For our fellow PCS'ng here in Japan- Info for Kids train fare

The train here is very on time. I only once experience that it was late because there might be something happened. I honestly dont understand what the guy saying lol. They had an announcement.

Kids is half off of adult fare. I suggest it is very easy for us to travel if we use suica or pasmo card. You just swipe it off on the entrance booth. You can recharge your card to any ticket machine. If you like to acquire a card then bring an ID to your son or a passport. Go to the window outside Yokosuka chuo station- they will only issue pasmo card. FYI, Keikyu line use pasmo card and JR line use suica.

We got Ben a card and it is very easy for us to travel by train. Mary got jealous since she can get her own card next year when she will be 6.

Three Years Japan Tours

Our Japan Tours

Welcome to Tokyo Disneyland
A happiest place on earth

This post is always on top because I update the date every time I made a post. You can click the link if you wanna read my write ups and can see photos too during our tours here in Japan. Thanks for viewing. You might like to read this Japan Travel Information and Tips. It helps in your trip here in Japan.

October 13, 2008- Ben Sports Day and my wedding Anniversary for 7th year.

October 10, 2008 - My friend's hubby Tom Gamblin was involved in a car crash and his life was taken. It is sad for Thess that he was gone but there is a new life in her womb that needs to take care with. We pray for you Thess and family.

October 6, 2008. October Social for SRF/PSNS Spouse Club Yokosuka.

September 30, 2008. Ben and Mary's Moments

September 28, 2008. We will be having a dinner with Rumi and her friend Yuko at the sushi restaurant at Miura.

September 27, 2008. It was a parents night out and we left the kids to the CDC at the base. Look some information here.

September 14, 2008. First ITT tours we did. Brunch at New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo. After the brunch, we went to Fukagawa Edo Museum and Kiyosume Japanese Garden.

September 4, 2008. The day Ben's starts school.

September 1, 2008. Benjamin's birthday and his party. I was stopped by the police due to talking on the phone while driving.

July 18-Aug 7, 2008. We were there in the Philippines.

July 18, 2008. The day where the last days of Ben's school. The day we left for the Philippines.

June 5, 2008 It is Sumo Day

May 13, 2008. Benjamin's Spring Picnic Field Trip at New Enoshima Aquarium. This is a littleplace but they have an extra ordinary dolphin show.

April 2008: What are we doing this month?

April 18, 2008. Benjamin come home happy from school.
April 17, 2008. Christy was inviting us to bake cookies and cake to her house read more.......
April 9, 2008, Benjamin's first day at school and he is so cute on his uniform. Few photos during the entrance ceremony at Seika Kindergarten School.

April 6-8, 2008, Our Two-day visit in Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. Meet Mickey Mouse at Toontown

April 7, 2008. Day 2. Tokyo Disneyland. I will share the photos and this is at the entrance of the park and they have different main street. It is covered by a roof. This is the beautiful view of the castle before the rain hit. Here are more snapshots and so we are wearing our ponchos..

April 6, 2008. We spent our day traveling to Tokyo and Disney Sea Resorts. This was our photos when we travel to get to Mickey Mouse. You can also read our trip report here. Here's our photos at Disney Sea at the Mysterious Island and so the photos at Mermaid Lagoon. Brian did found a Hidden Mickey at Mira Costa Hotel. Can you find the Hidden Mickey in the photos? Brian and Ben was in line to ride in 20,000 leagues while Mary and I went to the baby center. Benjamin was scared of the dark and does not want to ride. I heard that there is a coming show at the Mediterranean harbor-the Legend of Mythica Show so I waited there until Mary slept. Brian and Benjamin went to the hotel. We were at Venice, you can see the canal.

March 2008: What we up to?

March 27, 2008, We finally attended our church service in Yokohama. It took us 2 hours to get there. View the photos I took here.

March 26, 2008. We have a cherryblossoms viewing inside the Naval base in Yokosuka Japan.

