Kagoshima Survival Guide 2013 Edition Published by Kagoshima Prefecture International Affairs Division Produced by Kagoshima JET Program & Kagoshima Association for JET Kagoshima JET Program Prefectural Advisors Hirofumi Ozono, Takuyo Katanoda, Yuko Uchizono, Kennard Xu, Michelle Kato, Rachel Little, Tyler Kinkade Kagoshima Association for JET Committee Members President: Jermaine Nelson; Vice-President: Alberto Martinez; Secretary: Matt O’Boyle; Treasurer: Jay Johnston; Community Coordinator: Logan Morley; Communications Chair: Gayle Hume; Event Planner: Alex O’Brien Article Contributors Nathan Bastin, Gayle Hume, Jay Johnston, Laura Keating, Tyler Kinkade, Colin Lawrence, Rachel Little, Justin Martens, Alberto Martinez, Logan Morley, Jermaine Nelson, Alex O’Brien, Matt O’Boyle, Perry Pollard, Rachel Seaman, Kennard Xu, and countless others Cover Design: Logan Morley Layout Design: Alberto Martinez, Tyler Kinkade

Table of Contents

Support Network Public Transportation Prefectural Advisors ______1 Routes & Timetables ______25 Block System ______2 Rapica Card ______25 Emergency Numbers ______2 Buses ______26 Counseling Resources ______2 Tram ______27 Kagoshima Association for JET _____ 3 Trains ______28 Who do I ask for help? ______3 Ferries ______29 KAJET Event Schedule ______4 Driving First Things First General Information ______31 Personal Safety ______5 Drinking and Driving ______32 Natural Disasters ______5 Gas Stations ______33 Medical Information ______9 Japanese Driver’s Licenses ______34 Workplace Culture ______12 Buying a Car ______34 Your New Home Insiders’ Guide Around the House ______15 Information Centers ______37 Bills ______16 City Life ______38 Cleaning Time ______17 Country Life ______39 Pests ______17 Island Life ______42 Garbage and Recycling ______18 Sexual & Reproductive Health _____ 46 Media & Communication ______20 Vegetarians ______49 Neighbors ______22 Learning Japanese ______51 Money and Spending Banking and Money Access _____ 23

For More Information

The Kagoshima Survival Guide provides essential information to help incoming JETs get started their first month in Kagoshima. Please see the Kagoshima JET Program website at: www.kagoshimajet.com for more complete, detailed information and tips.

A Word from the KAJET President

Welcome to Kagoshima! First off congratulations on your acceptance into the JET Programme and on being selected to live in one of the sunniest, nicest prefectures in Japan! Kagoshima is the southernmost prefecture in Japan before Okinawa and, as such, has a sub-tropical climate. This means that Kagoshima is quite a green, lush place containing an abundance of natural beauty. Our prefecture houses countless beautiful locations, from the wondrous islands in the South, the breath-taking mass migrations of cranes in Izumi, the fabulous beaches in Makurazaki, the unique “sand baths” of Ibusuki, to the mythical birthplace of Japan, Kirishima. You most certainly have an abundance of adventure waiting for you here in our gorgeous prefecture! In a country known for its warm, friendly people, Kagoshima is particularly renowned for its hospitality and friendliness. Though Kagoshima has a rich history in relation to foreigners and foreign trade, you might still be a bit of a curiosity to Japanese people here. Remember to take everything in stride, as people may appear shy at first. However, if given the opportunity, they will want to talk to you. A little Japanese goes a long way and even a simple “ohayou gozaimasu” will be met with much enthusiasm. Of course no matter how wonderful things are here we all come from different walks of life and will face different challenges. No matter who you are, moving to a foreign country will make you grow whether you realise it or not. Always remember that growing sometimes hurts, however you will naturally form your own group of friends that will become your support group. Please remember that the Kagoshima JET community is here to help you. We have an awesome group of Prefectural Advisors (PAs) who are ready to help with any problems you might encounter. Last but not least, myself and the entire Kagoshima AJET team are here to help you in any way that we can. You are never alone. I’m very excited to meet you all soon, and I know you will no doubt make memories here in Kagoshima that you will treasure for a lifetime. Thanks and yoroshiku! Jermaine Nelson President, Kagoshima AJET 4th year ALT

Support Network

Prefectural Advisors

Kagoshima Prefecture’s seven Prefectural Advisors (PAs) provide support to JET participants and Contracting Organizations. If you have questions or concerns about your work, your contract or life in general while you are here in Japan, they are here to help. Anything you share with PAs will be kept confidential (except in cases when you or someone else is in immediate danger). Contact the PAs at: [email protected]. ALT PAs Rachel Little, [email protected], 080 3189 4570 Tyler Kinkade, [email protected], 080 6431 8241 Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) PAs are contacted for work-related concerns, daily life information and counseling. ALT PAs have extensive classroom experience. CIR PAs Kennard Xu, [email protected], 080 5278 9428, Michelle Kato, [email protected], 099 286 2303 Coordinator of International Relations (CIR) PAs are contacted for language-barrier related issues as well as work and life concerns. CIR PAs are fluent in both Japanese and English. J-PAs Takuyo Katanoda, International Affairs Division, 099 286 2303 Yuko Uchizono, Upper Secondary School Education Division, 099 286 5291 Hirofumi Ozono, International Affairs Division, 099 286 2303 Japanese PAs are the PA team leaders and are most commonly contacted by school or BOE supervisors with regards to JET-related issues.

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Block System

The Kagoshima Prefecture Block System is a regional support system based on geographical proximity, with each of the designated blocks headed by a block leader. Block leaders are experienced, volunteer JET participants who can answer basic questions about the local area. They provide emergency information in the event of natural disasters, and will contact JETs following a disaster to ensure everyone is okay. Throughout the year, you will be contacted by your Block Leader. If you have any trouble reaching them, please consult a Prefectural Advisor (PA) for assistance.

Emergency Numbers

Police (keisatsu 警察) 110 Ambulance (kyuukyuusha 救急車) 119 Fire (shoubousha 消防車) 119

Counseling Resources

CLAIR JET Line 03 5213 1729; Mon – Fri, 9 A.M. – 5:45 P.M. JET Line is answered in English by JET Programme Coordinators (PC). All of CLAIR’s PCs are former JETs who have received training in counseling techniques and are well-versed in JET Programme issues. PCs can help you find professional advice and consultation from members of its Counseling System Committee. AJET Peer Support Group 050 5534 5566; Skype ID: AJETPSG; 365 days/year, 8 P.M. – 7 A.M. PSG is a listening and referral service for all JET participants. Volunteers are current JET participants trained by professionals. It’s completely anonymous, confidential and available every night of the year. Whether you’ve had a bad day at work, need to see a doctor at 3:00 A.M. or just want to speak English with someone, the volunteers at PSG are available to listen. See www.ajet.net/psg for more information.

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TELL Support Line 03 5774 0992; 9 A.M. – 11 P.M., 365 days/year There are also non-JET counseling options, including TELL which provides free, anonymous and confidential telephone. Trained volunteers can offer counseling and support, as well as information on a broad range of English- speaking services in Japan. See www.telljp.com for more information.

Kagoshima Association for JET

KAJET is an independent, self-supporting, volunteer, community-building organization comprised of current JET participants within Kagoshima which provides an informal exchange of information and ideas about daily living in Kagoshima and organizes social events throughout the year. 2013 – 14 KAJET Committee Members President: Jermaine Nelson, 4th Year, Kokubu City Vice-President: Alberto Martinez, 4th Year, Satsumasendai City Secretary: Matt O’Boyle, 4th Year, Kagoshima City Treasurer: Jay Johnston, 3rd Year, Kajiki Town Community Coordinator: Logan Morley, 3rd Year, Miyanojo Town Communications Chair: Gayle Hume, 2nd Year, Makurazaki City Event Planner: Alex O’Brien, 2nd Year, Kagoshima City KAJET Contact Information Email: [email protected] Facebook: Kagoshima AJET Message Board: kajet.proboards.com Email Listserv: groups.yahoo.com/group/kagoshima-jets

Who do I ask for help?

KAJET representatives are a good resource for general information about living in Japan, but if you have any personal or professional problems, the PAs are your best resource for assistance. PAs are official, trained Kagoshima Prefecture advisors who can give you more assistance than your fellow JETs and will keep all information strictly confidential. 3

2013 – 14 KAJET Event Schedule

August 17 New JET Day Out A great day out around Kagoshima City followed by an awesome party at night!

Early September Shipwrecked in Makurazaki A beach party on one of the most gorgeous beaches in all of Japan!

Early October Nejime Dragonboats Festival Participate or Cheer-on our JET team in this world famous race.

Late October Scream O’Shima Celebrating Halloween in unique Kagoshima fashion.

November 14 SDC After Party A dinner party where you can mingle with fellow ALTs and JTEs.

December Winter Celebration Get into the holiday spirit and help kick off the winter holidays.

February Signing Party Re-contracting? Not sure? This party will help to kick back and relax a bit.

March Kagoshima vs. Miyazaki An inter-prefectural sports event to promote friendship and healthy competition.

Early April Cherry Blossom Party Eat, drink and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.

May End of JET Year Party Join us as we bid farewell to another year.

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First Things First

Personal Safety

Your personal safety is of utmost importance. If you ever feel unsafe, threatened, or harassed do not hesitate to seek help immediately. Depending on the situation, contact the police, your direct supervisor, the prefectural advisors or embassy as soon as possible. Sexual Harassment Although Japan is often considered a safe country, please be aware that some people may attempt to grope or sexually harass you. Do not hesitate to yell to bring attention to the offender and seek help immediately. People may not know how to respond at first, but don’t let that deter you. Seek the help you need to ensure that your personal boundaries are respected.

