http://www.city-cost.comSun, 06 Sep 2026 18:05:32 +0900Greater insights and deeper experiences from voices in the City-Cost community.enCopyright © 2015 - 2026 City-Cost All Rights Reserved.webmaster@city-cost.com (CC Team)http://img.city-cost.com/static/blog_campaign_icon.pnghttp://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GR1PK-livingTravel right now is a scary thing, but after staying indoors for a few months and taking various precautions, many people are itching to get back out. Not only that, but businesses are really hurting while they try to stay open waiting for customers.Over the past few months, things have been changing here in Japan as both people and businesses have been making adjustments to a life with COVID. Of course, the Japanese government has put out a number of guidelines and many businesses across Japan are really stepping up according to customer demands -- although some places still have some improvements to make. (For more information about the official guidelines and the current situation, I recommend the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s website.)Travel may still seem daunting, but with the right precautions, it is 100% doable, and I found on recent travels in Japan that having the right prevention strategies allowed me to relax more than I honestly thought I would. I was able to relax and enjoy my trip."...having the right prevention strategies allowed me to relax more than I honestly thought I would. I was able to relax and enjoy my trip."Last month, I went to Hiroshima,​ in western Japan,​ on a business trip. During this time, I tested out many tourism-related experiences and gave advice and feedback on many points, including COVID-19 prevention strategies. All of my clients are smaller businesses in Japan that are geared towards travelers, and my company typically advises them on how to improve programs in order to attract more tourists. On this occasion it was a lot more COVID-19 prevention-related advice which I gave both in-person and in follow-up emails, to really drive the point home. My company assists in selling the experiences on travel websites and as well as on our own. We have been making a point of listing the virus / COVID prevention strategies on the sites so that travelers in Japan are aware and can make educated decisions based on what they are comfortable with. ​During my time in Hiroshima I noticed that there was a significant drop, as expected, in other travelers. At many destinations ​within the region​, I felt like I was the only tourist in the entire town. That being said, most locals are still staying positive. Their passion for what they do is keeping them fighting strong."... many companies have been banding together to share advice and tips. It seems that everyone is trying to support one another rather than looking at it as a competition." Many businesses are struggling, but they are not giving up on their future. Some of my clients had more than a 60% drop in sales since the coronavirus outbreak; I even had one client who said their clients were only foreign tourists, so now they have no tours booked at all. However, they are making the adaptations they can and asking for advice from other people in the travel industry. One trend I have noticed lately is that many companies have been banding together to share advice and tips. It seems that everyone is trying to support one another rather than looking at it as a competition.While​ some businesses are still learning what adjustments to make, one experience especially excelled in their COVID-19 prevention strategies.This particular program was a mask dyeing experience in a hip local shop, so it was indoors. The moment that I walked in the door, ​a young, kind staff member, of course, had me sanitize my hands. They also had me take my temperature. They require this not only from guests but staff members as well. After looking around, I noticed that the number of seats had been reduced, which means they are limiting the number of guests they allow for each experience. They previously could hold up to eight guests at a time, but they have now limited the number four, half the previous amount. Their building isn’t particularly large, but they are doing what they can do to maintain social distancing standards. They also created an option to book a private experience to prevent mingling with strangers for those who are particularly worried.(Here is the mask I created! - Hiroshima)Overall, I felt very safe during the experience -- plus, I thought it was cute that they have adjusted to the current situation and created a mask dyeing experience. Patterned masks seem to be trending right now, so I was happy to hop on board and create my own. They of course had other options, such as T-shirts and tenugui ​(Japanese hand towels)​, as well. Adjustments has also been made to try to maintain sales for customers that are still not comfortable participating in the shop; they created cute little DIY sets that people can take home!(COVID prevention station, Hiroshima! It was right in front of the door!)Another program that seemed to really have their prevention strategies down was an outdoor e-bike tour!Just like the dyeing experience, management ensured that both guests and staff were sanitized and without a fever. They also provided me with a plastic mask, or mouth guard, for the ride. It was a lot cooler than a typical mask and definitely helped me from overheating. (It was mid-August, aka peak heat season in Japan, when I went.) Plus, since it was an outdoor tour and we were on bikes, I was able to maintain social distancing guidelines the entire ride. Even when we stopped so that the guide could explain different tourist spots, she maintained a safe distance.(My guide took this picture while on her bike. As you can see we are pretty far apart and there are basically no other people!)(Here is my sweet guide with a crane she made for me!)That being said, some programs are still learning what it means to have good coronavirus prevention strategies. Many places are stopping at wearing masks and providing sanitizer. However, most of the time, these businesses are looking to learn. This will improve with time as businesses continue to share experiences and find support. As I mentioned above, it seems that many people in the travel industry here in Japan are very open to banding together to help each other survive. (I participated in many water sports, which provide an obstacle to coronavirus prevention because masks get wet. However, in this instance, my group was very small or it was just me.)(Here is a picture of my shower climbing tour. Our group was a total of four people: me, my coworker, and two tour guides. Everyone kept on their masks up until we literally got in the water.)In fact, after giving recommendations and ideas to many of the businesses I visited, many have upped their policies. I was able to confirm this with the regional Japanese staff that work in Hiroshima. For each region, we have a regional manager who works closely with our customers, so we can continue to support them. My company, as a whole, has been really pushing all of our programs to make COVID prevention a priority and when looking at other companies, it seems they have too.Since some programs are still, unfortunately, lacking (again, some places stopped at only providing hand sanitizer at the door and requiring masks), it is important to call ahead and do your research on the programs, tours, and places you are interested in. Determine what you need to feel safe during a program and check to see if they match your personal guidelines. While travel is fun, it’s not worth risking your life, so please take the necessary precautions."Determine what you need to feel safe during a program and check to see if they match your personal guidelines."We can stay indoors and avoid COVID, but it’s surely only so long until many of us go crazy. Do your research, take the necessary precautions, and hopefully we can get back out into the world safely. It looks like the coronavirus is not going away any time soon, so for now, we just have to do what we can to find the new normal.Author: ReishiiTravelsWatch our interview with ReishiiTravels on the City-Cost Japan YouTube channelTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GR1PK-livingThu, 15 Oct 2020 12:39:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GR1PK-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/z83Wv-living_howmuchAny time there is a global cost of living survey conducted, Japan tends to feature towards the top of the list. This can seem incredibly daunting for those who are planning to move here - but I’m happy to say it’s not as dire as many people may think. Yes, some things in Japan certainly are more expensive than what I am used to back home, but there are a host of things which are significantly cheaper. Overall, I would say that it’s less expensive for my family of four to live in Japan than it is for us to live in either Australia or the United States, where my husband and I hail from. I had a think about it, and there were five categories that I thought stood out as being much cheaper here than they would be back home. Without further ado, here they are…Bottled water, soft drinks, and alcohol This may be a random measure, but I think it’s useful. This data shows how expensive a bottle of water is in various countries around the world, measured in US dollars for consistency. Australia comes in eighth place on the list, with a bottle of water averaging out at $2.04 USD. I’d say that’s quite a conservative estimate too, since I’ve seen 600 ml refrigerated bottles at petrol stations and supermarkets priced closer to $3.50 - $4 AUD, or around $2.50 - $2.90 US.Japan comes in 35th spot on the list, with a bottle of water only setting you back around $1 USD - and that's fairly consistent with what I see at convenience stores and in vending machines here in Japan. Often back home, I’d be reluctant to buy a bottle of water even if I was super thirsty, because it seemed so expensive for what it was. Here, I’ve learned to be more eco-conscious and try to carry my reusable bottle around with me, but it’s nice to know that it’s economical to buy a drink if I forget.The same goes for alcohol. I’m partial to chu-hai, and I can often pick up a can for under 100 yen at my local supermarket here in Japan. One look at an Australian liquor store chain’s website reminds me that a can of beer (375 ml) is priced at around $5 to $6 AUD - that's around 400 yen, give or take a bit based on currency fluctuations. Hydration whilst on-the-go in Japan won't break the bank - and there are plenty of options available!GlassesI’ve worn glasses since I was nine years old, and have bought them in three different countries now - Australia, the United States, and here in Japan - so I have a general idea of prices. I honestly hated having to replace glasses in other places I lived, because it would run me around $300 for a pair of frames and the accompanying lenses...definitely not something I’d call cheap, but it was a necessity of life so I just had to roll with it. Enter life in Japan, when the first time I went to a glasses store I was floored at just how cheap the glasses were - and they have a whole host of cute frames, too! I’ve bought glasses and lenses for as cheap as 5,000 yen (around $50 US), and one of the additional niceties about getting them here is just how fast the process is. Back to that first time I bought glasses in Japan, the shop attendant told me they’d be ready in 10 minutes, and if I’d like to wait or come back. I honestly thought I’d misunderstood what they’d said, because on previous experiences in other countries I’d usually have to come back within a few days for them to be ready. There’s truly nothing like Japanese convenience.For the glasses and contacts wearers out there, you’ll be pleased to know that getting your optical care needs taken care of in Japan is extremely inexpensive (and extremely efficient!)SeafoodDespite growing up in Australia, a country where people think we just “throw a shrimp on the barbie,” seafood is actually quite expensive compared to other sources of animal protein. I’d usually opt for meats like beef or chicken over salmon back home simply due to cost effectiveness. Here though, we find ourselves eating salmon several times a week because it’s cheaper in Japan than many other cuts of meat - and honestly, it’s probably better for our health than red meat anyway. We don’t have an oven here either, just a stove top with the ubiquitous fish grill, so it works out better in that sense!For seafood lovers, there are also places like conveyor belt sushi restaurant chains (our favorite is Hamazushi), where you can get plates of various sushi for 100 yen and up. A cheap feed - and it’s food that would likely be classed as haute cuisine back home. Fish is cheaper than many other forms of meat here - so if you’re a seafood lover you’re in luck. Fast food restaurantsI’m not talking about Western chains when I talk about fast food being inexpensive here, as those are still quite pricey - the cost of a pizza from somewhere like Domino’s alone is enough to make my eyes water. However, there are a range of fast food spots in Japan which are super cheap, and in my opinion they are better quality food than your typical greasy burger and fries places. For instance, national chains like Yoshinoya and Sukiya have gyudon (beef over rice) bowls which come in varying sizes starting at around 400 yen. Another cheapie favorite for me is Saizeriya, a Japanese take on an Italian restaurant. The food is served quickly, although perhaps not as fast as “fast food”, and dishes are exceptional value for money. My go-to there is the penne arrabiata, which is 399 yen. I often find myself questioning how theses stores actually make money, because the prices are so low.While Western-import fast food chains are often pricier than back home, Japanese-owned stalwarts like Yoshinoya and Sukiya provide cheap eats that are friendly on the wallet. My rentThis is probably not going to be the case for those who live in urban areas of Japan, but for rural-dwellers, rent here can be exceptionally cheap. We currently pay 58,000 yen a month in rent (around $550 US dollars at the time of writing), for a 6DK house in the Niigata countryside. Sure, it’s definitely not the newest house, and there are things we don’t love about it (it can be very expensive to heat and cool, for instance), but I can’t imagine renting a place for such a low price in Australia at all. We’re under 10 minutes walk from our local train station, which is part of the Joetsu Shinkansen line - and that means we can be in Tokyo within 90 minutes, or Niigata City in around 40. The convenience and accessibility to urban areas for the overall low cost of living is fantastic, plus we get a myriad of benefits from countryside living!While urban areas in Japan often have a reputation for high living costs, countryside areas often have unbelievably cheap rents - and they’re not always super isolated areas, either.What items or aspects of life in Japan do you find cheaper than what you’d expect back home? Do you find your overall cost of living here to be more or less expensive?Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/z83Wv-living_howmuchFri, 09 Oct 2020 12:55:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/z83Wv-living_howmuchhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zDqAj-livingI’ve moved around quite a bit in my adult life, and one of the things I wish I had at each new location is a guide that tells me a bit about the local area. Things like the best places to get groceries at, where to go for medical checkups, fun spots for the kids to play at, or tasty local places to eat - all of those things would be supremely useful in acclimating to a new area. If you may be moving to Urasa - perhaps you’re studying at the International University of Japan - or even elsewhere in Niigata Prefecture, this guide is designed to give an insight to daily life in this part of the country.Where to shopFor groceries directly in Urasa, Cupid Supermarket is within walking distance from Urasa Station. Despite being a smaller independently owned supermarket, they have a wide variety of products. Particularly impressive are their range of imported goods, especially halal items, which are useful for numerous students studying at the nearby International University of Japan.1153-1 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302For fruits and vegetables, the JA Farmers Market offers reasonable prices and a wide variety of seasonal goods. There are also some other products on sale here, such as honeys and jams, local rice, and baked goods to name a few. It’s also the home of the Yairo Watermelon Festival which typically takes place in July/August.5130-1 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302Further afield, there is an AEON Supermarket in Muikamachi, approximately a 15 minute drive from the Urasa Station area. The supermarket here has a wider range of products than the Cupid Supermarket, as well as a department store area and several specialty stores including an optometrist, bakery, and a branch of KFC if you need your fried chicken fix.3100 Yokawa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-6681In the other direction from Muikamachi, the neighboring town of Koide has several supermarkets, including Harashin, Gyomu Super, and Pia Mart (formerly known as Gran Depot). Restaurants and cafesDirectly across from Urasa Station is Kodamaya, a family restaurant which has a range of both western and Japanese-inspired menu options. There are both regular table seats and tatami style rooms, and high chairs/booster seats are available for children. Plentiful parking is available out the front for those who are driving, and quite a few of their menu items can be prepared for take-out.1355-1 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302For seafood lovers, Ezumiya is under five minutes on foot from Urasa Station, and serves up a range of fresh fish sourced from the waters of the Sea of Japan daily. The restaurant has bar, table, and tatami booth seating, as well as rooms to accommodate larger groups of family members or friends.325-6 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302Daily living guide for Urasa, Niigata Prefecture - My husband adores the seafood at Ezumiya!There are several options for Italian cuisine for people living in Urasa, including La Locanda Nella Foresta, where you get great views of the mountains and surrounding rice fields, in a log-cabin styled setting. There is also Budou no Hana - part of the Echigo Winery - which also leans towards Italian cuisine but with a more Japanese-inspired touch. For instance, one of the pasta dishes at Budou no Hana is a seafood and octopus ragu. The ambience here is very nice, and the restaurant seats around 60 people. For American-style pizza, check out Heaven’s Cafe - it’s run by an American expat and his Japanese wife, and the food is delicious. There are also burgers and hot dogs on the menu.Views from La Locanda Nella Foresta in Urasa, Niigata Prefecture, a restaurant with tasty Italian cuisine in an intimate setting.For something sweet, Gelato Yummy is a local favorite - they have some of the tastiest gelato you’ll try in your life, and many Japanese-inspired flavors feature on the menu. During the winter months when gelato may be the last thing on your mind, they also sell takoyaki.5138-2 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302For other fast food, you’re going to have to go further afield unless you’re seeking convenience store fare. Along Route 17 towards Muikamachi, you’ll find a Sukiya, and a branch of McDonalds (24/7) near the AEON Mall.Museums and cultural activitiesLocated within Yairo no Mori Park, the Ikeda Memorial Museum has a range of displays including paintings from local artists, sports memorabilia from various Olympic Games and other sports, and more. It's an interesting combination yet somehow it works, and everything is curated wonderfully. There's a small gift shop on-site, as well as a cafe where you can enjoy some green tea and enjoy the surrounding scenery.5493-3 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302There is also the Tomioka White Museum, which showcases the work of Soichiro Tomioka, a local painter famous for his depictions of snowy landscapes. He even invented his own paint for his pieces, known as Tomioka white. The scenery surrounding the museum is gorgeous, with views of Mount Hakkai.142 Kamiyakushido, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7124Further afield