew it was time to leave them.
We went down to the departure gate and my Aunt asked someone if this was the right one for Tokyo. It was. My nerves close to imploding, I turned to them all. I knew I couldn't say goodbye again, it would cause too much of a scene. I hugged every one of them tightly and I think everyone had at least a tear in their eye. Some had several! But, as hard as it was to leave them, I knew I had to do it. So I picked up my bag and went through the Boarding Pass checking gate. Then I wound my way through the barriers until I reached the end of the queue for the Security Checks. I turned back and waved to them every time the queue's path allowed me to. And they were there, waving, until the last corner, and then they (or I, depending on your viewpoint) were gone.
Security went without a hitch for once, I always set those things off! I had to take my shoes, belt and coat off and put them in separate trays. I also had to remove my laptop bag from my rucksack and put that in its own tray. Everyone had quite a few trays each!
Then, it was a hurried walk to Gate 30, where my flight was on its Last Call. I spent as much time as possible with my family, and it turns out that I timed it just right. Except I didn't think I had time to buy a bottle of water, when in fact I did. The man in front of me was upgraded and I crossed my fingers (wouldn't that be a great start to a gap year trip?! "Excuse me Sir, we've upgraded you to First Class. Champagne?") Only in my dreams...
There was no problem getting on and I found my seat easily - 30C, an aisle seat. I wanted an aisle seat because I'm quite tall (6'2'') and, although I enjoy the view from the window, I enjoy the use of my legs more. I sat down and tried to get comfortable. It wasn't too bad. My coat and rucksack were stored safely in the overhead compartment and I was ready for take-off. Unfortunately the plane wasn't. My 14.35 flight left at about 15.15 so I had plenty of time to text family and friends to let them know I was on the plane safely and would let them know how I got on when I landed in 12 hours. I knew it would be the last time I used that phone to ring or text for quite a long time because only 3G quad-band phones work in Japan. Check with your retailer if you're unsure if it will or not. Although someone said mine would, and they were wrong... Dead wrong...
I hope that person hasn't randomly died, otherwise I'm probably going to prison...
Then the flight commenced. We were off and everything was fine. I tried not to think about the upcoming hardships and trials. I knew there would be many, and probably quite soon, but I didn't want to worry myself. I wanted to live in the moment (easier said that done I know, but I've tried to adopt that here and it's worked well so far). So I enjoyed being able to watch Ugly Betty, The Simpsons, Joey and Casino Royale on my personal touch-screen TV. I tried to sleep halfway through but it just wasn't happening. I was too worked up and my bodyclock wasn't right to sleep then. So I rested my eyes for a few minutes.
All the toilets on the left-hand side of the plane were out of order due to the extreme cold conditions outside in the air and on the ground. In the air it was about -60C. Which is COLD! I enjoyed plotting our progress on the moving interactive map on the screen too. But I'm a bit of a Geography-geek like that.
All too soon for my liking, we were over Northern Japan, and then Kanto, and then Tokyo, and then Chiba, and then we were descending on Narita Airport.
Narita is easily the strangest airport I've ever been in. It was so calm and quiet. There were hardly any people. Immigration was very easy. They took my fingerprints and photograph, as they've started doing with all foreigners now and stamped my visa and did all the things they had to do, then let me through.
Then I made my way down to the carousel to collect my bag. I was dreading seeing it split open because, despite re-arranging the contents a couple of times, the zips appeared to be quite strained when we did it up, but it was absolutely fine. I wheeled it over to one of the Customs desks (I wasn't sure which one to go to so i queued for a green 'In Duty-free Limit' one and that seemed fine). We had been given landing cards and a Customs card to fill in on the plane so I just handed that over.
Then I wheeled myself and my bags out of the doors and into Japan.
My last few days at home in the UK were really quite manic. There were so many last minute things to sort out, so many jobs left unfinished, so many bags needing to be packed...
But I got it all done, through the magic of lists and planning each day's activities (very sad I know but it gets the job done).
For anyone planning to do something similar, the following list should be useful, if not, then it's probably best just to skip it.