Natural Disasters

When it comes to natural disasters, Japan has it all: earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, volcanoes, and torrential rain. When they’re occurring, things like earthquakes and typhoons can seem very scary; however, with knowledge and preparation any of these events can be overcome. Take the time to prepare now to ensure your safety when one of them occurs. You may never have to put the following information to use, but then again, it could just save your life one day. Find where the closest evacuation shelters are near your home and workplace in advance. See www.kagoshimajet.com for a map of designated shelters. During or shortly after a natural disaster (such as a typhoon), if you feel that your safety is endangered by leaving your home or traveling to work, please contact your supervisor and let them know. Remember: your safety is the top priority.

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Emergency Kit Necessary Items Good to Have Bottled water Money (include coins for phone calls) Canned (tinned) food & can-opener Inkan (personal seal) Simple non-perishable foods Bank book Flashlight (torch) Clothing First Aid Kit Disinfectant Copy of Passport and Resident Card Emergency numbers: your office; Candles & matches/lighter supervisor; police: 110; fire/ Pocket knife ambulance: 119; non-emergency Radio (battery or manually powered) police line: 099 254 9110

Typhoons and Heavy Rain The typhoon season usually occurs between the months of June and September but they can occur any time of the year, unexpectedly. Typhoons always have strong to extremely strong gusts of wind accompanied by lots of rain. They usually last for a couple of days. Even without a typhoon, heavy rain can cause landslides and flooding, so it’s important to stay away from cliffs, coastal areas, and river banks during these times. Finding out about when a typhoon is coming will be easy as it will be on the news and your office co-workers will be talking about it. Typhoons severely disrupt travelling arrangements. Flights and the ferry will be cancelled. If you know a typhoon is coming, try to change your flight/ferry time by a few days before or after.

What to Do 1. Typhoons can and will change directions unexpectedly, so even if it looks like it won’t hit your area, maintain vigilance and keep updated with the latest news. 2. Secure any items you have outside or bring them in. 3. If you have storm shutters, close them. Most windows have safety wire running through them to prevent shattering; otherwise, tape a big X on windows with duct tape. 4. Don’t go outside if possible. There will be flying debris and, in worst case scenarios, downed live electrical wires. Avoid the beach and

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other exposed places. You can and will be literally swept off your feet. Even after the storm passes, steep slopes, cliffs, and river banks are prone to landslides. If you live close to these areas, you may need to evacuate. 5. Fill your bath with water before the typhoon comes because the water might be cut off and you’ll need to flush the toilet with something (wash your tub if you plan to drink any of this). 6. Stock up with food and water that will last you a couple of days as the supermarkets will empty remarkably quickly and won’t be re- supplied for a few days. This is especially true for island ALTs as the ferries supplying the supermarkets might be disrupted. 7. Make sure people know where you are. Your office or school may want to contact you. Earthquakes Before the Shakes 1. To avoid injuries from falling furniture, secure them to the wall. 2. Prepare an emergency kit in advance.

During the Quake 1. Remain calm. 2. Cover your head with a pillow, helmet, or hands. 3. Turn off gas lines and extinguish all flames. 4. Secure an exit by opening a door. 5. Seek cover under a doorway or table. Stay away from windows. 6. Wait where you are until the quake is over.

After The Shaking Stops 1. Turn off all heating devices such as ovens or stoves and extinguish all flames. Tremors have a tendency to displace gas lines and an open flame can be dangerous. 2. Contact your office. 3. Don’t go outside with bare feet. It is likely that there will be broken glass. 4. Stay away from downed electrical lines. 5. After a big quake there are often after-shocks. Take necessary precautions to ensure your safety. 7

Volcanic Eruptions Although unlikely, if Sakurajima or any other volcano in Kagoshima should have a major eruption, do the following:

What To Do 1. Remain calm. 2. Stay indoors. Close windows. 3. Contact your office for guidance. (Contacting the fire or police department is suggested, but if you don’t speak Japanese this is not a viable option.) 4. If you must go outside, grab your emergency kit and put on a helmet, shoes, goggles and face mask. 5. If time permits, place all electronic items in large plastic bags and tape them shut. Ash can destroy electronics and is especially harmful to computers. 6. When instructed, go to a designated meeting place, shelter, or seaport. 7. In the event of a serious eruption, proceed to the closest evacuation point. Each ward has a supervisor who knows how to handle the situation. Know this information and location in advance. Tsunami Tsunamis are a series of large sea waves usually caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. They can potentially cause extensive damage and loss of life. Tsunamis may hit before warnings are issued, so if a large, local earthquake occurs, evacuate coastal areas immediately. If a tsunami warning of 3 meters or higher is issued, evacuate from coastal and river areas immediately and continue moving to higher and higher ground whenever possible. Please see www.kagoshimajet.com for more information on natural disasters.

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Medical Information

When you first arrive, it’s a good idea to figure out where a good doctor might be before you actually need one. Ask your fellow ALTs, your JTE, supervisor or other office members, if there are any doctors near you, with whom they have had good experiences or that may speak English. You’ll find a complete list of clinics, doctors, and specialists on www.kagoshimajet.com. The following are some of the major hospitals (byouin 病院) in Kagoshima: Imamura Hospital Satsunan Hospital Kamoike Shinmachi 11-23 Takahashi 1968-4 Kagoshima City Kaseda, Minamisatsuma City Phone: 099 251 2221 Phone: 099 353 5300 Emergency room: 24 hours, 365 days Kagoshima Kenritsu Kagoshima Kenritsu Oshima Hospital Hokusatsu Hospital Amami City Miahito 502-4, Okuchi City Amami Oshima Island Phone: 099 522 8511 Phone: 099 752 3611 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Emergency room: 24 hours

If you’re sick, please go to the hospital. Japanese hospital staff excel in their work. Most general practitioners are found at hospitals. They will take care of you and help you return to health a lot quicker than if you ignored your situation. When you’re sick, the first thing you should do is call your office. They will inform your schools. They may also want a doctor’s note, in order to give you sick leave (byoukyuu 病休). Be clear with your office when you call, to ascertain if you will be asked to take paid leave (nenkyuu 年休) or be given sick leave. It’s best to be clear about this and not be surprised later. It’s also not uncommon for your supervisor to call and ask your doctor for details about your condition. They may also stop by your home to check-up on you. 9

Going to the Hospital/Doctor: 1. Bring your Residence and Health Insurance Cards (hokenshou 保険証) 2. Bring a translation aid (dictionary, etc.) 3. Walk to the counter and sign-in. 4. Show them your ID and Health Insurance Card. 5. Tell them what the nature of the problem is. 6. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire) 7. You will receive a number and be asked to wait to see the doctor. 8. After seeing the doctor, wait to be called to the checkout counter. Useful Phrases: Nihongo ga wakarimasen. I don’t understand Japanese. Eigo o hanaseru sensei ga irasshaimasu ka? Is there an English-speaking doctor available? For ailments other than a cold or flu, it’s a good idea to have the proper vocabulary already looked up to save you time when checking in and speaking to the doctor. This is quite important especially if you have any medical allergies or pre-existing conditions. Most hospitals are quite busy in the morning and you may have to wait a few hours. If you visit in the afternoon your wait time will be cut in half. But remember, in some places, examinations aren’t available all day long. Although some hospitals may have English-speaking doctors, it may not occur to them that you might like to communicate with one. Do tell them this is what you prefer. When seeing the doctor, it’s possible that they won’t understand your spoken English, but many will have read English medical papers for years. Sometimes writing things down helps—most Japanese will understand the written word far quicker than the spoken one. After the doctor has examined you and seems to know what’s wrong with you, ask him/her to write it down along with the method of treatment. Japanese doctors may be surprised when you want to have your diagnosis explained to you, have questions about your treatment, or when you ask about what you are being prescribed. This is the part in Japanese culture where the doctor, being far superior on the socially respected professions 10 chain, probably has not had much experience with being questioned as Japanese people do not question their superiors. To ask any question may be misconstrued as an insult. However, if done in a light and curious manner, with the feeling of genuine intrigue, interest, and a smile, the doctor will explain away your curiosity. There is also the opposite end of the spectrum. Doctors, if they are unsure, may not make a proper diagnosis, for fear of making a mistake. There have been incidents where JETs have been sent home with ineffectual medicines. If you are ill, and receive little or no treatment and don’t feel better in a couple of days, go see another doctor. Pre-Prescription Phase If the illness requires drugs, some hospitals will give you a small dosage in the waiting room to test for a reaction. A nurse will return and check for a rash or welts and to determine whether you have an allergic reaction. Fractures If you fracture or even lightly sprain something, you will likely get a cast. The hospital will provide you with crutches. (You may have to pay a deposit.) Exit Stage Left to Drug Dispensary You may receive your drugs at the hospital, or you will be sent to a specific pharmacy. If the latter is the case, you will be given a prescription form to take with you. Payment The government-issued health card pays for 70%, and we pay for the remaining 30%. JET Participants can file a claim with the JET Program Accident Insurance minus the ¥5000 deductible within the limits of the policy, but dependents are not covered. If there haven’t been any x-rays done, casts set, or drugs to buy, actual costs will be relatively low. Keep all your receipts, including taxis to the hospital, if you plan on filing a claim for additional coverage. When you leave the hospital, you will be given back your health card and a receipt for the treatment. You may also be given a plastic patient card, as your insurance details will now be on record.

