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Friday, July 27, 2018

You Can’t Enjoy The View In Japan

No Window Seats In Japan! Japan might be better known as the land of the rising sun but you might as well say goodbye to sunlight in Japan! Japanese people especially women absolutely hate the sun! 

Imagine you’re a tourist or a resident here thinking you’ll get to enjoy the beautiful view of mountains, skyscrapers, traditional Japanese style homes, rice fields, rivers, bridges, fields of flowers or just some good old people and traffic watching. WRONG! Some asshole will pull down the shades (why even give people this option) if they are seated besides you. 
Sometimes they don’t care and or they’ll clearly see that you’re looking outside or assume that because you’re clearly not Asian you couldn’t possibly understand what they’d like for you to do.
I understand you think that having a ghostly complexion is attractive just like most where I'm from white people think looking like a bronze or orange statue is appealing to each his or her own (I’ll talk about my ethnicity more below).

Anyway I think it’s ridiculous to never enjoy the scenery and the beautiful view while on the train especially for extend trips more than 30 minutes on the train.

The crazy thing is Japanese people are incredibly shy so I’d think you’d want to have a window to look out of instead of creepishly (OMG that’s not a real word!) starring at the person across from you or checking fake notifications on your phone and scrolling through the same Instagram, Facebook posts, and Tweets.


Shade Battle

I recently had my own incident on the train. It was childish and I should have been the bigger person, but I also think that Japanese people should be more considerate of the other passengers on board too! I am not proud of how I handled this situation but my perspective clearly wasn't being seen or understood.

It was a sunny afternoon around lunchtime when I had boarded the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line train from Umeda Station. I was fortunate enough to have arrived early enough to grab a seat. Unfortunately I made the big mistake of choosing a 4 seater area (2 sets of seats facing each other). I didn't really care too much because I had the window seat (which I always prefer) so I pulled up the shade the moment I sat down. I was in the back of the car against the wall which gave me ample privacy and space. I purposefully chose this seat instead of an aisle seat so that I'd have a view of the mountains, people, cars, the sky, buildings, and the platforms of stations that we were passing. Also there wouldn't be any reason for someone to accidentally hit or bump into me and I wouldn't need to move to help someone get off to or out of their seat since I would be exiting the train at Karasuma Station just a stop before the last. Japanese people commonly play games on their phones and scroll through LINE, Instagram and Twitter or play games to avoid making eye contact with you if they don't have a book or newspaper to read. My solution to avoid scrolling through my newsfeed or trying to finish Sonic There Hedgehog 2 for the one-millionth time is to simply look out the window.

Soon after I was seated 2 Japanese girls whom were friends and around my age presumably sat across from (in front of) me. I began listening to music and looking out the window before the train had even then off.  A few moments before the train left off another Japanese women rushed on board and sat beside me in an aisle seat. She was a bit rude and clumsy as she had several shopping bags, was watching videos on her phone without earbuds and was leaning over4 into my personal space. After about 2 minutes of traveling she asked the girls across from me if they could pull down their shade to which they agreed  an quickly did so even although they too had their window open (the shade was only half way down at first). Instead of even asking me "princess" reached over me and pulled down my shade EVEN ALTHOUGH she could CLEARLY see that I was looking out the window and imaging myself in a "Panic! At The Disco" music video!
I was stunned! I slowly turned and looked at her as she apologized before I began pulling my shade back up so that I could at least see. The two girls across for us eyes grew big. They gave each other a look and were probably expecting me to knock her out or curse her out you know all of the stereotypical stuff you'd expect a black girl to do. I began angrily texting my friend about the situation to calm my nerves. I would have hesitated but I would have still probably pulled down my shade if she actually asked me to instead of doing it herself since she assume that I was too dumb of a foreign to understand her question in Japanese (she could have even pointed to the window and gestured what she wanted me to do for her).
In retaliation she raised the volume on her phone and appeared to have also been texting whomever about what I did as I could see that she too was angrily typing away at her keyboard.
Just my luck she remained next to me on board until the stop before mines. It was a very awkward ride.

Looking back on this I really do wish I had been the bigger person and simply ignored her behavior but to me I find it unreasonable. I have the window seat so it's my call! I decide whether I want the shade up or down and if I want to be nice I can ask you if it's okay with you.  The shade was pulled up BEFORE she sat besides me. She should have been grateful that she even had a seat especially since she was wearing a skimpy outfit and had at least about 5-6 big shopping bags with her. She refused to wear earbuds or to mute her phone yet she had the nerve to act entitled and then offended when I chose to ignore her demands.

The double standard here was killing me. If I were to have been texting my friends and watching Instagram videos and playing music aloud without using earbuds the whole train would have given me dirty looks and insulted me for being an annoying rude foreigner not to mention they would have called me a tramp for dressing slutty, but this Japanese woman whom was probably older than I was had broken just about every rule that she could have and no one really looked and not a word was said.

All 3 of the girls besides me probably didn't even see things from my perspective. I probably just seemed like a bitch to those girls. I'm not Japanese and while I do live in Japan I see and notice new and interesting things everyday especially when traveling for 1 hour and 35 by train. I want to get my money's worth! If you want to be a vampire then bleach your skin or get a car and drive yourself.
Those girls didn't know me! What if I was a tourist? Maybe this was going to be my only chance to take this train and get a good view of Osaka and Kyoto.


