General Discussion Thread – 03 February 2026

10 comments

1. Anyone with experience/knowledge about fiber installation to a mansion? The copper NTT modular jack (C対) is not in the room where I’d like to place my router. Already arranged for Biglobe to do the hookup, but I’m wondering if they can route it to any room or if they have to use the conduit which goes to that particular jack? (Or, frankly, if there’s even a conduit in those walls?)

   There’s coax going to each room, (from above the shower as usual), if that helps?

2. Broke up with my partner. My interest in staying in Japan had already been waning so this seems like the push I needed to finally head back home, but it’s gonna take a herculean effort to sell our house, get rid of all my vehicles/furniture and make all the arrangements to move countries before my visa expires in August and all I really want to do is lay down and cry right now.

3. My gym has a shower that shuts off the water after a few seconds, you have to periodically pull down a lever to get more water. The lights also turn off automatically after 9-10 minutes, so if you haven’t finished your shower by then, you’ll be stuck in the shower room in complete darkness and have to wave your hand outside for the motion sensor to activate. Oh, the maximum temperature is also limited to ~39 degrees, no matter what you set it to, the water won’t be any warmer.

   Ok, I could live with all that, if that meant people would hurry up in there and I wouldn’t have to wait to take a shower.

   However, they recently reduced the water time, so it shuts off after 4-5 seconds only. This is too much, I feel like the constant pulling that lever became part of my workout. And I don’t think this is causing people to shower any faster, I think it’s just to save money.

   Stupid Anytime Fitness, should be called Everytime Pettiness.

4. What is up with Japanese tech prices? I bought a new laptop recently and ended up just deciding to buy it through Amazon US and having it imported here and it was still cheaper than buying the same model here in Japan.

5. Fiance and I are planning on getting married soon and I’m confused as to what documents need to be apostilled and notarized since the two are different (??). She called her local ward office which is Yokohama and they told her that a Birth certificate and proof of single status, both of which need to have an apostille, is required. But I’m confused to the notary part, do I need to have the documents notarized also or does is the apostille enough?

6. Where do I get a DDR4-Sodimm for my laptop? Mercari? Thinking of upgrading from 8gb ram to 16gb on my laptop

7. The radio played Sweet Child of Mine twice today.  Only a few hours apart.

   How did they a) find sense to play a good song, and b) find a spot between the 髭男 and Mrs Green Apple spam of the last couple of months to actually play it?

   Has anyone had this happen to them before?

8. Hello! 20+years-a-gaijin here looking for some advice from anyone and everyone who is willing to share.

   I’ve been dealing with a medical issue for a number of years and despite having seen or consulted doctors across the globe (locally as well) no one has ever been able to pinpoint the issue. Part of my problem is not being able to see doctors overseas long-term. It’s usually an online consultation that ends with, “Best of luck!”

   The other problem is, that JP docs are so hyper-specific and single-minded, that if you go to them, tell them you have a systemic issue, and explain why you’re seeing them they’ll say, “Yeah but that’s not my specialty, you should go see a XYZ doctor.” Which you’ll do, and they’ll say, “You should see an ABC doctor.” Which you’ll do, and they’ll say…you get the point.

   Is there a service here in JP that can pair patients with doctors that fit them best?

   While I live with my condition, it’s extraordinarily uncomfortable all day, every day and I’ve had to swallow my pride when it comes to dealing with ego-maniac know-it-all docs here.

   I’m looking for some kind of private or govt. service that looks at patients and pairs them with docs.

   OFC some time spent Googling only brought up Mental Healthcare Matching which just…is so par for course for JP. “Having trouble? Prob in your head!” Th-thanks JP…never change.

   Your advice would be greatly welcome. Thank you for your time and consideration.

9. The English AI robot voice announcements on the Shinkansen are terrible, and the Korean ones are even worse.

   Maybe JR East can spend a few yen in the name of service instead of trying to cut back so we all have to listen to monotone robots.

10. i was thinking of going to see a Japanese power violence (metal subgenre) band this weekend. Was curious what the vibe would be like, what kind of people go to those shows here, etc. Where I’m from, really unpopular metal subgenre shows have very bored/un-energetic crowds, which I prefer, so wasn’t sure if people were going to be all pushy/moshing whatever here.

    anyways, leading up to the show i was looking at the bands posts, and their likes were nearly all accounts belonging to foreigners, figured it must be because it’s instagram, maybe they post on twitter and interact more with Japanese there.

    Anyways chickened out on going, and watched the reels of the live the next day, and the audience was largely foreigners lol. “Crowd” (small venue) was super energetic and pushing each other, so was glad I didn’t go, I’m too old for that.

    but now im wondering if extreme metal/punk subgenres are mostly a foreigner affair in Japan lol. i’ll need to actually check out more shows and see whats up.

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