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Workplace Culture

The obvious cultural differences like bowing instead of shaking hands are no doubt interesting, but it’s the subtle, unspoken, underlying values and norms that we each take for granted that, once suddenly swept from under our feet, lead to culture shock. Even in our own countries, when we start working as professionals for the first time, we may go through a kind of “workplace culture shock.” You might be thinking you’ll just get to know the culture as you work, but the more you understand now the easier things will be for you later on. Working as a Professional in Japan: Norms and Expectations Most countries prohibit non-resident foreigners from becoming civil servants, especially public teachers; therefore, the JET Program is somewhat unique in that CIRs and ALTs are Japanese civil servants. However, with privilege comes responsibility. Like most countries, Japan is no different in holding higher standards for its civil servants and you should anticipate those standards being applied to you. As professionals, your appearance and behavior will be under higher scrutiny. Dress Code When you play the game, you have to look the part. Depending on your workplace, dress codes range from business formal to casual, so please check with your contracting organization or predecessor. Everyone will need at least one formal suit which you will wear at staff introductions, professional development conferences, school events, etc. In academic high schools male teachers usually wear suits or blazers and neckties, and female teachers wear skirts or trousers, blouses/tops, and sweaters. (Blouses/tops should cover the shoulders, and the neckline should be fairly high. That may seem restrictive, but that’s the expectation in Japan.) In non-academic high schools, junior high schools and elementary schools, the dress code can vary from formal to polo-shirts to athletic clothing. Please ask your contracting organization for guidance.

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Fitting in at the Japanese Workplace Now that you’ve got the uniform, you need to play the game. Every culture has its own concept of what is considered polite behavior. Even though you will be granted some leeway as foreigners, that understanding may wear thin if you don’t make an effort to join “polite society” over time. Addressing people respectfully, being a team player, and making an effort to be “sociable” will go a long way in making your work life easier. In addition, although your work hours may be different from your co-workers, your punctuality and work-ethic will directly affect their perception of and relationship to you. (Note: While “being punctual” might be considered being “right on time” in the West, In the East it’s probably more accurate to think of it as being early.) Understanding Cultural Differences Taking note of some cultural differences will also save you a lot of frustration. Japanese culture isn’t going to change for us, and our frustrations won't disappear overnight, but understanding the underlying causes will help us cope with our feelings. Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner’s model of culture can be a useful tool for understanding cultural differences. Each of the 7 dimensions can be thought of as a spectrum. A culture's values may vary in each dimension depending on the situation (i.e. work vs. home).

What is more important: rules or relationships? Just because the JET in 何々市 got to do something, doesn’t mean you may be able to because each situation/relationship is treated differently.

Do we function in a group or as individuals? Your supervisor must consult with her colleagues and supervisors before making a decision.

Do we display our emotions? Remaining calm and detached may be valued more than expressing one’s true feelings publicly.

How separate do we keep our private and working lives? There may be no boundary between personal and work life.

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Do we have to prove ourselves to receive status or is it given to us? Status might be granted based on age rather than how innovative or driven we are.

Do we do things one at a time or several things at once? Does it feel like you’re being constantly interrupted and going around in circles without finishing anything? Perhaps it’s just your cultural perspective.

Do we control our environment or are we controlled by it? Should we fight for change or just accept that some things are “just the way they are” (shouganai しょうがない)? There’s nothing wrong with feeling one way or the other for each of these dimensions, but remember that there’s also nothing wrong with another culture having different values. The more objective we can be about these differences, the easier it will be to work through our “shock.” Pro-active Communication Given these differences, being pro-active in communicating with your supervisor and colleagues becomes more important than ever. This means you must make an effort to:  Approach and talk to your supervisor.  Coordinate schedules. (Don’t plan your next vacation without double-checking first.)  Collaborate on projects/lesson planning (rather than just doing it your “own way”).  Attempt to achieve your goals harmoniously.

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Your New Home

Around the House

Electricity Be sure to check the location of the breaker box (usually located somewhere near the entrance). It has a switch that will flip if you use too much electricity at once. If that happens, turn off a couple of appliances before flicking it back to normal position. Gas Gas is controlled by the gas tap located inside your home. To minimize the risk of fire, turn off the gas tap when you are away from home for an extended period (i.e. when you go on short holidays, etc.). If you smell gas and suspect a leak, do the following: 1. Put out cigarettes and turn of heaters. 2. Turn off gas at tap. 3. Open windows and doors. 4. Don’t turn on electrical appliances or light matches. 5. Warn your neighbors if it seems serious. 6. Call the gas company and landlord (or your supervisor). 7. Leave the house for a safer area. Futon, Tatami, Laundry and Humidity Some of us may inherit traditional Japanese sleeping arrangements in the form of a futon (bedding), which you can store in the closet during the day and take out for use only at night. If you leave your futon on the floor for a long period of time it’s likely to turn moldy and damp, so remember to air your futon regularly on sunny days to remove excess moisture. Invest in a futon whacker from the 100 yen shop and give it a good beating every now and then to get rid of dust. Some of us may have tatami (straw mat) flooring. Vacuum the tatami regularly to remove dirt and dust. Wiping it with a slightly damp (not wet) cloth will

15 also help keep it clean. If you spill any liquid on it, mop it up straight away and don’t replace any rugs or furniture until it is dry. The rainy season (tsuyu) in Kagoshima lasts around a month from June to July. The high levels of humidity during this period might cause mould growth on our clothing, shoes, furniture, futons, etc. We can purchase moisture absorption products known as “shikketori” from departmental stores or 100-yen shops to scatter around the house and in cupboards. They come in small buckets or sachets. Once the buckets fill with water or the granules in the sachets turn to gel, dispose of and replace them. Most people dry their laundry on the balcony, but for those residing near Mt. Sakurajima, the frequent ash fall may pose a problem. The rainy season is also a bad time for laundry as clothes hardly dry. In such situations, dehumidifiers or a trip to the nearest coin laundry (look for signs) should solve the problem. For dry cleaning services, look for クリーニング signs, or ask your co-workers. Property and Renter’s Insurance Please remember JET Participants are not provided with property insurance. If you desire such insurance it is your responsibility to purchase it.

Bills, Bills, Bills!

Most of your bills will come through around the same time each month. When you first arrive, your office or school will likely help you buy a cell phone (keitai), and register with the phone, gas, electric and water companies. At this time you should ask if any of the payments can be made via automatic bank transfer (kouza furikae). It’s usually available, simple to set up, and will save you some hassle later on. Otherwise, most bills are paid through the post office or at convenience stores; just show your bill to the clerk and say, “Kono daikin o shiharaitai desu ga…” For bills paid automatically through the bank, you will get a receipt in the mail. Depending on where you live you may also get extra bills for things like garbage pickup, septic tank emptying, etc. Ask your coworkers if you need help deciphering them.

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Cleaning Time

 Tatami (woven mats) – A good weekly vacuuming is fine.  Shoji (paper doors) – Lightly dust, but be careful not to rip them!  Closets/Drawers – In the humid months, use water collectors in closets and drawers to protect your clothes.  Garbage/Food – Keep garbage organized and clean to keep pests away.  Kitchen Sink Drain – Replace drain liners regularly. Buy foaming cleansing tablets for the drain. If you have a plastic catch, remove and wash often! Especially in summer months, keep your sink and drain clean to keep bad smells and bugs away.

Creepy Crawlers

As long as you keep your home clean and have some of the following supplies on hand, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem! Most importantly, keep your home clean to keep bugs away! Here are a few basic, essential insecticides for use in and around your home: Ari no Su Korori アリの巣コロリ (for ant nests), Dani Asu ダニアース (for tatami mites), Mushi Korori Asu 虫コロリアース (insect killer), Kokkurochi コッ クローチ (roach spray), Konbatto コンバット (roach traps) Chibiko Hoihoi ちび っこホイホイ (roach motel).  Ants – Put out the green traps that have bait on one side and jelly on the other. Don’t use other poisons on ants because it will cause the colony to split and create a bigger problem.  Cockroaches – You can buy roach motels in most stores. Place around the house. You can also buy roach poison tablets called houzan-dango; lay them along the wall and cracks near the sink and high traffic zones. If they become a real problem, you can buy fumigation bombs and deterrent sprays at the drugstore.

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 Mosquitoes – Many houses and apartments have screens on the windows – and you’ll probably want the windows open in the stifling heat! Good deterrents include a little power-socket dome that burns an odorless deterrent (indoor use); you can buy cheap mosquito coils to burn just outside your home, on a windowsill or balcony.  Mukade and Geji geji (centipedes and the like) – A bite won’t kill you, but it will hurt. Buy insect powder and put it around the outside of your house on doors and window frames. Don’t use it indoors!  Spiders – They’re harmless. Let them protect your home from other intruders! “Hand spiders” (the guys the size of your hand) are also harmless, terrified of humans, and hard to catch/kill. Try to chase it out the door if you can, but remember they eat bugs and will leave you alone.  Tatami Mites/Ticks – Tiny bugs that inhabit your tatami and bite in your sleep or when you’re sitting on the floor. Get the Barusan or Dani Asu spray can with the injection needle. Just insert the needle into several spots around each tatami mat and spray.

Garbage and Recycling

In an effort to reduce waste, rubbish disposal in Japan is very specific. If you fail to do so properly, someone may come to your door with your rubbish and ask you to sort through it. It also might get deposited in front of your door. Not to worry, if you follow these tips, you’ll be fine. Step 1 - Get help Check the location of the rubbish dump site with your supervisor, or the real estate agent. Remember to get a copy of the trash schedule (which will tell you on what days you can put out what) from the real estate agent too. Step 2 - Know what’s what Learn how to separate your rubbish and properly dispose of it.

