General Info

[Huckleberryfinn]

Are you nuts? Japanese are not going to work in an AMP. Also, all AMPs are run by mafia, they are not going to let you horn in.

Correct. Japanese women don't work in AMP's in America. While there are probably one or two exceptions, I have never seen one.

Not all AMP's are run by any of the various organized crime gangs. In fact, most that I knew were individually owned by former WG's who wanted to continue making money but wanted to get off their own backs.

FWIW, I lived with an AMP owner for five years and knew many of the others in a major American east coast city. The vast majority are Korean owners and workers. It's a real business for them. And they're good at it. They deal with local LE regularly and they have good lawyers when they do get busted. They also use several layers of front gals and rarely if ever get jail time. Occasionally they get robbed and that is the biggest hassle for them. They cannot go to the police and they don't want to pay protection money.

How do they get their girls? The girls do their own recruiting for the most part. An operation with not enough girls doesn't make money and they all know it, so they bring in their friends. Illegal immigrants or girls that have a debt to pay or a kid or two to feed. I never saw any so-called [CodeWord908] and every girl was free to come and go as they pleased. For the most part, it was more like a sisterhood. So it would be difficult for a guy to own a place like that and find women, at least initially.

Huck (ps: I am almost never in this forum, so PM me if you want more info)

[Hatguy]

Hi

Dont take that. My advice to you is to tell her that you will file suit against her for "power harassment" unless she leaves you alone. See if that calls her bluff. And I think its a bluff.

[Arje79]

I just broke up with my Japanese (now) ex-fiancee. I must say it was a good decision because now I understand more than ever how crazy she was. We had quite a hard relationship (discussions about stupid stuff, breaking up and coming back together couple of times in a year), and I was stupid enough to ask her to marry me. Luckily I didn't go to see her parents or separated a date for the wedding. It was more a couple decision we wanted to make more serious later.

After I broke up with her, seeing no solution for us and tired of all the fights, she started the crying period, followed by the calling-at-any-time period. Since I didn't want to go back, she threatened to sue me for the engagement. Seems there is an old law in Japan that considers the engagement a verbal contract, so if you want to break up, you should pay the other part between 100/200man yens...

In my case, I am still arguing with my ex about the situation. Since I didn't met her parents nor chose a date for the wedding, it is kinda difficult to prove the engagement. Nevertheless, she sent me an official letter signed by a lawyer to meet with her and try to solve the problem ourselves. I went there, but there was no solution. Seems her next step will be to officially sue me, but who knows if it will really work or not.

Anyway, I just hope you guys don't make the same mistake I did and be careful with crazy J-girls that may want to bother your life or get money from you.

Good luck!

[Sprite13]

Thanks again guys for all the tips. Much appreciated.

Here's an informative link I found today:
http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=365&pID=387

[Gaijin Otoko]

Actually, Suica can now be used throughout most of the major metropolitan areas in Japan. The following link has a lot of good English information:

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

In addition to JR, around Tokyo the Suica card (and Pasmo) can be used for almost all private train lines and subways. It can also be used in most convenience stores, news stands, some regular shops (Bic Camera, for example).

This is getting way off topic, but the usage of Suica outside of the Kanto plain area refers only to usage with other JR systems (ICOCA, TOICA, etc.) If you are in Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo or Fukuoka, and you try to get by with just your Suica card, you will be walking a lot. In Tokyo, Suica is integrated with nearly all the private lines, as you indicate.

[Muku1]

Yes, I meant if one were going outside of Kanto, the Suica card won't work. For example in Osaka or Nagoya, it's pretty close to useless. It covers JR lines ONLY.

Actually, Suica can now be used throughout most of the major metropolitan areas in Japan. The following link has a lot of good English information:

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

In addition to JR, around Tokyo the Suica card (and Pasmo) can be used for almost all private train lines and subways. It can also be used in most convenience stores, news stands, some regular shops (Bic Camera, for example).

[Gaijin Otoko]

Regular SUICA (JR's IC Card) and PASMO (Subway/Private Line equivalent) can be used in most train / subway / monorails / busses in Tokyo and surrounding areas, that is Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba.

Yes, I meant if one were going outside of Kanto, the Suica card won't work. For example in Osaka or Nagoya, it's pretty close to useless. It covers JR lines ONLY. Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba are still Tokyo metropolitan area, and Suica should work everywhere. On a recent trip, I discovered first hand that Suica will work all the way out in Kurihama. The next stop after Kurihama is San Francisco.

[Gaijin Otoko]

Has anybody ever gotten a reply after answering w4m/p4p ads in Tokyo CL? I contacted several suppliers with polite enquiries, and never heard anything from any of them. Maybe i missed saying some magic keyword or something.

Are there any better Japanese sites with personal w4m/p4p ads out there?

On CL, I've gotten a number of responses. For various reasons, none of them were able to complete a sale with me. One refused to go to anything less than a five-star hotel, one wanted all kinds of personal information (may likely have not been a provider but an identity thief), one wanted me to send my picture, etc.

[Fact Finder]

I think it depends on the gig you get, unless you're independently wealthy and don't need to work.

Anybody independently wealthy to the extent of not needing to work would probably choose not to live in Japan long-term because of the high top-end taxes. Visit as tourist- yes; stay up to the 5-year exemption- maybe; stay longer than 5 years- no.

[Fact Finder]

If you want to get adventurous without getting involved in dating sites, put a personal ad in Metropolis magazine or CraigList.

