I also delivered the first Subaru Forester for an LJ customer earlier in the month; you can see the vehicle below in all its glory. Vehicle popularity does seem to ebb and flow with all the whim of a child in a candy store. Not six months ago it felt like every second car I was delivering was a Toyota Vanguard and before that the Toyota Harrier had a long run in the spotlight.

It must be said that the increased residual value of the Subaru has allowed us to lower the monthly lease fee to a very attractive fee indeed. Customers test driving the vehicle seem to be very impressed with the handling and road position of the new and improved Forester.

I think that is enough of my yapping though, feel free to contact me for more information on this impressive vehicle. Maybe we could also fit in a test drive if you have the time, I certainly have the inclination…

Happy Motoring,

Lease Japan.

Actually, it’s not that big a deal for me; I was a member of one of the biggest car-share companies in the world, for most of the 3 years I lived back in Atlanta from 2005-2008. But then I used it solely as a “second car”; those times I needed a bigger vehicle or a pick-up truck.
This time will be very different — I’ll be ditching my car totally and relying on the car-share program… But here in Japan, especially in the Greater Tokyo area, this makes more sense than having my own car… which I do, but I don’t think I _need_ anymore.

You live in Tokyo. Why do you have a car anyway?
I used to live in another part of Japan where I kinda needed one When I moved to the Tokyo area in 2011, my original plan was to sell my car after the summer, but I got a little lazy. I’m seeing that I really only need my car just on the weekends. On average, I only drive 2 or 3 times a month now.

“What’s a car-sharing club?”
It’s a service whereby one rents a car by the hour. The cars are usually parked in a very convenient location, usually in a parking lot around one’s neighborhood or workplace. One membership fee gives access to cars offered throughout the network, and in my case in Japan–nationwide. There’s no need to worry about gasoline, insurance, maintenance or even washing the car– it’s all included in the monthly and rental fees.

“Why didn’t they have this sooner than the rest of the world?”
That’s a question that’s echoed around my head for a few years now in regards to a lot of things here in Japan, but especially something as dead-simple as car-share programs. This place is MADE for the scheme. Japan has the best public transportation network of any country around. All services are punctual and efficient. And it’s no secret that in most urban places here, most don’t own a car at all. But sometimes you need to make a run to Costco or IKEA to pick things up, right? Of course, you could take a taxi I guess, but it’s way more expensive than just using the car-share.

“OK, so who’s offering the best program in Japan?”
While there are several car-share companies, the one offered by Times24 seems to be the best. Since they are a very prominent parking lot management company, it effectively solves the “where’s the cars” problem. Their car-share brand, “Times Car Plus”, seems to boast the most locations and vehicles available — 3,749 locations and 5,457 cars available for rent as of March 2013. To date, around 180,000 people have joint the network. …make that 180,001!

“How much yen will you need to part with?”
There are a few different plans one can sign up under, but I chose to keep it simple since I don’t know how much I’ll use the service yet… And if I need to change or cancel, there are no fees for that as well. But bear in mind– you NEED a Japan issued credit card and Japan issued driver’s license. You’ll also need to be able to read Japanese to fill out the forms… But in the case of Times24, you can pop into a “Times Station” office or check their sign up campaigns that happen sometimes in the parking lots themselves to have a representative walk you though it.

• Sign-up Fees: ¥1500. (However they sometimes have campaigns where this fee is waived. Mine was!)
• Monthly Fees: ¥1000. This is only charged if you go one month without using a car. (If you’re a college student or an employee of a member corporation, then it’s free; they’ll need to see ID!)
• Usage Fees: The basic fee is ¥200 every 15 minutes use. Premium cars (BMW, Mini Coopers) are double rate. They also have discount rates for 6, 12, and 24 hour along with nighttime use.
• Penalty Fees: It’s very easy to extend the use of the car by using the in-dash computer, so those who don’t get slapped with a fee of ¥ 400 for ever 15 minutes over– and double that if using the premium cars. Of course there are bigger penalties for breaking the rules, getting tickets, and causing accidents.

For my use case, I calculated I’d only spend somewhere around ¥9000 in a month with heavy use; this is still less than the _parking_ fee my apartment charges for my current car. Let’s not even get into the savings on gas, insurance, etc. It’s a total no-brainer.

“Well that’s fine and all, but what about when you want to go on a really long trip?”
I thought of that already– I’ll just take the Shinkansen with all the money I’ve saved. Or go to a traditional rental car shop and use that.

“I’m sold. But how’s it work?”
The basic concepts are outlined in this video.

Related articles

• Why Renting Cars Could Soon Be Easier Than Hailing a Taxi
• Brainstorm: Carsharing, and New Thinking about Transport in Cities

Over sixty guests gathered to enjoy a drink and delicious food, chat and listen to presentations about the activities of 2HJ and JCN, especially their efforts to help those, both human and animal, affected by the disaster of March 11 2011.