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Step 3 - Saving Your Place from Stank and Vermin Dispose your rubbish regularly. Washing, opening, and flattening cartons, as well as washing cans and used sandwich bags can save you from a pileup of smelly trash or worse: roaches, ants, and rats. Burnables (moerugomi 燃えるゴミ) Can it safely burn and it is clearly not recyclable (it is not glass, plastic, cans, paper, batteries— toxic, etc.). Kitchen/food waste is part of this category. Non-Burnables (moenaigomi/funenbutsu 燃えないゴミ ) Includes metal (paper clips, staples, etc.), broken glass, ceramics, etc. Recyclables (risaikurumono リサイクル物 ) Advertisements: Bound by paper string Cans: Washed, labels removed Cardboard: Separated by size and thickness; tape, labels, and stickers removed; bound by paper string Cooking Oil: Put in a special container at the recycle site Glass Bottles: Washed, separated by color Magazines: Staples removed, bound by paper string Newspaper: Bound by paper string PET Bottles: Labels, caps, and rings removed, washed Plastics: Clear, colored, separated by size (rubber bands, foil and twist ties) Tetrapaks (Juice/milk cartons): Washed, opened, and flattened; bound by paper string. Large Objects (sodaigomi 粗大ゴミ) Futons, TVs, microwaves, etc. You must call to make an appointment for these to be picked up. See www.kagoshimajet.com for more information.

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Media & Communication

Home Phone Your office may set you up with a home phone line. NTT is Japan’s national telephone service and charges by a time X distance formula. For more information, get a copy of “A Guide to NTT Services” from your nearest NTT office. NTT English toll-free helpline: 0120 364 463 (Mon – Fri, 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.); www.ntt.com/index-e.html Mobile Phones (keitai denwa 携帯電話) The major companies that offer cell phone service are NTT Docomo, AU and Softbank. If you’re in the countryside or islands, ask your colleagues which phone company offers the best reception (denpa). Your supervisor should help you purchase a mobile phone, or at least get someone who speaks Japanese and can translate to go with you.

Things to bring when purchasing a phone. 1. Inkan (name seal) 2. Residence Card 3. Bank/Post Office Card There are many different service packages available at different price points. It’s worth taking the extra time to decide what service best suits your needs. You’ll probably communicate mostly via mobile phone calls, email, and/or smart phone apps, so get a plan that doesn’t cap your data usage and suits your needs in terms of calling minutes. On average, most people pay around ¥5000 – 10,000 per month for smart phone plans, while ordinary phone plans that support basic calling and email can be as cheap as ¥2000 per month. Many people opt for smartphones when they first arrive because of the various advantages such as GPS, Skype and Line Apps, Translation Services, 24/7 access to the internet and mail. Docomo is generally the most expensive but also has the widest coverage area. Softbank has cheaper data plans but also the worst reception. AU usually falls between the two.

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When you shop for a new mobile phone remember to confirm how long the contract will last. Most of the better priced plans come with a two year contract so if you are only planning to stay in Japan for one year there will be a contract cancellation charge. Be sure to confirm the amount before you sign up. Internet Some offices and schools will have an internet connection, and if you’re lucky, they may provide you with a computer. You may also be able to hook up your computer to the office’s LAN. Ask the computer staff for help with the server settings. If you don’t have access at work but desperately need to check e-mails, this is where a smart phone could come in handy. Check to see what service your predecessor had and, if you’re lucky, you may even be able to easily switch over your predecessor’s service to yours without any wait time. Otherwise, you may have to wait some time before the Internet company or mobile phone company can get you set up. NTT (flets- w.com/english), Yahoo! BB (bbapply.com), and AsahiNet (asahi-net.jp/en) are some of the bigger internet providers. Television All TV broadcasts in Japan are digital. Older TVs will require an analog-to- digital converter. Most of the TV programs on TV are in Japanese. Foreign movies and TV shows are usually dubbed into Japanese. Fortunately, there’s a nifty little button (音声切換) on most remotes that allows you to switch to the original language when offered. All Japanese households having at least one TV set are mandated to pay an annual subscription fee used to fund NHK, the Japanese public service broadcaster. The fee varies from ¥14,910 to ¥28,080 depending on the payment method and timing and on whether one receives only terrestrial television or satellite broadcasts. Cable If you can’t live without the Simpsons, BBC and reality shows, then you have two main options. Skyperfect (www.skyperfectv.co.jp/en/guide/) costs about ¥5000/month. It is satellite so you’ll need to purchase a small dish

21 and a decoder box. You can pay extra and order an English monthly TV guide. The other option is Yahoo BB! TV (www.bbapply.com/bbtv.html). This carries essentially all the same channels as Skyperfect. If you don’t have Yahoo BB! internet, the price is more or less the same as Skyperfect. However, if you do have internet service, it is much cheaper. The signal is sent across your internet line to a special receiver (the rental is included in the monthly fee). You can order pay per view movies with both services. They both have disadvantages, however: with Sky, most people need to get their dish re- aligned after every typhoon. With Yahoo BB! TV, download speeds are affected as some of your bandwidth is being used for the TV. See www.kagoshimajet.com for more information.

Love Thy Neighbor

Japanese people place much emphasis on social harmony and take great care not to cause excessive “meiwaku” (nuisance or inconvenience) to others around them. It is therefore important to exercise care and consideration for our neighbors and an important aspect of living in Japan. Here are some points to take note of:  Monitor the volume of your TV or music.  Be considerate in buildings with thin flooring.  Drinking parties: Be careful not to let alcohol get the better of us. Many a time we have heard of disputes between neighbours because of people getting drunk and making a din in the middle of the night (Japanese and non-Japanese alike). Such unpleasant situations can be avoided if we exercise more tact and consideration for our neighbors.  Laundry: Best to do it during the day and not at night.  Friendly Greeting: A slight acknowledgment and a soft and friendly “konnichiwa” can brighten up people’s day! In any case, just remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! 22

Money and Spending

Banking and Money Access

Each month, you will be paid either in cash or by direct deposit. If by direct deposit, your office may decide what bank you are going to use. This will most likely be Kagoshima Bank. However, you are free to set up accounts at other banks or at the post office in addition to your work account. Items Needed To Open An Account 1. Residence Card 2. Personal Stamp (inkan) 3. Deposit Money (This can be as little as ¥1 to start off.) After opening your account you will receive a bankbook (passbook). You will also receive a cash card in the mail within two weeks. Most banks do not offer free online banking. Thus, your bankbook will be very important when tracking account activity. You can update this via your bank’s ATMs. Key Points  Expect major start-up fees within the first three months (car payments, furnishings, home, etc.).  Your first paycheck will not come until sometime around August 20.  Banks offer little to no interest on savings, so sending money home is a good idea.

Cash Machines (ATM)

Deposit お預け入れ Transfer to Another Account 振り込み Withdrawal お引き出し Bankbook Update 通帳記入 Balance Inquiry 残高照会 Direct Bank Transfer 振り替え To update your bankbook, push the Bankbook Update button, open your book to a blank spot, and slide it in. The machine will then print out all your recent transactions in your book.

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Key Points  Most bank cash machines (ATM) close as early as 5 P.M. and are inaccessible during public holidays.  There is a fee of ¥105 for using Kagoshima Bank cash machines (ATM) after 5 P.M.  There are a few banks outside of the prefecture that do accept the Kagoshima bank card but these can sometimes be difficult to find.  A Japan Post account is recommended if you travel around Japan.  Paying by credit/debit card is uncommon. Always have cash on-hand.  Postal accounts can be accessed all over Japan at any post office, and overseas.  Japan Post and convenience store cash machines (ATM) are open later (9 P.M. / 11 P.M.) See www.kagoshimajet.com for more information.

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Public Transportation

Routes & Timetables

Reading routes and schedules is going to involve some kanji (Chinese characters), but it is possible to figure out bus, train, and ferry routes without knowing a lot of Japanese. Useful Timetable Kanji ___行き(yuki) : bound for ___ 平日 (heijitsu) : weekdays ___経由 (keiyu) : via ___ 月～金 (getsu kara kin) : Mon. – Fri. ___から (kara) : from ___ 土日 (donichi) : Sat. and Sun. ___まで (made) : to ___ 祝日 (shukujitsu) : holidays 出発 (shuppatsu) : departure/start 全て(subete) : all 到着 (touchaku) : destination/arrival 運休 (unkyuu) : service suspended 時刻表 (jikokuhyou) : timetable Technology Hints  Install and learn how to use Japanese input on your computer or phone.  Use a web browser like Chrome with automatic webpage translation  Do an online map search for a Japanese place name in roman letters, and the resulting map should show the kanji as well.  Switch to Japanese input mode on your computer or cell phone, and enter the name. Often, the suggested kanji will be what you want. For example, input TOUKYOU, and the first suggestion is: 東京.

RapICa Card (Ride and Pay Intelligent Card)

Rapica is a rechargeable smart card that works on Kagoshima City buses/tram/ferries, and JR Kyushu, Nangoku, Iwasaki, and Kagoshima Kotsu buses. It can be purchased (and recharged) on municipal buses/trams and from vending machines in Amu Plaza, Kagoshima City Hall, Takapla, Maruya Gardens, Yamakataya, Korimoto Daiei, and Kencho for ¥3000 (¥2750 credit/¥500 refundable deposit). 25

Buses

You can get almost anywhere on the mainland by bus, both within the prefecture and beyond. There are many different bus companies, so please check with your contracting organization or other JETs in your area for local bus routes and time information. See www.kagoshimajet.com for more online resources. How to Ride Enter the bus from the back/middle door and take a numbered ticket or scan your Rapica card on the card reader. (Some smaller towns may only have buses with a front door.) The ticket number corresponds to the fare on the electronic board and increases with distance. The base fare is usually ¥180. When your desired stop is announced (verbally and sometimes on the electronic board at the front), press the button to request the stop. To pay your fare, you drop your money in the fare machine located next to the driver or scan your Rapica card. You must pay with exact change. There is a separate change machine (usually to the front of the fare box) to break large coins and ¥1000 bills before you pay. Expressway Buses Several companies offer service to and from Kagoshima City. Tickets can be purchased (preferably in advance) from a travel agent, at the Izuro Expressway Bus Center in Tenmonkan (099 222 1220) or the Express Bus Center on the first floor of the Solaria Hotel near Kagoshima Chuo Station. You should also be able to buy tickets from a local travel agent in your area. Look near your local bus station; there might be a tiny bus center hidden inside a nearby store that can sell you tickets. You can also call the bus company. See www.kagoshimajet.com for more information. Airport Bus There are buses to Kagoshima airport throughout the prefecture. See www.kagoshimajet.com for more information.

