Disqus - Latest Comments for mrkirkland

Re: Shibuya Scrambled: City Breakfast Spots

mrkirkland — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 10:15:02 -0000

Sorry to hear you're disappointed with recent articles :(
Sadly, as Lily says "Breakfast isn’t really a thing in Japan". There's only a few options in Shibuya, and even fewer cheap ones.

If we spot anything new that's good and cheap we'll update the article, so keep an eye out for updates.

Re: Tokyo Winter Sales: 2016-2017 Roundup

mrkirkland — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 21:45:40 -0000

Yes, you're right Parco Shibuya is shuttered up.

Re: Japanese New Year: Traditions, Countdowns and Fireworks in Tokyo

mrkirkland — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 06:55:12 -0000

Apologies - you're absolutely right, there's no fireworks planned at Tokyo Tower this year. Have updated the article to correct that mistake.

Re: 5min Shibuya st New Luxury Apartment

mrkirkland — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 19:44:11 -0000

This is the link https://www.airbnb.com/room...

Re: Prepaid and Cheap Data SIM Card Options in Japan

mrkirkland — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 21:08:53 -0000

It's a while since I opened a bank account but if that's an issue, one work around would be getting VOIP number or "Skype in" number for Japan. You can use that as a (perhaps temporary) phone number for opening a bank account.

Re: Prepaid and Cheap Data SIM Card Options in Japan

mrkirkland — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 01:41:18 -0000

There's a discussion about this on our community -> https://community.tokyochea...

Re: Japan Robot Week 2018

mrkirkland — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 21:22:31 -0000

I think this the registration form http://www.nikkansc.co.jp/s...
(in Japanese)

Re: Cheapest Transport from Haneda Airport to Tokyo

mrkirkland — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 00:03:45 -0000

1) No - you need to change at Shinagawa
2) First trains are usually a little after 5am. Here's the first train route from Haneda to Tokyo https://goo.gl/maps/BPU5aqt...
3) You probably don't need to book in advance, most people commute the other direction in the morning so there'll likely be plenty of seats available.

If you have more questions, best ask on the TC community:
https://community.tokyochea...

Re: Ten Cheapo Places for Tokyo’s Best Value Burgers

mrkirkland — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:53:10 -0000

Looks like their menu must have changed since Kai wrote this article, thanks for pointing this out!

Re: Hiking Near Tokyo – Koburi Pass

mrkirkland — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 05:42:03 -0000

Thanks for the input Adam - I shall update with your points!
And glad you enjoyed the hike :)

Re: 10 Tips for Dating Japanese Girls and Guys

mrkirkland — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 21:57:44 -0000

Alas Grace didn't quite have as many tips as Martin and myself. But we'll see if we can get Grace, or one of some of our female authors to do a post just focused on meeting Japanese Guys, how about that?

Re: The Best Way to Transfer Money to Japan

mrkirkland — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 05:24:26 -0000

Yes I think you can create an account from most countries. They even have an office in Toronto, if you prefer to speak to someone with a local accent :)

Re: The Cheapo Tokyo Beach Trip

mrkirkland — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:38:12 -0000

I'm pretty sure it's allowed on the Hayama beaches see: http://www.town.hayama.lg.j...

It just say these rules: no BBQ's with open fires, don't leave rubbish and don't distrub other people.

However, Zushi it's not allowed (perhaps a new rule though, I saw some BBQ's here a few years back).

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo – Living on the Cheap in Japan

mrkirkland — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:29:21 -0000

I have a Japanese girlfriend that I met here. It's a factor since her friends and family are here, but not a big one as we're able to relocate if we really want to e.g. we lived in Europe together for half a year. They'd be some visa challenges in staying longer term in Europe, but the location independent country hopping plan is an easy option.

Re: The Cheapo Tokyo Beach Trip

mrkirkland — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 02:55:17 -0000

I think some of the beach shacks have showers during in the summer (July + August). Kamakura has beach showers all year round.

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo – Living on the Cheap in Japan

mrkirkland — Thu, 28 May 2015 04:56:32 -0000

Yeah, introducing myself as "homeless" always had mixed results at cocktail parties.

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo – Living on the Cheap in Japan

mrkirkland — Sun, 24 May 2015 23:18:36 -0000

@David Schneider drop me a line. send me a message through my site - mrkirkland.com or find me on FB. Given the size of expat Tokyo community, we probably have mutual friends already :)

Re: TMBA286: An Audio Response to Alex Blumberg and Gimlet Media’s “Startup” Podcast

mrkirkland — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:42:49 -0000

Great episode chaps!

