Hey Peepz!
My address is a little different from the one I previously posted. So if you are going to send me any surprises (hint hint), do send it to this following address:
Or if you cant see that clearly, here's a picture of my address
Hey Peepz!
My address is a little different from the one I previously posted. So if you are going to send me any surprises (hint hint), do send it to this following address:
Or if you cant see that clearly, here's a picture of my address
Went to the post office to open a bank account because I could not wait for my Alien's Registration Card needed to open a private bank account. So I opened one with the Japan Post Office. Thats the 郵便番号 (yuubin bango) sign. Which is the postal code sign. Their bank is called JP bank.
The funny thing is that its not particularly compatible with many insitutions. For example, Waseda. For instance, for the students of the JASSO scholarship, the school deposits their scholarship money monthly into the student's bank account. But cannot do so if their bank account is the post office's. They must apply for one of the private banks, names Mitsubishi-Tokyo UFJ, or Mizuho or Resona and others.
I am going to have to apply for Resona because they are having coming to Waseda to simply the procedures for opening a bank account with foreign students like myself. Apparently, it is, I quote 'very very very difficult to open a bank account on your own.' There is a clause saying somewhere, that foreigners need to prove that they have stayed in Japan for the past 6 months to open a private bank account.
Having done my research, there have been some conflicting accounts of personal experiences of opening bank accounts here. More bad than good, I should say. Unfortunately, my dorm automatically deducts my rental directly from my bank account if its Mitsubishi-Tokyo UFJ. So if I open one with Resona, it means I have to make my payments personally, which is to me not that big a deal really. Just a small hassle.
So this are the bank's services, and opening times. Which I think is a very good and comprehensive way to telling customers what they can and cannot do.
The inside of a bank. Opening a bank account here was very fast! And the pin number here is 4 digit. But if your pin number cannot be your birth date or the last four number of your handphone. and its interesting how the system knows and rejects any combination of those numbers!
The funny thing is that its not particularly compatible with many insitutions. For example, Waseda. For instance, for the students of the JASSO scholarship, the school deposits their scholarship money monthly into the student's bank account. But cannot do so if their bank account is the post office's. They must apply for one of the private banks, names Mitsubishi-Tokyo UFJ, or Mizuho or Resona and others.
I am going to have to apply for Resona because they are having coming to Waseda to simply the procedures for opening a bank account with foreign students like myself. Apparently, it is, I quote 'very very very difficult to open a bank account on your own.' There is a clause saying somewhere, that foreigners need to prove that they have stayed in Japan for the past 6 months to open a private bank account.
Having done my research, there have been some conflicting accounts of personal experiences of opening bank accounts here. More bad than good, I should say. Unfortunately, my dorm automatically deducts my rental directly from my bank account if its Mitsubishi-Tokyo UFJ. So if I open one with Resona, it means I have to make my payments personally, which is to me not that big a deal really. Just a small hassle.
So this are the bank's services, and opening times. Which I think is a very good and comprehensive way to telling customers what they can and cannot do.
The inside of a bank. Opening a bank account here was very fast! And the pin number here is 4 digit. But if your pin number cannot be your birth date or the last four number of your handphone. and its interesting how the system knows and rejects any combination of those numbers!
Oh, and for those coming to Japan to open an account, you MUST have your seal, otherwise known as inkan or hanko to open one. Japanese tend not to use handwritten signatures. But that also means you have to guard your inkan with your life. If not you will have to go through the hassle of doing all your documentation all over again!
I bought an electronic good, and I thought this was a good way to carry bulky items! Its like a handle. I wonder if Singapore electronic shops do something like this.
And this is what I bought. A dehumidifier! Why? Cos my room gets very very very dusty very very very easily. I have to sweep my floor once in the day and once at night! This dehumidifier is supposed to ionize the air and suck in the dust and stuff. I dunno how true it is, but I just had to try something. I have started to get some respiratory problems, namely with my throat getting all clogged up and sore, and with my breathing. I can distincting feel the dust in my nostrils... Ha...
I bought an electronic good, and I thought this was a good way to carry bulky items! Its like a handle. I wonder if Singapore electronic shops do something like this.
