Detailed Radioactivity Readings in Water, Air, etc

Another resource issued by a foreign embassy in Japan. This time not only covering general radiation levels by prefecture, but also featuring detailed analysis of water etc. very useful for calming nerves (and family at home).

We have the good people at KEIO University to thank for translating this one.

Here's the link to the radioactivity reports.

10 Varieties of Cherry Blossom Trees

Well, it's well and truly 花見 (hanami/blossom viewing) season again. This coming weekend will see the peak in my town. Check our past entry for the full-bloom sakura dates for your region of Japan.

The trees became nationally iconic in a bid, many years ago, for Japan to distance itself from China (whose national symbol is the plum blossom). In hindsight, they probably should have picked something a bit more different, as the two are often confused by outsiders.

The distinctly white, mildly pink (when in full bloom) blossom which dominates much of Japan belongs to a tree known as 染井吉野 (somei yoshino). This is the "standard tree". There are around 100 other varieties, such as the low hanging, droopy branches of 枝垂れ桜 (shidarezakura). Intensely pink blossoms most likely belong to 関山桜 (kanzanzakura).

Anyway, someone asked me the other day about the different types of cherry trees seen in bloom. So, here's the answer they wanted:

Click to enlarge.

1. 染井吉野 (Somei yoshino).  Distinctive for being everywhere.

2. 八重桜 (Yaezakura) Distinctive for it's bushy, double-blossoms.

3. 山桜 (Yamazakura). Distinctive for growing wild.

4. 関山桜 (Kanzanzakura). Large, clumpy blossoms.

5. 普賢象桜 (Fugenzozakura) Distinctive for it's heavy, thick blossom.

6. . 枝垂れ桜 (Shidarezakura). Distinctive for its fountain effect.

7. ウコン桜 (Ukonzakura). Distinctive for being yellowy green.

8. 一葉桜 (Ichiyozakura).

9. 松月桜 (Shougetsuzakura).

10. 十月桜 (Juugatsuzakura). Distinctive for flowering in October.

Kameari Koban, Tokyo

Kameari is the site of possibly the most famous anime and manga in Japan: こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所 (usually shortened to Kochikame and referred to as Kameari Park Precinct in English). It's the longest running manga series in Japanese history and centres around a police box (koban) outside a small children's park in Kameari.

I went there last week and thought you might like to know about a walk you can do around the (lovely) area. It makes a unique couple of hours to add to your experience in Tokyo.

The koban itself doesn't actually exist in the location from the series, but a similar one which inspired the design sits just outside the station. Very nearby are two bronze statues - one, life-sized, of the main character Ryu, and one smaller one of another character, Reiko. These two are part of a series of 11 statues around the area. Each one has a map nearby to help you find your way around, and it's very simple.

Seeing all the statues and the koban will take you around an hour, or a little more if you take your time and enjoy what is a very nice area of Tokyo.

If you're a fan of the series, you may well spend a bit longer in the area checking out the memorable locations and buildings which you will have come across in print/on TV. The shrine along the route has a huge billboard with a fabulously detailed map of the area cross-referrenced with scenes from the comic.

The huge shopping centre near just North of the shrine also has it's own dedication in a reconstructed faux-koban, and several shops along the route sell souveniers.




Access
Kameari station is on the JR Joban line, and with a couple of changes from Shinjuku in about 40 minutes (500yen), or about 20 from Ueno (310yen).

Map

View Kameari Kochikame Walk (www.accessj.com) in a larger map

WS: Is this/that your...? 1st Grade JHS

This is a self-explanatory sheet for practicing "Is this/that your...?"

In case you don't get it, the hand close to something is "this", and further away is "that".

Doing the whole sheet should take something in the region of 25 minutes.

Here it is.

Checking Train Times in Japan

...couldn't be much easier.

www.hyperdia.com comes in English and has all times local and national, including private lines, Shinkansen and, bizarrely enough, some airplane routes. Prices are quoted for one-way, return and commuter pass.

They also have some cool features for use with iPhone/iPad, including a voice command system (which sounds more trouble than it's worth). Those using an Android phone are offered a pretty swish mobile route finder which uses GPS.

Another popular option is http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english which is pretty much the same, but much more attractive. You can also book hotels and see maps of station locations through the results page. They also have various non-free versions of the site which add weather, tourism and offline features.

Alternatively you can use the fairly basic (Japanese) options of transit.yahoo.co.jp or transit.msn.co.jp.

Tips or advice in the comments please.

GoLloyds: 2000yen International Bank Transfers

...is with GoLloyds Japan (see below for more options). It's also the cheapest I've seen at 2,000yen a time.



GoLloyds is a go-between from Japan to your home-country bank account. You transfer money domestically from your Japanese account to GL, who will then send it to your chosen target. Because it's a domestic transfer initially, it shouldn't cost you anything other than the GL surcharge.

Step-by-step

1. Go to this GoLlyods webpage and download the application form,
2. Send GL a printed copy of the form, along with 
1. a copy of your passport  
2. AND a copy of one of the following (showing your address). Don't forget to copy both sides.
1. your gaijin card
2. health insurance card
3. driving licence
4. inhabitant certificate
3. Write Dominic Beverley as your referrer!

The address is

GoLloyds Registrations
Lloyds TSB Bank plc.
ATT, New Tower (5F)
2-11-7 Akasaka
Minato-ku
Tokyo 107-0052

or

〒１０７-００５２ 東京都港区赤坂２-１１-７ 赤坂ツインタワー新館　５F
ロイズTSB銀行東京支店

It might be worth checking all this information on their website before applying.

