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The Gunma Prefectural Building, or Gunma Kencho, is located in Maebashi. This is where some of the JET meetings are held. The building is 33 stories tall and has another three stories underground. It is the tallest in Gunma, and has a nice view from the top. You can see exactly how crowded Gunma really is.

The prefectural building is a modern, "Earth concious" building. Rainwater gathered from the roof is used to water the greenery. Solar panels have been installed. The garbage separation for recycling is also fairly strict, so make sure you're putting your rubbish in the right bin.

Not to be missed is the giant raised map of Gunma on the 26th floor. You can walk around on the map, so feel free to pretend you are Godzilla crushing your town should you feel so inclined. (Though the map isn't really large enough for that.)

There is also a gift shop in the basement. If you've been wondering where to get "Yuma-chan" goods, this is the place.

This is where a lot of the prefectural ALT meetings are held. It is a white/gray building about 4-5 stories high.

There is also a children's museum there which does various children's activities if you have kids.

There are several convenience stores in the area and a nice Indian restraunt as well. It is not recommended that you eat at the Indian restraunt for lunch during meetings though as the service takes far too long.

〒371-0801 群馬県前橋市文京町(Gunma-ken Maebashi-shi Bunkyou-cho) 2-19-18

The Traffic Center is where you have to go to get a Japanese driver's license or an IDL (for your Japanese license).

Getting a License:

If you are an American:
You will need:
1. American license
2. Official translation of your license from JAF
3. Passport
4. Alien Registraion Card
5. Photo 3cm x 2.4cm (免許用 size available from photo booths outside of bookstores)
6. Copy of 1 (front and back) on A4 size paper
7. Copy of 3 on A4 size paper (main page and all pages with stamps)
8. Copy of 4 (front and back) on A4 size paper
9. Copy of 4 (front and back) on B5 size paper

Bring all of the above to the Center sometime from 1:00-1:30 Mon-Fri. The reception desk is on the second floor of the building closest to route 17. Hand in your paperwork and sign the clipboard. You will then have to pay the test fee and affix your picture to your paperwork at the other end of the counter. (There is glue on a small desk for affixing the picture.) Do your eye and physical coordination check in the little office on the other side of the room. If you're ok then wait (a long time) for them to direct foreign residents into one of the rooms for the paper test. (The test paper is in Enlgish and Japanese so if you've read Rules of the Road then this should be a peice of cake.)

If you pass then you will be given a copy of the driving course map (see attachment) and a number. Go down the long hallway to your left as you exit the test room. There is a waiting room at the end. After another wait you will be directed down to the test area. Unless your number is called first, you will have the chance to ride in the back one time as the driver before you takes their test.

After your driving test the instructor will give you some advice on anything you did wrong. Then you have to go back up to the main reception desk again. After another wait, the numbers of those that passed will be announced. If you passed you can fill out more paperwork. You can't get your license on the same day because foriegners take their tests after hours. If you didn't pass then you can schedule your next driving test when you hand in your number. (The waiting list is usually a little over a month long and people who have failed once can't just 'walk in' and take it; you have to schedule.)

After passing you can come back another day to get your license. Go around 1:30-2:00 to the same desk as before. Hand in your paperwork and wait a long time. They won't call you in to the hall so you have to wait and watch for the Japanese people to come out of the main meeting hall for break. Go in with everyone else and listen to a couple of speeches about driving. They will then call everyone's name to pick up their paperwork. (Foreigners are last so you have to wait through a hundred or so names.) With your paperwork in hand you can go get your picture taken (no teeth showing) and pay your fee at the fee counter. Then after another wait you should have your shiny new Japanese license. Your license will be good until your third birthday after you receive it.

The Road Test:
left side-view mirror = lsvm
right side-view mirror = rsvm
riewview mirror = rvm

You can not take the test in open-toed shoes or heels. Wear sensible shoes.

You will need elementary Japanese for this. (You need to know whether the instructor is telling you to turn right at this entrance or the next one, etc.) Make sure to say onegaishimasu to the officer when you are ready to start off. Also remember to say hai whenever you are asked to do something.

In general do everything slowly and smoothly. The officer will not appreciate jerkiness or having to hold onto his seat.

Before getting into the car walk around to the back and front of the car. At the front, check under the car for cats and small children.

Adjust your seat, seatbelt, and rvm. Remember to signal before you pull away from the curb. And then signal again as you get to the first roadway.

There will be an obsticle somewhere in the course. Check your rvm, rsvm and then over your right shoulder for traffic. Signal. Check again just to make sure and then pull around the obsticle. Leave a good space between you and the object, but don't let all four wheels go into the opposite lane. Signal left immediately and check over your left shoulder just in case something has slipped in there. Return to your lane.

The area I have marked in red on the course map should be done at 50kmph. (The rest of the course is fine at a slow speed.) Make sure you get up to and hold 50kmph in this section. You will have to slow down directly after to make a smooth turn.

Right Turns: Check your rsvm before you get to the area you want to turn right. Before you actually get to the place you want to turn right at, pull over to the right side of the lane (so people can go by on your left). Signal. Check for traffic on your left. Turn. (If there are arrows on the road try to turn where the arrow is printed.)

