2018 Japan Guidebook Richard U. Light Fellowship Yale University Unofficial JAPAN SAC Guide Light Fellowship Japan SAC 2017-2018 Japanese Language Representatives Martin Lim (PII, IUC Summer) Franchette Brosoto (SANC) Justin Yeh (CET Osaka) David Torres (HIF, CET Osaka) PLEASE NOTE: There are certain risks assumed when using the resources provided in this Unofficial Guidebook. The Light Fellowship Program provides this resource as a convenience, does not vet any of the suggestions, and makes no representations as to the qualifications of any of the recommendations or resources provided. Students must perform their own due diligence and use their own discretion and judgment when making decisions about housing, visas, health and safety etc. Students are also encouraged to ask their language programs directly about additional resources. Neither Yale University nor the Richard U. Light Foundation, nor any of their respective employees, is responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied in this Guidebook. 2 もくじ•Table of Contents SECTION I: PREDEPARTURE PLANNING ........................................................................ 6 A. PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST .............................................................................................. 6 Administrative tasks ................................................................................................. 6 Staying Healthy ......................................................................................................... 6 Safety ........................................................................................................................ 6 B. CONTACT INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 8 General ...................................................................................................................... 8 Japan Emergency Numbers....................................................................................... 8 C. PACKING AND NECESSITIES ............................................................................................... 9 Essential .................................................................................................................... 9 Highly Recommended ............................................................................................. 10 Toiletries .................................................................................................................. 10 D. USEFUL RESOURCES AND WEBSITES ................................................................................. 11 Get to know Japan before you go ........................................................................... 11 Food ........................................................................................................................ 11 Transportation: Train Travel ................................................................................... 11 Online Dictionaries .................................................................................................. 12 SECTION II: ADAPTING TO A NEW CULTURE ............................................................. 13 A. BASICS: JAPAN 101 ..................................................................................................... 13 Daily Life ................................................................................................................. 13 Smart Shopping and Tips ........................................................................................ 14 Customer Service .................................................................................................... 15 Cell phones ............................................................................................................. 15 B. VOCABULARY 101 ....................................................................................................... 17 Self-introduction ..................................................................................................... 17 Host family ............................................................................................................. 18 General ................................................................................................................... 18 Basic grammar patterns not covered in first year.................................................. 18 Kansai-Ben .............................................................................................................. 19 C. MONEY ..................................................................................................................... 20 Budgeting ............................................................................................................... 20 Accessing your Money ............................................................................................ 21 D. MAIL ........................................................................................................................ 22 E. THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND .............................................................................................. 23 General Mindset ..................................................................................................... 23 Homestay Advice .................................................................................................... 24 Tips to minimize impact of culture shock ............................................................... 24 SECTION III: TRAVELING ............................................................................................ 26 A. TRANSPORTATION ....................................................................................................... 26 B. LODGING ................................................................................................................... 28 SECTION IV: LANGUAGE PROGRAMS ......................................................................... 30 A. ARRIVING IN JAPAN ...................................................................................................... 30 3 B. HOKKAIDO INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION ........................................................................ 32 Program Overview .................................................................................................. 32 Activities around Town ........................................................................................... 34 Transportation ........................................................................................................ 35 Food and Restaurants ............................................................................................ 35 Places to Go ............................................................................................................ 36 Advice from Sempai ................................................................................................ 37 Highlights ............................................................................................................... 38 C. INTER-UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR JAPANESE STUDIES (SUMMER) ............................................ 39 Program Overview .................................................................................................. 39 Food ........................................................................................................................ 40 Activities around Town ........................................................................................... 40 Places to Go ............................................................................................................ 40 Advice from Sempai ................................................................................................ 41 Highlights ............................................................................................................... 41 D. INTER-UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR JAPANESE STUDIES (YEAR-LONG) ......................................... 42 Program Overview .................................................................................................. 42 Essentials ................................................................................................................ 43 Advice from Sempai ................................................................................................ 43 E. PRINCETON IN ISHIKAWA ............................................................................................... 44 Program Overview .................................................................................................. 44 Places to Go ............................................................................................................ 45 Advice from Sempai ................................................................................................ 46 Highlights ............................................................................................................... 46 F. SUN ACADEMY NIHONGO CENTER .................................................................................. 47 Program Overview .................................................................................................. 47 Transportation ........................................................................................................ 48 Activities around Town ........................................................................................... 48 Shopping ................................................................................................................