The winter season is approaching, and, thanks to Japan's almost universal lack of central air, that means inevitable cold. (Unless you're in Okinawa-- and I hear some of you in Hokkaido have central heat?). Whether you're from Tohoku or a place with a "mild" winter that doesn't feel so mild when it's the same temperature inside and out, I'm curious ( Read more... )

Does anyone else dislike the result of washing their jeans in Japanese washing machines? When I did a homestay in Japan for a few months in college, my host mother did my laundry for me and my pants became what I can only describe as "crunchy": stiff, crinkly, and rather cardboard-like. Since she was awesome enough to do my laundry for me obviously ( Read more... )

Do most American electronics work well in Japan? (Specifically, laptops and video game systems.) My family keeps insisting I need adapters.

I bought a ps2 here in Japan and now that my time is coming to a close, I want to take it with me.  What is the best way to get it back to America?  Technically, a Japanese ps2 is for use in Japan only, so it might not be easy to send.  How strictly do they check customs?

X-posted 

I bought an external hard drive in Japan. Now that I'm back in the States, I'm paranoid about plugging it in. The HD doesn't have a power adapter like my laptop does, it just says that it's made for AC 100V, 50/60Hz. My understanding is that the U.S. runs on 110 or 120V. The guy at Radio Shack told me that my HD would be fine, but I don't believe ( Read more... )

I know there are a lot of these voltage questions cropping up, and like I said, it's hard to know which ones to trust.

This question is different from the recent laptop question because my laptop adapter DOES say 100V-240V~ so I know it should work fine.

However, the new camcorder I bought to take video of my hometown before I leave says 110-240V~ so ( Read more... )

Source
A computer. I strongly advise you purchase a desktop system in Japan. Don't try and ship one from your home country or buy a laptop before you go. The voltage difference (while slight) is enough to fry rechargeable batteries, CD/DVD ROM drives ( Read more... )

Hey all, n00b here, and I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question ( Read more... )

Howdy, all ( Read more... )