As you can clearly see below, there is a mock up of the original XBOX “ZBOX”. What I find interesting is that someone in Japan knew about the first XBOX, and actually included it in a cartoon. This was taken from one of the ‘Educational’ books from my schools library. I didn’t bother getting the title or anything though.
UPDATE: Thanks to Brian Ashcraft (Kotaku) I now know the title; Kochikame
I wanted to write a short bit about Yahoo auctions for any of you English people living in Japan that might have thought about using the service but weren’t too sure how to go about it. I (Luckily) had my girlfriend check through most of the steps I took when setting up an account, bidding and paying for purchased items, but I could have (probably) done it by myself.
Why? You may be wondering why I have bothered to write about Yahoo auctions. There are a few reasons, but the main reason would be that many Japanese people use the service, and you can get really good deals. I managed to get a couple dell servers for about 15000 yen each. The entire process was fairly simple and payment was a cinch.
When setting up an account you will need to know all your personal details, address etc in Japanese. Most of the application form is self explanatory. Unless you pay a monthly fee (200 yen I think) you will not be able to make bids over 5000 yen. After setting up the account you will be able to bid on items but not sell.
For those of you looking to sell on Yahoo Auctions, you will need to have your address confirmed. This can be found on one of the pages in your account settings, and Yahoo will send you a letter with a confirmation code to confirm you address and allow you to sell items.
Of course you will most likely need a Japanese credit card to make this a simple process but there were options to use Japanese banks, so if you don’t have a credit card there may still be options for you. Payment options are varied but most sellers allow payment by credit card, payment on delivery or Yahoo raku pay (Yahoo payment via your credit card or specified bank)
If you are unable to read any Japanese, I wouldn’t recommend using Yahoo Auctions unless you have someone who can help you out. Personally, I needed help with the initial setup, but finding items and purchasing is easy, so intermediate level Japanese will be sufficient to use the service.
One final thing. For those of you looking to buy something new i.e a camera, computer, television check out http://www.kakaku.com It tracks online shops for the lowest prices and will give you an idea of how much you should be paying. Expect around 5 to 10 percent more at retail stores.
Anyhoo, I just finished at my last school (Hanamigawadaini Junior High School), I’m gonna miss it alot. It was pretty cruisy compared to others, and the only crap thing was the hour commute to and from every day. Should really stick up some pictures, I have some of the students practicing making those human tower thingy’s for their upcoming sports day. I will probably go visit on Saturday and take some more pics. As usual, farewell gift from me was a Costco apple pie – ‘borrowed’ the idea from another A.L.T. Cheap as chips and is better than nothing.
Forgot to write about my credit cards last month. Turns out its not impossible to get them if you are a foreigner that has been in Japan less than a year. Funny thing is. I was applying for more than one at once, and after getting turned down for more than eight or so (managed to get 2000 yen for just applying for some) I got accepted. For three cards. So now I have three credit cards, and one E.T.C card.
For those of you who may be interested in applying, I went for the Keisei Card (UFJ), The J.R VIEW/SUICA (VIEW) and Amazon.co.jp (Citicards). Also, in the duration of residence in Japan section I put down a year (not quite a lie as most forms don’t ask how many months, just years)
First month with my new cards and I went overboard, 100,000 yen in a week – gotta stick the breaks on for two months now, ah well, you only live one, and dead men pay no debts.
Haven’t been bothered to update the blog recently, have been quite busy with the JET thing. Last month was boring until the pre-departure orientation and all that stuff. Been busy this month setting up my apartment and such (spent over 240,000 yen! that’s alot more than expected, but whatever, we get paid well). Start at my first school tomorrow (110 students).
Hopefully will have more time to blog on teaching and tips etc, but if you are thinking of joining the JET programme, you will be bombarded with ‘useful’ information all along the way until your first school visit. I feel i could open a small library with all the paper, sheets and books I’ve been handed over the last month or so.
Japan is Fun! I’m just wondering if i should save for a PS3 or a new computer, though a PS3 would be cheaper, I cant really do video editing or design. The PC I’m looking at setting up is going to be about 320,000 yen.
