JET Program Vlog #7b - Clothes - pt 2

[LookingGlassInc]

You mentioned that JCPenny ships to Japan, and I was wondering how much on average s&h cost you, since you also mentioned that it wasn't necessarily cheap. By the way, I love your vlog, its both informative and engaging, which is always a bonus :). Thanks!

[myargonauts]

I usually "saved up" and bought a bunch of stuff ($300 to $400 worth of clothes) all at once - and shipping tended to be about $70 for that amount - which is intermediate shipping with a usual wait time of about 2-3 weeks.

[BlanFan2O]

like I said I hope that this program is open when I'm old enough to apply because it seems like an awesome experience. does it seem like it will be around in 6 or 7 years? oh yeah, my hair is really long especially for dudes, do you think that would be ok?

[myargonauts]

hair length shouldn't be a problem

[valakin]

I've asked another American staying in Japan recently but she couldn't answer. Do you know any difficulties faced with getting replacement contacts in Japan? I'm sure I could easily bring enough for a year, but I'm still wondering incase I ended up being there for years.

[myargonauts]

It's always a good idea to keep a bank account/visa account active/open in the US, in case you need to buy things online and have then shipped to Japan, or have a family member/friend ship stuff to you.

I don't wear glasses/contacts, so I can't answer your question. I think KansaiPJ (another J vlogger) wears glasses, so you might ask him.

[EmoSupernova]

Hello!

I have a question about hair! I'm a girl, so I like dying my hair. No funky colors, it always stays rather normal. I really like having them platinum blonde though, so it might stand out a bit in japan. But I heard even then, hair dying in schools is prohibited, is it true? Also, I have a tongue peircing, we can't see it if I'm talking, but if I laugh or eat it might be visible, would that also be a problem?

Thanks and keep up the good videos!

=)

[myargonauts]

Your hair can be any color you like - but I would think that all the same color is a good choice. (as opposed to half pink and half blue)

My Jr High kids are not allowed to dye their hair, wear makeup or jewelry, etc. But I think they relax that in HS.

Not sure about the tongue piercing - for sure no Japanese teacher would have one. Can you take it out while at work?

[EmoSupernova]

Thanks for your reply!

I'll try to refrain dying my hair half pink and half blue. ; )

For the peircing, of course I can take it out, I was just wondering.

Thanks again for your very useful videos!

[OhMySavy]

Do you often see people with lip piercings in japan? Do you think it would be totally unacceptable to wear it in school? Probably, right? Also, what about a tattoo on my neck? You usually can't see it because of my hair, but if it gets seen somehow, will I get in trouble?

[myargonauts]

lip piercing not a good idea for school. I don't really know about the tattoo - I've known JETs that have them in visible places and they seem fine. The more discrete you can be about it, the better.

[drhikarisan]

If theres a big and tall shop in Hiroshima wouldnt it just be easier to go there on the weekends if you need a large amount of clothes instead of buying them through JC Penny or another internet seller? Unless of course you don't have a car...........that shoots that one down right away.

Granted the 7 Hour drive has to be terrible but its definitely shorter then waiting 3 weeks and spending all that money for shipping costs.

[myargonauts]

sometimes it may have been better to go to Hiroshima, but often the clothes in JCP are MUCH cheaper, so even after you factor in the shipping, it's still about the same, and I'm getting brands I know in American sizes.

But some shops around here are starting to carry up to size 5L in Japanese size, which is about 2XL in America, so unless you're really big like me, you may be ok.

[drhikarisan]

I don't think they'll have many clothes that will fit me considering I'm 6'4". So I'll probably have to order them from JC Penny as well.

[lvarndell]

hi, im hoping to do the JET programme in 2011 once i graduate, but i do have tattoos on my forearms, although this can be hidden with a long sleeve shirt, do you think this would be a problem ?

[myargonauts]

to be honest - they won't be a barrier to you getting hired, since you'll be wearing a suit when you go for your interview, but they could be a problem once you get here. You'll be fine wearing long sleeves for about 6 months of the year, but I would die wearing long sleeves rolled down here in July to September. Good question to post on the JET Forums at the JET Programme website for more info.

[SpinningBirdKick1]

Yeah, I've found that finding clothes if you're large or tall is pretty hard

[mostawesomestjes]

I have tattoos (2) on my back. When I wear my work clothes, there is usually no visual of it (and my hair will cover it). Do you think I will have any troubles with that. I read that some bath houses have restrictions against tattoos because of yakuza. I am a little nervous about this. (ps sorry about all the comments on these consecutively... I have it going on autoplay! ^_^)

[myargonauts]

you shouldn't have any problems at work if you can't see them. How about when you wear just a t-shirt, say at Sports Day? Your students will definitely be interested if they see them.

Don't worry about onsens - many don't restrict anymore, and if they do, it's no big deal to miss out on the occasional onsen.

[StatuesBleedingGreen]

Your a good guy, thanks for the vlogs. I'm planning on doing the JET program after i finish college and this really helps me out.

[myargonauts]

Thanks - good luck!

[Vonoska]

its the humidity.

[elikiwi123]

i love watching your video's.

its so true, nothing will fit you in japan. im a pretty average sized girl in canada, but if i go to japan, i am really big. Most pants dont fit me, and the BIGGEST broblem are the SHOES. im a size 8 here, and there, i will be around size 24.5 cm.

most shoes and sandals are up to size 23, so its little broblem for me.

and yes, Bras are wierd in japan.

[prego02]

say i have a small tattoo, with initials on my wrist and that't it.

is that still gang related and won't accept me?

or should i have like a band-aid covering it, or long sleeve shirt

[myargonauts]

shouldn't be a problem - your Japanese students and co-workers may be surprised at first and curious, but they get used to it and then not even notice. You may get turned away at a few onsens, since some have a strict "no tattoos" policy.

