In Japan, there are individual homes as well as

5. Daily Living
    • Types of rental homes in Japan In Japan, there are individual homes as well as apartment buildings. There are both public and private rental properties. 1) Public Housing In Hokkaido, for people that have trouble with housing, public housing has been established and is available for rent. There is a pre -designated application period. There are many people that wish to live in public housing so tenan ts are chosen by a lottery. There are certain terms such as income for people to apply. As a general rule, a guarantor is necessary. For foreigners (non-Japanese), if they have applied for foreigner registration, they can apply regardless of nationality. Please consult your local City/Town/Village Hall for more information. 2) Private Housing Search the internet or phone books for real estate agents who can help search for housing. enting is explained below: • Co-Signer When you sign the lease, as a general rule a co -signer is necessary. A co-signer is a person who, in the event of the tenant not being able to pay the rent, will pay the rent for the tenant. In general this is an individual with at least a fixed income. Please ask someone that you know well such as a superior at work, a co -worker, or a friend. • Money needed when you sign the lease. The total cost can be about 5-10 months rent. The breakdown of this amount is explained below. 1) Rent (Yachin) This is the cost to rent the room. This varies depending on building and upkeep costs, whether or not t here is a public bath and other attached facilities. Even in the same type of room there are differences such as the floor, how much sunlight hits the room and so forth. Rent is paid every month. When the lease begins mid -month rental cost will be based on day-by-day cost. 2) Application Money (Moshikomikin) When you find a room that you are interested in, express that you would like to rent it to the landlord, and pay thi money to guarantee it remains available. For a fixed period of time the room will be set-aside for you. When the lease contract has been arranged, required fees such as the security deposit will be needed. If due to the review process for a tenant, a contract is not signe d these fees will be returned. If the applicant cancels the deal, it will not be returned. 3) Security Deposit (Shikikin) This is money that is entrusted to your landlord. Interest will not be accrued. Money equal to 1 to 3 months rent i a common Shikikin. When you move out, the Shikikin will be used for rent or heating and lighting bills that ar overdue as well as cleaning and repair of the apartment. Whatever money is left over after this will be returned, but usually the deposit is not returned in its entirety. 4) Key Money (Reikin) At the time of the contract this m oney is customarily paid to the landlord. Often the amount is 1 to 2 months rent. You will never get this money back. Some places require no Reikin. 5) Finders Fee (Chukairyo) This is a commission paid to the real estate agent who introduced the apartme nt. Usually this amount is about one month’s rent. 6) Prepayment Rent (Zenno Yachin) This is a system in which rent is paid one month early, so at the time when the contract is signed one -month’s rent will be paid. • Below are some other fees that you may have to pay each month. 1) Common Area Fee (Administration Fee): This is a charge for the upkeep of the buildings stairways and corridors and so forth as well as cleaning, electricity, sewage and garbage pickup. 2) Parking Fee: This is the fee for parking your car. 3) Damage Insurance: This is the fee required for insurance for personal belongings and so forth. The insurance cos depends on the type of building and the scope of the insurance. Depending on the type of insurance, the cost of repair for damages caused by fire or water leakage will be compensated. • Written Contract To avoid trouble before signing, confirm the content of the contract, receive an explanation of the important parts, and ONLY after you understand and agree to it please sign or stamp it. The landlord, tenant and co -signer will each sign and keep a copy of the contract. When you sign the contract, you will also pay the deposit. The contract is proof of length of the lease, the deposit and so forth; so until you leave the term of the lease, keep a copy of it safe. The contract is in Japanese, so you should get a person who speaks Japanese well to confirm its contents before you agree to it. • Contract Procedure/ Confirmation Items 1) Documents Necessary for a Contract In general the documents listed below are necessary. Foreigner Registration Card Proof of Earnings (For the purpose of insuring rent can be paid monthly). Please have you r employer or source of income issue this. 2) Damage Confirmation Check to see if there is any damage already in the apartment. If there is damage, before you move in, have your real estate agent confirm the damages and give you a document stating this. If you do this, when the time comes to move out you can avoid problems with the damage deposit. 3) Move-In Day As soon as it is possible to move in, you must begin paying rent. 4) Length of Contract and Method of Renewal Leases are usually 2 years in length, however if you wish to continue living in the same place you should begin the renewal process one month before your contract ends. At that time you will pay the landlord a renewal fee. The renewal fee is usually equal to one month of the new rental rate. 5) Methods of Payment and Date of Payment In general, rent is collected before the end of the month for the following month. Generally the method of payment i automatic withdrawal from a bank. 6) Prohibited Items Confirm if keeping a pet, playing an instrument, etc are prohibited in the building. 