And this is what I bought. A dehumidifier! Why? Cos my room gets very very very dusty very very very easily. I have to sweep my floor once in the day and once at night! This dehumidifier is supposed to ionize the air and suck in the dust and stuff. I dunno how true it is, but I just had to try something. I have started to get some respiratory problems, namely with my throat getting all clogged up and sore, and with my breathing. I can distincting feel the dust in my nostrils... Ha...
Dehumidifiers are big in Japan. There were so many brands!!! Namely targetting mothers concerned with getting clean air for their babies. This one I bought was already on sale, came up to about SGD200, after discount (I suspect no one likes the colour green). There were alot more expensive brands. And I even got a loyalty card. Any item I purchase there gives me 3% discount.
Oh, loyalty cards are also big in Japan. Practically every chain store has a loyalty card. Even noodle houses and convenience stores... I guess there is so much retail competition going out there, that retailers are pulling the guns to keep their customers.
The thing on top of the dehumidifier is some fragrance. Japan has this thing for mega stores. Shall take a picture next time, of this one level shopping mall, that spans acres selling practically EVERYTHING. from furniture to electronics to clothes to rubbish bags.
Across THAT mega mall, is KS Denki, where I bought the dehumidifier, which like the mega mall, is a sprawling electronics stall. And across THIS one, is ANOTHER mega store called 'Kids R Us.' No prizes for guessing what kind of merchandises they sell there! In graying Japan, kids are MEGA investments and cherished prizes.
Oh, dogs too. It seems that every other person on the street has a dog on a lease. Some even two. I saw one couple at Ueno park with FIVE sausage dogs in tow. But they were all very well groomed dogs. The Japanese certain love their dogs.
Shall put up more pictures along the way!
Ｈｅｙ Ｐｅｅｐｚ！
Ｉ ｊｕｓｔ ｆｏｕｎｄ ｏｕｔ ｔｈａｔ ｕｎｌｅｓｓ ｙｏｕ ａｒｅ ａ ｓｏｆｔｂａｎｋ ｕｓｅｒ， ｅｖｅｒｙ ｍａｉｌ ｔｈａｔ Ｉ ｓｅｎｄ ｔｏ ｙｏｕ ｏｒ ｔｈａｔ ｙｏｕ ｓｅｎｄ ｔｏ ｍｅ， ｃｏｓｔｓ ３ Ｙｅｎ．
Ｓｏ， ｐｌｅａｓｅ ｓｅｎｄ ｙｏｕｒ ｗｅｌｌ ｗｉｓｈｅｓ ｔｏ ｍｙ ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ ｅｍａｉｌ ａｄｄｒｅｓｓｅｓ ｉｎｓｔｅａｄ！ ｉｔｓ ｃｍｃｈｕａｎ＠ｈｏｔｍａｉｌ．ｃｏｍ， ｉｎ ｃａｓｅ ｙｏｕ ｄｏ ｎｏｔ ｋｎｏｗ ＝）
Ｔｈａｎｋｓ ｔｏ ｄｏ ｗｈｏ ｈａｖｅ ｓｅｎｔ ｔｏ ｍｙ ｈａｎｄｐｈｏｎｅ ｅｍａｉｌ！！！
Ｉ ｊｕｓｔ ｆｏｕｎｄ ｏｕｔ ｔｈａｔ ｕｎｌｅｓｓ ｙｏｕ ａｒｅ ａ ｓｏｆｔｂａｎｋ ｕｓｅｒ， ｅｖｅｒｙ ｍａｉｌ ｔｈａｔ Ｉ ｓｅｎｄ ｔｏ ｙｏｕ ｏｒ ｔｈａｔ ｙｏｕ ｓｅｎｄ ｔｏ ｍｅ， ｃｏｓｔｓ ３ Ｙｅｎ．
Ｓｏ， ｐｌｅａｓｅ ｓｅｎｄ ｙｏｕｒ ｗｅｌｌ ｗｉｓｈｅｓ ｔｏ ｍｙ ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ ｅｍａｉｌ ａｄｄｒｅｓｓｅｓ ｉｎｓｔｅａｄ！ ｉｔｓ ｃｍｃｈｕａｎ＠ｈｏｔｍａｉｌ．ｃｏｍ， ｉｎ ｃａｓｅ ｙｏｕ ｄｏ ｎｏｔ ｋｎｏｗ ＝）
Ｔｈａｎｋｓ ｔｏ ｄｏ ｗｈｏ ｈａｖｅ ｓｅｎｔ ｔｏ ｍｙ ｈａｎｄｐｈｏｎｅ ｅｍａｉｌ！！！
Hey peepz! Posting more pictures before too much accumulate and I cant put them all up at once! Here are some pictures of the sights in the part of Japan in my life.
