Finished!

I've officially finished ICU now! Even though my final exam for Japanese was on Friday, I still had one essay to do for my Writing Ethnography (民族誌作成, Minzokushi Sakusei) elective class. I went into ICU for the day yesterday and finished that off.

And now, except for going in for my results on the 28th, I don't have any reason to go back to campus. Which is really sad! I definitely will be going back though, hopefully several times before I leave in two and a half weeks.

Even though sometimes I really didn't fancy going in for lessons, and the workload was definitely a big stress, overall my experience at ICU was a great one, and I'm really going to miss my friends and the teachers here.

But, if coming back to Japan after a year has taught me anything, it's that things don't change much, and ICU will still be there for me to visit when I'm in Japan next time. And there's no doubt that there will be a next time, it just depends on money as to when I can manage to come back!

First Month's Pay

Today I taught English as usual, which was a lot of fun. The girls are all really talkative and energetic, so they make the lessons go by really quickly.

And I got my first pay! It was only Y5,000 for the two lessons I taught in April, but it felt nice to be earning again! I haven't received money I've earned since summer last year working at Cadbury World! I was paid in cash, and the money was in a Japanese envelope, which felt very authentic.

I was shown where to go by a couple of my students, and then we went for lunch in the cafeteria afterwards.

And the nicest part of the day is the weather! It's the first 30C day, and the sky is a beautiful blue, with a cooling breeze. It's not humid yet, so this is perfect weather for me. I love Japanese May! But rainy season will be along soon, and then the comfort will disappear!

I'm going to take some work to the park and study in the sun with Katy now. Got to make the most of it!

Reply From Gaba

Well, it's only a few hours after my interview at Gaba, and I've just received an email from them.

I didn't get the job!!!!

It was actually a very nice email, but due to the problem with my student ID running out a month before my contract with Gaba would finish, and therefore cancelling my work permit at the end of June, they can't hire me.

Just that one month! And if ICU had let me, I would have applied for the work permit as soon I stepped off the plane! Well, maybe not literally... But there's no way I would have waited until December before applying!

Grghh, how annoying! Bureaucracy wins again!

So I'm back to square one with the job front. I'll have a look at the International Student Office noticeboard at ICU, because they often have job vacancies advertised that fit into students' schedules. And I'll also step up the pace in searching for private students.

I'm really lucky that I'm getting the JASSO Scholarship now. If I had no job and no scholarship, I'd probably have to cry! But my student loan installment just came in and we were told in the JASSO meeting earlier that we should get the first Y80,000 transfer to our Japanese bank accounts at the beginning of February.

I'm really annoyed about losing the job because of something that should have been so easily avoidable, but that's life I suppose. You can't win them all!

Japanese Bank Account (Again)

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!

Two Years Ago Today...

Today is the two year anniversary of my first arrival in Japan. And it's been an incredible two years.

And, actually, it's been an incredible day today! It's been a bit of a turn-around. After things have been going badly for the past couple of months, particularly money-wise, I got two very good pieces of news!

Firstly, I was in the library at ICU doing some work before I met Rei and A-chan because they were going to help me with some Japanese work. I randomly checked my Leeds University email address and I saw that there was an email from ICU about the three-month JASSO scholarship I'd applied for!

I was really expecting it to be "Dear Mr Davies. We are regret to inform you...", but it was the complete opposite! I'm going to get the Y80,000 for the next three months!! And on top of that, there's an Y80,000 settling-in payment, even though I settled in nearly five months ago! That's over £2,000 in total!

I was so overjoyed that I could get that money! And my next loan installment comes in on 11th January so I'll be fine for money for a while!

And then, Rei, A-chan and I were just chatting after they'd helped me, when I got a phone call. And it was Gaba offering me an interview! They had some follow-up questions, like why did I leave Gaba in 2008, and what kind of visa am I on now, and when does it expire etc.

So I'll go for my interview on Tuesday, and hopefully it will be okay! If I'm successful, the contract signing session is on Friday, and then the three days of Certification (teacher training), which I've done before, are Saturday 16th to Monday. So if I get through, I'll have to miss one day of University, but I think it's worth it for a job!

I'm so happy now! It's been an amazing day, where things have done a complete 180 and I'm feeling much better in myself. I think I need a celebration of some kind, so this weekend will be the perfect time for that!

Job Application

Because my dire money situation has been getting me down over the past couple of months, I've been eagerly waiting for a time close enough to when I can pick up my Work Permit from the Tachikawa Immigration Bureau for me to apply for a job.

I decided to apply at my old company, Gaba English conversation school, because they offer amazing flexibility that I really need with my constantly changing University schedule. So I used my old CV on Gaijin Pot.com to apply, after updating it with my past year's experience. Gaijin Pot is a website that allows foreigners to make a CV online and apply for jobs and apartments etc. It's the only way to apply for jobs at Gaba.

When I applied, I didn't actually have my Work Permit, but I can pick it up tomorrow, and Gaba still haven't gotten back to me, so I think I timed it okay.

I really really hope my application is successful, because I am quite far into my student overdraft already. If I didn't have that, I would have to leave Japan and quit University. It's the first time in my life that I've ever been in minus money, and it's a horrible feeling. Every time I buy something, I know I'm spending money I don't really have.

There is a chance I can get the JASSO Scholarship for three months (January to March), which is Y80,000 (£500) a month! ICU sent me an email about it a month ago, but they said that I'd hear back from them by the end of December, once JASSO had screened all of the new applicants. So I don't hold out much hope of getting it now.

