Joshstar 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Hey guys Im moving to Japan on a working visa for 12months I leave in exactly 7 days and fly into osaka next wednesday. Basicly Im just wondering if I sould bring my own winter gear or buy it over there. I only have a max of 20kgs to take on the plane and its like $50AUD every kilo your over or something. Are snow jackets, boots, pants, etc cheap over there? Im going to have to buy a board and stuff anyways. Ive only snowboarded once although I wakeboard at least twice a week and surf everyday. Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Welcome to J-land then. I cant say much about Osaka, but in Tokyo you can get some pretty sweet deals. You might have problems finding boots over size 30 though. Were about in Yamanashi will you be staying? Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 I'm moving to Minobu. I'm staying at the Ramada Kansai International airport for 2 nights when I fly in. At this point I have no idea how Im going to get from Osaka to Yamanashi, Im not to keen on catching trains (think I might get lost or get the wrong one) so Im looking into maybe a bus? Any ideas. If anyone lives in Osaka and would like to catch up or help me out when I arrive let me know! Anyone from this forum live in Yamanashi? Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I would say your best option is to get on the Shinkansen from Osaka and change at Shizuoka to the train that goes to Minobu. I don't think there is a bus connecting Osaka and Minobu. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Oh sweet thanks for that man. If its only 2 trains thats not so bad.. how many hours you think it will take? Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 It takes 3 hours 20 mins from Shin-Oosaka station to Minobu and costs 11690 yen if you get a non reserved seat ticket, one way. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Oh thats alright I was thinking 6-8hrs or something. Thanks for all your help dude.. I need it right now believe me, all this organising is so damn stressful! Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Bring your surfboard together, Shizuoka has some pretty good spots. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Haha I was gonna bring it over but its just gonna cost to much so I was thinking of getting one there. I generally only ride fish's for doing airs. Short no bigger then 5'10 and super wide. If anyones got one for sale let me know! Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 You should be able to get a second hand one for 10 - 20000 yen at a surf shop on the beach. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Awesome Ill look into it when I get there. Although its starting to get colder over there at the moment isnt it? Summers over? Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 No way dude! You can surf in halfpants till the end of the month, last weekend it was like surfing in bathwater. It will take till October before you need a spring suit. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 Are there any Aussies on this forum or am I the only one? Link to post Share on other sites
lin 0 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Tons! You might want to check and vote in this one http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/280382/1.html Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Yes we have an abundance in Aussies. But you sound like a nice lad so you are welcomed. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Joshstar, Welcome to SJ and to Japan. My advice - don't be scared of trains in Japan, or of the people who run them! Japan has some of the fastest, cleanest and most convenient train services anywhere, and all stations have bilingual signs showing you where you need to go to change. A simple question in clear, slow English will usually be understood, and most Japanese (staff or other passengers) are likely to be very friendly and helpful. You'd be lost without trains in Japan - so check you route in advance and go for it. When you have the chance to come up to Tokyo, head to Kanda-Jimbocho area (down the hill from JR Ochanomizu Station on the Sobu Line or up from Jimbocho station on the Hanzomon subway line) and you'll find numerous ski and sports shops stocked with a huge range of boarding / skiing / surfing gear. There are always bagains to be had, so spare a few hours and you can get kitted out even if the budget is on the tight side. most of all - enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Originally Posted By: Joshstar Are there any Aussies on this forum or am I the only one? best one today Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 Hahaha I had no idea. I assumed there wouldnt be to many aussies.. I was wrong! As for the trains, your right I looked into it a bit more and I shouldnt have any issues from Osaka to Minobu - just the 1 transfer. I was just more worried about being hassled or robbed or something.. maybe being taken advantage of, but from what Ive heard the Japanese are generally polite and gracious, so I shouldnt have to worry about this to much. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Originally Posted By: Joshstar Are there any Aussies on this forum or am I the only one? Yes....yes you are Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 "hassled or robbed"? A major good point of Japan is that you pretty much never have to worry about such things. Mugging or violence to the individual is almost unheard of in most places. I'd say you have more to fear from other foreigners in that respect than from Japanese. This is the country where you can lose your wallet with the Yen equivalent of several hundred USD in it a few days before pay day, and no-one seems surprised when the whole lot comes back to you untouched. I recently had a friend from London visit for the first time and initially he refused to believe that all of the stock sitting on the pavement outside a local supermarket was the real thing...they even had bottles of wine and whisky neatly stacked out there in the street. There are things that'll drive you nuts about the place for sure, but the basic standard of honesty is a wonder to behold Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 That is soooooo good to know, very comforting. I just cant wait to get over there!! One more question when I arrive and meet people do I shake hands or put them together and bow?? Is it rude to shake hands? Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Not rude, some people might expect it we noticed - but a little bow is much more fun, especially as we can't do them properly (and clean for the hands too). Now if it is an annoying gaijin with a huge head, just punch 'em in the face. Or avoid before contact is made. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I thought it was customary to kick them in the nuts Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 That is most definitely an option thursday but with the vastly inflated size of head, the face is an easier target. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshstar 0 Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 Hahahahah ill keep that in mind. I was thinking of joining the Yakuza, the more violent I get.. the better right? Link to post Share on other sites
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