http://www.city-cost.comThu, 20 Aug 2026 05:34:46 +0900I'm half-Japanese originally from Canada, and I've been living in Japan since Sept. 2010. I keep a blog about living in Japan and travel - Trekking with Becky - www.trekkingwithbecky.comenCopyright © 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/trekkingbecky/wrJqw-living_food_education_okayama_kurashiki-shiIf you work at a school in Japan, you'll get to see how adorable kids' lunches can be. :D I don't remember seeing anything so adorable when I was growing up, from the kids' adorable containers to how their food is presented with cute toothpicks and rice shaped like animals.Anyway, have a look at how much attention to detail is put into children's school lunches, whether it's prepared at school or at home. The utter cuteness will make you smile. :Dhttp://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/school-lunches-japan/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wrJqw-living_food_education_okayama_kurashiki-shiSun, 13 Mar 2016 15:09:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wrJqw-living_food_education_okayama_kurashiki-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GRReG-living_fashion_okayama_okayama-shi_kurashiki-shiThis week's Photo Friday post on my blog, Trekking with Becky, is about Japanese bridal kimonos. I've been asked often growing up what Japanese brides wear, and of course, they're not interested in hearing about the western style wedding dress. However, they're horrified to hear that they usually change into a hideous, ridiculous cupcake dress afterwards.Anyway, I was lucky to come across two Japanese couples who were having their traditional Japanese wedding portraits taken in Okayama's famous Korakuen. I was also lucky to have the opportunity to just put the outside layer of wedding kimonos on for quick pictures when I went to see the most amazing Hina Matsuri doll display a few years ago.Here's the link for more -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/photo-friday-japanese-bridal-kimonos/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GRReG-living_fashion_okayama_okayama-shi_kurashiki-shiFri, 11 Mar 2016 13:16:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GRReG-living_fashion_okayama_okayama-shi_kurashiki-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MPkEw-living_education_tokushima_tokushima-shiTraditional Japanese puppetry isn't as popular or easily visible as other parts of Japanese history and culture, such as samurai, geisha/maiko, anime, etc.However, there is so much detail and history behind it like everything else in Japan. When I went to Tokushima, I went to a puppet theatre and museum called Jurobe Yashiki. I learned so much! Kids who are old enough will also learn a great deal as well and really appreciate it. I don't want to give away too much, but you can learn all about how the puppets work, and you can take in a free show while you're there. They have one free show every day, but on weekends and national holidays, there's an extra performance.Check out my latest blog post about it for more photos, details, and access info. I highly recommend it. It's the only place in Japan that I've seen like this.http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/traditional-japanese-puppetry/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MPkEw-living_education_tokushima_tokushima-shiSun, 06 Mar 2016 15:47:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MPkEw-living_education_tokushima_tokushima-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mvgdz-living_money_okinawa_naha-shiIf you've stayed in a Japanese hotel, you've most likely noticed how small the rooms are. When I went to Okinawa, I discovered small accommodations on a whole new level - a corner room!When I saw that it was a corner room when I was making the reservation, I just thought that it was the last room at the end of the hall closest to the emergency exit.Boy, was I wrong!The bed was up on a loft above the bathroom, there was no space even for a chair, and no living space. You could sit at a floor desk where there's a drop for your legs so it's as if you're sitting in a chair, but it's not exactly comfortable.Anyway, it was cheap since it was a corner room, and it was okay since it was temporary and I was only there to sleep, shower, and relax a bit.Check out the review I wrote for more details and photos -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/hotel-review-okinawa-kariyushi-izumizaki-kenchomae/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyWould you be able to stay in a corner room?To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mvgdz-living_money_okinawa_naha-shiSat, 05 Mar 2016 22:39:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mvgdz-living_money_okinawa_naha-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G76Pz-shopping_money_mie_kameyama-shi_okayama_kurashiki-shiAs you probably know, yesterday, March 3rd, was Hina Matsuri, or Girls' Day. If you're lucky, you might have seen some doll displays in stores, hotels, or in people's homes.However, I only really got to see them and learn about their history and significance when I went on a bus tour to Mie a few years ago. In a small city called Kaneyama were displays of dolls from the Taisho, Meiji, and Edo periods, but