Life In Japan

Cooked or Raw?

2006-12-21T10:26:00.000+09:00

You have the best deals for lunch, as the restaurants compete to get customers.

Other than foreign food (European, Chinese, India and etc.), you have a wide selection of Japanese food. The set lunches are called 'teishoku', 'set coursu' (set course) or coursu (course). These range from 800 yen to 1,500 yen.

For the 'Salary-men' (general workers), you could pick up a 'bento' sold in convenience stalls and by street vendors. This packed lunch, consists of rice, meat/fish/vegy, pickel and either soup or desert. At the convenience stalls, they will offer to heat it up in a microwave oven. However, if you buy it from a street vendor, you could heat it in a microwave oven at the office. This will cost from 400 yen to 900 yen.

Till later, Ja ne!

Late nights in the office...

2006-12-18T16:52:00.001+09:00

Late nights are common here in Japan. When tenders arrive, the coordination, resource allocation, tender bid proposals and presentations have to be at incredibly short time. The other night, I was in the office till 12.30AM. Yesterday, even tough it was a Sunday, I was working in the office till 10.15PM and then continued in the hotel... the hotels here have 100Mbps Internet access... it is almost like you never left the office. :)

As you can see in the bus time table, some places have the late night busses. However in most residential areas, the bus service stops at around 10.30PM.

I know that this is not everyone's cup of tea, but when you are alone on assignment, it is critical to meet the deadlines. It doesn't matter if you are in the office or the hotel working.

However, when your family arrives, they come first. Focus has to be on the work-life balance.

Till later, Ja ne!

View of Mount Fuji

2006-12-18T13:15:00.000+09:00

Here's a beautiful view of Mount Fuji from the 35th floor of the Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel.

The stadium on the left is where the 2002 World Cup Finals between Germany and Brazil were held. Yesterday, Ronaldinho was playing here for the Barcelona team.

Till next time, Ja ne!

Bicycle for 3?

2006-12-18T13:12:00.000+09:00

Here's a neat bicycle! It has a seat at the back for a child and a seat in front handle for a baby! What won't they think of next?

Baby Strollers

2006-12-18T13:09:00.000+09:00

These strollers are available at

Mycal Honmoku supermarket

in Yokohama.

Baby diapers in Japan

2006-12-18T13:06:00.000+09:00

Just like the baby milk powder, the diapers
are only available in drug stores such as
HAC Drugs.

The pink pack on the extreme right is
meant for little girls up to 25Kgs.

Ja Ne!

Morinaga Milk

2006-12-18T12:48:00.000+09:00

Baby milk powder can be purchased only

in a drug store and not in the normal

supermarkets.

There are only a few brands to choose from.

Till later, Ja ne!

Stairs to the house in the sky!

2006-12-18T12:39:00.000+09:00

These are the steep steps down the hill

from that beautiful house in the sky.

The slope on the left of the lady can be used to push a bicycle up or down!

Till next time, Ja ne!

The House in the Sky!

2006-12-18T12:36:00.000+09:00

This is really a nice house with 5 bedrooms!

The only issue is that there is a steep stairs

to the bottom of the hill where the Negishi

JR Train Station is. I am still looking!

Till next time, Ja ne!

Pets' Accessories!

2006-12-18T12:30:00.000+09:00

How about getting you dog a stroller? A winter

jacket would be nice at this time of the year!

How about that nice little umbrella which

extends down to the right height?

These are just some of the essential items

for your pets which is available at a store

in Yokohama.

Till next time, Ja ne!

House Hunting!

2006-12-17T12:18:00.000+09:00

In 3 days, I have inspected (house hunting!) 12 houses and 1 apartment in the Yokohama area. It sure isn't easy finding the right place that will become our home for at least a year.

The problem with the apartment is that, one of the Master Bedroom's windows faces a cemetery! Most of the houses which are rather huge (5 bedrooms!) are up on hills and far from the train stations. Being close to a train/subway station is important as the bus service stops at around 10 or 11pm.

Finding a place that is close to a paediatric clinic and at least a convenience store are also on the priority list. Finally, I have found a place that meets most of these requirements. God willing, when the application goes in tomorrow, I will know whether I have been successful in getting this beautiful, fully renovated and conveniently located home.

This is my second time in Japan. In the earlier Long Term Assignment, the apartment was at the perfect location, between the Kannai JR Station and the subway. God willing, this new house will be come the perfect home for us.

Till next time, Ja ne! (See you)