We would like to thank all those who attended or otherwise contributed to make the event a success, and hope to see an even bigger turnout for our next event, information regarding which will be sent out in due course.

Some items are perfectly acceptable. But while items containing codeine are OK in Canada and Australia, if you try to bring or ship any into Japan you will rapidly find yourself in trouble.  Similarly, cold medicines containing pseudo-ephedrine, which is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, will get you into hot water at the airport.  There are of course rules for bringing prescribed medicines with you when you come and limitations on over the counter medicines as well.

For prescription medicines you can generally bring them into Japan with you without any special procedure; provided that:

• You have a prescription in your name
• It is only for personal use
• It is an oral or external medicine, not an injection
• It is not prohibited in Japan, such as methamphetamine
• It is not a considered a controlled substance or narcotic in Japan.
• The quantity is no more than one month’s supply.

Disclaimer: when traveling to Japan with prescription and non-prescription medications you should consult the Japanese Embassy, or a Japanese Consulate, in your area directly for advice.  You do not want to end up in jail or deported for cold medicine.

For a little more information try here:
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html

Barbacoa Grill is a Brazilian restaurant located in Omotesando, Tokyo that specializes in “churrasco” cuisine; Brazil’s answer to BBQ. Churrasco uses a variety of meats, pork, sausage and chicken cooked on a “churrasqueira”, or barbecue grill, usually on spits or skewers.Barbacoa offers authentic “churrasco” cuisine served to the rhythm of Latin music in a restaurant designed after the most popular churrasco restaurant in San Paulo.  Everything from the look and feel, service, and flavor has been recreated here in Omotesando, Tokyo.  If you have never experienced Brazillian churrasco cooking this is a great place to start.  While more expensive than other Brazilian restaurants in Japan, you get what you pay for.  Reservations are basically required here, as it is always packed.

In case the comparison to BBQ was not clear enough, Barbacoa Grill is a must for meat-lovers, and  its spacious dining area is often filled with foreigners seeking a break from sushi! There is, of course an a la carte menu, but the all-you-can-eat option is far more popular!

WEBSITE

ADDRESS

〒150-0001 B1F, TOKYU REIT Omotesando Square, 4-3-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

ACCESS

• 5 min. walk from Subway Hanzomon line Omotesando station.
• 5 min. walk from Subway Chiyoda line Omotesando station.
• 5 min. walk from Subway Ginza line Omotesando station.

TEL 03-3796-0571

View Larger Map

This year the 22nd Annual Nagoya Walkathon and International Charity Festival will take place on Sunday May 19^th, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park)

Nagoya Walkathon and International Charity Festival Tickets

Special:  5,000 yen (includes raffle ticket for a chance to win a luxury resort package)
Regular: 2,000 yen
Student: 1,000 yen

www.nagoyawalkathon.com for more information on how to buy your tickets.

More About The Nagoya Walkathon and International Charity Festival

The Nagoya Walkathon and International Charity Festival is a charitable event started in 1991 in Nagoya, Japan by mostly foreign members of the now defunct American Business Community Nagoya (ABCN). The festival continues to be held annually on a Sunday in May, and is hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) and Nagoya International School (NIS).

The Walkathon’s main purpose is to join the international community with Japanese friends and companies to

• Raise money to support vital work conducted by local NPOs and charitable organizations in the Chubu region
• Raise money to support vital work conducted by NPOs and charitable organizations in the Tohoku region still recovering from the earthquake and tsunami
• Promote international understanding and cooperation in the greater community
• Encourage a spirit of giving and volunteerism in the greater community

The Nagoya Walkathon has long been popular with the region’s foreign communities for the range of bands, “foods from home,” volunteer opportunities, and fun, but every year it becomes more and more popular with Japanese people as well.  Bringing the Japanese community in is a high priority for the event, and has helped grow attendance from a few hundred participants in 1991, to roughly 3,500 in 2012.   In addition to being a banner year for attendance, 2012 ticket sales and donations brought the total raised by the Walkathon for local NPOs and charitable organizations in the Chubu and Tohoku region since 1991 to over 100 million yen, or over $1,000,000.

The money raised by Nagoya Walkathon is distributed and used by local NPOs and charitable organizations, who apply for the funds every year.  In 2011, for example, a local orphanage, applied for funds to rebuild a staircase, another facility asked for a new TV and video game console for children living there.  These are excellent representations of where Walkathon money goes.  The amounts given from Walkathon funds are usually small; 200,000 yen or less, and go for specific projects.  Charitable organizations that have a need make a project plan and budget, and then submit the proposal to the organizing committee of the Walkathon, where the funds are sorted.  You can find information on charities and groups we have supported in previous years on the Walkathon website, www.nagoyawalkathon.com.