in neighboring Tokamachi there is the Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, and the region is home to the renowned Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale every three years.Leisure activitiesYairo no Mori Park is located close to the JA Farmers Market, and there’s plenty to do and see. Giant open grassy spaces, play equipment, ponds with ducks, geese, and fish, and even barbecue facilities are available. Easy on-site parking is available, and there are a number of festivals held on the park grounds throughout the year.5483-1 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302They don’t call this region of Japan “snow country” for nothing - and if you enjoy snow sports then living in Urasa could be for you. A popular spot for families is the Hakkaisan Roku resort, which has slopes for beginners through to advanced skiers. There is also a dedicated area for sledding which makes this a particularly convenient spot for those with little ones. Further afield, but still with close proximity to Urasa, you’ll find the likes of Gala Yuzawa, Naeba, and the Joetsu Kokusai ski resorts.For hikers based here in Urasa, a local favorite spot for families is Mount Botan, as it has easy access (right behind the international university) and parking close to the trail head. It’s a climb which isn’t too strenuous - we’ve done it with our kids in hiking backpacks - and it provides some lovely views across the local area. If you’re a more advanced hiker, Mt. Echigo Komagatake is one of the three famous mountains of Echigo, and is a popular spot for climbing during the summer months.Hospitals and medical servicesUrasa is blessed with a large regional hospital, Uonuma Kikan, which has various departments including internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, radiology, and more. Referrals for the hospital can be obtained from local primary care clinics, however you can also turn up to the hospital without one - there is just an additional consultation fee of 2160 yen. 4132 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302Daily living guide for Urasa, Niigata Prefecture - blessed with a large regional hospitalThere are a number of dentists in the local area, but not all of them speak English. Sawata Dentist is the one our family uses, which is within a couple of minutes walk of Urasa Station. The dental hygienists will communicate in Japanese, which is fine, but if you need anything other than a clean the dentist speaks enough English to feel comfortable with. They take JNHI.1137 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302For routine doctors appointments, the Moegi Clinic is available, with a pharmacy right next door should you need to pick up any medications. While the care provided has been helpful, the wait times are often long - bring a book!5363 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302Annual festivals For a smaller town, Urasa has a great range of local festivals, and living here means having something to look forward to no matter the time of year. The largest of Urasa's festivals takes place during winter - the Naked Pushing Festival. The festival sees men dressed in next to nothing push and jostle their way to be first in line to worship Bishamondo, the God of Warriors, at the local Bishamondo Temple.2495 Urasa, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7302 Daily living guide for Urasa, Niigata Prefecture - Naked Pushing FestivalThere’s also the more kid-friendly Snow Festival held at Yairo no Mori Park, where kids can sled, enjoy games and other rides, and indulge in plenty of tasty food including cotton candy. It's typically held in the first few weeks of March before all the snow melts.A summer favorite is the Yairo Watermelon Festival, where you can eat your fill of locally-grown watermelon for the bargain price of 500 yen. The event takes place outside the local JA Farmers Market and runs for around 2 weeks, depending on supply.The Bishamondo Temple is also home to an annual chrysanthemum festival showcasing Japan’s national bloom in late October.Connection to other areasUrasa Station is served by both the Joetsu Shinkansen and the JR Joetsu Local Line. Shinkansen travel time from Urasa to Tokyo (or vice versa) is approximately 90 minutes, and around 40 minutes to or from Niigata City.Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zDqAj-livingFri, 02 Oct 2020 10:03:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zDqAj-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wmjdg-livingThe travel landscape post-COVID (or during COVID) means that many of us are looking at domestic getaways with international ones put on hold until who knows when - and thankfully there are a host of Japan-based getaways to suit just about every interest and budget.Having personally visited a large chunk of the country over the last seven years, I have some accommodation favorites that have left an impression on me and definitely warrant a visit if you have the chance.If you’re looking into a domestic getaway in Japan in the coming months, here are three of my top picks to check out.For iconic views and a real chance to relaxKonansou, Yamanashi PrefectureIf you’re after a weekend getaway from Tokyo that still gives you the feel that you’ve been a world away, Yamanashi is a great option. That’s even more applicable when the place you stay has incredible views of Mount Fuji that you can enjoy from your own private balcony onsen. Konansou is a fantastic ryokan which sits right by Lake Kawaguchi, and offers impeccable service and delicious food.Words probably aren't needed. This was our view when we got to Konansou.When I visited here I was pregnant with our second child, so I was avoiding meals containing raw fish. We advised the ryokan ahead of time that this was the case, and they were exceptionally accommodating. My dinner course was made up of meat dishes, most of which were beef - and everything was delicious. My husband and I have stayed at a number of ryokan across Japan, and we both agreed that the meals served here were some of our highest-ranking favorites. Even the desserts were adorable, and one of the standouts was a mini matcha cheesecake in the shape of Fuji-san itself. Talk about staying on theme!Adorably on-theme! Desset is served at Konansou, Yamanashi Prefecture.As well as the private onsen we had on our balcony, if you head up to the ryokan’s roof you’ll find a large foot bath where you can sit and appreciate the surrounding scenery. Not all rooms face Mount Fuji - some face the lake - so if you want to catch a glimpse of the mountain the foot bath is a good place to do that.To book a stay at Konansou, head to their website here where you can make an online reservation.For a getaway further south to Japan’s onsen capitalShiosai no Yado Seikai, Beppu, Oita PrefectureThere’s probably nothing more relaxing than soaking in an onsen, and where better to do just that than in Japan’s onsen capital of Beppu. The city is Oita Prefecture’s second largest city by population, and is perhaps most famous for the Hells of Beppu which have been designated as one of Japan’s "Places of Scenic Beauty." There are a host of great things to do in this region of the country, and one that I have to recommend if you visit is enjoying a lunch which is cooked by the power of steam. Mother Nature for the win!Unrelated to the accommodation for a moment: try steaming your own lunch at Jigoku Mushi Kobo Kannawa in Beppu. Memorable, fun, and best of all - flavorsome!When we visited Beppu, we wanted to stay somewhere that was truly relaxing, and opted for Shiosai no Yado Seikai. This modern ryokan has an extremely convenient location - it’s a 15-minute taxi ride from JR Beppu Station if you’re visiting via public transport, or around a 15-minute drive from the Beppu Interchange on the Oita Expressway. When you arrive you’re given tea and some traditional sweets as the check-in process is completed, and then a staff member will escort you to your room.Spacious rooms with Beppu Bay views!The room we picked had western style bedding - although you can opt for rooms with futon bedding if you’d prefer. There was also a living area, small kitchenette, balcony, and a tatami floored sitting room - it was incredibly spacious compared to what we’d come to expect from some Japanese accommodation spots. The balcony onsen was a large rectangular one, which allowed us both the space to lay down and submerge ourselves - it was actually a lot more relaxing this way!The onsen here was large enough for two adults to fully lay down.As for the food here, the most memorable dish was the Oita Wagyu. While perhaps not as well known as some of Japan’s other wagyu beef varieties (such as Kobe Beef), this was excellent. Melt-in-your-mouth good! There were a number of seafood dishes in the dinner course menu as well, given the ryokan’s location by the water, but the beef was unforgettable.Unforgettable, melt in your mouth Oita WagyuTo book a stay at Shiosai no Yado Seikai, visit the English language version of their website here.For a smaller city urban getawayThe Westin, SendaiI’m a big fan of smaller-sized cities. You get all of the conveniences of a built-up urban area, without as much of the stress when it comes to crowds, traffic, and finding parking. Last year on a whim we decided to drive up to Sendai to coincide with the Tanabata Matsuri, which is Japan’s largest tanabata festival. There were vacancies at The Westin, which ended up being the perfect home base for our urban getaway.The luxe lobby elevator area at the Westin in SendaiThere are a few reasons why our stay here was so great, but a significant one was the gorgeous view we had. The hotel is set up on the 28th to the 36th floors of Sendai’s highest building, so you’re guaranteed a good view from whatever room you’re assigned. We originally booked a moderate king room, but upon arrival the staff member at check in upgraded us to a superior king room for free. It had more space than the room we’d picked, and a larger bathroom area - so it already started our trip out on a wonderful note.The room The Westin in Sendai was spacious, exceptionally clean, and had lovely views out over Sendai's greenery.We opted for a room service dinner after we’d had a busy day of exploring, and the food was great - I had salmon and soba noodles, and my husband opted for a club sandwich. Obviously, as can be expected for room service the prices were higher than a restaurant in the surrounding area would be, but for a relaxing dinner it was hard to beat.The teriyaki salmon with soba noodles and greens, The Westin, SendaiThe fact that the hotel is located in such a walkable spot also makes it a great getaway spot. Even if you’re visiting the area via public transport, you won’t really need a cab - the hotel is only 10 minutes on foot from JR Sendai Station. It’s also a 20 minute stroll away from Zuihoden Temple, and there are plenty of shopping streets in the surrounding area.Unfortunately, the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri for 2020 was cancelled, but the city still has plenty to offer. However, if you do have a chance to visit for the festival in the future I highly recommend it - the atmosphere is really special and the decorations are impressive to see first-hand. To book a stay at the Westin Sendai, visit their website here.What are your favorite domestic accommodation spots? Let us know in the comments below!Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wmjdg-livingSat, 19 Sep 2020 12:20:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wmjdg-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GWOYe-living_familylifeAs any parent knows, there are a myriad of physical milestones which are measured in children. Basically from the minute your little ones are born, there are assessments made on their height, their weight, whether they're growing as they should be - you get the drift. Something that perhaps isn't given the focus and importance it deserves during childhood is mental health, but I do think that is slowly changing.The reason I was prompted to think about this topic was after seeing a report online on children’s health and well being conducted by UNICEF. The "Worlds of Influence Report" looked at various health indicators including mental well being, the skills necessary for children to be healthy, and physical fitness. Drilling down further into those categories, mental well being was measured by life satisfaction and child suicide rates, essential skills for children's well being was measured by reading and math skills and a child’s ability to make friends, and physical health was measured by the rates of overweight and obese children and child mortality rates.How this impacts us, as expatsOften, parents make decisions on where to live based on how healthy their children can be. Factors like opportunities for education, the ability to connect with the great outdoors, and feeling safe and secure are all considerations that can impact expat's decisions to raise their children here in Japan as opposed to elsewhere in the world. Reports like these can be helpful in determining things that Japan does well, things that Japan needs to improve upon, and areas that we as parents may need to pay more attention to.The full UNICEF Worlds of Influence report can be read at the following link, but here are some of the interesting points pertaining to life in Japan for children that may be worth considering.*It is worth noting that this study only polled 41 OECD and EU countries - and these nations are regarded as wealthy nations. The report doesn’t take into account the unique struggles faced by children in less well off countries.Japan: healthy kids, on the surface levelAcross the various measures, Japan came in at 20th position out of the 41 countries polled - not bad, but not exactly fighting it out for top spot. The breakdown of the categories helps to shed more light on how Japan fares overall for children’s health. Japan’s children took first place for physical health, with a big part of that being that only 14% of children aged between 5 and 19 years old were classed as overweight or obese. Compare that to the United States which reported 42% of children in those categories, and you can see the chasm between the two. However, as the report indicates, it’s not just physical health that constitutes a healthy child.While Japan's children performed very well on overweight and obesity rates in UNICEF's Worlds of Influence Report, the same cannot be said about measures of mental health and happiness with life.Making friends as a child in Japan: not as easy as child’s playOutside of the physical health measure, one of the other components in UNICEF's Worlds of Influence Report seen as essential to childhood health is the ability to make friends. As social beings, humans are hardwired to seek out friends, and that’s perhaps even more apparent in the childhood and adolescent years when we’re trying to find our place and make sense of the world around us.Data obtained from a survey of fifteen year olds in these OECD / EU countries found that in Japan, only 69% of 15 year olds felt it was easy to make friends - the second lowest performing nation on the list. The report also notes that when children have been specifically asked about what impacts their well being, they mention their relationships are of paramount importance. Survey findings also back this up, showing that positive relationships with family, with peers, and at school are linked with higher well being scores overall. When it’s difficult to make friends and form connections with others, it’s no wonder that there is a disconnect with overall life satisfaction - and Japan's children came in close to the bottom there, too, with only 62% of 15 year olds reporting high life satisfaction. The Netherlands took out top spot for that category, with 90% of 15 year olds feeling highly satisfied with their lives.How easy is it for children to make friends in Japan? Maybe it's easier at the elementary school age, but for 15 year olds, UNICEF's Worlds of Influence Report saw almost one in three respondents saying it was hard to form relationships with others.Bullying and mental healthThere is also the concern over bullying in Japan. The report notes that bullying has a significant correlation with overall well being, life satisfaction, and mental health - often so much so that the detrimental effects extend well into adulthood. Many sources outside this UNICEF report speak about Japanese schools as being hotbeds for bullying, and the contribution this has to things like youth suicide. In fact, instead of decreasing, bullying just seems to be on the rise in Japan, despite legislation passed in 2013 which was designed to help stamp it out.Of course, there's also the issue that the number of documented cases are only the ones which are being reported - there are undoubtedly many more where the bullying victim(s) are fearful to come forward, perhaps for fear of additional retribution, perhaps because of concerns that nothing will be done about it - the list goes on.Despite anti bullying legislation passed in 2013, the number of bullying cases in Japan continues to rise annually. Is it simply because of better reporting, or are there truly more instances of it? Either way, it has a significant impact on the mental health of children in Japan.Why do some countries perform better (or worse) than others on measures of children’s health?The UNICEF report also looks into the reasons why some countries perform better than others on measures of children’s health. One of the main reasons suggested was because of social policies that support children’s well being, such as paid parental leave. This immediately made me think of how leave is viewed across many parts of Japanese society - there's often the mindset that even if you are entitled to take leave, you’re letting coworkers down if you do, since they may have to cover additional tasks. Other reports on those who take things like parental leave in Japan have seen them negatively targeted by bosses, denied any upward movement in a company, or even let go from their positions- not exactly a shining testimony on the benefits of taking it!Japan's paid parental leave looks good on paper, but in actuality many find it not so easy to take. This can have an impact on the health and well being of children.How do you think that the health of children could be improved in Japan? Does there need to be more of a governmental approach to things like bullying, enforcing that people use their paid leave without repercussions, and so forth?For those who are raising children in Japan, what positives or negatives do you have to say about your experiences with their overall health and well being?Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GWOYe-living_familylifeTue, 15 Sep 2020 12:07:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GWOYe-living_familylifehttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/w5ne9-living_familylifeRecently on City-Cost, there have been glimpses into a couple of global living studies which feature Japan, including the Mercer Cost of Living Index and the World Happiness Report. Another measure which was recently published is the Raising a Family Index, which ranks 35 OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries on factors which pertain to raising a family. The index looked at 30 different fields that play into child-rearing, which were applied to 6 main categories - Safety, Happiness, Cost, Health, Education, and Time.I was initially drawn to this study because it was published in the New York Post with an attention-grabbing headline: the US ranked poorly as somewhere to be raising a family. With my husband being from the US and my children holding US passports, it’s likely we may end up back there in the future. However, I was also curious to see how Japan ranked on the list, and whether raising a family here was seen as more or less favorable than other OECD nations. Of the 35 countries, Japan came in at 25th - but it’s the individual sections that may yield the most information about raising a family in Japan. Each section was given a letter grade from A to F, and some of Japan's results may surprise you.SAFETYThe measures which were included under the heading of safety in the Raising a Family Index were homicide rates per 100,000 people, the Global Law & Order Index, the Global Peace Index, the Number of School Shootings per 1 million people, and data on Human Rights.Japan’s grade: A-Speaking from a personal vantage point, I definitely feel safer here compared to my home country of Australia or my husband’s native US. Part of the reason I am hesitant to move to the US is because of things like school shootings - one of the factors in the safety category - which aren’t something I’ve even considered as a possibility here. On a general family level, we’ve never worried about things like house or car break ins, minor theft, or even worrying about lost property.This article from the BBC gives some insight into why Japan is so successful at returning lost items - it’s an interesting read, touching on factors like Japan’s collectivist societal structure which prioritizes group cohesion over the needs of the individual.HAPPINESSThe measures used to ascertain a country’s happiness included the Human Freedom Index, the World Happiness Report, data on suicide rates per 100,000 people, LGBTQ+ adoption recognition laws, and the distribution of family income equalities.Japan’s grade: FJapan's performance on the 2020 World Happiness Report wasn't too cheerful, coming in at 62nd spot. The report focuses on various elements that seem to correlate with happiness, including things like proximity to nature. With such a large part of Japan's population living in built up urban areas, this could play into some of the unhappiness. Pair it with the long working hours that Japan is known for, and it can be difficult to find time to connect with green space. Suicide in Japan is also seen as a societal issue, and formen aged from 20-44it's actually the leading cause of death. With the mean age of first-time fathers in Japan being right about in the middle of that age demographic, it certainly presents some cause for concern.COSTThe cost category of the Raising a Family Index was measured by the percentage of household income spent on childcare costs, data on the public spending on family benefits by percentage of a nation’s GDP, the Private spending on education from primary to tertiary by percent of GDP, the out-of-pocket health spending in dollars (USD) per capita, and the Purchasing Power Index, which measures cost of living vs. monthly income.Japan’s grade: FThis one came as something of a surprise to me, since my husband and I spend significantly less raising our children here in Japan than we would in our countries of origin. The cost of childcare is very reasonably priced - back home we’d be paying close to one full time wage to have our children in a pre-school setting. We also get family payments several times a year which assist greatly in the usual costs of raising a child like clothing, shoes, and educational activities. Our cost of living in Japan, even with my husband being a student, is manageable - this is possibly due to the fact we live in the countryside, though. In Tokyo it would be nigh impossible to live on our current household budget based on rent costs alone.HEALTHA nation’s health was measured by their maternal mortality rate, their under five child mortality rate, the Unmet demand for family planning by percentage of women aged 15-49 (basically, women who wish to stop or delay having children but aren’t able to access birth control easily), the percentage of the population exposed to air pollution above acceptable WHO limits, data on the world’s most polluted countries, and figures on life expectancy at birth.Japan’s grade: DI know many of you may be thinking along the same lines as I was when I first saw this letter grade - what?! I was of the understanding that Japan was a pretty healthful nation - after all, the life expectancy here is the world’s highest (84.6 years as of 2019), there’s an extremely low maternal mortality rate, and air pollution rates aren’t really any cause for concern. The big health let down was the gender gap. Japan ranked 121st out of 153 listed countries when it came to gender inequality, with 20% of women not having the access to family planning that they would want. Compare that figure to Iceland, who are often at the top of the list for many quality of life studies. They didn’t even rank with a percentage figure on that scale because everyone who wants birth control can easily get it.EDUCATIONThe education category in the Raising a Family Index was measured by enrollment rates across different age groups, alongside reading, mathematics, and science performance.Japan’s grade: AJapan’s education system is often lauded worldwide, with particularly positive feedback on the fact that there’s little difference in education between the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy. Others though, have a not so rosy view of the Japanese education system. Many of the negative commentary on education here is that it has a focus on assimilation, meaningless rules, and blind acceptance of figures in authoritarian positions. In contrast, back home in Australia there tends to be more of a focus on critical thinking, and it's seen as something that inspires confidence, and the ability to solve problems autonomously.TIMETime was measured in the index by the yearly hours worked per employee, paid maternity and paternity leave in weeks, information on paid sick leave policies, and minimum paid annual leave amounts.Japan’s grade: FThis one didn’t surprise me at all - the societal expectations for long working hours and minimal leave taking are obviously at odds with how easy it is to enjoy family time and have some semblance of a work-life balance. When my husband was working in a traditional Japanese office environment, his hours were extremely long and included after work enkai events regularly. I can’t imagine how difficult that would have been if we’d had children at that point in time! This article speaks of a 33 year old engineer’s experience with taking annual leave, with this rather depressing direct quote:“I don’t want my manager to be saying anything bad about me because I took the day off. It is easier to just work rather than them saying bad things about me or being told off.”How do you find raising a family in Japan? If you’ve been a parent in multiple countries other than Japan, how do you find them in comparison?Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/w5ne9-living_familylifeFri, 31 Jul 2020 11:26:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/w5ne9-living_familylifehttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/z42mk-livingIt goes without saying that where you live can really impact your overall happiness. There are the big things to consider on the happiness scale ⁠like safety and the cost of living, right through to smaller factors ⁠— maybe for you it’s whether you have access to your favorite coffee chain or other amenities nearby. People’s location-based happiness is of such interest that a World Happiness Report actually exists - and it measures 156 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be. You can read the 2020 report in full at the following link, but as expats I think it poses some particularly interesting questions - one of the main ones being “would you be happier in Japan, or back in your home country?”The focus of the 2020 World Happiness ReportIn the 2020 edition of the World Happiness Report, there were three main factors considered in what makes us happy: our social, urban, and natural environments. The social component of happiness focuses heavily on having someone to count on, having a sense of freedom to make key life decisions, generosity, and trust. Urban happiness is quite an interesting measure - it centers around the happiness levels from cities around the world, and compares that with how happy rural and regional dwellers are. The natural environment element of happiness is based on factors like environmental pollutants, closeness to green spaces, noise levels, and weather conditions.Japan’s standing on the World Happiness ReportOn the World Happiness Report for 2020, Japan sits in 62nd spot. As a comparison, my passport home country of Australia is in 12th spot. Japan actually slid a few places on the report this year - the 2019 report had Japan sitting in 58th position. It’s interesting to consider that when Japan ranks so highly on a range of other measures (12th out of 187 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index, 6th out of 144 countries on the Global Peace Index, and 2nd for life expectancy), that happiness seems to lag behind.Expat life in Japan and social happinessAs expats, we’ve all experienced the need to create new support networks and people to rely on. Uprooting your life and transplanting it somewhere else can be difficult - but finding a group of folks we can trust is essential to overall happiness. Making friends can happen organically, perhaps through work or hobbies, but there are also specific groups designed for the purpose of connecting with others. One look at a site like MeetUp shows groups like Tokyo International Friends, Tokyo Make Friends MeetUp, and Shinagawa International Friends - plus a plethora of interest-based groups for everything from yoga to badminton and even craft beer appreciation. These can be a good place to start if you’re looking at increasing your levels of connection and social happiness.In more regional and rural areas, I’ve found that MeetUp isn’t used quite as much, but local events are still often posted on Facebook. In my rural Niigata town, we have a Facebook group where posts are made about everything from local fun runs and hikes to car sharing trips to the beach - and more. It’s worth checking to see if there’s anything like that in your area to make connections. If there’s not, you could always be the initiator! Another good spot to check for social events is your city office. In Minamiuonuma our city office has event info and details for social activities and classes, including Japanese language lessons. Pop in to yours, and check out what’s potentially available for you.Urban happiness versus rural and regional happiness - is city life worth it in Japan?Alongside the World Happiness Report which compiles happiness levels from across the globe, some research has been conducted within Japan on happiness levels across the 47 prefectures. The most recent compilation took place in 2018, where the happiest prefecture was Fukui, of all places - which is in 43rd place when it comes to population. Perhaps even more interesting was the fact that Fukui came in first for happiness in the last three surveys on this topic.There are obviously a host of variables that can impact a person’s happiness if they’re living in a city or in the countryside. Some people simply prefer the hustle and bustle of urban life, whereas others would rather be close to nature. Cost of living differences in urban and rural areas, job opportunities, commute times, and access to enriching activities are just some of the factors that can impact how enjoyable it is to live somewhere. Having personally experienced both urban and rural living in Japan, I can say that either option has pros and cons (like most situations in life!) and it’s hard for me to pick a winner. In Tokyo, we had access to just about everything we needed, there was a truly cosmopolitan atmosphere, it was easier to make friends, and there were far more job opportunities available. Conversely though, the cost of living was far higher, and to really feel like we got a break from urban life we’d have to travel outside the prefecture. In Niigata, we have so much open space in the local area, our produce comes direct from people we know, we’re friendly with our neighbors, and despite it not being as easy to make close friends, the overall sense of community is greater. On the flip side of all that good stuff, it can often feel isolating here in the winter months, there aren’t as many options for entertainment or international foods, and our choices for rental properties have been extremely limited. It would be hard to determine in which situation I was happier, but in Niigata we have much more quality family time as a result of less work pressures - which is definitely nice. Natural happiness: how far are you from open space?It was the famous poet and novelist Sylvia Plath who wrote “I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, “This is what it is to be happy.” She had a point, too. The correlation between green space and happiness has been a point of interest for researchers for some time now. There has been research conducted in the UK where the findings clearly indicated that participants in the study were happier in natural environments, and other research extends that to people being even more happy if the open space they were in was particularly scenic. Further research says that it’s often less about the green spaces themselves, but more about the social connections that come from those places. Also, if a green space isn’t clean or is hard to access, then it’s not going to have those happiness-boosting qualities. You may think that green space refers to specific parkland, but some research argues that happiness can even be gained from green spaces like street trees, golf courses, or riverbank areas.Autumn in neighboring Echigo Yuzawa is stunning - it definitely fits the image of scenic spots making you feel happier! Data is available online which lists cities by their percentages of green space, and as of 2015 Tokyo had 7.50% of its land designated as green space. That doesn’t sound too bad, but when you look at other cities on the list such as Finland’s capital of Helsinki (40% green space), Oslo in Norway (68% green space), and Vienna in Austria (45.50% green space) - all of which made it into the Top 10 on the World Happiness Report - it seems that higher levels of green space could help Japan, too.Research suggests higher amounts of green space in a city seem to correlate with increased levels of happiness. Small urban parks in Tokyo often could do with a bit more green.How happy do you feel in Japan - and is there a noticeable difference in your happiness since you’ve resided here compared to when you’ve lived elsewhere in the world? How do you think you fare in the categories of social, urban, and natural happiness in your corner of the country?Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/z42mk-livingTue, 30 Jun 2020 10:51:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/z42mk-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MAqj9-howmuchJapan often gets pegged with the reputation of being a highly expensive place to live, and Tokyo in particular is viewed as one of the world’s most costly cities. For the past 26 years, a survey has been conducted by Mercer, the leading provider of data on cost of living and housing for employees sent to work abroad (helpful for us expats!), and several of Japan’s largest urban areas feature highly on the list.Mercer’s Cost of Living 2020 Survey measures the comparative cost of more than 200 items in various cities across the globe, including categories like housing, transportation, food, clothing, household goods, and entertainment. For transparency’s sake, New York City is used as the “base” for all comparisons, and currency fluctuations are pegged against the U.S. Dollar.Where do Japan’s cities fall on the 2020 Mercer report?Perhaps coming as no surprise, Tokyo appears close to the top of the list in third place, beaten out only by Hong Kong and Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. This was actually something of an improvement for Japan - the 2019 cost of living report had Tokyo in second place. Other Japanese cities featured in this year's report include Osaka in 22nd place (an improvement from 19th last year) and Nagoya in 26th place (they jumped up from 33rd spot last year).As many may have expected, Tokyo featured highly on Mercer's annual Cost of Living Survey this year. Pic Credit: Prcmise / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY SA 3.02020 as a unique year for cost of living assessmentsMercer noted that there were some unique factors playing into cost of living assessments this year, courtesy of the impact of COVID-19 even very early on in 2020. Exchange rates have been volatile, and other coronavirus related impacts such as flight disruptions and shortages based on delivery schedules have affected the price of goods and services around the globe. Interestingly, the coronavirus also saw certain spending categories skyrocket, including comfort foods and cleaning supplies.COVID-19 has been affecting various realms of life in 2020, including the cost of living around the globe. It's also had an impact on purchasing habits. Pic Credit: CDC / CC BY SA 3.0 What do the stats say about living in Tokyo?If you’re planning a move to Japan, taking a look at the statistics on City-Cost can help you gauge what average incomes and expenditures look like. For example, in Tokyo, the average monthly income is 649,167 yen (just over $6,000 USD) with an average expenditure of 439,702 (around $4,115 USD). If you're based in Tokyo, is this on par with what you're bringing in each month?Cost of living versus minimum wageOne thing that’s important to take into consideration when it comes to cost of living is wages - and in particular, a location’s minimum wage. Some expats in Japan work for international companies and receive housing allowances (or their companies pay for their housing entirely) - so maybe they don't provide an accurate representation of what it’s like to truly live on the economy somewhere. If we base the cost of living on minimum wage, it’s a little easier to see how it can be difficult for the average person to live in Tokyo.Omotesando, one of Tokyo's ritziest and most central areas, has high rent costs. The minimum wage as of 2020 in Tokyo stands at 985 yen. Minimum wage in Japan is set by prefecture, so as expected Tokyo sits in first place, Osaka comes in at number 2 with a minimum wage of 936 yen, and Aichi (where Nagoya is located) is fourth with a minimum wage of 898 yen. When I compare that to my home country of Australia, it seems rather imbalanced. Australia works off a national minimum wage, which is currently set at $19.49 AUD - or approximately 1,430 yen at the time of writing, give or take a little to account for currency fluctuations. Yes, Australia is definitely up there as an expensive country to live in compared to many, but our highest city on this year’s cost of living survey is Sydney at number 66. Melbourne is next at number 99, closely followed by Perth at 104 and Canberra at 118. When converted, Australia’s minimum wage is almost 500 yen over Tokyo’s though - it seems like there’s a bit of a discrepancy there.A big part of how easy it is to live somewhere is how much you can earn there. Tokyo’s minimum wage of 985 yen per hour doesn’t seem like all that much when compared to other countries with a cheaper cost of living.Costs that expats have to bear in JapanWith any international move there are a host of expenses, both expected and unexpected -- but living in Japan has some unique costs that may not be faced when residing in other parts of the world. For instance, I know a number of expats who can't buy clothing or shoes on the economy here, since they're either too tall, have feet that are too large, or don't fit Japan's range of clothing sizes. A size medium in Australia equates to an extra large (or higher) in Japan, and most women's shoes here stop at LLL, which is around the equivalent of a US size 8.5. This means that folks outside the Japanese standard sizes usually order clothing from back home, and wear the costs of shipping fees along with import fees and taxes depending on the value of their purchases.Japan has some unique cost of living expenses that many expats deal with - for instance, finding clothes or shoes that fit on the economy can be difficult. Pic Credit: 運転太郎 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY SA 3.0But is Tokyo really as expensive as reports would have you believe?I think most expats would say that it really is a case of, “it is what you make of it." Personally, I lived in Tokyo for four years before moving to the Niigata countryside. Prior to Japan, I lived in Las Vegas in the USA, and Melbourne in Australia. In Tokyo, rent was the main expense that seemed drastically higher than other places for what you would get - centrally located places are much smaller than any of the other cities I’ve lived in. In saying that, other expenses were much cheaper. A quick example of this would be a family outing to the zoo. Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo has an admission fee of 600 yen per adult, and children aged between 0 - 12 years are free. Compare that to Melbourne Zoo, which has an admission fee of $38 AUD for adults (approximately 2,850 yen) and $19 AUD (approximately 1,400 yen) for children aged 4 to 15 years on weekdays - they only get free admission on weekends. You can see that Tokyo wins hands down in that regard, and I’ve found the same to be true of aquariums, museums, and a range of other family-friendly activities. If you live in Tokyo (or Osaka, or Nagoya), how do you find the cost of living compared to what you’re used to in your home country? Are there certain categories which seem much more expensive or much cheaper - and which are they? Also - how does your country’s minimum wage compare to Japan’s figures?Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MAqj9-howmuchWed, 24 Jun 2020 11:47:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MAqj9-howmuchhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GQoYZ-livingMy family and I have lived in Japan now for the better part of a decade, and three of those have been in a small countryside town in the mountains of Niigata. Before that we lived in metropolitan Tokyo, but being outside an urban area in Japan can present some unique challenges for expats.If you’re considering moving to the Japanese countryside, whether it be for work, family, study, or another reason entirely, here are some important points that we’ve had to consider.SchoolingThis is something pertinent to those who are moving to Japan with children - if you’re moving to a more rural area of Japan, you will need to consider the schooling options for them. In urban areas like Tokyo, there are a number of international schools like ASIJ (American School in Japan) or the New International School of Japan, but many of these international school options have tuition fees that are on par with what you’d expect to pay for a university education. In most rural communities, your schooling options are going to be in Japanese only. That hasn’t been an issue for us with our children still being quite young, but if you have older children you will have to take that into consideration - the transition can be much harder for obvious reasons.Another point to consider about schooling options is whether or not your intent is to be in Japan permanently or short-term. If your spouse is Japanese, for instance, you may plan to make Japan your home base - in which case, it naturally makes sense for your children to be fluent in Japanese. If your time here is short-term and you will eventually end up back in an English speaking country, you’ll need to consider the logistics of what schooling options are available - and how your child will keep up with their English to be on-par with what would be expected back home.HousingFirst things first: Japanese housing, as many are already aware, is significantly smaller than that which many foreigners moving to Japan may be used to. Secondly, though, when moving to the Japanese countryside you will likely be faced with substantially less choice than in urban areas with the homes available. When we moved from Tokyo to Niigata, we saw three different realtors in the area we were moving to, who had literally two properties to show us. We have a dog, so that also limited our choice - some additional properties would have been available but we needed a pet-friendly option. The first property we saw was shoebox level tiny, but the realtor seemed to think it was absolutely feasible for a family of four (plus our pup!) to live there. The second place we saw was a 6DK that we ended up going for, so whilst space isn’t an issue, there are still some difficulties. It’s an older house, probably built in the 70’s, and the house doesn’t have any insulation at all. It’s expensive to heat in winter, and we live in "snow country" so it gets c-o-l-d. Then the reverse problem: it’s nigh impossible to get it feeling cool in summer, apart from the two rooms that have air-conditioning. Fans can only do so much! Be prepared for limited options being a distinct possibility, and for housing standards to be different.Medical appointments and access to medical facilitiesAnother factor that can present challenges to countryside living in Japan is access to medical facilities and navigating appointments. In Tokyo, there are a multitude of GP clinics and even specialists that operate in English. I had no trouble finding appointments with doctors, dentists, OB/Gyns and even gastrointestinal specialists in the city. The countryside is a different story. My dentist, for instance, speaks enough English for us to get by, but the dental assistants don't, so when they are doing my regular cleanings there's a lot for me that ends up lost in translation. Yes, this is my own fault for not being more proficient in Japanese, but it is something for those without a strong foundation in Japanese to keep in mind. From where I live in Niigata, it's easy enough to commute to Tokyo for anything that can be scheduled in advance, but it's important to consider potential emergency situations. We live only five minutes from Uonuma Kikan, a large hospital in Niigata, which we're thankful for - but most of the staff only speak Japanese. Again, we expect this, and don't expect to be catered to in English, but just be prepared for sometimes getting through things courtesy of Google Translate.Work options for yourself or your spouse/significant otherIt's likely that if you're moving to the Japanese countryside, that you already have a job lined up - and if you do, fantastic! We moved out here for my husband to complete some higher education and he had a student stipend to cover most of our major expenses. We still needed to find some work though, and that's another factor which has presented challenges. One thing you may find luck with in regional or rural locations is English tutoring - my husband runs a regular class with a group each week. I managed to get a small part-time position with a travel company after writing content for their website and being involved with a few other freelance projects for them. Some of the other international students or their spouses here work for a local food production factory, which involves packing different processed meals. No Japanese is required for those roles, so it's convenient for folks who may not have a native-level grasp on the language which is required for so many roles. Carefully consider your finances and a budget before moving to the Japanese countryside, and where possible, ask someone locally about costs. I had no idea that heating and cooling our house would be so expensive, for example, and that really threw us for a loop.Local activities for enrichment and connection with othersWhat are your hobbies and interests, and how is countryside living going to be conducive to those? My family and I love traveling, for instance, so we're grateful for countryside life because we've been able to explore a side of Japan that most people wouldn't. We also love reading, but don’t have access to English-language bookstores like we did in Tokyo - but thankfully, ordering online is easy!We have a wonderful international community here in Niigata because of the university here, so we’re not wanting for activities - there are regular things scheduled for particular hobbies (tennis, yoga, soccer, etc), and even events for families which blend a bunch of different cultures together. If the international university wasn’t here, I think the landscape for connecting with others would be quite different, as overall our area has an aging population and not many people at our stage of life. Most of our neighbors are older than my parents, and their own children have all packed up and moved to the city. Think of the life stage you’re at when you consider your move to the Japanese countryside, and what you need in order to feel enriched on a social level. Don’t forget: if you do move to a rural location, you could always be the one to start local events, too!Access to daily life requirements: food, clothing, etc.I don’t really like Japanese food (I know, I know), so living in a countryside location presents some challenges there. In Tokyo, I could have Italian one night, Mexican another, Indian the next...you get the drift. You have access to just about every cuisine your heart could desire in a big city, or access to international supermarkets for ingredients to recreate them - albeit at a price! In our neck of the woods here, we don’t have an international supermarket, although our local does have a small range of imported stuff because of the international university. I find that I crave cuisines other than Japanese out here more because I don’t have the ease of access to other cuisines and ingredients that I once did. Of course, Amazon Pantry does have some stuff you can order (like gnocchi - yum!), but you may have to get creative.Another thing I have struggled with here in the countryside is clothing. Thankfully I’m short-ish, so I don’t have problems with the sizes so much as I do Japanese fashion. I’m a fairly basic kind of person, so Uniqlo is my jam, but the nearest one is in Nagaoka - a 45 minute drive away. At our local Aeon, the women’s clothes are very frilly, lacy, and a bit too “girly” for my tastes. If I really want to shop for my own clothes (and try them on in person), I usually go to Niigata City where they have H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, and Gap to choose from. If you’re particularly tall, you may find it a struggle to find what you need, especially with things like footwear. I have size 8 feet and I’m at the upper echelons of shoe sizes here - but that’s the case in the city, too! However, at least in the city you’ve got the ability to visit several stores in the one trip. Countryside living in Japan may have you relegated to just one or two.Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GQoYZ-livingTue, 02 Jun 2020 11:22:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GQoYZ-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MpOWx-livingI don't think I’m eloquent enough to feature on the City-Cost YouTube channel - I’m much more confident writing about my thoughts than speaking them aloud! However, I did want to try and answer the questions that others have been talking about in the interviews about life in Japan in the age of coronavirus. This little guy on one of our morning walks was an unexpected but needed reminder: things will eventually change once again - it's part of life.What is life like under the state of emergency in Niigata?There are ways where things still feel like life as usual - we still go out for walks for exercise, for instance - but in other ways it feels like a whole new world. We used to really enjoy going to Niigata City around once a month since we have annual passes for the aquarium there, and it was a chance to go shopping for anything we needed that wasn’t really available in our small town (clothes, for instance), or enjoy foods we can’t get here. That kind of movement has ceased.I wouldn’t say people are freaking out, but I do think slowly people have realized that yes, it is entirely possible that the virus could end up in our small town. I think the turning point for people’s perceptions was when a case popped up in Nagaoka. We’re about a 45 minute drive from there, but only 12 minutes away on the Shinkansen. That reality seemed to make folks wake up and realize that we’re not in a protective bubble simply because we’re in a countryside location.When do you go out - how often do you go out - and what for? Has anything changed?We grocery shop once a week. We used to do supplemental shops throughout the week for anything we needed, but we’ve limited that. It’s basically a “make do, or do without” attitude for the most part. I’ve also stopped my serial convenience store habit, where I’d often pop in just to take a look at any fun new products on the shelves. Yes, I’m missing my seasonal snacks, but for limiting overall exposure it’s just not worth it. On a positive note, we’re really being mindful of the food we have in the house at any given time, and being creative with re-purposing leftovers. It’s helped our household food budget, without a doubt!How has the current situation affected your work environment? How do you check in with your boss/colleagues?I was already working from home, so that side of things hasn’t been affected. I already had everything I needed to work effectively from here, but I have noticed that it’s been hard on some colleagues who were used to an office environment - they’ve ultimately been thrown in at the deep end and had to learn to swim. We use a number of online programs to check in with colleagues daily, and it’s made me think about just how lucky we are to have the internet in a time like this. Imagine what it would have been like 30 years ago if we went through a pandemic! I’m personally thankful that so many people still have jobs because they can do most of their work from home.Has the current situation affected work hours? Overtime, etc,?My job is only part time, and I make a point of sticking to my hours - perhaps it’s the foreigner in me, but I don’t agree with unpaid overtime. In saying that, I do feel like the pace of work has been quite frenetic of late, and we just seem busier. Not sure why - I’ve thought about whether focusing on work may actually be a coping mechanism for some people, since it gives a semblance of normalcy.What are your thoughts regarding Japanese society's response to the effects of coronavirus?I feel like it’s hard to criticize a government as a foreigner, as there are always people who’ll say stuff like “well, if you don’t like it, go home!” - but I think outside critique is also helpful, so here we are. I don’t think it’s been handled very well at all, particularly in the initial stages. When Japanese citizens were first flown back from Wuhan on charter flights, there were people who refused to be tested on their return. I’m not a politician or legal expert by any means, but I figured that there should have been some agreement before the plane left the ground in Wuhan that testing and quarantine would be mandatory once they returned to Japanese soil. They eventually amended their policy for that to be the case, but my personal feeling is that Japan tends to react, rather than be proactive to situations. I also feel like testing hasn’t been very rigorous at all here in comparison to other countries, and that may be why compared to some places the numbers here seem relatively low.How has it been as a foreigner trying to get information about the coronavirus?We’re fortunate in our local area that we have a Facebook group where Japanese speaking citizens translate news information for those of us who don’t speak the language confidently. I think if I didn’t have that source, I’d feel a little more out of the loop. Of course, there are English language resources like NHK World and the Japan Times, but I think most official government resources are translated into English, Chinese, and Korean only. I don’t know how I’d be feeling if I was here with limited knowledge of Japanese, and my native tongue was different than the main ones covered.How are you killing time and staying occupied during this period?Ha! I have kids! There’s no need to worry about staying occupied, it’s more a question of “how do I not die of exhaustion!”. In all seriousness though, staying busy has been relatively easy. We’ve been cooking together more, we’ve been watching movies and TV shows (but I gave up after one episode of Tiger King!), I’ve still had work to focus on, and my husband has been working on his Ph.D dissertation. We just really miss exploring outside of our local area, and that’s been the hardest part overall - feeling limited with what we can do.What’s the first thing you plan to do once this is all over?Oh, so many things! I’ve actually been writing a list as a way to keep focused on the light at the end of the tunnel after life returns to normal again. I want to travel more, and a family trip to Kyushu to see the prefectures we still have on our list is a goal. We have always loved exploring, so that’s naturally a big component of the list right now. I want to go get my hair done, and a manicure and pedicure, just to feel good - these weeks of leggings and hoodies don’t really have me feeling very glamorous at all. Most of all though, I actually want to be surrounded by crowds, and I’m not a crowds person at all. I just want to catch the Shinkansen to Tokyo, head to Harajuku, and embrace the insanity that is Takeshita Dori on a weekend. It’s funny how not being able to connect with other humans really makes you crave it - that’s probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned during this crazy time.Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MpOWx-livingTue, 12 May 2020 10:39:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MpOWx-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zKP1R-living_money_howmuchTo call the start of 2020 a roller coaster is probably pretty on point - it started out on a high with such enthusiasm and excitement for what lay ahead, but it's had some stomach-churning, high-speed drops since. As a family, we're also finding it to be a bit of a roller coaster ride for our finances, too -- we're saving money in some aspects of life, but spending more in others. Here is a rundown of the ways we're saving our yen, and the ways we're blowing it amid these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic.The declaration of a global pandemic has had some noticeable impacts on our finances here in Japan - both good and bad.The ways we are saving money We're making one consolidated grocery shop a week, and sticking to it.We're in quite proximity to our small local supermarket, Farmers Market, a 7-11, and a Lawson - they're all within about a 10 to 15 minute walk. This is great for convenience, but also has us popping in and buying impulsively under normal day-to-day circumstances. The current global climate with the COVID-19 pandemic has turned all of that on its head though, and we're really trying to minimize the number of unnecessary outings we make. Right now, we go to the supermarket once a week, when previously it would have been around every second day. We wouldn't have thought twice about popping into the konbini to just grab a single loaf of bread if we'd run out, which would then end up seeing a new Pocky flavor, can of coffee, or potato chip variety thrown into our basket too. That's not happening anymore, and we're seeing some significant savings. We're also getting much more creative with using what we have on hand, and eating leftovers rather than cooking entirely new meals. It's given us real impetus to think about food waste more.Supermarket shopping has turned into a focused, speed-sport for us. Also, since the coronavirus situation became a concern, our local supermarket has been covering their products like inari zushi, tempura, and korokke.We're avoiding dining out at restaurants and cafesIt's no secret that an easy way to save money in Japan is to avoid eating out at restaurants and cafes. A 500 yen fancy coffee sounds fantastic right about now, but in the current climate we're just not risking trips to spaces where lots of people congregate in close proximity, and restaurants and cafes often fit that description. I am a little worried about some of our great local eateries that may be struggling for business during these times - and I'm hoping they make it through despite the external pressures they're facing. I may actually have to get my husband to call some of our favorites and see if they can do takeout orders to try and support them. After all, we want to be safe but we also want to make sure that others in our community are able to maintain their livelihoods, too.Less eating out at local restaurants has meant savings for our household - but hopefully not at the cost of people's livelihoods.We've cut out activities that involve being around large groups of people, which usually come at a costOur activities in the past few weeks since COVID-19 blew up in Japan have involved fresh air or activities that take place within the walls of our own home. Thankfully in Niigata getting fresh air and maintaining social distancing is an easy option, and something we enjoyed pre-coronavirus too. What we're avoiding are places like indoor play centers, arcades, bowling, museums, aquariums, and so forth - which also usually come with an admission fee. We miss those forms of entertainment, but it's been helpful from a financial perspective.Staying local means no public transport fares, and minimal petrol expenditureOur town in Niigata is fortunate enough to have a Shinkansen stop despite its small size and because of this we're able to get to Niigata City or Tokyo on the Joetsu line with relative ease. With the ease of it comes some expense, though - a round trip