in Kojima, a district of my city, Kurashiki, in Okayama-ken, was the biggest, most beautiful display of dolls I'd ever seen.All of these displays were FREE. Although families usually take them down right after Girls' Day, lots of places keep them up well into March; I actually saw all the dolls featured in the posts below at the END of March.Below are 2 links to blog posts I've written. The first one is about Hina Matsuri itself, and the second one is my latest Photo Friday post featuring the dolls. Enjoy! :Dhttp://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/girls-day-hina-matsuri/http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/photo-friday-hina-matsuri-dolls/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G76Pz-shopping_money_mie_kameyama-shi_okayama_kurashiki-shiFri, 04 Mar 2016 13:18:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G76Pz-shopping_money_mie_kameyama-shi_okayama_kurashiki-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GOkOG-money_transportation_yamaguchi_shimonoseki-shi_fukuoka_kitakyushu-shi_moji-kuYes, you read the title correctly - you can walk from Honshu to Kyushu! It doesn't take long, and guess what? It's FREE!No, it's not just walking across a bridge. This is a really unique experience. You can walk underground in the Kanmon Tunnel from Moji in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka (Kyushu) to Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi (Honshu). It's a great escape from blazing sun, noisy traffic, or anything else that could annoy you. Anyway, how many times can you say that you walked from one end to the other of the world's first under-ocean tunnel? It's only 700m long, and thereare great views and interesting things to see and do on both ends.Check out my original blog post about it for more -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/walking-from-honshu-to-kyushu/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GOkOG-money_transportation_yamaguchi_shimonoseki-shi_fukuoka_kitakyushu-shi_moji-kuMon, 29 Feb 2016 22:26:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GOkOG-money_transportation_yamaguchi_shimonoseki-shi_fukuoka_kitakyushu-shi_moji-kuhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zVe5M-livingJust today, I published a new post on my blog about my first apartment in Japan, which happened to be a Leo Palace apartment.Way back in 2010, I made videos about my area and my Leo Palace apartment that the company I worked for put me in. I didn't have my blog at the time, so they went up on Facebook. I realize now that they could help future expats with what to expect in a Leo Palace apartment, especially since companies use Leo Palace often because of convenience.Anyway, don't be afraid to give me a shout if you have any questions, and here's the link to my post about my first apartment in Japan -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/first-apartment-japan-leo-palace/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zVe5M-livingSun, 28 Feb 2016 22:10:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zVe5M-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weXPG-money_kyoto_kyoto-shiA maiko or geisha's time is not cheap; most people will never have the luxury of being privately entertained by maiko or geisha, but there are ways that you can see them for much cheaper, or even for nothing.You can catch a show at the Gion Corner, but if you can't, your next best bet is to wander around the Gion area starting in the late afternoon.Of course, be polite and don't shove the camera in their faces.Have a look at my experiences here -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/spotting-maiko-in-kyoto/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weXPG-money_kyoto_kyoto-shiSat, 27 Feb 2016 21:14:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weXPG-money_kyoto_kyoto-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zaYAz-money_okayama_niimi-shiWith about a month left before I vacate my apartment and 2 days later, leave Japan, all the unique experiences are coming back to me, hence the little burst of posts lately.Today, for some reason, my cave trek came to mind. In Niimi, which is a small city in Okayama-ken, there is a massive cave called Ikura Do - 井倉洞. It's the first time I've ever been inside a cave, and it was absolutely mind-blowing!It's 1,200m long and 240m high, and it was created from limestone erosion. Inside, the temperature is15°C, so it's a great way to cool off in summer. I completely forgot about the expensive¥1,000 admission during my first few steps.The cave is a short walk from Ikura Station; just follow the signs. :DFor photos and more details, check out the post I wrote a while back about it for my blog's Photo Friday -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/my-first-cave-trek/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zaYAz-money_okayama_niimi-shiFri, 26 Feb 2016 15:13:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zaYAz-money_okayama_niimi-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/w2yJG-money_transportation_tokushima_miyoshi-shiThis is not something you normally see in Japan, nor is it something that comes to mind when you think of Japan.Tokushima is GREAT! I absolutely LOVE Tokushima. I highly recommend sightseeing throughout Tokushima and on your way to Tokushima (city) and Naruto, you need to stop in tiny Miyoshi so you can cross Japan's scariest bridge!The bridge is called Kazura Bashi. It's a real vine bridge, and if you're afraid of heights, this will be the perfect opportunity to face/conquer that fear. Crossing this bridge is an AMAZING experience. I kept reminding myself that thousands must have crossed this bridge over the years, and it's still there.However, this is NOT for children.I did aPhoto Fridaypost about this bridge, and it has more details for you. Check it out here -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/japans-scariest-and-most-thrilling-bridge/ - and don't miss it when you're in Tokushima! :D It's worth paying the¥550 just to cross it!Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/w2yJG-money_transportation_tokushima_miyoshi-shiThu, 25 Feb 2016 15:04:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/w2yJG-money_transportation_tokushima_miyoshi-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MJrVM-shopping_education_ehime_imabari-shiYes, you read the title of this post correctly. I'm writing about why you should go to a TOWEL museum! :DI have to confess that I was dreading the trip, but I had no choice because it was a field trip with the kids. I was so pleasantly surprised! I had a fantastic time, and you should go to the Imabari Towel Museum because it is fun, UNIQUE, and educational. I've been to so many museums, but I've never seen anything like this one.You'll see what I mean if you have a look at a Photo Friday post that I wrote about this museum a while ago -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/towels-galore/ I went back in 2012, so chances are good that some of the displays have been changed. Oh, one thing I didn't mention in the original post is that you can get the best personalized souvenirs and gifts there. They have every possible type of towel imaginable and you can have it personalized with names being embroidered on them. :DAnyway, DON'T MISS THIS if you're ever in or near Imabari. It's not far from Matsuyama, so if you're in Matsuyama, Imabari is easily accessible. :DFind me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MJrVM-shopping_education_ehime_imabari-shiWed, 24 Feb 2016 20:00:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MJrVM-shopping_education_ehime_imabari-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wXeXM-money_educationI just published a new post today outlining the reasons why I prefer teaching kids over adults, and I think that it would be beneficial for current and prospective teachers.Of course, you need to take a job to survive, but if you really think about your preferences and try to find something that is best for you, you're looking after your own sanity, which is priceless.My sanity is my #1 priority in life because without my sanity, I cannot help myself, never mind help others and be a contributing member of society. Besides, if you have no choice but to work, might as well try to make it as enjoyable as possible. :Dhttp://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/prefer-teach-kids-adults/What do you think?Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wXeXM-money_educationSun, 21 Feb 2016 18:12:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wXeXM-money_educationhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G0gjz-money_transportation_hyogo_himeji-shiIf you're living in Japan, you have to put Himeji Castle on your bucket list. I've seen many of Japan's castles, but Himeji really is the crown jewel. It is one of the original 12 remaining castles, and one of the 4 national treasures - the other 3 are Hikone, Inuyama, and Matsumoto.If you're on a budget and don't want to fork out the money for the Shinkansen, you can take a special rapid train from Osaka to Himeji for only¥1,490, and it takes 63 minutes. :D You can see the castle from the Shinkansen platform out the window; it's just down the street from JR Himeji Station.You can easily spend the whole afternoon there if there are tons of other visitors and if you just go exploring the castle and all the grounds at your own pace.Anyway, Himeji shouldn't be missed. It's amazing, and it's no wonder that it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.Check out the post I wrote on my blog for Photo Friday last week for more info and for more snapshots -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/himeji-japans-most-beautiful-castle/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G0gjz-money_transportation_hyogo_himeji-shiWed, 10 Feb 2016 20:28:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G0gjz-money_transportation_hyogo_himeji-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mdqyz-livingCalling ALL expat bloggers!As an expat in Japan, I've found others' blog posts about life in Japan so helpful and of course, posts from expats in other countries inspiring.I recently launched Expat Tuesday Link-Up on my blog, Trekking with Becky, where ALL expat bloggers are welcome to link up ANY posts they've written about life abroad in ANY country to help current expats and of course, hopefully inspire future expats. :DHere is the link to the current link-up -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/expat-tuesday-getting-glasses-japan/ and you can go here for more general information/details about Expat Tuesday link-up itself -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/expat-tuesday/Hope to see you there, and give me a shout if you have any questions! :DFind me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mdqyz-livingTue, 09 Feb 2016 20:42:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mdqyz-livinghttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weaOw-living_educationI've lived in Canada until I was 25 when I moved to Japan, and no matter how hard I think about it, I cannot think of a specific incident where I felt that I was being unfairly treated at work or at school because I was born female.While I was working at a public middle school in Japan, I saw how how girls are taught that their male classmates are more important, and it hit me really hard. I also noticed a great deal of gender inequality at work; I was never taken as seriously as my male colleagues, and don't get me started on the double standards. I'm sure that I got paid less than they did, but I have no actual proof.Anyway, a post I wrote last summer is one of my blog's most popular, and it's important to consider gender inequality and to do something about it. Japan is ranked 104 out of 142 countries for gender gap, and we need more awareness in order to reduce this gap, and hopefully eliminate it one of these years.Have a gander, and let me know what you think!What have you seen and experienced?http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/growing-up-female-in-japan/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weaOw-living_educationMon, 08 Feb 2016 21:14:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weaOw-living_educationhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GbNRG-money_okayama_tsuyama-shiI've been to a lot of Japanese gardens, but only this one in Tsuyama was FREE. :D Gotta love freebies! :DDon't get me wrong...there are tons of other gardens I've paid to see that are wonderful and definitely worth seeing, like Korakuen in Okayama and Suizenjikoen in Kumamoto, but Shurakuen in Tsuyama is unique with just as much history as any other Japanese garden.What captivated me about Shurakuen was the beautiful water lilies. I've never seen so many.Anyway, don't miss this wondrous FREEBIE in Tsuyama. It's close to the historic Edo period Joto Street and to the ruins and partial reconstruction of Tsuyama Castle. :DCheck out the photos and blurb I wrote about Shurakuen for a (past) Photo Friday post here -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/one-of-my-favourite-japanese-gardens/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GbNRG-money_okayama_tsuyama-shiThu, 04 Feb 2016 20:51:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GbNRG-money_okayama_tsuyama-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/M933G-money_shimane_matsue-shi_kumamoto_kumamoto-shiAfter having posted about the great sight-seeing freebie, Tottori Sakyu, I thought of another post that I wrote about with cheap and/or free sightseeing spots - what I believe are the top 3 samurai spots of Japan are. :DHaving been in Japan for over 5 years, I got to see tons of samurai spots, exhibits, etc., and I've narrowed them down to the top three. I listed them geographically in my post and of course, I included pictures from each spot. If you never make it to these three cities - Ako, Kumamoto, and Matsue, don't miss the samurai spots! :Dhttp://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/the-top-3-samurai-spots-in-japan/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/M933G-money_shimane_matsue-shi_kumamoto_kumamoto-shiThu, 04 Feb 2016 19:51:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/M933G-money_shimane_matsue-shi_kumamoto_kumamoto-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MpWYw-living_money_tottori_tottori-shiIt dawned on me that all my posts on this site are about costs of living and travel, and nothing specific about destinations. Japan has a lot of free and cheap attractions, and one of the best ones is definitely Tottori Sakyu - Japan's biggest sand dune in Tottori.I think it's one of the best because it's definitely out there for Japan, both geographically and figuratively - have you ever associated sand dunes with Japan? I don't know about you, but when I think of Japan, I think of culture and history because my mother's family is Japanese.The only reason I got to see Tottori Sakyu is because I was sent to Tottori for work, and I took the spare time that I had to go sightseeing. Whenever I'm sent anywhere for work, I spend as much time as I can sightseeing; I go as early as possible and leave as late as possible. :D Work always covers your transportation and accommodations, so it costs you next to nothing to go sightseeing.Anyway, check out last week's Photo Friday post I did on Tottori Sakyu -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/japans-biggest-sand-dune/:D I hope you make it there some day and that you enjoy other posts. :DFind me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MpWYw-living_money_tottori_tottori-shiWed, 03 Feb 2016 21:35:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MpWYw-living_money_tottori_tottori-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GyNbw-living_money_fashion_medical_okayama_kurashiki-shiDepending