Living for 5 months in Nagoya, some questions

Castor Krieg · 27 Aug 2006

Hi everone!

On Thursday I'm flying for 5 months to Nagoya for a student exchange. Therefore I have some questions, which I hope you would be kind enough to answer. If you live/lived in Nagoya please tak a moment to read the following questions:

1. Is there an Ikea (my appartment is meant to be furnished, but I don't know if they will provide pillows and bed-sheets)? Where is it? Are the towels, pillows, etc. reasonably priced?

2. I will be in need of Japanese mobile phone. Should I sign for subscription or go with pre-paid card? What mobile network will be the best, te phone will be used to communicate with other Japanese students, as well as calling Hong Kong?

3. I like to play videogames (will be taing PSTwo wth me). Where in Nagoya can I get cheap PS2 NTSC titles (English ones)? Hw about PSP? Do Japanese import some English titles from the US, or am I left with online stores?

4.VERY IMPORTANT! Because of personal reasons (girlfriend) I want to fly to Hong Kong as often as possible. Do you know any travel agency that gives very good offers on plane tickets?

5. I am fluent in English, is there a chance for me to get a part-time job somewhere? I don't speak Japanese. Washing dishes, and cleaning is ok.

6. Any places in Nagoya not mentioned in tourist guides that I should visit? Any insider tips for me?

Thank you very much for all your help and answers.

Best regards,
Castor Krieg

Mike Cash · 27 Aug 2006

I don't think they're going to like your idea of flying in and out of Japan frequently to visit your girlfriend.

You are aware that you will need a reentry permit to come back into Japan again, aren't you? And that they may consider this abuse of your "student" status and refuse you reentry?

Castor Krieg · 27 Aug 2006

How so? I hold a student VISA, along with Certificate of Eligibility (that crap A5 paper they put in my passport), why should they be concerned about my travels?

Supervin · 27 Aug 2006

If you want affordable PS2 games like you say, save it until you get to HK (along with any other video game/computer related item). Unless you're looking for the newest Japanese item in the world (which usually takes a week longer to get to HK shelves) or Japan-usable-only items, then get it in Japan, else you'd be dishing out more for the same thing. And also, in HK, you can get the additional option of English versions of things rather than only Japanese to choose from.

Elizabeth · 27 Aug 2006

5. I am fluent in English, is there a chance for me to get a part-time job somewhere? I don't speak Japanese. Washing dishes, and cleaning is ok.

Working on a student visa is generally not permitted, for sure not initially or even for an extended semester and I've never seen an entry level job in English.

Are you going to there primarily out of an interest in Japanese culture or for the import experience and to be near your girlfriend, by the way ?

epigene · 27 Aug 2006

Castor Krieg said:
How so? I hold a student VISA, along with Certificate of Eligibility (that crap A5 paper they put in my passport), why should they be concerned about my travels?

Mike's right. You'll need to get reentry permit from Japanese immigration authorities to travel in and out of Japan during your stay. You must get a single reentry permit if it is for one trip or multiple reentry permit for two or more trips.

He's also right in that, in these days of terrorism and illegal traffic of drugs and people (especially from other Asian countries), the authorities will certainly be suspicious of a person who goes in and out of Japan within a span of 5 months on a student visa. I wouldn't be surprised if your visa is revoked on arrival in Japan from your nth return from Hong Kong. The only people allowed to be frequent travelers are businesspeople and maybe some other categories of professionals who require frequent foreign travel.

Also, if you're just staying for 5 months and traveling to Hong Kong so often, how do you expect to get employed? I bet no one will hire a person who's not going to be there often, regardless of qualifications.

Davey · 27 Aug 2006

Castor Krieg said:
1. Is there an Ikea (my appartment is meant to be furnished, but I don't know if they will provide pillows and bed-sheets)? Where is it? Are the towels, pillows, etc. reasonably priced?

The only Ikea in Japan is in Funabashi, and the next one to be opened will be Kobe * Yatta*.

Japan has heaps of home centers so I am sure you will find your stuff, plus a lot of 100 yen stores where you can buy a lot of things cheap, so yeah I would say don't worry about that.

2. I will be in need of Japanese mobile phone. Should I sign for subscription or go with pre-paid card? What mobile network will be the best, te phone will be used to communicate with other Japanese students, as well as calling Hong Kong?

I would go for a pre-paid card because you will only stay for 5 months right. Vodafone has a lot, but Vodafone can be a *****, so I think that KDDI would be better.

4.VERY IMPORTANT! Because of personal reasons (girlfriend) I want to fly to Hong Kong as often as possible. Do you know any travel agency that gives very good offers on plane tickets?

No1-Travel got some good deals, check other travel agencies in your area, it shouldn't be that expensive.

ArmandV · 28 Aug 2006

epigene said:
Also, if you're just staying for 5 months and traveling to Hong Kong so often, how do you expect to get employed? I bet no one will hire a person who's not going to be there often, regardless of qualifications.

I believe he's thinking along the lines of part-time work.

