4th car in three years....

Well, if you live in Japan long enough, expect to go through several cars. I have learned that cars almost always fail the mandatory base inspection. Ninety-five percent of the time, it's less costly to purchase a new car than it is to repair the old one.

John's car recently went through the base inspection (required every two years). The repairs would have totaled more than the car was worth. They wanted $2800 for repairs (very small windshield ding (they wanted the whole windshield replaced), they wanted to replace all the brakes and rotors, and the lights on the side of the car). Nearly three thousand dollars is almost as much as we paid for the car. There's no way we were going to pay that price for repairs.

By sheer luck, one of John's coworkers was moving and he asked if she had sold her car. She agreed to sale the car to us for $500. The car does not need inspection until after we leave Japan. With the new insurance, registration fees, and the car purchase we ended up spending about $800 for everything....well under the quoted cost of the repairs.

So, if anyone is keeping track (I know I am) that's four cars in three years we've purchased. That's insane! I was telling my story to some friends and they all agree it's pretty normal for Japan.

I guess I don't have any advice in this post. I have resigned myself to the fact that car turnover here is much more frequent than in the US.

Travelling to Hawaii

In less than a week, I will be traveling to Hawaii to deliver a dog to one of my long time clients/friends. I'll be in Hawaii for five days before returning to Japan. This will be my 4th time to Hawaii.....but, this post isn't so much about Hawaii as it is to deliver this important message:

If you are even discussing moving to Hawaii from Japan (or any country for that matter) and you have a pet, start looking at Hawaii's pet import requirements NOW. Hawaii does NOT consider Japan to be a "rabies-free" country even though it is considered as such by the rest of the world. Hawaii requires a FAVN blood test and 120 day quarantine before the pet can enter the state. If you brought a pet to Japan, this process should be familiar as its almost identical to Japan's import requirements.

Again, don't wait until the orders are cut. Don't wait until you're 100% sure you're moving to Hawaii. Start the process now! I always hear, "But Hawaii has a 5 day or less quarantine program, right?" Yes, but you have to meet a lengthy list of requirements to qualify and unfortunately few do.

Please read more about it here: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-information-page/