Path: ccsf.homeunix.org!ccsf.homeunix.org!news1.wakwak.com!nf1.xephion.ne.jp!onion.ish.org!onodera-news!newsfeed.media.kyoto-u.ac.jp!headwall.stanford.edu!newsfeed.stanford.edu!postnews1.google.com!not-for-mail From: imouttahere@mac.com (Heywood Mogroot) Newsgroups: fj.life.in-japan Subject: Re: Moving to Japan Date: 2 Jun 2003 04:03:52 -0700 Organization: http://groups.google.com/ Lines: 49 Message-ID: References: NNTP-Posting-Host: 64.175.85.114 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Trace: posting.google.com 1054551832 557 127.0.0.1 (2 Jun 2003 11:03:52 GMT) X-Complaints-To: groups-abuse@google.com NNTP-Posting-Date: 2 Jun 2003 11:03:52 GMT Xref: ccsf.homeunix.org fj.life.in-japan:509 ethanrivers@hotmail.com (Ethan J. Rivers) wrote in message news:... > Hi All: > > I am a gaijin (U.S.) who is moving to Tokyo in the next few months, > for job reasons. As you might imagine, I am frantic with preparations > and packing for the move, and was hoping for some advice or > information regarding moving to Japan. Specifically, if there are any > crucial documents I should have with me International Drivers License from the AAA. Bring your Costco card if you have one; there's now 2 Costco's in the Kanto area. , or things that I should bring > from America as opposed to buying them in Japan #1 is your favorite deoderant/antiperspirant. They don't sell that stuff [worthy of the name] here, so bring enough to last until your next shopping trip home. The closest Safeway is in Guam, I believe [there could be one in Saipan]. In general most personal hygiene brands are expensive and suck compared to American brands, so bring what you'll need. I'd forget the comfort food -- there's plenty of good stuff to try out, and it sucks to eat the last of something you can't get here. Tokyu Hands, a home store, has a pretty wide selection of domestic stuff. Chances are if they don't have it you don't really need it, though such frou-frou appliances as a waffle maker, sandwich grill, and blender would be useful to bring over. Plus a big-ass can opener -- I never could find a good one. I found living within easy walking distance of the National Azabu [in Hiroo, Minato-ku] supermarket to be a big convenience. They're as expensive as hell but offer a wide selection of stuff that few other grocery stores have. I'd pack some winter stuff (down comforters etc) in boxes and seamail 'em (have a friend kick them off when you have your permanent digs). > get information on the expat community in Tokyo, I would greatly > appreciate it if you could post them or e-mail them to me personally. Tokyo basically is one big expat community. > Thanks, I look forward to hearing from everyone! Good luck. =Heywood=