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Tram

The Kagoshima City Tram is one of the few remaining streetcar lines in Japan. In addition to being a cool alternative to a bus on a hot day, the flat rate for riding and the frequency of trams makes this an excellent way to get around Kagoshima City: Adults: ¥160; Children: ¥80 Tram Lines Number 1 (Blue) Line – Taniyama, Korimoto, Kotsukyoku, Takamibaba, Tenmonkan, Kagoshima Station Number 2 (Red) Line – Korimoto, Kagoshima Chuo Station, Takamibaba, Tenmonkan, Kagoshima Station All trams pass by three main locations: Korimoto (郡元), Takamibaba (高見 馬場), and Kagoshima Station (鹿児島駅). Both trams leave from Kagoshima Station and part ways at Takimababa. Only the #2 passes Kagoshima Chuo Station. It then continues to Korimoto. The #1 also passes Korimoto, but it finishes at Taniyama. Be careful! Kagoshima Central Station (kagoshimachuoeki 鹿児島中央駅) and Kagoshima Station (kagoshimaeki 鹿児島駅) are not the same! Tips for Riding  Enter through the middle door. If you’re using a Rapica card, scan it on the card reader when you board. Be sure to sit down quickly or hold onto a strap.  Avoid using your mobile phone while on the tram.  Press the stop button before your stop if you want to alight. If no one presses the button the tram will not stop.  Exit from the front. Here you will pay by placing your money in the fare machine. To pay your fare, you drop the exact fare in the fare machine located next to the driver or scan your Rapica card.  If you want to transfer to the other line, ask for a transfer ticket before you pay. If you’re using a Rapica card, no transfer ticket is needed. Simply scan it when you board the other tram.

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Trains

Japan has one of the world’s most efficient and extensive rail networks. There is an extensive system including local, express, and bullet (shinkansen 新 幹線) trains, which connects virtually every part of Japan, from the top of Hokkaido all the way down to our beautiful Kagoshima. Local Trains Trains connect most of the western half of mainland Kagoshima (Satsuma Peninsula), running from Makurazaki in the south, along the southern coast through Ibusuki, up Kinko Bay, and into Kagoshima City where it branches northwest towards Izumi and northeast towards Kokubu and Kirishima. Unfortunately, the train does not take you directly to the airport or any of the ferry terminals in the prefecture. Trains run frequently, starting before 6 A.M. with the last trains arriving at their final destination around midnight. The only train on the eastern Osumi Peninsula to Shibushi runs out of Miyazaki making it a long journey from Kagoshima City. (You’re better off taking a ferry across and then a bus or driving.) Routes and Schedules Reading a train schedule is pretty straightforward once you know what to look for. The key is to know the kanji for your destination. Some maps and schedules do have English. Every station has the name written in roman letters, hiragana, and kanji on the platform so you’ll know where you are. See above for some hints on getting by without extensive Japanese knowledge. See www.kagoshimajet.com for train schedule websites. Bullet Train Outside of flying, the fastest way to travel around Japan is the famous bullet train. You can easily travel from Kagoshima City to Fukuoka in less than 2 hours. And from Fukuoka, you can change to other bullet trains to other major destinations in Japan. Although more expensive than a bus, the shinkansen is extremely comfortable and fast. You can either purchase tickets for reserved or non-reserved seats and these can usually be purchased just before you have to get on your train except during peak travel times.

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Ferries

Kagoshima operates a number of ferry ports, not only between Osumi and Satsuma peninsulas, but also between the mainland and the islands, down to Okinawa, and even all the way up to Osaka and Tokyo. You can also bring your car or bike on board (for a fee). If you’re prone to motion sickness, you might want to pack some medicine for the longer rides to the islands. Schedules are subject to change due to weather. Be sure to plan ahead and consult either the ferry company or a travel agent before leaving, especially if a typhoon is approaching. See www.kagoshimajet.com for ferry websites. Satsuma (薩摩) ⇔ Osumi (大隅) Ferries Sakurajima (桜島) Ferry This ferry runs between the Kagoshima City terminal north of the aquarium to Sakurajima. The ferry takes around 15 minutes and runs 24 hours. Ferries leave every 10 – 15 minutes during the day. From 8 – 10 P.M., they run every 30 minutes, and from 10 P.M. until 6 A.M., they only run once an hour. If you’re coming from Sakurajima and don’t want to bring your car into the city, you may be able to park at the Rainbow Hotel right next to the ferry port.

Tarumizu (垂水) Ferry This ferry runs between Kagoshima’s Kamoike Port (鴨池港) (near the Prefectural Government Building, kencho 県庁) and Tarumizu Port (垂水港). The ferry takes around 40 minutes and runs from 5:20 in the morning until 10:30 at night. Ferries run roughly every 25 minutes during the day and about once an hour early in the morning and late at night. If you’re coming from Tarumizu, there is free parking at the Tarumizu Port. Island Ferries Kagoshima New Port (shinkou 新港) For services to the Amami Islands, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu, Yoron and Okinawa. Departures may vary so check when planning your trip. A-Line (for Amami-Oshima & Okinawa): 099 222 2338 Marue Ferry (for Amami Islands, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu Island, Yoron & Okinawa): 099 226 4141

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Marix Line (for Amami Islands, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu Island, Yoron & Okinawa): 099 225 1551

Kagoshima South Pier (minamifutou 南埠頭) For services to Mishima-mura, Tanegashima, Yakushima, Toshima-mura & limited service to Okinawa. Kagoshima Shosen (for the high-speed “Toppy” service to Tanegashima and Yakushima): 099 255 788 Cosmo Line (for the “Rocket” and “Princess Wakasa”): 099 223 1011, 099 226 6628 Orita Kisen (for “Ferry Yakushima 2”): 099 226 0731 Amami Kaiun (for “Ferry Kikai and Amami”): 099 222 2338 Ferry Mishima (for Mishima): 099 222 3141 Ferry Toshima (for Toshima/Tokararetou): 099 222 2101

Other Ferries There are four other ferries which operate within Kagoshima Prefecture: Kushikino City Port (for Kushikijima Island) Kushikino Shosen: 099 632 6458 Shibushi Port (for Osaka, Tokyo, Amami-Oshima, and Okinawa) Blue Highway Line (for Osaka): 099 473 0661 Marue Ferry (for Tokyo, Amami-Oshima and Okinawa): 099 226 4141 Ibusuki Port Toppy Service (for Tanegashima and Yakushima): 099 322 4880 Nankyu Senpaku (for Kinko-cho, Osumi Peninsula): 099 323 3430 Yamagawa Port Kagoshima Shosen (for Nejime): 099 334 0012

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Driving

General Information

Driving is an excellent way to explore Kagoshima, as the prefecture offers numerous attractions and weekend adventures, from tranquil beaches and hidden mountain shrines, to famous onsen locations and local festivals. Of course, there are also many fellow JETs across Kagoshima and greater Kyushu within driving distance. If you live in the city, you will most likely not have a car and can make use of the public transportation system or get around on a bike or scooter. Please keep in mind that some JETs have restrictions on driving during work hours. So even though you may live in an area with limited public transportation and long distances to travel to work, your office may have put restrictions in place against you driving during certain times. This could be for any number of reasons, but in some cases, restrictions are put in place because of previous JETs. If you want to drive to and from work, talk with your supervisor about it first. If you’re polite and respectful when you explain your situation, you might be able to convince your office to lift these restrictions, or at least relax them. Although your office can restrict your driving privileges during work hours, they cannot prevent you from driving after work or on the weekends. You will need an international driving permit (IDP) if you’re going to drive in Japan under your foreign license for your first year here. You must have the IDP and your home country license in your possession to be valid. Please be aware that the IDP expires one year from the date of your arrival in Japan, or one year from the issue date, whichever comes first and cannot be renewed. If you wish to continue driving you must apply for a Japanese license. If you had not originally planned on driving before you arrived but now decided that you want to, someone in your home country should be able to obtain an international driving permit for you and send it, but again, it will be invalid one year from your arrival in Japan.

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Driving Hints  Maps of Kagoshima, Kyushu, and Japan can be purchased at convenience stores and bookstores and also at Daiso. Mapple is a good choice. A good map is essential when venturing off on a road trip, whether your destination is near or far.  Always keep a valid inspection (shaken) certificate and insurance certificate in your car.  Don’t use your phone while driving. Not only is it dangerous, there’s a ¥50,000 fine if you’re caught.  You must stop for three seconds before crossing railroad tracks.  Drive on the left. This sounds obvious, but habits are hard to break and it can be easy to forget.  Roads in Kagoshima are narrow, often with no sidewalks, and with large uncovered gutters on the sides. Kagoshima has one of the worst traffic accident rates in Japan and it’s not really surprising. Be careful when going around curves as people love crossing over the center line. Especially on country roads, exercise extreme caution and remember to drive defensively!  Hazard lights are often used as ‘I can park anywhere’ lights by locals, particularly in extremely inconvenient locations, such as the middle of a curve on a steep hill.

