The Backpack Adventures

As a new Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) one of the first things that I did when I arrived in Rumoi City in Hokkaido Prefecture was to open a bank account. Like a fish out of water, it was confusing for me as the procedures and requirements were different compared to my home country, and to top it off there was also a language barrier. Lucky for me, I was accompanied and helped by the school's staff which made the process a whole lot easier. Opening a Bank Account in Japan Guide I'm writing this comprehensive guide to help those who would do this task alone. However, keep in mind that there are numerous banks in Japan and each bank may have a different procedure. Regardless, the differences are very minimal. Aside from that, I won't be promoting a specific bank so the requirements and procedures here are common to all the banks in the country. Requirements Like in any country, you need to present and submit requirements in order for you to open a bank account in Japan. He

Week 1: November 2 - 5, 2021 1st week as an ALT in Rumoi High School Hey guys! I'm sharing with you how my first week in Rumoi City went. Read on and find out about my life as a new Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) here at Rumoi High School , Rumoi City, Hokkaido Prefecture.  Day 1: November 2, 2021 Tuesday - Rumoi Today is my first day of work at Rumoi High School . I was asked to report to work before 8:15AM and since my house is only a few blocks away from the school I headed to work at around 7:40AM and got to school just on time .   Walking to school. It's the last few weeks of autumn. When the school bell chimed at exactly 8:15AM, everyone stood up and the Kouchou-sensei (Principal) greeted everyone and then bowed, we reciprocated with a greeting and a bow. The Kyoto-sensei (Vice Principal) then made some announcements in Japanese before calling me to the front and asking me to give my jiko shokai (self-introduction).  Rumoi High School 11/2/2021 After my jiko shoka

Day 0: November 1, 2021 Monday - Off to Rumoi City Finally! My 14-day quarantine is officially over. Today also marks my "release" from room 1350 of Keio Plaza Hotel . It only means one thing... I'm finally flying to Hokkaido.  Farewell Room 1350 of Keio Plaza Hotel . Time to go! With fellow Filipino ALT Abhie of Wakkanai, Hokkaido Since there were numerous Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) departing to different prefectures today we were given a check-out assembly schedule to avoid crowding. The Hokkaido-bound ALTs were asked to gather at the 3F GRACE South Tower by 8:30AM.  Rode the bus to Haneda Airport Arrived at Haneda Airport Inside Haneda Airport There's our plane I'm a proud Filipino! Team HokkaIDOLS Off to New Chitose Airport - Good bye Tokyo! After everyone's accounted for, we were ushered to an airport bus that brought us to Haneda Airport . We reached the airport by 9:20AM and spent a few hours waiting for our flight. We boarded flight NH820 for

Keio Plaza Hotel ( 京王プラザホテル ), located at 2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo Prefecture, was the first high-rise hotel in Japan . Keio Plaza Hotel Keio Plaza Hotel details The first tower of Keio Plaza Hotel was built in June 1971. It stands 178 meters tall. After its construction, it became Tokyo's first skyscraper hotel. Also, it held the record as the tallest building in Tokyo from 1970 until 1974.  Keio Plaza Hotel 's second tower was completed in November 1980. It stands 138 meters tall.  Keio Plaza Hotel - Shinjuku City, Tokyo Aside from being the first high-rise hotel in Japan and holding the record as the tallest building in Tokyo for 4 years, Keio Plaza Hotel is also credited for opening the first in-hotel wedding chapel in Japan  in 1975. It didn't stop there. In 1992, it opened the Amanogawa which is the first sake bar in a hotel.  Room 1350 , this is my room for 2 weeks Inside Room 1350 Good morning from Room 1350 Time to take a bath The toilet of ro