But to help solve the "frequent flyer" problem, have the girlfriend visit him in Japan.

Castor Krieg · 28 Aug 2006

Dutch Baka, ArmandV - thank's a lot, you're correct, only part-time work is considered. Do you think I can teach Japanese kids some English? (got CPE from British Council).

epigene · 28 Aug 2006

ArmandV said:
I believe he's thinking along the lines of part-time work.

Yes, I know that's what he meant.
In addition to the fact that he doesn't speak Japanese, there are a lot of people (senior citizens, unemployed people, etc.) who are willing to bend over backward to fit the employer's work shift schedule. I don't think there will be anyone willing to employ someone who declares he's planning to take time off in the forthcoming weeks, etc.
English conversation schools also aren't interested in part-time teachers who stay only for 5 months and even take time off during that period.

yukio_michael · 28 Aug 2006

Castor Krieg said:
1. Is there an Ikea (my appartment is meant to be furnished, but I don't know if they will provide pillows and bed-sheets)? Where is it? Are the towels, pillows, etc. reasonably priced?

I think that you'll find it easier just to go to a place like Loft, or D2, or any other home-furnishing store that Japan has to offer. Generally their prices are fairly affordable...

Castor Krieg said:
2. I will be in need of Japanese mobile phone. Should I sign for subscription or go with pre-paid card? What mobile network will be the best, te phone will be used to communicate with other Japanese students, as well as calling Hong Kong?

You can get pre-paid phones in Japan, and I would stress you go with this option--- if you even need it. Are you going to be calling anyone IN Japan? If not, you might as well just stick to cheap calling cards. I'm not sure what the rate is from Japan to Hong Kong... I'm also going to put in another vote for KDDI.

Castor Krieg said:
3. I like to play videogames (will be taing PSTwo wth me). Where in Nagoya can I get cheap PS2 NTSC titles (English ones)? Hw about PSP? Do Japanese import some English titles from the US, or am I left with online stores?

I havent seen any English titles whatsoever, and your console probably wont play the Japanese games unless it is modded... Again, you're probably better off getting titles from Hong Kong...

Castor Krieg said:
4.VERY IMPORTANT! Because of personal reasons (girlfriend) I want to fly to Hong Kong as often as possible. Do you know any travel agency that gives very good offers on plane tickets?

H.I.S. , but I would (for reasons listed above) change "as often as possible" to "possibly once"...

Castor Krieg · 28 Aug 2006

Does KDDI offer pre-paid cards? I have a mobile which is SIM-free, was thinking of buying sim-card and putting it there.

yukio_michael - thanks for you replies, if I manage to get that re-entry permit, can I still be stopped at customs and send back? Do you know of any ppl who got into that situation?

Elizabeth · 28 Aug 2006

epigene said:
Yes, I know that's what he meant.
In addition to the fact that he doesn't speak Japanese, there are a lot of people (senior citizens, unemployed people, etc.) who are willing to bend over backward to fit the employer's work shift schedule. I don't think there will be anyone willing to employ someone who declares he's planning to take time off in the forthcoming weeks, etc.
English conversation schools also aren't interested in part-time teachers who stay only for 5 months and even take time off during that period.

As a rule I think student visa holders also need to apply for a special work permit through the school and ultimately authorized by Immigration which normally wouldn't be granted for at least three-four months or until they've shown themselves in good standing with grades, attendance, etc.

Regardless of those bureaucratic hurdles, though, school administrators aren't going to speak English and I can't see how the OP on his own initiative could even get passed the application/interview stage without knowing any Japanese.

ArmandV · 28 Aug 2006

Castor Krieg said:
Dutch Baka, ArmandV - thank's a lot, you're correct, only part-time work is considered. Do you think I can teach Japanese kids some English? (got CPE from British Council).

Unless you can work for the school, maybe doing something free-lance teaching English conversation may work (I don't know about Japanese laws concerning working "under the table").

Probably you'd need to make some business cards and/or flyers advertising what you have available may help. But check on the laws on that first before spending any cash on that.

ArmandV · 28 Aug 2006

Elizabeth said:
As a rule I think student visa holders also need to apply for a special work permit through the school and ultimately authorized by Immigration which normally wouldn't be granted for at least three-four months or until they've shown themselves in good standing with grades, attendance, etc.

Regardless of those bureaucratic hurdles, though, school administrators aren't going to speak English and I can't see how the OP on his own initiative could even get passed the application/interview stage without knowing any Japanese.

Possibly the school has a placement office that can give him the details of working in Japan or even for them. Since he's heading to Japan this coming week, there goes the 3-4 month process.

Castor Krieg · 28 Aug 2006

Thanks for all your answers. Can you tell me how does Nagoya feel in general? What's the atmosphere is it secondary city in Japan, or is it just smaller version of Tokyo.

On a completely unrelevant subject, does someone know where can I get lots of Keroro and Relax Bear merchandise in Nagoya?