So fingers crossed I can get the job!

JASSO Scholarships

The JASSO Scholarship (Japan Student Services Organisation) is a grant (non-repayable) from the Japanese government given to students from foreign countries coming to study in Japan. You can apply for it through Japanese embassies or Universities. It was part of our application process for ICU last year to decide whether we wanted to be considered for it or not. Katy and I both applied for it, but Rob didn't. I think most people from Leeds did apply for it.

We were told it was going to be really difficult to get one, and at best only one person from Leeds per Japanese University would receive the Y80,000/month grant.

I didn't hold out much hope of getting it because my parents generally earn too much for me to be considered for financial support, but I thought there was no harm in trying.

I was refused financial support as I suspected, and Katy got the grant. I was really happy for her because she definitely deserved and needed it more than I did.

A select few of others from Leeds also got the grant and were told earlier this year. But then suddenly, about a month or two months ago, a lot more people started being offered the support out of the blue. It came to the point where about two thirds of everyone studying Japanese at Leeds had the scholarship. And it didn't seem to be based on financial background or academic performance! I was very confused.

But then, about a week ago, JASSO froze all its scholarships, claiming that it didn't have the funds to provide so much support. I thought this was really unfair to the people who worked really hard, and don't have the personal finance to fund their year in Japan by themselves. Katy is now waiting to see if she will receive the full Y80,000 for this month, or if it's been reduced, or even if she won't get it at all.

Some Universities, such as Kansai Gaidai, have been really helpful and have told the students left without JASSO support that they will give them the money from their own funding. Whether this actually happens, we'll have to wait and see.

But I do think it's ridiculous that JASSO made such a huge error. It seems that the best thing to do in this situation is apologise to the people who were told they'd receive it after the original few, and then just fund the people who got it in the first place. But, of course, it's not up to me! Maybe JASSO will find the money from somewhere and be able to keep its promise to all the students, but something tells me that might not happen!

Money Situation

Two days ago I went through all of my bank accounts and the money that will be coming to me over the next year and made a budget.

I soon as I'd done it I regretted it! The news wasn't good... It looks like I can spend Y9,187 (about £60) every week I'm here and go home with nothing left. Actually, worse than nothing, because that amount includes my student overdraft, so I'd be returning with -£1,250. Not good!

I wanted to spend this year doing everything I could, and enjoying Japan to the full, but with money restrictions I won't be able to. This means I'll definitely have to get a job, and work quite a bit to fund myself! As I might not be able to work before I go back to University next year in the UK I can't afford to go back with less than nothing.

I think one of the reasons I'm going to have trouble is because of the awful exchange rate between the yen and the pound. Last year the pound was worth Y200, and sometimes even Y220, which was great! But since the world plummeted into recession, the rate is now about £1=Y150. It's probably the worst year I could have come to Japan! Because, no matter what Japanese people say, I don't think they're suffering like the West. Their currency is still one of the strongest in the world, like the pound used to be!

It makes living here much more expensive. I used to just divide everything by 200 to get the price in pounds, but now I have to do that, and then add a quarter back on, which is quite depressing!

Ahh well, I'll try to find a job (probably teaching English, maybe privately or at Gaba again if they're hiring) and start earning some yen. Time to tighten the purse strings!

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!

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.

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!

Budgetising

I've been keeping a record of all my spendings since I arrived, and I've been quite scared at how much money has disappeared over the last month and five days.

I saved just over £6,000 working at Cadbury World, and adding my life savings, for this trip, then spent about £4-500 on my suitcase, suits, clothes, travel accessories etc.

So I actually arrived in Japan with about Y1,250,000 (£5,975). The Japanese government requires you to have £2,500 for a Working Holiday visa (you can read more about requirements for visas on my earlier post).

Now I have spent Y298,650 (£1,428), leaving me with Y950,350 (£4,547). That sounds like a lot of money to have spent in a month but there are two Y80,000 rent payments and a Y40,000 camera included in that figure.

But I was still shocked by the number, so I have spent the afternoon poring over my Gaba schedule, private student timetable and weekly/ monthly spendings since I arrived. What a fun way to spend a rainy Tokyo afternoon!

This might be too strict, but I will break even if I work 20 lessons every week at Gaba, and earn £100 from private students every month, and spend Y146,300 (£700) a month.

That works out as Y80,000 a month on rent, Y41,800 on food (Y10,450 a week) and Y24,500 (Y6,125 a week) on transport and extras.

This is working on the value of the yen at Y209 to £1, which is the current figure, and what it has been for the past few weeks, although a more general figure that I usually work from (because it's easier to work out) is Y200 = £1.

I've called this my 'Preliminary Budget' so I'll review it in a month's time (or at the end of February) and see if it's possible to stick to it, or if it's too strict.

I think I need a drink...

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!

Gaba Certification Day One

I had my first day of three of Gaba training today. It was pretty intensive. It was meant to last from 10-7 but it finished early at 6.15.

There is a LOT of work to be done, and the pay isn't a huge amount per 40-minute lesson, but I need a job! The work comes from the fact that you have to type everything up after the lesson that you covered, and you only get a 5-minute break in between classes. You also have to make detailed notes on the vocabulary, grammar, phrases etc covered, so the student can take it home.

I am so tired now. But I did make myself a delicious and nutritious spaghetti bolognese when I got home - very welcome indeed.

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...