DaiOni

blacky - I've translated just about everything but the bottom 1/3 (which, again, is very hard to read - takes a native/skilled person to recognize handwriting like that on face value). A lot of the damage stuff is hard to work out because it's in 'auction speak' - kind of a dialect (or at least, vocab) of its own. I just haven't had time to write it up - maybe tomorrow.

...but, yeah, the basic recipe is the same

sugar absolutely has an influence on taste, as does carbonation - as anyone who has taken a swig of flat coke would know

here we go: ??? BTW, if you're in japan and you've been on a bender, this is my recommendation for a hangover cure: 1. one bottle of aquarius: 500ml - 1L depending on the amount of damage you've done 2. one bottle of this: 3. one bottle of a similar product - it comes in a similar size bottle (small - about 125ml or something), but has a big 'D' on it (white label) My friends laughed at me when I made them try this combo - but they were converted

I actually get what I think are 'sugar cravings' - and I think this is because my body has been so used to the sugar content in my western diet, that it can't handle the level in japanese foods. This started almost immediately after arriving in japan - and nearly three years later, I still get 'attacks' probably every week (easily solved by a choc or soft drink hit). I even went as far as getting a diabetes check - but that wasn't it (so I assume it's a dietry thing). anyone else get that? shan: pocari is an 'ammino drink' that is a variant on the typical 'sports drink' formula. I think they made it the consistency of sweat so the body absorbs it better (just guessing). There was a bizarre version released recently that had an even stranger name, it was 'pocari steve' or something like that - didn't try it though I've never acquired a taste for it - but I drink aquarius (the version made by coke) every single day - love the stuff (will miss it like crazy when I leave)

re: coke - I guarantee if you did a taste test you would definitely realise the difference. coke, as per nearly all japanese soft drinks, is far less carbonated than the western equivalent. That, I know for a fact, but I also believe (opinion) the sugar content is lower. it was one of the very first 'cultural differences' I noticed upon arrival - and I always notice it upon return. The same thing with chocolate - though I must say, and this goes for coke too, I now much prefer the japanese version.

* 99.99% of the time the seller will not ship internationally * if you are doing it yourself, you will need a japanese bank account * you will need somewhere to ship it in japan * I've had to do bank transfers, cod, etc - it never seems to be as easy as simply providing a credit card number (and the only instances where that option was available - not secure) * you will need at least a basic understanding of japanese - I've never seen an online translator that has ever been particularly accurate or useful. You may also have to deal with a japanese seller via email - and they won't understand the gibberish that an online translator will spew out * you have to be very careful, with regards to freight costs - japanese post office/companies charge an arm and a leg - so that great deal on a set of wheels, may quickly spiral into (significant) lost bucks the bottom line: not at all user friendly for international buyers * some awesome deals are out there, but you have to monitor the items constantly * last minute bidding, like anywhere, is a way of life - and a pain in the butt * there are some good deals on new items - but once you factor in shipping, it seems as if the only real benefit is a few bucks saved, and the luxury of not having to leave your house - I can usually get a similar price from autobacs

4 lines in the lower corner (I assume you mean left-hand side, above the box section) - first one means there are stains inside, second one means there is rust on the underbody, I believe the third line refers to the sideskirt (?step) but I have no idea what the damage reference is (reads to me as 'ear surface' - I asked a japanese person, they also had no idea - we think it might be 'auction dialect' haha), likewise the bottom line - I think it's a reference to the dents on the panels (but can't offer any more info than that). Stone chip(s?) on the windscreen Options: the top box says power steering, power windows, bodykit, and ?AW (can't remember what the last one is - I should know...), the navigation system box isn't checked, but... section below options (sales point): says 5spd manual, and factory option navigation system The handwriting is terrible, btw!

...but in that topic - I recall recently reading about a guy who was importing surfboards - now that might be an interesting avenue to consider (given the absurd price of boards in japan)

Question: are the other 'authorities' allowed to answer in this thread, or is this one of those 'rezz only' things? (as the name of the thread might imply) well, I'm going to give 2c anyway Michael - the english teaching thing has been discussed a zillion times and there are a lot of very informative threads - try reading those if you haven't already. Secondly, there is quite a lot of Australian wine on the shelves here now - I live out 'in the sticks' and I can find it at nearly every liquor shop, and in many restaurants. Might be hard to find a worthwhile niche for that particular product. Of course it's do-able, just not sure how profitable it would be. I've heard that importing things (via official channels) is also quite a pain in the arse.

is your name rezz too?

is it possible to get a bigger version of this - impossible to read a lot of it. it's a one owner car rego until march from the kanji, could well mean a stone chip on the windscreen ac, power steering, power windows, bodykit, runs on petrol (yay) looks to have factory option navigation system (yet this isn't marked in the option list) I'll have another look in the morning, unless someone provides more info before then

