New to Japan

[larabell]

Transformers are available here. One caveat, though, is the frequency. Anything that runs on a synchronous motor (clocks, turntables, etc) will run 1/6 slower than usual. Fortunately, turntables went the way of the dinosaur (pretty much) and clocks are relatively cheap here ;-)...

Stuff that uses a AC-to-DC power converter (laptops, most rechargable devices, etc) will have no trouble at all. In fact, a lot of the AC adapters that come with such devices these days can be used with anything from 100V to 250V.

Devices which receive broadcasts are dicey (as mentioned earlier in this or possibly another thread). Phone stuff is generally OK (at least with US-based stuff -- I would imagine UK uses a similar analog phone standard).

[steadyboy]

when you say "receive broadcasts" do you include TV sets?

[larabell]

Only the part of the television that receives broadcasts. If you want to use it as a monitor for your VCR (or as a paperweight), you should be OK ;-)...

This question, by the way, has been asked and answered in another thread:

Television in Japan

Frequencies and standards differ in different countries. I could give you a rough idea of how US-based equipment will work here but you may have to do some googling to figure out how UK stuff will fare.

But... isn't furniture included in your package? It should be. Depending on how long you're here, it's usually cheaper to rent heavy items than to ship them. Maybe you can make a deal where the company picks up the rental for a year and, later, if you decide to stick around longer, you buy the stuff you like at the end of the rental contract. I picked up two excellent bookcases for $10 (US) each that way. In the case of a television set, you have a strong negotiating stand, in that your existing set, if it works here at all, is not likely to work very well.

[Marisa]

Originally Posted by steadyboy

this is a great forum, everyone is full of useful advise. Thanks everyone.

I have another question: In the UK the electrical power supply is 240v and in Japan the supply is 110v. Does this mean all my electrical appliances need to be replaced, or do you guys use a transformer of some kind to get around the problem?

Use a transformer for a favorite expensive item you want to bring. Store or sell the rest and buy new in Japan - you're going to want what they have, anyway!

[steadyboy]

Aha, rental, I had not considered rentals. It sounds so obvious now you mention it. Doh!

[Sevenhelmets]

I can probably suggest my real estate agents. Small company, but the guy I dealt with was very nice, still keeps in touch with me 2 years after I signed my lease.

Anyway, I'm out Yokohama way, so they service this area. Look up Matsuzato Real Estate via Google, and if you get in touch with them, ask for "Yasu". He speaks pretty good English, having lived in Hawaii for a while. Their website isn't very good - I don't think they update it, and they don't show many properties. If you let them know your specs directly, they'll hunt down places matching these criteria for you, which is awesome.

If you end up going for town, then I can recommend a company called S-Fit. Again, their website doesn't show much, but they are a very slick opperation, and only deal with apartment buildings that have generally been built in the last 10 years, so most of their places are really really nice.
The average rental price tag reflects this of course lol

Anyway, hunt around, there are quite a few agencies around, all equipped to deal with expats.