Drinking and Driving

There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving in Japan, so don’t do it and don’t let anyone you know do it either. No matter what the laws were in your home country, in Japan if you’ve had even a sip of alcohol, that’s considered drunk driving and the penalties are extremely harsh. It applies to bicyclists as well. In addition, if you’re a passenger, you can be held responsible for allowing someone to drive after drinking. Instead, take advantage of the taxi system or use a daikou service where you pay a taxi driver and his co-worker to drive you and your car back to your place.

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At the Gas Station

Full Service Car wash please : sensha kudasai Please check my lights : raitto o chekku shite kudasai Please clean inside : kuruma no naka o souji shite kudasai Oil change : oiru koukan onegai shimasu Full tank please : mantan ni onegai shimasu My brakes aren’t working well : bureeki ga kikinikui ¥2000 worth please : ni-sen-en bun onegai shimasu Please check my tire pressure : taiya no kuuki o chekku shite kudasai Self-Service Gas 1. Choose your payment option: 金額 kingaku : prepay 現金 genkin : cash 現金会員 genkin kaiin : membership card クレジット kurejitto : credit card 2. Choose what type of fuel you want: 商品 shouhin : product レギュラー regyuraa : regular ハイオク haioku : high octane 軽油 keiyu : diesel 3. Choose how much gas you want: 満タン mantan : full tank 数量 suuryou : amount 設定数量 settei suuryou : set amount of gas お預かり現金 oazukari genkin : prepaid amount 4. Confirm: 確認 kakunin : confirm 取り消し torikeshi : cancel 5. Slide your cash into the machine, wait for the beep and start pumping. (Note: At some stations, you may slide your cash in first.)

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6. After you finish, you will be given a receipt with a barcode. Take this to a nearby scanner and scan the barcode to get your change (at some stands, you may get your money from the gas dispenser).

Japanese Driver’s License

If you’re staying for more than one year then it’s a good idea to get your Japanese driving license as soon as possible. Your international driving permit is only valid for one year from the date of your arrival in Japan, or one year from the date which you obtained the permit, whichever comes first. Again, do not wait until the last few weeks to start on this process, as the driving license center is notorious for slowing you down. Start as soon as you can! See www.kagoshimajet.com for more information.

Buying a Car

The first thing you have to consider is whether you are interested in a lightweight, “yellow plate” kei car or a “white plate.” Kei cars are compact sized cars with smaller engines and can be recognized by their yellow license plates. They have lower taxes, lower shaken costs, lower insurance fees and usually get better gas per kilometer. “White plates” are essentially normal, full sized cars with normal-sized engines. They tend to be sturdier, but more expensive in terms of taxes, shaken costs, and gas costs. If you didn’t buy or inherit a car from your predecessor, then it’s a good idea to shop around. Asking other JETs where they got their cars, people in your office and teachers at school are good ways to find out what is available. Your supervisor might take you to a dealership if you express an interest. Used cars in Japan are usually in excellent condition, since all cars have to undertake a full inspection and maintenance every two years. You can also lease a car from a garage, in which case most of the costs (shaken, checkups, taxes, and disposal fee) are taken care of, and the cars available to you might be newer models. However, this option is more expensive over the long term. 34

Insurance and Taxes There are two kinds of vehicle insurance. Mandatory liability insurance (jibaisekihoken 自賠責保険) covers you if you hit something. And comprehensive insurance (nin-i jidousha hoken 任意自動車保険) covers when you get hit. It’s highly recommended that you purchase both. In Japan, even if you feel that the other person is entirely at fault, accident costs are rarely distributed 100% to either party. 70% to 30% is more common. There are many different companies offering different rates. Often you can choose how much money you would like to receive for hospital costs and your monthly payment can go up or down based on that figure. Your office may also be able to insure you fairly cheaply and if not, someone will help you find a good insurance company. Even if someone helps you, be sure to find out exactly what you are covered for. It makes sense to pay a bit extra each month to avoid steep hospital costs in the future. Obviously you don’t plan on getting into an accident, but once you get out on the roads here, you’ll understand how treacherous they can be at times, and how scary some of the other drivers are. Make sure you know how much protection is guaranteed for you and for your passengers and be sure to find out if the insurance covers only you as a driver or anyone who might be operating your car. Also, your insurance should go down a bit each year after your birthday. Car Inspection and Disposal Road tax (jidousha zei 自動車税) is due every May and should be mailed to your home. The bigger the car, the higher the tax will be. An average-sized white plate will have to pay around ¥30,000 whereas a standard-sized kei car be around ¥7000. Car inspection (shaken) is a mandatory inspection which all cars must have every two years. It’s essentially a very thorough maintenance and tune up which will take a few days. The garage should give you a car to drive in the meantime. Shaken fees obviously vary depending on what needs to be done and what type of car you have, but budget around ¥50,000 for a yellow plate kei car and around ¥100,000 yen for a white plate car. You should have a

35 sticker on your windshield letting you know when the shaken expires. You’ll have until the end of the expiring month to renew it. Disposal If you can’t sell your car when you’re leaving, or if your car simply dies, you’ll have to pay to dispose of it. It will cost ¥20,000 to have your car ‘taken care of.’ Resist the temptation to abandon your car. Your car registration can be traced back to you. Motorcycles It is illegal to carry a passenger on a motorized bike (moped/scooter). It is also illegal to carry a passenger when a motorcycle is not equipped with a passenger seat or a driver has had their motorcycle license for less than one year. You cannot ride 50cc motorbikes on the expressway and International Driving Permits are not valid unless you are licensed for motorbikes. A regular Japanese license is valid for 50cc motorbikes. Persons operating motorbikes must by law wear helmets. Motorcycles of 400cc and above require shaken inspections. Japan Automobile Federation Similar to AAA (American Automobile Association), the CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) and the British AA / RAC, Japan also has a car club. For those of you that have bought a less than reliable car, or have a habit of locking your keys inside, or just want that extra help at your fingertips, this is an excellent service. Membership fees cost ¥6000/year. This entitles you to towing, tire and key services, as well as 24 hour roadside assistance. This membership also entitles you to reductions with some National Car rental companies, some ferries near Kyoto & Tokyo, as well as nine hotel chains.

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Insiders’ Guide

Information Centers

Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau You’ll find tips on what to see and do all around Kagoshima as well as how to get there. Check the website below for access to transportation schedules.

Tenmonkan Office (Main) Kagoshima Chuo Station Office Kagoshimaken Sangyo Kaikan JR Kagoshima Chuo Station, 2F 9-1 Meizan-cho, Kagoshima City 1-1 Chuo-cho, Kagoshima City Tel: 099 223 5771; Fax: 099 225 7484 Tel: 099 253 2500 Mon. – Fri., 8:30 A.M. – 5:15 P.M. www.kagoshima-kankou.com/for/ Closed holidays & Dec. 29 – Jan. 3 8:30 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Kagoshima International Exchange Plaza In addition to being host to various interesting cultural events, this cultural centre has many useful resources: message boards, newsletters, world news resources, Japanese classes and book loans. 14-50 Yamashita-cho, Kagoshima City Tel: 099.221.6620; www.synapse.ne.jp/kia/e/ 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.; Closed Mondays (Tuesday when holiday falls on a Monday) Kagoshima City Information Center 1-38 Higashisengoku-cho, Kagoshima City (in Tenmonkan) Tel: 099 239 3606 9:30 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.; Closed Dec. 31 – Jan. 2 Kagoshima International Visitors Guide Events around Kagoshima (and Kyushu), concerts and cinema listings, interesting snippets on Japanese life: kic-update.com Kanoya International Exchange Association Civic Activity Promotion Division, Kanoya City Hall 20-1 Kyoei-cho, Kanoya City Tel: 099 443 2111 (Ext. 3594)

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Shi Style: City Life

Kagoshima City Welcome to Kagoshima City, capital of Kagoshima prefecture and one of the larger cities in Kyushu. It is often called “The Naples of Japan” because of its volcano (sakurajima 桜島), warm weather, and proximity to the bay. While it may be dwarfed by cities like Tokyo, or even Fukuoka, Kagoshima is not without its own charms. So, sit back and soak in one of the many hot springs (onsen 温泉) while sipping on some locally distilled Japanese vodka (shochu 焼酎) and admire the view. JETs living in the city are in for a unique experience of their own. For starters, the ability to easily access shopping, sightseeing, transportation and other expats is often a highly coveted aspect of city life. Alternatively, countryside (inaka 田舎) teachers may have a more immersed experience and higher level of Japanese. It’s not rare that city JETs often find themselves having difficulty to break away from this setting. It may be that there is value in sharing experiences, both good and bad, with those who have had or are having similar experiences; however, some city JETs find themselves coveting the immersion that many countryside JETs are experiencing. Keep in mind that in the city, JETs may be less of a rarity because there are more expats roaming the streets. This year, there are more than 30 JETs living in the city, let alone the many other foreigners. People might still gawk and openly talk about you in Japanese, but they are less likely to approach and introduce themselves. Don’t let this discourage you. A simple greeting will often be returned and more often than not, you’ll be pulled into a conversation about where you’re from and what brought you to the area. If you are shy to greet strangers on the street, a great place to start is your school. To get the most out of the city, we recommend that you engage with the culture and language that is at your toes. The city has a lot of events, exhibits and festivals throughout the year that should be experienced. Learn the lingo. There are many options for language study, privately or in a group setting