on your home country, getting your eyes checked and getting new glasses may be significantly cheaper. I'm from Canada, and the cheapest new pair of glasses I've ever gotten, including the eye exam, was over 5 times more expensive than the new glasses I just got here in Japan.You can walk into a glasses shop, pick your frames, and they'll figure out your prescription right there since you don't need an optometrist for that in Japan.If you want contacts, then you have to go to an optometrist.Anyway, I wrote a new post last night about getting glasses in Japan; it's SO EASY and CHEAP, especially if you hit a sale like I did! :DCheck out the post on my blog, Trekking with Becky here - http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/getting-glasses-japan/Find me on social media, and don't be shy to give me a shout anytime! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GyNbw-living_money_fashion_medical_okayama_kurashiki-shiSun, 31 Jan 2016 18:25:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GyNbw-living_money_fashion_medical_okayama_kurashiki-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G6lDM-living_money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shi_osaka_osaka-shi_okayama_okayama-shiIf you live in Japan, you're not eligible for the JR Pass, but there are still a few ways that you can save money with JR.You may be thinking that you usually just use JR for work, but at some point, you'll use the trains during your free time since Japan has countless things to see and do. I've discovered three ways that you can save some money and of course, I left the best one for last! :DSee my original post on my blog, Trekking with Becky to see what they are -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/how-to-save-money-with-japan-rail/Of course, if you know of any other ways (aside from getting a monthly pass), I'd LOVE to hear it! :DFacebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G6lDM-living_money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shi_osaka_osaka-shi_okayama_okayama-shiWed, 16 Dec 2015 20:25:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G6lDM-living_money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shi_osaka_osaka-shi_okayama_okayama-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GRYpz-living_money_medical_tokyo_osaka_osaka-shiI'm sure that you all know that your insurance, whether it's Kokumin or Shakai, covers 70% and you have to pay the remaining 30%, not to mention that finding medical professionals with communicable English isn't easy.A few months ago, I was approached by HealthyTOKYO.com to write a post. Since I live far from Tokyo, I was doubtful, but not only did I end up giving them a glowing review, I signed up and encouraged others to do so as well.It's a site dedicated to health and wellness for English-speaking expats. It has everything from organic food, organic and vegetarian restaurants, dermatologists, physiotherapists, yoga, medication, dentists, acupuncture, health clubs, health insurance...you name it!They have partners in other major cities that are closer to me than Tokyo, and I'm glad to know about this site because if I ever do require any of the services featured on their site, I know that they're available in English.Yes, I can manage at the doctor's office by myself, but English would be so much easier!Like this site, City Cost, I wish that HealthyTOKYO.com had been around when I first moved to Japan over five years ago but now, as I said in my original post on my blog, Trekking with Becky, I feel like this is an extra insurance policy that's free and of course, I have the option of upgrading. It's an extra peace of mind...you just NEVER KNOW what will happen.Click here for my original post -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/healthytokyo-an-extra-peace-of-mind/Facebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GRYpz-living_money_medical_tokyo_osaka_osaka-shiMon, 14 Dec 2015 22:49:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/GRYpz-living_money_medical_tokyo_osaka_osaka-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/z1v4G-money_transportationIf you're planning on visiting Japan or if you know anyone who is planning a visit to Japan, you absolutely MUST look into the JR pass! When my mom and grandma came to visit, they had the pass and saved over¥20,000, and I know people who have saved more. Although they're both 100% Japanese, they qualify since they don't live here and have a tourist stamp in their (Canadian) passport.I wrote a quick cost-benefit analysis on my blog, Trekking with Becky, that shows how much money they saved and how they did; there's also info on how you can calculate how much you can save with your plans.http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/a-japan-rail-pass-cost-benefit-analysis/Facebook -www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter -www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram -www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/z1v4G-money_transportationSat, 12 Dec 2015 18:23:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/z1v4G-money_transportationhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Glojz-money_transportation_hokkaido_okayama_okayama-shi_okinawaI