Bicycle Buying Procedure in Japan

 

I am very sure that some of you possess a bicycle. So my question now is how do you buy a bike?

Of course, first, you go to the supermarket or any market, then select the bicycle you wanted most, and when you fell in love, you directly buy it, pay it and bring it to your home. Later, you can go bicycling.

In Japan, when you want to buy a bicycle, there is a procedure that we must follow. Here is my experience when I bought a bike while I was studying in Japan:

1. I looked for a bike  from the amazon website (actually, I could buy it from the home center near my Campus);
2. I selected and bought it;
3. The delivery service  sent the bicycle package to my dorm;
4. I brought my bicycle to the home center near my Campus and registered my bike to get the number. In Japan, we call it “ Bouhan Touroku.” It means the bicycle registration with the prefectural police. Bouhan Touroku is mandatory for possessing a bicycle in Japan.
5.  I reported my registered bicycle to my Campus, so I got my campus label as well.

After I completed all the procedures, I could go bicycling. Though I was studying in the countryside, we still had to enforce the law, no exception for a bicycle. 

Here are some pictures capturing the moment when registering my bicycle. 

At the Home center, I had to bring all the documents needed. At that time, my friend, Rafli, accompanied me.

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The female checked my bicycle.


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She attached the label. 

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My Bicycle with the label 

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Let's go bicycling 

Nameko is in Your Miso Soup

 

What is Nameko?

Yup, it is a name for a type of edible mushroom in Japan from the kingdom of Fungi, well known by the name Pholiota Nameko. But, people call it, Nameko. Previously, I did not see the name of the mushroom. But, it is Nameko that we usually eat in the Miso Soup.

The first time I discovered about the Nameko, from the hiking activity with IUJ friends and Japanese communities to mount Botan in the Fall of 2019 (September 2019) when I was still in Japan.  One of our tour guides showed us Nameko mushroom growing on the dead trees or bed logs when we climbed down the hill.

These pictures show what Nameko looks like:

 

It is surprised me that Nameko actually can be cultivated in the wild. After discovering Nameko, every time I cooked Miso Soup, I would not forget to add Nameko.

The description of Nameko

Here is the description of Nameko:

• It is edible 
• It grows in bed logs/dead deciduous trees/mossy tree trunk
• It is the gelatinous coat
• It is sticky, but I like it
• It is available in the supermarket 

The price of Nameko in the local store at my time was about 400 yen.

All About MISO

 

What is Miso?

Miso is such a kind of ingredient made by fermenting soybeans and other components.  Miso is used primarily for cooking a Miso Soup. It is very well known in Japan and has been a part of the dietary life of Japanese people for more than 1300 years. In other words, Miso is a fermented food and created by the activity of microorganisms. I found 2 (two) kinds of Miso. First, Miso contains alcohol. Second, Miso without alcohol, and recently I also found Certified Halal Miso. Miso is available in the supermarket in Japan. Later I knew that Miso not only can be used as the main ingredient for Miso Soup, but it can also be used for cooking any saute. 

From the official Miso Company website, I get the information that Miso is divided into 4 (four) categories:

• Rice Miso: Made with rice, soybeans, and salt. White Miso is also a type of rice miso.
• Barley Miso: Made of barley, soybeans, and salt. Main producers are located in the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu regions.
• Soybean Miso: Made of soybeans and salt. Main producers are located in the Chukyo region.
• Blended Miso: Made by blending two or three types of rice miso, barley miso, or soybean miso. Blended Miso can also be made from rice koji, barley koji, or soybean koji. Miso other than rice miso, barley miso, and soybean miso are also categorized as blended Miso.

When I was studying in Japan, I used to shop at the local supermarket, Cupid Yamato. We usually call Cupid Yamato a Supa. In my second year, I intensively cooked Miso Soup. 

See the picture below is a kind of nonAlcohol Miso that I bought in Japan. For as long as I remembered, the price of this Miso is not been over 500 yen.

The type of this miso can be checked here. The type of the Miso is : KOJI BIJIN MISO 650G

Made with 100% Japanese rice and a lavish amount of rice koji, this additive-free Miso is mildly sweet and deeply savory.

Ingredients: Rice, soybeans (non-MGO), salt

They also announce if this Miso is Additive Free, No MSG added, and vegetarian.

This is the recently known Certified Halal Miso from Website Cupid Yamato. 

How is the Taste of Miso?

From my experience, the taste of Miso is unique and flavorful because I add it with soy sauce and broth. But, according to the website of the Miso Company, Miso flavor is created in a complex combination of sweetness, saltiness, umami, sourness, bitterness, and astringency.