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Inaka Style: Country Life

If you’ve been placed in a rural area (inaka 田舎), chances are your attempts to research your new home didn’t amount to much outside of Japanese-only websites. And while your town’s nightlife may only consist of a few snack bars and a limited number of English speakers (if any), don’t be discouraged. There are a lot of advantages to living in small-town Japan and you’ll get a unique view of the country that you wouldn’t otherwise experience in a big city. Being an inaka JET makes you a celebrity. Everyone in town will know who you are and where you live. At first, people may not say a word to you or may just stare. Don’t take this the wrong way, though—it’s more a sign of shyness than anything else. And other times, people may be very forward with you. Just take it all in stride and make an effort to communicate with the locals. It’s the best way to make the most of your situation and people in the inaka are very hospitable and tend to be very curious and interested in who you are and where you come from. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to appear on the local radio station or interviewed for the town newspaper. Anyone you meet in town, even if only for a few minutes, might invite you over to their home for dinner. While the celebrity aspect has its benefits, it does have its downsides. Be aware that you will be in the spotlight and behave appropriately. Don’t be surprised if your students ask you about your significant other after seeing you with someone of the opposite sex. There are lots of benefits to living in the inaka. For instance, you may find yourself in much larger accommodations for a cheaper price than your friends in the city and it’s a lot easier to save money when you don’t have the temptation of going out every single night. Living in the inaka also gives you a great chance to practice your Japanese. In the larger cities, there are more English speakers, so it’s easier to get complacent by only spending time with them. In the inaka, this isn’t really an option. You’ll also have a lot of local festivals and activities that you may be asked to participate in, and it’s a great chance to learn about Japanese culture. 39

If your predecessor ran an English conversation class (eikaiwa) class, see if you can take it over. Or if there isn’t one in your town, try to start one up. You’ll usually get a healthy bit of interest in the class and meet some really interesting people. Of course, there are downsides and inaka life can feel isolating at times (especially during the winter months). You may be the only foreigner in your town, but most of us don’t have to travel too far to find another one. Make an effort to get to know some of the other JETs who live (relatively) close to you and try to get out to visit each other every now and then. Lots of inaka ALTs have routinely held dinner parties, game nights, movie nights, or just visit local restaurants and bars. Try switching off—if one month a friend drives two hours to visit you, then the next month you drive two hours to visit them. Escaping to the city every now and then is good, as is participating in KAJET events. Even if it may be a bit hard for you to get out to some events, make an effort anyway, you’ll find you can make a lot of new friends that way. Satsuma Peninsula The Satsuma Peninsula derives its name from the Satsuma Province ruled by the Shimazu lords (daimyo 大名) for roughly four centuries. Most of Kagoshima Prefecture’s roughly 1.7 million people live on this western peninsula bordered by Kinko Bay to the east, and the Japan Sea to the west, and roughly 600,000 live in the prefectural capital Kagoshima City. The other major cities in Satsuma are Izumi in the north, Satsuma Sendai in the west, Aira in the east, Ibusuki in the southeast, and Minamisatsuma in the southwest.

Most of the peninsula is fairly rural (inaka 田舎) with agriculture and fisheries playing a prominent role. While this means you may not find the shopping or entertainment districts of a big city, it does lend other advantages. For better or worse, being a foreigner makes you an instant celebrity. While the townspeople will be shy at first, you’ll soon have far more Japanese friends than your counterparts living in larger cities. Osumi Peninsula Chances are, if you’ve looked up the Osumi Peninsula online, you found very little information about this section of the prefecture. Don’t let that 40 scare you! There are many wonderful reasons to live in, and visit the east side of Kagoshima. Living on Osumi means becoming a special part of your community in a way you could never experience in a big city. Even the largest city, Kanoya, feels like a small town. Foreigners are an uncommon sight, so take advantage of the staring to say a polite hello. Chances are you’ll get a big smile and a greeting back. You may even be invited to dinner. In this way you will get to know all the locals and what could be an isolating experience becomes a welcoming one instead. Because there are so few foreigners, most people will assume you are a teacher. This means people know exactly who to contact if you are seen doing something tactless. It also means that complete strangers may trust you to play with their children while they run to the store. Prove you are dependable, and you’ll earn the admiration of the entire community.

Out in the inaka of Osumi you may feel that there are fewer opportunities to join classes or events. Your town may or may not have a community center, and if it does, chances are nothing is advertised in English. Don’t be discouraged; ask around, there are tons of cultural classes hidden away. In fact, that woman in front of you in line at the grocery store may be a master of kimono, or the guy who sits next to you on the bus might be dying to teach you Shogi. Start a conversation even if you have limited Japanese, and watch the opportunities arises. If you still can’t find anything, contact the Kanoya International Exchange Association (listed above). It is run in English and Japanese and has a range of events, everything from bowling to ocean kayaking to rice threshing. Since the events are for Japanese residents and foreigners, it is a great way to make new friends in your community. Some of the best festivals in Kagoshima happen in Osumi. The dragon boat race (a JET favorite), Horseback Archery Festival (Yabusame 流鏑馬) (a tradition that has lasted for over 900 years), and the Osumi Lakeside Festival (fireworks and a laser light show!) are just a few of the many fun and unique events. Again, ask around and you won’t just be watching, you’ll be participating too!

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Shima Style: Island Life

You have to take a ferry to get some of your schools? The restaurant you were planning to eat at is closed, with a sign saying that the proprietors are out surfing? There’s a bright red crab scuttling across your tatami? Woop woop, welcome to island life! Surely one of the most unique JET placements, the islands in Kagoshima can offer great rewards and challenges. Your street might turn into a river during rainy season, you might go for a swim with some sea turtles, and your hair might have bleached three shades lighter by the end of your first month. Whatever the case, your JET experience will be part-Japanese and part-island. Every island in Kagoshima has a different history and culture, which makes them fascinating places to live and to visit. Tanegashima is believed to be the first site of contact between Europeans and Japanese and, according to Google, is the world’s most beautiful site for a space center (rocket launches!). Yakushima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient (around 7,000 years ancient) cedars and the tallest mountain in Kyushu. The Amami Archipelago was caught in the middle of a 600-year tussle between the Ryukyu Kingdom of Okinawa and the Satsuma Han, was governed by the USA after World War II, and only recently returned to Japanese sovereignty on December 25, 1953. As a result of the unusual history of the islands and their diverse cultures, islanders enjoy a lifestyle that is very much like a placement in the inaka, but with a twist and some unusual challenges. Here are some tips to get the best out of your placement as an islander! Settling In Islanders often enjoy their placements so much that they stay for three or more years! As a result, your predecessor may have become a local legend. Don’t let this intimidate you and don’t try to imitate them, just be yourself! Always conduct yourself with dignity and treat others with respect. This is very important! The local people will not be accustomed to foreigners but will know where you’re from, so your behavior will reflect on your home country here more so than other places in Japan. Don’t expect everyone to make a fuss over you, especially when you first arrive. You will certainly be 42 noticed, but not always acknowledged. It may take a while before people feel comfortable enough to talk to you. Just smile and be friendly and don’t be afraid to make the first move! You will probably get a lot of stares. Try not to let this faze you too much and just respond with a pleasant smile or nod. Explore as much as you can. There are a lot of hidden treasures, even on small islands. Drive around, take a bus or hop on a bike! Island Living  With island communities being so small and sharing a unique history and culture, there can be a bit of a separation between the teachers who come to the islands for just a few years and the local islanders. Make an effort to get to know some of the locals, as they can teach you more about the history of your island and invite you to festivals or events that some teachers might not have on their radar.  Try to take part in local activities such as surfing or fishing, or join a community sports club.  Embrace the unique aspects of your island, as they might not always be what you would think of as typical “Japanese.” A dance class might have you in a tube top and hula skirt learning Hawaiian terms for “hip roll” and “swirling wind hands” as opposed to a traditional dance in a kimono.  Always smile and wave at the students in the street. They love the attention, especially if they are in a big class at school and cannot normally interact with you. Even do this with children you don’t teach, they’ll get really excited by the attention and will likely be less shy about speaking English with you.

Island Perils  Keep track of weather reports and ask your neighbors or JTEs how you should prepare your house for a typhoon. Be aware that if a typhoon lasts for several days, food in the supermarkets will begin to disappear, starting with baked goods such as bread.  Tackle mold in your house with some カビキラー (kabikiraa) before it takes over your walls!

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 Islanders tend not to follow traffic rules, so stay attentive if you’re driving. Watch out for cats and elderly people on powered wheelchairs in the road, and don’t worry about the snakes and crabs.  Sending and receiving mail can take a little longer than usual and some online stores don’t offer cash on delivery service to the islands. Also, newspapers arrive in the evening instead of morning.

Feeding Yourself  Try the local delicacies, especially the fish! Some of the local cuisine might not look appetizing to you, but people will be impressed to hear that you’ve tried them.  If you have allergies, learn simple ways to explain them in Japanese and learn to read and write the Chinese characters (kanji) for foods you cannot eat. Local people may have less experience with your allergy, but they will be more than willing to help you!  Always accept gifts of food, even if you cannot eat them. You can always give them to a friend!

Making Friends  Making friends is important for a healthy, satisfying island life, but can be tricky at first. You can start by meeting your predecessor’s friends, but do not feel like you have to make friends with them.  Make the time to stop and chat with anyone who speaks to you in the street. Take a simple comment like, “Atsui ne?” (“It’s hot, isn’t it?”) as an invitation to strike up a conversation, even if your Japanese is barely existent. People here will be surprisingly patient as you stumble through a few phrases, and they will definitely appreciate your effort!  Always accept invitations to drinking parties or dinner, unless you are genuinely busy. It might feel awkward to be among people and not talk much, but your presence will be appreciated and it’s a great way to learn and practice Japanese.  Be careful about criticizing or bad-mouthing any islanders as the communities here are pretty tight-knit, and gossip spreads quickly.

