Life in Japan

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Life in Japan

A resident card is not issued to students with a short-stay visa. Foreigners staying in Japan for an extended period will receive a resident card at the airport upon arrival. You must complete the foreign resident registration at the local ward office within 14 days of your arrival. Keep your resident card with you at all times.
In particular, if you are planning to leave the country temporarily, you must present your resident card to be approved for re-entry into Japan.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/index.html

There many accommodation options. Select from a homestay, house-sharing with Japanese people, student housing or a private apartment according to your budget and vision of a life in Japan.
For more details, click here.

If you have a resident card and a bank account, you can obtain a mobile phone. We can arrange new subscriptions with mobile-phone carriers at school.

Utilities such as electricity and gas may be paid at the post office, bank or convenience store. If you live in our dormitory, utilities are already included in the accommodation fees. This generally applies to guesthouses as well.
The school staff can assist you when opening a bank account.

If you get lost in Tokyo, don’t worry. Wherever you are, there is always a JR train station or subway station within walking distance. When using the train, subway, or bus system, a prepaid Suica or Pasmo card is convenient. Transportation fares are automatically deducted from the prepaid amount when the card is swiped at the ticket gate.
If your stay in Japan is longer than 4 weeks, a train pass may be cheaper than buying a ticket every time you ride the train. A train pass is not an unlimited ride pass, but it allows you to travel as much as you like between certain stations.
Suica

People tend to think things are expensive in Tokyo. However, if you use supermarkets and discount stores wisely, you can save a lot of money on food and other living expenses. If you need something in the middle of the night, you can shop at a convenience store, many of which are open 24 hours.

Persons visiting Japan on a short-stay visa do not have to join the National Health Insurance system. All foreigners staying in Japan on a student visa must enroll in the system. People covered by the insurance only need pay 30% of any hospital expenses.

Students with a short-stay visa are not eligible to open a bank account. Those who have a student visa can receive assistance from the school when opening an account after arrival.

Students with a short-stay visa are not allowed to work in Japan. Those who have a student visa may work part-time under certain conditions after obtaining a temporary work permit. You can apply for a temporary work permit at the airport upon arrival. If you need assistance, please notify the school.

Items with ★ apply only to students with a long-stay visa.

In case of an earthquake or typhoon…

Be prepared for an earthquake

Keep an emergency bag, containing a flashlight, a radio, emergency food rations, drinking water, extra clothes, etc., on hand so you can quickly evacuate.
Determine the location of the emergency shelter designated by your local municipality
Fasten large furniture to the wall to prevent them from falling.

* Emergency food and drinking water are stored at the school.

In the event of an earthquake…

Take cover under a sturdy desk to protect yourself.
As soon as the shaking stops, turn off any flames and shut off the gas main.
Open the door or windows to secure an evacuation route.
Take your emergency bag with you and evacuate to the shelter.
Do not use elevators.

In the event of a typhoon…

Stay indoors if possible.
Check the latest weather information on the Internet, TV, or radio.
Avoid dangerous places such as cliffs and areas which easily flood, such as basement floors.

Emergency call

Theft, crime, traffic accident, etc.（Toll free）

1) Explain when, where, and what happened.
2) Give your name, address and telephone number.

Fire, medical emergency (sudden illnesses/serious injuries), etc.（Toll free）

1) The receiver will ask “Fire or ambulance?” Answer which.
2) Explain when, where, and what happened.
3) Give your name, address and telephone number.

Reference: "Handbook of Learning Japanese and Life in Japan", the Agency for Cultural Affairs
http://www.bunka.go.jp/kokugo_nihongo/kyouiku/handbook/index.html

A day in the life of a foreign student

Up-close view of Kuo Chao Ying "Lessons in the morning, self-study in the afternoon" the life of KUO CHAO YIN (in Japanese)

I have classes from 9:20 in the morning to 13:05 on the weekdays.
After class, I usually stay at school and study until 17:30.
On the way home, I’ll stop by the supermarket and buy food specially marked down for a limited time. On my days off, I might go out for a drink with my classmates from other countries or go sightseeing at nearby tourist spots.
When I have a long vacation, I may plan short trips out of the city.
Ever since I came to Japan, everyday has been really fulfilling. The school regularly holds exchange meetings and I can tell that the school gives a lot of consideration to the students in many different ways. I am really enjoying myself here.

Classes	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
9:20 - 10:10	Kanji	Textbook	Kanji	Textbook	Kanji	Off
10:20 - 11:10	Textbook	Basic Grammar	Reading Comprehension	Vocabulary	Textbook
11:15 - 12:05	Conversation	Reading Comprehension	Reading Comprehension	Grammar/ Vocabulary	Listening comprehension
12:05 - 13:05	Business Terms	Reading Comprehension	Reading Comprehension	Review	Reading Comprehension/ Review

I always leave home early enough to arrive at school ten minutes before class starts. I can avoid being late and have time to relax and find my seat and prepare a bit before class.

All the teachers really try to explain things to us. If we don’t understand, they try using gestures or draw pictures, and leave a strong impression on us students. I really look forward to classes each day.

We have an exchange meeting with Japanese people today. I always look forward to this event. In addition to meeting new friends, I can learn about Japanese culture and assess my own Japanese competence through my conversations with others.

I make it a rule to study in the self-study room weekday afternoons. I review what I learned during the day and add new grammar items and vocabulary using books that I personally bought. I am never bored since I always study with friends.

I go shopping a few times a week. I mainly buy daily foods and check out the items specially marked down. I always check out the supermarket advertisement and shop when things are on sale- just like a local housewife!

Most of the time, I cook my own dinner. Sometimes I make an original dish and other times I do a little research and follow a recipe. It’s hard to have a balanced diet when you’re eating out every day and it’s expensive, so I usually cook myself. Today, I’m having nutritious stir-fried veggies and ja ja men noodles (Beijing style noodles covered in a soy bean paste) with ground pork sauce.

The most relaxing time of the day for me is after 10:00 in the evening. Usually I use this time to talk with my friends and family in Taiwan or watch my favorite TV programs and unwind. Oh, my favorite baseball game is starting now, I am super-happy, ha, ha, ha (lol)!

How many hours a day do you study at home on the average?: I study after classes at school until 17:30 and then another two hours at home
How do you spend your days off?: I go out and visit various sightseeing spots by train (JR) .
What school facility do you use the most?: The self-study room
In what kind of local activities do you participate?: Exchange meetings with Japanese people
I play badminton with Japanese people every Wednesday at the gym.
What places do you visit other than school?: Japanese-style izakaya pubs, supermarkets

Accommodation

In addition to the school dormitory, we provide various types of accommodations. Please feel free to consult us!

incul@incul.com Overseas Offices