Well, i've been pretty busy with school and things so I haven't been getting a chance to post anything. Anyway, being that there is a holiday coming this week, I'll see if I can get something up. Maybe some travel info or something. Anyway yes I'm still here and I will try and get things back up to speed soon.
For those of you who read my story "Destination Japan!" chapter 15 is out for viewing so go ahead and enjoy. If you would like to read my story, go to oddhaven.com, click on the fanfic section and it should be right there.
Also Episode 21 for TJX is out so go ahead and check that out. jrajio.net
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
New Music Release
Here are the latest music releases from Japan. Thanks goes out to DJ City for getting me the list:
11/5
beatuiful days - arashi
funky monkey babys - Kibo no Uta / kaze
spitz - Wakaba
chemistry - Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora
11/12
CHEMISTRY- Winter of Love
Thelma Aoyama - Mamoritai Mono
Speed - Ashita no Sora
11/19
Jyonetsu no Daisho / Escape - GND
ai need - kimaguren
perfurm- dream fighter
UVERWorld - Hakanaku mo Eikyu no Kanashi
11/26
MAI KURAKI - 24 xmas time
juju - Sunao ni Naretara JUJU feat. Spontania / I can be free
get wild - globe
11/5
beatuiful days - arashi
funky monkey babys - Kibo no Uta / kaze
spitz - Wakaba
chemistry - Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora
11/12
CHEMISTRY- Winter of Love
Thelma Aoyama - Mamoritai Mono
Speed - Ashita no Sora
11/19
Jyonetsu no Daisho / Escape - GND
ai need - kimaguren
perfurm- dream fighter
UVERWorld - Hakanaku mo Eikyu no Kanashi
11/26
MAI KURAKI - 24 xmas time
juju - Sunao ni Naretara JUJU feat. Spontania / I can be free
get wild - globe
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Cell Phones In Japan
Now when traveling to Japan, one of the most important things that I find necessary is a cell phone. Japan is number one in the world in mobile phone technology, leading the world at 75% in usage and ownership.
Now a traveler might think it's ok to bring his or her own cell phone when they travel, and it is, to an extent. If the service company provides an international roaming plan one may be able to use their own phone with roaming charges applied. travelers can also rent a sim card in Japan which allows the traveler to use his cell phone, but with a Japanese phone number.
However that is only half that is necessary to be able to use your phone when traveling in Japan. The phone itself must be compatible with japan's mobile phone network. In Japan, there is no GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) So far, only a few G3 (3rd Generation) models are compatible, however the number of compatible phone are increasing. Contact your service provider for more information about if your phone is compatible.
rechargable sim card vending machine
The other option for mobile phones is to rent a mobile phone from one of the services in Japan. Services usually charge for outgoing calls, internet, etc. All in coming calls are free. There are three major phone companies in Japan. NTT Docomo, au by KDDI, and Softbank (originally called Vodafone). NTT Docomo is the most popular out of the three companies. Travelers can pick up a rental phone at Kiosk stands at the airport o have them delivered to their hotel or home. Costs range from 250-1000 yen per day for rental and a usage fee; about 70-200 yen per minute for domestic calls.You may get a discount for advance reservations but at airports, all stands carry the same day rental fees. You will need a photo identification and credit card in order to purchase a rental phone. I recommend this if you plan on staying in Japan for a short to medium range of time.
A cell phone from SoftBank
A third option is to buy a prepaid phone. These can be purchased at cell phone stores and convenience stores located throughout Japan. However you will need some form of photo identification and a place of residence identification. For the traveler, a passport id and the hotel address the traveler is staying at should be sufficient verification, however not all stores will accept this. The most common photo id's are a Japanese Drivers license, a Japaneses passport, or an alien registration card. A basic prepaid phone starts at around 5000 yen. The services provided depends on features on the phone. Credit must be purchased in advance in order to use a prepaid phone. As long as a person still has credit, the phone remains active, however the phone will expire with all credits, if any, if the phone is not used for 4 months to a year.
A fourth option is a paid subscription plan. This is usually paid at the end of each monthly bill cycle. Like most mobile phone companies, the phone itself may be free, however it requires a 1-year or 2-year contract. This service is only available to residents and requires an alien registration card and a Japanese bank account.
