Hokkai Gakuen Summer Program (IDST2850)

1. Hokkai Gakuen Summer Program (IDST2850) Survival tips from a seasoned veteran... May 9, 2005 Glen Allen

2. At Home… • Types of home • House, mansion • Footwear • Leave shoes in the Genkan (front entrance) of house or apartment • Wear slippers or (good) socks in the home • Toilet slippers

3. At Home… • Toilet Room (vs. Bath Room) • Closed door policy (when in doubt, knock…) • Spigot on back of toilet to wash – NOT DRINK!

4. At Home… • Bath Room (vs. Toilet Room) • Ask if water heater needs to be turned on • Wash first (outside tub), then bathe (in tub) • Shower usually available • Don’t drain the tub, as others will use it • Guests generally offered bath first • Laundry • Small washer and spinner, no dryer(No last-minute laundry loads!) • Electricity • 100V, 2-prong plug only • hair dryer and electric shaver will work, but slower

5. Gifts… • Giving • Present something from Canada soon after arrival, preferably on first day of stay • Sample gifts from Canada include: • Maple syrup (plastic jug) • Smoked salmon • Tea towels • Native art, crafts • Coins, pins • U of L memorabilia • Receiving • Leave room in your suitcase, as any gifts you receive will likely come at end of your stay!

6. Out of the home… • Always carry addresses and phone numbers • Transportation • Bus • Board by back door, take numbered ticket from dispenser • Pay when getting off, exit using front door • Taxi • Enter/exit by back left door (driver will open and close) • Cash payment best, no tip required • Subway / Train • Purchase tickets by machine or at ticket counter • Insert ticket (or hand to staff) whenever you enter or exit • KEEP YOUR TICKET, or you will be charged maximum fare

7. Shopping… • Store hours • Department stores generally open 10am ~ 7pm • Smaller shops vary • Limited hours on Sunday • Payment • Cash always good… • Visa, Mastercard, Amex accepted only by larger stores and restaurants • No debit card use for purchases

8. Money… • ¥100 (or 100円) = C$1.18 • Yen Denominations: • Coin: ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500 • Bills: ¥1000, ¥2000, ¥5000, ¥10000 • ATM withdrawals using Canadian bank cards • Postal Savings Cash Service (21,000 branches) • Banks (check for Plus or Interac symbol) • ATM hours often limited (e.g., 7:00am ~ 9:00pm) • Traveler’s cheques (T/C) cashable only at banks and large hotels • Currency exchange at major airports, some banks

9. Post Office…

10. Postal ATMs… Machine to left is for Postal Savings Cash Service

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20. Telephones… • How to call • Locally (6-8 digit number) • Within Japan(2-4 digit area code + 6-8 digit number) • Overseas (001.1.403 + 7 digits) • Overseas Collect (0051 for KDD operator) • Local call charges from home phones • Pre-paid telephone cards (¥1000, ¥5000) • International (gold) vs. domestic payphones • International phones located in most larger train and subway stations and hotels, plus both Hokkai Gakuen campuses

21. Telephones…

22. Telephone Cards…

23. Dining… • “Ohashi jouzu desu ne...” (but can you really use them?) • Slurping • Drinking • Drinks poured from communal bottle (like wine) • Always use glass to drink • Pour for others, not yourself • Leave glass full if done • Paying the “kanjou” (bill) • Most restaurants take payment at register, not table • No tipping required

24. When nature calls… • Choice no. 1: 女vs.男 (woman) (man)

25. When nature calls… • Choice no. 2: vs. • http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~AD8Y-HYS/movie.htm • Carry handkerchief and tissue for public restrooms

26. Public Bathing… • A crash course in using the Sento or Onsen: • Take small towel (or buy one at entrance) • Leave shoes in designated area, slippers provided • Separate change rooms and pools for 女 and 男 • Change room has lockers or baskets for clothes • Take only small towel into pool area • Wash and rinse thoroughly in designated area • While soaking in pool(s), put small towel on deck beside you or on head - not in the pool

27. Nihongo… • Avoid negative questions • e.g., ask “Are you cold?” rather than “Aren’t you cold?” • Master katakana before you go • Menu items • chicken, pizza, spaghetti, beer, juice • Other frequently used words • bus, taxi, toilet, elevator

28. Nihongo… • Hokkaido-ben (regional dialect) English Standard Hokkaido Is that so sou desu ka soukai Taste good? oishii desu ka umaissho Let’s go ikimashou ikube Let’s go home kaerimashou kaerube Let’s do… … shimashou … surube Cute kawaii menkoi Cold tsumetai shakkoi Train densha kisha

29. Nihongo… • Glen’s top 14 useful words/phrases: Ohayou gozaimasu Good morning – till 10am? Konnichiwa Good day – till 6pm? Konbanwa Good evening Sayounara Goodbye Oyasuminasai Good night – at home … kudasai … please Arigatou gozaimasu Thank you Sumimasen Excuse me Gomennasai I’m sorry / I apologize Watashi wa … desu I am … … wa doko desu ka? Where is the …? … wakarimasen I don’t know … / I don’t understand … Oishii desu This is delicious! Kampai Cheers!

30. What to Bring… • Non-prescription medicine • e.g., Tylenol, cold medication • Compact umbrella • Versatile slip-on shoes • Business cards • Include Canadian postal address and e-mail