February 2008. What we are doing here in Japan. We just got here.
February 21, 2008. First Day of our new HOME and we run some problems the propane heaters was not working. We don't heat to keep us warm and we could not cook food. Stove was powered by gas.

February 20, 2008. The day we move in into our new home. Tips, let them take all the packing materials and card board boxes. It is hard to get rid off of all the cardboards.. read for more here.

February 18, 2008. It is Holiday and we visited to Tom Murphy's house.

February 17, 2008. Today is Sunday and plan to visit to Kamakura. Read more write ups here on how to get to Hase, Kamakura where the big Budhha in Japan. Photos here.

Wednesday 02-13-2008- Quiet Day but it is windy in the outside today. It is a bad day for Brian, I hope he found his wallet. Maybe his wallet lost.

Tuesday - 02/12/2008

Monday -02/11/2008 Brian finally got our P.O box Address. If you wanna send letters to us or care package then use this address:
Brian, Betty, Benjamin and Mary Skelly
PSC 473 Box 11-160
FPO/AP 96349-0011.

Saturday - 02/09/2008

4th Day at AOB Class - 02/08/2008

Sunday - 02/10/2008. Pls look the narrow streets in Japan.

3rd Day at AOB Class - 02/07/2008 - We went for a house hunting and we ate crepes at Crepes House. Look at our photos.

2nd Day at AOB Class -02/06/2008

AOB Class -02/05/2008

First Monday in Japan - 02/04/2008 We are pretty busy today and trying to get an ID.

Weather in Yokosuka -02/03/2008

We Skip Church -02/02/2008

Life at Navy Lodge- 02/01-20/2008

First day in Japan- 02/01/2008

The day we left in Japan- 1/31/2008, Just read my write ups.

BACK TO HOMEPAGE

PCS to Yokosuka Japan

Moving is not fun!

There are so many things to think. "I wish I had known......". I will post a list of items that newcomers most often stated they wish they had known about before their arrival. Or else send me an email at cmcbeaskelly@yahoo.com if you want to get a copy.

When we moved last Feb 2008, boy! Everything is quick. I don't think it is fun packing in a winter weather with a two toddlers roaming around the house.  We were stressed by our move  

First thing you do: Get an official passport for your family if they are all citizen. If not! then.. The SOFA personnel will stamp your spouse/dependent passport .   

Second Arrange your travel- your stay when you got here. You better have a great sponsor or else you will be lost. It is hard to start to a new place or to a foreign place. 

Third- Pls coordinate to the sponsor coordinator. Ask some info from your command of what to expect to your new home for the next three years. 

Pls let me know if you want to get an information about Yokosuka base on how to expect of living here in Japan....

It is Autumn here in Yokosuka Japan

Autumn is here in Japan. It is really amazing that this country is 4 hours away from the Philippines and the weather is different. This time, it is chilly now. Japanese changed their fashion to fall. Wearing sweater and a little bit heavy jacket.  I took my son to the bus stop this morning and it is chilly outside. My son does not want to wear my jacket serve as a protection from wind chill. But he did not argued with me while we were walking because it is really cold. Oh boy! I think we are pretty much they same weather in Virginia right now. Starting to get chilled.

No Talking on the Phone While Driving

After drop off Minori and Haruki and their mothers. I was talking on the phone and when I turned to 134, the police saw me that I was talking on the phone. He waved his wand/batuta and then I stopped at the side of the road. He knew that my car plate is an american so he asked me if I speak Nihonggo and I said right away"NO". He said, no talking on the phone. I was a bit scared, not scared of having a ticket but I am thinking how much is the fine. He asked my drivers license and they might be calling in the base for an information.

I was so lucky that I did not get a ticket but just a warning. Driving here in Japan is really different. So, you better not talking on the phone while driving.

