Going to Japan

[degrub]

ALways say please, excuse me, and sorry i do not understand. Always bow slightly when meeting. Take a double handfull of souveniers from your home town and have them handy to trade with the school kids that you will meet on the train . Try staying at a temple if you can manage it. BTW the rolls that look like they have raisins in them --- they are not raisins - bean paste or individual beans ;-) . Coffee from a vending machine - not bad and fairly cheap.

[Sasq]

Tourist places are always packed in Japan. Usually by the locals. as far as Japan goes, the lonely planet is your best bet, as not only does it provide information on places to go/eat/see but also excelent maps, and directions on how to get to where you are going - by train, bus or foot.

[Jessterw]

Originally posted by xortam
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.

I have to slightly disagree. While it is important to try your best your best to observe the customs, I've learned first hand that they can be extremely tolerant of mistakes made as long as you make an effort from that point on. Sure they may be offended initially, but generally they understand that you are a foreigner who may not fully understand their culture and customs.



Coffee from a vending machine... mmm pure goodness.

[Lizzard[MPE]]

Originally posted by 3dfx

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

I know how to say "Excuse me" and "my name is liz" and "i am from america".. oh and hello and goodbye ofcourse

im pretty sure i can get by on that.

[KvHagedorn]

All I know is domo arrigato mister roboto.

[schmosef]

Forget those other books.

If you really want to have a good time in Japan, get Dave Barry Does Japan.

It's all you need.

[xortam]

Originally posted by Jesterzwild
I have to slightly disagree ... they may be offended initially, but generally they understand that you are a foreigner who may not fully understand their culture and customs. ...

I agree. The key is mutual respect. The faux-pas (what is the Japanese word? shitzu or something?) is more serious in business relations but it is understood that there are some vast differences in our cultures. There are certainly some generational differences as well. ... I wonder how much Japan has changed since the late 80's?

[Brian Ellis]

When you are in Tokyo, make some excursions to places like Nikko, which combines much natural beauty (National Park) with man-made beauty (e.g., Toshugu Shrine, amongst many others. As I remember it, it's about 1½ hours by train from Asakusa, but places are (or used to be) reserved. For me, this was a highlight of one of my visits to Japan, which I would put on at least a par with Kyoto, which is fantastic, but rather "manufactured" too well.

Kamakura, about a 1 hour train ride from Tokyo, was the 13th c. capital. This gives a better idea of life for the samurai,

If you're into hot springs and volcanic activity, there are tens of things to see in the Hakone National Park region, also about an hour from Tokyo, in the direction of Kyoto. If I remember correctly, the Shinkansen stops at a nearby town (name escapes me, for the moment) from which you can get excursion buses, so you could break your journey there.

No doubt, Sasq could fill you in on these.

[GNEP]

All good suggestions. You will really enjoy your time there. You could easily spend a couple of weeks exploring Tokyo alone, but then you'd miss out on so much else. The temple complexes more in the "countryside" are wonderful places to visit.

And if you can get yourself invited into someone's house somewhere near central Tokyo, it's an experience and you will come back to your student pad in Edinburgh wondering why you ever thought it was small

Oh, 1 more thing - remember to take gifts from home if you have arranged to meet any of the locals. Nicely wrapped is good Exchanging gifts seemed to be a big thing when I was there (luckily had planned ahead and so brought some small things!)

[cjolley]

Originally posted by schmosef
Forget those other books.

If you really want to have a good time in Japan, get Dave Barry Does Japan.

It's all you need.

I'll second that.
I started laughing out loud just being reminded of that book.
chuck

[Sasq]

Don't need to invite him in...

http://www.sasqs.net/gallery/TheRabbitHutch

pics are a bit old, new monitor now, and have a 28" WS tv in the bedroom area.

And my place is large, I just wanted a seperate room to sleep in from the PC where I do lots of OT.

Most places around here for single people are the size of my bedroom.

[3dfx]

Many thanks for you suggestions Brian and to everyone who replied, I have just ordered Dave Barry Does Japan from Amazon and looking at the reviews I'm looking forward to it


Most places around here for single people are the size of my bedroom.
^
It must get pretty crazy if you fall out with your other half.. guess someone will end up on the street, that or you never fall out ..hehe