HANKO / INKAN (SEALS)







In Japan, seals called 'Hanko' or 'Inkan' are used like
European and Western country's signature.
For example, you have to place your seal to open your
bank account, receipts for registered mail, and so on.

You may think that a signature can't be duplicated
but a seal can be easily misused, and that's a good point.

For important transactions we use 'JITSUIN (registered seal)'
which you need to register at your local ward office or city office,
and used with a certificate of authenticity when neccessary.
You need such a document to register real estate for instance.
Unregistered seals for ordinary use are called 'MITOME-IN'.

However recently, in central Tokyo, many places such as some
major banks and mobile phone shops accept signature of expats.

But still, you really should get at least a Mitome-in.
Stationery stores sell seals with the most common Japanese
names and of course, Hanko with foreign names can be
easily made up for you at a seal shop. 

Inexpensive seals made of wood or plastic are known as
Sanmon-ban.  Expensive ones made of ivory, crystal and such
are said to bring good luck.

5th of June is the 'World Environment Day (Sekai-Kankyo-Dei)'.

OZE MARSHLAND is located in Nikko National Park,
boder among three prefectures; Fukushima, Niigata, and Gunma.

In 1953, Oze was designated as 'National Park Preservation District'
and in 1960, it was designated as 'Special National Treasure'.

This marshland is well known for various species of
plants such as Mizu Basho (skunk cabbages) ,
Nikko Kisuge (yellow alpine lilies), and Watasuge (cotton grass).










Now, this OZE MARSHLAND is coming to Ginza!!

This 'LITTLE OZE' will be set up in Sony Square in Ginza 
just for 10 days from the 1st of June, 2007.

You can walk through and enjoy this beautiful clean,
fresh atmosphere in busy shopping district.


Place: Sony Building 1F., Sony Square (outside event space)
Address: 5-3-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3573-2371
Access: 1-min. walk from Ginza Station on Ginza,
              Hibiya, or Marunouchi Line.
Open hours: 11:00am - 7:00pm
*Admission free.

Plaza Homes is located in Minato-ku, close to
the Tokyo Tower.

Tokyo Tower was completed in 1958.
The design of the tower is based on the Eiffel Tower in Paris,
the hight of the tower is 333 meters and it's actually 
taller than the Eiffel Tower (320 m).

The tower is painted in white and orange-red 
according to air safety regulations.

The main observatory is 150 meters above ground
and you can enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view.
Mt. Fuji can be seen when the weather is clear.

The Special Observatory is on the top floor,
where you can go up using a special elevator from
the main observatory floor with extra entrance fee. 
It's 250 meters above ground.


Fees are as follows:

Main Observatory 
820 yen/adult 
460 yen/child (7 y.o. - 15 y.o.)
310 yen/child (4 y.o. - 6 y.o.)

Special Observatory (Main Observatory fee +)
600 yen/adult
400 yen/child (7 y.o. - 15 y.o.)
350 yen/child (4 y.o. - 6 y.o.)

Hours: 9:00am - 10pm (last admission 9:30pm)

Japanese popular general merchandising store
'UNIQLO' opened a new unique shop in Harajuku.
It is called 'UT STORE HARAJUKU.'.  (UT = Uniqlo T-shirt)

What is so unique about?

All T-shirts are sold in individual plastic bottles.
The way they display them is very interesting too.
They just look like bottles in a fridge of convenience store.
When you pull 1 bottle out, next one comes to the front.
There are about 500 different designs.

First you go inside of the shop, you will find 
sample T-shirts displayed in the middle of the floor.










When you find your favorite design and size,
the sample T-shirt has a tag of rack number to tell you
where you can find the shirt in a bottle.

It has 4 levels, shops are from 1st - 3rd floors,
and the 4th floor is a gallery.  On the 3rd floor, you will find 
computers which you can use to search your favorite T-shirt.
You can search by color and style, and it tells you
which floor you should go and find it!

