Comments on: Almost time for classes… http://robbieinjapan.com/japan/almost-time-for-classes/ The adventures of Robbie in Japan! Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:47:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Katherine http://robbieinjapan.com/japan/almost-time-for-classes/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Katherine Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:41:08 +0000 http://rob.gamerack.com/?p=6#comment-11 About banking- what was your American bank that they wouldn't accept? I am part of the 08-09 Willing resident group, and I was debating whether or not to open a Citibank account her in the US since they have branches in Tokyo. Or do you think I should just bite the bullet and open an account at a Japanese bank when I get there? About banking- what was your American bank that they wouldn’t accept? I am part of the 08-09 Willing resident group, and I was debating whether or not to open a Citibank account her in the US since they have branches in Tokyo. Or do you think I should just bite the bullet and open an account at a Japanese bank when I get there?

]]> By: Jimmy http://robbieinjapan.com/japan/almost-time-for-classes/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Jimmy Thu, 05 Oct 2006 07:25:08 +0000 http://rob.gamerack.com/?p=6#comment-10 Yeah, it's a strange thing, credit cards never really caught on here in East Asia. However, there are alternatives to credit cards, such as the Japanese using cell phones as RFID debit cards, or just keeping accounts at the stores. I don't know what the deal is in Japan, but here in Taiwan, The Taipei MRT (Metro) Company, Yamazaki Bakeries, and even the local manga rental store let their customers keep accounts with them, so people can pay with an RFID card. And yes, America is a special place. Coins are of little value in America. In Canada (where the highest-valued coin is the toonie (CDN$2)), and in places like East Asia, a coin can often pay for a meal (and occasionally more), so you gotta learn to start counting coins!!! Yeah, it’s a strange thing, credit cards never really caught on here in East Asia. However, there are alternatives to credit cards, such as the Japanese using cell phones as RFID debit cards, or just keeping accounts at the stores. I don’t know what the deal is in Japan, but here in Taiwan, The Taipei MRT (Metro) Company, Yamazaki Bakeries, and even the local manga rental store let their customers keep accounts with them, so people can pay with an RFID card. And yes, America is a special place. Coins are of little value in America. In Canada (where the highest-valued coin is the toonie (CDN$2)), and in places like East Asia, a coin can often pay for a meal (and occasionally more), so you gotta learn to start counting coins!!!

]]> By: TrainMan http://robbieinjapan.com/japan/almost-time-for-classes/comment-page-1/#comment-9 TrainMan Thu, 28 Sep 2006 20:12:45 +0000 http://rob.gamerack.com/?p=6#comment-9 Hey was just browsing the internet, somehow came across your site. Hope you're enjoying Japan. I was reading about your train travels, I just wanted to correct a few things to help you better understand the rail network in the Tokyo area. Not all trains are "subways", there are over a dozen train companies that operate in Tokyo, there are only 2 official Subway companies. They are Tokyo Metro and Toei. Trains such as JR "Japan Railways", and Tokyu Corporation (The train company you take from your dorm to Shibuya), are what are known as Commuter Rail Lines, or Private Rail Lines. To complicate things, the trains from Tokyu (The Private Railway line), become "subway" trains at Shibuya Station, because trains on your line you take to Shibuya, change companies from Tokyu to Tokyo Metro, and continue to run on Tokyo Metro tracks. If you ever stick around, you can see the drivers of the trains change from Tokyu crews to Tokyo Metro crews. Hope you have a great time in Japan, there are a million trains! Hey was just browsing the internet, somehow came across your site.

Hope you’re enjoying Japan.

I was reading about your train travels, I just wanted to correct a few things to help you better understand the rail network in the Tokyo area.

Not all trains are “subways”, there are over a dozen train companies that operate in Tokyo, there are only 2 official Subway companies. They are Tokyo Metro and Toei.

Trains such as JR “Japan Railways”, and Tokyu Corporation (The train company you take from your dorm to Shibuya), are what are known as Commuter Rail Lines, or Private Rail Lines.

To complicate things, the trains from Tokyu (The Private Railway line), become “subway” trains at Shibuya Station, because trains on your line you take to Shibuya, change companies from Tokyu to Tokyo Metro, and continue to run on Tokyo Metro tracks. If you ever stick around, you can see the drivers of the trains change from Tokyu crews to Tokyo Metro crews.

Hope you have a great time in Japan, there are a million trains!

]]> By: Marybeth http://robbieinjapan.com/japan/almost-time-for-classes/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Marybeth Thu, 28 Sep 2006 05:38:17 +0000 http://rob.gamerack.com/?p=6#comment-8 Robb- the blog is super. Really keen observations right from the getgo. And you're absolutely right that we all love the pictures. I am so glad that you're blogging this adventure. Robb- the blog is super. Really keen observations right from the getgo. And you’re absolutely right that we all love the pictures. I am so glad that you’re blogging this adventure.

]]> By: Natsuyo http://robbieinjapan.com/japan/almost-time-for-classes/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Natsuyo Sat, 23 Sep 2006 17:15:36 +0000 http://rob.gamerack.com/?p=6#comment-7 I really like reading your blog because it's so interesting to see Japan from your point of view. like, there're things i didn't even notice because it's nothing surprising or uncommon thing to me, you know. don't you hate japanese notes, though? i think it's too big. I really like reading your blog because it’s so interesting to see Japan from your point of view. like, there’re things i didn’t even notice because it’s nothing surprising or uncommon thing to me, you know. don’t you hate japanese notes, though? i think it’s too big.

]]> By: Katie http://robbieinjapan.com/japan/almost-time-for-classes/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Katie Fri, 22 Sep 2006 18:59:49 +0000 http://rob.gamerack.com/?p=6#comment-6 I'm liking the blog. Good to know what you're up to, makes it seem like you're somewhat closer than halfway around the world!! Got cookies from my grandma today, and I missed you. With no one to take them away from me (and the fact that they weren't that delicious anyway) they ended up in the garbage. Anyway, I thought of you. Hope we can talk some time soon, I miss you being here at Midd! I’m liking the blog. Good to know what you’re up to, makes it seem like you’re somewhat closer than halfway around the world!! Got cookies from my grandma today, and I missed you. With no one to take them away from me (and the fact that they weren’t that delicious anyway) they ended up in the garbage. Anyway, I thought of you. Hope we can talk some time soon, I miss you being here at Midd!

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