To Drive the Cold Winter Away: Resource Roundup

Starting to feel the cold? It’s been a (relatively) mild winter so far, but Ishikawa snow and storms can last through March. Brace yourselves–winter’s still here.

Staying Warm

SnJ Guide to Winterizing Your Japanese Apartment

SnJ Guide to Heaters in Japan

Kerosene Heaters: How to Use Them and How to Clean and Store Them

Energy-saving Tips for Staying Warm

How to Dress for Winter

Staying Healthy and Happy

Lifehacker on Avoiding the Winter Blues

Cold Medicine in Japan

Flu Prevention from the CDC

Life Outside the Kotatsu

Driving in Winter in Japan: common sense articles from Fukuoka JET and Japan Info Swap

Upcoming Festivals and Events (Japanese)

Hakusan Snowman Festival, Feb. 8th t0 10th, 2013. If you contact the Hakusan International Association by January 31st, you can reserve a spot on a special tour bus for foreign residents and visitors. The cost of the bus tour is 1,000 yen. See the 2013 Snowman Festival Tour Flyer  for details.

Taste of Home in Ishikawa

As a foreigner living in Ishikawa, no matter how much you love Japanese food, there comes a point when you have had enough pickled vegetables, curry, and cod sperm.  Want to whip-up something from home, but can’t find certain ingredients? Well, here is a collection of shops in Kanazawa where you can find food items from back home.

Yamaya – やまや

This is THE foreign import store of mass-produced goods. Here you will find ingredients for Italian, Southeast Asian, Tex Mex, and Indian meals. You’ll also find imported potato chips and snacks, matzo ball soup, pancake mix, maple syrup, peanut butter, garbanzo beans, flour tortillas, hot sauce, and tons more. My listings are biased, so check this place out for yourself. Personally, I think their strength lies in their assortment of alcohol. They have a decent selection of imported beers that you won’t find in any Japanese market or conbini and an impressive selection of spirits for very decent prices; I’ve found the spirits here to be 10-30% cheaper than in the US. There are many branches spread across Japan, including one in Nanao, three in Kanazawa, one in Nonoichi, and one in Komatsu. Click here for a complete listing and hours of operation. http://www.yamaya.co.jp

Diamond - ダイヤモンド

Ah, the elusive Diamond market. Often described as the foreign goods store on the second floor of Omicho Market – beware! Many never find it, so let me guide you. From the fancy entrance facing M’za (see picture), go into the actual market, turn left, then turn right, and finally turn right once more. It will be on your left hand side. Go into the shop and THEN go upstairs to the second floor. If you try taking any other stairs to “the second floor,” you’ll never get there. This shop has a plethora of foreign goods similar to Yamaya, but more selective and on a much smaller scale. They include hundreds of spices,  ghee, dry pastas, sun dried tomatoes, baking goods, shredded coconut, agave syrup, Cherry Cola, and cooking oils (avocado, grapeseed, walnut, almond). Hours of operation follow Omicho market’s schedule. http://www.daiya-net.co.jp/index.html

 

Fu-do – 風土

 For the health-conscience, Fu-do offers a variety of brown rice (玄米) harvested exclusively by a dozen farmers across Ishikawa prefecture.  A kilo of rice averages around 500-600円. They will gladly offer you rice bran (ヌカ) free of charge. You can use the rice bran to cook bamboo shoots in the spring! If you are not familiar with cooking brown rice in your rice cooker, wash it and then let it soak in water for 5 hours prior to turning on the cooker. The shop is located in the basement of Omicho market near the escalators. Hours of operation are 10am-6pm and follow Omicho’s holiday schedule. http://fu-do.agri-ishikawa.jp

