Saturday, October 1, 2011

5 days in Japan. How much money should I have ready?

Question:

Hi. I'm wondering how much money would suffice for 5 days in Japan, say for food, lodging and buying some cheap souvenirs? As I plan on going around mid-January, I was also wondering how the weather would be, particularly in Kyoto and Osaka. The places I plan on visiting are Sanjusangendo and Toji temple in Kyoto, as well as Osaka Castle. Well, Osaka-jo Hall to be specific, since I'm going to watch a live concert. Also, I have heard of train passes, would it be cheaper for travel if I purchased one? Thank you in advance.

Answer:

Depends on your demands....there are discount places to stay, such as the Superhotel chain or Toyoko Inn and others, see:
www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
www.superhoteljapan.com/en/
http://www.kid97.co.jp/~jeh-group/jeh-gr…
or even cheaper places like
www.o-e-h.com
www.kyotojp.com
www.hotel-toyo.jp/
You can also get a day pass for the city subways for about 1000 yen or USD$13 or so, and for food you can easily eat at some less expensive places for about 3000 yen a day or less. If you want to go all over the Kansai area then a JR West Rail Pass might be a good idea. You should not miss Nara and to see a real Japanese castle, go to Himeji.
Souvenirs can be a couple of bucks to anything higher, whatever you want to spend.
Osaka weather is often about 8C (46F) in the day to just above freezing at night.

Is this true about Japan?

Question:

Is it true that in Japan, they have screwed up looking cows and dancing Russian snowmen?

Answer:

No. What a ridiculous question. Everyone knows the dancing snowmen are Polish.

Are japanese kids aloud to curse in front of theyr'e parents or authority?

Question:

just curious, because a friend told me that they did..

Answer:

allowed*
their* (they're = they are)

Japanese as a language doesn't have cuss-words in it the way that other languages do. Sure they have words like "kuso", but it is more like saying feces (faeces) than any other meaning. However, Japanese kids tend to be well enough behaved that this is a moot point.

Why are girls so sexualized in japanese culture?

Question:

especially in anime and manga, and why's it so acceptable?
please explain your answers

Answer:

Are you suggesting that it's any different in any other developed nation? Take a walk down the street and look at the posters, bus seats, and other advertisements. As they say: "Sex sells". Or better yet, turn on your television and check out the commercials. It's upsetting, but it's the way people sell stuff. If you want to make a TV show/anime or write a book/manga, and want to appeal to the biggest audience, then you make a story that appeals to girls/women, and give it visual aspects that appeal to boys/men. What appeals to boys/men the easiest? Women and sex. Again, it's a sad sign of our times, but it's the way things are done today...

Japanese protocol for business letter?

Question:

Hi I'd like to know what the rules are for folding business letters in Japan.
I've heard they're very strict with how the letters are folded and inserted into the envelope.
When folding the paper does the letterhead (top of the page) fold inside , or is it supposed to be on the outside or top? Please if you have any sites you can recommend?

Answer:

The most common way is to fold it into 3 tiers. But this is the case only if the letter and the envelop are at certain size. It depends on each case after all.

Addition:
>A4 size paper and 120x235mm envelope
I think that's the most common size. So use the 3 tier method.

>and is the letterhead supposed to be on the outside or the inside (for 3 tiers)?

It does not matter so much. But don't put the printed side (side with articles) at the outside of folding, right?

This page shows simple image of 3 tier folding.
http://letters.tank.jp/manner/

[ Girls ] Which boy do you think is better looking?

Question:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/6201984055_967048fa3c.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/6202478206_3d578f36be.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6202478186_321a9ced6d.jpg

Answer:

They all look similar but #1 is really cute.

Cool Japanese pop songs?

Question:

Answer:

Anything by Utada Hikaru
Some earlier stuff from Koda Kumi
The band Houkago Tea Time (from anime K-ON!) is pretty cute as well!
Most things off Aya Hirano
SCANDAL and Stereopony are also good if you don't mind pop-rock

What skill do Japanese people not have that Americans do?

Question:

you know for like a job

Answer:

Japanese people are quieter and more peaceful so...I guess they wouldn't do well as something that required yelling/shouting/being agressive.

What is the biggest online classifieds site for Japan?

Question:

Like how craigslist is the most popular in the U.S.

Answer:

there is craigslist there. or, yahoo or google has something

Which ramen noodles won? need japanese translation!?

Question:

http://senkyo.cupnoodle.jp/?a=1
i can only read 3..spicy curry. what are the names of 1 and 2?

Answer:

2nd is buta hotate dori roasted soy sauce flavour(pork, scallop, chicken with roasted soy sauce flavour)
1st is ten soba (tempura with soba noodle - buckwheat noodle)

What do you think of Ayumi Hamasaki?

Question:

Prettiest Asian or what? :)
& How is she viewed in Japan?

