Things You Wish You Had Done When In Japan.

[Beer Baron]

yeah shopping in japan nails you. not last trip, but the trip before in november last year I went to the sony building in ginza. they had just released a new T series lap top. carbon fibre shell, just 1.2 kilos (inc battery), 9 hour battery life etc. so of course we bought one, but the farkin thing cost nearly 30man! it had been released for just 3 days when we bought it which was cool. and i think it only just came out in aus, but cost around $4K here. I have spent so much in japan it's not funny. it's a danger when buying stuff with money that is not your native currencey it doesn't seem as 'real'. I had out 1man notes like they are going out of fashion when I'm in japan, but in aus there is no way i'd be shelling out that kind of cash every day.

[Beer Baron]

as for things I wish I had done in japan:

drive my friend tuned 34 GTR at fuji speedway (well doing it next time)

go to the tokyo fish maket (do it next time too)

do some bonsai classes

travel up north a bit, maybe as far as sapporo.

other than that i've done more that i ever would have imagined. so no regrets at all.

[R-sanichi]

Yeah burning ichi man en notes is easy. Its like Itchy and Scratchy money "just like real money, but fun".

The Tokyo fish market is awesome. The only thing is you need to get there really early. I took the 1st train of the day. (around 5am) but it wasnt early enough, the action was dying down by 6ish. to be there at about 4.30 would be the best. 3million customers a day (I remember reading in a book).

Sapporo? If you make it up there think about heading east to the area of Obihiro. I worked for Rally Japan in 05 and spent a few days before the actual rally checking roads and supervising the shakedown in the countryside and small farming towns. Its unlike other parts of "normal" Japan.

[BoyWhoCriedWolf]

I wish I had got more importing done, and more trips before I got involved in this stupidly busy business I now have the pleasure of owning.

[sleeper_et]

Ahh- I think i am facing a problem that soo many people have, I am trying to return to Japan at the end of the year with my misses(not married yet), I dont have a degree as I entered the workforce pretty much straight after finishing school and I have used my 1 working holiday visa.

I am trying to get a job but everyone I speak to wont sponsor as I need a degree to get someone to sponsor me, I thought of going over on a tourist visa and getting a job but it takes soo long to sort visa's just not sure if its feasible?!?

Drives you insane

[Rezz]

^^^ Not sure what you can do easily other than get married, then come over...

[markimak]

ohh.

what are the driving schools in japan like, cant u do courses like a degree specialising in driving.?

[sleeper_et]

I reckon that there are quite a few driving schools with semi-good instructors needed. I went for a ride in a few mates cars and holy shit. They dont drive fast just unsafe--- and dont get me started on mum's who dont put seatbelts on their kids.

I am with a great girl at the moment, I am sure I will marry her in the next few years but at the moment I dont think its and option unfortunately.

I was thinking about doing uni over there but I am 25years old so whilst looking to buy a house its also a little bit of a hassle.

Back to the drawing board

[Rezz]

ohh.

what are the driving schools in japan like, cant u do courses like a degree specialising in driving.?

You wanna be a driving instructor in Japan? I think they have strict character tests for that ie: make sure you won't kill your student after they stall the car for the 517th time...

[Beer Baron]

my advice is this: you are only 25. start your degree now.

[markimak]

no not become a driving instructor. but learn to drive. i knw how to drive and the odd drift blah blah.. but im talking about a race driving school. something like todou i think thats right.?

[Beer Baron]

i have to admit i have no idea what you are talking about? there is no such thing as a degree in driving in australia? there is no "bachelor of drift". he needs a real degree to get a working visa in japan. anyway we have gone a fair way OT now...

[sleeper_et]

Just found another thing that I will do when I get back there eventually, I will take some lessons in how to make Ramen and Udon.

I have been craving it of late and its hard to find somewhere good that doesnt cost shit loads, always loved the station ramen joints on a cold morning.

Other question, I used to race Go Karts and was thinking about giving it a bash over there again, anyone else done it in JP or only in Oz?

Thanks for the input fellas

[Hungryhippo]

If youre in Osaka theres a gokart track down the back of USJ

Edited May 9, 2007 by Hungryhippo

[dodgybrooks]

There's a go kart track just out of Gotemba in Shizuoka near Fuji Speedway

[markimak]

is diploma adequate for working visa?

[Beer Baron]

is diploma adequate for working visa?

no. minimum bachelors.

[sleeper_et]

Yeah cant do the diploma option either, I am thinking about doing the open learning/off campus learning to get a degree but wont really help much in the mean time.

Its funny, I thought that Karting would be huge in JP but it just doesnt seem to be-- i know over here we use Yamaha KT100j and s engines by the bucket load.

[Poida]

Contact M3GTR.. He did some karting here in Japan a while ago.. He might be able to help out there.

[m3gtr]

Petes right there sleeper. I have a friend who was an old student of mine who takes me karting now and then. The guy gave me a suit, rib protector, gloves and boots ( can you believe that one Ken? ) and takes me out to Fujinomiya which may be the track dodgybrooks is referring to. Im going out again on June 2nd to do some testing which should be good. The day after that is an official event for the KT yamaha engined class so i cant wait to get out there and see how i measure up against the guys who do this in real competition!

Its an expensive hobby mate that can turn into a nightmare if your serious about it and cant find support or backing. I have some contacts so im lucky. Usually a foreigner stands out in the crowd when it comes to racers and ive picked up a bit of interest from that alone..doesnt help to put others in the shade as well..

theyre sending my JAF license pete, by the way. Should arrive soon and when i get that things will get very serious. Ive basically got everything i need to start racing and nobuhiko is one great supporter. Dont know why i wasted so much bloody time. This place is great for getting into motorsport..hence the forum!

sleeper, what exactly do you want to do because i might be able to help you out with some info.