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Frequent visitors' best tips for travelling in Japan

thomas

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CNBC Travel asked frequent visitors for their best advice when visiting Japan.

Here are the top tips:
  1. Speak softly and carry your trash
  2. Punctuality is key
  3. To meet people, get Japanese business cards
  4. Bring fun socks
  5. Don't knock convenience stores
  6. Hire a guide – even if you think you don't need one
  7. Shop at Tokyu Hands

I agree with most of these. Speaking softly, especially on public transportation, is a courtesy also often disregarded by locals. Wearing clean socks without holes: excellent advice. Personally, I haven't used business cards in many years.


What's the deal with U.S. convenience stores?


 
Some enterprising individual should do a combini tour here--best fami chicken (or compare different offerings), an onigiri tasting menu, and in the evening work in the local (gaijin?) way of enjoying a couple strong zeros while hanging in their parking lots...
 
johnnyG said:
... enjoying a couple strong zeros while hanging in their parking lots...
Click to expand...

They should enjoy them as long as they can.

Alcohol producers withdraw their 'strong' products

Alcohol producers are withdrawing their high-alcohol content beverages from the market, responding to health ministry recommendations for safe drinking levels and a worldwide shift towards less alcohol consumption: they create gentler, non-alcoholic options instead of strong "chuhai" drinks. The...
jref.com
 
thomas said:
What's the deal with U.S. convenience stores?
Click to expand...
Some of them are not very nice. Dirty, untidy, too cramped, smell, sticky floors, poor lighting, disgusting food.

That said, there are plenty that are Clean, well lit, don't smell, and have decent food. Some even to conbini level of food. Though even at the best of them the service isn't like it is in Japan.
 
thomas said:
Bring fun socks
Click to expand...
I hadn't heard this one before. I guess so you can tour Nijo Castle in style?

thomas said:
What's the deal with U.S. convenience stores?
Click to expand...
They are expensive and only have junk food. Usually chips and the like. If they have "fresh" or hot food it's typically something bad for you like hot dogs or fried chicken. I'm not sure what Petaris is referring to when he says some have decent food. Some are combined with actual fast food restaurants such as Subway but I don't think that counts.
 
I'm not sure if you have them in Michigan, and they really aren't in Illinois yet, but in Minnesota and Wisconsin KwikTrip, and in a few other states as KwikStar, is about the closest thing to it. There is also a few newer contenders, Casey's & Thorntons, but they aren't quite there yet.
I checked KwikTrip's website but they really don't have much info about their food. I'll take a few pictures the next time I'm there.
 
That was an interesting video. Thanks for sharing it @mdchachi !
My sister worked for them for a few years when she was younger and liked it.
 
I haven't been to a stand-alone convenience store here in America since I landed. By necessity I have been to a few convenience stores that are adjacent to gas stations, and they are always rough experiences. The location usually assumes a defensive position on crime, with the cashier behind a plexiglass screen, and multiple signs warning customers about the anti-crime measures, and chock-a-block with pre-packaged processed foods for which the prices have been jacked up, liquor, smokes, and lottery tickets. No fresh veggies, no strawberry sandwiches, of course no section (or know-how) for sending packages or paying city taxes. They are outlets for salty/fatty/sugary calorie bombs with long shelf-lives, located in a structure that despite its mildly aggressive anti-crime posture, feels as though its constantly the target of crime. It's a pleasant surprise when you find one that doesn't feel hardened for the coming zombie-apocalypse.
 
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