It's fun just going inside and browse, so when you go to
Harajuku area, look for UT STORE!











UT STORE HARAJUKU.
Address: 6-10-8, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5468-7313
Open: 11:00 - 21:00 (everyday)
Access: 2-minute walk from Meiji-Jingumae Station on Chiyoda Line.
             5-minute walk from Harajuku Station on JR Yamanote Line.

If you are renting a house or apartment now in Tokyo,
you probably heard these words.

For most expatriate-grade properties the lease agreement
will be drafted in Japanese and English, with the Japanese
version controlling.  You should familiarize yourself with the
following lease terms.

                               

RENT
Paid monthly in advance to the owner.  A late fee may be
exacted if rent is overdue.  Payment of first and next month's
rent is generally required upon initiation of the lease.


SHIKIKIN = DEPOSIT
Most of the properties
(except some short term & monthly apartments)
in Japan require a deposit. 
The size of the deposit may vary from two months rent to
four to six months for expatriate grade properties.
The deposit is technically refundable.  In most cases,
a portion of the deposit is deducted to pay for restoration of
property when the tenant leaves.  Restoration costs can be
greatly minimized by careful maintenance of the property.


REIKIN = KEY MONEY
Sometimes called "thank you" money.  A sum generally
equivalent to two months' rent and paid to the owner at the
initiation of the lease.  It is not refundable.


MANAGEMENT FEE
A monthly fee for general building maintenance and, possibly
to defer the cost of an on-site building manager.


AGENT FEE
Industry standard provides for one month's rent to be paid to the
real estate agent as commission.


Thinking about moving in Tokyo?   Visit our web-site
http://www.realestate-tokyo.com/

11th of May (Fri.) - 20th of May (Sun.) 2007

Haru no Zenkoku Kotsu Anzen Shukan
(Spring's National Traffic Safety Week)
starts from tomorrow.  

Speed limit in most of the local streets in Tokyo
is from 30km/h - 50km/h.  Even on express ways
it's from 60km/h to 80km/h.

You will loose your points and
your license can be suspended if you don't follow the
rules such as driving over the limit, illigal parking,
or ignore signs like Stop Sign.

Drink driving is strictly prohibited in Japan.
If you drink and drive, your license will be suspended instantly
or you could be convicted or loose your license
from the result of alcohol level in your blood.

Talking on mobile phones while you are driving is also
illigal in Japan.  Even just holding a mobile phone without talking
you may get a ticket.









During this Traffic Safety Week, police will be standing in
most of the main streets and could be hiding anywhere.

It is important to drive safely EVERYDAY, ANYTIME.

All road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, should be
aware of Japan's road rules.

If you don't know the rules, please get a book called
'Rules of the Road'.

It is an easy-to-read translation of the "Rules of the ways
of the Road" prepared by the National Public Safety Commision.
Road usage diagrams and traffic signs with English translations
of meanings enable understanding of basic driving rules.
It is available in 5 languages 
(English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Hangul)
from JAF offices from 1,000 yen per copy.


Drive safely, and enjoy Spring in Japan!!



TOMARE (Stop) sign.  You must stop at stop signs.

Major Annual Events in May (Tokyo)

Kanda Matsuri
10th of May - 15th of May, 2007

During the festival, a lot of Mikoshi (portable shrine)
is carried with people and paraded throughout Kanda & Nihonbashi.

Where: Kanda Myojin Shrine
http://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/english/e03.html
Access: 5 minutes walk from Ochanomizu Station
             on Chuo Line and Sobu Line
             7 minutes walk from Akihabara Station on
             Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, 
             Tsukuba Express Line or Hibiya Line.











Sanja Matsuri
18th of May - 20th of May, 2007

One of the most famous festivals in Japan.
   

Where: Asakusa Jinja Shrine
Access: 7 minutes walk from Asakusa Station on
             Toei Asakusa Line, Ginza Line, or Tobu Isesaki Line.