everything costs more in Tokyo
Ok, so today was strangely busy, without being so busy (i suppose it was an unplanned busy day). After sleeping in til 9:30 Ayako and I got up and began looking at apartments via the interweb. Our goal was to go see an apartment today, what I didn’t realize was that Ayako had an ulterior motive for leaving the apartment — taking me to her hair stylist for a haircut.
So, we stopped at some brand new apartments that are opening this month. They happen to be just 3 blocks away (and closer to the train station- yippee). The lady there gave us a tour of 3 of the apartments.
The first one we wanted to see was very nice (here is the new building: http://www.apartments.jp/sasazuka/index.html)… I’d say it was about half the size of the Willingham Apt I just left, and laid out in 3 rooms. Cost: 200,000 Yen per month = $2,000 …. way too much for our budgets.
Next up, a smaller, much smaller version with 2 rooms - same apartment building. Cost: 155,000 Yen = $1,550 a month.
Well, not bad, we got to see 2 apartments that we really cant afford. They were nice, but not on the pocketbook. Oh, and I also found out today that generally (unless you get a lucky promotion), you have to pay 4-5 months worth of rent up front. This covers a whole host of charges incurred for assuming a new lease. So, if any of you have 10k laying around for my use, let me know.
After this little run we ended up at the hair salon. I enjoyed a full 1hour hair treatment / wash / cut + advice in Japanese that I couldn’t understand (fast talker, and terms I was unfamiliar with). The cut cost me 30$… thats 20$ more than I’m used to, good thing i got a 30% discount for first time visit =)
とうきょう の アパートメント は ちょう たかい です ね！
スタイリスト は たかくない と やすくない です。
また
February 4th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Where are your new haircut pics?! wtf, what a jip!
February 4th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
lolz the picture of food and drink in the next post is much better
May 13th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Haha ok so this is the last comment for tonight, since I don’t wanna overwhelm you with so many comments!!
Well, I think I am overwhelmed myself trying to understand all those things in Japanese that you posted, I wish I spoke Japanese, that is so cool!
So that apartment you’re talking about is the one from the video right? (the last video you posted). Did you get a new one already?
Every once in a while I remember certain questions I’d like to ask. Here are two of them. First one: Is there a lot of crime in Japan? Like will people rob you and take your purse and/or wallet and run away? Or just like kidnapping, hurting, scaring people? Or is it a safe place for people who live there AND tourists? Second one: What happens when you get married there with the last names? Will Ayako have your last name and will you have hers? Or people keep their own last name? What if you had a kid? How does that work by law? (Both in Japan and in the US)
I know it’s different fom place to place. For example, I know when people get married in the States, the gril will change her last name but not the guy. So if I was to marry TJ, I would be Cami O’Brien and my kids’ last name would be O’Brien and that’s it. On the other hand, in Colombia, years ago the girls were supposed to change their last names but preceded by the word “de” which implies that the guy would be the “owner” of the girl. Thus, with the same example, I would be Cami “de” O’Brien (which translates something like O’Brien’s Cami…like if TJ was my owner). So women stopped changing their last names years ago and if people get married here, they keep their own last name AND if they have a kid, the kid will have two last names…the dad’s goes first and then the mom’s last name goes second. So everyone in Colombia has two last names. If I was to marry TJ, my last name would change in the States, but in Colombia, I’d still have two last names. Weird, huh?
Hope my explanation was clear enough for you to understand it, I did my best!! And I was just wondering how it worked there in Japan.
Alright, enough comments for now! But I will come baaaack
Hehehe 
May 14th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Yep, you are correct, I featured our first apartment (the one ayako had been living in for over 1.5 years) in that video… Im going to post another video of the new apartment soon.
First one: Is there a lot of crime in Japan? Like will people rob you and take your purse and/or wallet and run away? Or just like kidnapping, hurting, scaring people? Or is it a safe place for people who live there AND tourists?
Japan is actually one of the safest industrialized countries in the world, so safe that I didn’t even feel the slightest bit of tension walking down -kabuki- street in Tokyo at 2am (an area known for the Yakuza - or Japanese mafia). Now that isnt to say things dont happen, because they do, but they are really rare. The conviction rate in Japan is extremely high (like 95% or more), and the prison system here is not pleasant. Also, there is a big cultural difference in the way people see their actions - everyones actions here is a reflection on their entire family… this mindset that if you do anything bad it afflicts your entire ancestry is one reason why crime is lower here. Most Japanese people are generally very averse to committing crimes, breaking rules (even small ones), or doing anything considered rowdy. This place is extremely safe for visitors and residents imo.
Second one: What happens when you get married there with the last names? Will Ayako have your last name and will you have hers? Or people keep their own last name? What if you had a kid? How does that work by law? (Both in Japan and in the US)
Ayako will take my last name, but in Japan it will sound different (it will be spelled in Japanese characters). In the US we will also use my last name. Our children will have my last name, and until our children turn 21 (?) they can chose to be either Japanese or US citizens.
Wow, very cool information about Columbia and last names - that is very interesting!! What do you think about your last name being that of your future husband’s?
May 16th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Haha I am glad it’s a safe place to go
I will go visit one day! 
How different does it sound your last name in Japanese? How do you say my name in Japanese btw? (my full name in Camilla, but I go by Cami most of the time hehe). Yes, about the last names it’s weird for you hehe I am used to it already. But that’s exactly why I asked, cause I didn’t know how it worked there! Um, I wouldn’t mind taking his last name. In the States I would be Cami O’Brien but in Colombia I would keep my current last names, I think. We actually have talked about it and TJ told me it would be “rude” if I didn’t change my last name there. I don’t really have a problem though…it would sound weird but I’d get used to it haha. As long as it doesn’t have the word “de” or implies that someone is my “owner” it’s all good haha 
May 17th, 2009 at 12:52 am
My last name is Abbott, but in Japan it sounds like Ah-bow-toe
Your short name would almost be the exact same: Cami = Kami
Camilla = Kamira (”R” sounds like “L” in Japanese)
These are my best guesses, but I bet that is about right..
TJ is right, in the US it would seem very strange (as if you are not married) if you both did not share a last name. Additionally in the US if you do not wear a wedding band after being married many people will take that as a sign of unhappiness, divorce, or that you are single. In Japan I notice that many married couples do not wear wedding bands… so its a bit different here. After our wedding in Sept Ayako and I will wear a wedding band
May 25th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Ah, I see. People here do wear wedding bands too…most of the time at least. That is cute that soon Ayako and you will get to wear yours
Yay!! I like that part of being married 
Makes other people see that you already find the one for you, hehe.