| Postal information is provided in English. (Tokyo Information Center) Tel: 011-251-3957 ( inquiries are followed to Tokyo.) Mondays-Fridays: 9:30a.m.-4:30p.m. |
| Two types of gas are used in Hokkaido; city gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (propane gas). City gas is supplied by different suppliers in different regions. The type of gas also various. Gas equipment also varies by the type of gas. Use of the wrong type of gas equipment can be very dangerous and may result in fire. When installing gas equipment, it is available to consult a gas supplier. |
| The voltage for household use in Japan is AC 100 volts. Foreign products with unsuitable shaped plugs or which cannot adapt to 100 volts cannot often be used. |
| Electricity is available simply by switching on the circuit breaker but immediately contact nearby Hokkaido Electric Power Co. branch office. To stop using service, contact a branch office. |
| Water supply is mainly provided by municipalities. To begin waterworks service after moving, for example, contact the municipal Waterworks Bureau. To terminate waterworks service, contact the Waterworks Bureau and inform then if your desired date of stoppage. Water quality in Hokkaido is good and water from the tap is safe to drink. When temperatures fall below -4c in winter, make sure water pipes do not freeze. To keep water pipes from freezing, turn off the main valve at night and draw off water. When leaving the house for a long period, it is better to draw water off the main. |
| In area where toilets are not connected to sewerage systems, utility fees must be paid along with waterworks fees. In area where toilets are not connected to sewerage systems, regularly check the septic tank or a cesspool and have it pumped. |
| In Japan, nine years of education, six years in elementary school and three years in junior high school, are compulsory. The school term begins in April and ends in March, with two long summer and winter vacations. Most elementary and junior high schools are managed by municipalities. Children whose parents have been registered as aliens are allows to attend municipal elementary or junior high schools. Contact the municipal Board of Education for information. Classes are in Japanese. With regard to municipal elementary and junior high schools, no school expenses are required. Parents are responsible, however, for monthly school lunch expenses and for learning materials. |
| Children three years old can be admitted to kidergarten. For a public kindergarten, apply at a municipal office and directly to the kindergarten for a private one. Applications are usually accepted from October to December in the year prior to commencement. Confirm required expenses beforehand, as they vary by kindergarten. |
| Students must take entrance examinations before entering senior high school, college, or university. Students in junior and senior high schools are provided guidance on future choices. Applicants who have not graduated from high schhool are entitled to enter college or university, provided they are judged to have the same academic ability as a high school graduate (successful completion of University Entrance Qualification Examination). |
| Hokkaido International School provides education for children who are unable to attend ordinary Japanese schools due to language barriers or who have been previously educated overseas. The School has departments from Kindergarten to high school. Classes are in english. *Information Hokkaido International School 19-chome, Hiragishi 5-jo, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062-0935 Tel: 011-816- 5000 |
| In Japan, room sizes are estimated by the number of tatami mats used. 1 jo = 0.9m × 1.8m Land and housing lots are estimated by tsubo. 1 tsubo = 2 jo "L" stands for living room, "D" for dining room and "K" for kitchen. For example, 3LDK refers to a house with three rooms, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen, and 2DK a house with two rooms, a dining room and a kitchen. |
| Rent systems in Japan are said to be rather complicated. When you decide on a property, various expenses are required. When making a lease contract, confirm the conditions by carefully examining the written contract. (1) Rent Rent refers to monthly room rent. Check if a full month's rent is charged even when moving in the middle of the month. (2) Maintenance expenses Maintenance expenses are used to maintain a property. In addition to the monthly rent, a tenant is required to pay electricity charge for lights and repair expenses of common-use areas. Maintenance expenses for elevators also charged every month. (3) Commission This is paid to a real estate agent. The payment is equal to one month rent. (4) Security deposits This is left with the landlord as security. It usually amounts to one or two months' rents. (5 )Cleaning expenses for the kitchen and bathroom These expenses are charged as cleaning expenses when a tenant vacates a property. Other expenses sometimes charged are key money, guarantee money, redemption or renewal expenses. Confirm in the written contract whether they are refunded when vacating the property. In the event of cancellation by a tenant, down payment, a deposit paid prior to contract is not often refunded. Be careful when paying down payments. |
| The Hokkaido Government has established a Support Desk for non-Japanese residing in Hokkaido. The main functions of the Support Desk are as follows: (1) Advice for non-Japanese on general matters concerning day-to-day life in Hokkaido, and where necessary, referral to relevant agencies for matters of a more specific nature. (2) Supply of information regarding daily life in Hokkaido for non-Japanese residents. The Support Desk does not handle questions or requests for interpreting and translation. The Support Desk currently operates on a telephone only basis as detailed below. |
| Telephone number: 011-204-5095 Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm * Calls in Russian can only be handled between 9.00am and 3.30pm. The Support Desk is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays and from December 29 to January 3. * All calls will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. |
Public baths How to use a public bath a. Pay a fee at the entrance. b. Put your shoes in the shoe locker. c. Put your cloths in a basket( or locker) in the charge room. d. Wash yourself thoroughly before getting into a bath. e. Get into the bath. |
| ・ Do not wash clothes in the washing area. ・ Do not take a towel into the bath. ・ Do not splash water. ・ Do not waste water. |
| Conversion Tables |
〒060-8588 札幌市中央区北3条西6丁目 電話番号 011-231-4111（大代表）(c)2011HOKKAIDO GOVERNMENT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.