Hokkai Gakuen Summer
Program (IDST2850)
Survival tips from
a seasoned veteran...
May 9, 2005
Glen Allen
At Home…
• Types of home
– House, mansion
• Footwear
– Leave shoes in the Genkan (front entrance) of house
or apartment
– Wear slippers or (good) socks in the home
– Toilet slippers
At Home…
• Toilet Room (vs. Bath Room)
– Closed door policy (when in doubt, knock…)
– Spigot on back of toilet to wash – NOT DRINK!
At Home…
• Bath Room (vs. Toilet Room)
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–
–
–
–
Ask if water heater needs to be turned on
Wash first (outside tub), then bathe (in tub)
Shower usually available
Don’t drain the tub, as others will use it
Guests generally offered bath first
• Laundry
– Small washer and spinner, no dryer
(No last-minute laundry loads!)
• Electricity
– 100V, 2-prong plug only
– hair dryer and electric shaver will work, but slower
Gifts…
• Giving
– Present something from Canada soon after arrival,
preferably on first day of stay
– Sample gifts from Canada include:
•
•
•
•
•
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Maple syrup (plastic jug)
Smoked salmon
Tea towels
Native art, crafts
Coins, pins
U of L memorabilia
• Receiving
– Leave room in your suitcase, as any gifts you receive
will likely come at end of your stay!
Out of the home…
• Always carry addresses and phone numbers
• Transportation
– Bus
• Board by back door, take numbered ticket from dispenser
• Pay when getting off, exit using front door
– Taxi
• Enter/exit by back left door (driver will open and close)
• Cash payment best, no tip required
– Subway / Train
• Purchase tickets by machine or at ticket counter
• Insert ticket (or hand to staff) whenever you enter or exit
• KEEP YOUR TICKET, or you will be charged maximum fare
Shopping…
• Store hours
– Department stores generally open 10am ~ 7pm
– Smaller shops vary
– Limited hours on Sunday
• Payment
– Cash always good…
– Visa, Mastercard, Amex accepted only by larger
stores and restaurants
– No debit card use for purchases
Money…
• ¥100 (or 100円) = C$1.18
• Yen Denominations:
– Coin: ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500
– Bills: ¥1000, ¥2000, ¥5000, ¥10000
• ATM withdrawals using Canadian bank cards
– Postal Savings Cash Service (21,000 branches)
– Banks (check for Plus or Interac symbol)
– ATM hours often limited (e.g., 7:00am ~ 9:00pm)
• Traveler’s cheques (T/C) cashable only at banks and
large hotels
• Currency exchange at major airports, some banks
Post Office…
Postal ATMs…
Machine to left is for Postal Savings Cash Service
Postal ATMs…
Postal ATMs…
Postal ATMs…
Postal ATMs…
Postal ATMs…
Postal ATMs…
Postal ATMs…
Postal ATMs…
Postal ATMs…
Telephones…
• How to call
– Locally (6-8 digit number)
– Within Japan
(2-4 digit area code + 6-8 digit number)
– Overseas (001.1.403 + 7 digits)
– Overseas Collect (0051 for KDD operator)
• Local call charges from home phones
• Pre-paid telephone cards (¥1000, ¥5000)
• International (gold) vs. domestic payphones
– International phones located in most larger train and
subway stations and hotels, plus both Hokkai Gakuen
campuses
Telephones…
Telephone Cards…
Dining…
• “Ohashi jouzu desu ne...”
(but can you really use them?)
• Slurping
• Drinking
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Drinks poured from communal bottle (like wine)
Always use glass to drink
Pour for others, not yourself
Leave glass full if done
• Paying the “kanjou” (bill)
– Most restaurants take payment at register, not table
– No tipping required
When nature calls…
• Choice no. 1:
女
(woman)
vs.
男
(man)
When nature calls…
• Choice no. 2:
vs.
- http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~AD8Y-HYS/movie.htm
- Carry handkerchief and tissue for public restrooms
Public Bathing…
• A crash course in using the Sento or Onsen:
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Take small towel (or buy one at entrance)
Leave shoes in designated area, slippers provided
Separate change rooms and pools for 女 and 男
Change room has lockers or baskets for clothes
Take only small towel into pool area
Wash and rinse thoroughly in designated area
While soaking in pool(s), put small towel on deck
beside you or on head - not in the pool
Nihongo…
• Avoid negative questions
– e.g., ask “Are you cold?” rather than
“Aren’t you cold?”
• Master katakana before you go
– Menu items
• chicken, pizza, spaghetti, beer, juice
– Other frequently used words
• bus, taxi, toilet, elevator
Nihongo…
• Hokkaido-ben (regional dialect)
English
Standard
Hokkaido
Is that so
sou desu ka
soukai
Taste good?
oishii desu ka
umaissho
Let’s go
ikimashou
ikube
Let’s go home kaerimashou
kaerube
Let’s do…… shimashou
… surube
Cute
kawaii
menkoi
Cold
tsumetai
shakkoi
Train
densha
kisha
Nihongo…
• Glen’s top 14 useful words/phrases:
Ohayou gozaimasu
Konnichiwa
Konbanwa
Sayounara
Oyasuminasai
… kudasai
Arigatou gozaimasu
Sumimasen
Gomennasai
Watashi wa … desu
… wa doko desu ka?
… wakarimasen
Oishii desu
Kampai
Good morning – till 10am?
Good day – till 6pm?
Good evening
Goodbye
Good night – at home
… please
Thank you
Excuse me
I’m sorry / I apologize
I am …
Where is the …?
I don’t know … / I don’t understand …
This is delicious!
Cheers!
What to Bring…
• Non-prescription medicine
– e.g., Tylenol, cold medication
• Compact umbrella
• Versatile slip-on shoes
• Business cards
– Include Canadian postal address and e-mail