I would really love some advice, tips, info anything.Next fall me, my partner, and my son (who will be 2.5 at that time) are moving to Japan. I’ll be assistant teaching. We don’t know where we will be living or how big our apartment will be. We are planning on selling my car before we leave and using that as our “getting started money” (it will be between $1000-2000) to buy futons and whatever we need when we get there. Of course we will be taking all our own clothes (I know Japanese clothes run small), kitchen supplies, toys for toddler, etc. We can’t really afford to bring everything we own over there of course, most of our stuff will stay in the US in storage. Can anyone give me advice about bringing a toddler over there. I ordered a bunch of Shimajiro videos for him to watch, but they haven’t arrived yet. Also, in the US there are chain thrift stores like goodwill etc. where secondhand merchandise can be bought very cheaply. Does Japan have an equivalent. Also, etiquette in bath houses. Any cultural info would be very appreciated.
P.S. I have a minor in Japanese so at least we have that going for us, but none of us have ever been to Japan before. Moving there will be my first visit.
3 Responses to “Help. My family is moving to Japan.”
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Your “partner” can’t move there with you unless you are a married male / female couple. Boyfriends / girlfriends are not recognized in Japan. He / she could only stay 90 days as a visitor, unless they also have a job waiting for them.And I really doubt if such a job will be enough to support 2.5 people.
>Also, in the US there are chain thrift stores like goodwill etc. where secondhand merchandise can be bought very cheaply. Does Japan have an equivalent.
Well, we have many cheap stores in Japan as we are in deflation economy. There are “100 yen stores” where you can buy a lot of products at 100 yen.>Also, etiquette in bath houses.
You don’t need to go to a public bath house. You can take a bath at your house. I’ve never been to one for long although I live in Japan.
I’ll leave the cultural notes to someone more qualified (I’ve only been here for 7mo.)
BUT: Thrift stores in Japan are called Recycle Shops.
I have managed to furnish my entire house from these and they even deliver for next to nothing. The condition of used items in Japan is amazing (way better than any goodwill stuff). The shops are hard to find and don’t usually carry a lot of clothes but as far as anything appliance, furniture or bicycle goes make sure to ask around your area for the neares Recycle Shop. They are lifesavers.
Also, there’s plenty of stores for the little one out here & if you’re looking for family size economic stuff there’s Costco & Ikea (at least in Tokyo, I’m not sure where you’re going to but check their websites).
You can always look for items on Amazon.co.jp .