to Tokyo sets me back around 17,000 yen, and to Niigata City it's about 10,000 yen - definitely cheaper than getting to Tokyo, but still quite expensive. Our quest to try and avoid public transport has meant that any city based plans are on hold right now, but my wallet is rejoicing about that.We're even saving on petrol, too, since we're keeping it local lately. We'd usually drive to Niigata City as a family once a month because we have annual passes for the aquarium there, but now we're just staying home.We're avoiding public transport right now, and even staying fairly local - so we have less petrol expenses.Staying home means I can get more work doneSince I work from home, the current climate means I actually have more of an opportunity to get work done. I am really trying to hunker down and be as productive as possible - if I can't do much outside the home, I can still accomplish plenty within it...and earn some additional money at the same time.The ways we are blowing moneyOrdering more on Amazon Japan - particularly for entertainment related purposesYes, we're definitely not being as impulsive with our grocery shopping spending, but we're using Amazon Japan a lot more for random bits and pieces. I find that with keeping the kids away from public places, I'm faced with the sole responsibility of keeping them occupied - so we've bought craft supplies, some extra toys, and some books - things that we probably didn't really need, but thought they'd make this period of time easier and more tolerable for the little ones. Honestly though, my sanity also needed this...occupied kids equals happy parents!Spending more on utilities because we're all at home moreHaving an excuse to stay inside and rug up with a good book or Netflix series all sounds pretty appealing, but there are indirect costs you may not yet be thinking of, like the additional utilities expense that come with being at home. We're spending more right now to keep the rooms in our house at a habitable temperature than we would if we were out and about doing things elsewhere. We're also using more electricity when we're watching movies or charging up our devices.The thing I'm unsure about financially in the future: my primary jobWhile things right now for my work involve maintaining the status quo, I'm unsure about how that will pan out as the weeks and months go on. It's hard to give an estimate of when the coronavirus will settle down - there's talks of a potential vaccine being 12 to 18 months away, but that's still not a guarantee. Working in a travel based industry is quite daunting at the present time, given that there are so many restrictions, quarantines, and cancellations happening. I am also only employed part time, when most of my colleagues are full time. Will my industry be able to weather the storm? Only time will tell.Author: genkidesuHow are you and your loved ones managing financially through these tough times? Are you seeing a pattern of saving more or spending more? How about employment security - is it business as usual for your job or are you faced with reduced hours or taking leave?To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zKP1R-living_money_howmuchTue, 07 Apr 2020 13:08:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zKP1R-living_money_howmuchhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GBqbO-living_medicalWhat started late last year as a novel coronavirus has now exploded into a global pandemic. Those words alone are enough to strike fear into the hearts of most people, but perhaps even more so for expats. We’re living in a country which is different from where we grew up, we may not have a native level understanding of the language, and getting home to our country of origin may be an option which is completely off the table at the current time. This may be extra difficult for those with loved ones who have underlying health conditions or are older in age.In saying all of that, how is Japan doing, from this expat’s perspective, in their management of the current COVID-19 situation? Is the crisis being handled well here in comparison to the rest of the world? And how is the Japanese government doing with their dissemination of information in these times of crisis?Credit: WikipediaTaking a look at the Global Health Security IndexThe Global Health Security Index is a measure which identifies 195 different countries and their levels for preparedness in the event of a pandemic. The data was last updated in 2019, and for some context, the average overall GHS Index score is 40.2 out of a possible 100. That’s higher in wealthier countries, with an average score of 51.9, but overall the data indicates that most countries aren’t very well prepared at all. Not very encouraging!Where does Japan sit on the list, though? You can see the full gamut of statistics at the linkhere, but we fall into the “more prepared” bracket, and overall come in at 21st place out of 195, with an index score of 59.8. My home country of Australia sits at 4th on the preparedness list, with an index score of 75.5.Perhaps a better comparison may be to Japan’s neighbor, South Korea, who sits 9th for global pandemic preparedness, with an overall index score of 70.2.Factors unique to Japan in mitigating or encouraging spreadMany have mentioned the fact that Japan’s culture operates differently to that of many other nations, and some of these factors could be what’s keeping the overall coronavirus case numbers low. A culture of mask wearingI honestly don’t ever recall seeing someone wear a mask in Australia, and if they did you’d be worrying something was seriously wrong with them. This has changed in the current climate - people are wearing them out and about regularly from the coverage I’ve seen and read in the news - but here in Japan it’s a part of everyday life. The World Health Organization says that when dealing with coronavirus, masks are really only necessary when caring for a person with a suspected infection. In saying that though, if many carriers of coronavirus have been asymptomatic, it’s interesting to ponder if the mask-wearing culture is assisting in stopping the spread.A bowing culture, as opposed to close-contact hugs and handshakesThe buzz phrase of the coronavirus crisis has been “social distancing” - so much so that I’m sure it will get the nod as Merriam Webster’s Word of the Year for 2020. Many of us have heard the mantras about avoiding close personal contact, and particularly avoiding things like handshakes. In my home country of Australia, handshakes are ingrained into the culture, and so are hugs. You’ll often do either of those the first time you meet someone (handshakes in a more “workplace” setting, hugs in a more casual one). Here in Japan, I still remember the first time I hugged someone as a “thank you!” for being kind, and she stood there like a statue in abject horror, arms still by her sides. I quickly learned my lesson that culturally, a bow is much more appropriate. In the times of COVID-19, this kind of low-contact greeting or way of saying thank you seems much more in line with social distancing principles, and a way of minimizing contact. This may be one possibility why numbers are still comparatively low here.But wait a minute - what about the trains?! Or *gasp* hanami parties?!For all the things I just said about greetings being done in a low-contact manner, there’s certainly an issue in places that are still seeing large numbers of people congregate in confined spaces. Many places in Japan like museums and theme parks have closed in order to mitigate this kind of close contact, but numerous Tokyo train lines are still packed. Friends I have who ride the Chuo line in the Japanese capital have communicated to me just how shocked they’ve been at the seemingly business-as-usual, laissez-faire attitude people have had being in close proximity to one another. It’s interesting to note though that while regular lines seem to be for the most part business as usual, Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains are feeling the hit - maybe due to less leisure travel at the moment? The Tokaido Shinkansen alone had a 55% drop in passenger numbers for the month of March.Then there’s the other seasonal threat - hanami parties. It seems to be in Japan a case of, “if a tree blooms in a park and I wasn’t there to see it, did it really bloom at all?" Photos have been splashed across social media of people sitting in close proximity on their trademark blue tarpaulins, eating, drinking, and laughing - distancing be damned. Any other year, this would not be cause for concern, but again in this unprecedented time, it seems like people may not be taking the threat seriously enough.This photo isn't from 2020, but folks - SOCIAL DISTANCE is key, and this ain't it.But what has the testing been like in Japan?In comparison to other nations, Japan’s overall COVID testing hasn’t really stacked up. Sources state that testing has only been completed to a sixth of the overall capacity, and you can get a better understanding of just where Japan falls with testing on the graph below.In comparison with many other countries, Japan's testing seems paltry. Do note that this graph is not a complete ordered list of countries - you can add countries to the list on this website to get a more complete picture.Is this lack of testing what’s behind Japan’s low confirmed number of COVID-19 cases compared to other nations? Japan’s population of 126.8 million (as of 2017) is being tested far less rigorously than Australia’s population of 24.6 million.How easy is it to obtain information about COVID-19 in languages other than Japanese?Japan has publicized some information about coronavirus in foreign languages, but the languages are limited to English, Chinese, and Korean. In contrast, in Australia there have been resources about the coronavirus situation translated into a whopping 63 languagesby one national broadcaster. The demand may be higher for such information in Australia - and Japan has a much more homogenous population than Australia does, so it isn't exactly a fair comparison - but I was impressed with the fact that there was a real focus placed on disseminating information that was easy for people to understand back home.Author: genkidesuHow are you feeling about being in Japan during this global pandemic? Do you feel more comfortable here than you would back home? How are your home countries faring in the management of COVID-19?To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GBqbO-living_medicalThu, 02 Apr 2020 10:34:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GBqbO-living_medicalhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wk57Z-livingIn late 2019, most of us were probably looking to 2020 in Japan as a year packed full of opportunity and excitement, with the cherry on top of it all being the Tokyo Olympics set for summer. Instead, three months into the year we are faced with uncertainty, social distancing, and event cancellations as a result of Covid19, or the novel coronavirus. Many of us are spending significantly more time at home away from others right now, in efforts to lessen the spread of the disease and protect the most vulnerable members of our society. Rather than treating the current situation like a jail sentence, I'm trying to reframe it as something that presents a great deal of potential.If you're struggling to find the light in a stressful global time, here are 10 ways to stay positive (and occupy yourself!) if you're practicing social distancing in Japan.Learn a new skillIf you’ve ever wanted to learn a new skill, there’s no time like right now to give it a crack. Maybe you’ve been looking at sharpening your Japanese language capabilities, or learning to braid your child’s hair, or become a master at knitting just like your granny was. There are so many resources you can use online, or even courses you can take, which can help you grow as a person and give this pandemic some positive light.If you haven't had the impetus to focus on learning that new skill, now is your time to shine.Channel your inner Marie Kondo and declutterI like to think of myself as a pretty organized person, but despite that I still have things that build and cause clutter in my house - namely my kids toys that they no longer play with, and clothes they’ve grown out of. I’m using the Covid crisis and subsequent social distancing in Japan as an opportunity to really go through things and feel optimally organized, even if things around me seem uncertain and up in the air. It’s calming my anxious tendencies, and that’s a great thing!Use it as an opportunity to plan for travel you may not feel comfortable doing right nowSpring is probably one of my favorite months of the year to travel in Japan, and for good reason. It’s also such a popular time for international visitors to check out iconic sights like sakura in bloom. In saying that, travel is down, tourist numbers are dropping, and not everyone feels comfortable hopping on the Shinkansen or boarding a flight right now. I’m using the current situation as an opportunity to go gung-ho with our planning for the places we’ve been itching to see, including Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto - the three prefectures I haven’t yet visited. Sure, I might not know exactly when I’m going to be booking those trips, but I’m definitely going to know all the things I want to check out and the places I want to stay at!Catch up with all of your Skype and FaceTime callsStaying inside more than usual can start to wear on a person after a while - particularly for the extroverts among us. It’s the perfect time to catch up with any Skype or FaceTime calls you’ve been meaning to initiate with friends and family back home. Even if you’re practicing social distancing, you can still be social with the help of technology - and you’re likely to lift someone else’s spirits by getting in touch, too. After all, many other countries are also adopting the same methods as Japan and encouraging distance, limiting events and gatherings, and so forth.Exercise!You know what gets those endorphins pumping? Exercise! I don't currently have a gym membership because there simply aren't any of them close by, but if you're practicing social distancing you may not want to work out in a traditional gym atmosphere. There are plenty of free workout options online, or if you live somewhere in Japan with wide open space, it's nice to get out for a walk. The fresh air is good for the soul!Elle Woods from Legally Blonde had it right - exercise = happiness. Not to mention it's an excellent stress reliever!Netflix and chillAnyone else have an ever-growing list of items on their Netflix “must-watch” list? You’re not the only one. You’d have to be rubbing your hands together with glee if you were the CEO of Netflix, knowing that people are limiting things like trips to the movie theater - and social distancing is the ideal environment for a bit of Netflix and Chill. Not in the R-rated sense, either - I'm talking literal Netflix watching and chilling. Although, people are already speculating that in 9 months time, we’re going to have a generation of coronababies from all of this extra time inside.Focus on sustainabilityThe current global climate has also meant I’m thinking more about sustainability. It just takes a quick look at the toilet paper/paper towel/tissue aisle at most supermarkets to make you think about what would really happen if you couldn’t get your hands on those items. After some of my organization and decluttering sprees lately, there have been a number of my kids clothes that have been so well-loved that they’re not in good enough condition to donate - but they’re perfect to cut up into cleaning cloths. Who needs paper towels when you can use what you have on hand!Think like a child and playMany of us have children that are out of school environments right now, and I’ve been more conscious of taking a leaf from their books and just playing. There’s something reassuring about seeing the world through the eyes of the child. They’re more focused on the here and now, rather than the “what if’s” of down the road. Playing trains, building forts, and just enjoying our time together has been uplifting for all of our spirits.Thinking like a child and living in the moment is a lot easier than considering the "what-if's" the future may bring.Spend time on your creative outletsCreativity is a fantastic way to pass the time and feel like you’re achieving something, too. Personally, my creative outlet is writing (a great time to catch up on my City-Cost blogs and reviews!) - but maybe yours is cooking, or drawing, or sewing. Right now would be the perfect time to test out a few new recipes. We’re trying to limit eating out at restaurants and cafes at the moment, so I’m sure we’re going to be cooking up a storm in our kitchen, too. I’m looking forward to some new meals being added to our repertoire!Enjoy some self careOften, experts say that when you take time to practice self care, you feel better mentally - and I agree wholeheartedly. Maybe it’s a long soak in the tub with a bath bomb, or using that sheet mask you purchased and intended to use months ago. It could be creating a nice body scrub from ingredients many of us have in our homes and giving yourself a nice exfoliation. Maybe it’s burning some incense, brewing a cup of tea, and reading a book you’ve been meaning to delve into. With many people feeling stressed about the current situation, remember to treat yourself kindly!One additional note to add is if you have vulnerable people in your community (i.e. we have a number of neighbors in their 70's and 80's), please do check in on them! It may be through a text message or even popping a note in their mailbox to ask if they need anything in this climate of social distancing.Author: genkidesuAre you practicing social distancing in Japan? How are you staying positive while being cooped up indoors? Let us know what you've been up to in the comments.