Resources for Living in Kyoto

General Information

Japan Guide:  www.japan-guide.com Gaijin Pot: www.gaijinpot.com Post Office: www.post.japanpost.jp/english/ Japan Telephone Directory in English: http://english.itp.ne.jp/

Airports

Getting to Kansai Airpot:   1) Haruka express, running from Kyoto Station platform 39. Unreserved seats run around 3,500 yen. The Haruka takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. 2) Local trains - the cheapest option but the most complicated, especially if you have a lot of luggage.  If you can get to Kyobashi easily, from there it's possible to take an airport express train (same platform as loop line). 3) Limousine bus - cheaper than Haruka, more convenient than local trains. Buses run between Kansai Airport and the bus terminal in front of Avanti, across the street from the Hachijo exit of Kyoto Station.   4) MK Taxi - Expensive, but easy.  Check out the website for detailed information on rates and pick-up locations.  http://www.mk-group.co.jp/english/index.html   Getting to Osaka Itami Airport:   One of the most convenient options for getting to Itami Airport from Kyoto is to take the Airport Bus. Buses leave from the bus terminal across the street from Kyoto Station, in front of Avanti. Take the Hachijo exit from the Station. Reservations are not required. To see the bus schedule, follow these links: http://www.okkbus.co.jp/eng/frame/main.html http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/english/english.html

Foreign Food Stores

Online: Tengu Natural Foods:  http://www.alishan-organic-center.com/en/tengu/ Kansai Consumers Co-op http://www.kansaicc.co.jp/zenkoku/efrontpage.htm Foreign Buyers Club http://www.fbcusa.com/public2/index.php3 The Flying Pig: www.theflyingpig.com Stores: Jupiter Foods - Porta underground shopping mall, Kyoto Station (across from Subway) Costco (the actual store) in Amagasaki. Take the JR train to Amagasaki and then take bus #24 from the station. It will let you off in front of a mall and Costco is just down the street. Meidi-ya - from Keihan Sanjo Stn, cross the Sanjo Bridge and keep walking up the street on the right (same side as Starbucks) it's about a block up on the right Yama-ya - (cheapest!) from Keihan Demachiyanagi Stn. walk north for about 15 minutes, parallel with the river (but don't cross it) It's on floor B1 in a large mall with a UniQlo.

Classes

Japanese Classes The Kyoto Prefectural International Centre in Kyoto Station (9th floor) often has Japanese classes for beginners and intermediate level learners. You can also ask about private lessons with a volunteer teacher--you only pay for their transportation. Cooking Classes The Kyoto Cooking Circle has a monthly cooking class featuring typical Japanese home-style dishes. The classes are in English and Japanese. The cost is 1000Yen for non-Japanese and 1500Yen for Japanese.   Ikebana Classes   The Ohara School of Ikebana, classes in Kyoto City, Osaka, Kobe and Otsu, Shiga.  Classes are in English and Japanese, 2000 yen/class plus flower cost (usually 1000-1500 yen).  Check out the site for details: http://www.cosmoflorita.com/cosmoTest.html

English Books

Green E Books - located at Kawabata Marutamachi, the 2nd floor of the building on the north east corner, next to the Keihan exit (It's close to Club Metro) Phone 080-3133-7318 or 075-751-5033, e-mail greengreenbooks@aol.com or coffee420420@yahoo.co.jp. Owner is Yuko Iwasaki. Online second hand English books are also available at Peek a Book Nook. Kinokuniya--Near Umeda Station. Walk towards the Hankyu Railway, it is near the big screen tv. In Kyoto, there is a bookstore on the 7th floor of the BAL building on Kawaramachi between Shijo and Sanjo. Books First on the 5th floor of the Kintetsu Platz north of Kyoto Station. You can also buy online from Amazon Japan.  Free shipping on orders over 1500 Yen!

Computers/Technology

English-language computer repair or purchase - Trend New Technologies in Osaka. The Apple Store: Between Namba and Shinsaibashi Stations in Osaka. Close to Opa Department Store. In Kyoto, a good first stop for anything electronic is the Softmap in the Kintetsu Platz, just north of Kyoto Station. Den Den Town: In Osaka (Nippombashi), many cheap electronics stores such as Joshin and Softmap. Yodabashi in Osaka at Umeda Stn. If you are looking for an internet service provider, check out Asahi Net  they have excellent English language support. Yahoo BB! also offers an excellent long-distance phone deal (especially good for those with friends/fam in the US).