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A Dream to Travel to Japan

Want to travel to japan? — Japan, Kyoto, Tofuku-ji Temple, Maple trees

Follow Your Dreams, They Will Take You to Japan!

My short story of finalizing my dream of going and living in Japan
–Nathan Scheer

Many years ago when I was back in high school and a friend introduced me to some anime. Go figure at that time everyone was nuts about DBZ, well why not right? For Americans at that time I believe it was one of the biggest gut punches for Japanese anime I think about ever in history (maybe I’m wrong?).

The Epic story, stupid filler episodes and legendary boss fights that had all of us in America hanging from our seats while we watched it through Toonami on Cartoon Network, it was truly something to behold. But before this I had an interest in this so called ‘mystic’ place called Japan and DBZ was not initially responsible, but it helped. My friend at the time bought a rouge copy of all of DB and DBZ episodes through an Ebay listing. It was all the original episodes of the series from Japan, albeit really poorly recorded episodes, at times you couldn’t see anything as the CD files were obviously copied from a VHS tape that had been watched one too many times.

While we indulged ourselves in this wonderland of super powers and glowing gold hair, we ended up attracting the attention of a woman who lived in the area next to my friend. Her name was Miko and she was a classic WWII story. Handsome strapping young naval office wooing a beautiful small town girl in Japan to come back to America and marry him. At this time she had literally lived in American since about 1950’s or so. She was very nice and spoke to us about Japan and I learned some new things about Japan from her that I was yet to be previewed to. Simple things really, like taking the bus, the trains, school systems etc. I think for the most part she had so much knowledge to pass but 95% of it never hit our brains. We did several hang out sessions with her and she ended up giving me a red book that was titled ‘Japanese Grammar’. The book looked like it had been used many many times. I think to this day it was used many times by her late husband to basically pick up chicks while on port.

From that point on I was more and more interested in learning the language. I ended up getting Rosetta Stone for Christmas or my birthday, but I honestly could never make it through the few several levels of the CD’s, although I did find a software program called Kanji Gold which I worked through for awhile, and got to the point where I could recognize 1st grade type kanji. I could never pronounce the words or get the kun or onyomi it was just that I knew what it symbolized. I felt pretty cool being in high school knowing some kanji… Look at me, I’m the biggest damn weeabo in the school. I guess you could say at a point I was pretty damn weeabo, even created the schools first anime club with my friend.

Skip ahead many years and I would still work on Rosetta Stone (up till level 2 on disk 1) and Kanji Gold at times. I’d say I’m very skilled in recognizing 1st grade kanji and knowing that the boy is on top of the airplane… or below the table thanks to these two programs. But my real understanding of Japanese really started to begin when I ran into a website called Japaneseclass.jp when I first understood that there were Hiragana and Katakana writing systems. When I learned the writing systems I really started to understand Japanese at a level I had never known before… and mind you I learned kana the crazy way (which works) by spaced recognition and writing the ‘alphabet/kana chart’ over… and over…. and over…. and over again, until I literally could NEVER not know what which character sounded like or looked like.

After that I ran into another Japanese learning site that I truly believe made the difference, and helped me really solidify wanting to live in Japan and go to school. But before I go into that, during this time I was learning to become a professional internet marketer / SEO (search engine marketer), and I was sadly living with my parents in their basement with my girlfriend (real slick right?), but we got to the point where one night we were so pissed off at living at my parents house we built a dream that night. She already knew about my desire about Japan and had (weirdly enough) wanted to learn Japanese with me (and has since then), so she was helping me and learning with me (which helps a lot!!). So we decided… Lets go to Japan to go to school! Well first we had to get the hell out of the basement, so our first real dream was to get outta there. I had always wanted to move back to Evergreen, CO… Not that I had ever had a residence there, but my grandmother when I was a child would take.. Ehm… steal me, from my parents and take me up into the beautiful mountains of Colorado. I guess that impression was grand enough to make me want to go back, so that was the first goal.

Soon after this Japanese / Evergreen goal, we had purchased a bitcoin machine, a small crappy one from butterfly labs that literally took 8 months to get to us, by the time it came and we started using it, I borrowed about $10k dollars to buy 2 huge mining machines (forget how fast – but at the time top notch for about 3 months)… we started making about $850 a day until I did our first sell off when it spiked in December that year, and that’s all she wrote, we had enough money to move off into the mountains like hermits for 2 years. So pretty much that’s where we arrive in the story where I’m writing this… actually back in the basement of my parents, waiting, for April 2017 to go to school in Fukuoka, Japan and enjoying as much of my family and the holidays as possible as we’ll be gone for 2 years (just FYI were saving up to pay for Japan in a one lump sum so not paying $1,500/m in rent helps – score for supportive parents right?).

