The apartment is very thoughtfully designed and I haven not seen an apartment like it during my time in Japan. Since it is on the first floor and a bit out of town, there is a yard that I can use outside. Many a Bar-B-Q are already planned, or since I am in Japan yaki-niku. (grilled meat) The kitchen is nice enough and the windows are large so that there is plenty of daylight. Some older apartments are quite dark. It will be a great place to conduct research with an internet connection on days that I don’t go to the University and it will be a good place to relax on my days off.

This morning I called the water company, electric company and gas company to tell them that I will be moving in on Friday. I also paid my insurance bill at a convenience store on the way to pick up my custom made hanko. (name stamp) In Japan most bills can be paid at anytime at any convenience store in the country. It is convenient but direct debit is even simpler. I bought a hanko when I previously lived in Japan but I left it in America. Therefore I had to have another one made. A shop a couple of stations from Mimi’s house made my hanko a reality for 1050 yen. This will allow me to open up a bank account, get a mobile phone and finish my apartment lease.

It is two days until the final move so I am packing up my stuff. I still have six suitcases that I brought with me from America. Mimi’s parents have been very kind by donating old plates and other household goods. We plan to drive to Nagoya on Friday to make moving in easier and shopping for furniture easier.<div style=”clear:both;”></div>

The next company seemed more like a beauty salon rather than a real estate company. We left as fast as humanly possible, but when entering a real estate company in Japan works carrying tea quickly sweep down to comfort you and entice you to stay.

The third company seemed more promising. The apartments that they offered had just been remodeled. In fact one that we visited was still under construction. That meant that although the buildings were old the interiors were nice. Now after a nights rest at a hotel in central Nagoya I will review pictures of the apartments that I took with a fresh eye and decide today. I will post a picture of the final apartment choice after the contract is signed.

For a power apartment hunting breakfast I headed down to the Lawson convenience store conveniently located on the first floor of the hotel. Japanese convenience stores are great places to grab a quick bite to eat. I will post more pictures as the adventure continues but for now you can see a choice of breakfast breads and morning drinks.

Since it will take about a week to process the paperwork for the apartment, I plan to begin my research this week. I will prepare for a presentation of my project to the faculty of Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music when the term begins in October.