DaiOni

I can't see why it wouldn't simply follow the registration process of any imported car - but that's just a guess, so, no I can't offer any valid info

ike is what is known in the grammar world as 'imperative form' in english, if iku is 'go', then ike is 'go!' It's really abrubt, and something you'd most likely use with mates/enemies, and not in everyday conversation Gojira: it could be that she was surprised more by the attitude, rather than the language (but, hey, there are prudes everywhere in this world). Taboo word usage is definitely more predominant/effective in western langauges

Don't worry about it - there's bugger all damage outside niigata. I now appreciate the amount of flex in my house (and really understand why the japanese have never caught on to double brick!)

autumn + typhoon = messy!

Teaching family words is problematic - because it depends on perspective (uchi and soto, in(side) and out(side) - a really big cultural issue which could probably be a thread in itself). In simple terms - I would call my older brother ani, and you would refer to my brother as oniisan. from your own perspective, the most general terms are (IIRC, as I don't use them myself, obviously): older brother = ani younger brother = otouto older sister = ane younger sister = imouto (you'll generally hear a -chan whacked on the end of these) father = chichi/otousan mother = haha/okaasan grandpa = ojiisan grandma = obaasan uncle = oji aunt = oba as for swear words - it's not the same thing in japanese culture. You have to remember that western society is far more religious/rigid/uptight in that way - so taboo words have far more impact - and, conversely (strangely enough) there are far more western swear words! Kuso can have a million translations, as you may have noticed, but the direct translation is 'sh1t'. Please don't use I.D. as a substitute for a real education. I recently had a few 21-ish year olds staying with me (anime geeks) and they had some (to me) pretty shocking brainwave patterns... example: *as I point out a r34 NUR * ...meh, don't like the wheels much *as a battered panda ae86 goes past* ...wargHgHH! *splat*

edited: because I called rezz a dickhead, when, in fact, he was quite right (I seemed to have missed a key sentence or two) - sorry, it's just too early in the morning to be actually thinking. For the record, though, I don't think the 'rumour' is changing. At least not in my experience (what I hear, people I know, figures I've read). I think japan has a lot to offer, but it simply has never capitilized on that fact (and, in some ways, inherantly, it can't). Tourism has been on the decline (forever!) in japan.

the current rule is licence transcript + passport. the licence transcript proves you have held the licence for at least three months (12 months if you want a full licence). the passport confirms that you stayed in the country of residence for at least that amount of time. perfect example of very silly red tape however, if you are lucky to live near a non-fascist licence registry - probably a very easy process.

my point? was here; "rumour???? dead-set reality" that is all.

visitor or no, I still think it's too expensive - and the tourist infrastructure really sucks. methinks the sliding yen vs oz dollar is the best motivator

"I think the whole "Japan is really expensive" rumour..." rumour???? dead-set reality (though the rail pass deals help now). Other than trips to tokyo, I've only ventured out of niigata once for a domestic holiday (tokyo-osaka-hiroshima-and back) - and it's no surprise I'm going to china next month (it's cheaper than going to osaka for a week!) as for the shika - have fond memories of a japanese tourist running for his life, chased by a couple of very aggressive bambis (that was at miyajima, though)

sadogashima (the 5th (?) biggest island)

auto exe do cosmo stuff too; http://www.autoexe.co.jp/ (well respected company in japan) - try the third link at the top of the page and scroll down you could also try www.do-eng.com also, try wading through japanese cosmo enthusiast lsites, such as this http://j09g.cside5.com/customize/index.htm to find useful links good luck

Luckily, it wasn't my base school, just a visit school - afaik, nothing has come of it. I was just asked 'are you okay?'

(that's in regards to the unknown kanji in pic 1)

sousa shite kudasai (please operate/move, I think)

first encounter with the police here had nothing to do with cars - we were having a party down at the beach which got a little out of hand - drunk as monkeys we thought it would be funnier to use the lame japanese fireworks (mostly bottle rockets) to shoot at each other. Unfortunately the cops caught us mid-battle. They brought the ticket book out, but when they saw we were gaijin, got off with a caution. second encounter was a few weeks ago. Was late for work, so I was driving about 20km over the limit and overtaking down the main road (no-overtaking zone). Unfortunately one of the cars I overtook was a cop on his way to work (and proceeded to overtake the cars in front of him). When I arrived at work he blocked me off in the car park - I had no idea it was a cop and got out looking angry - then noticed the uniform... He started going on about 'multiple offences' - by then, I knew I was in the sh1t. Handed over my licence (full japanese licence) and admitted I spoke/understood some nihongo (two things I always said I would never do). He wanted me to go to the central police station - that's where I got lucky. I told him I had no idea where it was. By this stage our conversation had been in patchy japanese/english - and when he realised he would have to give complicated directions, I could see in his eyes that look of 'oh sh1t, how do I say that in english???', I continued with more rapid gomens and sumimasens, a little bowing, and basic pleading - and he mumbled 'okay, caution', and left. Very, very lucky. Unfortunately - I was in the school carpark - and it was morning meeting time, so the entire school staff was standing at the windows and watching the entire ordeal :Oops:

'Midnight' is also a manga series (very similar to initial D) based on the wangan runs

The daihatsu naked: car is actually funnier than the name... ...I'm sure it comes in a blister pack, with plastic clips, screws, and a convenient allen key/screwdriver tool (to put it all together) bongo friendee, joypop, vivio (which actually = 660, a reference to the cc), voxy ("the cool!"), homy, every, emina, acty, delica... welcome to japan

lwells: depends on the job, but certainly not a requirement for many jobs. You certainly can get by with next to nothing. However, the more you know the more fun it is. I'm adding another 32. That same bastard who stole my bike! Because he returned it (still with a flat front tyre) and stole my wife's bike! WTF?

FWIW, it's not a kei car

I've actually heard eigojin more than once - I very much doubt you will find it in a jiten though!

funky: To join, I had to use a credit card (used my japanese one - not sure if that mattered) and there is a monthly charge. Either you got lucky with an earlier (free) account, or I accidently clicked the 'premium' account For most sellers (and that includes the shops), they will expect you to do a bank transfer. The handful of people I've dealt with wanted to do shipping via COD - so that could be a hassle. I guess it's up to the seller as to whether they want to deal with the bother of overseas shipping (not sure if COD is an option that way - if not, it's a real pain in the arse) - I would definitely enquire with sellers before bidding - definitely going to require a degree of japanese ability, and ability to, at the very least, be able to type in hiragana

Only a 3.5-dayer for me - every friday is a half day for me --> Niigata shi tomorrow, Nomi/tabehoudai for dinner with friends + visiting brother-in-law and his mate. (aquarium) Fish shopping on saturday. Tourist guide sunday/monday. No rest for the wicked. Going to china in november - so that will be my 'rest' (I need it so bad!)

troy: Perhaps you have the same pension, but slightly different rules governing it (in this case - civil servants vs industry) - we've done the paperwork for other people who have left (you have to have a nominated resident to fill out paperwork for you - I can't remember exactly how it works, but, IIRC, it's something like claiming back the tax on the pension)... anyway, their full refund was completely in well under a year.

hippy: yes Drove a Beat recently. Not even remotely quick, and, being a honda, you have to strangle the throttle to get anything out of it. Potentially very fun though - I'd like to have another go, with more corners.