7) Method of Canceling the Lease You must notify your landlord beforehand if you wish to cancel your lease agreement. 8) Ask how to use how to use heaters, etc, how garbage is collected, when it is your turn to do the sweeping etc. • How to Avoid Trouble (Rules/Customs Regarding Japanese Homes) Due to language difficulties and differences in culture some landlords and real estate agencies hesitate to rent to foreigners Landlords are also quite strict when there is a complaint about a foreigner. Please be aware of the following: 1) Usage of the Room Rental Properties as a general rule cannot be remodeled. When you move it must be returned to its original condition. If you want to add anything to your room, make sure to consult with your landlord and receive permission. If the room ha been damaged to the point of not being able to return it to it original condition, either the damage deposit won’t be returned or the landlord will request reparation . Using the room for purposes other than living is also forbidden. 2) Notification of Roommates At the time of the lease agreement you should notify your landlord. There have been evictions because of roommates of which the landlord was not notified. Please ask your landlord for perm ission to share a room. This does not apply to friends and family “staying over” for a number of days. 3) Subletting is Prohibited Lending out the apartment for 1 month or a longer period of time to an acquaintance while the tenant is not present is NOT allowed. It is forbidden by law, so if you sublet, the lease agreement may be forfeit. 4) Shoes are prohibited In Japanese homes, shoes are not worn inside. Please remove your shoes in the entranceway before entering. If the insid of the house is dirty due to wearin shoes, repair costs for the floor or the tatami may be required. 5) Noise In communal living spaces, noise carries easil . Please don’t be noisy (especially late at night or in the early morning). 6) Use of the Veranda If you must use the veranda for the purpose of an emergency exit, so please do not block the exit. 7) Use of Common Areas You may not leave your belongings in the stairways or hallways outside your room. 8) Bicycle Parking Area/ Car Parking Lot Please park in the designated area. Please do not park in the street. 9) Garbage Collection For more information, please refer to the following “Garbage an Recycling” section. 10) Other Warnings For water leakage and so forth, there may be other charges that are your respo nsibility. • Move-out Procedures • Moving Companies There are companies that specialize in this. If you want to request one, it is a good idea to get a estimate on the cost from the company. If you want to move by yourself, there are also rental car companies that will lend a car for moving.    
 • Public agencies that require notification of a change of residence are listed below. Electric / Gas / Sewage / Telephone / Post Office / Credit Companies / National Health Insurance / Personal Seal (Inkan) Registration / School Changing (moving out) Procedure (Elementary and Middle School) / Alien Registration Card / Driver’s License Notify the above places BEFORE you move!   • Disposing of Garbage In Japan, we separate garbage into ce rtain categories. Each city, town and village separates garbage differently, and garbage collection days, places, and times are different depending on the area where you live. Please ask your neighbors or your local City/Town/Village Hall for details about how to separate and put out garbage. So as not to cause trouble with your neighbors, please follow the garbage separation guide lines of your city/town/village (Garbage will only be collected on set days) . You ca only put out garbage in a certain location , and if you put out your garbage wherever you feel like, you will be punished (Illegal Dumping). • General Garbage Separation Garbage needs to be separated into burnable, non -burnable, recyclable, hazardous, and oversized garbage categories. In most towns, burnable, non-burnable and oversized garbage disposal is not free. Burnable and non-burnable garbage must be put in designated bags that you must buy (usually come in 3 sizes). For oversized garbage you must buy a sticker or ticket or they will not accept the garbage. Ask your neighbor about the particulars of separation, and separate your garbage well! • Oversized Garbage The way you dispose of oversized garbage, like home electronics (excluding air-conditioners, TVs, refrigerators and washing machines) and furniture, differs from town to town. Some towns have set days for putting out oversized garbage w hile in other places you must contact them beforehand to have them pick it up. In most towns, you must pay a set price to buy a designated ticket or seal to put on the oversized garbage. Please consult your local City/Town/Village Hall for more information . • Air-conditioners, TVs, Refrigerators, Freezers and Washing Machines These items can not be thrown away as oversized garbage. When throwing them away, you have to ask the retail store you bought it from (or the store you are going to buy a new one from) t o take it. You will then pay them a recycling and handling fee. • Recyclables (Free Pick-up) Old newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes, paper milk cartons, bottles, cans, and PET bottles are recyclables that are collected separately by most towns as re -useable resources. What is recyclable or not differs from town to town. Ask your neighbors or your local City/Town/Village Hall about how and when to dispose of recyclables. Be aware of changes to the garbage system in your city/town/village.
