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)

Baby Shop in Sapporo

When it comes to the term Baby Shop, it includes the maternity-related items for expected mothers.　Here I listed the baby shop both for new and second hand items.

For specialized new item Baby shops

1) Akachan honpo (アカチャンホンポ）Stores, click here (Japanese)

Sapporo ESTA branch
JR-ESTA Tower, 7th Floor
Sapporo-shi Chuo-ku Kita 5-jou Nishi 2-1
Tel : 011-223-0631 Hour : 10:00～21:00

Atsubetsu Branch
Sapporo-shi Atsubetsu-ku Atsubetsu Chuo5-1-9-1
Tel : 011-896-5501 Hour : 10:00～19:00

Tonden Branch
Ito Yookadoo Tonden Mall, 2nd Floor
Sapporo-shi Kita-ku Tonden 8-jou 3-5-1
Tel : 011-774-1915 Hour : 9:00～22:00

2) Nishi matsuya　（西松屋）　Baby Kids Stores, click here (Japanese)

Sapporo Shin Kotoni Branch
Sapporo-shi Kita-ku Shinkotoni 1-jou 13-choume 16-25
011-765-5508 AM10:00～PM8:00

Tonden Branch
Sapporo-shi Kita-ku Tonden 8-jou 7-choume 10-27
011-774-5231

Shiroishi Branch
Sapporo-shi Shiroishi-ku Kikusui 8-jou 4-choume 2-15
011-815-6267

Kiyota Branch
Sapporo-shi Kiyota-ku Kitano 6-jou 2-choume 14-ban 2
011-881-3373

Ishiyama Branch
Sapporo-shi Minami-ku Ishiyama 2-jou 9-choume 7-ban 62-gou
011-593-4119

Hoshioki Branch
Sapporo-shi Teine Yamaguchi 478 Banchi 1 E-3
011-681-2170

3) Birthday （バースデイ）
Sapporo-shi Kiyota-ku Hiraoka 3-jou 1-choume 10-1

For specialized second hand Baby shops

1) B.Kid, click here (Japanese)
Sapporo-shi Kita-ku Tonden 6-jou 6-3-14
Tel : 011-775-6993 Hour : 10:00～20:00

2) Bons Recycle Shop












-Nakanoshima Branch
Sapporo-shi Toyohira-ku Nakanoshima 2-jou 4-choume 1-22
Tel : 0120-855-227 Hour : 10:00~19:00

- Yamanote Branch
Sapporo-shi Nishi-ku Yamanote 3 -jou 4-choume 1-29
Hour: 10:00~19:00


And others, click here (Japanese)

[In Malay] Kadar Elaun Sara Hidup SLAI/SLAB di Jepun

Banyak kali juga kawan-kawan yang berminat untuk menyambung pelajaran di luar negara bertanyakan saya kadar elaun di Jepun, mahupun di Jerman. Dan banyak kali juga orang yang sama sahaja yang bertanya, masuk telinga kanan keluar ikut lubang hidung sebelah kiri. (macam nada tertekan je nih :))

Oleh itu, saya cuba mencari sumber yang terkini dan terbaik mengenai kadar elaun yang sentiasa berubah mengikut situasi ekonomi dunia (cheewah). Maklumlah, orang kita ini suka di suap. Suruh cari sendiri pun malas. Jadi, lain kali kalau ada yang bertanya lagi, saya bagi terus pautan berikut, saya pun MALAS nak taip satu persatu di email, mahupun di Yahoo Messenger.

http://bsm.upsi.edu.my/download/ELAUN%20PENSYARAH%20edit.pdf*
*terima kasih UPSI (update on Feb 5th, 2012)

- Web tersebut juga memaparkan kadar elaun di negara lain

- Untuk Jepun, terdapat kekurangan perincian seperti
1) Elaun Penempatan = 250,125 Yen (Untuk pegawai) dibayar sekali di awal pengajian
2) Elaun Akhir pengajian = 100,050 Yen (Untuk pegawai) dibayar sekali di akhir pengajian
3) Elaun Tesis = 84,238 Yen di bayar sekali di akhir pengajian
4) Elaun Pakaian Panas = RM1500 untuk pegawai di bayar sekali di awal pengajian (RM1000 untuk isteri dan anak2 saya tidak tahu)
5) Terdapat insurans kesihatan yang wajib disertai pelajar di Jepun. Premium insurans ini layak dituntut daripada penaja.

