Group Human Resources Dept. Rakuten, Inc. Transportation from Airport Train Timetables / Routes Useful Japanese Phrases / Phone Numbers Notification of Moving In Banks in Japan Mobile Phones in Japan Rakuten Mobile Rakuten Mobile Plans Other Mobile Carriers Internet, Landline Phone, Cable TV Train/Bus Commuter Pass Food in Japan Health Check References and Useful Links
2 Recommended transportation from the airport to Tokyo/Yokohama
➢ Train: If you have big luggage, taking trains can be difficult. Most stations have elevators or escalators but big stations (such as Shinjuku) may be complicated. Small stations do not have elevators or escalators.
➢ Narita Express (N’EX): A convenient train from Narita Airport to Tokyo/Yokohama. It only stops at major urban stations and is more expensive than a local train, but has special facilities to lock your suitcase during the commute. Check the main page here: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/
➢ Airport Limousine: http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/ This is a large bus (with luggage space underneath) that stops in major areas in the Tokyo/Yokohama area. Advantage: There is a bus available from Narita Airport to Futako-Tamagawa.
➢ Taxi: Very easy and convenient to use, but will cost a lot for a long term distance. (Example: Narita Airport to Futako-Tamagawa: 95km/170min/30,000yen; Haneda Airport to Futako-Tamagawa: 18km/46min/6,700yen) Check the rate (only in Japanese): http://www.nihon-kotsu.co.jp/taxi/fare/simulation.html
➢ Wi-Fi Hotspot Guide: https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/wifi-connectivity/wifi_hotspotguide.html
3 Recommended websites to check train timetables and routes:
➢ Hyperdia: http://www.hyperdia.com ➢ NAVITIME: https://transit.navitime.com/en/jp/ ➢ JR-East Train Info: http://www.jreast-app.jp/en/ (app available on App Store & Google Play)
Recommended travel areas around the Tokyo / Kanagawa area:
Tokyo Shibuya Shinjuku Roppongi Ginza Marunouchi Asakusa Ikebukuro Ueno Akihabara Harajuku Shijo-Mae (Toyosu Fish Market) Oshiage (Tokyo SkyTree)
Kanagawa Yokohama Kawasaki Minatomirai Kamakura
4 Please use the following Japanese phrases if you need assistance.
“Excuse me. I would like to call this number, but I don’t have a phone. Could you help me to call this number…?” 「すみません。この番号（080-****-****）に電話をかけたいのですが、電話を持っていないため助けていただ けませんでしょ うか。」 (Sumimasen. Kono bangoh (080-****-****) ni denwa wo kaketai nodesuga, denwa wo motteinai tame tasukete itadakemasen deshohka?)
“I don’t understand Japanese.” 「私は日本語がわかりません。」 (Watashi wa nihongo ga wakarimasen.)
“How do I get to (station name) station?” 「○○駅までどのように行けばいいですか。」 ((Station name) eki made donoyou ni ikeba ii desuka?)
Emergency Numbers Police 110 Ambulance 119 Fire 119
5 Foreign residents in Japan are required to register at the city/ward office.
➢ Please visit the municipal office (local ward office:「区役所」) where you live with your residence card and passport, and file a ‘moving in notification’ within 14 days of arriving in Japan. ※Note: Please make sure to set aside time for you to visit the ward office before work begins since most local ward offices are open on only weekdays. Some may open two Saturdays per month (information available on the ward office’s website).
➢When you visit the office, please bring your: ➢Residence Card ➢Passport
➢ List of Ward Offices in Tokyo: https://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/gov/01.html ※If you move after registering your address, you will need to file a ‘moving out notification’ at the old ward office, and a new ‘moving in notification’ at your new ward office.
※If you live and work in Japan with a work visa, please ensure to notify Immigration that you are changing companies※ See #4 – 5: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/19.html
6 A bank account must be opened in Japan to transfer your salary.
※ATTENTION: You must have a Japanese bank account by the end of your first week to receive salary on time.
➢ Applications cannot be filed before your arrival in Japan. ➢ A Residence Card with an address registered at your local ward office is required to open an account. ➢ We recommend you create an international credit card in your country. Sometimes, it is not easy to create a credit card account in Japan. Rakuten Bank • We recommend Rakuten employees open a Rakuten Bank account (an English helpdesk will support you after joining) • Website: https://www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/english/account/opening/ • Inexpensive fees when sending and receiving money from abroad (compared to other Japanese banks)
Shinsei Bank • Offers good English customer support (other larger banks such as Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo, etc. have a lower level of English support) • Includes English-supported online banking • Website: https://www.shinseibank.com/english/ • There is a branch located beside Rakuten Crimson House and English support is available: https://www.shinseibank.com/english/atm/tempo/029/futakotamagawa.html
SMBC Trust Bank • Provides services in English • A monthly maintenance fee of 2,100 JPY will be automatically withdrawn from your account • Website: http://www.smbctb.co.jp/en/ 7 There are two types of mobile phone service plans in Japan: 1) Prepaid 2) Subscription
Phones may be subsidized or purchased at full price by installment. Subsidized phones usually require a 2 year service contract.
You can make a contract with the carrier of your choice by visiting their local shop or an electric retail store.
