A Note on Paying with Credit Cards in Japan

Don’t go to Japan expecting to be able to put things on your Visa. Even if the restaurant has a Visa sign on the door chances are they will not take it. Your cab driver will not take it either even if he has a Visa sticker on his car. They will not take it at the majority of restaurants either. You cannot use it at most train or subway machines. You cannot use it in stores either. We only were able to use it at the outlet mall, one tour company, once in a taxi, and for a couple of meals. This was it. Expect to use cash so just get out a lot to avoid frequent ATM charges. As the tourist book we have says paying with cash is an “almost sacred ritual” in Japan. Not even McDonald’s here will take Visa.  So take note Visa, time to revise your commercials- you are not accepted everywhere.

I'm lovin it but not with credit cards. April has the soft twist ice cream and the strangely named "food strap" in the Big Mac style. We still don't know what you're supposed to do with it. The commercials seem to indicate that you can hang them on your door knob (?) or collect all of them....

Day 3: Conference

Today I learned a lot about parts of the world I didn't know so much about.
Chinese migration into the Russian Far East is occurring despite the region being depressed because it's still better than China. They are working on some innovative ideas out there, including a special economic zone that crosses the border where people move freely across the border to trade and do business. Fascinating stuff that I need to look into more.

Central Asians migrating to Moscow have a pretty tough time of it. It resembles the U.S.-Mexican border and immigration issues.

I was surprised to learn that in the Caucuses that there is a great deal of emerging cooperation between the states (Georgia, Russia, Armenia, etc.). The Commonwealth of Independent States has a free visa program that I also need to look into a bit more. I wonder if there are applications for labour mobility in North America.

Went out for Chinese food this evening. It was pretty good, but different from what we're used to in Canada.

Funny story for the day: When the rest of the guys ran across the street when the light was changing I decided not to risk it and waited for the light to change. I rolled my eyes, opened my arms with my palms faced upwards and shook my head as I looked at the two Japanese girls beside me and exclaimed "GaiJin (Foreigners)" They broke out into laughter.

It's not quite as long of a post as it has been as I have been working on my powerpoint presentation for tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it.

And now here's what everyone has been waiting for: the day's photos:

Sapporo Tower

Sapporo Clock Tower

Tea from dinner this evening

Tofu dish with these old eggs that are kind of rubbery. They have turned dark with age. I don't think they were pickled, but preserved somehow. It's not bad.

Ice Guy: frozen orange juice for dessert at the hotel.

Sapporo JR Train Station

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