  People of Color Don't Like Their Color 

Now I understand not wanting to get a tan. I’m a black girl and it’s a controversial topic within “the black community” but having a light complexion is generally desired amongst both men and women. Whenever possible, black people tend to avoid being in the sun for too long or at the very least they tend to complain about tans or as we call it "getting darker".  Unlike Asians (particularly Japanese people) skin whitening and bleaching isn't acceptable to us. People still do it but it's done quietly. You'd never brag about it or compliment someone for looking paler or more white. 
Reasons for avoiding tans vary from wanting to look white to not wanting to change foundations or have weird tan lines.
I am not here to shame anyone but I can understand why people want to avoid the sun. Dark skin and tans are seen as a negative thing when talking about people of color. White and light complexions are perceived as beautiful so naturally and understandably people would like to avoid things that can contribute to making them darker. 

While I personally don't mind people making their own skin regimens and wearing protective clothing and products but we have to draw the line somewhere. You can't stop other people from enjoying nature or seeing outside because you're afraid of a little NATURAL sunlight. It's an unfair and unreasonable request to ask someone to give up their view to keep you from getting a tan.
Maybe you shouldn't use public transportation then. You can't always get what you want. If you want to pull the shades then you have 2 options. You can either ask the person with the window seat to politely pull down the shades or find an open window seat so that the power is in your hands.


Thank you so much for reading! Have you ever had a similar situation onboard? Share your story in the comments below.





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Thursday, July 26, 2018

Do You Really Need TEFL Certification to Teach English in Japan?

If you've set your heart on teaching English in Japan then you are  bound to have done some research on what qualifications and certifications are required to do so. There's lots of different certificates, diplomas, and even degrees that you can obtain that will prepare you to teach English as a second language in Japan. I have personal obtained a TEFL certificate from a short course that I took a few years ago. In this post I will give you some insight into what this certificate is all about as well as it's usefulness or lack there of.


What is TEFL?

TEFL is an acronym that stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is usually used in reference to a certificate that is obtained through a university, online program, or in person class. The class teaches you how to teach other people English through various assignments games and activities.

Who's it For?

TEFL is available for any adult located anywhere in the world. Anyone can sign up! There are no real requirements as long as you pay. Most people who obtain TEFL certification of any kind are those who don't possess bachelor's degree but are permanently living in Japan, individuals that are married to a Japanese spouse, or those who have bachelor's degrees in fields and subjects irrelevant to education/teaching.

What Will You Learn?

TEFL prepares individuals for some of the challenges that may arise in a classroom. It provides you with listening and speaking skills, teaching strategies, and hands on practice (should you choose to take a course in person). It essential trains people how to be teachers within a short period of time (if you're taking a non-degree course) with an emphasis on how to teach English as a second language. Course structure varies depending on the amount of money that you pay and which company you take your classes through.

Where's It Located?

Coursed can be taken online or at various locations around the world on every continent and in just about every country. Private for profit companies, junior colleges, and universities commonly offer TEFL classes.

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices range from $200-$4,000 USD. If you are traveling to an in person course that is extended you'll also need to have enough money for transportation food and accommodation during your out of town stay. Otherwise if you take a course online you won't get to experience any hands unlearning with a real classroom (which to me defeats the purpose if you're taking this course to gain experience and confidence in teaching for yourself and NOT just to impress employers).

How Long Is The Course?

Depending on how much you pay determines the longevity of the course. It varies from 8-200+ hours. Some courses last for 2 days others can take a few months or more to complete.




There's Three Sides To It!

Before you decide that you'd like to sign up for this course or brag about your certificate, I want to help you understand why it's become so heavily talked about.


The Turnover Rate

The turnover rate for English teachers in Japan is EXTREMELY high! People quit their jobs and switch to new one's daily. Why? The short answer is simply because of the low pay, high stress, unrealistic expectations from parents and management, and let's not forget about the extremely bad, rude, childish, yellow-fever driven, creepy, unprofessional men who make up almost the entire market of "teachers" here.
The interview process is too fast and too easy so naturally there's a sea full of garbage applicants who are just trying to get their foot in the door or working to keep their spouse happy temporarily before giving up and quitting. Most foreigners come here to party, have sex (sex tourist), runaway from their problems, and get drunk. Contracts are commonly broken. Marriages end in nasty divorces, engagements are off, and foreigners get homesick.
With all of the things considered an applicant/teacher with TEFL certification is seen as a more reliable, professional, and serious applicant.

Most English teacher's here are hired based off of 3 things. 

  1. Their sexual attractiveness [looks matter here a lot].
  2. Their Country of Origin [If you're an American (preferred) Canadian, British, Australian, New Zealand?] HIRED!
  3. Their visa status [Companies hate sponsoring visas from the start] that allows work legally.

In order to weed out applicants many schools are now "requiring" that applicants have the following....


  1. A bachelor's degree in a field related to education/teaching
  2. Native English speaker from an English speaking country 
  3. 2-5 years of teaching experience (preferably in Japan)
  4. Experience teaching the specific age demographic that you're applying for
  5. Certification of N4 level Japanese
  6. Valid visa with permission to work
  7. TEFL certification (course hours requirement varies)
  8. 3 professional references
  9. A 1-2 page essay on "Why do you want to live and work in Japan?"
  10. 2-3 letters of recommendation 
Don't worry this list is NOT a real requirement. School's commonly ask for all of that and even more! I've seen jobs that requested musical abilities! 
They'll hire you regardless. It's just a way of scaring off and weeding out bad applicants. Besides why wouldn't you want an overqualified good teacher? 

