How do I get to Kanazawa?

There are several airports in Japan with convenient transportation options to Kanazawa. The most common airports for students to fly into are Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) in Tokyo, as well as Osaka Airport (KIX). Additionally, Komatsu Airport (KMQ) is a regional airport that will allow students to arrive closer to Kanazawa but will likely require a domestic connecting flight for arrivals from abroad.

From Tokyo:

One can get to Kanazawa from Tokyo either by air or by Shinkansen (the Japanese high-speed rail system). If you decide to fly, your domestic flight will likely depart from Haneda airport and arrive in Komatsu. From there, you can take the bus to Kanazawa station.

If you decide to go by train, the easiest way to get to Kanazawa may be to first take either the Narita Express or the Keisei Skyliner into Tokyo Station, take a second train (shinkansen) into Kanazawa. When you buy your tickets to Kanazawa at Narita airport, they will most likely explain the route in more detail. http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ is a useful site for planning this trip.

From Osaka:

From Osaka Airport, one can take the JR Special Express Thunderbird, which runs very often and goes straight to Kanazawa. One can also take the JR Special Express Haruka to Shin-Osaka station and then switch to the Thunderbird. The ride is from 2.5 hours to 3.2 hours. There is also a faster Shinkansen route between Osaka and Kanazawa, but it is significantly more expensive than the Thunderbird.

Remember that tickets are bought in the station, so do not worry about not having them in advance. Also be aware that layover time for the trains may be very short so make sure you know which track your train arrives on and from where it departs as sometimes you may need to go up or down stairs. Checking a map beforehand would be useful, and don’t be afraid to ask someone for help if you need to!

What will my host family be like?

There are host families with all sorts of compositions, so there’s no typical host family, but after you have been accepted, you will receive an email with your host family’s profile – their names, ages, etc.

Host families have all been carefully selected and most people generally have a very pleasant experience with their host families.

How do I get from Rifare from my host family’s house?

Depending on where your host family lives, you will most likely take either a bus or train into Kanazawa. Rifare is within walking distance to Kanazawa Station, so chances are you won’t need to walk far from the station/bus stop once in the city. Your host family will help you to purchase a bus or train pass and learn the route to Rifare before the first day of classes.

How do I pay if I need to take the bus/train to Rifare?

Since commuter passes are cheaper than paying for fare each time you commute, you will buy a commuter pass for a month at a time on your first day with your host family. Costs vary, but can be expected to be over 10,000 yen for one month. PII will reimburse you about a week later.

Do I need to bring cash?

Cash is significantly more useful in Japan than countries such as the United States where credit/debit card is the default payment method. Many storefronts and businesses are cash-only, and there are many cash-operated vending machines on streets. 

Since you will probably need cash on your first day with your host family to pay for your commuter pass, you should exchange some cash (at least 20,000 yen) before coming to Japan.

When/where can I exchange money?

Once you’re in Japan, there are various places where you can exchange dollars for yen. Upon landing there may be an exchange desk at the airport, particularly for international airports. Once you are in Kanazawa, one of the most convenient places is the post office. There is one located inside Kanazawa Station, as well as a few located closer to Rifare. The station usually offers the best exchange rate.

Do I need a cell phone? How can I get cell connectivity?

Cell phones aren’t strictly necessary, but they’re useful for getting in touch with your host family and other students. There are several options for connectivity abroad. For example, one can purchase a physical SIM at the airport or purchase from phone rental stores inside airports. Getting your phone on international roaming is another option if you don’t plan on calling much and if your current plan supports this.

For students with eSIM-capable cell phones, setting up an eSIM could enable connectivity and mobile data abroad with little hassle. Some international eSIM services include SIM Card Geek and Airalo but students should research their options (including their current carrier as well). This is the preferred method by previous students since since setup tends to be straightforward and can be completed ahead of time so that you will have connectivity as soon as you land.

Should I bring a computer?

Computers are useful for doing homework if you want to do it at your host family’s house – some assignments are required to be typed. Computers are available for use at Rifare if you are not able to bring a laptop.

Will my host family have WiFi/Internet?

Not all host families have Internet, and some who do have Internet do not have WiFi. However, you can access the Internet at Rifare – there is both wireless service and also wired Internet accessible at computers in the classrooms and library.

Where can I get lunch?

There are small restaurants very close to Rifare; however, since cultural activities in the afternoon often leave little time to sit and wait for food, these might not be the best options. (However, when you do have time, lunch specials at these restaurants are generally very affordable.) The most convenient is the FamilyMart convenience store located directly underneath Rifare, which sells drinks, snacks, bento, onigiri, salads, sandwiches, etc. The train station has restaurants with fast service, as well as a small supermarket on the second floor that sells bento, sandwiches, and other prepared foods. Another popular option in recent years has been the restaurants and cafes on the sixth floor of the Kanazawa Forus Mall, directly next to the train station. Oomicho Market has lots of food stalls (croquette, yakitori, etc.), a few sushi restaurants (kaitenzushi included), and some pricier restaurants on the second floor, but it takes a while to walk there. Walking beyond Oomicho, there are more options, but walking there can take up to 15 minutes, so explore when you have more time!

