How does a tourist buy stuff in Japan?

Question:

In a Japanese language book I found, it says you must show them a passport if you wanna purchase something. What if you're native? Do people always have to bring out their passports? What if they look like they're from Japan because they're Japanese, but they're still a tourist? Or the other way around (Citizen of Japan looks like a foreigner.)

Do they even need to look at a passport to do that? I've never been outside USA and live in Hawaii, and I've never even seen a passport before. It was a guide/language book for tourists planning to visit Japan. I just found it lying around. Don't know how old the book is.

Answer:

Show your passport - what rubbish. Throw that book away, it's crap.
All you need to buy stuff in Japan in yen, lots of yen.

Is japan safe to travel?

Question:

I am planning to travel to japan this DEC for the first time aso im not sure if its safe to go or to now or not? im mostly concern about the rain, snow food and water

thanks you in advance.

Answer:

Japan has been safe to travel to since 1946.

Japanese help? I need words that start with..?

Question:

I need words that start with the ragyo and magyo
like english words then transferred to japanese

specifically i need mu, mo, and all of the ragyo
please help me!

Answer:

マ行?
magyou

ラ行?
ragyou

What happens if you are too poor to pay for healthcare in Japan?

Question:

Answer:

If you cannot pay the full amount, it is very important to keep on paying even a small portion of it. As long as you are showing your intention to pay, they issue a temporary health-care card (effective for 3-6 months). Not to mention, your name will be on "behind the payment" list, but you can pay them back later. No problem.

I'm a landed immigrant in Canada do i still need a visa to go to Japan? ps: I'm not a Canadian citizen yet.?

Question:

From Canada to Japan

Answer:

It depends on your current citizenship.

Can you get a Job in Tokyo Japan with an American Education?

Question:

by the time I can afford to go to Japan I'll be out of high school and I can't get a Japanese education (Except College) is there also a way to get there through a contract or something?

Answer:

To get a job(any job) in Japan, a foreigner must have a WorkVisa. To get this Visa, you must have a University degree in any discipline from a recognised university PLUS a job offer from an employer who will sponsor you. You must look for such employer from OUTSIDE of Japan; it is illegal to search for work while having 'Temporary Visitor' status.

Are there any japanese dramas that involve the yakuza? (and are romance)?

Question:

Answer:

My Boss, My Hero
Gokusen

What does sou ba ni mean in japanese?

Question:

it could be sobani I'm not sure how to pronounce it

Answer:

Soba means the area around something.

Ni can mean "in".

So it just means "in the area".

Eki no soba ni takusan mise ga aru.

There are lots of stores around the station.

What will make japan less prone to earthquakes?

Question:

i cant find any infomation on this?

Answer:

A lot of super glue, duct tape, and bailing wire.

What are the english lyrics to this Japanese song?

Question:

Tsukiakari no Michishirube- by Stereopony

Answer:

Is it this? http://sziur18.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/…

List of public senior high schools in Tokyo?

Question:

I am in the opening stages of organising my future in Study abroad. I have recently called the Japanese embassy, and they told me to begin with emailing Language schools/international schools in Tokyo (personally I want to attend senior high, but it is apparently a lot harder). Can anybody give me the websites of some senior/international/language schools in Tokyo (which have email addresses) (preferably in the Minato, Shibuya and Nakano areas). Thank you for your help...

Answer:

There are many websites which show public high schools in Tokyo. This is one of them.
http://www.kyoiku.metro.tokyo.jp/link-2.…

Or you can buy books for junior high school kids who are going to choose a high school.

How can a foreign female blend in in Japan?

Question:

I'm a little taller than most Japanese girls (I'm 5'9) and my hair is light brown and really long (up to my elbows). It might just pass as dyed hair though (I'm 17 btw).

Answer:

I know how you feel. I am 5'7" and I have always wanted to blend in better. So, here is what I do. Note: This is not a "how to blend in" guide, just my personal habits that have helped me not get pointed at as much.

Assuming that you have been to Japan, you know that when girls dye their hair "brown" it comes out auburn. So, I chose to die my hair a dark auburn. This is actually a personal choice. I don't live in Japan anymore and still dye it. But I did like the added benefit of being mistaken for a Japanese person from the back.

Second, I almost never wear heels when I am there. There are enough cute ballet flats that you never have to sacrifice fashion. Black and white converse tennis shoes are also very popular for someone your age.

Third, stop dressing like an American. The foreigners I know who I would say "blend in" don't dress like they are still in America. They adapt to Japanese fashion. For the most part that means dressing nicer than we normally do here.

Fourth, don't look at people. You will notice that Japanese people on the trains or on the street are most often looking at the floor or straight ahead or out a window. Always act like you belong where you are, are going somewhere important, and are completely involved in what you are doing. This is one of the main differences between tourists and gaijin who live there. The later are going about their everyday life and the former are trying to look at everything and take everything in. I usually read when on the train to avoid getting stared at and to assure people that I will not try to talk to them in English (Something which friends have told me makes them avoid contact with foreigners).

