Neil Duckett

It would probably be more accurate to say “The Cost Of Living In Tokyo” considering that’s where my figures are derived but i’m sure you can make the necessary adjustments for cheaper, less inhabited areas.

It’s a question i had to research prior to making the decision to live in Japan and in important question to have some answers to when you’re trying to establish what sort of coin you need to earn in Japan to live a similar or better existance to what you’re used to at home. Finding meaningful figures before come here was hard, i have included an example at the bottom.

The factors affecting where i chose to live in Japan were considerably different for me than those in Australia, for anyone reading this and thinking of moving to Japan you will need to consider these also.

My work is in Hon-Atsugi, and currently not negotiable, which is 50 kms South of Shinjuku on the Odakyu line. Working back from Hon-Atsugi it takes me 15 minutes in a Bus or Taxi and 43 minutes on the Limited Express from Shinjuku station so already i am up for 2 hours travel each day.

First decision, i need to live on or as close to the Odakyu Line as possible, adding another train to get to and from Shinjuku each day would add unneccessary time to my already long day.

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Prior to moving to Japan i had never eaten Ramen, now i can’t live without it. Most weekends for lunch i visit a local Ramen shop in Yoyogi or if i’m visiting a new station on the JR Yamanote Line then i’ll get my fix there.

Ramen comes in all different flavours and naturally i’ve got my favourites. I generally lean towards a Miso base with either a flavouring of Onion or Chashew with an Egg for topping.

One of the only good things about working in Hon-Atsugi is the Ramen down that way is good, very good, and it’s hard to get anything close to it back up here in Tokyo. Luckily for me i have a good shop a few minutes walk from home, just in front of the North Exit of Yoyogi station.

Today i went for the Negi (Onion) Miso Ramen, and once again it hit the spot.

It’s a very Japanese thing to do, taking photographs of your food that is, and i find myself doing it more and more these days.

Going through my phone last week after my trip to Nagoya i was surprised to see how many photos of past Ramen experiences i had. Here’s some of the favourites from Hon-Atsugi and in and around where i live.

As i continue the 29 stops of the JR Yamanote Line series i’ll make sure i have Ramen for lunch, it will probably become a series of its own.

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Last weekend i went down to Nagoya with some Friends. The plan for the weekend was pretty basic, down Saturday morning and back Sunday afternoon via the Shinkansen, with plenty of food and drink in the middle.

Saturday was just that, we got in at lunchtime so it was straight down to a local restaurant for a few of Nagoya’s recommended dishes, i had the Miso Tonkatsu set … i think that’s what it was called.

Saturday night there was plenty of eating and drinking at a Friends place followed by a trip up to Karaoke around 10pm for the second party ….. bound to be a little more rowdy, so best done away from those trying to get some sleep.

Sunday after a slow start we were able to fit in a little sight seeing and Tokugawaen was the place suggested. It was a cracker of a day getting into the mid 20’s and there were no shortage of people out soaking up the great weather.

Unfortunately i forgot my camera so i had to make do with my phone which actually took some pretty good shots all things considered. Needless to say upon arrival back in Tokyo Sunday night it was off for a Sasebo Burger around the corner from home at Zatts, followed by a pretty quiet night on the couch … Monday still came round too quick.

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Only In Japan - was the subject of the email i was forwarded this week. I guess that’s the preception of Japan from elsewhere in the world that anything wonderful and weird in Asia has come from Japan.

Sadly in this instance i think the subject of the email is misleading and these pictures were actually taken from China, i’m happy to be proven wrong and would love to know more about these vehicles.

Japan are known for leading technology and concepts when it comes to vehicles and the Tokyo Motor Show is testament to that.

These bikes that transform into car trailers are as strange a 2 wheel transport as i’ve seen an example of far more impressive technology than i witnessed in Transport for Two In Taiwan late last year.

So if you know more about these or can read Chinese proficiently enough to track these pics down from the sites on the images i’d be happy to hear from you.

I’m off to Nagoya this weekend so my journey to Harajuku to cover the 29 stops on the JR Yamanote Line will have to wait another week.

“Harajuku (原宿 “meadow lodging”) is the common name for the area around Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo, Japan. The area is known internationally for its youth style and fashion.”

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So onward I push on my journey to cover all 29 stops on the JR Yamanote Line with today’s trip taking me to Hamamatsucho.

After 23 minutes from my home station Yoyogi only to find i’d actually used this station several times to connect with the Monorail to go to Haneda Airport. I’d usually take the Toei Oedo Subway and change at Daimon, now i know i’ve realised how much easier it would be to use the JR line instead … the connection is much easier when you have luggage.

The ride past Hamamatsucho was the original inspiration for me to visit all 29 stops on the JR Yamanote Line. I can’t remember where it was i was going, but on route through this station i saw scenes i hadn’t previously seen so today i was off to explore in greater detail.

Right next door to the station was the Kyu-Shiba Rikyu Gardens and for 150 yen you can spend all day there if you like.

“The focal point of the garden is the large pond, Sensui, which like Hama Rikyu’s pond still is, was once filled with seawater from Edo Bay by means of a inlet, that can still be seen.

Nowadays the lake is freshwater and contains a number of islands, rock formations and massive carp”  - Japan Visitor

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