Mito City Offices and the Mall

It has been a busy time for me in Japan.  There have been many thing for me to do and so much to learn.   A couple Monday's ago, I went to the City Offices to register.  Before I could open a checking account, get a phone, or some other important things, I need to register where I live.  I went with my manager to the Mito City office.  We took a number and waited for my name to be called.  First I registered my address and then we sat and waited for my address to be printed on my card.  Then I registered for the health care.  Afterwards we waited again.  My name was called and I registered on the pension plan, its mandatory.  At these three stations I was given pamphlets and information, all of which I cannot read unless they have English words (sidenote - Just about everything is in Hiragana or Kanji with a random words of English).  By the way, I just realized it wrote "I registred...." I didn't do much of anything beside sit there and sign when asked (Last Name followed by First Name, All Caps).  My manager did all the talking.  I now know how my clients felt when I translated for them.

 

The Mito City Offices were interesting.  That's the first place where I went to and I was surprised to find how orderly everything was.  

Once I was all registered with the office, we headed to Aeon Mall (pronounced Eon, the A is silent).  I needed a stamp for official business like the bank, signing contracts and such.  I also need a less informal stamp for stamping my time card or little things like that.  So off to the mall.  Boy oh boy of boy, was I in for a treat.  The mall is big and it has all kinds of stores including: Starbucks, Gap, H&M, McDonald's,  KFC, Subway, a movie theater and an imports store.  Also a post office and a bank in case I can't make it to the main branches.  Pretty convenient, huh?  We went to the stamp store where I a picked a stamp, a case, and a pen/stamp.  First my name was translated into syllables: Vi Vi A Na.  Next,  I chose my style, changed my mind, chose another, changed my mind, and finally stuck with the third style.  Ooops sorry!!  It was a hard choice and there were soooo many.  Since there was a wait, I was shown around the mall and because I needed a few thing we did some shopping.  One of the stops was the import store, oh joy.  There are some things I can get from back home.  I felt I really needed lemon pepper seasoning and strawberry jam from France.  Nutella was put back on the shelf for another time because well 600+ yen is a splurge (roughly $6+).  But don't you worry folks, once payday come around.... :)  After some walking, lunch, and picking up the stamp, we got some Starbucks.  Ahhh.  Since I have been in Japan, I have had quite a bit of Starbuck's like 3 times a week or more.  It's maybe because I have needed the caffeine and it's one of those comfort things as well.  

Aeon Mall at night.  Its four or five levels. 

The formal stamp.  The blue dot help me orient the stamp. 

Pen stamp.  I can't remember which way it goes.

During another visit to the mall, I entered a lottery.  For the purchases a person made, you received stamps.  Place the proper amount of stamps, fill out your info and place you card in the box.  Don't think I won but it was fun.  

And because I know you are interested in every little detail, here is a picture of my first food stamp/rewards card from a mall place.  

Whew!  It's like I just did all of that again.  Until next time.  

This blog is based on my impressions.

This blog is not endorsed by the country of Japan or it's people.  All comments are made with limited knowledge and reflect my lack of expertise.  Please know that I am not a professional writer.  My purpose is to share with you my experiences.  Have a happy day.

Order! Order! There will be order!!!

It usually takes the judge in the movie a bit of time to get the people to settle down.  I have not been in a Japanese courtroom before, I have no idea of their system actually works... hmmmm... but I can't imagine things getting so hectic.

I was surprised by how orderly things are in Japan, so uniform, there is a system and people follow the system.  In the morning you see the kids walking to school in their uniforms.  Depending on what school they go to they have a uniform, sometimes a hat and a backpack.  There are kids whose schools require them to even wear a uniform at all times so they can be identified should something happen or they misbehave.

At the grocery store, where I usually shop, you pick up a basket when you enter.  Once you get to the check out, the cashier moves the items from your shopping basket and places them into another different colored basket to show that the items were purchased.  I didn't understand at first but then I was like oohhhhh.....

Another comment on uniform, sometimes it seems like even all the adults are wearing a uniform.  You really can tell what group even the adults belong to by their clothing.  Wish I had some pictures but I don't want to be rude.  But seriously, the banking staff, moving crew, business men, police, garbage people, construction workers, etc.  The colors that are most common are black, blue, grey and brown, nothing really bright that could make a person stand out.  That's why I really like the mall.  At the mall, people are in their relaxed clothing, the other uniform. Specific clothes for specific events. 

And boy, are people polite in Japan.  Wow.  It's like Chick-fil-A service everywhere.  Politeness is part of the order, part of the uniform.  Smiles everyone!  I wish you all could have been with me when I went to register my address at the city offices.  All polite and orderly.  People sitting patiently until their number was called.  Hushed quiet tones and bows.  No one yelling. 

There is a time and place for everything: Order has it's time everyday , all day in Japan.

My Apartment

Wow.  My apartment now is fancier than the apartments I have had back in the US.  For example, the heated toilet seat with wash options.  Hehe.  It was so hard not to giggle and blush like crazy when someone was kindly trying to explain the buttons.  Oh the water heating keypad that I cannot read so my hosts set if for me.  They also set the heating buttons but I accidentally hit a button and they had to fix it for me (sorry!).  Also, the upstairs and a camera for the front door when the doorbell button is used.  Well, lets get to the pictures.  We shall see how many I can actually post on here. 

This is what you will see when you walk in.  I'm standing in the place where you remove your shoes and put on your house slippers.  The apartment is narrow but has two floors. 

After you enter on the left if the wash area.  There is the sink.  And right beside it is the bath area.  I have a shower and a tub.  I wash off and then can put my clean self in the tub.  I can either fill the tub every time I get in or leave the water in there and just re-heat it. 

Walk forward and you will see the stairs on the left, keep going and there is the washer next to my bedroom.  At this time I have not attempted to wash clothing.  It may be a while.  Also, I don't have a dryer.  I am supposed to wash my clothes and hand it to dry outside on a warm day.  That's how it done here. 

Almost forgot The fancy toilet.  :)  It's in the hallway, on the opposite side of the washer.  Notice the faucet on the top of the tank.  It runs, you wash your hand, and the water goes into the tank.  Awesome. 

My bedroom!!!!  It pretty bare right now but no worries.  Next week I am going to start furnishing my apartment.  I have the traditional Japanese bed, a futon.  The second picture has it all folded up and close up to show you details.  I unfold it at night then in the morning fold it all back up.  Starting at the bottom:  extra padding since I have a hard floor and its cold, followed by the mattress, a big blanket, a medium blanket, and last a thin blanket (not flat sheets).  The third picture is what I see if I open up my curtain and glass doors.  See the rod across the top with the clips?  That is where I will hang my clothes. 

From the top of the stairs looking down.  I'm going to fall people, I just know it.  Maybe Ill be near the bottom when that happens. 

 

The Kitchen Area.  The trash has to be divided and set out on certain days.  Third picture is a view from the kitchen window. 

 

 

 





The living room and a view from the window .  I like the views :)

 

And the controls/remotes!!!!  The first one is for the water.  If I want hot water I need to turn this on.  The second one is for the heat and air wall unit.  It is set on a timer right now and turns off after three hours.  The third picture is of the camera for the front door, fun no?

 

That my apartment :)  Hope you liked the tour and didn't mind the mess.     I will leave you will some pictures of the cherry blossom trees. I walk underneath these on my way to and from work.  Already the blossoms are starting to fall so I need to enjoy them while I can.  Until later :)

 

 

Hello and Thank You

Those are the two words I can say in Japanese.  That's it.  But I can't read them in the written form. Eeesh.  Well, here's to life in Japan.