ArmandV · 28 Aug 2006

Castor Krieg said:
Thanks for all your answers. Can you tell me how does Nagoya feel in general? What's the atmosphere is it secondary city in Japan, or is it just smaller version of Tokyo.

I can't help you there, I only been through Nagoya once and that was on a bullet train and I didn't leave my seat.

epigene · 28 Aug 2006

Does KDDI offer pre-paid cards? I have a mobile which is SIM-free, was thinking of buying sim-card and putting it there.

I'm not exactly knowledgeable in this area, but I have been told that cell phones from other countries don't work in Japan. Japanese cell phones can be converted for use in other countries but not vice versa, sim-free or not.
Japan has its own telecommunications standards that are not compatible with the global standard.
There are quite a few members who live in the Nagoya area, but Nagoya used to be a "hick town" decades ago but has grown into a major industrial area, thanks to Toyota. If I remember correctly, it is the third largest metropolitan area in Japan after Tokyo-Yokohama and Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe areas.

Mike Cash · 28 Aug 2006

Castor Krieg said:
How so? I hold a student VISA, along with Certificate of Eligibility (that crap A5 paper they put in my passport), why should they be concerned about my travels?

Yes, a short term visa for the purpose of being in Japan and being a student. Not for the purpose of flitting in and out of the country repeatedly during your short term stay. I'm just warning you that some hardass Immigration officer may consider that your stated purpose of stay doesn't jibe with your actions and may deny you reentry and revoke your student visa. It's not a certainty, but it is something you should be aware of.

If it does happen, be sure to come back here and tell us; I love to gloat.

ArmandV · 29 Aug 2006

As I said earlier, have her come to Japan to visit you. That way, any "hardass" immigration officer won't be able to give you trouble.

Unless, of course, Japan has special "girlfriend multiple re-entry visas."

Castor Krieg · 29 Aug 2006

Then I will just state "business" as my purpose to go to Hong Kong. It's not entirely a lie, my work experience is in line with me visiting someone in Hong Kong to talk about X. I plan to fly 2-3 times in the course of 5 months, I don't think this will be that much trouble.

University got my appartment with something called Arm Ministay. Anyone heard about them?

Mike Cash · 29 Aug 2006

Castor Krieg said:
Then I will just state "business" as my purpose to go to Hong Kong.

Then they'll wonder why a Japanese language student is using Japan as a jumping off place for conducting business in Asia....an activity at odds with his stated purpose of being in Japan.

You won't be the first person who tried gaming the visa system. There's another person here who tried it with the tourist visa and ended up being turned back at the airport and who now regrets the trouble it is causing him with regards to possible future visits to Japan.

You may think that you're going to give some clever answers to Immigration and, technically, be within the letter of the law and successfully manipulate the system. What you're ignoring is that entry (and reentry) to Japan is very subjective and can depend on the whims of the individual Immigration officer you get at the airport and what sort of mood he happens to be in on that particular day. If they think your actions don't match the stated purpose of your visit, they won't think twice about giving you the boot.

I can't understand why you're coming here anyway. Looks like you just plan to bounce in and out of the country, and play video games in between flights. What's the point?

pipokun · 30 Aug 2006

You can see her at Hong Kong at least twice when you take cathay pacific and stop over there.

Castor Krieg · 30 Aug 2006

Mike Cash - there are many ways you can say so, but since the beginning of this tread you have take patronising, I-know-and-you-don't approach. I don't understand the source of bitterness, but then again - I don't want to, your matters are your own.

As for "bounce in and out of the country, and play videogames in between flights" - your view of videogames should not lead to your view of people who play videogames, especially if you live in Japan and are Japanese. For the "bouncing" part - I said I plan to fly out 2-3 times in my 5 month stay, I really don't intent to follow Japanese system of 15hrs+ studying/working, primary because it's a faulty system.

To everyone who did give me helpful tips - thank you. Yukio_michael - can you tell me the address if H.I.S. in Nagoya, their website is in Japanese.

epigene · 30 Aug 2006

Castor Krieg said:
Mike Cash - there are many ways you can say so, but since the beginning of this tread you have take patronising, I-know-and-you-don't approach. I don't understand the source of bitterness, but then again - I don't want to, your matters are your own.

Mike is not bitter. He's just giving you good plain advice, only his mannerism gets in the way.

The thing is you don't know the Japanese immigration control system. If you're on a student visa, the authorities expect you to be here AS A STUDENT attending school and nothing else (maybe plus some part-time work assuming good behavior). Any claim of business for your trips to Hong Kong must be substantiated with proof (official documents, proof of business transaction, earnings from it, etc.). A claim made orally isn't going to work when the immigration officer sees the multiple stamps of entry in Japan on your passport. They've seen so many people who make oral claims and can't prove them to be true. They're not going to take a chance with you.

Once you get the boot, don't expect to be able to enter Japan for a long time. So, do all of your shopping in Japan before you make your first trip to Hong Kong. Also, don't forget to take all your belongings with you.

And I AM DEAD SERIOUS. ☝

Living for 5 months in Nagoya, some questions

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