Archives for the ‘Featured Story’ Category

Japanese Tourists - The Best In The World?

By billywest • Jul 8th, 2008 • Category: Featured Story, The Latest

Who are the worst tourists in the world in your experience? People often complain about American tourists as being loud and obnoxious while demanding everyone speak English, even in their own countries. I used to think, Hey, that’s probably true. I mean, being American and spending most of my life in America, I was pretty familiar […]



Tokyo Style: Keeping An Eye On Fashion In Japan

By billywest • Jul 7th, 2008 • Category: Featured Story, The Latest

Are you a slave to fashion? I’m not, but I do like to people-watch. And, Tokyo is a great city for doing just that. I can spend an hour or two at a café with outdoor seating just watching people go by in places like Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Ikebukuro. Of course, attractive girls will always […]



Japan National Health Insurance And Pension Plan

By billywest • Jul 3rd, 2008 • Category: Featured Story, The Latest

There’s a lot of confusion regarding Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme (Kokumin Kenkou Hoken - 国民健康保険) and National Pension plan (Kokumin Nenkin - 国民年金). The big questions are, Do I have to register in a public health insurance scheme here in Japan if I am going to remain in the country for a year […]



Reflections on Unexploded WWII Bombs in Japan - Pt. 2

By Shane Sakata • Jun 30th, 2008 • Category: Featured Story, The Latest

Roy Kaiser shared some interesting information about the bombs that were dropped on Tokyo in Part 1 of Reflections on Unexploded WWII Bombs in Japan and today he talks about three different disposals that he participated in as a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team based out of Ikego Army Ammunition Depot in […]



Reflections on Unexploded WWII Bombs in Japan - Pt. 1

By Shane Sakata • Jun 28th, 2008 • Category: Featured Story, The Latest

The recent 7:10 to Tokyo article, Unexploded WWII Bombs In Japan- How Many Are Out There?, provoked some interesting responses but it came as a bit of a surprise to hear from someone who was actually on the ground in Japan disposing of these remnants from WWII. Roy Kaiser took an interest this article and […]



Into The Summer - Best Of Japan

By billywest • Jun 24th, 2008 • Category: Featured Story, The Latest

Atsuuuuiiii! You hear it all summer long in Japan, and indeed, many people complain about the long, sweltering days and damp, sleepless nights. But for me, summer is a great time to be in Japan. Fireworks shows, local festivals, yukatas and Mt. Fuji climbing excursions… These are just some of the things that make summertime […]



Japan’s DoCoMo and au by KDDI: Rip-Off Artists?

By billywest • Jun 21st, 2008 • Category: Featured Story, The Latest

 

They are the big 3 of Japan’s mobile phone world: DoCoMo, au by KDDI, and Softbank. You see their shops everywhere you go; in and/or around train stations, in large shopping malls and giant electronics stores like Bic Camera or Yodobashi. Quite often you see cute girls in skimpy shop uniforms in front of the […]



Rain Dampens Spirits During Sunday Ohanami in Tokyo

By billywest • Mar 31st, 2008 • Category: Events, Featured Story, The Latest

It was a chilly, overcast day. However, hordes of Tokyoites gathered in various spots around the city to take part in Ohanami, the viewing of cherry blossom trees in bloom, which is usually only possible for one and a half to two weeks each spring. Some people make the most of an afternoon by hitting various […]



Welcome to 7:10 to Tokyo

By billywest • Mar 13th, 2008 • Category: Featured Story, General

 Sevententotokyo.com is where you’ll find news, information, and opinions about what’s going on in the Land of the Rising Sun. Don’t let the title fool you, it’s not just about Tokyo; it’s about the entire country. Though the contributors here would like to think they know all there is to know about this place, the truth […]