Getting settled down

IT'S been a few days I've been here now. I'm getting used to the train system although I still sometimes mess up. Taking public transport here is expensive relative to what I'm used to in Canada! It's about ¥130 to take the train 3-4 stops. It doesn't sound like much, but if you go farther (quite easy here) you are looking at US$2 to US$5 per each way on your trip, so US$10/day which is roughly US$350 a month. I'd pay the same in gas for my car in Canada.



I've been getting my paperwork here done to be able to get my life in order and get a job. The order of things to do in Japan is very important as no step can be missed or you will turned back at the next step.

First you need to get an Alien Registration Card, Simply go to the local Prefecture office and give them the information (you will need an address, two 35x45mm photos and your passport). They will give you a time two weeks away to come and get it, so it's important to do this as soon as you can!

Now you have to ask to get an Alien Registration Certificate, this is a paper which proves you've applied for alien registration. Same place, just ask and wait at the certificate booth to receive it (you need your passport and address, it costs ¥300). It works in some (but not all will accept it) places as the Alien Registration Card and can be used to do official business.

Next you need to get a Hanko or stamp. It's a seal which you need to use as well as your signature to be able to do anything official. They are carved out of wood and are pretty expensive, the smallest size you can get is 10.5mm and it costs ¥2890 (US$29) without a box. Round ones are for individuals and square for companies. I got an oval one. :) The bigger the Hanko the more expensive it gets. You can get a standard Hanko if you have a Japanese name, but really you should get a personalized one made by translating (more or less) the sounds of your name into Japanese Katakana or Hirigana if you are a foreigner. As there are many ways to make similar sounds and different symbols will be used by different translators.

Now with your cool Hanko and Alien Registration Certificate you can go to a Bank and open a Japanese Bank account! Well, you will also need you passport and of course money, bring ¥10000 at least.

Now you have the basic tools to be able to get other things you will want in Japan, such as a cellphone, internet or anything else.