Japan has become a very popular place to live and work as an English teacher. There's too many applicants but there aren't enough GOOD ones! Most of the people who apply for these jobs lack proper valid working visas, and aren't native English speakers.There's a cesspool of bad applicants. For every 100 applications I'd say only 5 are even realistic options.


The Teachers

Because you have looked into TEFL certifications a bit too much (or because you believe everything you've read about them) you have convinced yourself that you'll be able to walk into your interview with a chip on your shoulder and plaster your certification all over your resume and emails. 
If you are serious about becoming an English teacher in Japan then you probably want to give yourself the best chance possible to land the job right?
The longer it's been since you have taught and the less experience that you have, the more uncertain you're bound to be about your teaching abilities. Teaching can be very fun and rewarding, but it is still a job, and it can be hard at times. 
Many people are afraid that they will make grammatical errors or that they are simply unable to teach English even although it is their first language. Taking a TEFL class will help calm your nerves and it will provide you with some experience before you ever press submit on your application or conduct your very first demo lesson. The idea of paying for experience helps to develop and reassure your teaching skills. It's really no different than paying for college!
Keep in mind once again that not everyone who takes this class is a newbie! A lot of people with degrees in education chose to take it as a refresher course and as a way of gaining experience specific to that of an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher.

NOTE: While obtaining this certification can be beneficial to non-native English speakers it isn't very helpful and provides an almost invisible advantage. You'll only be considered over other non-native English speakers who are equally educated. For example a non-native English speaker with no TEFL certificate but that has a bachelor's degree or above in any field will be chosen over you if you only have this certificate. You will not be chosen over a native speaker even if said native English speaker has no degree or certification. It can happen otherwise but it's rare.
You can't get a visa to work in Japan with just this! Most employers don't really care about your degrees or certificates unless English is your native language AND you are from a "preferred" country such was America, Canada etc..
your best bet is to teach in another Asian or European country besides Japan. Keep i mind that even There you'll still almost always play second fiddle to an American. It's not fair in a sense but that's just the way it goes. Particularly in Asia the requirements to teach English are more relaxed and you can even get a visa more easily.

Nevertheless it can provide you with experience, practice, skills and confidence.


It's Still a Business

The creators of these TEFL programs have successful scared and tricked professional teacher's into obtaining additional certification by reminding them that teaching English as a second language is not the same as teaching a normal elementary or high school class. There is obviously a lot of truth to this not to mention the cultural differences and language barrier but it's a scare tactic and marketing scheme.
Schools that offer TEFL have convinced people who have no teaching experience that they are pretty much useless without having this certification by stressing how much employers and schools require TEFL certification and usually suggest that you take a lengthy course of about 120 hours or whatever the mid range priced course is.
They have sadly given false hope to non-native English speakers by suggesting (not promising but implying) that by finishing their course you'll be able to teach just about anywhere and it's really quite the opposite. Most schools and recruiting agencies won't give a non-native English speaker the time of day if even if they are a neurological scientist (I worked with an Indian woman who was and she was my assistant and being paid $15 LESS an hour than me! She was almost twice my age too.).
Employers have become brainwashed by TEFL as they have been convinced that a teacher with this certification is a professional and won't quit before their signed contract is up. It has also become a way of avoiding the need to train teachers. As I mentioned earlier almost none of the teachers here have a degree that is actually in education. Teaching is a gift for some and a skill to others. Most school's offer very little to absolutely no training whatsoever. TEFL is an affordable certificate but it's still just a luxury.
It's a recipe for profit!


The Final Verdict

I believe that TEFL certification is good for both experienced teachers and those who desire to become one. It is a great idea to obtain this certificate or diploma if English is not your first language as it will help you stand out a little bit in a sea of applicants.
However it is nothing more than a little fancy decoration on your resume (it's like purchasing a bikini DLC for Resident Evil). Most companies don't care about your certifications and will never ask to see them.  They will simply take your word for it and have you conduct a demo lesson, grammar test, phone interview, and degree verification (if even that!). It would be a huge waste of money to pay for a course that is close to $2,000 just for the class itself. If you are really uncertain about your ability to teach you'd be much better off with watching YouTube videos, borrowing some library books, going to Barnes and Noble, or purchasing an ebook/podcast on how to teach in general as well as how to teach English as a second language.

Have you considered volunteering to gain experience? Maybe you should try offering free private 101 and group English lessons. Every loves free stuff! You can add your experience teaching 101 to your resume. Find a non-profit organization that meets in your neighborhood or in a major city. A lot of colleges, churches, city halls, and recreational centers offer free English classes.
Hands on experience is so much better! It is more valuable than any piece of paper or even a degree (especially if English is your first language)!

I received my TEFL certificate free of charge through a non-profit organization that I was volunteering at in Chicago. While my Certification is listed on my resume, and I always carry it with me in my folder to every interview that I have attended, I haven't had even one employer request to see it and nobody even cared to mention that part of my resume!
TEFL certification is more beneficial to you as a teacher than it is to your employer as it give you some basic skills for teaching but it is nothing more than a way for schools and recruiting agencies to test how serious you are about being an English teacher in Japan.

Japanese schools know that their employment requirements are ridiculously high for just a measly salary of $1,500-$3,000 a month. Even if you don't have all ten of the things that are commonly "required" you'll still get hired anyway. Their goal is to simply scare off the uneducated, lazy, and potentially bad teachers, It is NOT mandatory to have this certificate.

