A Train Ride Away

I loved taking train rides when I lived in Japan for 6 months – most trains on the weekdays are pretty empty and so we headed out to one of the small town around Kyoto to the fish market there.  The main reason why I agreed to live in Japan for 6 months – for a hotel that was being build was because of the food in Japan.  I love food so much  – I wanted to try just about anything and everything while I was in Japan.

The fish market had an amazing range of seafood – from oysters to crabs and prawns.

We ended up eating some set lunch – which wasn’t too bad – but had sushi with it too.  The magaro was so fresh – I can still remember it today.

Repairing Cars In Japan

Someone asked me – if there was a place to repair your cars in Japan – because as tourist – you don’t get to see places like that.  Of course there is!   how can Japan not have many of those right?  after all, they produced Kazuki Nakajima for the Italian Formula  Grand Prix in 2008.  I heard that one if lucky can even catch Kazuki in a garage with his Mechanix gloves on and tinkering with his cars.  Nakajima is the son of the retired Formula One driver Satoru Nakajima and even his younger brother is a racing driver.  What an interesting family and handsome boys too.

American Car In Japan

Someone asked me if there were American cars in Japan and yes ! there is – I’ve seen even a Harley in Japan many a times.  But like out American things – I think you need to import them and they are not cheap at all.  Are American cars popular in Japan ?  I don’t really think so – because cars like Toyota and Mitsubishi are just as popular then – now I don’t really know though since I haven’t gone back to Japan for a long time.   But yes! my girlfriend insisted on a PT cruiser when she had her twins – her husband – Taka – imported the car from America for her before she gave birth to the twins.  During her baby shower – the new American car was presented to her by her spouse and she was so excited – she couldn’t sleep for a few nights.  It was unbelievable that her spouse would go thru’ so much trouble to make her happy – she said – I think she couldn’t sleep because she had mixed feelings – happy and feeling guilty – altogether – if she wasn’t pregnant – she said she would have taken some sleeping pills – because when she did finally sleep – she slept for a good 16 hrs.  Poor girl!

Driving In A Foreign Country

So you have been in Japan for a year now and wants to be able to drive.  Buying a car in Japan was definitely cheaper than Singapore – where you need to get the COE (Certificate of Entitlement) which cost a bomb.  So unless you only want a scooter license, you will have to eventually go through the process of converting your home driver’s license to a Japanese one.   But since you can use your driver’s license for only one year from the date you enter Japan.  Please take note though – once that year expires – you need to change it to a Japanese license – by taking a written or what we called the practical test.  But make sure you do it 3 months before it expires because that’s how long it will take.  Don’t even attempt to drive after your license expires because the fine is ridiculous and I’ve heard of people losing their Visa over it.  Then find the  cheapest car insurance and you are on your way to driving around a foreign country legally.

Truck Drivers In Japan

If you have been to Japan – you will know that the traffic is horrid – and for truck drivers or bus drivers – they really have to be extra careful on the road.  But a co-worker had told me that truck drivers and bus drivers in Japan are paid pretty well – some even put all their children through university by driving trucks.   i don`t know what their benefits are – but as compared to the truck drivers in United States – I think they are paid differently too.  In the States – truck drivers can get into accidents just as often as the drivers in Japan – but in the States – they have Texas truck accident lawyer to help them with compensation – as for the Japanese truck drivers – i think they have to join some kind of union to be drivers.  But don`t quote me – i could be wrong.  All i know that roads on Japan is just as bad – you can be stuck in traffic for an hour sometimes.

New Hybrid Cars By Toyota

Yes – you heard right and i’m all excited because Toyota announced today that they will have not one – not two but six new hybrid cars by the end of 2010.  They are said to be greener cars and with cheap car insurance that we get around here – I can’t wait to see them and test drive them.

Unlike back home – cars are relatively cheaper and affordable and so is car insurance – we just got our truck insurance for a very reasonable price – so the spouse and I were talking about getting another car for me – and if the hybrids are anything like the Prius – i could definitely drive one of those.

As well as the new hybrid models, which run on petrol and electricity, Toyota will also unveil a fully electric version of its RAV4 sports utility vehicle later this year, the spokesman said.  The model, developed with its US partner Tesla, will be revealed at the Los Angeles auto show in late November.

Toyota Showroom In Tokyo

Love the Toyota showroom in Tokyo.. and if you are ever in Tokyo.. you have to go see the showroom.  Going into the showroom is free, you can even test drive the latest model.. but was told that one has to make booking or arrangements way in advance.  There are all sorts of cars – from family vans to sports and convertible, plus buy all your car accessories there. I was there when they had that opening ceremony for the display at Toyota Universal Design Showcase in 2004. Toyota and Matsushita opened the biggest showroom in Japan, i was totally in awe.  So don’t forget to drop in at the Toyota Showroom, opens daily i heard.

The Japanese And Their Auto Obsessions

Yes… Toyota is still the very much “In” car for the Japanese but not just any Toyota are popular but the Hybrids I heard are another popular and fast becoming an obsession for trendy Japanese nationals.  If you look at the Honda Insight and other models being powered by electricity and gasoline.

The enthusiasm for hybrids is also a result of new models arriving in showrooms. Toyota introduced the third-generation Prius in May; in June, it was the best-selling car in Japan, elbowing aside the Insight, which in March became the first hybrid to hold the top sales spot.

At 10, 000 insights sales a month.. it must be pretty good to be Honda right now.  In fact, sales is so good, i hear that there is a 5 months waiting period for one in Japan.  Now that’s just crazy you would say .. but nope.. with gas being so high..   i donch blame them for wanting a smaller car.

“Ordinarily, small cars don’t have much status, but people don’t care about changing from a bigger vehicle to a smaller vehicle if it’s a Prius these days,” said Toshiyuki Yokoyama, the general manager at Kanagawa Toyota Motor Sales, which runs about 50 dealerships in and around Yokohama. “Suddenly, everyone wants the car as soon as possible.”

Keisei Skyliner

A girlfriend of mine who is on holiday in Japan at this very moment while i am typing this, wrote me an email to ask if there was anyway she can get around to the airport without paying an arm and a leg.  Interesting i said.. but you know, a lot of ppl are gonna be like her and think that the only transport is a cab or a pre-arranged limo.

But truth be told, the cheapest way to the airport is the Keisei Skyliner.  It is not only reliable.. it is fast and very comfy and most importantly, you don’t have to pay thru’ your newborn.  Check for the airport express that leaves from the central of Tokyo to Narita airport on a daily basis.

The Skyliner & Metro Pass is a convenient and valuable pass that allows you to ride the Skyliner connecting Narita Airport and central Tokyo once, and to use all of the Tokyo Metro lines as many times as you like for one or two consecutive days at a reduced cost.

No Imported Cars

Of course there is .. !! i was in Japan for 6 months.. and they are everywhere.  So whoever say that there is no imported cars in Japan must be joking.. hahahha!!   But having said that.. imported cars are expensive to bring into Japan.