What is there to do on the weekends?

Kanazawa is a city full of history – there are many temples, shrines, and old neighborhoods that you can explore. If you’re not really into that, there few department stores like Forus near the station that sell clothing (third floor generally has cheaper clothing brands), books, CDs, etc, as well as many karaoke places. Karaoke in particular is fairly inexpensive and a good way to bond with your fellow PII'ers!

Kanazawa is also very close to the sea, so you can quite easily go to the beach. Ishikawa Prefecture also has a zoo that’s accessible by bus.

On the long weekends, it’s possible to go to Kyoto and/or Osaka for several days.

If I want to travel outside of Ishikawa over the long weekends, what’s the best method of transportation?

Trains are fastest, but also very expensive. Buses are the cheapest (about 8,000 yen at most), but take much longer than trains and can also get unexpectedly delayed. There are discount buses with very limited seating and extremely cheap prices, but their schedules are not as accommodating. There are also overnight buses that depart from Kanazawa station. In all of these cases, it’s best to start planning early.

Your host family might know a lot about transportation – ask them for help.

Where would be a place to stay on these trips?

Youth hostels are abundant in Japan and very popular among college travelers. Prices are generally cheap and are worth looking into as they may offer group discounts. Many hostel staff also tend to be fluent in English.

Should I bring a gift for my host family? What kind of gift should I bring?

What is a typical day like?

Although class starts at 9, you will typically wake up much earlier to have breakfast with your host family and commute to Rifare. Depending on factors such as the distance from your host family to Rifare, mode of transportation, traffic, and weather, your commute may take as much as an hour one-way. When classes start, usually, after each hour, you will have a ten minute break. After class ends at 12, there is time for lunch. After lunch, there may be a cultural activity – either mandatory for the entire group or optional (for optional activities, you sign up to participate on a paper posted on a bulletin board opposite the IFIE office). Transportation to the activity is provided. Activities usually end between 3 pm and 5 pm; afterwards, you are free to do whatever you wish – stay at Rifare, return to your host family’s house, etc. If you decide not to go home for dinner, you should contact your host family or alert them beforehand so they know not to make your share for you.

How does the workload compare to a regular Princeton course?

The workload is definitely comparable to a Princeton course. Especially challenging is the pace – you need to learn kanji at a much quicker pace than semester-length classes, for example. It’s impossible to go one day without studying or doing homework, except maybe on the weekends. However, this is the only class you have, so most likely you will not be up into the late hours of the morning working on homework if you dedicate several hours to studying every day.

Previous students recommend completing a given day's readings and homework the day it is released, immediately after lunch or after returning to your host family. This allows time to study at Rifare, nearby cafes, or at home, and also allows you to form study groups and get to know your fellow PII'ers!

What kind of clothes should I bring?

Part of your stay in Kanazawa will be during the rainy season, so an umbrella is helpful (although you can buy them quite cheaply upon arriving in Kanazawa). Weather in the summer of 2016 ranged from a little chilly to extremely hot. For the most part, the weather will be warm – bringing more than one pair of pants is probably unnecessary.

Remember that Japanese people typically do more laundry more often than Americans – as often as every day! It would be best to try to get into this habit. Doing so would mean fewer clothes to bring! Also, if you are planning to pack light and buy a lot of clothes from Japan, remember that sizing is very different and an XS in America may typically be an M in Japan.

You will visit the prefectural government office within the first week – formal attire is required for this. There is also a farewell party at the end of the program for which you may want to wear something more formal for also. 

Visa applications

Students will responsible for acquiring a visa if it is required of them to enter Japan. Students should check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website and their nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan to determine whether they will need to apply for a visa. Students who determine that they will require a visa should apply far in advance. Visa requirements vary year-by-year, and the application requires substantial documentation which takes time to acquire and review, so students should begin collecting documentation early.

Miscellaneous advice

The following is advice is compiled by previous students (not endorsed by PII):

• If you do not already have a credit card, PII may be an excellent opportunity to apply for one without international fees and start to accrue points/rewards on large purchases such as airfare.
• When making purchases abroad with a credit/debit card, you may be asked whether you would like to pay in yen or in your native currency. Paying in yen ordinarily yields the most favorable exchange rate, set by the bank rather than by the vendor. Also note that Tap-to-pay is supported in many places, but Japanese locals do not tend to call it “Apple Pay”.
• Sign up for as many cultural activities as you can, even ones you are unsure you would enjoy. Many students end up enjoying their cultural activities more than expected or wishing they had attended more.
• Sign up for cultural exchange events whenever possible. They are great ways to meet others and mutually practice a foreign language.
• PII is a great time to go out of your comfort zone when it comes to food. Some of Kanzawa's specialties include sushi and Kanazawa curry, but there are restaurants of all kinds throughout the city.
• Try to explore and try new places to visit and study
• Don't be afraid to speak; Japanese will become second nature with time

This section will continue to be updated over time.