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wk57Z-livingMon, 23 Mar 2020 12:32:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wk57Z-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zKPe1-living_medicalIntroducing a list of English-language mental health services in Japan.Editor's note - Due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus (Covid19) some medical institutions in Japan, including those that offer English-language mental health services and counseling, may have adjusted times of availability and changes to their regular services.It was Mahatma Ghandi who said that “it is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver” - and the man had a legitimate point. Good health is impossible to put a price on, and the importance of our mental health would likely be close to the top of that list. As expats in Japan, this may be the element of our overall health that becomes the hardest to look after, though. We face some unique challenges when we’re not in our home countries: things like homesickness, lack of access to our usual support networks, and the day-to-day challenges of adapting to an entirely different culture being just a few. Mental health care is something that expats often need, but struggle to find - and language barriers are regularly one of the biggest obstacles in seeking care.The mental health challenges expats faceA report produced by Aetna, an international health insurance provider, noted the growing issues surrounding mental health for expats around the globe. Their research findings(with data obtained between 2014 and 2016) saw large growth in the number of depression and anxiety related claims (a 50% increase and 39% increase respectively). Some statistics from the Aetna research paper can be found below -- I’m sure that many of us can tick off a few of those pressure points which cause strain on our lives here in Japan. I've certainly struggled myself with not having the support networks I once did (this was especially pronounced when adapting to life as a new mother), struggles in finding meaningful work, and difficulties with the language.These were some of the top stress generators, or "pressure points" for expats from a research paper commissioned by international insurance company Aetna. How many have you encountered during your years here in Japan?Unlike physical ailments, which can often be understood by way of an x-ray, CT scan, MRI, or a game of charades as a last resort, mental health concerns generally require one key component: ease of communication between the client and the therapist or counselor. When you can’t do that in your native tongue, it makes things substantially more difficult. Thankfully, if you dig around a bit, there are a number of mental health services in Japan provided in English and sometimes other languages.If you’ve been putting off finding a counselor or therapist who speaks your language because it seems too difficult, never fear: we’ve compiled a listing of some English-speaking mental health services in Japan. Some of them also offer services in languages other than English, too!Tokyo and surroundsTokyo Medical and Surgical ClinicMinato-ku, Tokyohttps://tmsc.jp/Situated literally right across the street from Tokyo Tower, the clinic here has both GP’s and a range of specialty clinics, one of which is mental health. There are a number of different providers here that have different specialties, including Colin Coxall, an experienced Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapist who has significant experience here in Japan as well as in the UK. Conveniently, he offers face to face, video, telephone, and text based appointments, which may be useful for those who aren’t in easy proximity to central Tokyo.One thing to keep in mind about Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic is that consultations here are not covered by Japan’s National Health Insurance (JNHI). As this is a clinic that caters mainly to expats, you are able to use your international insurance policy to claim any rebates if that applies to your situation.TELL (Tokyo English Lifeline)https://telljp.com/Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) has been supporting Japan’s international community all the way back to 1973, and they offer a range of English-language mental health services in Japan: free, anonymous and confidential telephone counseling and information, professional face-to-face counseling, and an extensive outreach program.These in search of counseling through TELL also have the ability to chat with a counselor online, for those who may prefer that method of communicating.Tokyo Counseling ServicesSetagaya-ku, Tokyohttp://tokyocounseling.com/english/Tokyo Counseling Services are based in the Japanese capital's Setagaya ward, and has a number of trained psychologists and counselors available, perhaps with the widest range of languages on offer from any mental health practice. Their website currently lists that English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese-language mental health counseling services are available. Fees are determined on a sliding scale depending on individual income.Tohoku RegionTerasse Vue Counselinghttp://terrasse-vue.com/news/need-counselling-in-english/Terasse Vue Counseling, based out of Sendai, might be worth keeping an eye on for those looking for English-language mental health services in Japan's northern regions in the future, although according to a Oct. 2019 update on their website the counseling providers are currently not accepting new clients due to a relocation.Perhaps for the future then, but the counselor here is Canadian certified, handling a wide variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression, trauma, stress, cultural issues, and grief counseling.In the update the people at Terasse Vue point those in need of medical services in English to inquire at Ichibancho Mental Health Clinic (Sendai city). The clinic link is below (although the content appears to be in Japanese-language only)http://www.i-mental-c.jp/index.htmlKansai RegionEnglish Counselling Kansaihttp://www.englishcounselling.com/index.htmLil Wills trained and practiced as a psychotherapist and counsellor in the U.K. before moving to Japan in 2009, when she started English Counselling Kansai. She has been based in her current premises in Kobe since 2011. She works with individuals, couples, and children in the clinic on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and also offers online or over the phone counseling services for those who are outside the local area.Kyushu RegionKumamoto University Health Care Centerhttp://hcc.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/english/mental_counseling/The Kumamoto University Health Care Center has two English-speaking psychiatrists (one male and one female) and a clinical psychologist who work in a number of mental health areas, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The hours for the three practitioners vary, so if you'd prefer to see a particular one perhaps it would be best to double check to see who is available at the time of booking.OkinawaYamamoto Clinic, Urasoehttp://www.yamamotoclinic.org/Yamamoto Clinic is located in Urasoe, a neighboring municipality to Naha, Okinawa's capital city. The clinic offers services in both Japanese and English, and they specialize in mental health concerns including stress, depression, anxiety disorders, and trans-cultural concerns to name a few. They also have rates on their website for those with or without Japanese National Health Insurance, making it helpful to know what you'd be paying for upfront.Okinawa Counseling, Urumahttps://www.okinawacounseling.com/Okinawa Counseling provide a number of services related to mental health, including individual, child (kindergarten to elementary school-aged), and family counseling sessions. The two therapists here, Adrian Arce and Eugenia Arce, provide services in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese, and sessions can be conveniently booked right on their website which is linked above.OnlineFor those expats who live in particularly rural or remote locations in Japan, or where there simply may not be an English-language mental health service provider in the vicinity, online options can be useful. Some of the above-listed providers already offer online options where video chat programs like Skype or Zoom are used to communicate in a more “face-to-face” manner. A good resource is the International Mental Health Professionals of Japanwebsite, which has a long list of different providers, many of whom offer online services.It can also be worth checking with mental health service providers in your home country if they conduct online sessions - depending on the time difference, it can be a potential option in getting the help and support you need, even while living in Japan. Have you ever sought out English-language mental health services in Japan? How have you found the experience? If you have additional provider recommendations in your corner of Japan, please share them in the comments below.Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zKPe1-living_medicalMon, 09 Mar 2020 12:01:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zKPe1-living_medicalhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/G6YN9-living_foodIt may be ironic that living here in Japan, one of the least ethnically diverse countries in the world, I find myself living in the most international environment of my life. With an English-language graduate university located in my small Niigata town, we are blessed with residents hailing from Tanzania to Thailand, South Africa to Sri Lanka and more. My family all adore the melting pot of cultures we get to appreciate, and with that comes a great deal of learning about different customs and traditions, too.Many students at the international university follow the Muslim faith, which means that they are required to eat halal (translating to "permissible" in English) foods. Certain foods are forbidden (such as pork and alcohol products) and others require special preparation to meet these halal requirements. I asked several of the Muslim students studying at the international university about their successes and difficulties in finding halal foods in Japan, and here is what they had to say:"I wanted to study in Japan for a very long time, but didn't know how easy it would be to find foods I am able to eat. Some places are easier than others, but as long as I have some plans in advance it has been okay. I've even found some places that serve halal ramen!"Female, mid 20's, from Indonesia"Cupid (a local supermarket in Urasa) is where I do most of my grocery shopping, since they have a halal section and everything is labeled clearly. At other supermarkets it's not always so easy, since I don't speak or read Japanese. The cafe on campus is good, since most of the meals served are halal, but going out for a meal can sometimes be difficult unless I have a Japanese speaking friend with me."Male, early 30's, from Uzbekistan"Sometimes it can feel hard living here, since haram (non-halal) foods are common in Japanese cuisine. Pork is maybe the most popular meat in Japan, and Muslims can't eat it. It's not just pork though, we have to be aware of things like mirin (rice wine) which is usually an ingredient in things like sushi rice. Depending on where I visit in Japan, it's not always easy to find restaurants to eat at."Male, late 20's, from KyrgyzstanSlowly, awareness of dietary requirements and restrictions, such as vegetarianism, veganism, gluten-free (celiac), and halal, has been increasing in Japan. In saying that, what options do you have if you follow a halal diet and you're moving to Japan? Here are some tips on how to find halal foods in Japan, without the stress.International SupermarketsOften a first port of call for expats when they move to Japan, international supermarkets can be much easier to navigate than your run of the mill Japanese ones, because you'll find many familiar products and English labeling. In the instance of halal products, some even have a logo indicating they are "halal friendly," completely eliminating any guesswork.Some imported foods in Japan already have the halal logo on them - it takes a great deal of stress out of finding suitable products.Here in Urasa, one local supermarket frequented by the international student population has taken to labeling their halal product's price tags in green, like you can see below. They also have a halal product corner with a range of both local and international halal-friendly items.International supermarkets are often helpful to easily locate halal foods in Japan. In Urasa, Niigata Prefecture, one local supermarket has taken the extra step of labeling the price tags of halal products in green.There is one potential downside to buying goods at international supermarkets in Japan: you can find yourself paying significantly more for certain products than what you may expect to pay back home, since many of them are imported.Turning to technology: apps for halal foods in JapanIn the day and age of everyone having smartphones with them at all times, it's perhaps no surprise that apps have been created to help in many areas of life. That extends to halal eating, too! Head to the app store and start downloading these useful (and free!) resources:Halal Gourmet JapanHalal Gourmet Japan is a convenient app for finding halal-friendly eats across the country. The app allows users to filter by the prefecture they're in and the type of cuisine they're seeking. Halal Gourmet Japan lists over 700 venues across the country which are confirmed as halal friendly, and occasionally there are even discount coupons available in the app to save you some yen. As well as the list of restaurants, the app also outlines places that have prayer rooms on site.Halal NaviYou could liken the Halal Navi app to the TripAdvisor of Halal restaurants. Users of the app are able to review restaurants they've eaten at (including photo uploads of the tasty dishes!) or verify which dishes are halal friendly. There is content in the app for Japan based halal eateries, alongside several other countries too.Halal Navi allows users to rank their experiences at different halal restaurants across the country. Uploading photos is encouraged, too!Osaka Muslim and Vegetarian appFor all you folks living or visiting the Kansai region, this app may be particularly useful for you to help you find halal foods in that part of Japan! The app has a host of halal food recommendations, which are easy to identify in the list format thanks to a handy icon system. It's worth downloading if you're a vegetarian, too.A super easy to navigate icon system makes you immediately aware of what different Osaka-based restaurants cater to.Specific halal restaurantsThere are also a growing number of specific halal restaurants in Japan, including plenty of ramen places! One that this expat has personally tried is in Tokyo -- Shinjuku's Halal Ramen Ouka, a spot which also caters to vegetarians and vegans. The ramen here not only is delicious, but was also very aesthetically pleasing, with a host of colored vegetables used as garnishes. It's a popular spot, so if you visit during peak times there can be a wait - bear that in mind if you're super hungry!Halal Ramen Ouka in Shinjuku, offers a fully halal friendly menu, with some options that also cater to vegetarian and vegan diners. The ramen pictured above that I enjoyed is vegan friendly, and extremely aesthetically pleasing!Map details for Halal Ramen Ouka are below.Honolu in Ebisu, Tokyo, is another halal ramen spot which comes highly recommended. The store is part of a chain, and their signature dish is a chicken ramen which comes topped with a soft boiled egg. There are various side dishes available at Honolu too, including halal gyoza which is packed full of chicken and tofu. Map details for Honolu's Ebisu branch are below.If you're in Osaka, Halal Media Japan actually produced a brochure which outlines a number of halal friendly dining spots across the city. You can find a PDF copy of the brochure at the link here.If you are Muslim and living in Japan, what difficulties have you faced in finding halal foods in Japan? Do you have any restaurant recommendations or other helpful resources which have made your life in Japan easier? Please feel free to share them in the comments section below to help others!Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/G6YN9-living_foodTue, 18 Feb 2020 11:02:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/G6YN9-living_foodhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GokZA-livingMany of us would agree that a significant portion of Japan's appeal comes from the long-standing traditions that exist here. There are temples and shrines with thousands of years of history, festivals dating back centuries, and beautiful examples of arts and crafts which have been handed down from generation to generation. That's just naming a few.In saying that, there are plenty of examples where Japan's love for all things traditional actually seems to impede their forward movement, one of which is Japan's surname law. Have you ever heard of it?Marriage: a time of excitement, new beginnings, and in Japan, the legally mandated decision of picking a unified family name. The details and statistics behind Japan's surname lawA law in Japan dating back to 1896 requires a married couple to have a common surname. Most often, it is the wife that ends up taking on her husband's last name, and statistics place this figure at around 96% of married couples doing this - only 4% opt for the wife's last name. In 2011, the surname law was challenged as unconstitutional on gender equality grounds, but the Supreme Court of Japan chose to uphold the law in 2015. The only exception to the current legislation is in the case of international marriages, where different names are permissible.Statistics from this article from 2015 note that a whopping 96% of married couples in Japan opt to take on the husband's last name. In a society which is often regarded as quite traditional and patriarchal, it can be hard to see this figure changing if the law remains as it is.As an expat in Japan with a foreign spouse, it's not something I'd ever known was actually written into law ⁠— and from a legal standpoint, I have personally maintained a different last name than my husband. Think for a moment about all the things you have to change when you change your name: there are passports, driver's licenses, ATM cards, and more. It's a right inconvenience, requiring numerous forms to be filled in, appointments to be scheduled, and then the wait for new cards or other documents to arrive. There's also often a financial cost to replacing many of those things. For me, my reluctance to change my name was exacerbated by the fact that I was already living abroad when we were married, meaning I’d have to make contact with numerous Australian government departments to sort it all out. I thought to myself “is it really worth all of the hassle right now?”, and left my official documents as they were. After almost seven years of marriage now, I don't know that I'll ever get around to changing things over, but it's not something that I'm overly concerned about.At the end of the day, the choice lies with me about the last name I opt to use - a choice which I am extremely grateful to have. I know plenty of women back home who have kept a different last name to their respective husbands, and sometimes their children have hyphenated surnames as a way to signify the "coming together" of two families. It's not something that people even bat an eyelid at. Other people I know have opted to retain their pre-marriage last name because they weren't enthusiastic about how their husband's surname would sound with their first name. Anyone else remember the 1998 movie "The Wedding Singer", featuring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler? Barrymore's character is reluctant to get married, because she's set to go from Julia Sullivan to Julia Gulia. I mean, can you really blame her?Going from Julia Sullivan to Julia Gulia? You can understand how sometimes, a woman may not want to change her name after marriage - and that should be a personal choice!Now, to be fair, Japan's surname law doesn't specify which party in the marriage needs to change their name - just that the family needs to operate under one unified surname. However, in a society which still deeply leans towards specific, traditional gender roles, it's hard to envisage a lot of men opting to voluntarily take on their wife's last name.A marriage of equals - or is it?One of the main arguments for not taking on a spouse's last name focuses on the idea that a marriage should be a partnership of equals. There should be no need for someone to change their name and become "subservient" to the other, unless that name change is something that both parties want. Marriage has changed greatly even in recent decades - numerous families are now in dual-income situations, and many fathers are helping more with tasks that were traditionally deemed as "women's work", including cooking, cleaning, and assisting with the myriad of jobs that come with child rearing. Shouldn't we see those societal leaps and bounds start extending to people having a choice over the last name they wish to use?Japan's existing traditions and conventions acting as roadblocks to changeWho here has a hanko? Those stamps are used to "sign" everything from official contracts to bank documents and even slips for parcel deliveries ⁠— and they're most commonly imprinted with last names. How would a family hanko work for a couple who had alternate last names? Perhaps part of Japan's reluctance to change the law lies with the number of other things embedded into the culture which would also have to be adjusted.The ability for married couples to each retain a separate last name may first require other societal changes, such as the requirement for family names on hanko stamps to "sign" official documents. Some countries don't even allow name changes after marriage!In complete contrast to Japan's surname law, several countries actually prohibit changing your last name once you're married, including the Canadian province of Quebec (since 1981), Greece (since 1983), and France (all the way back to 1789!) just to name a few. In Italy, women can’t change their last name, but they do have the option to add their husband’s last name onto their own if they wish. In other places in Asia such as Korea and Malaysia, it’s the general custom for women to keep their maiden names, but no law specifically prohibits women taking on their husband’s last name if they desire.Now, I’m not saying a prohibition on changing names after marriage is the right answer either, but it certainly provides an interesting contrast to Japan’s stance.I understand the importance of traditions in maintaining a sense of cultural identity and paying respect to the past, but not all traditions are good ones — or ones that hold relevance in today's society. Times change, people change, and good lawmakers need to adapt to these changes accordingly. Is it time for an overhaul of Japan's legislation regarding surnames after marriage? This expat would really hope so.What are your thoughts on Japan's surname law and a reluctance to allow married couples to retain different last names? What is the general choice for last names after marriage for couples in your country of origin? Would you personally opt to change your last name to your spouses, or would you prefer to leave it as is?Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GokZA-livingFri, 14 Feb 2020 12:19:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GokZA-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MP76W-living_familylifeHave you ever heard of the term “third culture kids,” which is often abbreviated to TCK's? It refers to children who have been raised outside their parents’ countries or the country labeled on their passport where they’d be considered native. That’s the case for my two children - I’m Australian, my husband is American, and our children were both born here in Japan.It’s a unique predicament to grow up in, and researchers have identified a number of pros and cons that are associated with spending your formative years in a culture that isn’t specifically “yours.” If you are raising children as third culture kids here in Japan, here are some of the positives and negatives that research tends to highlight -- and some feedback from this expat mom’s own personal experiences raising TCKs in Japan.My two children were both born here in Japan, and have lived their entire lives here. It presents some clear pros and cons.Positives identified for third culture kids:An expanded world viewThis has been a wonderful thing for our daughter. She attends a Japanese pre school, but it’s also filled with children from other countries too, since we have an international university in our town. Her best friends come from Japan, Tanzania, Thailand, Myanmar and more - what an amazing multicultural environment to grow up in! She gets to learn about different traditions, and gets to share her own with her peers. Back home, I remember my school years and we would be lucky to have one multicultural day a year. On those days, we'd share something about the origins of where our families hailed from - maybe it would be dressing up in a traditional costume or bringing a dish from that country. For my daughter, this is her experience every day.Increased levels of cultural intelligenceCultural intelligence refers to the capacity to function effectively across national, ethnic, and organizational cultures. It may be too early to determine how well a four year old and two year old can do this, but it’s an invaluable skill to have in a world that is constantly becoming more connected. People travel more now than they ever have before, they move for career opportunities, personal growth, or even for love. My husband grew up as a third culture kid himself, with a number of his formative years spent right here in Japan due to his father’s career. He feels most at ease in international environments now, which is likely due to his comfort with being around people from all corners of the globe. We hope the same will be true of our own children!My husband's own TCK experiences highlight another noteworthy point from research on third culture kids - they're often more likely to continue a global nomad lifestyle than mono-cultural children. Maybe that's the reason we've lived the expat life happily for so long now!A heightened exposure to languageThis is often touted as one of the biggest benefits afforded to third culture kids, and it’s one that we’re immensely grateful for. Our daughter is 4 and has an impressive grasp on Japanese already. We don’t know how long we’re going to be in Japan, but we’d like to encourage that language proficiency throughout her life. It’s amazing that she has a better understanding of Japanese than I do, simply from going to a school where she is surrounded by it all the time. My husband and I often talk about how much of a benefit this language capability is in a world where job markets are more and more competitive. Standing out from the pack is important when you're competing for a position with tens, potentially hundreds of others. Being bilingual may be the thing that sets my children apart when they're eventually entering the workforce.Higher reported levels of general adjustmentGiven the amount of adaptability required by third culture kids, they’re often reported to have higher levels of general adjustment compared to their mono-cultural peers. It’s hard for me to give a definitive answer to this one, given our children are still only young. However, we hope that the resilience they have already learned, combined with an at-ease feeling around people from many countries and cultures will mean they're well equipped to adjust to new situations and environments life brings.Negatives identified for third culture kids:A lack of knowledge about their own country and culture:This was likely going to be tough for our children anyway, given that my husband and I are both from different countries. If we weren’t living in Japan we’d have to pick between living in the United States or Australia, and we’d ultimately run into the same problem there! Thankfully with the wonders of the internet, we’re able to keep in touch with people from home and feel connected that way, and there are plenty of videos and other learning resources online that can give our children a glimpse into where their parents are from. Netflix and YouTube also allow our kids to even enjoy kids shows from our home countries - The Wiggles are often played on repeat at our house! Sounds simple enough, but it's an easy way to feel a level of connection to their "passport home."Shrines and sushi are more common to my children than signs of "home."A confused sense of loyaltyThis often relates to older children when it comes to thoughts about politics or moral and ethical values. However, it also relates to a feeling of not being able to identify where “home” is. I’ve mentioned before that as an expat family (living in Japan), we often get asked where we come from - particularly out here in the countryside. Our daughter always answers with “I'm from Japan!" but has been politely chuckled at many times since we don’t look Japanese. To her though, she is Japanese, for all intents and purposes. It’s surely something that’s confusing for a four year old's developing identity.Extra support being needed when starting schoolStarting a new school is a lot to process for any child - there are new routines, new faces, a new place - but third culture kids encounter some unique challenges. When our daughter started preschool, it was overwhelming for her because she didn’t have the language capability at the time to express her needs like those with Japanese as their first language. She has learned and adapted over time, but we anticipate if we’re here as she gets older, we’re going to face other struggles -- and the same goes for our son when he’s old enough to start school.Overall, we try our best to focus on the positives of raising third country kids rather than the negatives. Most parents will agree that raising children comes with an array of challenges no matter where you live, but the benefits of living abroad and experiencing a different culture are hard to replicate back home. For those that are interested, there are a number of resources available online for third culture kid parents, including the book "Third Culture Kids: Growing up Among Worlds". The book is available on Amazon Japan at the following link.Are your children living in Japan as third culture kids? How do you find that the positives and negatives identified by researchers relate to your own circumstances?Author: genkidesuTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MP76W-living_familylifeFri, 10 Jan 2020 15:26:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MP76W-living_familylifehttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GokOZ-living_niigataNiigata might not be anyone's first stop for tourism or expat relocation in Japan, but the prefecture has a wealth of things to see and do. Best of all, many of those things are cheap as chips and give a great deal of insight into the rich culture and traditions you'll find in this part of the country. If you want to explore Niigata on a frugal budget, here are 15 things to do in Niigata for a shiny 500 yen coin or less!Ponshukan, Echigo Yuzawa500 yenOften, Niigata Prefecture gets pegged with a few key characteristics - it’s a place with a lot of snow, and lots of rice fields - which leads to just the right conditions for some superb quality sake. You don’t even have to leave the Echigo Yuzawa train station, in southern Niigata Prefecture, to sample some of the region’s best stuff if you head to the Ponshukan! The venue has a range of local brews and for the price of 500 yen you’re given five tokens allowing you to try five different varieties of sake. They’re dispensed via little vending machines too, adding a little quirkiness to this collection of things to do in Niigata.Echigo Hillside Park, Nagaoka450 yen adults/kids freeEchigo Hillside Park is located in Nagaoka and was opened back in 1998. The sprawling grounds are packed with flower gardens, kids playgrounds, a barbecue area, and aesthetically pleasing ponds. If you visit when the roses are in bloom, be sure to try the park’s signature rose flavored soft-serve ice cream! Plenty of on-site parking is available.Yahiko Shrine FreeYahiko Shrine, close to Niigata Prefecture, Sea of Japan-facing coastline, has to be one of the most picturesque shrines out there as well as being one of the free things to do in Niigata that makes this list. Yahiko Shrine surrounded by mountains and cedar trees, and the shrine building itself is a stunning piece of architecture. It’s a place where people come to pray for love and good fortune, but even if you’re not the praying type Yahiko Shrine is well worth a visit. The grounds are particularly gorgeous in the autumn months, with the changing leaves and displays of chrysanthemums for their annual chrysanthemum festival.Yahiko ParkFreeAnother of the free things to do in Niigata, Yahiko Park is a short distance from Yahiko Shrine, and is known as one of Niigata Prefecture's top spots to enjoy autumn leaves. Visitors come from far and wide to appreciate Mother Nature's best, and the reds, oranges, and yellows are exceptionally vibrant here.Yamakoshi Yubu Alpaca Farm LandFree admission, alpaca feed 100 yenSome zoos, aquariums, or other interactive animal experiences come with an expensive price tag, but not Niigata's Yamakoshi Yubu Alpaca Farm Land. The facility here allows you to get up close with adorable alpacas for free. You do have the option to purchase food for the alpacas and feed them for 100 yen (the food is dispensed via gachapon machines!), which is worth the small fee.Uonuma Koji SalonFree“What is koji?”, you might be asking! It’s a type of fermentation culture, also known as aspergillus oryzae, used for making everything from soy sauce to sake, and mirin to miso. At the Uonuma Koji Salon, you can take free tours which are approximately 45 minutes in duration that give a behind the scenes glimpse into how the culture is made. If you do have a little extra yen to spend, the facility offers amazake soap-making workshops at a cost of 1,000 yen.Ikeda Art Museum500 yenUrasa’s Ikeda Art Museum isn’t the biggest or grandest museum you might encounter in Japan, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality and so makes it onto this list of things to do in Niigata on the cheap. Exhibits at Ikeda Art Museum are mainly sourced from local artists, with a range of paintings and other works focusing on local scenery. If you’re a sports fan, you’ll find a range of displays relating to sumo wrestling, baseball, and even past Olympic Games. The museum sits on wonderfully manicured park grounds, and the views from the museum’s lobby and coffee shop area are tranquil and serene.Takada CastleFreePic Credit: Wikimedia CommonsTakada Castle, in the city of Joetsu on Niigata's Sea of Japan-facing coast, isn’t as well-known as many of Japan’s other castles, but it is an absolutely stunning spot to visit in spring. The castle grounds (known as Takada Park) are planted with over 4,000 cherry trees, making it a perfect place to enjoy the blooming sakura or a hanami picnic. Tamagawa Sake BreweryFreeThere are many different sake breweries across Japan, but Niigata's Tamagawa Brewery definitely has some unique qualities setting it apart from others. The brewery here uses copious amounts of snow to refrigerate the sake - like a snow cellar! You're able to get a behind the scenes glimpse into the steps that go into making sake, and they also provide free samples. If you find something you particularly enjoy, they have bottles available for purchase.Niitsu Railway Museum300 yenPic Credit: Wikimedia CommonsIf you have any interest in trains or the impact they can have on a town, the Niitsu Railway Museum is worth the visit. There are Shinkansen and steam locomotive carriages on display that you can actually head inside of making this museum one of the fun things to do in Niigata for children.Niigata City History Museum300 yenThe Niigata City History Museum offers some insight into the challenges the city of Niigata has faced, and how the area has grown and developed over time. Since Niigata City is a place where rivers and the sea meet, there is a significant section dedicated to how water has shaped the city and how Niigata residents live harmoniously with their natural surroundings. There are also a number of hands-on activities and the ability to engage in different crafts. For anyone with an interest in architecture, the museum building itself is based on the design of the second Niigata City Hall which dates back to 1909.Bandai BridgeFreeBandai Bridge isn't just a structure connecting two sides of the Shinano River - it was designated as an Important Cultural Property back in 2004. The bridge is often regarded as one of Niigata City's most photogenic spots, and it’s worth appreciating for the design elements alone.Pier BandaiFree to explore, food at your own costPier Bandai, in Niigata City's Chuo Ward, was developed to take the atmosphere of a vibrant, bustling port area. At the venue you’ll find a market-like premises packed with local products including rice, sake, fish, meat, vegetables and fruits, as well as coffee and sweets. There are also a number of restaurants at Pier Bandai that use the fresher-than-fresh produce to create delicious meals. One to check out is Mawarizushi, a restaurant that serves up sushi with seafood sourced from Sado Island.Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum400 yen The Tsubame-Sanjo region of Niigata is known for a connection to industry, particularly the production of metalware such as knives. The Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum gives an insight into the craftsmanship that this area is renowned for, as well as a look into metalware from around the globe. There are also opportunities to engage in hands-on activities at the museum.Tsubame OnsenFree admission, but donations are appreciatedPic Credit: Wikimedia CommonsSituated by Mt. Myoko in southwestern Niigata Prefecture, Tsubame Onsen offers two different naturally occurring baths which are packed with minerals that are great for overall health. One bath, Ougon-no-yu, has separate sections for male and female visitors, whilst the other bath, Kawara-no-yu, is a mixed onsen. Whilst the onsen facility here is free, there is a donation box if you’d care to make a contribution. One of the more relaxing things to do in Niigata, as well as being cheap!Author: genkidesuSpent any time in this part of Japan? What do you think should be among the top things to do in Niigata Prefecture (for 500 yen or less)?To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GokOZ-living_niigataWed, 11 Dec 2019 14:59:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/GokOZ-living_niigatahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MnmNV-livingPaternity leave in Japan put under the spotlight after Japanese politician Shinjiro Koizumi made public his intention to take leave following the birth of his child with television anchor Christel Takigawa.After our two children were born, my husband was able to take a couple of weeks off work as designated paternity leave. Despite our children being born in Japan, he was working for the U.S. government here at the time, so we were under U.S. regulations. No one questioned his right to take paternity leave, nor was it discouraged - in fact, I don't think there were any fathers we knew who didn't take the leave that was afforded to them.My busy, lovable kids. I'm glad my husband has been a hands-on father - parenting is tough!Two weeks of paternity leave isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but I always think something is better than nothing -- particularly when your entire world has been flipped on its head, and whilst mothers are recovering from what childbirth does to a body (in a word...ouch). Those first weeks are rough, and the person you want to be stuck in the trenches with most is the person who brought that child into the world with you. I’m fortunate that my husband has also been an exceptionally active father since we've started a family. He willingly takes the kids out solo to pick up groceries or to take them on outings, and always encourages me to soak up some alone time when I need it. This is something that really shouldn't be an anomaly in this day and age, but admittedly seems like it is judging from some comments we've received along the way.As for paternity leave in Japan though. Japan does have a paternity leave system in place - and it's actually one of the best in the developed world...on paper, that is. This 2019 UNICEF report about family friendly practices indicates that Japan actually comes in first place for the amount of paid leave that fathers are entitled to - which sounds impressive initially - but what good are policies if no one feels safe in using them? One of the graphs (last updated Oct. 2017) from the UNICEF report on Family Friendly Policies. Japan is top of the class when it comes to paternity leave "in theory", but the practical application of it is wildly different.When it comes to the crunch, it seems like men are ultimately deterred from taking paternity leave here in Japan owing to the work culture and gender roles that are still quite entrenched - there’s still the ingrained idea among many people that moms should do it all, according to this article in The New York Times,when it comes to raising children and keeping the home. You only have to look at a recent case brought to light from an employee at athletics company ASICS, which doesn't paint a pretty picture for those fathers in Japan who opt to take time off when their children enter the world. In a country desperately seeking ways to bump up that floundering (or completely tanking?!) birth rate, you'd think that offering parents whatever help was necessary would be a positive. It's part of why I was so encouraged recently when Japanese politician Shinjiro Koizumi (now serving as Minister of the Environment) spoke out that he plans to take paternity leave after the birth of his first child next year. Koizumi's relationship with high profile journalist Christel Takigawa madethe news recently after it was announced that the couple were expecting, and to me the media’s fascination with the couple's relationship is a positive thing. Why? Because I feel like what they do when their baby arrives could be monumental for changing attitudes on paternity leave in Japan (and for those mothers who continue to work post-kids).A high profile politician making a stand on paternity leave - and actually taking it - might be the kick in the behind Japan needs to get with the timesIt seems like if paternity leave in Japan is encourage, it would be simple enough to take it - but that’s not the case in this country. The laundry list of cases that have come to light in the media about men being demoted, fired, or given zero upward movement potential at their companies after taking paternity leave doesn’t paint the best picture for those who opt to use it. Someone with Koizumi’s popularity and media spotlight taking it, though? It helps make paternity leave not seem like something scary and alien, but something normal, healthy, and respectable for new fathers to do.In fact just this week, reports have emerged that the Japanese government will begin encouraging male civil servants to take over one month of paternity leave from FY2020. Progress of a kind?Someone actually dealing with modern-day parenting issues is likely the best advocate for helping others understand that paternity