I blame the tech/start up press for fanning the flames on the VC fueled fire. You can't read an article about a start up company without the proud mention of the number of millions it has raised, as if that's some kind of meaningful business metric. People are dazzled by the word million, as if somehow all you need is to be able to use the word "million" to describe your business and it's a success.

Totally agree with you Dan, for many (most?) start ups, it should be get to the "living" first, that first 50K. Then you can make your next sober and steady steps towards bigger goals, without the giddy high of millions disillusioning you.

Re: How to Visit Gunkanjima (Battleship Island)

mrkirkland — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 03:26:05 -0000

Nice Article Tiffany!

Re: Cheapo Wagyu Hamburg – Nikushokudo Tobi

mrkirkland — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 08:18:35 -0000

Photos of signage posted!

Re: The Best Way to Transfer Money to Japan

mrkirkland — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 06:24:53 -0000

Glad our article was helpful! Try opening a Shinsei account, I believe they aren't quite as in to the daylight robbery of the other main Japanese banks.

Re: How to Make a Light, Cheapo Japanese Hamburg Steak

mrkirkland — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 06:56:03 -0000

OK Supermarket and Hanamasa are also usually good value for beef.

Re: The Unexpected Fees to Expect in Japan

mrkirkland — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 04:01:37 -0000

Good job! I was going to write a similar post for TokyoCheapo
Other fees
"outside office hours" ATM fees
Bank transfer fees
Inward Bank transfer fees (paying to receive money!)
Cancellation fees all over the place, phone, internet etc

One subtle clue as to the ubiquity of fees is the "無料" (Muryou = Free) signs on adverts for things that would normally or often be free anyway in the west, free inquiry, free initial consultation etc.

Re: How To Kill A Panda Bear

mrkirkland — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:09:13 -0000

Travis always wins at gifs

Re: My Favorite Heuristic for Evaluating Relationships: The Antifragile Person

mrkirkland — Thu, 01 May 2014 01:53:42 -0000

I'll chip in if I may.

Speaking also from the "non-confrontational and agreeable" camp, I think it's important to understand that "calling BS" works best if you are doing it in the context of helping someone.

There is a satisfaction in calling out a douche, especially if it serves to warn/protect others from their douchery. But the feeling of satisfaction should not be the motivation, otherwise you risk no-one learning anything and making enemies. If they are a douche and not going to change anyway, why waste your time on the confrontation?

Of course it's often hard to know in advance if calling someone out is going to enlighten them or simply piss them off. So a few cuts and grazes are to be expected.

I'd suggest a little self observation to make sure you're not being self righteous and not motivated mainly by douche call out satisfaction.

disclaimer: I don't have a big track record of calling BS

Love your writing sir! have to get you on the hoboCEO podcast.

Disqus - Latest Comments for mrkirkland

Re: Shibuya Scrambled: City Breakfast Spots

Re: Tokyo Winter Sales: 2016-2017 Roundup

Re: Japanese New Year: Traditions, Countdowns and Fireworks in Tokyo

Re: 5min Shibuya st New Luxury Apartment

Re: Prepaid and Cheap Data SIM Card Options in Japan

Re: Prepaid and Cheap Data SIM Card Options in Japan

Re: Japan Robot Week 2018

Re: Cheapest Transport from Haneda Airport to Tokyo

Re: Ten Cheapo Places for Tokyo’s Best Value Burgers

Re: Hiking Near Tokyo – Koburi Pass

Re: 10 Tips for Dating Japanese Girls and Guys

Re: The Best Way to Transfer Money to Japan

Re: The Cheapo Tokyo Beach Trip

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo​ – Living on the Cheap in Japan

Re: The Cheapo Tokyo Beach Trip

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo​ – Living on the Cheap in Japan

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo​ – Living on the Cheap in Japan

Re: TMBA286: An Audio Response to Alex Blumberg and Gimlet Media’s “Startup” Podcast

Re: How to Visit Gunkanjima (Battleship Island)

Re: Cheapo Wagyu Hamburg – Nikushokudo Tobi

Re: The Best Way to Transfer Money to Japan

Re: How to Make a Light, Cheapo Japanese Hamburg Steak

Re: The Unexpected Fees to Expect in Japan

Re: How To Kill A Panda Bear

Re: My Favorite Heuristic for Evaluating Relationships: The Antifragile Person

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo – Living on the Cheap in Japan

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo – Living on the Cheap in Japan

Re: TMBA295: Our Hobo in Tokyo – Living on the Cheap in Japan