• The Sweetness Miso : Starch in the rice is broken down by amylase in the koji. A higher rice koji content will result in sweeter Miso. When Miso is allowed to age for a long time, the yeast and lactic acid bacterium consume the sugar content. If the sugar content is dramatically reduced, it creates a so-called "dry" state.
• Aging and Umami: Umami of Miso is influenced by amino acids (mainly glutamic acid) formed when the soybean protein breaks down. The umami increases with aging. Umami is not formed solely by glutamic acid but is formed when saltiness, sourness, and sweetness are blended, and a pleasing aroma and moderate viscosity are added. As aging progress and the soybean continues to break down, the stimulation felt on the tongue softens, and the Miso develops a broader and richer taste.
• Saltiness of Miso: The extremely salty Miso in the early stages of preparation loses some of its saltiness as it matures. This phenomenon, in which the salinity perceived by the tongue decreases even though the salt concentration does not change, is called "shio-nare" and is the result of the sour and umami components. Lactate, peptides, and amino acids are all substances that cause "shio-nare."
• Additive-Free Miso: Additive-free Miso is prepared without adding alcohol to the kuradashi Miso (removed from the aging tank). It is directly filled into the container. The container may expand during the distribution process since the yeast activity continues and promotes fermentation.

That is the explanation about the process how the taste is made for Miso.

I have my recipe for cooking my miso soup. I just knew another ingredient from youtube to make my Miso Soup is more delicious.

Here is my recipe:

Broth:

1. Acnhovy
2. Dried Seaweed

Vegetables:

1. Nameko (Type of mushroom)
2. Chives 
3. Tofu

Ingredients: 

1. Soy sauce 
2. Miso 

How To Make : 

• First, I will make broth from anchovy and dried seaweed. Then, we boil it with water for about 15 minutes. After the broth is made, I take out anchovy and dried seaweed from the water.
• I  add the tofu that has been cut into small pieces and Nameko into the broth.
• Add soy sauce and Miso. Wait until it is boiled and is ready to serve.

The broth makes the taste of the miso soup stronger—no need to add salt. You can also look for another recipe for making the broth from YouTube.

When I returned to Indonesia, I also brought 1 (one) Miso from Japan. Then, I am so happy when I found Miso in Indonesia Supermarket with the halal label.  I can keep cooking with Miso.

Here is the Miso that I found in Indonesia. I found it in All Fresh. 

The ingredients of this Miso are: 

• Water 
• Soybean 
• Rice 
• Salt 
• Rice Starch 
• Aspergillus Oryzae
• Potassium Sorbate (as Preservative)

Yup, unfortunately, there is a preservative in the ingredients while

In Japanese Miso, there is a type of additive-free Miso.  But, It just okay for the moment to me enjoying Indonesia food.

 Another source

Why JICA Scholarship ?

So today, I just wanna share my thought about "Why JICA Scholarship?" 

As you know that I have written here about JICA scholarship, you can check the old blog here. 

Here, you can read my another opinion about it that has been written in the brochure as follow: 

 I encourage you to take the opportunity if there is a JICA scholarship offering. Especially JICA  Development Studies Program : SDGs Global Leadership Program for the civil servant throughout Indonesia. Why I encourage you to take this opportunity? 

The answer is because you will get so many opportunities. Before I explain detail about it. Let's check first what does JICA scholarship cover? 

JICA Scholarship covers : 

1. Tuition Fees 
2. Living Allowance 
3. Airfare Tickets
4. Outfit Allowance 
5. Moving Allowance 
6. Research Support Allowance (RSA)
7. Visa Fee

Tuition Fees

Tuition fee will be paid directly to our University. 

Living Allowance 

144.000 yen. It will be used for dormitory fee and also our monthly spending. I could save monthly. 

Airfare Tickets 

The ticket will be facilitated by JICA (return ticket). I still remember we took the ANA (All Nippon Airways) when we went to Japan and we took JAL (Japan Airlines) when we returned to Indonesia. 

Outfit Allowance 

100.000 yen for outfit allowance. In my case, I bought the winter outfit in Indonesia, because when I arrived in Japan, it was already winter time. So, I did not have to buy winter outfit again in Japan.

Moving Allowance 

From the first year to last year, I stayed in dormitory.  But, we can move out from the dorm. If we stay off campus, we will be given moving allowance. Because I did not move out from dorm, there was no moving allowance for me. 

Research Support Allowance (RSA)

RSA is given annually (30.000 yen monthly). I can say that RSA is the best part of this scholarship. I attended International conference in Greece which is supported by RSA in 2019. You can see my video here. Unfortunately, due to pandemic in 2020, there was no more international conference. So, how we spent the RSA in 2020? Yup, lucky us, our University and JICA allowed  us to spend it on books. That's why I bought the books (any book I wanted to read).

