Hikoshi Bimbo - Moving Poor in tokyo

If you think it's easy to get an apartment in Tokyo, you'd be wrong.  Japanese use the phrase hikoshi-bimbo to describe someone who recently moved into a new apartment.  Translated as 'moving poor,' hikoshi-bimbo describes the state of having to pay about six months salary for the privelege of renting a new apartment.  Between Key Money, agent fees, deposits and holding fees it adds up quite quickly.

This is the reason that many adults stay at home for many years saving money, even with respectable careers.  It seems insane to Westerners that the Key Money fee is never returned.

I'm going to be starting a new Tokyo Site

http://lifeintokyo.info will be coming out.  Basically I am going to just use it as a blog like this one is/was

Makes more sense that way.

Kebab Sandwiches - Akihabara's Treat

There are some Turkish style Kebab stands around Tokyo, but the best are definitely in Akihabara.  Though some people don't know this, Akiba is sort of famous for their Kebab wraps.  It definitely makes sense and shows.  There are three stands directly outside of the JR Akihabara station, and for good reason... Kebab rules.

You can get a wrap or a pita, even a kebab don over rice.  With normal, spicy, spinach, or "white" sauce which I have actually never tried and don't know what it's like.  I usually go for "Geki Kara" or Very Spicy.

There are some great Kebab stands in other cities as well, such as Shibuya's Ayse though Akiba has Kebabs on lock.

English Language Magazines in Japan

One of the hardest parts about adapting to life in Tokyo is the language.  There are not many english language mags but Metropolis and Coupon Land are two of the best.

Metropolis has reviews of new movies, japanese music, interesting headlines and a planner that tells about bands, DJs, clubbing etc.  They do restaurant reviews and pull out guides that help with everything from finding the best burger to playing pachinko.

The other is Coupon Land, you should be able to infer what that is all about.  Coupons to tons of restaurants, bars, etc that you wont find elsewhere.

Best part about these mags?  They're free in any major Subway/JR line station and in some cafes.