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 Home / About FUTABA / Life in Chiba |
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Chiba Prefecture is located on the eastern side of the Tokyo metropolitan area and occupies a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. It is blessed with flowers that bloom every season, a vast coast and expressive ocean, the overflowing greenery of the Boso Hills, and the bounty produce of the land and the sea. As Narita International Airport, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Makuhari Messe are located in Chiba Prefecture, It not only has a strong industrial base for both heavy and high-tech industries, it is also one of Japan's faces to the world. |
Our school is located in Chiba city the capital of Chiba Prefecture. It is situated at a strategic point on Tokyo Bay approximately 40km east of the center of Tokyo. It is 30km from the Narita International Airport.
The city is blessed with a moderate climate in which the average annual temperature is 16.3 degrees, and average monthly rainfall is 136.4mm. (2009)
Chiba City became a Government Designated City in April 1992. At present it has a population of approximately 963,000 people. |
 
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| Chiba City Center and Makukari serve a unique function that plays a vital role not only in Chiba City but also in the country as a whole. |
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| The school is located in the heart of Chiba City where train stations such as Chiba Station (JR Sobu Line), Keisei Chiba Station, Keisei Chiba Chuo Station, Chiba Minato Station (Keiyo Line) is just within reach. It serves as the transportation hub and where Government offices such as the Chiba Prefecture Head Office and the Chiba City Hall as well as local agencies, administrative bodies, major leading company branch and offices are situated. Around Chiba station is a busy shopping district which is illuminated beautifully from the station and stretches out to the Chuo Park during the Christmas season. |
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| City Center |
Three Generation Summer Festival |
City Lights Up |
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The Chiba Prefectural Government Office continues to promote Chiba City as an international city aimed at integrating many facilities for international exchanges, business, research and development, academics, commercial, cultural, sports and recreational, housing and more. Makuhari Messe has attracted a lot of attention not only at home but also abroad for its largest convention facility in Asia that caters to many local and international exhibitions. Such as the state of the art electronics and IT company CEATEC JAPAN.
Also, a number of research and development facilities and head offices of major companies such as the AEON Group are located in the area. In addition to more than 400 companies that are operating and providing approximately 36,000 jobs, many companies continue to move-in to theTechno Garden Makuhari (MTG) and World Business Garden (WBG).
The europearn style residential area and its sophisticated urban image is a well known spot for filming dramas and commercials. As well as the famous QVC Marine Stadium, the home field of the professional baseball team Chiba Lotte Marines. |
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| Makuhari New City |
Makuhari Messe |
QVC Marine Field |
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| Public transportation such as trains, monorails and buses are available for your convenience. |
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| If you use the train, monorail or bus to travel to get to a certain destination on a regular basis, it is more convenient and economical to purchase a commuter pass, ticket coupons, or an IC card, which can be used on all three transportation methods mentioned above. |
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Bicycle Parking Lot
In order to use the bicycle parking lot near the train stations, you must complete the registration procedures at the Consultation Desk at the corresponding ward office, or the management office of the bicycle parking lot. Parking lots can be used regularly over a one-month period, or on just a one time occasion. Fees apply in both cases. However, some bicycle parking lots can be used free of charge. Do NOT leave your bicycle parked on the street.
Automobile Driver's Licenses
You may apply for a driver's license or you can transfer your license at the local Department Of Motor Vehicles. If you have a driver's license acquired from your own country, you can apply for a Japanese driver's license. However, licenses from certain countries are not transferrable. Please contact the local DMV for more details.
Chiba Prefectural Department Of Motor Vehicles
(2-1 Hamada, Mihama-ku, Chiba City Tel 274-2000 extension 335)
Open: Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
 Phone calls are accepted until 4:30 p.m.
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and National holidays
 http://www.police.pref.chiba.jp/english/license/
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In order to ensure effective residence management for residing foreign residents with medium and long term resident visa status, a New Residency Management System is being introduced by the Ministry of Justice.
Under the new system, a Resident Card containing basic information such as name, period of stay, etc. in addition to the imprinted photograph will be issued. Also, as a foreigner resident to the city you are living in, you are entitled to a certificate of residence similar to a Japanese citizen. |
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| ▶ Chiba Branch Office, Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau (Chiba Nyukan) |
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The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau has a branch office in Chiba City. This office performs various services that pertain to residency procedures including grant of residence status, change in status, residence permit extension and permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the current residence status, as well as the permanent residency and re-entry permit.
Since the branch office is only 10 minutes away from the school by bicycle, it provides students the advantage of not needing to go as far as Tokyo to apply.
・Tel: 043-242-6597
・Address: Chuo Community Center 1F, 2-1 Chibaminato, Chuo-ku, Chiba City
・How to get there: a 2-minute walk from the Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Chiba Urban Monorail; or a 10-minute walk from Chibaminato Station on the JR Keiyo Line. |
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| ▶ Chuo Ward Offices |
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The Chuo ward is the Chiba City central district where the Prefectural Government Office and the City Hall are located. It is also where cultural centers such as Chiba City Museum of Arts and other provincial museums are located.
The Chuo ward is a vital place for the students not only because it is where the school dormitory is located, but also, it served as the residence area for most of the students.
・Tel: 043-221-2111
・Address: 3-10-8 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chiba City
・ http://www.city.chiba.jp/chuo/ |
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The National Health Insurance (NHI) covers 70% of the medical expenses such as illness or injury. The NHI will cover expenses for chronic diseases, etc that are not covered by travel insurance. Members are responsible for only 30% of the medical fees and the remaining 70% will be covered by the insurance. Thus, NHI is an essential insurance for those staying in Japan for a prolonged period of time.
All individuals who reside in Japan for more than a year are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance, the Japanese government administered insurance program. Please, carry out the necessary application procedure at your local ward or city office. The monthly insurance premiums are about ￥1,500 (actual premiums may vary according to the municipality).
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Life in Chiba
