This is our first posting to this blog. Today is September 4th. We arrived in Tokyo on August 17th. We have spent the last two and a half weeks learning about Tokyo–the subway and train system, where to buy food and household items, where/how to get the alien registration card and national health insurance, how to get money, how to register to get mail, and other day to day necessities.
There are many things we still need to learn–the Japanese language, the bus system, bicycling in Japan, gift giving the Japanese way, where to find a close-by sushi restaurant, and where to find more inexpensive food and other items.
Speaking of expensive, Tokyo is an expensive city. Most items are more expensive than in the USA–some incredibly so, others only a little so. There are a few items that are about the same or even cheaper here, but not many. The 100-yen stores have been good for a lot of items. Everything in these stores cost 100 yen which is just under $1.00. We’ve gotten glasses, dishes, placemats, batteries, peanuts, orange marmalade, printer paper, stapler, tape, dish towels, utensils, and many other items here. Good bread is somewhat hard to find and is expensive. White bread is easy to find and varies in price. Rice is expensive. Oatmeal is expensive. Millet is expensive.
Almost anything can be found, including things from the USA. Yesterday we found Bob’s Red Mill Oat Bran Cereal and Seven Grain Cereal at reasonable prices.
We adjusted to jet-lag very quickly. This was the easiest adjustment I (David) have ever had. We have yet to figure out all the appliances in the apartment. The instructions are all in Japanese and there are many buttons and features for each one. The microwave and air conditioner seem especially complicated and difficult to figure out. We’ve managed to turn them on and get basic functioning, but will have to spend time with someone or dictionaries to get more in-depth use.
Yesterday we took a train ride to the nearest Costco to see if it was a reasonable distance. It wasn’t so we didn’t join. We also checked out wireless routers. They exist here but I believe they are about 1/3 more expensive than the USA and all the directions and set-up CD are in Japanese so we didn’t buy one. I’ll be working on that for awhile.
That will be enough for the first entry. I’ll try to add more regularly.
David
Cool! Glad you’re going to tryout the blogging! It should be fun! For all other readers, check out the RSS feature if you know what it is!
Yay Bob’s Red Mill!
We didn’t actually go all the way to Costco. We were two stops away, and didn’t see the point in continuing the journey. The trip would be too far, and we were also concerned about the price of our train tickets. Without actually leaving the train station, we could board the train back without paying above the initial 130 yen charge. Since we had made up our minds to not actually leave the train station to find the Costco, it wasn’t necessary to continue to the appropriate stop.
When we get to Tokyo I might be able to give a hand with deciphering appliance buttons and instructions–I spent a lot of time figuring machines etc out when we were in Japan! It’s possible that between Ben, me, and the two of you, we might be able to do the wireless router, too.
As for Bob’s Red Mill, I just wish I could find it here in the UK!!
Love the photos. Camellia wants “more pictures!” She was so excited to see you. She said, “Karen, Karen, Kar…” Then, she shouted “David!” and cracked up laughing.
Listen, if you need us to send you any basic food items from the coop or here in town, please let us know. I’d be happy to get something together for you. Sophia looks adorable! Camellia is happy to see those beautiful pictures of hers. She certainly has Camellia’s crazy hair day:->
This blogger is a great idea! I love reading about your adventures in Tokyo.
AHH, technology!
Magali