Progressing...

I'm slowly progressing in settling in.  I got my bank account set up today which is good since I will be able to get paid in a few week (yes, paperwork).  Also tried to join the National Health Insurance but that is a bit tricky and also takes some time (lots of waiting and paperwork).  I needed to get my inkan stamp - here is the stamp in a nice box.  It turned out quite nice - I can't show it to you since it's like showing my signature.

I also looked around for a bike at this large supermarket by my place.  It seems like they are selling normal city bikes for around $170.  The bikes have a basket in front so it will be nice to bring groceries home - now I have to carry everything.  I might get one tomorrow - just have to find out what information they need at the store.  It also might be worthwhile visiting a used bike shop.  Nagoya is large but quite a lot of it can be done by bike - at least for the local ward.  Everybody uses bikes here from little kids to grandmas riding bikes holding an umbrella.

I walked a bit today - probably around 5km.  Which I really shouldn't have done since I wasn't wearing very good walking shoes and now have blisters and it hurts when I walk :(.  Here are some random pictures on the road in my ward - Higashi.

Nagoya City Performing Arts Center:

The shop where I got the inkan stamp made - it only took 1 day and cost around $40.  It is hand carved from wood.

The Catholic Cathedral in Nagoya:

Some nice temples are pretty much everywhere:

Sometimes in front of a shop, you see a large collection of potted plants that are quite nicely maintained by the shopkeepers.

A small cold coffee can from vending machine:

It looks like all power in Japan is above ground - there are power cables everywhere.  Sometimes when they connect to an apartment building, it's a huge tangled mess!

I found a Denny's!

One of the several Railroad lines in the city:

Another very impressing temple:

And another...

At the mall next to where I live, there is a large pet center with like 20 tiny minature dogs on display every time I pass by.  Also has a "pet paradise" section.

Some Ramen for dinner:

In front of the conveyer belt sushi place, there is an impressive selection of plastic sushi:

A flower shop in the mall:

Fall fashion display.  Seems like everything is in Fall mood - lots of advertising randomly using the word "Autumn".

I found a Sanrio store! Hello Kitty! :P

The clothing prices at this large supermarket (kinda akin to a large Walmart with a huge food store) are insanely cheap.  Maybe they are trying to sell out the summer clothes, but you can buy a pair of shorts for about $7 in many different colours:

A pair of nice Khaki-type pants for around $10:

I tried a few shirts and it's pretty sad... The largest size they had was LLL and it just just fits me a little tighly and there was a very limited selection of that size.  Next time I got there, I need to bring my measurements in cms so that I can buy things like socks :P.  But the prices are quite good.