was thinking about my new post, A Reason for Living Abroad that Nobody Mentions, that just went live on my blog (Trekking with Becky) today, and I realized that so many expats in Japan don't know just how much cheaper it is to travel to nearby countries than it is to travel domestically.Since I moved to Japan in 2010, I've been to 7 new countries: China (including Hong Kong and Macau); Malaysia; South Korea; Singapore; Taiwan; Thailand; and Vietnam. Next year, I'm going to see other parts of China, Malaysia and Thailand, and I'm going to see Cambodia and the Philippines. :D I also got to see Hawaii for a few days when one of my good friends got married back in April 2012.As I mentioned in the original post, I never thought I'd actually see any of these places, nor have I had an inkling to see any of them. Whenever I tell my family about an upcoming trip, at least one person asks me why I'm going there instead of seeing more of Japan.Of course, nearby cities and towns are cheaper, but when it comes to places farther away, it's cheaper to go abroad!Since I live in Kurashiki, my nearest airport is Okayama. It has daily flights to Shanghai and Seoul that depart early enough in the morning and return in the evening, so if you want to go farther, connecting in Shanghai or Seoul isn't a problem. Anyway,let me give you a couple of examples of how going abroad is cheaper than travelling domestically.1) The first time I went to South Korea, I had three consecutive days off work, which was incredibly rare. I wanted to go to Okinawa and at that time, it would have cost me nearly TWICE AS MUCH for the flights alone!2) I finally made it to Hokkaido this summer, and even though I booked my flight as early as possible to get the cheapest fare, the return plane fares and accommodations to Thailand and Vietnam were about¥23,000 cheaper!3) Airfare to Akita or Aomori is not much less than return airfare to CANADA! It's absolutely ridiculous! The Shinkansen that far from Okayama would take quite a bit longer than flying.For more reasons to travel abroad while based in Japan and for more tips, check out the original post -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/reason-living-abroad-nobody-mentions/It would be such a shame not to see other nearby countries while you're here! They're SO CLOSE and totally affordable! As always, give me a shout if you have any questions, and have a great day! :DTrekking with Becky - www.trekkingwithbecky.comFacebook - www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter - www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram - www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Glojz-money_transportation_hokkaido_okayama_okayama-shi_okinawaMon, 07 Dec 2015 20:29:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Glojz-money_transportation_hokkaido_okayama_okayama-shi_okinawahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weDeG-living_money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shi_okinawa_naha-shiYou can take the train or subway to the vast majority of places in Japan, but depending on where you go and/or if you end up working in Japan, you may have to use the bus at some point. For example, if you're in Naha (Okinawa), you have to take a bus to get to Ryukyumura, which is definitely a MUST if you're in Naha! :D You can also see how taking the bus is also the easiest and cheapest way to see Kyoto.Anyway, depending on where you're from, the bus system may be a little different and of course, there's the language barrier.I wrote a quick step-by-step guide for riding Japan's local buses on my blog, Trekking with Becky, with Japanese phrases that you may need -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/a-quick-guide-to-riding-japans-city-buses/As always, give me a shout if you have any questions! :D Facebook - www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter - @trekkingbeckyInstagram - @trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weDeG-living_money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shi_okinawa_naha-shiSun, 06 Dec 2015 22:39:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/weDeG-living_money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shi_okinawa_naha-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MPydz-living_moneyOne thing that I can honestly say is significantly cheaper in Japan than in Canada is postal services. I can't get over how cheap it is for me to send a parcel to Canada since it would easily cost me at least 3 times as much in Canada.However, when I was on my lunch break a few days ago, I discovered a way to make sending parcels even cheaper - don't include a letter! Yes, you read that right! It has nothing to do with the weight; it's just a Japan Post policy. When you send a parcel, you'll get asked if you included a letter. Since I didn't include a letter in my parcels, the cost 400 yen less (each), so I paid 690 yen for each one instead of 1,090.For more details on this story and some post office lingo, see the brief post I wrote on my blog, Trekking with Becky, here -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/quick-japan-post-tips/Facebook - www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter - www.twitter.com/trekkingbeckyInstagram - www.instagram.com/trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MPydz-living_moneySat, 05 Dec 2015 15:00:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MPydz-living_moneyhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MAy8M-living_money_transportationLike everywhere else in the world, taking a taxi is the most expensive ride in Japan, but I can honestly say that the Japanese taxi experience is the best I've ever had by a long shot. They're spotless, professional, and smooth; I wish I could just sit back and relax for a loooong ride, but it would cost an arm and a leg.Most of the time when I've taken a taxi was because of work; I had to work in a remote area where there were too few buses, so work covered the cost. In one case, the taxi was arranged with the company so I didn't have to pay and wait to get reimbursed, but on another, I always had to get a receipt and wait 'til the next pay day to get my money back.Anyway, I wrote a taxi guide for tourists and expats that I'm sure will be helpful -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/taxis-in-japan/ You'll see what to expect and some essential Japanese for your ride. Enjoy! :DGive me a shout if you have any questions! :DTrekking with Becky - www.trekkingwithbecky.comFacebook - www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter - @trekkingbeckyInstagram - @trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MAy8M-living_money_transportationFri, 04 Dec 2015 21:42:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MAy8M-living_money_transportationhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wjP4z-living_money_okayamaChances are that at some point while living in Japan, you'll be asked to teach privately. Of course, the idea of extra cash is GREAT, not to mention being your own boss, choosing your students, and getting paid right away. You can also wear what you want, make your own schedule, and you don't have to worry about adhering to a dress code.I don't need to go on about the pros of teaching privately, but I admit that potential cons didn't even dawn on me. I don't mean to burst your bubble, but there are things I wish I had considered or that other teachers would have told me about, so I wrote a post a few months ago with advice based on my nearly 5 years of experiences -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/teaching-privately/Good luck, and happy teaching! Give me a shout any time if you have any questions! :Dwww.trekkingwithbecky.comwww.facebook.com/trekkingwithbecky.comTwitter - @trekkingbeckyInstagram - @trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wjP4z-living_money_okayamaWed, 02 Dec 2015 21:28:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wjP4z-living_money_okayamahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mv8rG-money_hokkaido_sapporo-shiBefore I registered for AirBnB, I always found the cheapest hotels. In Japan, the cheapest hotels are still clean and safe, but they're usually not that cheap.I had the cheapest hotel in Sapporo that I could find all booked, but I'm so glad that I checked out AirBnB! I landed up paying HALF of what the hotel would have cost. Thankfully, hotels.com has a GREAT cancellation policy...you can get a full refund if you cancel before the 24-hour mark to check-in.Anyway, there's no such thing as perfection when you're on a budget, but this Sapporo AirBnB location is your best bet if you're tight on funds with the travel bug. I just wrote a post about it and published it earlier today -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/sapporo-airbnb/ - and you can get a discount toward your first AirBnB stay if you sign up for AirBnB through my link in my post. :DGive me a shout anytime if you have any questions/comments! :Dwww.trekkingwithbecky.comwww.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter - @trekkingbeckyInstagram - @trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mv8rG-money_hokkaido_sapporo-shiMon, 30 Nov 2015 20:46:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Mv8rG-money_hokkaido_sapporo-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/w5n8M-living_money_okayama_kurashiki-shiThere are few things I wish I had known before moving to Japan, and one of them is all about taxes. Consumption tax didn't concern me since that's just a given no matter where you go whenever you make purchases, but what really hit me like a ton of bricks was the INSANE residential tax.Oh, how I wish I had found something about this online before coming to Japan, or that someone had told me all about it before getting hit rather than just being vaguely told to expect it in June of my second year.I asked a few people how much I'll have to pay, and they just told me that it's a lot, that every city is different, and that it's based on my salary. That didn't help at all.My jaw dropped when it came in the mail in June. I was actually stuck for the first payment since I had just sent money back home to put toward my education debt. Thankfully, they were okay with a late payment when I called and explained my situation.Anyway, I wrote this post all about taxes in Japanon my blog, Trekking with Becky, and it's the most popular post in my Cost of Living in Japan series so far. I wrote a lot about consumption tax as well as the residential tax. Don't be shy to give me a shout