Has anybody ever gotten a reply after answering w4m/p4p ads in Tokyo CL? I contacted several suppliers with polite enquiries, and never heard anything from any of them. Maybe i missed saying some magic keyword or something.

Are there any better Japanese sites with personal w4m/p4p ads out there?

[Jpn Dude]

Suica is not terribly useful outside of Tokyo, unfortunately, but it is accepted on more than 90% of public transportation in the Tokyo area. Other areas have their own cards.

Regular SUICA (JR's IC Card) and PASMO (Subway/Private Line equivalent) can be used in most train / subway / monorails / busses in Tokyo and surrounding areas, that is Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba.

[Sprite13]

GaijinOtoko,
Those are awesome videos for those of us who are about to come to Tokyo. thanks a bunch man!

AussieGaijin,
I have been studying a bit the metro map of Tokyo and I am starting to see some patterns which hopefully will be confirmed when I get there.
I sure won't bother with P4P in Tokyo as I'll be heading to BKK right after that, but if there is any decent option that are not crazy expensive, then why not indulge just to get a taste of some Japa action. Btw, do you guys know if there is a brasilian area in Tokyo? I hear those half Brasilian-half Japanese girls are very sexy as I have met a few on my Brasil trips and would love to meet some as well in Tokyo. So any areas where they like to get together and all?

Also, should I bother with those Japanese dating sites or just try my luck when I get there? I'm young, in shape and not ugly.

Thanks again guys for all your help!

Cheers.

[Gaijin Otoko]

GaginOtoko, your suggestion of the Suica & N'EX card is awesome!I'll get that for sure. I'll get that as soon as I land in Narita. If I understand clearly, the Suica card can be refilled with money/credit to be used on the Tokyo transit system (buses, subways, trains), is that correct? Also, how does the ticket system works? Does one have to buy a new ticket each time they change train/metro or line? or is one ticket good for one continuous trip?

It's all explained on the Suica website, but what happens is you wave the card over the blue backlit sensor when you get on the train/subway/bus/monorail/etc., and then you wave it over another blue backlit sensor when you get off. The fare is automatically calculated and deducted from your card. There's a video showing how it works here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDJPXMXOL98 There's also a handy video walkthrough to adding credit to your card at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nAzODKw1oY The machines usually have an English button so you can switch to English menus, but not always.

Suica is not terribly useful outside of Tokyo, unfortunately, but it is accepted on more than 90% of public transportation in the Tokyo area. Other areas have their own cards.

[AussieGaigin]

Thanks Aussiegagjin for the tips, very much appreciated. I'll definitely keep that in mind.
GaginOtoko, your suggestion of the Suica & N'EX card is awesome!I'll get that for sure. I'll get that as soon as I land in Narita. If I understand clearly, the Suica card can be refilled with money/credit to be used on the Tokyo transit system (buses, subways, trains), is that correct? Also, how does the ticket system works? Does one have to buy a new ticket each time they change train/metro or line? or is one ticket good for one continuous trip?

Sorry for these newby questions. I'm just trying to understand the transportation system in Tokyo. I've been looking at Expedia for options and so far, I see good options in Ueno, Azakuzo, Shibuya at good prices. Or would I be better off to pay a bit more and stay in/near Roppongi for the night life as this would end up saving me money on trains/taxi getting to and from there back to the hotel?

Btw, is there a guide for Tokyo in here as there is one for Rio? That would be extremely helpful, if any Tokyo expert could take the time to creat one, it would be a huge asset for the forums and for those visiting this fascinating city. I'm doing my research as I am very excited about visiting Tokyo and I thank you guys in advance for all you help, tips and suggestions.

Cheers.

The Tokyo transport system is huge and probably difficult for even locals. Too difficult to explain here, but there is plenty of info on the web - Google is your friend.

What sort of things do you want to see/do in Tokyo ?? This would effect how you travel around. As well as city travel, there are one/two day passes available to areas like Nikko, Kamakura/Enoshima, Hakone, etc. If you going to BKK, don't waste too much time/money on sex adventures here. If you want to get adventurous without getting involved in dating sites, put a personal ad in Metropolis magazine or CraigList .

There are a couple of threads on Tokyo in this section, have you checked them out ??

[Sprite13]

Thanks Aussiegagjin for the tips, very much appreciated. I'll definitely keep that in mind.
GaginOtoko, your suggestion of the Suica & N'EX card is awesome!I'll get that for sure. I'll get that as soon as I land in Narita. If I understand clearly, the Suica card can be refilled with money/credit to be used on the Tokyo transit system (buses, subways, trains), is that correct? Also, how does the ticket system works? Does one have to buy a new ticket each time they change train/metro or line? or is one ticket good for one continuous trip?

Sorry for these newby questions. I'm just trying to understand the transportation system in Tokyo. I've been looking at Expedia for options and so far, I see good options in Ueno, Azakuzo, Shibuya at good prices. Or would I be better off to pay a bit more and stay in/near Roppongi for the night life as this would end up saving me money on trains/taxi getting to and from there back to the hotel?

Btw, is there a guide for Tokyo in here as there is one for Rio? That would be extremely helpful, if any Tokyo expert could take the time to creat one, it would be a huge asset for the forums and for those visiting this fascinating city. I'm doing my research as I am very excited about visiting Tokyo and I thank you guys in advance for all you help, tips and suggestions.

Cheers.