Posted on 11/20/2023 3:19:42 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear
This is not so in places like airports or bus stations but in a private residence, very much so. Also be aware there are still (how shall I put this politely?) squatters in some of the more rural areas. These are nearly all gone these days but now and then you'll run into one.
HERE's a link. You're going to have a great time!
I’ve been all over the world, but never to Japan. Have a great time and post after you get back, pictures and reports of what you did.
Enjoy
It’s been awhile...so not sure if this is available but going to the Tokyo fish market is amazing! Gotta go early if you want to see the tuna auction. If they don’t allow, the best sushi was in small places around the market- super fresh!! Tokyo gardens and radio tower. Downtown shopping was like NYC!
Kamakura is one of my favorite little towns. Go visit the Giant Buddah then repent later, haa!
Hiroshima was powerfully interesting.
Shin Yokohoma the ramen noodle museum had lots of little places to eat and the soups were delicious.
Sadly, it’s been almost a decade since I have been so things probably have changed... Hope their homeless situation is as it was, we saw TWO in Yokohoma!!!!
AND, negotiating the train for tickets is easy when you use the English option...!!!!
ENJOY!!!
The suica card can be added to your iPhone wallet. Also, if you have Android, don’t—everything in Japan is iPhone.
Spent a year there and enjoyed the shxt out of it. Very polite people, trains were spotless and I never saw any crime but was told if there is..you’ll see cops pretty quick. Course that was back in 84... Things change!!
Bttt!!
I’d forgotten that; I had to rent an iPhone the last time I was there, and it didn’t have a wallet, but that was some time ago.
Rural gardens and temples are wonderful.
People gave me this advice when I went to Israel.
“Go there to learn!”
Both Israel and Japan have these things in common.
They are both proud of their culture and people.
They are both VERY different than life in the USA.
You will have a great time.
LOL that looks cool!
You might have some valuable input here…
But watch out for bears.
Went to Israel in 2019. Absolutely loved it and want to go hack.
👍
From what I gathered...standing to the left is so the Samurai swords would not clink when passing each other.
Be sure to visit an onsen
A hot springs.
Also take it easy after you land don’t go rushing off to see everything.
Spend ocanne you might not be coming back for a while. If traveling by train bring a bottle of plum wine or some Sun Tory whiskey. Mate means wait. Haiyaku means fast.
Daijobu means ok. Have fun!!!
Good for you! I found some videos on YouTube that were excellent for protocol for eating, etc. Search over there for protocols and you’ll be entertained as well as educated. It is a very different culture, you’ll love it! Whatever you do, don’t miss a “noodle shop” ... and don’t forget to slurp! (If you don’t you obviously don’t like the noodles :-)
Japan is a very polite society, even the languages is built on degrees on politeness.
Some quick tidbits:
don’t eat and walk.
Learn at least basic words, phrases: thank you, hello, please, etc.
The Japanese take a lot of pride in their chosen professions, so there’s plenty of opportunities to see craftsman at work.
I wouldn’t bother with U.S. type chain restaurants. I’ve had some great food in hole in the wall type places. It will also be cheaper too.
Stay away from that Grudge house.
Been living in Japan for a year now, an hour north of Tokyo. My wife (or 42 years) is Japanese.
I spent 3 years in Japan when I was in the Navy back in the 80s. Can’t say enough good things about the country. Safe, great public transportation, clean.
The people are very cordial. They treat foreigners very well. The Korean and rich Chinese way out number the foreigners from the West. The Japanese love Americans. In urban areas you’ll find maybe 5 to 10% of the people can speak a little English. Many have spent a couple years in the USA because their job took them there.
As you tour the magnificent Tokyo and ride its clean and efficient trains, see its beautiful urban architecture, bridges, skyscrapers subways: think about the fact that Tokyo was essentially burned to the ground at the end of the war.
Private enterprise is alive and well here. But so is urban planning and government coordination. Earthquakes, tsunamis, torrential rains, and flooding. These natural disasters are the challenges that the Japanese people needed to overcome.
So I think 10 days is way more time than you need to see the tourist spots. Yes, visit a castle, a temple, shrine. We just got back from Kyoto and a curious thing is you can rent kimonos and walk around the town and take pictures of you and your hubby. These days there are way more foreigners wearing kimonos than actual Japanese on the streets doing so.
My advice is to pay homage to the tourist areas, but also get out on your own to do your own exploring — and mostly looking around at the shops and trying different food.
People think of Japan as the land of sushi — and that’s true — but you can find all sorts of great food here. It’s a great country to eat beef and other meat which is served mostly in thin slices or served as a Korean-style barbecue.
Try the fruit (strawberries) and pickled vegetables which abound, not to mention all the splendid bakery items you can buy. The Japanese style is to tickle your taste buds, not overwhelm them with desserts that have too much sugar.
Sip the sake and wine, but also try the non-alcohol beer which is very tasty and will give you a better night’s sleep.
So these are a few thoughts. Good luck.
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