Tip #4 refills...

Okay this is probably overdone...but! I have a good one for ya.

So you've already read that to save some money, you should buy refills. Yes that is true and I completely agree. You can find many household and body care items that are in refill packs at a reduced price.

Hand soap is even one of those items. But what type do you get? Say you buy the fancy foaming soap and then you want to get the refill? But OOPS! you bought regular soap!!! Oh noes! (lol) well to me, you bought the more economical one. "But mine's a foaming one and the regular soap won't work," you say...well don't go back to the store just yet. All you need to do is fill your container with about a third of the regular soap refill + water...yes water. Then give it a quick shake and test her out. It works! Woot! and you still have more of the soap left meaning you saved on your next refill! The only "problem" with this method is the occasional buildup of soap around the spout..but just clean that up and it's good as new. So not really a problem ;)

happy hunting!

Japan Tip #3...what you really don't need to bring from back home

Okay so you're coming to Japan and you've been told that you need to bring this and this because they don't have it in Japan or it's too expensive to purchase there. Well, they were telling you half-truths.

1. Yes they do have deodorants but NOT antiperspirants (although there are a few if you look hard enough).

2. Neckties are expensive, NOT! I've found decent ones for just 3-400 yen! so just bring a few and get the rest here.

3. For women...They in fact DO have tampons and pads (are they the same things? they have the little thing you put in and the pads). So don't fret, you can get them here.

4. Toothpaste...if you have a preference then yeah bring it. Otherwise there is only ONE toothpaste with flouride (which you will need since they don't put it in the water system or anywhere in Japan). They have Aquafresh so if you don't mind that brand then save the weight.

5. Mouthwash. Well there are a lot here now but you have to look a bit for Listerine. But I think it's worth the hunt. Don Quixote (not spelled that way though >_>; ) is a major super center so you can get tons of stuff cheap and Listerine for cheap too! The only place I buy it.

6. Hot peppers! Although it's hard to come by, you can usually find pepper plants at a home super center. I found Habanero, "chili bombs", jalapeño, korean spicy chilies. But if you don't grow them yourself, you're out of luck. You can freeze them after harvesting time and add it to food as you go during the winter months. But if you have a sun room, you can continue growing them throughout the winter. I did that with the habanero and it continued until Feb when I decided to cut it down to get it ready for the next season.
Tip: as long as you don't let a ripe chili drop naturally, you can continue thru the next season. But if it does drop then the plant automatically stops producing and you need to use the seed to start over from scratch. So harvest when it just turns ripe and it will continue on.

What they don't have but should...

1. Flaming hot cheetos, and lots of it!

2. Affordable cheese...it's too damn expensive here!

3. Taco Bell outside of the US bases!!! argh! I want taco bell so bad >_<;

4. a lot of other things that will make this list too long!

cheers

Tip #2...for those that are about to come to Japan and don't have a place to live...yet

Well, I say to you, don't wait for someone to get you a rocking place. For you future ALT's out there...You might get lucky and have a place provided by the BOE or even partially subsidized for you. One friend (well 2 since one took over for the other) had a place provided for only 2000 yen a month! Mine was a lot more at 25000 yen a month. That's the equivalent of $25, and $280 a month. But then, I decided to go close to the city. But I didn't want them (the company) to find a place for me since they have a deal with Leo Palace. Which to me is overpriced. Even if you get most of your essentials, 50000 yen is not worth it. As living proof that time spent searching beforehand is essential, I give you that tip to try for yourself. Or get a tiny apartment that costs an arm...and maybe a leg for the space that will only fit them. After 2 years in the country I decided it was time to go back into the city. Well that and wanting to be closer to my GF did warrant a move. So several months before that I found a few free magazines with apartment/house listings and started to look. As the time drew nearer, I was a bit hopeful and empowered by my research. With some magazines, you can filter out those places that require all that 'Thank you' and non-refundable money. I got a great 'mansion', a 3LDK (3 rooms + combined living/dining/kitchen room) mind you for just above what a freaking 1K (1 room + tiny smaller than a desk 'kitchen') Leo Palace would cost...well a little more but still under 60000 yen including parking! So where did I search?

Here --> suumo.jp

So again, if you have the time, search your future area and you might just get a place that you really enjoy.