Travel To Japan- great info for you

Currency

The yen(¥) is the Japanese currency. There are 4 types of notes and 6 different coins in circulation. The bills are in 10.000yen; 5000yen; and 1000yen denominations; and the coins are 1yen; 5yen; 10yen; 50yen; 100yen and 500yen. You can convert foreign currency at any bank; hotel or tourist facility that displays an "Authorized Money Exchanger" sign.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards such as American Express; Visa; Mastercard and Diners Club are accepted at all major hotels; restaurants and tourist facilities. Japan is still a cash based society; so you need to be aware that quite a lot of small restaurants and shops don't take credit card; particularly outside of the big cities.

Traveler's Checks

Only major tourist facilities and department stores accept traveler's checks. It is advised that you exchange them for yen at banks hotels and other exchange facilities.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Japan; so do not feel obliged to.
Hotels and major restaurants will usually add a 10-15% service charge to your bill.

Clothes

A jacket or sweater would be enough in the spring or autumn. Summer is hot and humid so you will only need light clothes.
In winter; a coat would be enough but if you are traveling in the north it is advisable to bring warmer clothes with you. Casual wear is suitable for sightseeing and a lot of restaurants.

Shoes

Bring a pair of comfortable shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking. Do not expect to be able to buy shoes here if you have a large foot. Bring along shoes that you can take off easily because you will need to take them off when entering temple and shrine buildings and some restaurants.

Medicine

Make sure to pack any prescription medicines you need. Japan does have international standard medical services and facilities. Hotels can help you if you need urgent attention.

Electricity

The electrical current is 100 volts in Japan. Furthermore the current in Eastern Japan(Tokyo/Kanto area/Tohoku/Hokkaido) is on 50 Hertz and Western Japan(Nagoya/Osaka/Kyoto/Shikoku/Kyushu)uses 60 Hertz. Japanese electrical plugs are the flat two-pin type.

Toilets

There are two types of toilet. One is western style and the other one is Japanese squat style. Squat toilet is still common in public conveniences. Do not sit directly on Japanese style toilet bowl but squat down astride the bowl facing the hood. In the toilet cubical you should change your footwear to the slippers provided there. Most station public toilets do not have toilet paper and hand dryers. There is usually a vending machine at the entrance. It might be a good idea to bring along your own toilet paper and tissues. You will find packets of tissues handed out free as promotion useful for the toilets.

Smoking

The number of non-smoking cars has increased over recent years on long distance trains. Smoking is prohibited on all short distance and commuter trains. All train stations are non-smoking with the exception of train cabin with designated smoking areas. All subway stations are non-smoking. The number of restaurants with non-smoking sections is increasing but they are still rare. Do not be surprised if you see a Japanese person light up in a non-smoking area especially if they are standing in front of a "No Smoking" sign.

Mobile Phone Manner

All trains and buses have announcements that ask passengers to be considerate of others when using their phones on the train. Some train companies actually ban the use of mobile phones on their trains. It is basically a matter of common courtesy not too talk too loudly when using a mobile phone in public.

Taxis

You can find taxis all over Japan. It is only necessary to use one if you have large heavy suitcases to carry from the hotel to the station. In some remote areas taxis are the only reliable form of transport as buses do not run as regularly. The fares vary according to the taxi company. Empty taxis can be recognized by the red light in the front of their windshields on the passenger side. From 11pm to 5am a 20% surcharge is added. Most taxis only seat 4 people and only have room for 2 large suitcases in the boot. The left rear door is operated by the driver(None of the other doors are). Wait for the door to be opened for you to get in and out of the taxi. The driver will also close it for you. Do not forget to keep your fingers out of the door. Pay the exact fare when you have arrived at your destination and you do not need to tip.

Recycle Time in Japan

If you move in into your new home offbase then you better let them take all the cardboard boxes. Let them help you unpacking your stuff. It is a big mess in the floor but hey! it is a headache to recycle here in Japan. They collected twice a month on cardboard boxes and packing material. You better let them take it to minimize all the hassle. You will be overwhelm during your move.