If you have already obtained TEFL certification like I did before I came to Japan then don't worry it's not totally useless it's just unnecessary. It will not improve or hurt your chances of employment. It is somewhere between neutral and irrelevant. It is a "resume-filler" as I'd like to call it.
The choice is ultimately yours but if you can't afford to shell out $200 or more then I suggest that you pass on this course.
A lot of teachers here are married to a Japanese national and have neither a degree or a certificate in any form of education. 
Having a degree is simply a requirement for a work visa. TEFL cannot help you obtain a work visa in Japan.

To summarize everything that you have just read TEFL is a nice program, but it is not a requirements and for most people there is no advantage to having this certificate. It CANNOT be used as a substitute for having a bachelor's degree in Japan. It cannot help you obtain a work visa. It is the equivalent of being CPR & First Aid Certified and trying to become a doctor.


Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found the information here useful. If you have any questions or if you'd like to share your experience or advice please feel free to comment below!





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Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Staying at Sakura House (A Thorough Guide and Review)

If you are planning on staying in Japan for a lengthy vacation, attending a language school or if you are a going to be a university student here then you have probably spent some amount of time wondering where you will live and how much it will cost. Sakura House was bound to have been a recommendation for you whether it be from their hundreds of ads on Google and YouTube or a friend you know of that stayed here before,  you are probably familiar with their companies name. But for some odd reason there seems to be practically no (very little) information about this so called "nation wide famous foreign housing company" anywhere on the web which may come off as a bit sketchy.

This post will cover the pro's and con's to staying at Sakura House in Sendagaya, Tokyo, Japan as well as provide you with helpful tips and advice specific to people who are living here such where and how to shop and some basic information about the train lines nearby.

What is Sakura House?

Sakura House is a Japanese housing company that rents dormitories, and private rooms, apartments, and vacation homes to foreign tourists and long-term residents in Japan. They offer housing options in several different cities around Japan.


Who Operates It?

Sakura House has been in operation since October 6th 1986.  They currently employ approximately 50 employees from a variety of Asian and European countries. Hanako Tsukumo is the companies current president.

NOTE: Children are NOT allowed in dormitories. You must be at least 20 years old which the legal adult age in Japan or have permission from your parents in order to reside here alone.  

Japanese people are NOT allowed to rent or live in ANY of their properties.                           


How Do You Get There?

Upon arriving at Narita or Haneda airport you should take a bus or a train to Shinjuku Station (the world's busiest train station easily accessed from just about anywhere in Japan). From Shinjuku Station their office is about 10 minutes away by foot.

Where is it Located?

The main office is located in Shinjuku, Tokyo Japan. This is NOT to be confused with the address that you will be staying at. The office sits back off of a major street in Shinjuku. It's just a few minutes away from Shinjuku Station and it is possible to walk here by foot if you must. I don't recommend doing this ESPECIALLY NOT if this is your first time coming to Japan or if you have any luggage with you.

Sakura House Office 

Nishi Shinjuku K-1 Bldg. 2F

7-2-6 Nishi-Shinjuku

Shinjuku-Ku Tokyo Japan
Postal code: 160-0023


What's In It For You?

You will have your own private room or a bunk bed with curtains for privacy.
Each person is assigned several shelves throughout the house that serve as storage for easy access to personal items.

Janitors will clean the entire house once a week arriving around 9:00AM-10:00AM. The designated day can change without warning as it did when I was a resident there. 

There is free cleaning and cooking supplies, such as basic seasonings, oil, silverware, pots and pans, dishwashing liquid, trash bags, sponges, toilet paper and kitchen towels/rags.

There are approximately 3 showers on each floor and 2 separate bathrooms. There is 1 kitchen which depending on the dorm floor that you have chosen it may have an electric or a gas stove.  

There are 2 sets of washers and dryers located outside 200 yen for the washer and 100 yen for the dryer. Both machines run for 30 minutes but you can add extra money to increase the time. Don't forget to buy your own laundry detergent and fabric softener as this is not free!

Each dorm room has it's own shared mailbox. Private rooms have their own individual mailboxes. They are located outside just before the doors.


The Rules

There is no curfew. there is no staff or management at the dormitory. If you need help you have 4 options. #1 Email Sakura House #2 Call Sakura House #3 Tell the janitorial staff  #4 Visit their office in person


  • No loud parties 
  • No boys if you are staying in the girls only dorm
  • Lock the door once you leave (nobody followed this rule in the girls dormitory)
  • No fighting
  • No stealing
  • No smoking inside
  • No candles (fire hazard/ happened in the past)

***Special Rules***


  1. Dispose of the garbage when it is your turn. There are multiple charts hung up by the janitors/maintenance workers throughout the month. You and your partner are responsible for deciding how you will share this chore.
  2. Clean up behind yourself. The janitors are not required to wash your dirty dishes or clean personal items.
  3. Avoid using the washer and dryer after hours as they are located outside and tend to break down and make loud screeching noises.

How To Get Started

You will have to go here first in order to sign your contract, pay the first moths rent, present identity verification and receiving a large packet with answers to most of your questions regarding your stay.


All you need is your valid passport, a visa of any kind (including a tourist stamp) and your first months rent. If you are staying in Japan for more than 90 days you will need to show them your residence card(eventually) so that they can make a copy of that too!

