Bambi ([info]this_weird_gurl) wrote,
@ 2009-05-27 16:22:00
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Current location:school
Current mood: anxious
Current music:tummy growling
Entry tags:cheap food, interac, japan, money, moving, train link

Questions about Japan
Hello All!!

For anyone living/lived in Japan please help meee...

Can I bring my American rice cooker to japan??
I mean are the electrical outlets the same??

If you could name three things you must have from
america to bring with you what would it be??
Lots of underwear?? Lots of...macaronii...???

whats some good cheap food i can live on for a couple weeks???
ive been told miso soup is cheap and good??? suggestions?

please let me know if you have any other helpful tips..
I mean i was there for two weeks last time
..but i dont remember much




awesome website i found while reasearching:
http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi

tells you train times etc


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[info]mybloodyzombie
2009-05-27 11:30 pm UTC (link)
I hear Japanese deodorant/anti-persperants are pretty much worthless.

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[info]mybloodyzombie
2009-05-27 11:35 pm UTC (link)
Also, I'm kinda curious about what i should bring too. I asked Maggie about outlets the other day, and she said that AMERICAN stuff brought over there should work just fine, but anything japanese brought back won't because the voltage is lower in Japan.

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[info]__109
2009-05-27 11:38 pm UTC (link)
Stuff bought in Japan works fine in America as well because American outlets are 100-240. I have a whole bunch of stuff I bought in Japan that they said would not work in america, but it works fine for me... I dunno haha

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 12:52 am UTC (link)
hmm i wonder how that works cuz i dont remember smelly Japanese while there
lol but thanks!! i have heard this a bunch

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[info]mybloodyzombie
2009-05-28 02:56 am UTC (link)
their underarm stuff don't have the same aluminum-based mineral that is used over here.

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 07:33 pm UTC (link)
ooh yeah to tell you the dirty dirty,
i try not to wear deodorant unless i couldn't shower for some reason\

that aluminum stuff scares me kinda XD

i do wear scented moisturizer and scrub scrub scub though!
hope your not totally grossed out by me now lol

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[info]heatherchan
2009-05-28 11:08 am UTC (link)
Japanese people don't sweat (much) *fact*

yeah the spray deodorant they have here sucks. it's basically a fragrance spray. and only for sale during the summer. 8( I always bring back lots of deodorant from home.

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[info]__109
2009-05-27 11:37 pm UTC (link)
as long as the voltage has a low input voltage as 100 (like things in america are input 100-240) it should world fine in Japan. lol

Japan is 100 (or 120, but I'm pretty sure 100v) and America is 100-240v

I use my American stuff all the time in Japan..

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 12:53 am UTC (link)
thank youu!!

if im not mistaken...
i remember reading on your journal that u ran out of money
so you couldnt eat sometimes.... >__<

what did you resort to when that happend??
i think i read that you just walked instead of taking the train >___< woo.

any advice helps thank uu again <33

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[info]protoaxl
2009-05-27 11:39 pm UTC (link)
Hey I'm a random stranger that found your journal through a community I just joined. Can I add you to my friends list? You seem cool and I like your style.

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 12:54 am UTC (link)
but of course!
i'l add you back!
its always nice to make new friends :)

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[info]protoaxl
2009-05-28 01:07 am UTC (link)
Great! :)

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[info]candy_cadet
2009-05-27 11:41 pm UTC (link)
American electronics work fine in Japan, but sometimes Japanese electronics won't work in US outlets.

Peanut butter, deodorant, and toothpaste. also any specific haircare products you need.

miso is indeed very cheap. also quick 7-11 or supermarket meals in Japan are GREAT. and a lot of the little family restaurant chains are really cheap and tasty; places like Saizeriya and Gusto.

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[info]catbus
2009-05-28 12:18 am UTC (link)
Yeah I'd suggest bringing deodorant. Theirs are different, but you can find a very limited selection of trial size stick deodorant for like 6 bucks :(

I hear Japanese toothpaste doesn't have fluoride, so if that matters to you, bring your own.