Shops line the tunnels and train stations.
Lockers seem to be an integral part of Japanese train stations. And alot of people seem to put things in them. I still cant quite figure what is it that people put in...
A spot for commuters like me to stop and rest amidst the looooong walks between stations and the navigation in the random craziness, or crazy randomness of Tokyo crowds. Or maybe its for the people waiting to board the shinkansen.
Long, long, long corridors
Japanese smokers are very law abiding, in spoking only at designated yellow boxes. Well, most anyway. This is one on the platform of Shin Urayasu train station.
A alley just along side Waseda Uni, lined with, you guessed it, shops.
All things miniature seem to be of fascination to Japanese. This is a miniature toy cars factory and shop.
Shops line the tunnels and train stations.
Lockers seem to be an integral part of Japanese train stations. And alot of people seem to put things in them. I still cant quite figure what is it that people put in...
A spot for commuters like me to stop and rest amidst the looooong walks between stations and the navigation in the random craziness, or crazy randomness of Tokyo crowds. Or maybe its for the people waiting to board the shinkansen.
Long, long, long corridors
Japanese smokers are very law abiding, in spoking only at designated yellow boxes. Well, most anyway. This is one on the platform of Shin Urayasu train station.
A alley just along side Waseda Uni, lined with, you guessed it, shops.
All things miniature seem to be of fascination to Japanese. This is a miniature toy cars factory and shop.
One lady operates a machine in a glass box to make the miniature toy cars.
Shin Urayasu Festival! Crowds, performances and lots of food.
Flowers are big in Japan. There seems to be a florist on every street or in every shopping department.
Japanese chocolates!
Paul Snowden, the Dean of SILS, giving the opening address at the Okuma Auditorium. The Okuma Auditorium is the ceremonial auditorium, of which has historical significance.
Dr Howard gives another speech with a beautiful ball in a beautiful box. Like her enthusaism, if all goes well, I should be taking here Introduction to Intercultural Communications class.
Shin Urayasu Festival! Crowds, performances and lots of food.
Flowers are big in Japan. There seems to be a florist on every street or in every shopping department.
Japanese chocolates!
Paul Snowden, the Dean of SILS, giving the opening address at the Okuma Auditorium. The Okuma Auditorium is the ceremonial auditorium, of which has historical significance.
Dr Howard gives another speech with a beautiful ball in a beautiful box. Like her enthusaism, if all goes well, I should be taking here Introduction to Intercultural Communications class.
Kinda miss being the choir. Somewhat.
Like the part where I look like this.
The symphony orchestra, or WaseOrchi, was very good.
Like the part where I look like this.
The symphony orchestra, or WaseOrchi, was very good.
Our little expedition to get a softbank phone!
Irene Ooi pays the USP-SILs people a visit! I decided to tag along to say hi! We ate at a rice curry restaurant, where we get to customize the amount of rice and the level of spiciness we desire. How interesting! This shop also has a unique eating challenge. If one person can eat 1.3kg worth of curry rice in 20 minutes, that person gets to eat it for free!
Irene Ooi pays the USP-SILs people a visit! I decided to tag along to say hi! We ate at a rice curry restaurant, where we get to customize the amount of rice and the level of spiciness we desire. How interesting! This shop also has a unique eating challenge. If one person can eat 1.3kg worth of curry rice in 20 minutes, that person gets to eat it for free!
Aik Heng and I have a bet. If he does not get all As for this semester, I will have to treat him to that 1.3kg worth of curry rice. Hahaha!
We went to Asakusa today, as its a public holiday!
The famous Kaminari-mon or Kaminari gate.
The long stretch of shops leading up to the Askakusa jinja.
Some of the things on sale!
Me and fellow aquarian, Bing Zhou
The second gate leading up to the shrine.
Aik Heng buys himeself a bundle of joss sticks for 200 Yen for offerings.
The stamp counter. There are 33 Kanon shrines in Tokyo. Something like a religious chain of temples. What the devotees do, is to embark on a pilgrimage to visit all 33 temples and get some thing like a 'I have been here' chop in the form of a beautifully written calligraphy, 3 stamps and I presume a page of sutra. What happens when they get finish all 33 stamps, I dunno. Enlightenment perhaps?