It is best and recommended that you reserve your room online in order to ensure the availability of your room or apartment upon your arrival as tenants move in and out on a weekly basis so if someone takes the last vacancy you're pretty much out of luck.

You can receive special promotional offers and rent discounts if you move in during late fall or anytime during the winter. Keep in mind that Japan is not a popular tourist destination outsize of Spring and mid Summer so you can find good deals just about everywhere!

Almost all of the staff is bilingual or trilingual and can usually speak both Japanese and English. At the very least everyone speaks English. There are plenty of foreigners staffed there from other Asian and European countries such as Fracne and China so if you speak French or Chinese or happen to know someone else who does then don't let a little language barrier stop you from coming to Japan because there is at least one staff member here who can help you find the right place.

Most of the residents at Sakura House are tourists and language school students. Occasionally there are long-term residents that are university students, language school students, or teachers who will book a long term stay at Sakura House Sendagaya.


   Rental Fees & Payments

The rent ranges from about just shy of $500 USD The cheapest dormitory is $475 USD  and the prices apartment will cost you $1,300 a month.

In general most people pay their rent by cash. You can use a Japanese or foreign debit or credit card as well to pay your monthly rent OR you can request a cash advance or withdrawal money from several ATM's and banks such as 7/11, Family Mart and Mizuho.

If your rent is past due you will be charged $10USD per a day late and they will email you with warnings and reminders about your past due rent.In the future after having lived there for about 3-6 months you are allowed to pay your rent by credit card or through a bank transfer automatically every month. Simply go to their office in Shinjuku and ask to sign up for this. It'll saved you time and money and you'll never have to work about being late again!


During emergency situations such as being sick or outside of the country or simply out of town you can request to pay your rent via email through a credit card payment link. You will receive an email confirmation and number upon making a successful payment.


Checking Out

Upon leaving Sakura House you are supposed to give a one month's notice at their office and fill out a form. You'll receive a checklist of things to clean, do, and return in order to be reimbursed for your deposit which is given to you in cash at the end of your inspection.


The Location

Sakura House 
Sendagaya 4 Chome-12-4 
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo-to 
151-0051 Japan

Personally I had never heard of Sendagaya and when I tried to search the address for the house the are looked very strange and complex to get to.
Sakura House Sendagaya 4-chome is located in the beautiful, residential neighborhood of Shibuya-ku. It is walking distance from Shinjuku, Harajuku, and technically Shibuya too.
There are countless restaurants, fast food places, karaoke bars, izakaya's, and clothing stores that are walking distance or a train stop away.
Familiar "comfort brands" such as Forver21, H&M, Mc Donald's, Subway, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Starbucks are fairly close to your new residence.

Shinjuku- the business center of Japan as well as very well known for its alternative night life in Kabukicho.

Harajuku- well known for its fun and crazy fashion, and Yoyogi Park the largest park in all of Japan.

Shibuya- is 2 train stops away and about a 30 minute walk it is the fashion capital of Japan but it is also full of love hotels, great bars, and clubs.


Transportation

There are 3 major train stations and multiple lines which can take you anywhere that you need to get to in Japan. These are the stations that you'll use the most as they are in close proximity to Sakura House.

Kita-Sando (Tokyo Metro)
This is the station you will use the most as it is easiest to access other lines and just a 2-3 minute walk from your home. This train line can be taken to popular stations such as Shinjuku Sanchome, Ikebukuro, Nishi-Waseda, Harajuku, and Shibuya Station. All of which you can walk to by foot if you'd like to save some yen or of course you can also ride your registered bike. It is marked brown in color.

Yoyogi Station (JR Yamanote Line)
This is the train line that you will use the most to travel if you are planning on sight seeing, traveling long distances, headed toward the suburbs, Shinagawa immigration office, Ueno Park, or tons of the international clubs and parties that are available. Similar to the Chuo-Sobu Line this train stops in general city areas which is why the cost is typically a bit cheaper and the trains are almost always packed. Normally upon exiting the gates of the station you'll have to take a bus or walk a bit further than usual to get to your actual destination. Most people use the JR Lines to get to local subway trains like Tokyo Metro. It is marked green in color


Sendagaya Station (JR Chuo-Sobu Line)
This is the station and line that you will use to go to Chiba and Akihabara. Chiba is the home of Funnassyi, Tokyo Disney Land and Narita Airport. Akihabara is the electronics, maid cafe, cosplay, J-Pop, and gaming center of Japan. Here you'll find loads of cat cafes, maid cafes, arcades and
so much more. It is marked yellow in color.

Yoyogi Station (Oedo Line)
This train line will get you to Roppongi and Azabu-Juban with ease. Both areas are known for their bars, nightlife, clubs, and expensive housing. A lot of business owners reside here. The areas both have bad reps for being full of Africans whom bombard and harass you with flyers and questions which can be a bit uncomfortable. Similar to Shibuya the Yakuza's presence can be both seen and felt but there's no need to worry there's police boxes scattered around as well as officers on foot. The Yakuza is not the same as American gangs and pose no real danger to tourist or civilians but we can talk about this in another post. It is marked hot pink in color.


Train Station Notes & Tips

All 3 stations have a stop at Shinjuku and or Shibuya Station. Once you arrive at either major station (especially Shinjuku Station) you can transfer to another train line to go almost anywhere in Japan.


  • Staff at most of the station in central Tokyo can speak and understand some basic English. Sometimes their are bilingual staff members too! 

