Living in Japan means that you may not fully enjoy the covenience of the net due to the language barrier. Of course by learning to read some Japanese (difficult) or by opening the page in google's translator (easy) you may be able to shop online just like the Japanese do...albeit very slowly and with a certain amount of trepidation in not knowing if the process was successful until the goods arrive at your door.
Sometimes though I've come across a website that is just so good that it begs to be shared.
One such website I had the pleasure of shopping with recently is the wine shop ENOTECA
, their English language website is so well written and contains all of the features/information as found on the Japanese side. Prices are reasonable, look for the mixed bottle cases that offer fantastic value with Japanese and English wine tasting notes included the box. You can also specify delivery days and times which is great if you're out at work all week and want a case of wine delivered on Saturday
or Sunday morning.
Back to the title of top English language websites in Japan and I feel I should provide a list, well:
Amazon Love it, or hate it, still the most convenient and one of the cheapest sources of English language books and almost anything else for that matter. And all in English, even customer support will answer e-mails in English.
The Japan Times Keep up with "some" of the news in Japan. Not quite up to international standards but not a bad online read.
ENGLISH OK Originally a kind of shop/bar/restuarant listing site where the staff, or a member of the staff, could speak English. They seem to have branched out into other areas recently but the listings can still be found on www.eok.jp/
Metropolis Recently revamped and looking better for it. Still the best site for reviews of what's hot, and what's not, in Tokyo.
That's all I can think of, off the top of my head. If you have any recommendations then please send me a message.
Monday, August 31, 2009
It's almost a year ago to the day ...
It's almost a year ago to the day when Mr.Fukuda stepped down as leader of the LDP and therefore Prime Minister of Japan. Today it was the turn of Mr.Aso to step down as leader of the party, the difference this time was that he wasn't the Prime Minister anymore. His party was well and truly battered in yesterday's election by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)
What this means for Japan is difficult to say, the DPJ made many promises during the campaigning but whether they can actually deliver remains to be seen. (Personally I'm looking forward to the 26,000 yen monthly allowance for each child, I've got three!) What is true is that the LDP's stranglehold on power has been broken after over 50 years in power, not strictly true as in the mid-nineties a socialist alliance won an election but as the factions bickered and changed allegiances it was all over after a year. This time the consensus seems to be that the DPJ can hold itself together to make some real (and badly) needed reforms to the system.
Not quite the thrill of Labour gaining election victory in 1997 but still refreshing to see Japan waking up to a two party system after all this time.
What this means for Japan is difficult to say, the DPJ made many promises during the campaigning but whether they can actually deliver remains to be seen. (Personally I'm looking forward to the 26,000 yen monthly allowance for each child, I've got three!) What is true is that the LDP's stranglehold on power has been broken after over 50 years in power, not strictly true as in the mid-nineties a socialist alliance won an election but as the factions bickered and changed allegiances it was all over after a year. This time the consensus seems to be that the DPJ can hold itself together to make some real (and badly) needed reforms to the system.
Not quite the thrill of Labour gaining election victory in 1997 but still refreshing to see Japan waking up to a two party system after all this time.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)