In this post, I would like to summarize some of very useful web sites that I always use in Japan.They may contain plane tickets, traveling, eating, shopping and coupon.
1. Rakuten
For daily life: http://www.rakuten.co.jp/
One of the largest shopping web site in Japan, there are all most everything you would like to buy.
I strongly suggest buying the bicycle there. Usually if you buy an second hand bicycle you will find the price will always around 6000yen to 8000yen(speed changeable) but sometimes the bicycle is not in good condition.
My friends spent 6000yen to buy a speed changeable one, but it got broken within 1month, she went back to the store they said if she want to totally repaired it will cost at least 5000yen. But you can find a new one here around 6890yen to 12000(speed changeable and collapsible). You can even buy food online and the rice is much more cheaper than in the store. Although I hold the preserved idea about the authentic of world brands in Rakuten.
For traveling: http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/
Sometimes Sinkansen will be expansive for our student studying abroad. Most of the time you can use highway bus to go to the place you want, it not only runs during the daytime but also the night time, it is convenient for the person who don't want to waste time, because you can sleep on the bus and next morning you will get to the destination.
I always use this web site to book the highway bus, the point is if you book before 1 week, you will get almost 50% off than the day you go. Booking hotel there is also recommended.
Both of the webs will give you some points after you shop there, you can use these points to save for you next purchase. This web also have some seasonal traveling package. Sometime it is very cost-effective. Pay attention!
2.Booking
site: http://www.booking.com/index.ja.html
This is a worldwide booking website with many language versions and asy to use. You can book the hotels all over the world. Help youself with your traveling!
3.Bustan
site: https://www.bustan.jp/
Smilar as Rakuten traveling, but specialized only in booking highway bus. The price sometime is lower than other website.
4.Kakaku
site: http://kakaku.com/
Price comparison site.
You can use it before purchase anything!! When you typed the name of the production, you will have a list of the price in different places, just pick up the cheapest one! Enjoy the entertainment of shopping in lowest price!
Kakaku coupon site:http://kakaku.com/coupon/
Like a coupon gathering site. Find coupon around Japan, choose the place you would want then just enjoy the discount they offer!
5. Brands for Friends
This is an website which provides brand clothing discount and more, it ensure provide authentic brand items. It will update everyday 21:00p.m. You can find the very popular brand there in lower price. (7 for all mankind, Anna Sui, Diesel etc. )
But you need to sign up as a member to access the shop, this membership system may keep the customers from online shops' chaos. Otherwise you need to be really quite when you find the things you want cause most of items have only very limited numbers and size.
6.zozotown
site: http://zozo.jp/
This is the largest brand shop online shop in Japan. It keeps authentic of the brands.
Almost all popular Japanese brands can be found here. If you are a person love fashion, you will be totally addicted in this web.
Not only you can find the brands online, but also you can share it by using the zozopeople tap.
There are lots of fun stuffs here waiting for you to discover.
7. Fashionwalker
site: http://fashionwalker.com/
Like its name, full of fashion news and shop the latest fashion online! Also has “SALE” department, check it out!
8.Gmarket
8.Gmarket
site: http://www.gmarket.co.jp/
This online shop is association with Ebay. The cheapest online shop I’ve seen in Japan. You can buy a dress at price of 450yen!! But the quality is just okay....one dollar one quality. hmmmm....9.hot pepper
site: http://www.hotpepper.jp/
Choose any city you want in Japan and find out the most popular restaurants! The restaurant coupon is also available! This hot pepper brand also have magazine. Published every month, provided with large mount of coupons and recommendations to restaurants. You can pick it up from some store, convenient shop and of cause in our campus. The magazine is free of charge.
10. e-ticket
The same as hot pepper, very informative about eating, drinking and body care etc..
Also contains coupon. Only available in magazine. Free of charge.
11.Sendai International Center
site:http://www.sira.or.jp/
When you click this website, you will find you can first choose your language there.
It is a place which full of information about international students. You can always find lots of events going on there. The best thing I like there is the library-- LOTS of books and interesting videos. If you want to borrow one, you need to first sign up as an member at the front dest.You just need to file out a table then you can get your own ID card. You can also find a speak partner there. Go the front desk and ask for help, they will give you further information about applying a speak partner.
Hope these website I like will also help you with the life in Sendai, Japan!!
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Dan Li