Going to Japan. Any advice?
- Thread starter Rosie
- Start date
ghettocities
Sempai
- 16 Jun 2002
- 796
- 13
- 28
I always tell people to be prepared for the unexpected, the unexpected can be good or bad so pretty much be prepared for anything, seriously, whenever I go it's like a dream-come-true and I never ever feel prepared for such things to happen to me, it's really fun and I hope you have a great time.
Josh
Josh
teardrop
後輩
- 28 Jul 2003
- 77
- 0
- 16
well... one thing. Don't rely on your foreign plastic (credit card) too much. You need cash in Japan as not all shops would accept credit cards. Even if they do, they might only accept those locally issued ones.
Secondly, pack light especially if you are going to travel by trains. Despite being known for its high technology, escalators and elevators are a rare sight in the stations.
as for good looking guys, well... i guess there's no harm smiling so long as they are not accompanied by any lady. Do beware of men dressed in black if you go to Shibuya. There are tons of them and their purpose.... to look for porn models.
Do take those free tissues given out on the streets. They certainly will come in handy during the summer heat.
Be prepared to put anything that looks gross on the plate into your mouth. You will be surprised!!!
Practice your chopstick skills before you go. Although it's never too embarassing to ask for fork, it still pays to master the skill.
Just some suggestions...
Secondly, pack light especially if you are going to travel by trains. Despite being known for its high technology, escalators and elevators are a rare sight in the stations.
as for good looking guys, well... i guess there's no harm smiling so long as they are not accompanied by any lady. Do beware of men dressed in black if you go to Shibuya. There are tons of them and their purpose.... to look for porn models.
Do take those free tissues given out on the streets. They certainly will come in handy during the summer heat.
Be prepared to put anything that looks gross on the plate into your mouth. You will be surprised!!!
Practice your chopstick skills before you go. Although it's never too embarassing to ask for fork, it still pays to master the skill.
Just some suggestions...
budd
先輩
- 10 Jul 2003
- 2,013
- 18
- 48
get this book
http://www.3yokai.net/hawaii/60_english/english4.htm
definitely don't wear shoes on tatami mat
good luck! don't get into no trouble over dere
http://www.3yokai.net/hawaii/60_english/english4.htm
definitely don't wear shoes on tatami mat
good luck! don't get into no trouble over dere
ghettocities
Sempai
- 16 Jun 2002
- 796
- 13
- 28
Yeah those guys are all over Tokyo, I saw more in Shinjuku propositioning girls more than Shibuya but I know what your talking about. One thing though is that if She (the girl going to Japan,) is American or a foreigner then they won't approach her and they wont ask for such things.
It seems as if even most advertisers who hand out tissue and everything will not present their product to foreigners, the majority of them (but not all,) figure its like putting a sandwich ten miles away from a hungry blind man.
Another thing you don't have to worry about is Yakuza, Pimps and/or adult-business owners. You will see them a lot standing outside of or close to their establishment but don't worry about anything because even though they get up in everyones faces, they, after seeing your a foreigner, will totally ignore your presence and they won't speak, signal or make any gesture towards you, it's nice, it's also really respectful in my mind's eye (even though i'm sure it's not entirely out of respect from their side.)
I think that's a great thing about Tokyo though, it has the big-city thrills without giving you the chills.
Josh
neko_girl22
先輩
- 14 May 2003
- 489
- 11
- 28
my advice to you is - don't go to Tokyo!