Answer:

She used to be very popular during like 2000-2003 in Japan. But her popularity has been declining after that.

Recently, she skipped a TV show without any notification before. This made many Japanese disappointed.

Which are the most famous gods in Japan?

Question:

Which gods are the most famous in Japan? Especially if you are Japanese or if you were born in Japan, which gods are you most familiar with and heard most about growing up? Or which ones do you hear most often now?

Are Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo the most well-known? Or is it Raijin and Fujin? Or the Seven Lucky Gods? Or Jizo? Someone else?

Answer:

Amaterasu Ohmikami

Add:
Izanagi and Izanami
Susano
Ohkuninushi

We learn Japanese mythology in school not as a religion but as a literature.

Help with Japanese names?

Question:

ok i'm writing a book and already have these names-
Naruko Uchida
Hotaka Uchida
Sora Takahashi
Shinji Ito
Masaki Kato
And i was wondering if you know any good japanese girl and boy names with these meanings
Girl-
Leaf
Tree
Tornado
Fire
Ice
Strong
Peace
Boys-
Mask
Shadow
illusion
Warrior

Thanks!
Bonus question- Do you like the last name Uchida (Oo-chEE-da) or Uzumaki (Oo-zoo-mock-EE) better?

Answer:

Genkani loosly means girl in the moonlight....

What should your average grades be to get a "good" job in Japan?

Question:

and would my chances be better of getting a good job if i went to college in Japan?

Answer:

To get a job other than minimum wage or an ESL teacher you need to have a japanese degree and be a citizen which would take 10 years unmarried or 5 year married.

Japanese female name meaning...?

Question:

Okay, i'm writing a story and I need a girl Japanese name meaning jewel, gem stone, diamonds, pearls, things like that! One name is enough! I will choose my fave! Thanks!

Answer:

I come up with the name "Juri" 珠理, 珠 means pearl. I once have ever met the girl with the name.

And Tama sounds cat's name.
Tama is one of the popular name for cats in Japan.

Shinju is just a name of pearl, not a girl's name.

What does Yashagorō translate as in japanese?

Question:

Answer:

It's only a name. It does not have much meaning.

Visiting Japan Every Couple Months? Help?

Question:

i am a US Citizen and live here in the United States, i wanted to know if its possible to visit Japan every 3 months or so and stay for at least a month every time i visit, i do not intend to work but more like a vacation and relax and learn more about Japanese culture, i am fluent in Japanese i would love to move there one day, but i wanted to know would i need a visa of some sort also, if anyone can help me i would really appreciate it a lot and thanks.

Answer:

If you mean visit Japan for one month, leave, return three/four months later, stay one month, leave, return another three or four months later , so in really you mean visiting Japan like 3 times a year for a total of say 3months (in total of all visits), generally that won't cause any problems, business people travel that much a lot.

If you stayed three months (90 days) on ONE visit, then left, then decided to stay another full 90 days on another visit, left then decided to come on another full 90 day visit, that is the stuff that draws immigration's attention.

As mentioned, you must be really rich, roundtrip airline tickets alone cost like 1200-1500 a pop, and that doesn't include hotel, food, transportation (non airplane) costs.

Is there any way to go to japan without a passport?

Question:

i need to go right away

Answer:

Not going to happen. You won't even be able to board the plane without one. You can apply for an emergency passport, but that will still take a few days, if you're lucky.

Can you buy alot of things in Japan with $1000?

Question:

Of course it is in Yen so it is a lot more

Answer:

You can eat at McDonald's for months.

What is $1000 in Yen?

Question:

Answer:

Right now $1000 =77040 Yen but it varies daily.

You can get current exchanges at http://www.xe.com

Where can i get a maxi dress in japan?

Question:

i have searched A LOT of stores even during spring and summer and there were none ! not even one ! but i see a lot of women with them where are they finding them ? lol

Answer:

Forever 21 in japan :)

Who are some popular musicians in Japan right now?

Question:

I'm learning Japanese, and was wondering what some of the music they listen to is. I'm looking for music that is popular amongst the teenagers there. Thanks in advance :p

Answer:

ayumi hamasaki
hikaru utada
namie amuro
boa (korean singing japanese)
nana mizuki
alan (chinese singing japanese)
yui
kalafina
kuda komi
hitomi shimatani
akb48
c.ute
morning museum
anzen chtai (soft rock from the 80's but still very popular)
seiko matsuda (queen of 80's pop she still popular)

also most of k-pop groups make japanese version for there albums same as:
tara, kara, snsd, 4minute.

if you want more i will give you more great people same as:

momoe yamaguchi (queen of pop 70's when you will come back singing again momoe..)
akina nakamori (my japanese diva she have very beautiful voice the queen of sadness try to search her story)
teresa teng (chinese diva singing japanese from 70's&80's. she still live deep in our hearts)
x japan (80's metal)
mayumi itsuwa (70's & 80's)
hibari misora (she was the queen of all japanese music and still inside our hearts great hibari-san forever)

u want more goto enka music
toshimi tagawa
fuyumi sakamoto
sayuri ishgawa

What is the best, quickest and the cheapest way to become a volunteer in japan?