Yaoya -八百屋

This shop is owned by Yamada-san, a friendly fellow who lived in Canada for a while and speaks some English.  He carries an assortment of seasonal produce from Ishikawa as well as some goods from overseas. Shop highlights include: passion fruit, fresh coriander (cilantro), jalapeños, zebra tomatoes, purple cauliflower, round squash, and cherimoyas. He receives new stock on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but if you are coming from out of town, he recommends giving him a call to check what produce is available that day. Produce subject to change with the seasons. Yaomatsu is located near the top of Shintatemachi. He is open from 8am-6pm and closed on Sundays. http://www.yaomatsu.jp

Cheese Oukoku – チーズ王国

This shop, in the basement (デパ地下) of Daiwa, opened less than a year ago. It carries a nice variety of cheeses (ricotta, gouda, cheddar, blue, parmessan, mozzarela, brie, camambert, and more). Word to the wise, if you are looking for pure crumbly feta, check out the cheese section in M’za’s basement market. These shops are not cheap,  but the quality and selection is 10 times better than anything you’ll find at the supermarket. As an added bonus, if you are looking to make pesto from scratch, you can find pine nuts in the Daiwa basement market right around the cheese shop. Hours are from 10am-7pm. http://www.cheese-oukoku.co.jp/

The Meat Guy

The Meat Guy is an online meat provider based in Nagoya. Not exactly in the neighborhood, but if you are looking for meat, this is your guy. You can find anything on there: lamb chops, turkey, alligator sausage, rib eye steaks, suckling pig, Australian beef and more. Shipping is a reasonable 650円 and occasionally he offers free shipping deals. Check him out at http://www.themeatguy.jp.

This listing is Kanazawa-centric as this is where I live, but it should cover many of your bases. I invite those who live outside Kanazawa and everyone else to chime in with your recommendations in the comments section!

Here is a map I’ve put together of all of the shops listed.

Mauricio is a 2nd year ALT in Kanazawa who very much loves Japanese food.

Smartphone Apps for Living in Japan

Everyone told you to get a smartphone for your Ishikawa JET tenure, but whether you’re running iOS or Android, your phone is only as useful as the apps you put on it.  Here are some recommendations to get you started or to make your life a little easier.

For Both Android and iPhone

Yurekuru Call (EN and JP, free).  An earthquake warning app. Uses your location and your phone’s notification system to give you up to a minute’s warning before an earthquake is projected to hit your area. Highly recommended–it may be the only English language warning you get.

Japan Goggles  (EN, free). This nifty app uses your smartphone camera to recognize and translate kanji words. It might take a moment for the app to recognize the right kanji compound, but it’s still incredibly helpful.

iConnect (EN, free) Published by AJET, this app is a converter, phrasebook, directory, and national event guide all in one! If you miss the JET Diary, this app is for you.

Ishikawa Travel Guide (EN, Free). Uses Google Maps to show you nearby sights throughout Ishikawa. Unfortunately, the gourmet list is lacking, but the list of sightseeing spots and activities is comprehensive. Good for exploring a new part of the prefecture!

北鉄バスビュワー Hokutetsu Bus Viewer (JP, free). Japanese language bus route-finder and schedule for buses all around the prefecture. Allows you to bookmark your favorite bus routes. It can also use your current location to find nearby bus stops.

乗換案内 by Jorudan (Free, JP). Japanese only. A nationwide train route finder and schedule. Recognizes romaji place name input.  Includes a Live feature that notes train delays. The paid version, 乗換案内プラス (norikae-annai plus), is 630 yen in both stores and allows you to save routes.

EnjoyLearning Japan Map Puzzle (Free, JP).  Want to get 上手 (jouzu) at Japanese geography and prefecture names? This drag and drop prefecture map game will help. It includes hiragana readings of the prefecture names, too.

Platform-specific apps are after the jump!

Bugs of Ishikawa (and what to do about them)

Let’s rock.

It is a cruel fact of life in Japan that the more you want to open all the windows in your apartment, the more the bugs want to come inside.  This is a field guide to insects you may encounter, what to do when you encounter them, and how to encounter them less often in the future.