Mari kita buat contoh kira-kira :

Encik Z akan menyambung pelajaran ke Universiti Akita dan membawa bersama seorang isteri dan 2 orang anak. Berapakan elaun bulanan yang beliau terima?

Jawapan :

Akita tidak berada dalam senarai kawasan, maka Kadar B dirujuk
Elaun Sara Hidup (Pegawai) : ¥166,750
Elaun Bantuan Sewa Rumah (Pegawai, Isteri/Suami dan 1 atau 2 anak ) : ¥ 50,025
Elaun Bantuan Keluarga : ¥ 66,700

Maka jumlah keseluruhan elaun yang diterima ialah ¥166,750 + ¥ 50,025 + ¥ 66,700 = ¥283,475

Sekian Terima Kasih..sebarang maklumat terkini yang mungkin anda ketahui, sila maklumkan untuk rujukan bersama. Ijou desu. Selamat Belajar!

seijun juuhachi kippu (青春１８切符）

I just knew the seasonal cheap train ticket called seijun juuhachi kippu （青春１８切符）.
Click these links for more information in English

1) http://kikuko.web.infoseek.co.jp/english/seishun-juuhachi-kippu.html
2) http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cove/5750/local.html#18kippu

The key points
- cost 11,500 Yen
- a set of 5 tickets
- can be used on unlimited route in 1 days for 1 tickets EXCEPT shinkansen and super express trains
- can be shared with friends/family
- it is sold in seasonal vacations (i.e. summer holiday)
- unreserved seat
- check above links for more

*thanks to Halim-sensei about the info

Tips for Hokudai Newcomer

[will be updated]

When I first arrived in Sapporo, I needed to find many things to start up my life. I need cup, spoon and bowl to eat, futon and pillow to sleep etc. I believe this is also true for other newcomer. With limited budget, strange environment, Japanese writing illiterate etc. to find something with cheap price and quick is a priority especially for those who arrive in the scary winter of Hokkaido :P. Here are some shops you should go to start your life.

1) 100yen shop (100円　ショップ）

There are many 100 yen shops around Japan. Its locations is generally near to train station or subway station. Among the popular chain of 100yen shops are Daiso (ダイソ） and FLET'S.
Everything is 100 yen per item (or otherwise stated) including kitchen tools, toiletries, junk food, stationeries, etc.

２） 2nd hand shop (中古店）

If you see this kanji (中古 - chuuko）on any shop, the shop generally sell second hand things including books, clothes, refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, tv, computer and even car! (depending on their specialization). I suggest 2nd Street shop to hokudai students, click here* (北10条東５ - Kita 10 jo Higashi 5 - North 10 East 5）　to the nearest 2nd Street shop to Hokudai. They also provide delivery service of bulky items to your home.

* there are also 100 yen shops, Homac (Home Improvement store), Sports Items Mall, Supermarket, Media Shop around this area. Perhaps the best area to buy everything you need as a beginner.

3) Hokudai ISC (International Student Center)

Sometimes graduated students want to give away their things and the will advertise what they want to let on the ISC notice board. Just check it out.

4) Flea Market
The flea market is usually held between April and November. Futons, kitchen utilities, etc. are sold at very low price and can be bargain. Locations and dates can be check out in the periocal What's on Sapporo issued monthly by Sapporo Communication Plaza. For website version of the periodical, click here.

5) Bicycle

The most important thing is bicycle. But to ride a bicycle in the Hokkaido's magnificient winter is very dangerous even for professional :D. The new bicycle costs around 10,000 yen to 20,000 yen. But the second hand bicycle can be bought at half price or FREE!

1- Go to second hand shop or sometimes Hokudai COOP (Seikyou) will sell it in front of Clark Hall. Generally costs about 5,000 yen.

2- Around March and September every year, Hokudai COOP will distribute / give away free bicycles (which were collected by Sapporo City Hall) to Hokudai students with COOP card (check my post on how to apply COOP card). Just check out the chance on ISC notice board.