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 Try to meet your JTEs outside of work. You may need to take the lead on this in the beginning.  Keep in touch with the mainlanders you meet at Tokyo and Kagoshima Orientations.  Don’t be surprised if people already seem to know a bit about you when you first meet them. Traveling  Getting on and off your island is usually only a case of time. Islanders tend to save a lot of money, so it does not break the bank to visit the mainland from time to time and catch up with your mainlander friends.  If the ferry times are not particularly convenient, try to negotiate with your supervisor to put in some extra hours at the office in exchange for extra hours of nenkyu.  Keep an eye on the weather reports, especially when typhoons are reported. Take typhoon warnings seriously, but talk it over with someone before canceling travel plans.  If you are feeling lonely or isolated, especially in the winter, plan a weekend trip to visit your mainlander friends to get a change of scenery.

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Just a Little Lovin’: Sexual Health

Whether in a long term, short term, or single night relationship, while in Japan, it is important to make sure that you are protected. This might have been a relatively straightforward process back home, and in Japan it might seem a little more daunting, but don’t worry, protection is there and it’s important to use it. Condoms In general only the male version is available. You can find them at most major chains of convenience stores drugstores like Drugstore Mori. If you need help this is how to ask in Japanese: kondomu ga arimasu ka? Birth Control Pills Head to the nearest women’s clinic (see www.kagoshimajet.com for listings). If you are nervous about being in a small town you might have better luck going to the Nakamura Clinic in Kajiki (Dr. Yokohama speaks good English). Talk to the doctor; tell them that you want to take the birth control pill (“The Pill” means something different here, and we’ll get to that in a moment). The birth control pill is still largely a new thing in Japan, and is still uncommon for a woman to actually request it (available only through prescription). You should have no problem from there. You can be prescribed up to three months’ worth of pills with you at one time. Please be aware that the Japanese versions of contraceptive pills are known to have lower dosage of hormones when compared to western varieties. Also that the pills are expensive (about ¥3000 for a month’s supplies) and there are no varieties. The pill they provide is called “Ange 28” and is taken the same way as any birth control (same time every day for the duration of the pack). Note: There are no tests and very few medical questions asked before you are prescribed the pill. As with any medicine there can be certain health risks involved. The information booklet and health warnings that come with the Ange 28 are all in Japanese so it is advisable (if you or your partner cannot read Japanese and you don’t have someone you trust to translate for you) to know the risks involved with taking the birth control pill, and your personal and family medical history. There are many reliable medical websites that 46 describe the side effects, major and minor, associated with birth control and it is important to be aware of these effects before starting any medication. Other forms of protection (such as IUD’s, female condoms, etc.) are woefully unavailable in Kagoshima. You can try and ask, as it never hurts to try, but overall they are simply not available. There are clinics available in the Tokyo area but be warned before hopping onto a plane that doctors tend to avoid handing out IUD’s if the woman has not “finished her family” and it is possible that you will have problems. Emergency Contraceptives Broken condom, missed pill, wild night… things happen. The morning after pill is easily available from any women’s clinic in Kagoshima. (Disclaimer: some smaller towns may not have this available, but a nearby larger town should, and it’s worth the drive or train!) The Morning After Pill, Plan B, etc., is simply known as “The Pill” in Japan. If you have a doctor who has become very used to foreigners, they might actually think you mean birth control, but explain your situation and they will know what to do. The Morning After Pill should be taken as the name suggests—the morning after. Follow the directions of the doctor. Within 24 hours following the event is most effective, but up to 72 hours afterward has been known to work (the effectiveness is decreased by 30% each day, so it is best to take a day of paid leave if you have to and head to the clinic! You might want that leave too, as most women can become pretty sick for the day to follow as the Pill does its job). Women’s clinics can keep some strange hours. It is best to familiarize yourself with the schedule for just such emergencies (a click with your keitei camera at their schedule board outside and you have a handy reference). If the women’s clinic in your town is closed, head to the next one. There are usually several in the area. STIs and HIV It is a good idea to get tested regularly. Confidential and free HIV and STI testing is available in Kagoshima. See www.kagoshimajet.com for details.

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If You Might Be Pregnant First, don’t panic. If you are late/have pregnancy symptoms, you should take a test. Remember, a test taken too early can show a false negative result even if you are actually pregnant. Make sure that you are taking the test no earlier than ten days after ovulation (two weeks is best, however) A reliable test can be purchased at most pharmacies/drugstores (kusuri/yakkyoku くすり/薬局). There are several types of tests, but a reliable one seems to be the DoTest. It is the Japanese version of the Clear Blue test in America and Canada. The boxes are empty, just take the size you want (pack of one, or double packs just in case!) up to the counter. The double pack is about ¥1000. The DoTest has two windows. In the second window a vertical line will appear. When it is clear it means that the test is complete. In the first window will be the result: one horizontal line (-) means not pregnant. A “plus” (+) sign means pregnant. If you are still not convinced either way or you think that the results are unclear (foggy, never really brightened, or dull) take another test in a few days. If the result is positive on the stick it is time to head to a women’s clinic (see list of clinics on www.kagoshimajet.com) and get a blood test. This will give you a definitive answer (urine tests can show positive results and still be wrong.

What to Do Now That You Know If your pregnancy was anticipated, desired and/or planned then congratulations, you’re having a baby! If this is unexpected, not planned, and you’re experiencing a sense of dread then, again, don’t panic; you have options, and a support network. The first thing will be to take care of yourself. If you need a day off to digest this, take a day of leave to think about your options. The Prefectural Advisors are trained to help whenever you have problems and an unplanned pregnancy definitely fits this description. Please see www.kagoshimajet.com for more details on sexual and reproductive health.

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Veggie in Japan

Japan is not the most convenient country for vegetarians. Vegetarianism is largely unheard of and usually misunderstood here. There aren’t veggie options at restaurants, and telling the server that you don’t eat meat doesn’t really get you very far. For example, in Japan, fish is not meat, so you have to specify that you don’t eat fish either, and you will also have to add that you don’t eat shrimp, pork and chicken, that you don’t eat fish broth or meat or chicken broth, and then when they bring you your food topped with fish flakes and mayonnaise, and some kind of sauce made of anchovies and pork extracts, you will have to find a way to either politely return the item, or discreetly push it away from you for others to eat, so as not to drag the conversation back to your dietary habits. Not to worry though, you can survive here, and you might even be able to eat out, you know…like in a restaurant. If you’re not a strict vegetarian, then most likely you have nothing to worry about. If you’re cool with fishy soup and random meat extracts, then you can pretty much eat anywhere. You will actually be able to accept the waiter’s recommendations for your veggie diet, so you’re in the clear. If you are a pescetarian, then relax; you are in fish heaven. You can stop reading here.

Restaurants When you’re at a new restaurant, be conservative with what you order. Start with things that might actually be vegetarian, like edamame, cheese pizza (might contain rennet), butter corn, rice, rice balls, french fries, or fried burdock root (gobo). Order simple/plain food items. If they throw any kind of sauce on it, it’ll probably be meaty. Things like a veggie yakisoba are tempting because they look veg, but the sauce and flavor packets they use in those dishes 99% of the time will contain meat extracts. You should stay away from salad dressings at most restaurants as they almost always contain fish flakes and/or meat extracts. The above options are good for izakaya nights. These are things you will order when you are stuck someplace your friends or coworkers wanted to go, or if you’re snacking while doing some kind of epic nomihodai.

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Now, if you have the option of picking your restaurant, put some effort into it. Explore a little. Talk to the staff to see if they’ll make a special menu for you, and do this well in advance. Learn good Japanese phrases and questions that will help you communicate things about your diet. If you find a place that’s cool, go there often, and become a regular. There will be some places that will be so used to seeing you, that you can just tell them that you want “the usual.”

General Advice Don’t eat Japanese curries. They all contain lard. Be careful about doctored soy sauces. For example, the kaitenzushi place at Dolphin Port is very popular for city dwellers and visiting ALTs, and there are veggie sushi options, but the soy sauce at the table has katsuo fish flakes in it, so you have to ask them for plain soy sauce. It’s easy to get annoyed about the lack of veg food here, but it’s something you will have to deal with. You might go out with friends or co-workers, and have to watch them pig out all night while you have a few drinks and some edamame, and then when the bill comes everyone will pay the same price. That’s Japan. Don’t let it get to you. Instead, you might want to eat before you go to some of these places. To finish this off, the best advice we have to offer, is cook at home as often as possible. Order beans and other good things online, and keep your kitchen stocked with delicious veggie items.

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Learning Japanese

Whether you’re fluent in Japanese or can only speak a little bit, Japanese language ability will go a long way to helping you become more comfortable with life in Japan. You’ll find a lot more opportunities to talk with your students, co-workers who don’t speak English, and to make friends beyond the foreign community. While studying Japanese may be difficult, it’s very interesting and a great way to spend downtime during work hours (especially useful during office days). You may find your co-workers looking over your shoulder and asking you questions about what you’re studying, and these occasions are perfect ice-breaking opportunities. CLAIR provides a free Japanese language course and each book ends with a test you can take and then submit. Depending on your tastes, this course may or may not be for you. Give it a try and if you don’t find it helpful, there are other options. The first course doesn’t start until a month or so after you arrive, so if you want to get started right away, check out other options such as the Japanese for JETs textbook. Elementary textbooks like Genki or Minna-no-Nihongo are very popular and can be purchased through Amazon or at major bookstores. Completing these elementary courses usually corresponds to levels N4 and N5 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). If you’d prefer to work with a teacher, there are Japanese classes which are held in Kagoshima City. Even outside the city, you have options. Some private English teachers might be willing to teach you Japanese, so ask around.

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