For convenience’s sake, we’ve sorted them into generic home pests, bugs you may see while out and about, and three that might land you in the hospital.

Throughout the article we also have pictures of helpful products and bug specimens. If you happen to have your own product recommendations or stories of creepy crawly terror, do share in the comments.

So,  grab some bug spray and let’s dive on in!

Driving in Ishikawa, Part 1

So you’re coming to Ishikawa and you’re trying to decide what to do about transportation. Here are a few general tips, and a few more specific ones for those who will definitely be driving, on what to expect.

1. Get your International Driving Permit. Whether or not you think you will be driving, everyone who already holds a license in their home country should get the IDP. Ishikawa isn’t the most rural prefecture in Japan, but you may find that a car makes your life significantly easier or more fun once you get here. Getting your IDP should be cheap–about $15 USD–and easy; Google for procedures specific to your country.
2. Budget for a car. Whether you inherit a car from your predecessor, buy a used car, buy a new car (you rich thing, you!) or lease a car, be prepared for the worst cast scenario in which you have to pay for a car outright when you arrive. Although this situation is highly unlikely, put aside as much as you’re able before you arrive in Japan. You can buy outright a used car for as little as ¥150,000 (or less if you’re buying from your predecessor) or you may find a good deal on a lease. Whatever the case, the sooner you have the money, the sooner you can start enjoying the benefits of driving.
3. Get insurance. Municipal employees may be able to join the city’s inexpensive insurance plan while prefectural employees will have to find private insurance. Ask around to your Board of Education, co-workers and neighbors. You could pay as little as ¥1,200 a month or as much as ¥30,000 depending on the plan you get.
4. Secure a parking spot. In order to get a car you will need paperwork guaranteeing that you have a parking spot. Many apartment buildings offer you a spot, possibly at a cost, with your room; in that case, you only need it in writing that you have a spot. In some cases you may need to rent a spot near your house/apartment; start by asking your landlord, realtor or supervisor.
5. Register your hanko and confirm your address. Japan loves paperwork! In order to get a car you’ll also need a piece of paper that confirms your address. In some cases you will also need to bring the document that confirms that your hanko (personal seal) has been registered with the city. Because the hanko serves as your signature on important paperwork, it’s not uncommon to need this certification. You should be able to get it at your city office (shiyakusho or chousha).
6. Wait. This procedure will vary depending on where and from whom you’re getting your car, but there’s likely to be a waiting period, even after you’ve picked a car and filed all the necessary paperwork. Expect the process to take at least one month from the time you contact a dealership and adjust your lifestyle and travel plans accordingly.

Go, drive free! And check back here in August for more information about rules of the road, car maintenance and obtaining a Japanese license.

Hokuriku the happiest region in Japan, study finds

The three Hokuriku prefectures took the top three spots in a study by Hosei University in Tokyo trying to pinpoint the happiest prefectures.

Fukui came in first place followed by Toyama and Ishikawa coming in second and third respectively. The study used 40 socioeconomic indicators such as crime rate and welfare services to determine a numerical “happiness scale” which was measured in all the prefectures. One of the things that propelled Fukui to the top spot was its low crime and accident rate as well as an excellent preschool system.

So what’s the unhappiest prefecture in Japan? Osaka! The study cited Osaka’s high crime rate as a main reason it ranked so low on the list. So what do you think Ishikawa dwellers? Are we living in one of the happiest places in Japan?

Read the article (Japanese only)

Use Technology to Find (More!) Must-See Fall Spots

You’ve probably found many of Ishikawa’s Must-See Fall Spots, but now iPhone users have a tech-savvy way to find great foliage wherever they may travel with Rurubu (Fall Foliage 2011), a free app designed to help you scope out the best spots around Japan.

Use the Location function to find foliage wherever you are. Clicking on a red pin will give you more info about the spot, including its peak color time–apparently Kenrokuen is best viewed from mid-November to early December–public transit directions, address, contact information and a full description (Japanese only).

