autumn in hokudai 2008

Ginkgo Avenue of Hokkaido University is one of the best spot for autumn scenery viewing. This week is the best time for it. I just took this picture today. Last year it was so beautiful compared to this year's scenery. The next picture was taken on the peak winter, January this year. I think snow will fall earlier this year. Today, some snows can be seen at the peak of mountains area around Sapporo.

Hari Raya 2008 Celebration

MISA members in Sapporo gathered together on the First Day of Syawal 2008.

Malaysians in Hokkaido Island gathering for Hari Raya 2008 celebration. Some are from Sapporo itself, Tomakomai, Muroran, Hakodate and Kitami. There are also some Bruneian, Singaporean and Japanese friends who were also invited.

Malaysian Embassy in Tokyo Info

This is the important message from Embassy.
ALL MALAYSIANS WHO ARE RESIDING INSIDE JAPAN (FOR STUDY, WORK, ETC.) , PLEASE REGISTER TO MALAYSIAN EMBASSY, TOKYO.

Malaysian Embassy in Tokyo [website]

There is alson information about Malaysian Restaurant in Japan.
Tokyo!! Ikitaiiiii...

living cost in Sapporo

Living cost depends on individual preferences of living style.

I estimate the price for a couple like me :) per month
All figures are in Japanese Yen.

Apartment rental 40,000 (One bed room and one dining room attached with toilet and kitchen)
Mobile phone 5,000 per person including rental fee
Internet 4,000
Compulsory Medical Insurance 2,200 for couple and about 1,500 for single
Electricity 4,000
Water 3,000
Gas 2,000 during summer and up to 8,000 in winter for house heating

The lowest fare for subway is 200 yen and the highest (end to end) is 32o yen

Food
Chicken 1 kg 500
Beef 1 kg 800
Rice 5 kg 1,500
Egg 10 180
Taufu 200g 200
wheat flour 1 kg 150
Sunflower oil 1 kg 250

Others fresh seafood and vegetables are highly depending on season. Generally all of them are very cheap in the summer and autumn since these products are harvested during the seasons.
i.e.
red onion 50 to 200 yen per
Japanese cucumber (kyuuri) 20 to 70 yen per stick
a raw corn 30 to 200 yen

*will be updated time to time

heater pack (カイロ-kairo)

When I was in my first winter in Sapporo, my friend suggested me to have a KAIRO. I tried to find it out at pharmacy shop and I bought some packet of KAIRO. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to use it at that time. Now, I recommended this handy thing to those who are extreme cold non-resistance people :D That was the first time I knew about such product.

KAIRO or in katakana カイロ is a handy heater in packet. There are several type of KAIRO.
All of them are really cheap less than 500 yen in bundle depending on brand and size. During winter, it sold in almost any Convinience Store, Pharmacy and Supermarket.

How does it work. KAIRO is packed inside a secured sealed plastics. Actually, when we tear the plastics, the KAIRO sacket is expose to moisture. This will trigger chemical reaction with the material in the sacket and produce heat. Wait for about 10 minutes to allow the sachet to gradually releasing heat. Generally, the KAIRO is able to continously releasing certain amount heat at about 40 to 50 degrees celcius in about 4 hours and it is one-time use.

1) In mini packet.
I usually bring this type several packets in my bag in case I really need that during my walk or sightseing. When the weather is really cold, I tear the packet and hold the sachet to warm my hand or touch gently on my face to release some heat. We can also find the packet in bigger size with adhesive material in on side of the KAIRO sachet and put inside our winter jacket to give inner warm to our body.










2) Cream type
I don't like it since I don't like any cream or lotion to put on my skin. I feel weird.
To use it, just apply small amout of the cream on your skin and you will feel warm.
Do not put it too much, otherwise your skin will burn.














3) For shoe
For comfortable, one can put this type of KAIRO inside the shoe (outside sock). This will give warm to innerside of shoe. My wife usually put this packet of KAIRO inside her shoes when we want to go for a walk.











Winter is coming soon. Samuiiiiii!!
Tips for winter clothing and walking, please click here (English)