You can find cheap food, just be creative. Japanese cuisine is cheaper sometimes. Try udon noodle shops maybe. And there's always instant ramen... haha. Going to the grocery store in the evenings is good for marked off deli goodies. I think Tuesday is the cheap day so it's a good day to do your grocery shopping.

And yes, 100 yen store 100 yen store 100 yen store!!!

And let's hang out when you come?

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[info]catbus
2009-05-28 12:19 am UTC (link)
Also, shipping things is expensive so I don't see why you'd bring your own rice cooker. At least in my opinion. I hear they're cheap at Hard-Off....? I spent 50 bucks/5,000 on mine new though at a department store.

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 12:56 am UTC (link)
Omg...thank you because i am a serious peanut butter fannatic !!
i'l rembember to get two huge things of JIFF lol

damn i run through toothpaste pretty fast i'l have to see what i can doo

im planning for my big move btw i got a teaching job through a private school!! yatta!

thanks so much for your input :)

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[info]candy_cadet
2009-05-28 01:02 am UTC (link)
awesome! you're going to have so much fun ♥

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[info]heatherchan
2009-05-28 11:10 am UTC (link)
conbinis like 7-11 and family resu like Saizeriya are cheap, but if you are on a really strict budget, do not eat out. you can make sandwiches or rice dishes for half the price of eating out. the cheapest fast food would probably be gyuudon/beef bowl at Yoshinoya for about 300 yen.

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[info]okoto_waiting
2009-05-27 11:49 pm UTC (link)
deodorant is the most important thing.
And depending on size Bra+undies, make sure you have enough, you sweat like a bitch in tokyo so i go through under clothes fast.
There is good toothpaste (just dont get rose flavor ack) so dont worry about that.

bring the shampoo/cond. that you like, im not happy with any kind I get, but my hair is oily and their shampoo makes it worse.

If you like cooking I can get enough food for 3-4 days for under $20 at my supermarket and just eat leftovers. Konbini store food is ok and quick but its like $3-5 a meal, sometimes im still hungry and its just too much after a while.

I'll show you all the tricks when you get to Japan! They have 100 yen shops too so DONT buy cleaning stuff and hangers and a departo, go to 100 yen shop. for towels and stuff too ^^

when you going?
I'm going back end of july/beginning of august.

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[info]digitable_gyaru
2009-05-28 12:13 am UTC (link)
It should work!

TAMPONS!( tampons can be a bitch to find, and most the time they are the type that feel like you're losing your virginity all over again) , deodorant, underwear.

Avoid american fast food places, they are expensive and small portions. If you can cook, do that! just avoid buying meats except at near closing time, it's cheaper then. if you don't feel like cooking, you can always get japanese food, the portions are pretty big and it's reasonable. If you're really poor, you can live off rice and put furikake on it, it kicks up the flavor so it's not so boring. Also konbini can be good places.

And of course, the 100 yen stores.

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 12:59 am UTC (link)
lol thanks ;)
i might just have to do the rice and flavor for a while, im so worried...
im gonna work my ass off before i ship out..

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[info]digitable_gyaru
2009-05-28 05:10 am UTC (link)
np :)
Oh, don't worry too much. You can find a way around it if needed :)

Good luck!

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 07:31 pm UTC (link)
thats true!
i might pick up a second job as a private tutor...
im not sure how well that would work since i barely speak a lick of japanese....hope i can charge a good amount per hour :)

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[info]digitable_gyaru
2009-05-28 10:03 pm UTC (link)
Hmmm my friend who does that sometimes offers her clients extra time for more money. But if you look at sites online you might be able to find something :O

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[info]heatherchan
2009-05-28 11:12 am UTC (link)
100 yen stores are amazing<3 they sell so much useful stuff for furnishing an apartment. all of my dishes and silverware I got at the 100 yen store. hangers, sponges, cleaning products too

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 01:52 am UTC (link)
ibeprophen, sudafed, bras

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[info]pixxiy
2009-05-28 02:06 am UTC (link)
yes, BRING TAMPONS. Japanese women usually don't use these, so i really urge that you bring these. This helped me out when i went to JP


Eesha and everyone else said everything that i was going to say.