...or rebirthed (very easy to spot a rebirth though)

nope - only available as personal imports by residents

If you walk into any autobacs and ask to see their catalogue, you will quickly realise that their prices are manufacturer rrp. It's not 'cheap' or 'expensive' - it's rrp! Regardless of this - they very often have some great prices with each 'campaign' (usually seasonal). Not so good for the tourist - but you may get lucky if what you are after = what they have on sale. There are some better prices to be had via the bulk mail-order houses (who you will see advertised in every copy of option, etc). Crystal (in Chiba - takes a couple of hours to get there from central tokyo - via a train or two, a monorail, and feet) is a good example - usually a (somewhat) worthwhile reduction in price for many parts. If you are chasing a bargain you really have to do some research. In all honesty, places like nengun have some extremely competitive pricing - it would only be freight charges (on some items), or very specific items, that would warrant chasing parts in japan. The new items you generally find in places like autobacs 2nd hand, upgarage, etc, tend to almost always be superceeded stock. Definitely some bargains to be had if you're not fussy. 2c Finally, as a relatively long-term resident, I think navigating in japan is a bit of a nightmare - and I have a hell of a lot of respect for postal workers here. If someone had given me my address when I got here and said 'go find it' - I would be living in a rice paddy! It's not surprising that so many cars have navi, and that gps in phones is being seen as a natural evolution.

yeah, as noted - the overwhelming majority of the japanese mini population won't be over 15yrs. I'd take a mini over 95% of the keis - mini wheelbase owns!

地震情報 - look for that kanji on the left side (top, blue section) 'earthquake info'

www.tenki.jp good site for tracking quakes (and weather)

been to disneyland in america? - if yes, don't bother.

kabuki is slower than paint drying. I hear you can (in some places) get tickets for a single act - so you can pop in, see a bit, then leave - that would be my advice. Unless you're the sort of person that thinks opera, or 4 hours of ballet, is a great night out - then it should be right up your alley

for those with lots of baggage: the japanese tend to courier their baggage when travelling (which is why baggage space/travelling/convenience is a pain in the arse - as I've said before, tourist infrastructure is a bit of a blindspot here...). If you don't have the luxury of an airport limo - then you can also take advantage of this. Ask the hotel/hostel receptionist to organise for the baggage to be taken to the airport (make sure you leave enough time though!) - then pick it up at the airport. It's not the cheapest of ideas - but if you've gone mad with shopping, your arms will thank you by the time you reach the airport.

as a baseline figure, the city cycle for an unmodified r32 GTR should be around the 4.7km/l mark (according to driver magazine)* * FD of the same era, according to driver, is around 5.6km/l - for those who are always pick on our fuel economy

1. just don't get caught. I'm guessing it wouldn't be particularly easy to get a good income from NOVA (flexi-time) + part-time, as NOVA hours tend to be afternoon/night - which is also the best time for privates. You could get lucky - you might not. I wouldn't rely on that as a plan. 2. really depends on your actual employer (which goes for any job). Check out their job contract and make your own mind up. Glad I'm not working for a corporate. 3. Impossible to answer - everyone is different. The most important thing is your willingness to use it - that's how you learn. I've been here nearly three years and my japanese sucks. 4. No, not really. Your fear will ultimately be realised

1. australia doesn't have the same public transport infrastructure (not even close) 2. 99.99% of australia doesn't get heavy snow (and therefore doesn't need to put the performance car in the garage for 3-4 months) 3. australia is a BIG country (japan isn't) = big distances to travel 4. australians like to take the car on big holidays - given road tolls in japan - you'd be mad to do the same! 5. australians, on average, aren't as urbanised - and often travel long distances to work (see also 1.) 6. an australian, on average, is more likely to use his performance car as the primary mode of transport 7. australians pay significantly less for fuel but... 8. of course, tampering happens - moreso in regards to auctioned cars Don't believe that ever low km import is a 'fake'

what about part-time jobs though? is the visa requirement still 250,000 per month? (not many part-time jobs offer that). It was my impression that the part time jobs were suited to people who already had a visa of some sort (spousal, renewed, or remainder of a NOVA/JET etc visa). So many jobs these days are advertised as 'for people already in Japan'. It would be a hard way to get started. as for learning mandarin - good luck! It's one of the funkiest (in a scary way) languages I've ever heard (putonghua dialect, in particular). China would be great fun - it's a really interesting place. Wouldn't do it myself though! (for various reasons) I'll echo and add to a few of the sentiments - 1. not 100% necessary - but 99% harder to get a job (a good one) without it. I would think it would be a pre-requisite for an instructor visa, but (as above) have no idea what the rules are these days 2. most corporates will place you in some sort of housing. 99% of government jobs (BoE/city) will provide housing (which you, in most cases, can opt out of - not easy to source housing though...) 3. overwhelming majority don't - it wouldn't hurt, but definitely not required 4. nah. I'm anti-social! But I'm very professional and positive in the classroom. I'd say the #1 requirement (professionally), is confidence - that goes for any teaching. Outside (and sometimes inside) the classroom, you will need a host of skills/attitudes to make the most of life abroad. The best thing, as hinted above - get to know the culture - accept it - adapt to it.