What I packed:
In my laptop bag:
Webcam
Headphones
Ethernet cable (for wired connection at Sakura House)
Laptop and power supply
Memory stick
In my rucksack: (my rucksack was my hand/ cabin luggage. BA gave me a limit of one (they changed it to two the following day) bag weighing 5kg and measuring 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. The weight wasn't really an issue, as long it fit the size restrictions and you could lift it into the overhead storage space without help, it was fine)
Japanese course (see How to Teach Yourself Japanese)
Japan: A Working Holiday Guide by Louise Southerden
DK Japan Travel Guide
Leaflets about Japan (I collected these from the Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO) in London - in particular a fold-out map of Tokyo, a Limousine bus guide, NTT Docomo information and a Tokyo subway guide.
Game Boy (very retro but it will keep me entertained)
Slumber mask
Ear plugs
Pens & paper
Handfan (for the heat and humidity of summer)
Smints
Photocopies of important documents (e.g. passport, visa, flight itinerary)
Laptop bag
Suitcase: (this was over BA's limit of 23kg per bag but because of their baggage restrictions, you can check a piece of hold luggage in if it's up to 32kg. From November 2008 there will be a charge of £25 if you go over 23kg but for me it was free! You can't check in a bag (only one allowed) if it's over 32kg though so I'm glad mine was 26kg. The maximum dimensions could add up to 158cm at the most.)
3 casual tops
5 casual T-shirts
3 casual shirts
3 casual trousers
2 work jackets (I bought these in the Christmas sales)
3 work shirts (long-sleeved as the Japanese only wear short in August)
3 work trousers
1 pair of shorts
8 pairs of socks
5 pairs of underwear
Toothpaste
Japanese-UK plug adaptor (doesn't alter voltage, you'd need a transformer to do that - they are expensive and bulky, so I didn't bother. Japan operates on 100V so UK appliances (240V) run very slowly (my mobile needs 13 hours to charge here) but North American appliances (110V) should be fine.
Torch (in case of earthquakes/ powercuts)
2 belts
4-way adaptor for all my gadgets
Business cards (these are not essential but it has been said that you don't exist in Japan if you don't have a meishi/ business card and mine are very pretty!)
2 toothbrushes
Comb
Mini-shampoo, body wash etc.
Body puff
Shaving stuff
Deoderant (apparently this is hard to get hold of in Japan)
2 towels
Waterproof trousers (rainy season (tsuyu) is from mid-May to mid-June)
Gloves, scarf and hat (I haven't needed these so far and it is mid-January so maybe not needed if you're sticking to Tokyo or the South/ West, but definitely recommended for higher altitudes and any further North/ East)
Lightweight coat (Japan is generally quite humid so light clothes will do well)
Batteries
Tissues (although don't blow your nose in public, sniff yes, but do not blow!)
Plasters and medicine (you might not be able to get hold of medicines you want in Japan)
3 business ties
Sunglasses (I thought it would be wishful thinking to bring suntan lotion but apparently it is difficult to get high quality stuff here in Japan and anywhere South/ West of Tokyo can hit 40C in summer so be prepared!)
Swimming shorts
Penknife (make sure it's in your HOLD luggage, not your hand/ cabin luggage - it will be confiscated!)
Copies of my CV/ resume
Books
Sentimental things to remind you of home e.g. family photo, favourite toy (these can also be good conversation starters in English lessons!)
What I wore on the plane:
Jeans
T-shirt
Comfortable zip hoodie
Trainers
Coat
Well that concludes the first half of this post. Now, on to the flight!
My family all drove down to London's Heathrow airport to wave me off. Another contingent drove up from Wiltshire as well so I had a full entourage at the departure gate.
I had checked-in online the previous day on BA's website, but other airlines probably offer the same service. I heartily recommend that you do this. At first I thought "No, it's too much hassle. Too many things to do before you've even got to the airport!" But if you don't do it online, then you have to do it at a touch-screen with a queue behind you anyway. Plus, as you can check-in from 24 hours before your flight, you can see what seat you've been allocated and change it if you want to. You then print your Boarding Pass, it can be in black-and-white or full colour, or if you don't have a printer, you can still check-in online and they print it for you at the airport!
So we arrived and I was extremely nervous. I kept going over everything that could go wrong in my mind, every little detail, but most of all, the thought that I WAS LEAVING HOME! I was leaving my family, friends and country for the first time in my life. I'd said my goodbyes the night before; if any of you have seen the episode of 'Friends' where Rachel says goodbye to the group the night before she was going to fly to Paris, then you'll understand.