  • Google Maps & Google Translate are your best friends! Don't be afraid to use them. Take screen shots of your route and show them where you are trying to go. The staff can help you so relax and speak calmly. Just say the name of the station you are trying to get to. Use basic very slow and simple English if you must or simply say and type the Japanese word 

  • You'll save 10 cents if you use your IC Card instead of using a ticket. You can purchase a PASMO or a Suica for just $5.00.  There;s no difference besides the color and picture on the card. They both work the same and can be used at the same places even if you see a picture showing only Suica you can use your PASMO card at that spot too. For a small fee you can have your IC Card registered under your name. This way if it is lost you can receive a replacement card. This service is unavailable in Kansai so consider yourselves lucky!

  • If your ticket has anything less than enough money on it for another ride you'll just lose your money. So be sure to only pay what you have to. For example if you purchase a ticket for 170 yen instead of 150 yen once you put your ticket into the gates slot it will just keep it! If you have purchased a ticket for 300 yen and it only costs 150 to get to your destination the machine will give it back to you upon inserting the ticket and exiting the gate.

  • As always if you need help don't be afraid to ask the ticket agent or a Japanese person nearby. Sometimes even other foreigners can be of help to you!

  • There are buses but they're less convenient and full of elderly and disabled people. It can also be a bit difficult to figure out how to pay and where to enter the best and get off as it various in different areas.

  • If you ever get lost simply ask how to get to Shibuya or Shinjuku Station. No matter where you are in Yokohama, Chiba or Tokyo EVERY Japanese person knows how to get there. From those 2 stations you can easily find your way home as they connect to every train station in Japan with just a few transfers.

  • Names matter! Pay very close attention to the names of stations! There are several stations with the same names throughout the country and even within the same town. For example theres is Nisei-Shinjuku, Higashi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, and Shinjuku-Sanchome Station. 

  • Pay attention to the kanji characters! As for kanji there are different types of express trains which will make different stops. For example Express. Rapid Express, Local, Semi-Express. While Tokyo generally offers English translations to stop names and announcements they almost never do so for express trains! The only way to tell is to pay attention to the LED screens onboard, ask a fellow passenger for help, or google search the train line itself.

Marunochi Line This is the train Line that you should use to quickly get to  Shinjuku Station. Sakura House's office is about 10 minutes away or less by foot from exit B16. 


Grocery Shopping

There is a nice neighborhood grocery store OK Grocery. Here you can purchase all of your toiletries and food needs. The store has 3 floors of food, toiletries, pet supplies, cleaning supplies as well as seasonal and personal items.

Most grocery stores have a specific day of the week in which there is a sales for example Tuesday's might be the discount day so you can 20% off of select meat etc..
Fruit is VERY expensive in Japan $10 grapes and $7 strawberries! However they are pretty delicious and huge in size(for that price the should be!).

Frozen fish and meat is not common in Japan besides shrimp and some other miscellaneous or precooked meals. Typically 5-6 chicken strips, 3-4 thighs, or 1-2 pieces of fish (salmon/white fish) will cost about $5.00. In America I can buy a bag of frozen chicken thighs or fish with a few more pieces for this cost.


This store unfortunately doesn't offer free bags so it is best to either purchase your own recyclable bags or save your bags from your runs to the convenience store.
The clear bags that they sell are very durable and big in size. You'll find them just before the register and you are expected to grab the amount of bags that you'd like to purchase. Your cashier will confirm your selection of bags and give you a total. Don't worry if you forget to grab bags they might kindly suggest that you purchase some since they're used to seeing foreigners everyday who aren't aware of how checkout works.

Tips:


  • I highly recommend labeling your food with your name and room number even although Sakura House recently introduced white bins which have your room and bed number marked on it s a reserved spot for you in the fridge

  •  Try to keep items in grocery bags. Roommates are less likely to go into your bag of food or open up your cartons of milk tea or juice if they have to take extra steps to get to. This was no-one can say that it was by accident or say that they were confused etc.

  • DO NOT OVER BUY! Japanese food and beverages don't have as many preservatives and chemicals as American products. Everything here (just about) expires such faster. I highly recommend freezing your meat and fish. 

  • Ziplock bags and plastic tupperware are your best friends! These reusable containers and bags can help keep your food bug free and fresh. Also the containers can be used to ration out a weeks worth of meals for school or work.

  • Only buy what you plan to eat for the next 2-3 days. Most Japanese people go grocery shopping very frequently. I usually go at least 3 times a week in comparison to 2-3 times a month in America! 

  • Grocery stores offer discounted bentos, fruit, vegetables, milk, and miscellaneous breads and frozen goods a few hours before closing time every evening. 

  • If you purchase pregnancy tests sanitary pads, or condoms they will generally wrap it up and place it inside of a paper bag before placing it into a normal plastic bag. In Japan these items are embarrassing.

Other Tokyu Hands is about 25 minutes away walking distance or 1 train stop away. Here you can purchase all of your home goods, cleaning supplies, personal care, beauty products and makeup.



Convenience Stores

Konbini are what the Japanese call convenience or corner stores. They are similar to the ones back at home in America but they don't offer slushies, gas, or lottery tickets! Everyone uses these stores on an almost if not daily basis. Salarymen go here for bentos (a fancy portioned lunch or dinner in a clear plastic container) both before and after work. Elderly people sit in the cafe/lounge area  complete puzzles and read the news with a cup of coffee. Stay at home moms often come here during the morning with their babies and will sit and converse over breakfast with friends.