   Postal Service takes place in the building with the postal mark " " on it. For more information, please contact: TEL 0570-046-111 (From mobile phone 0570-046-666) “YUUBIN” Homepage http://www.post.yusei.go.jp (Japanese) http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/index.html (English) • Home Delivery Services A home-delivery supplier can deliver luggage ( mainly food, documents, and clothes ) to your home. If you are absent at the time of delivery, an "absent communication slip" is put in your mailbox. When you receive an absent communication slip inform the home-delivered service of your desired delivery time. • Telephone • The fixed line and the public telephone There are both fixed line and a public telephone lines. The fixed line is a telephone line that i installed in a home or a company. There are public telephones near the station o r in front of some stores that can be used with a 10 yen coin, a 100 yen coin, or a phonecard. • To put a new telephone line in your house To put a new telephone line in your house, you must apply to NTT or some other telephone company To apply for a telephone line, you will need some sort of personal identification, such as your passport, your alien registration card, or your driver’s license. There is a charge for installati on. When you apply, you decide the date the technician will come for installation. You must be in your house on the day of installation. For NTT, please dial “116“ without an area code or an exchange code for more information. If you apply to a phone company other than NTT, please consult with that company. • Information Numbers NTT When you change addresse or have questions, please dial “116” without an area code or an exchange code. When the line has a problem, please dial “113” without an area code or an exchange code. When the person you are trying to call is busy for an unusually long amount of time, please dial “114” without an area code or an exchange code.        • If you want to purchase a mobile phone Currently, mobile phones are available in almost all areas of Japan. There are different mobile phone companies. Please consult each company. • When you need to place a collect call or a credit call, Please dial “106” without an area code or an exchange code. • How to dial international calls International dial call:001+010+(country code)+(area code)+(phone number) • How to dial international calls from a public telephone The rate of phone call will be based on the distance from the recepient of the call. In case of a local call, 10 yens per 60 seconds. ! CAUTION ! The international phone call is not available except from the following type of public telephones. Please use green telephones with gold front panel or gray telephones and with the sign , lnternational Domestic . It is possible to make international phone calls using coins and phone cards. • Phone Bill Payment The phone bill will be automatically deducted from your bank account. You can recieve the account transfer application at the teller window. Then, a n inkan (a name stamp) or a signature that was used when opening the account is necessary. Because the contract number is sometimes necessary, you should take both your bill and receipt. An international long-distance telephone can call inexpensively and can be used easily anywhere such as a public telephone using the prepaid type card which can be recharged an unlimited number of times at most convenience store. • Consultation and inquiry of telephone NTT information TEL 0120-364-463 (English speakers available) 9:00a.m. 5:00p.m, everyday The telephone numbers which start from “0120” are free. Homepage http //www.ntt-east.co.jp/ Japanese http //www.ntt-east.co.jp/index_e.html English Please consult the phone company near you for more information. • Internet • How to connect to the internet There are two ways to connect to the internet, one that requires a NTT line and one that does not. In case where an NTT line is necessar , NTT will install it after you apply for service. Please directly consult NTT-east for more information. If you don’t need a NTT line, please call the internet service provider directly for an application and decide when to install. Please be aware that for installation, consent from the owner of your building is necessary. Please consult the internet service provider for more information. Otherwise, you can find information about internet service providers at an electrics shop near you. • Other places where internet is available Internet cafés (charged), or there are internet kiosks which can be used for free in public facilities in each towns and villages. In the case of Obihiro city, The Obihiro library and the second floor of the Obihiro city office can be used. • Telegrams • Domestic telegrams Telegrams are available through NTT. To apply for a telegram by phone dial “115” without an area code or exchange code. • International telegrams Please ask about international telegrams or an international telex at KDDI.       