Here in Japan everybody is doing recycle unless you eat out and pay too much money. But if you eat on base then it is not that much you spent. I will say, it is affordable.

If you live off base in a house, mansion or an apartment and your recycle is not sorting right. Your neighbor told you "recycle properly". But if you live in an apartment or a mansion then they have people or staff checker the trash in every bag.

We live in a mansion but back in the states we called this as an apartment. So we live in a mansion hehehehe. One day, I took out trash and it was PET 1 category of recycle and I use frosted plastic bag because I was out of clear plastic bag. The lady told me use clear plastic bag and I am glad she took my garbage. I saw that she check my trash inside the bag. Just to see to it that I did it right.

One time, it was green trash category. They collect this trash twice a month and if you missed once. You will live with all your trash the whole month. There was 3 bags of trash and it was not sorted the right way. The lady checker discovered it. The shameful thing is, it was own by an American. They could not get away with the Navy Exchange bag inside. They posted photos in every building and has a letter says; it is annoying and disgusting and what stuff inside in it. The bad thing is, there was wig, food trash, nail polish and some others. What a horrible thing. It was not my trash but then I felt shame because it was from my own fellow Americans.

Their trash is labeled burnable refuse (which includes foods, dirty diapers and some others), plastic packaging (which includes plastic bottle not PET 1, packaging and food trays (rinse it if there is food clinging on it), PET 1 categories,Non burnable refuse and Groups collections which is includes cardboard boxes ( properly bundled your cardboard or else they won't take it). There are so many things we learned in here which we don't do it in our normal life back in the states. If we don't follow their rules then you will be cited.

If you wanna live here in Japan. Prepare yourself of what is the law and rules here.

BACK TO HOMEPAGE

The day we move in into our new home

02/20/2008

Move in to our new home

We were so busy last night for packing our stuff but then we manage to pack everything. We were planning to take some stuff to the apartment but then I did not let Brian do it.

At 7AM, Brian manage to get a rental car and then load all our stuff. It fitted everything to one trip. We need to be there at our new place at 8AM because they will be delivering our stuff. We got there late. Brian was a bit scared in driving off base. It is really scary. I was not comfortable sitting on the passenger and kept giving directions to Brian where it made him upset. I finally went to the back and sit next to the kids. Brian was trying to drive in a hurry.

Brian was asking an apology for the guys that we arrived late, he told them that he got lost on his way here. We were not planning to get the rental car early and it is so hard to go the place where you never been to and the street is not properly labeled. I am not sure of what the Japanese driving. It is hard for the directions. It is funny when we saw the 5 tall building, we were quiet happy. We got lost twice and come back to the road. Thanks God my hubby has a sense of directions.

They unloaded our stuff but first the express shipment and then unpacked it. The next is the regular shipment which is about 8000 lbs. The Self Help people came to bring us the furniture that we are borrowing. So, there are three kinds of stuff we received it. The express shipment, regular shipment and the self help which they let us lend furnitures for 90 days. They also brought us the appliance that we needed like convection oven, a Japanese refrigerator and our washer and dryer. The Japanese appliance are pretty cool because we could not read the directions LOL. I tell you, they have a high tech toilet. It wash your butt, dry your butt and the nozzle that comes out can move back and forth when washing your butt. It is pretty cool. There was remote on it.

The Tokyo Gas company came over and restore our power for heat. We use them for heating and cooling system. I was really happy that we have heat at about noon. The guys that brought our stuff, they also unpacked it and bring all the boxes and papers that used when packing our stuff. I just could not believe it the boxes and paper they used.

Recycling here in Japan is pretty hard though. They are very strict in the sorting of the recycle. They have some stuff that they won't take it. I was doing recycle back in the US. Everything were all convenient and sorting was kind of easy.

Japanese people are quiet strict and love to follow rules and law on their country. I say the people are nice and they have fashion and they love children.

The guys were done here about noon and we also relieve that our stuff were unpacked and the problem next is putting it away.