Lastly, you never really will. I am a Japanese translator and interpreter. I have been mistaken for a Japanese person over the phone and by people standing behind me, but you are never not going to be obvious in a crowd. People are really never going to stop trying to take your picture or staring at you.

Do Japaneses go to collage?

Question:

I know it sounds stupid in a way but I don't if Japan have collages? So please fill me in, do they or do they not? If they do, do they have any in Ikebukuro? It's for a durarara fanfic.

Answer:

Japan has many colleges. Many collages too.

I'm sure there is a college in Ikebukuro.

What is the location of the tsunami inn japan?

Question:

what is the absolute location of the tsunami located in japan?

Answer:

Three prefectures of northeastern coast of Honshu (the largest island of Japan) was hit most.
If you open a map of Japan, you can find these prefectures: Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima.
All the cities and villages of these prefectures facing the Pacific Ocean were hit by the tsunami on 11, March.

Is there anyone speaking english around here?

Question:

Answer:

No we all cant speak a word. We just write it.

What is orange in japanese?

Question:

Answer:

Orange in Japanese is オレンジ it is pronounced orenji. If it is Mandarin Orange or Tangerine it is called mikan.

Is it faster to ship using AIR or EMS from Japan to Canada?

Question:

I am buying a Lolita skirt from Bodyline, and I am hoping for it to arrive by Halloween. My friend said she got her's in about 1-2 weeks after ordering. She used AIR shipping. EMS is only a few dollars more, so is it faster? Or is it just because it allows you to receive all items at the same time.(Though I'm only purchasing one thing)

Answer:

Generally speaking, EMS takes 3-5 days, SAL (which I guess is what you mean by air) takes 1-2 weeks, and sea mail takes a few months. Of course, things can happen, packages can get lost or misdirected, and even choosing EMS is not a 100% guarantee that your package will arrive by a particular date. That said, I have had dozens of packages shipped to me from Japan and Korea by EMS and so far they have all arrived within that 3-5 day time frame with no problems. If you're in a rush and you want the best chance of getting your package on time, EMS is the way to go.

Also, every shipping method allows you to receive all of your items at once unless otherwise stated, and usually that would be an issue with the company the items are from, not with the shipping method.

How do you conjugate these verbs in japanese?

Question:

Okay, so I'm learning verb conjugation in japanese right now (self studying) and I'm doing all of my studying in english (u know what I mean xD ofc it's japanese still) but the thing is that my motherlanguage isn't english so I'm having quite much trouble figuring out all of the random words >_<
So can you please conjugate .. let's say "kiku" ^^ to:

I am listening.
I was listening.
I am not listening.
I wasn't listening.
I will not listen.

And any other form you possibly can ^__^ The problem is just that I don't know when to use what form so ~ please give me as many conjugations ans examples as possible ^^
If you can, please write in hiragana/katakana/kanji the answer AS WELL (not only) ^_^

Thanks! <3

Answer:

Kanji for kiku -　聞く

I am listening. 　　　- ききます
I was listening. 　　 -　ききました
I am not listening. -　ききません
I wasn't listening. -　ききませんでした
I will not listen. 　　 -　present and future tense are the same so ききません

（Please） listen would be きって　（ください）
Also, to connect verbs in a sentence (for example: I am listening and writing) you use て-form of the first verb so....
わたし　は　きって、　かきます。

Hopefully you find this helpful!

Why can one see/do in Hokkaido?

Question:

... or in the prefecture's city of Sapporo or even the city's Atsubetsu ward?

Answer:

I just went Hokkaido a week ago.
My wife was born in Asahikawa, about 150 km away from Sapporo.
So we usually visit Asahikawa, Biei and Furano.
There are a lot of good spas( onsen ), tasty food and beautiful parks.
In winter, there are good for skiing.

Jozankei Spa:
http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/engli…
especially Furukawa
http://www.yado-furu.com/english.html

Biei:
http://biei.web.transer.com/bb_url_ej.ph…

Farm Tomita:
http://www.furano-kankou.com/english/hyp…

Asahiyama Zoo:
http://www5.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/a…

So what do you think about how women are represented in music videos in Japan compared to America? :3?

Question:

I have to do an essay for my Media exam in college and i need some first hand research such as a questionnaire and stuff. Could ya help maybe by telling me what you think about the representation of Japanese women (i.e. Utada Hikaru etc) in music videos compared to that of American women (i.e. Rihanna etc.) do you think women are sexualised more so in one culture than another, stuff like that whatever you have to say about the subject is welcome :3

Answer:

Japanese singers (TV talents) --> trained to be dollies/ beloved pets
frequently saying "♪yoroshiku onegai shimaaasu♪"

Western singers --> supposed to express their sexuality at a maximum

*Utada Hikaru is not a typical Japanese singer.... (she was born and raised in the U.S.)

Japanese College Drama?

Question:

Hey i am going into my final year of college for my business degree and am seriously considering doing it in Japan. Now before people tell me that Dramas/Aniime/Manga are nothing like real life I am very much aware of this.