           • Using Electricity When you first start using electricity in your home, write your name, address, and the date when you started using the electricity on the postcard inside your breaker box, and mail it in. * Hokkaido electricity is 100 volts at 50 hertz. * Be aware that there are electrical appliances that won’t work at different volt or hertz levels. ! CAUTION ! If a certain electrical appliance uses a lot of electricity all at once, you may exceed your s ervice’s ampere limit, or you may blow your breaker. In that situation, turn off some electric appliances or lights that you were using and flip the breaker switch back to the “on” position. If you would like to increase the amperes of your service, apply at your local electric company. They will increase your ampere capacity by installing a new breaker, but your electric fee will increase. You can also apply through an electrician. • Cutting off electric service About 4 or 5 days before you want your electricity service cut off, contact the Hokkaido Electric Company. You may need to tell them your user number.  • Using Gas There are two types of gas that are used in homes; “City Gas” and Propane. The type of gas used can differ from place to place.       Using devices that don’t match the type of gas in use can be extremely dangerous. Be careful to use your gas correctly as it can be very dangerous. • Gas Appliances Check to see if your appliance uses City Gas or LP Gas before using it. The gas it uses should be written on the applianc itself. • When something is wrong If you notice something strange about your gas, turn off the main / shut the meter cock immediately. Open a window and don’t use any flames in the house. DO NOT touch any electric switches or outlets. Propane gas is heavier than air, so you can wave it out of the house with a broom, etc. If you notice something wrong with your gas, contact your gas company immediately, even if it’s the middle of the night or a holiday. In the case of propane gas, there is contact information written on the tank. Contact your gas company about any gas leaks in the Tokachi area. • How to pay for Electricity or Gas Services You can pay the bill sent to your house before the due date at the bank or the post office. You can have the money deducted from your account at the bank or post office. Simply go to the bank or post office whe re you have an account and fill in the application form for automatic payment. You may need to bring your inkan (stamp) or sign some forms. You also may need your contract number so bring in your bills or receipts. ! CAUTION ! Application procedures and l ocations, service types, and names may differ from place to place. Please contact the companies below for details: Electricity Hokkaido Electric Company, Hokuden Keiyaku Center (office is located in Sapporo TEL 0120-12-6565 Gas Japan Gas Association Home page http://www.gas.or.jp/index.html English http://www.gas.or.jp (Japanese)    Most homes in Tokachi us kerosene for their heating fuel. Whenever using a small heating appliance (called a "stove" in Japanese) that is not connected to an exhaust pipe (for ventilation), don’t use it for long periods of time without proper ventilation. Always try to ventilate y our house well (by opening outside doors or windows) to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Other houses in Tokachi have a kerosene tank that is located outside of the house. These houses use heating "stoves" that are connected to exhaust pipes. There are two types of heating stoves available in Tokachi. One type is called FF style. This type of stove has the exhaust pipe connected directly to the back of the stove. The other type of stove is a chimney style. This type has a chimney exhaust pipe that is located in the ceiling and ventilates directly from the vent. Before purchasing a heating stove, be sure which type can be installed in your home. Local electronics and home improvement stores sell a wide variety of heating stoves. Whichever style of the heating stove you decide to purchase, remember that you will need to also buy kerosene heating oil regularly (or LP gas, depending on the stove). You must contact a sales office near your home to schedule deliveries of kerosene heating oil to your house.    