[Thisnamekills]

how does the heat in Japan compare to that in FL in the US I lived in FL for quite some time and got rather used to that humidity / heat. I can imagine it being hotter there but I really have no point of reference.

[myargonauts]

well - I used to live in Dallas, so I know "hot" and it's worse here where I am in south-western Honshu. Not as hot, temperature wise, some days, but when you add in the humidity, it's horrible. Plus, the lack of any air conditioning in most places makes it pretty sweaty.

[123lott123]

wanting new friends

great vid i5

[NullnV01d]

This video had me in stiches!

"You gotta watch cleavage" I couldn't but think, yep I can do that infact I do it pretty well and I can watch bottoms to haha

Then "If you have it that's bad"!!! Since when has a women having a cleavage been a bad thing lol!

Of course I get what your meaning but still funny none the less.

[GotToDance]

Heya great vlogs! Just wondering if its acceptable for women to wear trousers to work? or are they expected to wear skirts all the time? and with the skirts is ok to go barelegged so to speak, or will i have to wear tights all year round (eek)?

[myargonauts]

yep - you can wear trousers - it's common.

Most Japanese female teachers do wear stockings with their skirts, but I don't think it's "required."

[42317]

I've been wondering.

A beard stresses your charisma and authority.

Shaved you look much more like a really jolly guy.

Put differently, uh, forgive me, without a beard you look like a 35yo boy. ;-)

(This is not criticism, it's just something I noticed. It's funny how a little detail changes the way you perceive people.)

[myargonauts]

yeah - I live the beard, but it's just too hot in the summer to maintain. I often grow a goatee type thing, but it grows really gray nowadays, so to look younger I often just go clean shaven.

[knightpanda]

So, excited I can't even say how much.

[jenifaui]

Thank you so much! I've been stressing a lot about what I should bring to Japan. I hadn't thought of undershirts.

[myargonauts]

yeah - undershirts are essential.

[WhiteMatrix2006]

I wear an undershirt every single day here, so that is no problem for me. I do plan on buying myself a suit before I head over there. Atleast 1 if not 2. I too am a large man so I will be doing a lot of shopping for clothes online apparently. LOL

[Dominilucy]

totally awesome~! I am a little scared in regards to the big people thing and not finding bras ect.. I happen to be a big girl... things don't fit right here in the US, I could imagine Japan. I just ordered a huge shipment of VS just in case.. Haha but thank you so much for these blogs they are very helpful especially when it come to what I should bring and be prepared for.

[Graehaus]

Cool job jason. I love the NA view on things there.

[realrebelus]

I just tought about something else what are te prices on cars and auto insurance like, and for anyone going over this term i recoomend getting te aaa international drivers liscense but rember it is only good for 1 yr in japan and u cant renew it for japan after that one year is up

[realrebelus]

I think these vblogs on great but here's my question who would be the best cell phone carrier to use over there and wo do u go about getting the resdient alien card

[myargonauts]

thanks for the suggestions - I'll definitely cover these topics in upcoming vlogs.

[fisge]

I appreciated the part about undershirts. Personally I've never worn an undershirt in my entire life. :O I suppose it might be a good idea, though, even here. ;) I just find it hard to believe a thin undershirt (as would be necessary in summer) would be adequate to soak up all the sweat. It probably turns yellow and nasty pretty quick, too, I imagine. :X

[myargonauts]

Yeah, I never used to wear them either, but I wear them year-round here. In winter, they help keep me warm and in the summer they help keep me somewhat fresh. It's the whole layering concept and it works pretty well.

[ballinjosh03]

GREAT videos! I would like to see a video about how you deal with nightlife/social activities in rural areas of Japan and what you do. Thanks!

[myargonauts]

Cool idea - I'll add it to the list of topics. :)

[Smashingblue]

Undershirts are a must during the summer months, as is a bandanna/cloth to carry around to wipe your forehead of sweat. It's not hard at all by the end of the day to be relatively soaked with sweat.

[myargonauts]

Yeah - double showers are not uncommon in the summer months.

[GaijinGuide]

Its great to hear this stuff before I get over there for the Tokyo orientation. Keep it up. Maybe you could talk about traveling in and out of Japan (like do we need a re-entry visa, etc.) and maybe vacation days, though I have heard that the number of days varies among contracting organization.

Thanks,

A soon to be Oita-ken JET

[myargonauts]

Sure - will do. :)

[majormicro]

It's not the heat it's the humidity that was a killer while I was in Japan. Those hand fans they give away with ads on them were a life-safer.

Anyways you have mentioned owning a car in Japan and I was wondering if that was because the public transit wasn't that great where your at? I was anticipating relying on public transport bus, train, subway, etc. if I was accepted to be a JET. Any insight on the smaller cities transit?

[myargonauts]

Yeah - I'm gonna do a whole vlog on driving and getting around. Thanks for the suggestion.

[JamieDanger]

I guess it's good I took out my septum piercing!

[eselous]

Interesting note about facial hair you made, I guess the Japanese are not as anti-facial hair as some other Asian countries (heard some bad press about Taiwan in that respect)?

Don't worry about the length of videos either, longer the better!

As a medium-build 6'2", I've planned on buying everything I need before I get there!

[eselous]

Thanks again Jason. Will your dress code as an ALT depend on your school? In the UK pretty much all teachers wear suits, apart from PE teachers, and I figured it would be the same in Japan.

I have already invested in 2 suits, and although its not a waste of money, I figured I would be in suits for most of my working life in Japan.

[myargonauts]

Nah - I've never heard of a Jr High ALT needing a suit everyday - only on special occasions. Of course, if you wanted to wear a suit everyday, that would be fine too.

If you work at a High School, then it could be more formal.