Electrical sockets are the same, places like Daiso are great, Don't eat american fast food, just stick to 711 meals, ramen houses, etc.

If you do run out of undies and bras, just shop at Peach John. Peach John has american sizes.

http://www.peachjohn.co.jp/english/store/

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 02:35 am UTC (link)
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2472778496/nm0000291

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[info]anaquita
2009-05-28 02:38 am UTC (link)
The others pretty much posted what you'll need. However I haveta ask why bother with a rice cooker? Get a pot and pan and cook it by hand if need be. Just remember to wash it throughly first.

Miso Soup and Rice is a huge main staple in Japan. Cheap and yummy. Traditional breakfast food, though many have it for lunch and dinner as well. Not to mention far more nutritious and with the rice filling than ramen. :) And yes 711's, Circle K's, and even some ramen stands can be quite affordable.

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-29 12:36 am UTC (link)
thanks mama!
i didnt know u went there too :)

You gotta come visit me while im there!

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[info]anaquita
2009-05-29 12:45 am UTC (link)
I was there back in '97, a student exchange trip. Quite awhile ago, but I still remember it pretty clearly. :D I suggest trying their okonomiyaki when you can. Best food ever. I so need to find a way to make a gluten free version. Though not sure if Okonomi sauce is o.O Will need to look into that.

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[info]cassisorange
2009-05-28 09:19 am UTC (link)
1. works I think.

2. Deodorant, underwear, tampons. Sanitary stuff in general. And your favourite candy ;)

3. Curry, Sushi, if you want to eat out. Cheap stuff to buy... well I cook lots of Tofu dishes. Unfortunately all of the fresh stuff like vegetables or fruits, or cheese, are really expensive.

4.

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[info]cassisorange
2009-05-28 09:20 am UTC (link)
lol oops there is no #4 haha. anyways when are you coming over? Ask me if you have any more questions :)

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 07:30 pm UTC (link)
Thank you!!
I should be there by late august!!
I'l be in tokyo for a week of trainning then
I'll be shipped out wherever they need a teacher :)

I'm so excited!!

Thank you thank you!!

Do you know where I might buy some cute bed stuff like pillows blankets etc??

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[info]cassisorange
2009-05-29 10:15 am UTC (link)
let me know when your there!


why sure. i usually buy at tokyu hands or takashimaya :)
they also have cheaper stuff at donkihote tho. the quality's not bad!

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-29 08:27 pm UTC (link)
thank you! my friend showed me tokyu hands :)

oo im excited to kick it with you and puri!! :D

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[info]heatherchan
2009-05-28 11:07 am UTC (link)
the outlets are shaped the same, but with only two prongs. you can get converters like what I have for my laptop for 3 pronged appliances. the wattage is a little bit lower here compared to America, so things like blowdryers that have a motor might not run well. a rice cooker probably will be ok.

I always bring back lots of underwear, bras, jeans, deodorant(Japanese deodorant is worthless), floss (it's expensive here). I always bring lots of tortillas and taco seasoning too because I can't live without my Mexican food. :D A lot of people bring peanut butter. If your feet are bigger than a size 8, consider bringing lots of shoes from home too.

Miso soup is pretty cheap if you make it yourself. instant ramen is not as cheap in Japan as it is in the US. Rice is really cheap, so making fried rice would be really cheap, or tuna rice (canned tuna and rice). Peanut butter sandwiches might be cheap too. right now you can get 8 slices of bread for about 90 cents or a dollar. Meat is not cheap. Fruit is not either.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, but if you have any specific questions I'm sure I'll be able to answer them. 8)

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[info]this_weird_gurl
2009-05-28 07:28 pm UTC (link)
Thank you!!

Wow, so informative! I really appreciate your advice!!!

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