This fall, try using technology to guide you into the great outdoors!

Get Rurubu from the iTunes store

Find recommended foliage wherever you go!

Get more info about each spot (Japanese only).

On Japanese Probability

Courtesy of http://thisjapaneselife.org

Ever wondered why your JTEs seem to start every sentence with, “Maybe,” “Probably,” or “I think”?

Eryk over at This Japanese Life has answered your curiosity with an amusing and informative article on the gap between Western and Japanese notions of surety, “On Japanese Probability.”

Check out his article and see if you can’t get a better grasp on communication with your JTEs just in time for 8 hours with them at Skill Development Conference (October 28).

Unblock international websites with a VPN

Say good-bye to these restricted messages with a VPN.

I don’t know how many hours the JET community has spent lamenting the loss of access to sites such as Hulu and Pandora due to international copyright restrictions. Since many foreign shows do not have broadcasting licenses in Japan, expats in Japan can’t access sites where they are streamed legally online. While many JETs have felt the temptation to use other measures to keep current with their favorite TV shows and media from back home, I strongly suggest looking into a little-known legal tech fix to get access to those sites back: the VPN.

A VPN – or virtual private network – is an encrypted network you can set up with a client and is often used to protect your personal data to unauthorized parties online. Using a foreign VPN client will mask your IP address with a non-Japanese IP address, enabling you to access sites that may have international restrictions (Pandora, NBC, Hulu, Netflix just to name a few). Also, your personal information is encrypted, protecting your online activity and personal data.

The VPN client that I’ve used for the past year is Hotspot Shield – available for both Mac and PC this client has given me access to restricted sites back home. Fair warning: Accessing Hotspot Shield will use a fair amount of bandwidth so a high-speed internet connection is necessary. Even so, I recommend closing out any other applications that may be using internet bandwidth (chat clients etc.) when using a VPN client. If you want to shop around and look at other clients, I recommend going through a trusted site such as CNET to circumvent the risk of viruses or worms.

Readers: Have you ever used a VPN? What clients do you recommend? Let us know in the comments!

Melanie is a 3rd-year ALT in Kahoku. She has been enjoying her favorite shows back home legally thanks to VPNs.

How To Dress: Undokai

Ahh the Undokai. One of my favorite times of year. September and early October are when many schools have their annual sports festivals. These festivals promote exercise, teamwork and school pride for the students. Upperclassmen will spend hours outside of the normal school day preparing for the undokai and trying to make it the best for the younger students.

As with all things in Japan there are some interesting fashion rules that occur the weeks prior to and on the day of the sports festival, which is another reason why I love undokai so much.

The week or so leading up to your undokai will usually involve some sort of training and various meetings between teachers and students during the school day. Since the teachers may be helping students prepare and train for the games they will be dressed a bit more casually than usual. Clothes such as cargo or track pants and basic T-shirts or sports gear are acceptable to wear during this time. If you aren’t sure if there will be some kind of training that day, wear your normal work clothes, but bring a bag with clothes to change into if you see other teachers in a casual manner.

Also, don’t be surprised if you have a lot of classes canceled this week. If you find yourself with a lot of free time, try to go watch the training for the games. It’s a great excuse to get out of the staff room and talk with some of your students.

On the day of the sports festival, the look you want is sporty casual. If you have a full track suit, you can wear that. Throughout September the weather is extremely hot and humid so dress in light, breathable clothes. There are usually a couple games where students face off between parents and teachers, so dress ready to participate in some activities such as relay races or tug of war.

Try not to wear clothes that are too tight or revealing. This is an event with lots of parents and VIPs in attendance and they may not appreciate your cleavage-enhancing tank top or junk-highlighting bike shorts. (Also, this is an event for children, who are you trying to impress, really?)

Other things to keep on your must-bring list include:

• Sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Towel
• Hat
• Sunscreen

Melanie is a third-year JET living in Ishikawa. She wore a denim skirt and tank top to her first undokai.