The two most popular convenience stores are Seven Eleven (7/11) and Family Mart. They have practically monopolized Japan. No matter where you are theres is always one of these two stores within walking distance from you. It is not unusual to see 2-4 within a few blocks of each other or even the same one!

Convenience stores are almost always 24 hours and those that are not are generally open until midnight and reopen at 5:00AM or 6:00AM. They offer all of the basic things that you need to survive.

Here you can buy snacks,  dinner, alcohol, toiletries, makeup, cleaning supplies,magazines, manga, under garments, office supplies, hair accessories and so much more.
Unlike in America the food here is fresh and can be trusted and the employees are very friendly and good workers. It is generally staffed entirely by native Japanese people but occasionally (especially in Shinjuku or other touristy areas you'll notice Chinese and South Asian employees from SriLanka and India etc..


Most convince stores offer a free rewards card referred to as a Pointo Kado. You can use this to save a little money occasionally and receive an occasional free meal or beverage after earning enough points.

Occasionally you can purchase discount bentos, and drinks as well as seasonal items from sales and marketing campaigns that flopped or items that were overstocked and are now near expiration.


Tips


  • Bags are free of charge!
  • Most konbini's have free and clean public restrooms. No purchase is necessary to access them.

  • While most offer a cafe/lounge area for their customers to sit and eat or drink (no purchase necessary) not all of them do. Family Mart generally has larger spaces reserved for this.

  • Occasionally outlets are available for you to charge your devices.

  • All convince stores have Free Wifi! Lawson's has the best signal by far and there is no sign or time limit restrictions like Family Mart. 

  • If you want to try something hot and fresh it's best to come just before 12:00PM or just before evening rush hour at around 3:00PM-4:00PM. Many stores add new batches of precooked meals and snacks around this time of day.

  • DO NOT do all of your shopping here! I made this mistake and it was a costly one. It's easy to feel lazy and not be in the mode to walk to the grocery store after a long day or work school or travel but you'll save so much money and you'll get more food and have a better selection of products and groceries to choose from.

  • Staff can warm up your bento for you free of charge. Unfortunately because most foreigners are stereotypically loud, obnoxious, rude and don't speak or understand Japanese MOST staff will not offer this service to you. If you're lucky they will ask and point to the microwave or they might even use broken English to ask if you want them to heat up your food. The choice is yours! 


If you purchase sanitary pads, or condoms they will generally wrap it up and place it inside of a paper bag before placing it into a normal plastic bag. In Japan these items are embarrassing.

Convenience Stores There are several convenience stores nearby such as 7/11, Family Mart,  Mini Stop, and Lawson


Pros & Cons

Overall Sakura House was great but as with anything there's always good and bad. The longer you stay here the more problems will arise and the more frustrated you'll find yourself with both the tenants and the staff.


Pros

When I first arrived I quickly felt at home. I was having a panic attack and freaking out because it was about 6:00PM-8:00PM and I had just arrived and couldn't figure out which side of the building was mines and I couldn't even find my floor(B00)! I later learned through adulating and common sense that "B" stood for basement and that Japan numbers floors differently than the U.S. Anyway a very nice Thai girl stayed outside with me about 20-30 minutes and even let me use her phone to call Sakura House's office for help. I became best friends with a Danish and Chinese girl. Whom showed me how to shop, purchase tickets, register my address at the ward office and of course partied, ate and shared their dating and sex lives/experiences with me (Oh how I miss the days of good old gossip). If you won't stay in Japan for long 3 months of less you'll probably leave before you turn into an old bitter hag like I eventually did after the "honeymoon-phase" wore off.


  1. The closest train Station is about 2-3 minutes away from the dorm
  2. Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku are less than 20 minutes away by train
  3. You can walk to Takeshita Street and Yoyogi Park from the dorm
  4. There's several convenience stores within walking distance 7/11 is less than 5 minutes away
  5. You don't have to pay any bills just your monthly rent
  6. Free cleaning supplies
  7. Ample storage space under your bed and shelves around the house
  8. Staff replies to complaints promptly
  9. Small deposit fee
  10. Quiet residential neighborhood
  11. Room key and coded door padlock floor entry
  12. You will receive your deposit back as long as you made an attempt to clean up behind yourself upon leaving.
  13. Room can be prorated of you plan to leave before the entire month is up.
  14. You can schedule the date and time for your move out inspection
  15. The staff is generally very thorough with explains the rules of the house and you will receive a lot of pamphlets and papers about your contract and life in Japan
  16. You can switch rooms within the month if a vacancy for a bed or private room becomes available that you'd prefer. You will lose some money in the process of this but if you can't stand snoring or if you overpacked or did a lot of shopping or just need some privacy you might want to move to a bigger space or get a quieter room.
  17. Despite the lack of management the tenants are overall good people. I've ordered expensive meals and clothing and because of then confusing nature of the floors and rooms delivery dudes ALWAYS got confused and would often times drop off packages at the wrong floor/dorm. Thankfully people have been honest and either redirected them or signed for my packages and gave them to me! 
  18. If you're not at home at the time that a package is being delivered for you usually your roomies will be kind enough to sign for you and leave it at your door or in the living room anonymously for you.
  19. Your roommates are more than willing to share their personal items and appliances with you and even food! You can also stock up on leftovers (sealed unopened and new) when people leave.
  20. You'll never feel lonely! Theres always friendly people to talk to hang out and eat with or even attend festivals, parties, bars and clubs with. Really nice if you're shy or traveling alone.