Left Turns: As you get to the area you want to make a left turn, check your lsvm and over your left shoulder for bicyclers. Signal. Pull over to the left side of the lane to make sure scooters can't get past you on that side. Check for traffic on the street you're turning into. Check again over the left for people. Turn.

The Crank: This is an area where you have to make two right angle turns in succesion. You can reverse your car if you need to a couple of times. Do not hit anything (automatic fail). Do not get close to the poles at all in fact. (Even if you think the car can make it the officer may think otherwise and fail you anyway.) Remember to use your turn signals in this area.

The S-Curve: Immediately after the Crank. Take it slowly and there's really no way this can be a problem. Again, remember your turn signals.

Traffic Lights: Visibly check to see if there is no traffic coming before you go through (even on a green light).

Areas with High Hedges: In the areas with high hedges you have the right of way with no stop signs. However, you shoud slow down (don't stop) and check left and right a bit in this area as people from the sidestreets need to pull out beyond the hedges in order to see around them.

Make sure you move your head at least a little whenever you check a mirror or over your shoulder.

Getting an International Driver's License (IDL):

You will need:
1. Japanese license
2. Passport
3. Existing IDL (if you have one)
4. Money (around 3000 yen)
5. The following information:
Name
Phone Number
Country of Origin
Passport Number
What kind of vehicles you are authorized to drive
Where you're going, when you're going, when you're coming back

Go into the building closest to the main road. The IDL section is on the first floor. The IDLs are handled at the 国際免許 (kokusai menkyo) counter. It's on the far right. Ask for the forms at the counter. There is a sample on the counter where you fill things out so it's pretty easy to fill out the forms. If you're a member of the driving safety club you can get your picture for free.

It should be noted that you cannot just get an IDL for the heck of it. You must have travel plans already.

This is where you have to go to get re-entry visas and visa extensions. Get there early if you can or you'll be waiting there all day. Doors open at 9am. They close for lunch from 12-1. (There is a KFC next door and plenty of shopping in the area if you need to kill time.) Take a number from the ticket machine on the counter as you walk in.

For re-entry permits:
You will need to have your passport, gaijin tourokusho (gaijin card), and cash. Buy a revenue stamp from the shop across the street. (The value of the stamp you need is printed on a sheet on the counter. The value is different depending on whether you want a single or multiple re-entry permit.) Fill out the re-entry application form (in the baskets along the back wall). Wait for the person at the counter to call for people wanting re-entry permits. Your re-entry visa will be good until you use it (in the case of single re-entries) or until your current visa runs out (sinlge or multiple). There are longer versions available for people with three year visas so make sure you get the right one.

For visa extensions:
If you will be working for a board of education: You will need to have your passport, gaijin tourokusho (gaijin card), a copy of your work contract, a letter of employment from your employer (在職証明書 - zaishoku shoumeisho), your Japanese tax statement which shows your gross income, and cash. Buy a revenue stamp from the shop across the street. (The value of the stamp you need is printed on a sheet on the counter.) Fill out the extension application form (in the baskets along the back wall). Ask the person at the counter for part two of your application. There is a list of which part two you need based on what job you will be holding on the back of part 1. Wait for the person at the counter to call your number. (The form has odd questions such as what date you graduated from college, so be prepared.)

It's not really part of the government, but it is one of those official "Red-Tape Type Places" you may have to deal with.

JAF is where you go to get your official driver's license translation. Cost of translation is 3000 yen.

Requirements to qualify for a translation:
1. A valid driver's license that is dated at least 3 months before you arrived in Japan.
2. If your license is dated less than 3 months prior to your entry date then you need proof that you had a license before that 3 month requirement.
For example, if your license was renewed right before you came then you need to get a photocopy of your old license or contact whomever issued your license to get proof.
3. Your alien registration card.

While you're there you can pick up a copy of Rules of the Road (the book that the written portion of the Japanese driver's license test is based on) for 1000 yen.

If you don't feel like driving there, you can also get the translation done by mail, which is nice as it doesn't require nenkyu.

Official instructions are available here.

Here's the gist of it.

What to Send:
1. The completed application form. It can be filled out in romaji. You can find that form here.
2. A photocopy of the front and back of your license on A4 size paper.
3. A photocopy of the front and back of your Alien Registration Card on A4 size paper.
4. 3290 yen in cash. Yes, you really do mail them cash.

How to send it:
1. Go to the post office and ask for a "genkin kakitome." It is a special envelope for registered mail for sending cash. It costs 20 yen.
2. Address the envelope to:

Japan Auto Federation
2040-2 Koyagimachi, Takasaki-shi
Gunma-ken 370-0071

3. Put all your papers and exactly 3290 yen into the envelope.
4. Pay the postage of 420 yen and mail the thing.

JAF says it will take between 1-3 weeks for your reply, but the turnaround can be much faster.

Twin Plaza is a beautiful double building in Nakanojo-town. It houses both the town's Board of Education as well as a branch of (the only one?) the Agatsuma Library.

The library has both a special study area where you can bring food and drink, as well as traditional study areas in the main library. It also has lots of videos (you can view them at the library only) and CDs (which you can check out for free!).

It also has meeting rooms, practice rooms for dancing and music, and a theater! Every month, they show a different movie, usually Saturday afternoon. It's about 1000 yen to get in, and obviously a great deal for those who live out in this part of Gunma.