Transfering Money

1. GL will send you a letter, in English, with the instructions for how to send money,
2. Take the letter to your bank (any branch is ok) ATM
3. On the ATM, choose the 振込 option (furikomi/bank transfer)
4. Follow the letter's instructions for number input etc
1. Remember that sending after 3pm will use the next day's exchange rates
5. Save your bank details to the ATM when prompted (if you want)
6. Wait 24-36 hours and check your foreign bank

As all banks will, GL skims a little off your money through their exchange rate. It's pretty much the same as anywhere else, but if you're sending a vast amount of cash then you might want to shop around to be sure you're getting the best rate.

More

• Currency website xe.com used to have a good service for this, but it no longer serves Japan.
• CitiBank also offers this service with almost immediate transfer. You don't even need to have an account with them. The charge is 3,500 yen. More info on their site.
• Some people have also reported being able to use a PayPal account linked to two personal bank accounts in different countries; paying into one and withdrawing from another.

Volunteer & Donation Information By Prefecture

AJET have published an excellent list of ways you can help Japan's current crisis. Unfortunately, volunteer opportunities are still pretty limited. However, there are dozens of donation drives for both money and essential items. Check the list for what you can do, and where, in your prefecture.

Volunteer & Donation Information By Prefecture

Job Spotlight: High School ALT Spots Across Nagano Ken

For the last two years, the Nagano Board of Education has listed direct hire ALT positions at high schools across the prefecture. These are cream-of-the-crop jobs, on par with the JET Program in terms of salary and support.

The jobs were first created as Nagano began to pull away from the JET Program, and they are often occupied by 5-year JETs who weren't quite ready to go home. But, the positions are open for anyone to apply.

However, because the package is nice and there is no shortage of applicants each year, the qualifications are steep. For starters, you need to be in Japan and have a valid landing permission for work.


Job Title: 外国語指導助手 (Assistant Language Teacher)
Type: 12-month contract employee, renewable
Qualifications: Living in or near Nagano prefecture, English teaching experience, valid work "visa" (landing permission)
Working Hours: Same as JET (Approximately 8 to 9 hours per day, Monday to Friday)
Remuneration: Monthly, 300,000 yen
Insurance: Yes, Japanese national insurance deducted from salary

To apply, you'll need a Japanese and English resume, a 1-page essay, and results of a health check.

The contract period is also unusual and deserves mention: The job runs from August to July, on the same timeline as JETs. Nagano appears to be keen on retaining experienced ALTs in their high schools, so contract renewal seems likely here.

The site to watch is the ALT Hiring Page of the Nagano Board of Education website. In previous years, the notice has been posted late in April, and the deadline for applications is in mid-May.

WS: Gambling Games for All Ages

Here's a template to print your own money (goes down well), and some ideas for games you can use it with.

Here's the template. Change the details and gogogo.

Some games
MES English has a popular idea called Grammar Casino, which involves betting on true or false to some right or wrong sentences. You can do the same thing getting your kids to write missing words in gaps; betting on their own confidence.

In fact you can slip these notes into a lot of activities from T/F tests to Shopping lessons. The world is your oyster.

Donate a Place to Stay for Tsunami Victims

Not just tsunami victims, but all those affected, may be looking for a place to stay for a while. If you can help at all, please go to this link

http://www.earthdaymoney.org/topics_dt.php?id=391

Japan Long-Distance Bus Pass

You probably know about the Japan Rail Pass, which allows limited use of the bullet train (and others) to get around during your holidays.

You may also have read our article on the Budget Rail Pass, which is a lot cheaper and more flexible (within given dates).

In other news, there is a very cheap alternative for those willing to travel on night buses. The company is called Willer Express.

Here's the site to purchase the bus pass (outside Japan only).

The deal

This pass allows you up to 2 bus journeys per day for 3, 4 or 5 days within a two month period (they do NOT have to be used consecutively). The map to the right shows the available routes and prices, which currently stand at 10,000yen for the 3-day options, 12,000 for 4 days and 14,000 for 5 days.

This is great value when you compare to the cost of the rail pass - it works out around a third of the cost on long trips, and can be used over a much longer period (2 months as opposed to 7 days).

In addition, you'll save on accommodation by sleeping on the bus. Win:win.

The catch

• You can only buy this ticket outside of Japan (although you can be resident here and use it).
• Some peak seasons aren't covered by the pass, such as Golden Week, New Year and various other national holidays.
• You have to book each journey individually to get a seat (not really a catch, but good to know). You can do this online up to an hour beforehand.
• You have to sleep on a bus. If you have a problem with that, or very long road journeys, this may not be for you.

Author Spotlight: Natsuo Kirino

This is the first in a series which will go on to create our "Recommended Books" page. We'll start with one of my favourite modern authors:

Natsuo Kirino is a wonderfully bitter writer who produces daunting character studies of disturbed, claustrophobic personalities (as would be expected of someone living in Tokyo, I guess).

Certainly a twisted mind, she writes about murder, prostitution, envy and jealousy. Her characters are dark and warped, but identifiably human.

The style is a morbid expose of the criminal mind, full of mystery and suspense. Very mature, and often gruesome.

Tragically few of her 16+ novels have been translated into English, but you should definitely snap up those that have.

If you decide to buy some of her books, please do so through these links to help support our site:

Author website.