Cons

When I first came to Sakura House I absolutely loved it! However since I wasn't a "long-term tourist" or a crazy college party kid  the cons are what ultimately made me desire to have my own apartment. quickly became the resident asshole and I stopped being super friendly. I began to only help people when I was asked and I stopped attempting to make small talk and befriend people. My sanity and mental health plummeted as I spent my days in my room on my bottom bunk bed with the curtains shut. I tried my absolute best to spend as much time as possible outside of the house to avoid losing my temper and giving any of the girls a piece of my mind. 
I befriended several girls who helped me control myself. Looking back I was being judgmental and immature and I wish I had been more friendly to my roommates but I was never mean! I simply avoided talking to or being around other people. No harsh words or hands were ever exchanged .


  1. The photos of the rooms are VERY misleading. The recent pictures are photoshopped and touched up and most of the pictures are very old from when the house was new! The rooms are dirty old and dingy and so are the hallways and appliances (iron, ironing board, dishes, pots/pans).
  2. Non-Japanese staff can be rude
  3. Males staff is notorious for being inappropriate and creepy. Asking for girls Instagram accounts and commenting on attractiveness. Asking unnecessary personal questions.
  4. Males staff has a history of having inappropriate relationships with tenants from using them for sex, affairs, and yellow fever fetishes
  5. Roommates are inconsiderate of other people's feelings about the A/C and cooking foods with strong foul odors
  6. Most tenants don't clean up behind themselves so dishes and trashes all over the tables and sinks
  7. Tenants don't clean the shower after use. Hair is commonly clogged in the drains.
  8. Tenants have damaged the walls and showers with hair dye from cosplays, and seasonal parties
  9. Roommates steal food and toiletries
  10. Roommates don't respect persona storage space in the fridge
  11. Roommates can be loud and noisy after the 10:00PM lights out curfew loud conversations, TV, and music is commonly heard late at night which sucks when you have school or work in the morning
  12. People ignore the rules about having parties
  13. People ignore the rules about using the broken washer and dryer late at night (it screeches occasionally and Japanese neighbors have called the police to file complaints against Sakura House at least 20 times during my 1 year stay).
  14. Male Staff come over uninvited without warning. If you are in the basement dorm like I was it's an all girls floor. Besides the janitors which we know when they will arrive,e men are NOT allowed. A lot of the girls casually walk around braless or in their pajamas and even bathrobes and towels throughout the day.
  15. People invite guys without warning. Again if you're staying in the basement dorm it's an all girls dormitory! If you want to be a whore or have sex with your Tinder dates then get a Love Hotel or switch to a new floor and get a private room! It's rude and disrespectful to the rest of us.
  16. The door code doesn't change! So previous tenants can easily access the premises again
  17. The staff don't wash the bedding! Unless the bedding is noticeably dirty and smells they will assume that you did a good enough job cleaning the bedding and will rent out your room or bunk bed to the next unsuspecting trusting tenant. That's pretty gross.
  18. If you're an American you'll quickly notice how little people wash their hands. This i snot exclusive to Sakura House it's a Japan problem (cultural difference). I noticed that the Chinese and Malaysian girls in particular almost never washed their hands after using the bathroom or touching "dirty" things. Again it's a cultural difference but sure get offended and label me a racist for all I care.
  19. The trash is often ignored and it's hard to establish who's turn it is to dispose of the garbage since there's two of you and you may not even know or feel comfortable with approaching your dumpster-buddy.
  20. Sakura House staff is very nonchalant about personal problems and complaints towards other tenants such as racism, arguments about the A/C, TV, mail thieves/misplacers, and cleanliness of the house. Their advice is always "Hey I mean they're your roommates! This is a dorm not a hotel! You talk to them and figure it out yourself!"


In Conclusion 

No place is perfect. Every share house, dormitory, and even hotels or apartments have flaws. I would still highly recommend Sakura House to anyone who is new to Japan. Whether you are traveling own a budget, studying at a language school or university, or if you are working as an English teacher Sakura House provide you with a quick and easy hassle free way to live in Japan especially if you'll be staying in Tokyo.

The location is perfect. You are close to everything you need  and just a few stops away from almost all of the tourist destinations as well as transport to the airport or other prefectures in Japan. The train grocery store and convenience store is within a 10 minute walk from the dorm. It is very nice to have so many people to talk to and keep you company. Japan ca be difficult to navigate especially if you are traveling alone, can't speak/read/write Japanese, or if this is your first time leaving your country, or having your "own place". I am glad that I didn't do a homestay or get an apartment because there's so many things that I would have never learned or experienced otherwise.

The staff is generally very nice, friendly and helpful and the guests are mostly very friendly and helpful. You'll be able to quickly make friends and get advice about living in Japan from seasoned Tokyo veterans as there usually 2-4 people who have been there for months to a year who will gladly help you get settled into your new home. For less than $500 USD a month you get all of this!  I still have a handful of good friends whom I met by chance from staying here. It was thanks to them that I survived my first month in Japan despite being a bit clumsy and having anxiety. My roommates taught me the ropes, helped me get my first IC card, learn how to shop, showed me where everything in the house was and hung out with me for my 21st birthday, Christmas and New Year's Day.
So what are you waiting for?! Japan awaits you!

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found this information helpful. If you have any questions or if you'd like to share your experiences with living at Sakura House please feel free to comment below.



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