Now a traveler might think it's ok to bring his or her own cell phone when they travel, and it is, to an extent. If the service company provides an international roaming plan one may be able to use their own phone with roaming charges applied. travelers can also rent a sim card in Japan which allows the traveler to use his cell phone, but with a Japanese phone number.
However that is only half that is necessary to be able to use your phone when traveling in Japan. The phone itself must be compatible with japan's mobile phone network. In Japan, there is no GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) So far, only a few G3 (3rd Generation) models are compatible, however the number of compatible phone are increasing. Contact your service provider for more information about if your phone is compatible.
rechargable sim card vending machine
The other option for mobile phones is to rent a mobile phone from one of the services in Japan. Services usually charge for outgoing calls, internet, etc. All in coming calls are free. There are three major phone companies in Japan. NTT Docomo, au by KDDI, and Softbank (originally called Vodafone). NTT Docomo is the most popular out of the three companies. Travelers can pick up a rental phone at Kiosk stands at the airport o have them delivered to their hotel or home. Costs range from 250-1000 yen per day for rental and a usage fee; about 70-200 yen per minute for domestic calls.You may get a discount for advance reservations but at airports, all stands carry the same day rental fees. You will need a photo identification and credit card in order to purchase a rental phone. I recommend this if you plan on staying in Japan for a short to medium range of time.
A cell phone from SoftBank
A third option is to buy a prepaid phone. These can be purchased at cell phone stores and convenience stores located throughout Japan. However you will need some form of photo identification and a place of residence identification. For the traveler, a passport id and the hotel address the traveler is staying at should be sufficient verification, however not all stores will accept this. The most common photo id's are a Japanese Drivers license, a Japaneses passport, or an alien registration card. A basic prepaid phone starts at around 5000 yen. The services provided depends on features on the phone. Credit must be purchased in advance in order to use a prepaid phone. As long as a person still has credit, the phone remains active, however the phone will expire with all credits, if any, if the phone is not used for 4 months to a year.
A fourth option is a paid subscription plan. This is usually paid at the end of each monthly bill cycle. Like most mobile phone companies, the phone itself may be free, however it requires a 1-year or 2-year contract. This service is only available to residents and requires an alien registration card and a Japanese bank account.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Music Playlist
Well, I thought it would be good to incorparate some music to my blog so I've added a playlist in. These are just a few songs that I picked randomly. If you want to add a song that's not in the list please let me know and I'll add it in :)
Lang-8
It's been a while since I have done any kind of Japanese language review. The last time I had a Japanese class was last year. So this year, I'm stuck this year with no language class at all, which is actually quite convenient in a way. However, now I'm stuck with no form of teaching.
That's where I discovered Lang-8. Basically, Lang-8 is an online journal that you write in the desired language you are studying. Then native people from the country of the language you are learning correct any errors or miscues in your journal. For example, I write my journal in Japanese and then someone from Japan reads it and makes corrections as necessary. You also can correct other journals in that you are a native speaker of. So I can correct anyone who is trying to write in English. This site isn't really for lessons but rather more of a tune-up to language skills.
A tip for people using this site that are writing journals in japanese:
I find using romaji is much easier to understand when writing your journal, not to mention easier to see corrections. You may think that writing in hiragana is supposed to be a more standard form, but it's also harder to understand corrections when there are posted, unless you are extremely efficient and understand what they mean, but then why would you be using this website?
If you want to be part of the community, go to lang-8.com for registration. Registration is free and it covers a vast majority of languages, not just Japanese.
That's where I discovered Lang-8. Basically, Lang-8 is an online journal that you write in the desired language you are studying. Then native people from the country of the language you are learning correct any errors or miscues in your journal. For example, I write my journal in Japanese and then someone from Japan reads it and makes corrections as necessary. You also can correct other journals in that you are a native speaker of. So I can correct anyone who is trying to write in English. This site isn't really for lessons but rather more of a tune-up to language skills.
A tip for people using this site that are writing journals in japanese:
I find using romaji is much easier to understand when writing your journal, not to mention easier to see corrections. You may think that writing in hiragana is supposed to be a more standard form, but it's also harder to understand corrections when there are posted, unless you are extremely efficient and understand what they mean, but then why would you be using this website?
If you want to be part of the community, go to lang-8.com for registration. Registration is free and it covers a vast majority of languages, not just Japanese.
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