Having a credit card will make the registration and monthly payment process easier, therefore we recommend you to sign up for a credit card beforehand. Rakuten Card: https://www.rakuten-card.co.jp/campaign/rakuten_card/listing/a.html?sclid=o_rkc_campaign_listing_pc (Japanese)
The following items are required for application: 1) Residence card (with registered address) or special permanent resident certificate (no copies) 2) Credit card issued in Japan
8 Rakuten Mobile offers both Prepaid and Subscription service options, with an employee discount available for Rakutenians. Homepage: https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Please apply for the discount after 1) making a contract, and 2) your start date at Rakuten. Discount details (please access via your Rakuten PC after joining): https://officerakuten.sharepoint.com/sites/GlobalPortal/Lists/AnnounceJapan/DispForm.aspx?ID=2215
Store Locations: https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/shop/ (Japanese) There is a Rakuten Mobile shop located within Rakuten Café at Futako-Tamagawa Station in Tokyo (right beside Crimson House), open from 10:00 to 20:30. Here are the services available:
SIM Card Types Phone Number
Device & SIM Card Call SIM New Number
SIM Card Only* Data SIM MNP**
* For SIM Card Only option, please find a list of acceptable devices here: http://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/device/ (Japanese) ** This option may not be available at some mobile carriers. Please confirm if it’s acceptable at your mobile shop.
9 Prepaid
Find detailed information on prepaid data SIM cards here: https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/prepaid/en/ (English) List of operation confirmed devices: https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/prepaid/en/device/ (English)
There is a Rakuten Mobile SIM App (available for download on the App Store and Google Play) where you can check and recharge the transmission data volume. Please check here for recharging options: https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/prepaid/en/recharge/ (English)
Subscription
Rakuten Mobile has many inexpensive subscription plans available. Please check here for a list of plans: https://mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/ (Japanese)
Please ensure to bring a residence card with registered address (or special permanent residence certificate), and a credit card issued in Japan. To speed up the process, please also bring your Rakuten Membership login and password details with current Japanese address, and/or your Rakuten health insurance card (received after your start date). 10 Besides Rakuten Mobile, Japan has 3 major carriers that offer a range of plans.
AU (KDDI) https://www.au.com/english/ SoftBank https://www.softbank.jp/en/mobile/support/ NTT DoCoMo https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/support/procedure/
Many electrical retail stores offer major and budget mobile carrier options. Bic Camera https://www.biccamera.com/ Yamada Denki https://www.yamada-denki.jp/ Yodobashi Camera https://www.yodobashi.com/
11 Many internet providers offer a variety of plans.
Internet, Landline Phone, Cable TV Packages Rakuten Broadband https://broadband.rakuten.co.jp/ NTT EAST https://flets.com/english/index.html J:COM https://www.jcom.co.jp/english/ ASAHI NET https://asahi-net.jp/en iTSCOM https://www.itscom.net/en/ SoftBank https://www.softbank.jp/en/internet/ SpinNet https://www.spinnet.jp/indexe.html
12 Rakuten pays for the cost of a commuter pass to the office. *See Appendix of Offer Letter for details Commuter Pass (定期券 / ‘teikiken’) • A commuter pass can be purchased at a station that has a commuter ticket office or a ticketing machine with a commuter pass purchase option. • You will need to provide the following information when purchasing a commuter pass: - Name, gender, date of birth and phone number - Two stations between which you would like to commute - Length of validity of the pass (one, three or six months) Suica / PASMO • Suica/PASMO is a convenient, public transportation IC card system which allows for repeated use of a single chargeable card. • The card allows you to travel on rail and bus in the Tokyo metropolitan area and can also be used for payment as electronic money when making purchases at participating stores. Suica: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html PASMO: https://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/
13 While Rakuten provides three free meals per day, Japan offers a wide variety of food options.
Rakuten Net Super (online supermarket service for home delivery): https://sm.rakuten.co.jp/ Rakuten Delivery (restaurant home delivery service): https://delivery.rakuten.co.jp/
There are many restaurants in the Futako-Tamagawa area around Rakuten Crimson House. http://www.rise.sc.e.rv.hp.transer.com/shop/category/restaurant/
Halal options in Tokyo (via Gurunavi): https://gurunavi.com/en/all/tokyo?q=halal Vegetarian options in Tokyo (via Gurunavi): https://gurunavi.com/en/all/tokyo?q=vegetarian
Check out Tokyo Cheapo for a range of articles and links on food in Japan: https://tokyocheapo.com/food-and-drink/
14 The results of a health check written by a physician needs to be submitted upon employment.
Please see the link below for a list of English speaking doctors / hospitals in Tokyo and Yokohama: https://www.realestate-tokyo.com/living-in-tokyo/doctors-hospitals/
*The health check can be submitted to Rakuten in either Japanese or English.
15 Link Notes
Rakuten Main Homepage (Shopping is Entertainment!)
The Expat’s Guide to Japan General Information
japan-guide.com General Information
List of Foreign Embassies/Consulates in Japan Embassy/Consulate Information
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Guide for Tokyo Residents
Metropolis Japan English Language Magazine/Classifieds
TimeOut Tokyo Local Events
Craigslist Tokyo English Language Classifieds
Nitori Budget Furniture (Japanese site)
Ikea Budget Furniture
16