I collected the yen I had pre-ordered online from the Travelex desk. Money Saving Expert.com says that this is one of the best rates on foreign currency exchange you can get so it's worth it.
Then we sat in Wetherspoons and waited for more of the family to arrive. They came soon after we did and we all had lunch (I only had a little bit, my stomach was all over the place) and drinks. They gave me some letters and a couple of extra lovely sentimental things, which I have on my desk or in the bookcase.
All too soon, 13.30 came and I knew it was time to leave them.
We went down to the departure gate and my Aunt asked someone if this was the right one for Tokyo. It was. My nerves close to imploding, I turned to them all. I knew I couldn't say goodbye again, it would cause too much of a scene. I hugged every one of them tightly and I think everyone had at least a tear in their eye. Some had several! But, as hard as it was to leave them, I knew I had to do it. So I picked up my bag and went through the Boarding Pass checking gate. Then I wound my way through the barriers until I reached the end of the queue for the Security Checks. I turned back and waved to them every time the queue's path allowed me to. And they were there, waving, until the last corner, and then they (or I, depending on your viewpoint) were gone.
Security went without a hitch for once, I always set those things off! I had to take my shoes, belt and coat off and put them in separate trays. I also had to remove my laptop bag from my rucksack and put that in its own tray. Everyone had quite a few trays each!
Then, it was a hurried walk to Gate 30, where my flight was on its Last Call. I spent as much time as possible with my family, and it turns out that I timed it just right. Except I didn't think I had time to buy a bottle of water, when in fact I did. The man in front of me was upgraded and I crossed my fingers (wouldn't that be a great start to a gap year trip?! "Excuse me Sir, we've upgraded you to First Class. Champagne?") Only in my dreams...
There was no problem getting on and I found my seat easily - 30C, an aisle seat. I wanted an aisle seat because I'm quite tall (6'2'') and, although I enjoy the view from the window, I enjoy the use of my legs more. I sat down and tried to get comfortable. It wasn't too bad. My coat and rucksack were stored safely in the overhead compartment and I was ready for take-off. Unfortunately the plane wasn't. My 14.35 flight left at about 15.15 so I had plenty of time to text family and friends to let them know I was on the plane safely and would let them know how I got on when I landed in 12 hours. I knew it would be the last time I used that phone to ring or text for quite a long time because only 3G quad-band phones work in Japan. Check with your retailer if you're unsure if it will or not. Although someone said mine would, and they were wrong... Dead wrong...
I hope that person hasn't randomly died, otherwise I'm probably going to prison...
Then the flight commenced. We were off and everything was fine. I tried not to think about the upcoming hardships and trials. I knew there would be many, and probably quite soon, but I didn't want to worry myself. I wanted to live in the moment (easier said that done I know, but I've tried to adopt that here and it's worked well so far). So I enjoyed being able to watch Ugly Betty, The Simpsons, Joey and Casino Royale on my personal touch-screen TV. I tried to sleep halfway through but it just wasn't happening. I was too worked up and my bodyclock wasn't right to sleep then. So I rested my eyes for a few minutes.
All the toilets on the left-hand side of the plane were out of order due to the extreme cold conditions outside in the air and on the ground. In the air it was about -60C. Which is COLD! I enjoyed plotting our progress on the moving interactive map on the screen too. But I'm a bit of a Geography-geek like that.
All too soon for my liking, we were over Northern Japan, and then Kanto, and then Tokyo, and then Chiba, and then we were descending on Narita Airport.
Narita is easily the strangest airport I've ever been in. It was so calm and quiet. There were hardly any people. Immigration was very easy. They took my fingerprints and photograph, as they've started doing with all foreigners now and stamped my visa and did all the things they had to do, then let me through.
Then I made my way down to the carousel to collect my bag. I was dreading seeing it split open because, despite re-arranging the contents a couple of times, the zips appeared to be quite strained when we did it up, but it was absolutely fine. I wheeled it over to one of the Customs desks (I wasn't sure which one to go to so i queued for a green 'In Duty-free Limit' one and that seemed fine). We had been given landing cards and a Customs card to fill in on the plane so I just handed that over.
Then I wheeled myself and my bags out of the doors and into Japan.
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