Question:

I'm 34. I resigned from my last job. I always wanted to go to Japan to visit and explore and now with the disaster I think I have a nobel opporunity not only to discover but to volunteer.

Please help me figure out the best way I can do this. thank you! I am 34 and very motivated to help.

Answer:

That depends! What city will you go to? I used to live in Tokyo but moved to Yokohama. The most affected zones, surely you know, are Tokyo, Fukushima and Sendai, so if you want to help, that's the best locations you shall choose. Ishinomaki and my city, Yokohama, were also quite affected by the quake too. In Yokohama, for instance, the magnitude was 6.4 and ranked fifth, and in Ishinomaki it was 7.0, ranking fourth.

What I did in Yokohama, because my mother's a doc, was help her with the wounded, but that was then, and I couldn't do much because of my age. Afterwards I helped with cleaning the mess, but there are still plenty of affected zones that haven't been cleaned yet. I know that you can volunteer at homeless elders shelters or in adoption centres where there are so many orphans. Also, because of the earthquakes, many animals have died or were left with no roof to stay under as well, so now the animal care centres are busy and in need of help.

Japan has pretty much made a fast and good recovery - not a complete one yet, though, and I know that any hand comes in handy! I am really, really happy to see that people care about Japan and are motivated to help us. :) We hope to make a full recovery as soon as possible.

How do you use によって grammatically?

Question:

and ~てform + orareru (おられる)。たとえば、「見ておられる」。
Also, please explain ~goran. たとえば、「見てごらん」。

Arigatougozaimasu!

Answer:

によって means 'by'.
おられる is a word with respect.
ごらん means 'let us'

How long does it take from Shinjuku to Narita Airport by Airport Limousine?

Question:

I have to be Narita Airport by 9 O'Clock in the morning. I believe there's a limousine bus from Shinjuku Washington Hotel to Narita Airport. How long does it usually take in the morning?

Do you think it's okay to take the Airport Limo in the morning considering all the traffic?
I'm taking the one departs at 7, will I arrive in Narita by 9?

Answer:

It's better to take Narita Express train. Roads could be congested if you took a bus and you can't get to Narita as you expected.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/index.html

How do I say, is this available in Japanese?

Question:

Answer:

これは利用できますか？
kore wa riyou dekimasuka?

What jobs can i get in Japan?

Question:

I have completed the JLPT N1 and was wondering what jobs would get me to Japan? apart from English teaching?:)
Thanks in advance.

Answer:

You need to have a skill a Japanese doesn't have. If a Japanese can do the work, they will always be hired first. They know the language & culture better than we can.
Try the site below to see what employers are currently looking for,

Besides Japan Cupid where is a good place to meet japanesse online?

Question:

Answer:

Depends on your age. If you're under 30, you will have much better luck. Japan Cupid is a pay site for more serious relationships. A site like www.japan-guide.com is free to people of all ages.
Some people think facebook is a good place to start.

Is it true that they make fat people pay money to the government?

Question:

What are the rural people like in japan?

Answer:

No.

But a local community is fined if the percentage of fat people there is more than government standard.

This system started in 2008. But I'm not sure if they are really implementing it.

How to say this in japanese?

Question:

I want to say "happy birthday, to you whom i love"

Answer:

"happy birthday, to you whom i love"
愛するあなたへ、お誕生日おめでとう。
aisuru anata e otanjobi omedetou.

Where are most English speakers in Japan and ASIa?

Question:

Answer:

In the biggest cities.

What are the requirements for a Filipino tourist in Korea applying for a Japanese visa?

Question:

Hi everyone! I'm a Philippine passport holder going to Korea for a vacation two weeks from now and would also love to visit its neighboring country, Japan, for a few days. Does anyone know the requirements needed for Filipinos? Documents I need to bring with me when I apply for a visa at the Japan embassy in Korea?

Answer:

I can hardly understand why you don't apply for your tourist visa at the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. Would you tell us why you can't do it in the Philippines? Would you tell us why you want to apply for the visa to Japan in Korea? Frankly speaking, your question is very fishy.

Most probably, your application for a tourist visa to Japan would be turned down. All of us (Japanese) know that Filipinos are always trying to sneak into Japan by cheating our legal system. You have to consider the fact that approx 40.000 illegal Filipinos are overstaying in Japan. That is why we are very dubious about visa-related questions from the Filipinos.

You can argue with me. But, why don't you apply for an appropriate visa straightforwardly at the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines before you fly to Korea?