Here is some historical data from the previous years at the Nagoya Walkathon and International Charity Festival:

• In 2012 the event was attended by 3500 people at Moricoro Park

The event raised 9 million yen – 8 million yen for orphanages and local charities and an additional 1 million Yen for people affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura participated on stage!

• In 2011 the event was attended by 3500 people at Moricoro Park

The event raised 12.7 million yen – 7.7 million yen for orphanages and local charities and an additional 5 million Yen for people affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

• In 2010 the event was attended by 2000 people at Tsuruma Park

The event raised 6 million yen for orphanages and local charities.

• In 2009 the event was attended by 2500 people at Tsuruma Park

The event raised 8 million yen for orphanages and local charities.

Nagoya Walkathon and International Charity Festivals were held at Meijo Park near Nagoya Castle from 1991 until 2009 when we were invited to participate in the 100^th anniversary of Tsuruma Park by the city of Nagoya.  After two years at Tsuruma Park it changed again to its present location at Moricoro Park in Nagakute.  While the distance is much greater than at either Meijo Koen or Tsuruma Koen, the venue more than makes up for the distance.

The event, held in late May (traditionally the 3^rd Sunday in May), has been rained out more than a few times over 20 years, but Moricoro Park offers our event a large covered common area, and even a few large rooms to use.  The kid’s area is almost entirely indoors, and that makes a big difference when it rains!  While the event has ALWAYS been held “rain or shine,” having a place to get out of the rain if it comes makes the day so much more pleasant for everyone.

You are cordially invited to attend the 22nd Annual Nagoya Walkathon and International Charity Festival on Sunday May 19^th, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park)

Special:  5,000 yen (includes raffle ticket for a chance to win a luxury resort package)
Regular: 2,000 yen
Student: 1,000 yen

Connect with the Nagoya Walkathon and International Charity Festival

www.nagoyawalkathon.com
www.twitter.com/nagoyawalkathon
www.youtube.com/user/nagoyawalkathon
www.facebook.com/nagoyawalkathon

Tickets

• General: ￥4000
• Student: ￥3000

Dates – May 2013

•     Friday, May 24
•     Saturday, May25
•     Sunday, May 26

More Information

This event takes place Saturday May 11th 10am to 3pm at the Nagoya International School Campus  in Moriyama-ku.

For more information, contact NIS PTA at: pta@nis.ac.jp

Nagoya International School
2686 Minamihara, Nakashidami, Moriyama-ku,
Nagoya 463-0002
phone: 052-736-2025
Directions to NIS

Find lots of bargains, delicious foods, and entertainment. Rain or shine!

Cardholders of MasterCard “Maestro-branded” EMV Cards issued outside of Japan are temporarily unable to use ATMs in Japan over an update issue. This is labeled as a temporary situation by Citibank, but 7-Eleven states “that users of overseas issued MasterCard brand cash cards and credit cards will no longer be able to withdraw Japanese yen or perform balance inquiries at Seven Bank ATMs from Friday, April 19, 2013.”  7-Eleven’s statement sounds more permanent.

See the JP Post and 7-Eleven Websites for details on this issue.

Using ATM or Credit Cards Issued Overseas in Japan

Before arriving in Japan you should know that most bank ATMs in Japan will not accept credit, debit or ATM cards that were issued outside of Japan. If you are unawares this could leave you without access to money after arrival. No cash could be a problem, but with some knowledge and planning you should be able to access your money.

The ATMs most commonly used to access international accounts are in post office branches and 7-Eleven convenience stores. At these locations you can withdraw cash using most credit and debit cards, even those issued outside of Japan, and the machines usually offer an English menu for your convenience as well.

When looking to withdraw cash in Japan from an account overseas you are most likely to do so at a Japan Post Office branch or 7-Eleven convenience store, but the most commonly used ATMs are not the ONLY locations to access your funds; “international ATMs” can also be found at international airports, and at Citibank and Shinsei Bank branches as well, though they are much less common.

Besides knowing where to go after arrival, you should take a few simple steps BEFORE you arrive to ensure access to overseas funds. You should call the bank that issued you any cards you intend to use and:

• Verify your card can be used overseas.  Some cannot!
• Ask about any fees or withdrawal limits on cards used overseas.  Even if you are able to use it, is it economical?
• Inform them that you will be overseas. Many banks will deactivate cards used overseas without warning over fears of credit card fraud.

Look for the following when seeking an “international ATM” in Japan

This invaluable resource has everything you need to know about living and working in one of Japan’s most dynamic cities.

Where to live
Where to shop
What to see and do
Restaurants and nightlife
A guide to services
And much more!

You can browse the ebook here, or download as an interactive multimedia iBook directly to your iPad, or download as a PDF for viewing on your PC or other devices by clicking through to our website.  You can view our other eBook selections about life in Japan including Japan Living, and Habitat Japan by clicking through to this page.