So the big change in my learning came from a learning company called Nihongo Master, I no longer list them in my learn Japanese page any longer because honestly they’re not free and pretty much everything on there is free except where I mention a few books, Nihongo Master is kind of just a here it is, try it, if you like it, it will open up to you in all it’s glory! Is it worth it? Yeah! It is actually, especially if you’ve never really been exposed to Japanese, it will teach you Kana, Kanji, Vocab, Particles and sentence structure. Now after going through about half of Nihongo Master I had moved on to Wanikani.com <- which can be read about here. It’s more so to help you read the onyomi and kunyomi of kanji and to read vocab. It’s a site where you’re suppose to learn about 2000 kanji and 6000 vocabulary words in just over a years time. I actually really like Wanikani it’s got it’s issues but for the most part my reading ability has drastically increased. For speaking and listening Nihongo Master thus far has helped the most and I think it’s on the verge of being able to take you to JLPT 3 (JLPT is a proficiency test to judge where your Japanese speaking, reading and listening abilities are at, it starts at 5 and goes to 1).

So here I am in December 2016, just got approved to Fukuoka Language school for April 2017 (Visa won’t be approved until mid February) (2018 Update: Be sure to read my review as we had trouble with that school, contact me to learn where we instead if you’re looking for a school to go to in Fukuoka). What am I looking to do now before going? First I’m tailoring down my marketing business and accepting only family based business work for about 2 years now and specific JV opportunities. I am going to still be learning new SEO and keeping up with it through my mentor group at OMG Machines, but I’m going to be focusing 50% of my work day to some kind of learning of Japanese culture or language until I go, and then when I get there it will be more like 90%, as I lied I’ll actually be taking care of smaller clients on an on going basis. — Which you can see here.

To end this, just know, if you have a drive or feeling for something you want to do in life, NEVER GIVE UP! But as I say this I know it’s easy to say this and to read it. But what does it mean? For me at least it means that if you have faith and a knowing that you can have something bigger then what you’ve been given in life thus far you will be given chances to redeem that ticket to ride that ride IF you can believe it and see it through, through the trials of fire. I’m going to be 32 years old when I finally step foot in Japan, my dream first started over 17 years ago and although not every one of those years that passed had a goal to live in Japan, it had always been there in the back of my mind.

So here it is now, I get to go to Japan with my best friend in the whole world… my wife! And we get to experience something very few people overall get to experience. Living on the other side of the world, learning an entirely new and foreign language to what I use to growing up. Perhaps it’s intimidating and a bit scary, sure, but the journey of life is only worthy of living if you happen upon these emotions at times when you’re in the driver seat of your life. If you start feeling these emotions, keep doing what you’re doing, because that’s where all the fun and growth is truly at!

Keep building yourself up and you’ll be able to accomplish anything. At this point in time we’ve been using Go Go Nihon to help through the process so it’s not so intimidating, and honestly even though we’ve at times skimmed the deadlines pretty close because of challenges getting our information together, it’s been really smooth through this company (support can take a couple days to get back to you just FYI). Life will test you, do you really want what you think you want?

We’ll see, right?

-NihonScope

All Blog Posts, Learn Japanese

FFLC Has Approved Your Application for School in Japan

Congratulations, -> Fukuoka Foreign Language College <- has approved your application!

—UPDATE— We had tremendous problems with this school and we DO NOT recommend them.
Read the article above before considering going to FFLC.

Click the link above to read my current review of the school.

Today we received another win towards heading to Japan in April 2017. We’ll continue to update you on how the process with Go! Go! Nihon goes but for now here’s what they have to say. (This post here is a bit about what I personally submitted to Go! Go! and to the school in Fukuoka – it’s basically the reasoning of WHY I want to enter Japan and learn Japanese).

-Nihonscope

Hello Nathan!

Congratulations, Fukuoka Foreign Language College (FFLC) has approved your (and your wife’s – please see email sent to your wife’s email ) application for the session starting in April and will be submitting it to Japanese immigration for visa approval at the deadline. The visa result is scheduled to be released around the last two weeks of February 2017.

This is how the process works;

1. Application submission to school. – COMPLETE!
2. Application approval by school and submitted to Japanese immigration for approval. – COMPLETE!
3. Japanese immigration approval about 1 month prior to the start of your session (this is standard procedure and not within our control).
4. Japanese immigration issues a certificate of eligibility (COE) at this time.
5. You are required to pay the first 6 months of tuition in order to have the original COE copy mailed to you.
6. Take the original COE copy to your nearest Japanese embassy prior to your arrival in Japan.