Visa Fee 

JICA will cover visa fee.

Above all, in my personal experience, why JICA Scholarship is the best, they do not set the high standard for GPA. In other words, there is no special requirement from JICA for the GPA we have to obtain in university. The requirement is just from the University itself. So, we have to meet minimum requirement GPA based on the program we take into in University.  

Additional Information 

JICA Center 

JICA center in Tokyo 

I stayed in Minamiuonuma shi, Niigata. So, if there was meeting/gathering I had to go to JICA center in Tokyo. We stayed in JICA center. We can also stay here for holiday. We have to book the room here and pay by ourselves. I like to stay here very much. I felt comfortable. It is just like a hotel. 

JICA Scholar Gathering (Networking)

One of another benefits of being a part of JICA Scholarship is networking. JICA regularly will host a networking event. JICA will facilitate this meeting. There are also "lecture on specific theme". We can learn a lot from this meeting. 

JICA Scholars from Indonesia" Arief san, Cep Kiki san, Me, Mas Ben and 

Field Trip

The unforgettable memory for me is when we visited Nagasaki. The historical city due to Atomic Bomb. 

My article about Nagasaki Trip 

I wrote the article about Nagasaki and published it on commercial magazine (Vol. 39/2019, MyTrip Magazine). 

That's all for me. 

Good luck for you all who are pursuing education and scholarship. 

My Preparation for Thesis Defense 2020

 Alhamdulillah, 

I have completed my study in Japan for two years. Time passed quickly,  I arrived in Japan in December 2018 and I returned to Indonesia in December 2020. 

I also want to say Happy New Year 2021.  I hope you are safe and sound. 

In the beginning of the new year 2021, I want to share with you about my preparation for my Thesis Defense in last October 2020. My Thesis is a quantitative research and I used the secondary data. I needed to prepare well for my thesis defense because it was the first time I learned about statistics, econometric and also Stata application.  I worked so hard to complete my thesis. 

I am so grateful that finally I could graduate from my thesis defense last year. I realized that I am still far away from the perfect but I love to learn something new. 

Here, I share my preparation for my Thesis defense last year. 

I read the Book " Naked Statistics "

The first time I knew the book is from my campus "Monday Talk". Our library hosted the book talk on Mondays. One of the speaker introduced about the book. When I saw the book,  I insisted to buy it by using my RSA (research support allowance). I ordered the book with the help of JJPO (in charge with my scholarship). Finally, the book came exactly before the day of my thesis defense. When I received the book, I found out the book was understandable and it was suitable for me to learn and to prepare my thesis defense. The first chapter that I read was very interesting. That made me continuing to read the whole chapter.      

I wrote a note/cheat sheet contained of the important points from the Book 

When I finished reading the book, an idea came up. I thought it would be better for me to write a note (cheat sheet) or resume about the important points of the book. So, I could use the note to help me prepare and get ready for my thesis defense. 

The Note is just like this: 

This cheat sheet helped me a lot to understand about quantitative research, about the terms in our research and so on. I used this cheat sheet/note to learn and prepare my thesis defense. It is easier and practical. 

Actually, I feel the need to master deeply about the quantitative research. I want to continue my study to PhD. What I have learned in IUJ, of course as the beginning of my journey. I am grateful for that. 

There are still a lot things to share here. But, my focus is about the book to that can help you understand more about quantitative research. 

I hope my blog is helpful for you who are about to face thesis defense. Good luck.

  

 

About Japan from Our Discussion Result

 A couple days ago (at the end of August) I had Joint Program 2020 webinar. This webinar is held for JICA scholars. This program aims for offering participants opportunities to learn additional knowledge such as innovation and leadership, and build a network with other JICA participants as well as Japanese public institutions/private companies. 

The objectives of the joint program are: 

1. To deepen understanding as JICA participants, share some important points to continue scholarship program, and strengthen networking among themselves. 
2. To promote Cross-Cultural understanding.
3. To gain Japanese social culture and business manner.
4. To learn about Innovation and Leadership through lectures and workshops.
5. etc.   

What  I want to share here is about my group discussion result. Yup, there was a group discussion. I joined group B (one of the targets is SDGs Global Leader Program-my scholarship program). For group B, we are divided again into groups. I was in group ten with other participants. I remembered one of five participants. He is from Salvador.  The group discussed about three questions as follow: 

Question 1 

What kind of system/service/mindset do you want to take away from Japan to your country? 