However, I am still looking for a more recent (2005+ preferably) JDrama that takes place in a college/university setting. I have watched Honey and Clover and a couple more that were based in a high school but sadly those days are gone >.<

Thanks!

Answer:

Orange Days although this is a 2004 drama.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Days

What made the shoguns of japan change their minds about the sakoku rule?

Question:

plzz answer

Answer:

Your question is too vague.
Are you asking "why did the Tokugawa Shogunate decide to terminate its sakoku policy?"
Then the simplest answer would be it was the only way to protect Japan from western imperialism.

Very simply put,
In the aftermath of the Opium War (1842), British, French and Germans had already occupied part of China. The Tokugawa Shogunate was aware of their possible aggression to Japan. Then, the US Navy Fleet came to Japan to open a couple of Japanese ports for their territorial expansion to Asia-Pacific region. It was obvious that Japan could not fight with the US. There was no other way for the Tokugawa Shogunate than terminate its sakoku policy.

How are foreigners treated in Japan?

Question:

Answer:

They are treated as Gaikokujin, no more, no less.

This New Year i am going to Japan.What can you say about Japan ? Is it a beautiful place?

Question:

Answer:

Japan is a country of contrasts with beautiful temples and gardens along with ultra modern and high tech cities.

Japan is proud of its four distinct seasons and each offers something special for the traveler to Japan. Winter is the time to go skiing/snowboarding or hot spring hopping.

The most important holiday in Japan is New Year (Oshougatsu), where much of the country shuts down from December 30 to January 3.

Read more on Travel to Japan
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

Are japanese schools really like they are in manga and anime?

Question:

Like with the "princes" and the "princesses" and the yakuza (mafia) kids and the backstabbing and how severe the bullying among the girls is? Because if it is, I want to go.

Hmmm, I probably sounded a bit sadistic or masochistic there :D

Answer:

About as real as the Simpson's..

Are japanese schools really like they are in manga and anime?

Question:

Like with the "princes" and the "princesses" and the yakuza (mafia) kids and the backstabbing and how severe the bullying among the girls is? Because if it is, I want to go.

Hmmm, I probably sounded a bit sadistic or masochistic there :D

Answer:

About as real as the Simpson's..

How do you say "Do you know where that is?" in Japanese?

Question:

Answer:

For example, you've got a store name from someone. And you ask your grandma.

おばあちゃん（おじいちゃん for granpa）、それどこにあるか知ってる？
obaa-chan (ojii-chan), sore dokoni aruka shitteru?
-

Is OXYELITE PRO allowed in Japan?

Question:

and has anyone ever tried it? would you recommend using it?

Answer:

Diet pills are uncommon in Japan. I would suggest anyone never take them. They either don't work at all, or you will have to take them for the rest of your life to get the effect of the pills.
The only safe way to control weight is to control what we eat.

Seeking job near nagoya shi japan?

Question:

im leaving in nakamura ku nagoya shi aichiken,,anyone knows job related in factory workers,food processing or packing ...please let me know..

Answer:

Like Noh Yoy said, if you can't use Google to do a simple basic search or if your Japanese is poor, then i am afraid all IS lost. Sorry to sound blunt but i tire of spoon feeding lazy people on this site

Questions about kanji education (漢字教育) in Japan?

Question:

1) At which grade level do students in Japan finish their kanji education? In other words, starting which grade level does kanji education stop?

2) Approximately, how many kanji characters should I have under my belt in order to...
- read the newspaper, books, magazines, etc.
- sing along in kareoke that doesn't have furigana

3) Are "old form characters (known as kyūjitai 旧字体/舊字體)" understood at all by average Japanese people today? I understand it's been many decades since both Japan and Mainland China reformed their characters to simpler and perhaps more practical ones so I don't expect people to know the original forms well but if they ever encountered kyūjitai (which are still used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Korea, most overseas Chinese communities and Vietnam today), would they be able to recognize any?


Thank you. :)

Answer:

1) The most part of kanji education finishes when you leave Jr. high school, with approx. 1600 kanjis. Additionally you have to learn a little more, about 300 kanjis to complete the all of joyo kanji:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Dy%C5…

2) There is a character set called "newspaper kanji (shinbun kanji or 新聞漢字）, which adds 2000 kanjis to the joyo kaji set and altogether the number is 4000.
However even only with joyo kanji set, you can explore the Japanese article if you excersize your intelligence to presume the unknown one, because the kanji is the set of symbols and each symbol helps you to understand the unknown kanjis.
As for karaoke, you need more colloquial one so you won't feel the difference as you read the newspapers or magazins.

3) The Japanese kanji reform was not so drastic as the one in the Chinese world. There are much similarity between the Taiwanese one and the Japanese one, but the Mainland's kanji, simplified Chinese character looks like bones without flesh to the Japanese.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_sc…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_…

Anyone know where i can get japanese variety shows with korean or english subs? preferably korean?

Question:

I'd even take jap. variety shows with jap. subtitles as well.

Any help would be great. Thank you.

Answer:

Search it on Korean engines such as Naver.
Or you can search it in Korean on YouTube.