Faucet water is sterilized and safe to drink. If your drinking water smells strange, you should boil it and then let it sit for a while. Afterwards, the water should be safe for human consumption. If the color of your drinkable water appears strange or water leaks from the water pipe, please call your local Suido (waterworks) Department. • When having your water service turned on or off, please consult your local city/town/village hall or Suido Department for more information. When calling any of these offices, you will need to tell them your name, address and water meter box number. • Water fees include the following; a set monthly basic service fee and a water usage fee (Monthly cost depends on how much water you use). These two fees will equal your total monthly water bill. Each city or town bills in a different way. Some cities or towns bill once a month. Others bill only once every two months. • Two Payment Option : The first is automatic payment (withdrawal) through your bank or post of fice account. The second option is having the paper bill sent to your house, then taking the bill to your bank, post office, City/Town/Village Hall or convenience store and pay with cash. When paying with automatic withdrawal, please remember that your monthly bill amount will be automatically withdrawn from your bank or post office account. If you decide to do automatic payments, you will need to go to your local bank or post office and fill out a “jido furikomi moshikomi sho” (credit transfer application) . At that time, please bring the same "INKAN"(stamp) that you used to open your bank or post office account. If you don't have an "INKAN", a hand signature is O.K. Your contract number (it is written on your bill coming from the Suido Department) might be required, so please bring the bill or receipt sent to your house. • Be careful when using water during the winter time. During extremely cold weather, water pipes may freeze or burst. If your pipes freeze, you will need to call a repairman to have them fixed. The repair fee can cost between 6.000 20.000 depending on the severity of the problem (renter’s have to

pay for this damage). It's best to avoid frozen pipes in the first place. Please take care to avoid frozen pipes and expensive repair fees. • Frozen water pipes Frozen water pipes are caused by water freezing in the pipes. Remember, pipes freeze when water remains in the pipe (even when the water faucet and the main water valve are turned off). The only way to avoid frozen pipes is to remove all water from pipe, leaving only air in the pipe afterwards. For example: taking a straw and holding one finger over the end of the straw, dipping the straw into a glass of water, then lifting the straw from the glass and removing the finger from one end. The water will drain out of the straw. • Drain water from pipes before going to sleep at night Please drain your water pipes before going to sleep at night to prevent frozen pipes during the wintertime. Also, please be sure to drain your water pipes before going on vacation or any other extended absence from home. • How to drain your water pipes to prevent freezing 1) Open (turn on) all water faucets in your house. 2) Close (turn off) the “motosen” (water tap valve) completely. The water tap valve is usually located near the kitchen and bathroom. If you cannot locate your water tap valves, they may be located outside of your house. 3) Check to see if your water is now turned off. Make sure all water faucets are open (turned on).Please touch the water faucet with your finger. If it is OK, it will feel soft. • The lightly frozen pipe repair method Please wrap a cloth, such as a towel, around the pipe or faucet and pour hot water directly onto the towel. (Please remember that you must use a towel. Otherwise the pipe may be damaged). When it is protected with a double protection tube, first remove the cap. Then pour hot water between the water pipe and the pipe protection tube. When warming a pipe that is located near the floor, please warm the pipe with a hair dryer. (Do not use any flame such as a burner or blo w torch because it may cause a fire) • If the above methods fail and the pipe is still frozen. Please contact a water service repair shop near your home. Also, you can contact your local City/Town/Village Hall for more information or any questions you may have. • Hot water pipes There are different methods of water draining in different houses. Please ask your landlord which type your house has.   • There are two types of television broadcasting in Japan NHK and commercial. You must pay an NHK subscription fee if you watch it. Your choices of payment method are as follows: NHK fee collection person (who comes to your home), automatic bank withdrawal payment, any financial payment transfer business (such as convenience stores, banks , and post offices). Also, if you want satellite tel evision channels, you will need to make a separate service contract. For further information, please contact: NHK Viewer Call Center TEL 0120-151515 (toll free) 9:00am 10:00pm, 7days a week(including holidays).      • Caution Points (for housing renters) *In some apartments and other housing, having pets is prohibited. Please check with your real estate agent or landlord first. *Noise and stench from your pet can easily cause trouble with your neighbors. *Be sure to clean up well before leaving your rental housing. • Please report to your City/Town/Village Hall in the following cases: *When you have a dog (dog registration and fee) *When changing your dog’s registration (when moving, etc) *When you receive a dog (if you bring in the old dog license/tag there is no fee) The person giving the dog should hand over the old dog tag and vaccination certificate, and the new owner takes care of the transfer paperwork. *When your dog bites someone (both owner and victim go together) or if your dog bites another dog. *When your dog dies (canceling registration) • In the following situations, please contact your local health center or City/Town/Village Hall: *When you lose a pet (a dog with tags/vaccination certificate is much easier to find) *When you have a dangerous pet/animal • Keeping a dog as a pet 1) Dog registration (Only once in the dog’s lifetime) Dogs more than 91 days old: Must register within 30 days of receiving the dog Dogs less than 91 days old: Must register within 30 days of it turning 91 days old. *After registration is complete you will receive a dog tag so put it on the dog’s collar. 2) Rabies Vaccination Dogs more than 91 days old need to get a rabies shot (at a veterinarian) once every year. Put the “vaccination certificate” that you receive, on the dog’s collar. Some municipalities have mass vaccinations around April or May, so check your local newsletter, etc for more information. 3) Other Important Information *There are people who dislike dogs, so please keep yours on a leash *You are responsible for your pet’s feces, so please clean up after it and carry the poo bag home with you. • When you can’t keep your pet any longer Please search for a new owner as much as you can. If, for some reason you can’t find someone to take the pet, contact your local health center, City/Town/Village Hall, or other organization responsible for animal he alth, and they will find a new owner or put the dog to sleep. They may charge a fee as well. • When your pet dies Please contact the pet cemeteries in your phone book. Contact Information: Tokachi Health Center, Life Health Section, Environmental Sanitation TEL 0155-27 8701 !" "    
Neighborhood Associations are called “chonaikai” or “jichikai”. These are residential volunteer groups that aim to make their community a better place to live. These associations circulate a newsletter that they send out to government offices and neighborhood residents. It gives information about festivals, disaster preparedness training, garbage pick -up schedules, and other event information. It is also a good source for information important to everyday life. These activities are funded by a membership fee that is paid by residents. The fee is different for each association. Even foreigners, if they are residents, can become members of these associations, so if a member visits you, maybe listen to what they have to say. If you don’t get any kind of invitation, ask one of your neighbors how you might join the association. #$  % &  • Opening an account • Documents that are necessary to open an account in a bank: - Certification of Alien Registration card and a - Passport or another document that confirms your status in Japan and address At most regular banks, you will not need an “inkan” (personal stamp) in order to open an account. However, at “Shinkin”(Trust banks), you will need an “inkan”. You can also open a saving account at post offices. For more information, please consult: http://www.yu-cho.japanpost.jp/index.htm (Japanese version) http://www.yu-cho.japanpost.jp/e_index.htm (English version) • Banks in which money exchange and international remittances are possible • Hokuyo Bank:  International remittance  Money exchange (Euro, Dollar, Yuan and Traveler’s checks)  International remittance and money exchange are possible, but can take some days • Hokkaido Bank:  International remittance and money exchange are only possible at the branches in Obihiro • Obihiro Shinyokinko (Shinkin):  Money exchange is only possible at the head office in Obihiro (only dollar).  International remittance is possible at all the branches until 1pm (some kind of personal ID card is required). • Cash cards andATMs • Cash cards: (1) In general, depending on agreements between banks, cash cards can be used in any bank. However, when you use a cash card in a bank that it is not yo urs, a fee is usually charged. (2) If you use a cash card in any “Automatic Teller Machine” (ATM), you will be able to withdraw and deposit money, make transfers, check your current balance, update your bankbook, etc. (3) Cash cards from post office accounts can be used in any post office all over Japan.    • ATM: (1) There are someATM machines that only have screens in Japanese, but there are others that have English as well. (2) Working Hours: Not all the ATM machines work 24 hours. During some night, weekend, and holiday hours these ATM machines may not be available for use. (3) Fee: if you use ATMs after hours, if you transfer money to another bank account or if you use an ATM that does not belong to your bank, you will be charged a fee. (4) ATMs at convenience store are like normalATM machine s. Please note that working hours and fees may vary. • How to useATMs in Japan . Even in the same bank, ATM machines can differ. Below are some useful words to help you:  PIN number/access code “ANSHOU BANGOU”  Withdrawal “OHIKIDASHI”  ! Money transfer “OFURIKOMI” "#$ Deposit “OAZUKEIRE”  % Money transfer “OFURIKAE” &'() Current balance “ZANDAKA SHOUKAI” Update bankbook “TSU-CHOU KINYU” Correct entry “TEISEI” Stop transaction/cancel “TORIKESHI” Confirm entry “KAKUNIN” 1,000 “SEN” 10,000 “MAN” Yen “EN” *+# ,./ 01 2 3 4 • Trains Obihiro is located on the main “Nemuro Honsen” line that connects Sapporo to Kushiro and there are super express trains daily in each direction. The “Tokachi” and “Super Tokachi” super express trains go between Sapporo and Obihiro, while the “Oz ora” and “Super Ozora” super express trains continue on from Obihiro to Kushiro. Local trains on the same line head west through Memuro, Shimizu, Shintoku and other stations. Heading east, trains stop at Satsunai, Makubetsu, Toyokoro, Ikeda, Urahoro and other stations before reaching Kushiro. • Buses There are many bus routes that serve the city of Obihiro and the other cities/villages in the Tokachi District. Many of these cities/villages are not served by trains and for this reason in many places buses are the best option. There are two bus companies serving Obihiro city and the Tokachi District: Tokachi Bus and Takushoku Bus. You can find the timetables of the buses at the bus stops. For more information, please contact: Tokachi Bus TEL 0155-37-6500 Homepage http://www.tokachibus.jp Takushoku Bus TEL 0155-31-8811 Homepage http://www.takubus.com • Buses to Tokachi-Obihiro Airport There is a bus line service between Obihiro city and Tokachi -Obihiro airport. These airport buses depart from the Obihiro Bu Terminal in time for all the departing flights and depart from the airport after each arriving flight. The Obihiro Bus Terminal is adjacent to the Obihiro Station east exit, and the travel time from the station to the airport is around 40 minutes. • Bus Lines between Cities There are buses connecting Obihiro, Sapporo, Kushiro and Asahikawa . Traveling by bus generally takes more time than by train, but it can be cheaper. Please contact the bus companies for more information. • Taxis It is common to find taxi stops in front of train stations and major places. However, if you want to stop a taxi on the street, just raise your hand. In Japan, doors of taxis are automatic, so the driver opens and closes them. Nighttime taxi rates are higher. • Driving in Japan Driving in Japan can be very different from driving in your home country. Traffic laws, driving manners and road condition may differ. The winter road conditions can be very dangerous, especially for those who are inexperienced at driving in snow and ice. Drinking and driving laws are very strict in Japan therefore even after just one drink you cannot drive. As Hokkaido is unfortunately known for high rates of both traffic accidents and fatalities, defensive driving is a necessity. • International Driver’s license Depending on your country, you can drive in Japan for one year if you possess a valid driver’s license from your own country as well as an International Driver’s License. After one year it is necessary to obtain a Japanese license. • Acquiring a Japanese license   You ca acquire a Japanese driver’s license upon presentation of a driver’s license from your home country and successful completion of a driving test and written test.You can apply for it at the Driver’s License Testing Center. You must have had your license for at least three months before coming to Japan and the written test is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Persian. Those who have previously held a Japanese driver’s license and those who have a license from one of the following countries are exempted from the tests: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK. For more information, please contact the Driver’s License Testing Center: Sapporo Sapporo shi Teine ku Akebono 5 jo 4-1-1 TEL 011-683-5770 Obihiro Obihiro shi Nishi 19 jo Kita 2 chome TEL 0155-33-2470 In order to apply, you will need the following documents: 1) Passport (to confirm that you have had your license for 3 months before coming to Japan); 2) Alien Registration Card; 3) Driver’s License from your home country with a translation of its contents; 4) One photograph (3.0cm X 2.4cm). If you have renewed your license and the original date of issue is not printed on the license, you may need additional documents (an older license, etc) to prove that you had your license for the requisite 3 months. The translation of your