• Asia,  Japan,  Tokyo University

    Setting Up in Japan: Shopping Guide

    By YiPin Wu, University of Tokyo, Japan Moving to Tokyo? Here are the shops you actually need to know about. Daiso (ダイソー) — Your First Stop Seriously, go here first. Daiso is Japan’s famous 100-yen shop, and it’s so much better than it sounds. Plates, bowls, chopsticks, hangers, storage boxes, cleaning supplies, stationery, kitchen stuff, all ¥110 (about 70p) each. Whatever you think you need, just check Daiso first. I managed to tick off most of my moving-in list for under ¥3,000 (roughly £15). I’d recommend doing a big Daiso sweep in your first few days before spending money anywhere else. Nitori (ニトリ) — Japan’s IKEA For the bigger stuff,…

  • Asia,  Japan,  Tokyo University

    Life at UTokyo: A Guide to Komaba Campus

    by YiPin Wu, University of Tokyo, Japan If you’ve ever wanted to study at the University of Tokyo, let me take you on a tour of Komaba Campus — the main hub for exchange students. Nestled just two stops from Shibuya on the Keio Inokashira Line (about 20 minutes on foot), it’s also within walking distance of Nakameguro — known for its cafés and cherry blossoms — and Shimokitazawa, famous for vintage shops and curry. It’s hard to believe this calm, tree-lined campus exists in the heart of central Tokyo. Campus Life In my first semester, I had six classes a week — the minimum recommended. One thing that really…