Family moving to Japan

[thetaylors]

Hi

It looks like we will be moving to Japan later this year. We have three kids, all school aged and my head is spinning with all the things I need to organise like schools, extra-curricular activities (would love to continue with football, swimming, ballet). We will be based in Tokyo though I'm not sure what part. To top it all off we had planned to try for another (last!) child this year although I'm wondering if that's not a good idea given the move. Can anyone help me with some resources to get started? Neither of us speak Japanese nor have we ever even visited Japan.

C

 

[Emoni]

Why are you moving to Japan? Is this related to a company? Work? Education? A lot of times they have some sort of system to assist with moving into an apartment or residence in Japan.

How long will you be here is another very important bit of information.

Either way, start learning Japanese. NOW. I recommend the genki series of books. This website also has good information. AJATT | All Japanese All The Time | You don't know a language, you live it. You don't learn a language, you get used to it.

Browsing this forum or Japanese cultural sites can give you some very basic information. It's certainly not going to replace experience or teach you everything, but it is a critical base and foundation that you must have to start somewhere.

As for schools, I know of friends who have been able to jump into Japanese schools, but since they are taught in Japanese, most kids are very lost, even if they DO try to accommodate. I believe there are international schools taught in English but I personally know almost nothing about this. Another member might.

There are various venues and areas where you can continue the activities you are mentioning, but of course many will require at least some Japanese language ability to begin interaction with. No matter how limited you might be, you have to push for as much language ability as you can during your prior time and arrive. It truly is critical.

As for your child on the way, I don't think you have anything to worry about in terms of quality of care, and there are English speaking doctors as well in some areas here. Again, other members might have more detailed information. You'll be covered by national health insurance so you will have coverage (however babies still cost money to give birth too) but I believe international doctors are not covered by such insurance sometimes.

 

[Mike Cash]

Welcome to our little corner of the Internet.

Answers to your questions depend on the nature of your move. If military, they are the world's foremost experts on schlepping people around the globe and have many organizations dedicated to easing the transition. If this is a company transfer, check with Human Resources to see what sort of support is offered. They also are usually experienced and have support systems in place to help with arrangements.

Learning what is already taken care of for you will help ease your mind.

 

[thetaylors]

Sorry, I didn't include enough information. It will be for my husbands job so fortunately we will get help with a lot of things including apartment and school fees paid. As for choosing the area, school, etc. it is up to us. He'll be working near Tokyo station and I would prefer not to live too far away. I've heard of people commuting an hour or more to work each way but I hope his is much less so he can see the kids before they go to bed. Obviously we also need to choose a school which will be close by too. The stay is supposed to be 3 years but nothing concrete yet.

 

[Glenski]

It seems very strange that your husband's employer is not helping out in any of these things. They should.

He'll be working near Tokyo station and I would prefer not to live too far away. I've heard of people commuting an hour or more to work each way but I hope his is much less so he can see the kids before they go to bed.

I wouldn't get my hopes up. When in Rome...

Why do you write "organise" like a Brit, by the way?

 

[Steve Red]

Oregon? Perhaps you're from the most mellow town on Earth, Eugene?

OK, here's what I recommend: Asahi Sanbanchou Puraza, in Hanzomon.
There's something magical about it, and your husband can walk to work.
As your husband walks to work, he'll see the Emperor's Palace everyday.

If you become interested, simply PM me, I'll help you be accepted there.

http://maps.google.com/maps?key=ABQ...KSFoNHOiT7lrmhzEudIUg&cbp=12,304.61,,0,-12.67

 

[Emoni]

Um, why is the OP banned? I miss something??

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Just a rumor .................

Um, why is the OP banned? I miss something??

that the whole family was wiped out in a drive by shooting??

Uncle Frank



Actually the OP requested their account be closed and thanked everyone for their helpful info.

 

[Steve Red]

That "joke" sure seemed inappropriate to me. But thanks for the second sentence which explained the situation.

There must be a reason you wrote that Uncle Frank: perhaps Mrs. Taylor wrote something rude to you when she asked for her account to be closed?

 

[Emoni]

I wonder if we scared them away ?

I didn't even warn them about all the soft porn and tentacles in Japan yet...

 

[Mike Cash]

Probably her husband came home and said, "Don't worry, honey. We're expense account expats and somebody from the office will wipe our figurative butts for us and take care of every little thing. There's no need for you to hobnob with the hoi polloi online."

 

[Chidoriashi]

that the whole family was wiped out in a drive by shooting??
Uncle Frank

Actually the OP requested their account be closed and thanked everyone for their helpful info.

Is that what happened to our buddy Rube?

 

[Steve Red]

Actually Uncle Frank, sorry for my prudishness earlier, as I'm laughing reading these jokes by Emoni and Mike and Chidoriashi, I now realize that your joke was funny as well. ;-)

To think, I was going to spend some saved-up good-will by asking the owner of that wonderful apartment to allow her and her family to live there!

Without such an intro, chances are slim she's going to find a place that peaceful, that magical, that close to Tokyo Station.

She came here and asked for help, we took the time to give her help, but she didn't have the gratitude to personally post a thank you.

I hereby withdrawal my offer to help, why in the hell was I going to vouch for some stranger, she's probably NOT a mellow person, and I think Mike's post probably hit the nail on the head.

 

[Davey]

Guess we can close this thread then...


.