This is the spot where people cleanse themselves before they enter the temple. The art work of each spot varies from temple to temple. The one here is huge with intricate carvings of dragons. 
Me!
A shop selling everything ninja. katon no jutsu!
The streets outside the temple
Lastly, a pictorial introduction of Fugu. Otherwise known as the puffer fish. A popular and assumably not cheap delicacy of an otherwise dangerous treat.
The famous Kaminari-mon or Kaminari gate.
Riskshaw pullers cum tourist guide. They pull rickshaws with two people aboard which taking them around Asakusa and explaining the place's history.
The long stretch of shops leading up to the Askakusa jinja.Some of the things on sale!
Me and fellow aquarian, Bing Zhou
The second gate leading up to the shrine.
Aik Heng buys himeself a bundle of joss sticks for 200 Yen for offerings.
The stamp counter. There are 33 Kanon shrines in Tokyo. Something like a religious chain of temples. What the devotees do, is to embark on a pilgrimage to visit all 33 temples and get some thing like a 'I have been here' chop in the form of a beautifully written calligraphy, 3 stamps and I presume a page of sutra. What happens when they get finish all 33 stamps, I dunno. Enlightenment perhaps?
This is the spot where people cleanse themselves before they enter the temple. The art work of each spot varies from temple to temple. The one here is huge with intricate carvings of dragons.
Me!
A shop selling everything ninja. katon no jutsu!
The streets outside the temple
Lastly, a pictorial introduction of Fugu. Otherwise known as the puffer fish. A popular and assumably not cheap delicacy of an otherwise dangerous treat.
Went to Ueno Park with Yiting, Choon Meng, Aik Heng and Bing Zhou.
They wanted to go Ueno Park because they watch this Japanese Drama called Heroes, and there is this one scene where the six characters stand in a row in Ueno Park. They wanted to go to that spot..
The leaves are still pretty green because is a the national holiday that marks the start of autumn! Over time, the foilage will change into golden brown. And I will be sure to go back to the park again!
People throng the park on this holiday.
A huge pond filled with lotuses.
Japan, despite all this beautiful facade, does, like every society have its ugly side. The poor and homeless sleep in the open in the park as do in underground tunnels between train stations. This one sleeps, albeit peacefully, amidst moving crowds, in front of tablet at the temple.
One of the many many temples in Japan.
Performers and acrobats stage shows to the amusement of park goers.
I bought myself this huge red bean mochi for SGD2. And the takopachis here have huge tako pieces in them. Unlike their counterparts in Singapore. Of course, the cost here is higher too.
Interesting architecture of a Koban, or a police box in the park.
Lovey Dovey couple Yiting and Choon Meng, and me
At the front of the Japanese National Museum of Western Art. This is the statue of Hercules the Archer. Its a bronze work by Rodin, the same guy that bestowed upon us...
The Thinker. And me, who does happen to think alot too. Maybe too much for my own good. =)
They wanted to go Ueno Park because they watch this Japanese Drama called Heroes, and there is this one scene where the six characters stand in a row in Ueno Park. They wanted to go to that spot..
The leaves are still pretty green because is a the national holiday that marks the start of autumn! Over time, the foilage will change into golden brown. And I will be sure to go back to the park again!
People throng the park on this holiday.
A huge pond filled with lotuses.
Japan, despite all this beautiful facade, does, like every society have its ugly side. The poor and homeless sleep in the open in the park as do in underground tunnels between train stations. This one sleeps, albeit peacefully, amidst moving crowds, in front of tablet at the temple.
One of the many many temples in Japan.
Performers and acrobats stage shows to the amusement of park goers.
I bought myself this huge red bean mochi for SGD2. And the takopachis here have huge tako pieces in them. Unlike their counterparts in Singapore. Of course, the cost here is higher too.
Interesting architecture of a Koban, or a police box in the park.
Lovey Dovey couple Yiting and Choon Meng, and me
At the front of the Japanese National Museum of Western Art. This is the statue of Hercules the Archer. Its a bronze work by Rodin, the same guy that bestowed upon us...
The Thinker. And me, who does happen to think alot too. Maybe too much for my own good. =)
Bought myself a handkerchief of Renoir's Portrait of a Lady