license can be done either by your embassy/consulate or by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). The translation at the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) costs 3,000 yen (an extra fee for returning postage of 290 yen is required if the application is made by mail). For more information, please contact the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF): Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) Office hours: 9h00am 5h30pm (from Monday to Friday except National Holidays,Year -end and New Year’s Holidays) Homepage http://www.jaf.or.jp/index.htm Sapporo Office (JAF) 062-0051 Sapporo shi Toyokira ku Tsukisamu Higashi 1 jo 15 chome 8-1 TEL 011-857-7122 Obihiro Office (JAF 080-0038 Obihiro shi Nishi 8 jo Kita 1 chome 14 -1 TEL 0155-26-0260 • Cars/Light Motor Vehicles/Middle Sized Motorcycles Registration of Cars/Light MotorVehicles/Middle Sized Motorcycles • Please contact the local District Land Transport Bureau to register the Purchase/Sale/Disposal of regular cars/light motor vehicles/middle sized motorcycles and to inform of any change in the Address or car owner’s Name. 1) Regular Cars (Engine Displacement over 660cc): Obihiro Local Automobile Association: Obihiro shi Nishi 19 jo Kita 1 chome 8-4 TEL 0155-33-3400 2) Light Motor Vehicle (Engine Displacement under 660cc)/Middle Sized Motorcycles (Engine Displacement over 126cc) Obihiro Light Motor Vehicle Association: Obihiro shi Nishi 19 jo Kita 1 chome 8-4 TEL 0155-33-3154   • “Shako Shoumei” (Certification of Parking Space) To be able to register your car, the “Shako Shoumei”(Certification of Parking Space) is required to prove that you have a place to park. You can apply for it at the police station under your jurisdiction (but this procedure is also done by the car dealer when you purchase a car). To register light motor vehicles in all th e cities besides Obihiro, it is also necessary to obtain a certification of parking space. And in case of rented houses/apartments/mansions, an extra fee may be incurred. Necessary Documents: 1) Application form to the “Shako Shoumei”(Certification of Parking Space) 2) Map/Layout of the parking space 3) “Hokan Basho Shiyou Shoudaku Shoumeisho”(Certification of Agreement for the Usage of th e Parking Space), when the land is owned by others, or “Hokan Basho Shiyou Kengon Somei Shomen”(Title of Prima Facie Ev idence for the Usage of Parking Space) when you are the owner of the land. • “Shaken”(Automobile Inspection) Cars and motorcycles (engine displacement over 251cc) must be submitted to inspection in a predetermined period of time. For more information, please contact car dealers and car related shops. • “Zeikin”(Tax) • Automobile Tax The automobile tax is a prefectural tax which is levied on owners of automobiles with an engine displacement of more than 
660cc. This tax is due once a year, at the end of May. All car owners will be mailed a bill which can be paid at any bank or post office, as well as at the office below. Automobile Tax Section, Tokachi Subprefectural Office, Hokkaido Government 080-0803 Obihiro shi Higashi 3 jo Minami 3 chome TEL 0155 24 3111 • Light Motor Vehicle Tax Responsibility for light motor vehicles is divided among the following three institutions. In addition to taxes, this is also where you should report the purchase, sale, or scrapping of such vehicles Light Motor Vehicles/Motorcycles (125-250cc): It is the same department where you register your Light Motor Vehicles/ Motorcycles. For more information, please refer to the “Registration of Light Motor Vehicle (Engine Displacement under 660cc)/Middle Sized Motorcycles (Engine Displacement over 126cc)” section on page Motorcycles (over 250cc): Obihiro Transport Bureau 080-2459 Obihiro shi Nishi 19 jo Kita 1 chome TEL 0155 33 3281 Scooters (motorcycles under 125cc)/Special-Type Light Motor Vehicles: Please consult your local City/Town/Village Hal for more information. •Car Insurance (Jidousha Hoken) Liability insurance which covers damage to others due to your degree of fault in an accident is required by law. However, since Japanese insurance companies rarely if ever issue 100% of the fault to one party, purcha se of additional optional insurance that will secure total protection is highly recommended. • Light Motorcycles (under 125cc)/Bicycles • Registration of light motorcycles (under 125cc): Please consult your local City/Town/Village Hall for more information. • Prohibited Parking Zone : Bicycles/Light Motorcycles parked at prohibited zones can be towed. If your bicycle/light motorcycle is towed, it can be retrieved within one month at the custody center after paying a retrieval fee. Obihiro Police Department Obihiro shi Nishi 1 jo Kita 1 chome 1 TEL 0155-25-0110 For questions about vehicle related paperwork, taxes, etc., please contact the various institutions mentioned in this section.