h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Help can advise about living and working in Japan for 12 mths a student Gap year,

Do you like rice?

(You'll hear that one a lot.)

Don't piss off gentlemen with tatoo's

Although I was only there for a short time 30 years ago, if I remember the weather was quite cold when I was there so check on year round temperature and take suitable clothing. Talking about clothing, is the average persons height there less than average? If it is then buying clothes there would be difficult.
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Unless changed a lot, the road signs out of cities were only in Japanise. Oh and they had a western style 7/11 store with Japanise food.
The language was a problem as only found one person out of cities who spoke English, however it was a long time ago and I didn't really spend a long time trying to talk to people and just picked up things in a shop and went to counter and looked at amount on till to pay.
It would be nice to maybe buy a CD type thing and learn some japanise if don't already speak it being a gap year student.
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It was a strange mix, 30 years ago, of tradional timber built houses and hi-tech western things. I think it is a good choice to go on a gap year to as will learn a lot about somewhere quite differant, and other people will be really interested when you return. Just remember to take many photos as I still look at the ones I took 30 years ago.
I was backpacking in Japan and still remember the bewildered look I got from a goat I was talking to in a field, as you do, perhaps it was the first time it had heard any language except japanise and was shocked!

get in touch with Anoldgreymoonraker. U2052738 He lives outside Nara, if I remember correctly.

I was thinking of Moonraker too but he hasn't been here for a month or so and can be sporadic here. He does have knowledge of daily life in Japan from an English man's perspective who has lived there for many years.
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If you contact him though please don't call him "Arnold" as his posting name is actually An-old-grey-moonraker and many like me called him Arnold for short by mistake. Moonraker will be fine!

Do you have a job lined up or are you going as a tourist?

If you want to integrate, do try to learn some Japanese before going. However, it's easy to get around the major rail network as many signs are in English characters. Get a Japan Rail Pass before going.

My son went out as a graduate teaching English, but is now living in Tokyo with a 'proper' job.

PS I've been out there twice to visit & am learning Japanese myself!

If you search in the guide there seems to be several interesting entries on Japan and life there.

Bob, are you going out there yourself or are you going out with an organisation? I ask because the last two expeditions I went out with I was with like-minded people who had organised transport and accommodation. Therefore giving you a base and support

Mind you the last expedition I went on the organisation 'ruled the village' and the place was probably therefore an inaccurate reflection on local culture.

Some general notes on Japan

The high speed trains are expensive. If you're on a tight budget I recommend getting coaches if you are going intercity.

If you want to drive yourself the FCO website has advice on how to get the right insurance. Beware though that cyclists are insane.

Carry your alien registration card at all times.

Most Japanese people have studied English at school, but few can speak it well or understand what is said to them. However, many can understand clear and simple English in written form and may be able to write a reply more easily than they can speak. But you should be prepared for situations in which English is not understood at all eg by taxi drivers, restaurant staff, police, doctors. A pen and notebook and a simple phrase book may prove useful.

Check with your bank and mobile phone company that your services work over there however since you're going there for such a long time to work you should probably arrange accounts in Japan.

Be wary that some pharmaceutical drugs in this country are illegal in Japan. So don't take any across with you even and becareful what you ask for if you visit a chemist.

Oh and resist the temptation to hit people who namedrop Mr. Bean, James Bond & 'Footballer of the month' (formally Beckham now Rooney) when you mention that you are English. You may have heard it 6 million times in your first month but for them its the first time they've made a witty joke so I treat it as such.

Japanese seasons also go to the extreme. Summer is Sahara, Autumn is monsoon and winter is artic, so be prepared for dramatic changes in the weather.

On BBC2 tonight (4/2/08) at 2am to 6am there are some one hour programmes about everything from culture in Japan to learning basic Japanise, which might help when you go to Japan if you record them now, particularly the basic Japanise one.
I am going to record them myself out of pure interest!

Thanks I will definatly catch these.

You must take up judo.

Seriously, it's a great activity anyway, and it'll open up Japan to you in an amazing way. If possible start learning a bit before you go.

Other people's experiences: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F7154835?thread=4984483&latest=1