if you have any questions! :DFacebook - www.facebook.com/trekkingwithbeckyTwitter - @trekkingbeckyInstagram - @trekkingwithbeckyTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/w5n8M-living_money_okayama_kurashiki-shiSun, 22 Nov 2015 16:57:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/w5n8M-living_money_okayama_kurashiki-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wmjaM-living_food_shopping_money_okayama_kurashiki-shiI wrote a post about the cost of domestic groceries along with recommendations for grocery stores on my blog, Trekking with Becky.I wish I had known these things when I came to Japan and that it didn't take so long to learn.I hope this helps, and give me a shout if you have any questions! :Dhttp://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/cost-of-living-in-japan-domestic-groceries/To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wmjaM-living_food_shopping_money_okayama_kurashiki-shiWed, 11 Nov 2015 21:40:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wmjaM-living_food_shopping_money_okayama_kurashiki-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zKPRG-money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shiKyoto is the easiest city for sightseeing because of how cheap it is. You can get anywhere by bus for next to nothing. Check out my blog post on the cheapest and easiest way to see Kyoto on Trekking with Becky here -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/the-cheapest-way-to-see-kyoto/To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zKPRG-money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shiMon, 09 Nov 2015 22:38:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/zKPRG-money_transportation_kyoto_kyoto-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Goj2z-living_medical_education_okayama_kurashiki_shi_okayamaHaving been sick since Silver Week (mid-September) and having gone to the doctor for my 5th cocktail of prescription medication yesterday, I thought that this post on my blog, Trekking with Becky, that I wrote a couple of weeks ago might be helpful.It's a small Japanese lesson so that you understand things like when to take your medication. Feel free to give me a shout if you have any questions, and I hope that this is helpful. :D Chances are extremely slim that you'll find a pharmacist with communicable English.http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/understanding-japanese-prescription/To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Goj2z-living_medical_education_okayama_kurashiki_shi_okayamaSun, 08 Nov 2015 16:37:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/Goj2z-living_medical_education_okayama_kurashiki_shi_okayamahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MnxXG-living_okayama_kurashiki-shiI thought that this post that I wrote this week would be helpful for all of you who are new to Japan or thinking of moving to Japan.Signing your name in Japan isn't cut and dry for the big things, like things for banking and pretty much signing up/registering for things. You'll need to get a personal seal. I explain this and discuss it in detail in this post - Your Signature in Japan - on my blog, Trekking with Becky. Don't be shy to give me a shout if you have any questions. :DTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MnxXG-living_okayama_kurashiki-shiFri, 06 Nov 2015 22:33:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/MnxXG-living_okayama_kurashiki-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wrV6w-living_food_shopping_money_okayama_kurashiki-shiWe all have food/drink that we miss from our home countries and thankfully, you can get quite a bit of imported food in Japan. Of course, it costs more.I wrote a post a little over a month ago on my blog, Trekking with Becky, about how much imported groceries can cost as well as some tips about where to find your favourite imported food. Sadly, I can't get everything I miss, but I'm glad to get what I can.http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/cost-of-living-in-japan-imported-groceries/To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wrV6w-living_food_shopping_money_okayama_kurashiki-shiWed, 04 Nov 2015 22:19:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/wrV6w-living_food_shopping_money_okayama_kurashiki-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G6qWz-living_money_okayama_kurashiki-shiEveryone knows that Japan is not cheap and like every other country in the world, the cost of living depends on where you live - a big city or in the country-side.I live in Kurashiki, which is a city close to Okayama in Okayama-ken. I wrote a post in early September on my blog, Trekking with Becky, about the cost of utilities, specifically electricity, gas, and water. This post is the first in my Cost of Living in Japan Series, and it shows how much I paid in these utilities for a year -http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/cost-of-living-in-japan-utilities/I hope that you'll find this post helpful, and don't be shy to give me a shout with any questions. :DTo view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G6qWz-living_money_okayama_kurashiki-shiTue, 03 Nov 2015 19:55:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/trekkingbecky/G6qWz-living_money_okayama_kurashiki-shi