Safety in Japan What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
We had no issues with safety. Ashiya is a very nice area. Japanese people probably aren’t going to steal your stuff. 🙂
Japan is super safe – I felt more safe here than I do in most major cities in the US!
I had to go to the clinic one day because I was in a lot of pain. We found that most places were expensive and most didn’t speak English. We were able to bike to a local clinic where the doctor spoke English. It was the Kawano Medical Clinic in Ashiya, only the doctor spoke English, but he was very helpful. Here’s the website: http://kawanonaika.com/english.html
Clean and sanitary, if anything the Japanese are more concerned about health and cleanliness than Racers usually are so it’s important to respect them by keeping clean. Daily showers are expected and you should take advantage of the hot water! Also, heated toilet seats are awesome. As is getting to drink water out of the tap!
Japan is a very clean and sanitary place so, don’t be frightened by all the masks that the Japanese wear, this is a cultural norm. They are worn for things such as coughs, runny noses to more extreme cases of colds.
Visa Info in Japan Do you need one? Where did you get it? Cost? Resources/sources:
People’s Opinions
There was no cost for the visa. You do need to have an address and if you are staying with a host family make sure you have the family name with you, some of us were asked…
Currency Info
Currency Info in Japan Name of currency? Where can you exchange money?
People’s Opinions
The only place you can use a foreign card to pull money out of an ATM is at a 7/11, and the smallest denomination you can pull is ¥10000, roughly $100. The vast majority of places also will only take cash, not a card, so it’s a good idea to pull money out first thing when you get here.
Yen the exchange rate is 100:1 so its simple to know how much you are spending!We didn’t exchange money but you can at the airport but we just got the money out of the ATM its easiest but most of them only allow you to pull out a minimum of $100
Communication
Communication in Japan Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
Our squad also used wifi for communication since SIM cards are so expensive.Side note, wifi out and about really isn’t a thing (surprisingly enough) so don’t expect most coffee shops/cafes to have wifi you can use. Host homes usually have it, and places like McDonald’s or Starbucks.
Our squad also used wifi for communication since SIM cards are so expensive.Side note, wifi out and about really isn’t a thing (surprisingly enough) so don’t expect most coffee shops/cafes to have wifi you can use. Host homes usually have it, and places like McDonald’s or Starbucks.
Nobody was given a SIM card this month. Wifi was our only source of communication.
Transportation
Transportation in Japan What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
If you’re serving in Ashiyahama you’ll more than likely walk to and from ministry. If you can take a bike, do so because it will get you from point A to B a lot quicker. Ashiya is a beautiful city and fun to bike through.Trains stations to and from Osaka and Kobe are relatively straightforward and there are several stations right in the area. It costs about ¥270 each way.
Where we were on the mountain in Nishinomiya, it was about a mile walk down the hill to the train station. Getting to Kyoto cost about $5 each way, getting to downtown Osaka is anywhere from $3-$5 depending on where you’re trying to go. The train stations are really easy to navigate, and Google maps will give you great directions on what trains you need to take to get anywhere.Another cultural note, trains here are quiet and it’s expected that you will be quiet as well. So out of respect, it’s important to keep your voice down and not get loud/rowdy even out in public.
You will walk most places, but the trains are not too expensive if needed. I lived with host families who let me borrow their bikes, too, so that was very useful.
More often than not walking will be your best form of transportation. If you choose not too the bus typically cost anywhere between 120-200 yen and for the train the same.
Culture in Japan Anything Racers need to be aware/respectful of? Suggestions/Recommendations?
People’s Opinions
The culture is all about honor and respect. Be sure to always take your shoes off before entering a home. It’s also really important to have a small gift to take when going to to a family’s home for dinner or for any activity. Especially if that family is not Christian. Perhaps it’s a good idea to keep something small and non perishable with you at all times just in case you get in a bind. But be prepared to get your face blessed off with service and generosity. Japanese people are awesome!
Shipping / Mailing in Albania Company used and contact info? How did you get packages to them?
Tips
People’s Opinions
Use discretion when taking clothing to a laundry mat. Some of our team sent their clothes to a cleaners and had to pay $8 (USD) a person. (They had originally been told a lower price.) Some of their clothes also came back shrunk. It would probably be best to do laundry where your contact suggests and not to try to find a place on your own.
Additional Info
Additional Info in Japan Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?
Exploring nearby cities Osaka and Kobe (we stayed in Ashiya) is what we did on off days, along with exploring Kyoto and the temples there. All are about 30 minutes away by train, costing 270 Yen each way. There are fun things to do each place, like going to the top of the Westin in Osaka for a 360 view of Osaka.