Going to Japan

[3dfx]

Well this post might be a little premature, but I'm going to Japan in June for a month with friends

We intend to stay in 5 star accommodation ... come on we are students so it will be hostels. We fly from Edinburgh and stop off in Frankfurt then back on the plane for another 12 hours to Tokyo. We are flying via Lufthansa Airlines as they are very flexible. I'm tempted to pick up a Nintendo DS for the trip or I might get it in Japan for the trip back when my friends are no longer my friends

I asked for the Airline that allowed you take your katana on the plane (I got a few strange looks at this point) .. ala Kill Bill but alas it didn't exist.

We are going to stay in Tokyo for a week or so then move onto Mount Fuji (which we intend to climb ) and then onto Kyoto and then back to Tokyo for the trip home (and any last minute impulse buying). We are getting a rail pass so we can do as much exploring as possible.

We are going to meet up in the Easter break to discuss our full journey plan.

[3dfx]

please feel free to make suggestions of places to see and eat

[Sasq]

Buy the admin a beer

[Sasq]

on a more serious note, get you hands on Lonely Planets Japan guide. Liz will back me up on that, after you have read, ask me again.

[xortam]

I hope someone in your group knows the language. Tokyo is the most foreign place I've ever been. Tough to get around for us gaijin. Luckily I went with someone who was well versed.

[KvHagedorn]

Look at Liz's thread for my suggestion.. Kyoto and Nara are the real treasure troves of old Japanese culture.. that's where I would go.

[Jessterw]

Do as Dan suggests and pick up a Lonely Planets guide to Japan, and try to learn a few phrases of conversational Japanese. Don't worry too much about the language barrier, as long as you are polite and receptive to the culture you will be able to get more help than you could ever need.

It's a wonderful country that can be overwhelming at times, but the experience is more than worth it. I would recommend visiting Hiroshima, but it is a very personal journey that shouldn't be done merely as a sight seeing visit. With that said, the people there are friendly and accommodating to the extreme, with the local okonomiyaki being an excellent dish.

Keep an open mind and try everything. Go off the beaten path and wander. Have fun.

[DGhost]

pack sudafed for the flight. trust me when I say it will be LONG. being able to sleep away 12 hours of it is a huge positive. thats just me though.

[3dfx]

Thanks for all of your replies guys

My friends and I picked up Lonely Planets Japan guide a few weeks ago and it is great.

My friend James speaks some Japanese, he took a course during his summer break from Uni.

I intend to learn some basic phrases as you have suggested and also to learn customs.

I think I'm going to check out Liz's thread and who knows Sasq I might take you up on that

[ZokesPro]

There's a website where you can order an authentic japanese folded samuai sword, only costs a million yen or so. Such exquisite swords, I would LOVE to own one myself.

[DGhost]

Originally posted by ZokesPro
There's a website where you can order an authentic japanese folded samuai sword, only costs a million yen or so. Such exquisite swords, I would LOVE to own one myself.

personally, I would love to carry one with me on a deployment. forget the rifle, there is nothing like drawing a large sword to inspire fear in people who would like to do harm to you.

[KvHagedorn]

Yeah right.. love the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where that super swordmaster whips that blade around masterfully, then Indy responds by pulling out his sidearm and blowing the guy away.

Interesting note on that scene.. Harrison Ford was very ill with some sort of flu virus and could barely work that day. They changed the scene where he was supposed to fight the guy with his whip.. instant cinema history!

[xortam]

Originally posted by 3dfx
... I intend to learn some basic phrases as you have suggested and also to learn customs. ...

You would be wise to learn all you can about the customs as the Japanese have an abundance of them and breaking them is frowned upon.

AFA adventurous dining ... I still wonder about that octopus I got from the street vendor. Tasty but my digestive system wasn't the same for awhile. l still loved my very brief visit to Japan.

You of course have to do the obligatory sushi and sobo noodle dining. Remember to slurp your noodles to show your satisfaction.

P.S. I forgot about the women … the Japanese and how they treat women. This is also something to be quite aware of as it's the women who'll open the door for you and you'll look quite ridiculous to observe the reverse. I recall waiting to get off the elevator as a Japanese woman was standing in front of the doors. I patiently waited for her to exit and was informed by a Japanese gentleman that I’d “wait for ever for the woman to move” as he passed in front of her … the men must exit first.

[ZokesPro]

Originally posted by DGhost
personally, I would love to carry one with me on a deployment. forget the rifle, there is nothing like drawing a large sword to inspire fear in people who would like to do harm to you.

Especially if it's a samurai sword, wouldn't want to be the one to defend against such a weapon.

[EnglandJoe]

The only problem with Lonely Planet guides is they are the most popular guide of all, which means that all the places they list will be PACKED with tourists at that time of year. Other than that I agree they are an excellent collection of books.