Bring some sandals I hated having to take off and put on my shoes every 30 minutes. And, talk to people, I mean the Japanese people. Don't be embarrased about not knowing much of their language they will usually be impressed about anything you say, and it's fun. I regret that I spent so much time on tours seeing the sites and stuff when the part I enjoyed the most (and should have done a lot more of) was talking to the people.
teardrop
後輩
- 28 Jul 2003
- 77
- 0
- 16
If going for a cultural exchange is your main purpose of the trip, i would strongly suggest a homestay. I think there are plenty of organizations that can hook you up with a local family. You can try this link below
http://www.tara-group.com/pages/homestays.htm
I was in Japan recently and had stayed with my Japanese friends and their family. Waking up with Japanese breakfast prepared by the Okaasan, conversing with the rest of the family who knows little English etc certainly made my trip more memorable. I have a few friends who went for homestays in Japan and had a great time. Just go with a open heart and open mind but be considerate. Don't worry that much about language barriers. Gesturings and drawings can do much to help get around that but it's advisable to bring a dictionary along.)
http://www.tara-group.com/pages/homestays.htm
I was in Japan recently and had stayed with my Japanese friends and their family. Waking up with Japanese breakfast prepared by the Okaasan, conversing with the rest of the family who knows little English etc certainly made my trip more memorable. I have a few friends who went for homestays in Japan and had a great time. Just go with a open heart and open mind but be considerate. Don't worry that much about language barriers. Gesturings and drawings can do much to help get around that but it's advisable to bring a dictionary along.
)- Thread starter
- #14
Thanks for the important information!!!
Yeah, sure. I shall keep that in mind, dear teardrop. I certainly hope to stay with some Japanese during my stay, if only my stay in Japan is long enough. The thing is, I really want to make full use of my time while in the country, even if it means only a day or two. There may be times when I'm at a mall, restaurant or when I got lost and really need to interact with the local; and this is when the dos and don'ts are really crucial. This winter I hope to visit a temple, local bar and meet some locals. And I really don't want to behave inappropriately, by the Japanese standard, that is. 
Yeah, sure. I shall keep that in mind, dear teardrop. I certainly hope to stay with some Japanese during my stay, if only my stay in Japan is long enough. The thing is, I really want to make full use of my time while in the country, even if it means only a day or two. There may be times when I'm at a mall, restaurant or when I got lost and really need to interact with the local; and this is when the dos and don'ts are really crucial. This winter I hope to visit a temple, local bar and meet some locals. And I really don't want to behave inappropriately, by the Japanese standard, that is.
neko_girl22
先輩
- 14 May 2003
- 489
- 11
- 28
hey sorry,ﾂ I probably shouldn't have said don't go to Tokyo, that's just my opinion. It ok for shopping and if you're into clubs etc, but it just seems a waste when someone comes to Japan for the first time and spends all their time in the city. It's not particularily culturally enlightening. The Japanese countryside is beautiful and it's good to live somewhere there's not too many gaijin, so you wont just fall back on English.
If you're worried about being rude, just make sure you use polite Japanese. e.g, end all sentences with the polite form "masu" or desu. Learn polite phrases. Don't learn slang unless you just use it with friends.
You're going to make mistakes - everyone does, but I assure you we have it good. Compared to asians that visit western countries and are pretty much ignored, here we at least are seen as "cool", which although does become annoying in time, in the beginning makes the difficulties of being a foreigner easier.
You'll be fine! enjoy! You are so lucky to have this opportunity.
If you're worried about being rude, just make sure you use polite Japanese. e.g, end all sentences with the polite form "masu" or desu. Learn polite phrases. Don't learn slang unless you just use it with friends.
You're going to make mistakes - everyone does, but I assure you we have it good. Compared to asians that visit western countries and are pretty much ignored, here we at least are seen as "cool", which although does become annoying in time, in the beginning makes the difficulties of being a foreigner easier.
You'll be fine! enjoy! You are so lucky to have this opportunity.
my website
click here
I already did a posting about this, but I repeat it. Please take a look at my website for travel tips to Japan.
click here
I already did a posting about this, but I repeat it. Please take a look at my website for travel tips to Japan.
neko_girl22
先輩
- 14 May 2003
- 489
- 11
- 28
hmm countryside does have a lot more Japanese style loos and the odd "botton" ﾆ畜ﾆ鍛ﾆ暖ﾆ停? (sp?) . Doesn't bother me anymore luckily
was that an odd ryokan? I'm going to one next month and I hope they don't do that!
was that an odd ryokan? I'm going to one next month and I hope they don't do that!
