With this growing trend of green and clean energy, it is only logical that the sales of electric and hybrid cars would also increase (assuming the citizens care as well). It must be for Japan is starting to implement “Battery Stations” for electric cards in Tokyo.

“Battery stations” to recharge electric vehicles were launched in car parks in Tokyo on Wednesday in a bid to promote the wider use of battery-operated vehicles in the future.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) has installed charging devices for electric vehicles in nine basement parking lots, including those under several office buildings, in the business district near JR Tokyo Station on a trial basis. It is the first time that “battery stations” for electric vehicles have been set up in basement parking areas.

About 40 electric cars, owned by TEPCO, will be used on a trial basis over the coming year, with the aim of assessing the charging equipment’s effect on the environment, and its convenience and durability.

As electric cars need a large amount of power accumulated in their cells to run, the installation of charging equipment is a prerequisite for the wider use of electric vehicles.

Although I am all for Clean and Ecologically friendly Energy, at the moment “Electric Cars” just aren’t a viable option. Our technology for this is just still far too primitive, hopefully with the funding for the advancement of fuel cell technology it may one day be realistic. Ah I got off topic..Sorry! What I am trying to say is, “I feel Japan is just falling for the trend and doing more than what is necessary for this Green World theory.” The Battery stations would be a nice touch one day, just not now.

News Via: Mainichi Daily News

I love some of these bus decor, I truly do!

If you want to view more anime buses, please check them out here.

News Via: Anime Daily

Now if you are going to Japan, I suggest you stay at a “Gaijin House”. A “Gaijin House” is pretty much a Japanese apartment targeted towards foreigners. Japanese real estate can be somewhat confusing and uncooperative when it comes to a foreigner, but a gaijin house is one that is specifically made to accommodate foreigners who plan to stay in Japan.

Now one may be thinking “Why not stay at a hotel?,” a hotel is fine and all but not for a prolonged stay. Now my knowledge of Japanese Hotel rates is not exactly up to date (last time I went to Japan was 4 years ago) but I would say it is roughly 70 USD a night (More or Less depending on Hotel). Now if you plan to stay for 10 days that equates to approximately 700 USD. A “Gaijin House” apartment can range from as little as 450 USD to over 1000 USD a month, depending on the size and area. They also offer weekly and daily prices, so anyone with common sense will realize that this will ultimately be cheaper than a standard hotel.

A rented Japanese apartment could be a regular apartment or a shared living complex (Both of which I have tried, and they are both quite fun actually). It is nothing like a hostel for those European travelers, it is a lot more cozy and home-like. Lets start off with the shared living complex, they tend to give you a room (could be single or shared), and shared quarters such as kitchen, common room (think TV room), bathroom (it could be single or shared depending on the place).

Now there are also regular apartments for rent at a Gaijin House. These can range from studios to 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, etc. These tend to be slightly more expensive but also depends on the location and size of the apartment being rented. Its best to familiarize ourselves with Japanese real estate terms. LDK is an abbreviation frequently used in the world of Japanese real estate to describe apartments. It stands for Living, Dining and Kitchen area, and is preceded by the number of rooms. Example:

1K       = one room apartment with kitchen
1DK       = one room apartment with dining and kitchen area
1LDK       = one room apartment with a living, dining and kitchen area

With this you can start searching for the type of apartment you want in Japan. Normal Japanese apartments don’t usually cover any utilities but luckily the “Gaijin Houses” rent generally covers all utilities and also provides internet access for those who are staying. Most if not all Gaijin Houses are also near train stations, so you are never too far from a ride to the local hangout spot.

So next time you guys are visiting Japan, don’t forget to plan ahead and search for a Gaijin House in the Japanese real estate so you can have a cool place to stay at. I always loved the Gaijin House because it gives you the feel of how a Japanese resident would feel staying in an authentic Japanese apartment. Some well known “Gaijin Houses” can be found online such as the “Sakura House” or “Tohto Guest House” and many others. I hope for all of those who are heading to Japan to have fun and enjoy that amazing country as much as they could. Good Luck and Have Fun! Visit Akihabara for me if you are heading to Tokyo!!!