— ARRIVAL TO JAPAN —

Your first day of school at FFLC is scheduled to the 12th of April 2017, but this has yet to be finalized at this time. We strongly recommend that you do not arrive to Japan earlier than 2-4 days before your study start. This is because there is a lot that you have to do during the final month before departure in regards to your student visa. If you are unable to complete the below procedure before departure you will have to reschedule your flight.

Once your COE is issued in the end of February 2017 you have to complete the following procedure before you can travel to Japan:

– Pay the school via international bank transfer (takes 2-5 business days)

– Receive original COE copy from Japan (takes 4-6 business days)

– Submit original COE and visa application to the Japanese embassy in your home country (takes 2-5 business days)

– Collect your finished student visa at the Japanese embassy

All this must be done before your flight. Therefore, it is important not to book an early flight. Please be advised that you will be stopped by the Japanese Immigration at the airport if you fail to receive your finished student visa before departure and try to enter Japan after your COE has been issued. Please note that;

-The payment of the tuition fee to the school can not be made until your COE is issued in the end of February 2017.
– We will send you the complete payment details once your COE is issued.
-The original COE will not be sent to you until you pay the 6 months tuition fee by international bank transfer.
-Once the original COE is delivered to you you are able to hand in your student visa application to your nearest Japanese Embassy.

An arrival time between 08:00 and 16:00 is recommended, otherwise you may have to spend the night at a hotel / hostel before you can move into your accommodation. If you arrive on a public holiday, there is a small chance that the housing agency is closed. If you want to be sure to be able to move in the same day, it is best to come on a weekday. Since you will be entering Japan on a student visa you are not required to have a return ticket.

You can contact Nihon Scope for cheap airline tickets to Japan. It is up to you to decide what day you want to arrive to Japan but please make sure to follow our advice!

— HEALTH INSURANCE —

As a student in Japan you must join the Japanese National Health Insurance which costs about 2000 – 4000 yen per month when you have a student visa. NHI accounts for 70% of any expenses related to your health. The other 30% will be your responsibility.

Once you have arrived in Japan, it is important that you register as residents of the nearest city or ward office as soon as possible and then you get your National Health Insurance Card. The school can provide you with more information about this after your arrival to Japan.

— OUR NEXT CONTACT —

Please check our wiki FAQ for more information about life in Japan.

We will be sending you an e-mail in January with the following information:

– Accommodation Request
We will send you an accommodation search form where you fill in the details of your arrival to Japan and preferences regarding accommodation. It might be a good idea to start by taking a look at our accommodation examples right now to see what choices you might have:

CONTACT NIHON SCOPE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ACCOMMODATIONS

– We will also give some tips and advice on what to consider and prepare before departure

All Blog Posts, Food and Sake, Japanese Culture

Nomihodai Meaning, Etiquette & Proper Precautions Before Ordering

Nomihodai – Meaning, Etiquette and Precautions Before Ordering

Nomihodai, what does it mean and why is it so important… mostly to foreigners? Nomihodai means “All you can drink” or in Japanese the literal translation is Nomi 飲み = “Drink” and Hodai 放題 = “all you can” or sometimes called “Free Drink System”. This is a sort of option you can have with certain izakaya to bars and restaurants. There is also all you can eat (tabehodai) that at times couples with this type of promotion. From what I know of nomihodai, is that it ranges from $5 to $20 for 1 hours to 2 hours of all you can drink face wrecking fun.

Now many times you have to be aware of what you’re getting into, you may think that $5 is super cheap, and I’d say you’re right, especially to sit there for 1 hour to 2 hours sucking down alcohol. But you’ll find when you visit Japan that many of these places that offer nomihodai will also have some clauses in their “Terms of Service” which you should ask about before agreeing to nomihodai.

For example, you may enter into a bar and request nomihodai, you may actually have to pay an entrance fee and it can vary from place to place, which could range from $3 to $10 depending on where you go. Now, that’s not where it stops, you will want to also ask the greeter or host/hostess about the plate minimum. Now… what is a plate minimum? A plate minimum is a requirement to order X amount of dishes while you are drinking per person (usually). But usually this shouldn’t be a problem I’d hope for most people. You’re sitting there drinking, you think you would want to eat too right? So as to not entirely punish your liver, this usually is a wise idea.