leave is not just a nice-to-have thing, but a necessitySure, Koizumi may not be the most “average” of people, since he grew up as the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. However, he’s a darn sight fresher than some of Japan's current cabinet members who aren’t exactly spring chickens in touch with the differences in parenting in the modern era. Koizumi is 38 years old, so when you compare that to the likes of Finance Minister Taro Aso (78) or Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga (70) it becomes apparent that perhaps Japan’s cabinet could do with some fresh ideas.There's no doubt that parenting in Japan has changed monumentally in the space of just one generation, let alone several. Data released by Japan's Internal Affairs and Communications Ministryindicates that as of mid-2019, Japan's workforce totaled 67.47 million people, 44.5% of which were women. For women who want to continue to work after giving birth to their children, support is an absolute necessity - and in my opinion as a parent myself, no support is more necessary than from one’s partner. The lack of men utilizing parental leave is often seen as a key component to the continuation of gender inequality, something that Japan doesn’t have the best track record for.But will work ultimately win out over paternity leave in Japan?The real question may lie in the fact that Koizumi was given the cabinet position of the Minister for the Environment recently. In today’s world that role is no slouch of a position, and with greater emphasis on so many environmental concerns such as climate change, sustainability, and a reduction in plastic waste, Koizumi is going to have his work cut out for him. It’s hard to speculate how the Japanese voting public will react to a minister taking their entitled paternity leave - is it something that will endear voters to him as a sign of a progressive leader who moves with the times, or will they see it as a shirking of responsibilities that come with an important position?Time will tell, but as this expat who (sadly) isn’t eligible to vote will say - I think it’s refreshing that Koizumi has said publicly that he plans to take leave. Parenting is a tough but rewarding gig that requires a great amount of sacrifice - and in saying that, it shouldn’t be just one parent who sacrifices it all. Here’s hoping that it’s not just token words at a press conference, but words that will elicit some real change in making paternal leave more accessible to those who want to take it.Author: genkidesuDo you know anyone who has successfully (or unsuccessfully) taken paternity leave in Japan? Were there ramifications on their career if they did take it?What are paternity leave entitlements like in your home country compared to here in Japan? Are there any societal pressures not to take leave for men back home?To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MnmNV-livingWed, 30 Oct 2019 12:25:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/MnmNV-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wk4q8-livingIf you’re an expat living in Japan and you're used to celebrating Halloween, you may be looking for places to enjoy the holiday here. Sure, it may not be commonplace to have Halloween events in Japan like door-to-door trick or treating, but there are still plenty of ways to get into the spirit of Halloween in Japan.Read on for more about the best Halloween eats, events, and where to get costumes and decorations in Japan in 2019!Fun Halloween-inspired eats in JapanMister DonutFast-food chain Mister Donut has marked the approach of Halloween in Japan with a range of Halloween-themed donuts every year that I’ve lived here, and 2019 is no exception.Mister Donut stores in Japan have a total of six Halloween donuts on offer, including those in the shape of Jack O' Lanterns and donuts designed to look like mummies.You can take a peek at the Halloween offerings at Mister Donut on their website here. Baskin Robbins (31 Ice)Nothing seems to say “spooky” in Japan like a Halloween-themed ice cream...and in a country that loves its parfaits this may not come as a surprise.Baskin Robbins during Halloween in Japan 2019 then, has a range of cup ice creams with adorable Halloween-style toppings, and their ice cream flavor of the month is called "Orange Slime Time" -- a bright orange ice cream with sour lime flavored "slime" pieces throughout.You can find a Baskin Robbins/31 Ice store locator on their websitehere.Krispy KremeNot to be outdone by Mister Donut, Krispy Kreme Japan has also released a range of Halloween inspired donuts for 2019, including a custard-filled pumpkin-shaped variety, a chestnut flavored black cat, and an apple caramel monster donut.Prices for individual Halloween donuts from Krispy Kreme Japan range from 190 yen up to 250 yen, or you can “go big or go home” and buy boxes of them if you’re feeding a crowd.(One of the Krispy Kreme Japan offerings for Halloween this year -- custard filled (and delicious)!)Halloween supplies and decorations in Japan100 yen stores - Daiso, Seria, Can-DoOver recent years, 100 yen stores have been embracing Halloween in Japan more and more. You’ll generally find a decent range of Halloween-themed decorations, a few costumes (witches are almost always a prominent feature) and cheap candy -- great for those situations where you may be bringing a slice of home with you and organizing your own Halloween events in Japan. LOFTLOFT has a bunch of year-round cute stuff, but the chain-store is also excellent at embracing holidays and festivities.The quality of the decor at LOFT is higher than that which you’ll find at Japan’s 100 yen stores. Naturally this comes with a higher price tag but if you want Halloween items that you can use for a number of years, it’s worth it.LOFT also has a great range of Halloween costumes, make up supplies, and even colored contacts if you really want to get into character for a particular look.A nationwide list of LOFT store locations can be found on their websitehere.(Some offerings from LOFT over Halloween in Japan a couple of seasons back. LOST has a pretty impressive range of stuff, including sweets, costumes, make up and colored contacts.)Don QuijoteA top spot for costumes and props year round, it’s no surprise that “Don-Q” is king for Halloween supplies on our list.Prices for Halloween costumes at Don Quijote vary depending on how elaborate they are and their quality, but expect to pay anywhere in the realm of 1,000 - 6,000 yen.For anyone stumbling across this post who may be visiting as a tourist during Halloween in Japan, Don Quijote stores also offer tax-free purchases -- be sure to bring your passport!A full list of Don Quijote store locations can be found on their websitehere.Amazon JapanWhen all else fails, turning to online options can help if you’re still in need of a Halloween costume.Amazon Japan has a number of costume options available to get your suited and booted for those Halloween events in Japan -- perhaps owing to the love for all things cosplay on these shores.Prices for most adults’ costumes on Amazon range from around 2,000 - 4,000 yen, so certainly not as cheap as something you could fashion out of 100 yen store supplies -- but if it’s something you may use over multiple years, it could be worth the investment!(Go with a friend and your theme could be two peas in a pod!One of the offerings on Amazon Japan, priced at 2,600 yen at the time of writing.)Halloween Events in JapanTokyo Disneyland HalloweenPerhaps the place where Japan’s love of Halloween began, Tokyo Disney’s Halloween celebrations for 2019 are “ghost” themed.The main Halloween event at Tokyo Disneyland in 2019 is the "Spooky Boo Parade" which takes place twice daily. The park will also be filled with themed decorations and special merchandise available to purchase. There's even a special Halloween menu which draws inspiration from Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas".Event period: Sept. 10 - Oct. 31, 2019More details: Tokyo Disneyland websiteUniversal Studios OsakaOne of the perks of Universal Studios Japan’s (USJ) Halloween offering in 2019 is that the event runs all the way through to November 4, rather than just stopping abruptly on (or before!) the day itself.The Halloween festivities for 2019 at USJ include programs suited to all ages, particularly for the little ones. The Happy Trick or Treat event in particular looks to be perfect for the candy-loving kiddos out there.Event period: Sept. 6 - Nov. 4, 2019More Details: Universal Studios Japan websiteSanrio Puroland Halloween (Tokyo)On the outskirts of Tokyo, Sanrio Puroland is heaven for Hello Kitty lovers, and their take on Halloween is loads of fun.This year’s Halloween theme at Sanrio Puroland is “Kawaii Masquerade,” so visitors can expect to see all of their favorite Sanrio characters dressed up in masks. Those same characters will be out and about through the theme park for guests to snap pictures with.Visitors can also get into the Halloween spirit with the food on offer Sanrio Puroland. There are a host of Halloween-inspired eats, including a Kitty Masquerade parfait (850 yen), a black omurice (1,350 yen), and two different types of ramen (1,200 yen each).Event period: Sept. 13 - Oct. 31, 2019More event details can be found on their website here.Yomiuriland Halloween 2019 (Tokyo)A spot that's perhaps better known for its winter illuminations, Yomiuriland in southwestern Tokyo also has a themed event to celebrate Halloween in Japan.This year's Halloween theme at Yomiuriland is "Crazy Horror Night,” and includes zombie dancers, a haunted house and more.Like some of the other theme parks during the Halloween season in Japan, you'll also find a themed menu here at Yomiuriland which includes a zombie curry topped with what appear to be severed fingers (don't worry - they're just mini sausages!), a pumpkin Halloween tsukemen, and juice served up in a faux IV drip bag. Completely gross in all the right ways!Event period: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays between Sept. 28 - Oct. 27, 2019 & Oct. 31 (Thurs)You can get further information about the event here.Harmonyland Halloween (Oita)Our Kyushu friends aren’t forgotten during the month of October -- Oita Prefecture’s Harmonyland is celebrating the Halloween season, too!Another perfect spot for the kawaii lovers, the park gets a spooky makeover and you'll find plenty of cute and themed merchandise available for purchase.It's worth noting that despite the Halloween event at Japan’s Harmonyland running for the entirety of October, the park is actually closed on October 31 (i.e. Halloween) as it falls on a Thursday, the park's scheduled weekly closure day.Event period: Sept. 13 - Oct. 30, 2019More details about the event can be found on the Harmonyland website.Author: genkidesuWhat Halloween events in Japan have you got your eyes on for 2019? What Halloween eats or spots to get supplies from in Japan are you aware of this year and are there any recommendations you'd like to add to this list? How do the festivities during Halloween in Japan compare to those back home?To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wk4q8-livingWed, 09 Oct 2019 17:14:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/wk4q8-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zVq0k-living_moneyThey say that only two things are certain in life: death and taxes. Japan’s consumption tax was initially implemented back in 1989 at a rate of 3 percent, and this has jumped up to 5 percent in April of 1997, then 8 percent in April 2014, and now 10 percent as of October this year -- representing Japan’s first tax hike in five years. Perhaps we should all be counting ourselves lucky, since the 10 percent rate for Japan’s consumption tax was initially meant to be implemented back in October of 2015 but was pushed back twice as a result of Japan’s economic situation.Sure, an additional 2 percent increase in Japan’s consumption tax may seem like a drop in the ocean to some, but drops eventually fill buckets - and it can absolutely make an impact on your disposable income and the household budget.Of course, Japan’s latest consumption tax hike doesn’t apply to everything and while it might take a little time to get to grips with what has been affected and what hasn’t, some all-round money-saving changes could help to keep the books balanced.So then, in line with the tax hike to 10 percent, here are 10 tips to cut costs and save money in Japan.Embrace free activitiesMany people have asked me since I moved here, “Isn’t it expensive living in Japan?” and I usually answer with, “Yes, and no.”For me, Japan is a country that can certainly be expensive if you’re not careful, but with a little planning it’s not too difficult to live enjoyably on a modest budget.Here’s an example for you: when my husband was working full time here, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at taking my daughter to indoor play centers that cost around 2,000 yen admission for us both for an hour or so. My husband went back to study for his PhD, and our household income dropped significantly - and with this, our attention to what we spent money on increased.We found a free play center run by the local government with tons of amazing equipment. We utilize public parks, or simply go for walks outside in the stunning local nature. Sometimes it just takes a change of mindset to understand that free alternatives are out there and present ways to save money in Japan.Japan also has plenty of temples, shrines, museums and more that have free (or very cheap) admission. We’ve found these to be both great for our budget and also great from a learning perspective.(Following Japan's consumption tax hike, seeking out those free activities can be a great way to save money in Japan, and there's plenty of 'em!)Ride or walk when you can, as opposed to driving or public transportOne of the blessings of where we live in Japan is that walking or cycling to many places we regularly visit is completely feasible. Our daughter’s pre-school is around a 15-minute walk from home. Our closest supermarket, the local farmer’s market and convenience stores are about a 5-minute bike ride away. With most of these places it makes more sense to walk or bike to them, rather than drive. And we save money on petrol, too.Added bonus: who needs a gym membership when you’re getting your workouts doing regular tasks? Winner!Watch the conbini creepI love Japan’s convenience stores - not gonna lie. But if I pop in there to grab a loaf of bread once the local supermarket is shut for the evening, I inevitably get entranced by the new seasonal breads, potato chip flavors, or chocolate. I’m human, alright?!It may only seem like a couple of hundred yen here or there, but it’s more the fact that it’s not a need, it’s a want - and my money could be better spent on other things rather than the newest sweet potato seasonal snacks, as much as it pains me to say that.(Just leave it on the shelf. I promise you don't really need it.)Explore your own areaJapan is praised worldwide for having a pretty amazing public transport system, but depending on where you want to get to it can be expensive. A round-trip Shinkansen fare for me to get to Tokyo from my town in Niigata is around 16,000 yen - not cheap by any means.This expense and a bid to save money in Japan has encouraged me to do more exploring of my own backyard, and even though I live in rural Japan it’s been an eye-opener as to how much there is to see and do here. Check with your local tourist office, if you have one, about events and activities to do locally. You may be surprised at just how much is on offer.(Money-saving efforts following Japan's consumption tax hike a motivator to get out and explore your own backyard)Cook at homeSimilar to the convenience store creep, eating out can add up. An 800-yen bowl of ramen at a local restaurant often sounds more appealing than cooking at home, and doing the dishes afterwards, but I can often get enough ingredients for that price to make a full meal with leftovers for lunch the next day.Cook once, eat twice, and keep those yen in your pocket for something you really need.On a similar theme, it’s worth noting that Japan’s consumption tax hike has seen the tax on meals eaten in shops and restaurants raised to 10 percent. Those meals that are consumed as takeout food though, remain at the tax rate of 8 percent.Eat seasonally"Opting for what’s in season in Japan tends to cut our costs dramatically."Some fruits and vegetables in Japan can be eye-wateringly expensive compared to what I’m used to back home. It saddens me that I can’t just pick up whatever I want at the supermarket because sometimes the cost is outrageous. That said, it presents an opportunity to save money.Opting for what’s in season in Japan tends to cut our costs dramatically. We’ve got some amazing neighbors who grow a ton of stuff in their yards (Perks of countryside living and having space!) and they often share that with us, too. Not only has eating seasonally seen us save money, it’s encouraged us to learn more about what’s grown in Japan and how to cook with different produce we’d never used before we lived here.(Fresh corn from neighbors: seasonal, delicious and a money saver)Watch yo’ billsThis is probably the biggest one for our household. Our electricity costs when we moved to Niigata were out of this world - try heating an old, drafty house in the middle of snow country and you’ll get where I’m coming from.We are much more mindful of how we do things now. For instance, we hang all our clothes in the room with the gas heater in winter instead of running the dryer. If we’re having the heater on anyway to keep ourselves warm, we might as well optimize it, right?Bless Japan for all its amazing qualities, but house insulation isn’t its strong point.We also do a few things during the winter in Japan to try and keep the house from losing heat, including putting bubble wrap on our windows as an extra level of insulation. Bless Japan for all its amazing qualities, but house insulation isn’t its strong point. Do what you gotta do to keep costs lower.Use Japan's 100 yen stores to your advantageI am such a fan of Japan’s 100 yen stores (Who isn’t?!) and I feel like there are loads of things you can get there that are substantially cheaper than elsewhere. Cleaning supplies, dishware (All of our kitchen plates are from Daiso and we always get compliments on how pretty they are!) and more...it’s easy to save money in Japan, a bunch of it, by utilizing 100 yen stores, if you’re sensible.Similar to the conbini creep though, make a list when you go and stick to it, otherwise it’s incredibly easy to get sucked in by all the cute stuff. Old me was 100% like, “OMG it’s a Hello Kitty Notebook and it’s only 100 yen and I NEED IT!” even though I already had multiple unused notebooks collecting dust in drawers.(Our plates cost about 200 yen a pop at Daiso several years ago. People always say, "Sakura plates! Ooh, so pretty! Where'd ya get 'em?")Let points cards be your friendI initially thought points cards were so gimmicky and not really something that I wanted to use, until I realized that as long as I shopped normally anyway, it was like getting money for doing nothing. I don’t go buying extra things I don’t need to accumulate more points, but I do find that even through our normal shopping routine we can save money in Japan.We have cards for Japanese supermarket chain AEON (located in a neighboring town) as well as for the smaller supermarket closer to our house. It’s worth checking with the supermarkets you visit in Japan if they do have some loyalty program or point card system.On the back of Japan’s consumption tax hike measures have been taken to soften the blow, so to speak. Among these is a program to reward consumers who use cashless payments at small shops with a rebate (in the form of points?) on their purchases, available from October this year to June 2020.Know what’s cheap, whenOur local supermarket in Japan has a Facebook page where management posts what weekly deals are going to be happening, or any special sales they have going on - one week, ground pork may be super economical, another week they may have packets of yakisoba noodles at half price.Some prior planning to suss out local supermarkets, peruse the catalogs, and devise an actual meal plan saves us loads.Author: genkidesuHow has Japan’s consumption tax hike affected you, if at all? Got any other tips on how to save money in Japan?To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zVq0k-living_moneyFri, 04 Oct 2019 13:01:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/CityCostInsiders/zVq0k-living_money