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| Thread ID: 87234 | 2008-02-13 20:56:00 | I'm off to Japan, need some tips | Jan Birkeland (4741) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 640030 | 2008-02-14 00:26:00 | And those are really Japanese.... :lol: That's the joke: :thumbs: |
qazwsxokmijn (102) | ||
| 640031 | 2008-02-14 00:39:00 | It is my understanding that GSM phones do not work in Japan . From Google: 'Due to different technologies, mobile phones from your home country may not work in Japan . Most importantly, there is no GSM network, so GSM phones do not work . There are two things that are required for your phone to work: Compatibility with the Japanese mobile phone network - The only foreign phones that work in Japan are some 3G models, however the number of compatible phones is increasing . Contact your service provider for details concerning your particular phone . International roaming plan or rental SIM card - With an international roaming plan (from your home service provider) you use your own phone and number, but are charged international roaming rates which tend to be expensive . Alternatively, with a rental SIM card (from a Japanese provider) you use your own phone with a Japanese phone number and lower rates' . It's many years since I took Japanese lessons and am very very rusty . I thought I'd forgotten more than I ever learned, until I read Greg's input . Carry cards with your destination, hotel and other essential information printed in both English (Engirisu) and Japanese . Great for taxi drivers . Katakana characters are used for most words foreign to Japanese . Call your nearest college that offers Japanese language classes . Usually they will be happy to have someone help with the characters for the cards and can probably give a great deal more information . . . maybe using one of their international students . The word for beer is biru ;) Cheers, Marnie |
Marnie (4574) | ||
| 640032 | 2008-02-14 01:07:00 | The word for beer is biru ;) Sweet, I'm all set :D |
Jan Birkeland (4741) | ||
| 640033 | 2008-02-14 01:35:00 | Sweet, I'm all set :D Hopefully you will have some form of portable device on you that is suited to browsing Google maps "on the go" - very handy for finding places to stay, see or eat when traveling. Sergey Brin found Google maps very handy when in Davos recently. |
vitalstatistix (9182) | ||
| 640034 | 2008-02-14 01:41:00 | does anyone know how much Wi-Fi there is around Tokyo? and is it free? | Jan Birkeland (4741) | ||
| 640035 | 2008-02-14 02:32:00 | I heard that wifi in JP - the free hotspots are available but not that freq as the USA or HKG. Never tried thou. | Nomad (952) | ||
| 640036 | 2008-02-14 04:35:00 | If your battery for your mobile ever run flat .Pop into the nearest small stores equivalent to dairies here.There are chargers where you can charge your mobile for free and as you wait you can buy yourself a cup of hot noodles.Sit next to the mobile to charge. lol..something nz dont have.Wouldn't it be cool if there were rechargeable areas around nZ |
Ninjabear (2948) | ||
| 640037 | 2008-02-14 05:22:00 | Sweet, I'm all set :D Have fun and pack a Greg in your suitcase. ;) |
Sweep (90) | ||
| 640038 | 2008-02-14 06:26:00 | Have fun and pack a Greg in your suitcase. ;) Or better still,bring a geisha back. They make lovely tea. |
Cicero (40) | ||
| 640039 | 2008-02-15 23:08:00 | Hey Jan, I'm in Tokyo (and other parts of Japan) for work 2-3 times a year. 3G (vodafone) mobiles WILL work in Japan (you may have to turn 3G on if you don't use it locally) - it does chew the battery quite a bit more though so make sure you've got a good way of charging it up (I just USB-charge it off my notebook to save carting extra adaptors around). And, of course, watch the roaming charges. You're in for a treat with skiing in Niseko. My brother works in the area and the snow is amazing - it will just be hitting peak season (although it's been warmer this year). Couple of suggestions for Tokyo: Akihabara shops don't open until after 10am. And take a good map, it's VERY easy to get lost because most of the streets don't run parallel. It's great if you're interested in buying gadgets (laptop USB fans, camera memory cards, miniature security cameras etc) but you're better off going to somewhere like Bic Camera (Shinjuku, among other places) if you want to really see cool stuff (laptops, big TVs etc.) Most urban Japanese speak a little English - you'll should have no problems in Niseko as it's virtually over-run with Australians, and in Tokyo they love the opportunity to 'practice' English on you. It's not as easy as travelling in Sydney but if you spend more than a couple of days in Tokyo you'll get the nack of thinks! The Yamanote (Tokyo loop) subway line will take you to all sorts of well worthwhile spots (Shinagawa, Shibuya, Akihabara, Ueno etc (www.japan-guide.com)) - just for the experience catch it at around 8.30am one weekday morning! One other thing which is well worth doing in Tokyo (although a little off the beaten track) is the glass Ferris wheel in Palette Town at Odaiba (info here: www.japan-guide.com) - there are clear glass and solid capsules but the clear ones are a great rush. Also check out Ginza (Amazing Sony, Canon, Apple, Nissan and many other flagship stores/showrooms in this super-exclusive part of Tokyo) Last thing (because I've gone on a bit!) - most useful Japanese phrase you'll need is "Sumimasen" (basically 'excuse me') - use it when you need to ask directions/for help, get attention from a restaurant waiter, apologise for bumping into people in Tokyo (it WILL happen) etc. 'Arigatou' (pronounced like 'Ara-gar-toe') will normally suffice for 'Thank you' (the Japanese are very polite people). It's a very safe place so don't panic about being out late at night (Roppongi is the best nightlife in Tokyo). Taxis can be expensive but the subway is cheap and excellent (although know when the last train goes!) Have a fantastic time - let us know how you get on! |
joe_exception (2874) | ||
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