[Diva]

Been in Wellington a month now having spent the last decade in Japan.

Here on a holiday visa for 6 months/year....just getting the feel of the place and seeing what might happen.

Will this be a long vacation or a complete change of life?

Anyway, hello everybody!

[jess]

Welcome!! I've always wanted to go to Japan and do plan to get there. Took Japanese as an audit class in grad school, though I didn't make much progress. A Japanese student I tutored in writing would tell me I was saying things ok but then would helplessly try to hold in the giggles when I slaughtered her language. :o

We live a little north of Wellington. Hope you enjoyed this past month of great weather and that you like life in NZ so far!! :)

[willsken]

Hello and welcome to the forum. A year long holiday.... oh I wish!! :laugh

[Diva]

Welcome!! I've always wanted to go to Japan and do plan to get there.

Well, seizing the moment and jumping on the plane seems to be the spirit of this forum so I'm sure you'll get there. It's worth the effort!

[Diva]

Hello and welcome to the forum. A year long holiday.... oh I wish!! :laugh

Sometimes dreams are better when they don't come true. I'm not complaining (yet) but it is a bit strange having such a large holiday. I'm only 5 weeks down the line but I've already lapsed back into my student days. It's easy to write down a long list of all the brilliant things that will get done but when the reality of seemingly limitless free time hits home....it's quite easy to just stare out of the window.

Luckily I have a nice view of the bay....

With freedom comes responsibilty, as someone once said...

[Moorf]

Ohhh, Tokyo is on our list of "where to go for Xmas" this year as it will be our first one here with no family! We've wanted to go to Japan for ages now!

What do you think - is Tokyo at Xmas a good idea - or steer clear?

Oh, and welcome to the forum :nice1

Moorf

[Diva]

What do you think - is Tokyo at Xmas a good idea - or steer clear?




Well...it depends on what you want from Xmas, I'd guess. The Japanese don't celebrate it in any real way but use the symbols of Xmas to decorate the department stores. December 25th is just another working day. New Year is the main festival and I would certainly recommend going to Asakusa in Tokyo on January 1st if you want to start the year with a bang.

If you are thinking about celebrating Xmas in a nice location with lots of snow then other parts of Japan would be better but, again, you'd have to make your own Xmas. There's a small town in the North of Japan were the locals claim Jesus is buried. Personally I have my doubts about this, but it might be the perfect spot to spend this time of year.

Better get back on topic... Hello everybody!!

[scampi]

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy the ride:yes

[Diva]

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy the ride:yes

Thanks Scampi. This seems a very friendly and gentle place. I've been on expat forums in Japan that are completely feral by comparison. Perhaps this reflects the nature of NZ.......or the fact we can't use hotmail and gmail accounts.

Hmmmm.......:rolleyes:

[scoobydoo]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. Love the graphic - what does it mean in Japanese?

[Diva]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. Love the graphic - what does it mean in Japanese?

Hello there. It's the kanji for 'rice'. It can be pronounced as 'bei' or 'mai' depending on context. It can also mean 'America'.

I chose it simply because I like the design, it doesn't have any special meaning for me. I've seen people with the kanji for 'table' or 'agreement' tattooed on their arms. I don't think they have any idea about the meaning, they just like the pattern.

And as for Chinese kanji.............

[Chiba]

Been in Wellington a month now having spent the last decade in Japan.

Here on a holiday visa for 6 months/year....just getting the feel of the place and seeing what might happen.

Will this be a long vacation or a complete change of life?

Anyway, hello everybody!

You're not alone. I've also been in Japan for 10 years now. Just got to the interview stage of a skilled migrant application and am hoping to haul wife and kids to NZ in time for Spring. We've never been there!

[Diva]

You're not alone. I've also been in Japan for 10 years now. Just got to the interview stage of a skilled migrant application and am hoping to haul wife and kids to NZ in time for Spring. We've never been there!

Well, if you've got kids I'd unreservedly say that they'll have more fun in NZ than they would in Japan...