So the $5 to $20 all you can drink ends up many times for 2 people being more like $40-$50 for an all your can drink fiasco, I’d say still for 2 people to go all out and spend only say $40 to have a hell of a time and get a bite to eat is pretty cool.

Now let’s get into more nitty gritty about the infamous nomihodai!

One thing to note is if you’re planning on a night of sorrowful drinking because your ex left you, then think again, as generally nomihodai can ONLY be ordered when 2 or more people are par-taking in the fiasco of controlled liver destruction. Of course I’m sure if you REALLY wanted to slam it home, you could possibly negotiate for 1. But, the fun of nomihodai is to have that unsuspecting friend to ambush with your recent breakup. Although there are izakaya, restaurants and bars that offer nomihodai openly, there are also several places that reserve this right to people who RSVP for a larger group, just keep your eyes open.

A Few Etiquette Rules to Keep in Mind:

Foreigners usually abuse the hell out of nomihodai, with that in mind at least have the courtesy to drink your current beverage all the way first before asking for more. About 20 minutes before your time is over you’ll be given last call, don’t be rude and order 5 drinks effectively wasting the drinks because your dead drunk on the floor.
All drinking Etiquette applies here. A few rules are: Not beginning until your entire group/party is ready to sign on for the onslaught of their liver with a proud and forceful ‘KANPAI!’. So make sure you’re not holding people up! Another is pouring for others and not yourself, if you want more pour for someone else and they’ll pour for you and if you see anyone with a empty cup, be courtesy and refill their cup. But note leaving your cup full indicates your finished drinking. This is something you might want to take note of if you ever nomikai… your liver will thank you knowing this information.
Loud drunkness is not only okay, it’s promoted as long as it’s within normal means, but outrageous drunken behavior that takes the joys of nomihodai from other customers is something to avoid, if you’re a straight out crazed maniac when you drink, perhaps you should buy a six pack and stay home.

What REALLY To Be Cautious of With Nomihodai or General Izakaya/Restaurants in Japan?

Now here comes my main concern to all you Eggs out there looking to have your first izakaya, nomihodai or nomikai experience. There is something YOU MUST be aware of, there is an imposter that lurks in the darkness, claiming to be something of great value to the lives of Japan, but it’s sneaky, it’s not what it claims to be. What is this mysterious imposter?

Happoshu…. はっぽ酒

What is happoshu you may ask? Well to shine a light from heaven on to the sin of what happoshu is, it’s simply pretend beer. What do I mean by that? I mean that it’s light beers 2nd removed cousin, and it’s not just light it’s LIGHT beer. It’s considered a diet beer many times and has been quoted by some to taste like ‘weasel urine’ (you’ll see what I mean). The reason this wannabe beer… or rather alcoholic drink exists is to avoid tax margins that are imposed by the government of Japan. By either brewing the beer with non traditional ingredients like corn, soy, rice and potato’s they can effectively sell their beer for much much less as well effectively ruin your liver twice as quickly. The rule is that if there is less then 67% malt used in the beer it can then apply for tax cuts, and if there is NO malt, it’s consider a 3rd Tier Beer, I believe imported beer can also fall into this tax cut category as it’s not brewed in Japan so they can avoid this tax altogether (don’t quote me on that though).

Who drinks 3rd Tier Beers? Find out in Tokyo Desu’s article about Japan’s Gretest Faux Beers. I believe you should get an idea of why you should avoid these beers altogether, but more importantly you’ll discover useful reasons why you would even want to drink these ‘beverages’.

So when you go out to a restaurant or izakaya, make sure you ask if they have draft beer (nama biiru). If they act funny afterward, you know it’s for sure a sign to respect the liver god has given you and carry forth to the next possible choice. To really shine a light on the horrible-ness of these beverages take a look at the general rating (if you have not already) of the fake beers at beer advocate, you’ll notice only 3 out of the 65 listed ‘beers’ have a rating of 4/5 (80%) then quickly it buckles down into the high 1’s. For the most part, they’re pretty bad. But to be fair those ‘top’ rated happoshu beers only had 1 or 2 reviews.

The idea of nomihodai was take from the ‘All you can eat’ buffet restaurant types that were inspired originally by the Swedish back in the 1950’s in Tokyo… So you can certainly play this stuff your face attitude with nomihodai, but I’d say in ending have fun but know for the majority of Japan, nomihodai is not a place to smash your face in with a beer bottle, Japanese people actually are well known to keep it to a threshold they can manage (for the most part), so enjoy yourself but just know you might get a ‘yappari’ or ‘baka gaijin’ throw your way if you make an ass of yourself.

-Nihon Scope

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