Go Karting in Hamamatsu

Ready to Go Kart!

To celebrate my 30th birthday, my friends and I went go-karting last Sunday. 

There are three go-kart areas in Shizuoka. The nearest from Hamamatsu is the Quick Hamana Circuit. 

How to Get There 

We originally planned to take the bus but a friend thankfully drove us there. 

By bus, take the ones going to Isami. You can find them from terminal No. 2 at Hamamatsu Bus Station. Ittakes about 30-45 minutes. Get off at Ohitomi or Sahama nishi stop. Fares are around 400-500 Yen.

Checking-In

Upon arrival, a Japanese staff explained the plans we might avail: 

2500 Yen for 5 Laps (plus 300 for the face mask)

2000 for additional 5 laps

3800 for 8 laps with free face mask

2000 for 2-seater karts, 3 laps

All of us got the first plan- 2500 Yen for 5 Laps. 

After choosing, the staff handed us go-karting agreements that we should sign. 

Quick Hamana has no English staff but it has an English version of go karting agreement. It has the rules and reminders first-timers might need. 

Once the forms were filled up and payment has been made, we were briefly oriented on how to use the go kart. Instructions were given in Japanese. My friend helped us understand what the staff is saying. For those who has zero Japanese and no Japanese friend, they have an English translated version on paper. 

After instructions were given, we waited for about 15 minutes. The place was a bit crowded. 

Living in a Leo Palace Apartment

My favorite corner in my apartment:
Lucky bamboo and a framed silk

Finding an apartment in Japan is not an easy thing especially if you're a foreigner. You'll need a guarantor-a local who'll vouch for you to the property owner. You'll also need key money- it's a "cash gift" to the property owner for allowing you to rent the place. There's also the language barrier which might be used to your disadvantage.

So how will you find an apartment in Japan? 

Thank your stars if your company helps you in finding an apartment. Some companies can act as guarantors for you. They'd also help you understand the leasing contract. They may even loan you the needed key money. 

But if this is not the case for you, the most convenient rental option for you is by renting a Leo Palace Apartment.

Repost: Angry single men stage anti-Christmas rally in Tokyo

Christmas in Japan is all about romance
photo credit: www.punipunijapan.com

I saw this news report on a Philippine online newspaper. I found it both funny and sad. 

In a nutshell: 20 single Japanese men were protesting Christmas because it's a symbol of capitalism and commercialization. 

What they're using is absolutely true but I think the deeper cause is they have no one to celebrate Christmas with. 

In Japan, Christmas is an event for couples much like how Valentines is celebrated in the West. If you're unmarried, single or no guts to ask someone to a date, then you can just forget a Christmas celebration. No wonder these single men are protesting!