Posted on 11/20/2023 3:19:42 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear
Planning a trip for the latter two weeks in September. It will be a tour.
Going to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
I understand they are very strict on OTC and prescription drugs and must get permission to carry some of my Rx meds.
Also....any recommendations on manners, foods, customs, money would be helpful!
Also, need to find out about visa requirements. Only going for 10 days - 2 weeks.
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Yeah, I’ve seen where that is disrespectful.
I suggest reading up on the details in current guide books and reliable websites. If you are going on a tour, pay close attention to directions and advice by the tour organizers.
Just make sure your meds are in their prescription bottles and not loose
My step-brother warned me about the ‘train crammers’. Far East was his biz hub until he retired.
Any woman greeting you on the street saying, “massagi?” is likely a hooker…
Beautiful country.
When someone starts to eat, he or she will say “Itadakimasu!” They are not saying eat-a-ducky-mouse.
The phrase means “I receive (gratefully).” It’s not the same as “bon appetite.” You say it when YOU start to eat, not when someone ELSE starts to eat.
You won’t believe how many people get into a train after it’s already full!
If restaurant staff says “Irasshimase!” that means “welcome.” Don’t repeat it back to them. They don’t need to be welcomed into their own place.
Don't be like that idiot Youtuber "Johnny Somali" who has been running around Japan being a jerk. Among other things, he harasses passengers on trains saying, "Hiroshima, Nagasaki, we'll do it again," goes into restaurants playing loud music from his smartphone, and knocks groceries off of shelves in markets.
The ultra-polite Japanese finally had enough of him and have decided to go full Kempeitai. He is now in jail and facing charges in a country where accused criminals face a 99% conviction rate.
Everything is safe.Of course the water is safe everywhere as well as all the food.l no matter where you and drink.
We have a great link and metal scene, so find a good local gig and party.
24 hour drinking in public! Can’t beat that!
Girls are the prettiest in the world.
The transportation is excellent if you don’t want to drive.
Visit some historic sites l.
I don’t know about tours or tour companies, but you’ll have an enjoyable time.
I can’t really think of anything special to know since I’ve lived here so long, but if you have any particular questions just reply here and I’ll be able to send link and/or help look up the information for you.
p
Thanks!!!!
The “red light districts” in Tokyo are mostly well cleaned up and reorganized now since about 20 years ago. They are tourist spots themselves now and not dangerous.
The tourists have been taking over Tokyo since about a year ago. It’s crazy busy with confused gaijin in central Tokyo, so if you get lost or confused you’ll have a fellow lost and confused traveler to collaborate with nearby.
Try all the food too. It’s all wonderful.
If you get a chance you might do a side trip to Nikko, or to Hakone National Park. If your cell phone doesn’t have an international mode, you can rent phones while you are there. Download a decent translation app and you’re good to go. These are extremely helpful and you can even translate kanji through the camera. Do try to speak the language a little, even if it’s just “arigato gozaimasu”. It won’t be the perfection of accent, it’ll be the fact that you’re trying that will bring more smiles than you can imagine. Do NOT wear the toilet slippers anywhere else! And don’t be afraid to be a silly gaijin. You will anyway, might as well laugh about it.
I just went in October for 10 days.
No visa needed. No tipping. No doggie bag take home at restaurants.
If you are finding your own way around, there is free Wi-Fi at train stations and in some city wide, or area wide, zones. You tell Siri where you want to go and detailed directions pop up on your phone about which train, street, etc. If you look lost, someone may well ask, in English, if you need help.
There are lots of little food sellers on some streets, offering food that you can walk around with, like grilled chicken on a stick.
Bring or buy an umbrella. It rains.
Convenience stores have cold bowls of food that you buy and they heat it up for you if you want. There are no trash cans on the streets. But 7-11 will have one you can use. (Public trash cans were discontinued after the Sarin subway attack in the 1990s, because the terrorists had put their gas bombs in the trash cans).
Wear comfortable walking shoes that slip on and off easily. You will remove your shoes to go into temples and some restaurants.
I really enjoyed Japan. I hope you do too.
If I remember...
- On escalators, we tend to “stand right allowing passers on the left”. In Japan it is the opposite, you stand on the left.
- Carry a bag for any trash, you won’t find ANY trash cans. They don’t believe in them for the streets - take back to hotel. Strangely, the streets are spotless.
- If you find yourself in Shinjuku, be careful (red light district) - it’s known as the place foreigners go and get taken advantage of (in many ways).
- If you have sushi, don’t ask for more wasabi, I believe the “master chef” puts just the right amount on inside. It’s disrespectful to put more on (or ask for more).
- Make sure you’re in your assigned seat on trains (if assigned). Certain trains (Narita Express, to/from airport) will split, if you’re in the wrong carriage you’ll be going the wrong way!!
- When taking a taxi, DO NOT EXIT yourself on the right side (onto the road). You WAIT for the taxi driver to open the left rear door via a drive seat handle mechanism. FYI...you’ll probably see the taxi cars are from the 1990’s, yet they’re spotless and in perfect condition. Very good drivers though - unlike other Asian countries (i.e. China)
- FYI TRY TO AVOID TAXI’S!!!! They’re VERY expensive. A 45min ride will probably cost you $400. Use trains and “limo coaches” where possible.
- I’ve no idea about medications.
- Have some Asahi beer, great Japanese beer. I can now find it here, takes me back :)
- Try not to travel on the ‘regular’ trains during rush hour - unless you’ve no problem being a sardine in a can, possibly being pushed in the back by the train conductors to fit you in.
Most of this is known from experience :) lol.
Toilet slippers?
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