Answer:

• From Japanese Industry: the mindset about collaboration between the owner and the worker (work relationship or collaboration culture). The Japanese company very concerns about long term relationship with workers. They see it as human capital. In the Japanese industries, they will not only compete, but also work together in order to develop R&D.
• The structure of Japanese industry:  the well structured industries make easier to develop the productivity. Hardworking sense, even it's difficult to adapt or take this quality out is difficult (high motivation is needed) Not giving up is also important attitude feature (continue working despite of the struggles). The serving nature of Japanese people, the way that Japanese consider the costumer feeling, and try to make feel good in any situation. 
• The transportation is very organized and functual. 
• Mechanization of agriculture.
• Health facility system. 
• Human resources focus: how education system is structured and how Japan keep motivated people to train and improve human capabilities. 
• The service industry: standardization of food and hospitalities in various service sectors. 
• The garbage collection system is very well-organized. Each city is committed and concern about recycling infrastructure and keep cities clean. Reducing pollution, environment becomes better for living. 
• The mail delivery system is very functional and effective (time and accuracy). 
• The mindset, how people is facing pandemic (mutual respect, cough etiquette, not selfish behavior).   

Question 2 

What point do you think Japan should learn from your country?

 Answer:

• To understand other cultures. Indonesia has the largest ethnicity and languages. The religion of the country, Islam is majority in Indonesia. Good hospitality  (attitude like to be smiling, welcoming, friendly, more social interaction, and understanding about diversity).
• To make a social relation better in Japan: understanding about other cultures and interact with and from other cultures (industrial context). 
• To wide knowledge about different continents in order to understand other different context. 
• To make a better human relationship: stressing family and friends feeling (strengthen feeling, not to have a cold relationship).
• Self expression, how Japanese people express what they are thinking, how to distinguish what is acceptable or not (how to know what they consider negative or positive).
• Medicine beliefs. They do not believe kind of traditional medicine, but sometimes natural and traditional medicine may be considered into Japanese mindset (with less secondary effects). 

Question 3 

By combining the ideas of the two steps together, what kind of global collaboration should be done by Japan? (for example, which industry or field?)

Answer:

• Natural resources (oil and gas industry).
• Agriculture : the implementation of new technologies, like makin seeding automatically (truck and machines, fertilizing and insecticides by helicopter) for producing more efficiently. 
• Education: ICT development. 
• Automobile industry.
• Train and railway system. 
• Tourism.
• Housing.
• Exchange system of collaboration in order to understand developing countries contexts and people, but also people from other countries come to Japan in order to understand the innovation and key ideas for development.  

 

How much monthly spending for a student in Japan ?

 Dear my friends, 

I hope you safe and sound. Today I would like to share with you how much I spent my monthly in Japan. Before I started informing you. I would like you to know several things as follow: 

1. I have been pursuing my master degree in International University of Japan (IUJ).
2. I am a JICA scholar. So, all my tuition and also monthly spending are given from JICA. 
3. IUJ is located in Minamiuonuma, Perfecture Niigata. It is a country side and my campus is surrounded by rice fields. I close to nature. 

Because I have been living in country side, I didin't spend to much for my monthly needs. Except, I visit another place and buy the clothes or others, I will spend more.  

Here is my spending. 

STUDENT DORMITORY (SD) 

I am staying in a student dormitory which is a bit expensive than staying off campus (rental house outside campus). But, staying in SD 1 is cheaper than staying in SD3. There is no lift in SD1. My friend ever asked me whether I wanted to move out to SD3 or not, because she told me that SDI was spooky. But I like its lounge. SDI's lounge is the biggest I think among other dormitories. Actually, I am afraid of ghost. But I remember my father ever said that no human was died by a ghost (eaten by ghost). I can recite Quran or sleep whenever I feel scared.   

For example my expenses for December (related to my Dorm) in 2019, as follow: 

You can see that my hot water expense is bigger than electricity. It because in December was snowing, so, it was cold and I have a bad habit for taking a long shower. For the printer use, you see that in each of dormitory also available the print. It is connected via campus wifi. When we want to use the printer we have to log in with our username through the wifi. That's why, I like living in a dormitory for its access and also close to the class room.  

Oh yeah, actually if you choose to live off campus, you can get cheaper monthly payment by sharing with your friends. If you are lucky, you can get a sharing house. For the information of a sharing house, you can join facebook group : Uonuma Network Group.

Next, 

MONTLHY SPENDING (SHOPPING)

My monthly spending is varied from about 20.000,- yen to 50.000, yen ... Every Saturday I can shop at DAISO and AEON. But, for weekly needs, Cupid Yamato will do. I forgot what I spent about 9.670 yen. It was the most expensive I ever spent in a supermarket. 

For the tuition, I do not know, because JICA directly gave it to my university. 

I hope this blog is useful for you who want to continue study in Japan. Especially, in International University of Japan. 

Maybe in other blog I will share the different season in Minamiuonuma. 

Thank you.