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Intense1 · 10-05-2006, 07:11 AM

Hi, thought I'd give my two yen worth here, since I lived in Japan for seven and a half years. Some of my visits:

TOKYO

1. Yoyogi Park on Sunday afternoons - this park is accessable easily from Shibuya Station (after about a 10 minute walk) or Harajuku station (right there, depending on the exit you use.) They close off a street and all kinds of bands, dance groups and extertainers of all sorts stake out a place on the street and do their thing, lending the feeling of a street fair. There's lots of vendors selling food (fried noodles, hotdogs and squid on a stick, to name a few) and if the noise gets too much, the actual park is a very nice stroll. Plus its next to Meiji Shrine, which is very interesting to see, if you're into that. But since it's January, it might be too cold to have the street fair thing, so it could be a hit and miss thing.

BTW - Shibuya station itself is quite the thing to experience on a Sunday afternoon, as there are just scads of people there. Don't go if you're claustrophobic or people shy, though. There is no sense of personal space with all that throng around.

2. Shinjuku, most anywhere. Lots of stuff to see and do.

3. For electronics, it's Akihabara.

OUTSIDE TOKYO

1. Hakone - in the mountains a few hours out of Tokyo by train. There is an outdoor sculpture museum that has an extensive Henry Moore collection, as well as an indoor Picaso collection. And the hot springs are nice.

2. Kyoto - for the best "old style" sense of Japanese life. Streets are laid out in a numerical way so you can go to #4 street and stroll a nice market. Plus, most people from Western Japan say Kyoto has the best food.

SOME ADVICE

1. Plan your travel times in Tokyo so that you're not having to get on a train before 9 am or after 4 pm. If you're in Shinjuku station at 5 pm, God help you! You might want to go there one day just to experience it, though. It's a hoot to see the station platform staff have to kick people in the legs just so they'll pull in all their extremities in order for the train doors to close. And to be on such a train that is literally full like a brick of vacuum-packed Folger's coffee is a lesson in proxemics that will be hard to forget. (Warning: if one finds oneself in this situation, do not be surprised if one is groped)

2. Money, money, money. Don't forget that you'll need absolute gobs of it for everything. And don't forget the airport departure tax (2,100 yen when I was there last - not sure if it's still at that rate.) Most restaurants don't give free coffee refills; you'll have to buy another cup of coffee if you want more.
Plus, the last time I was there (winter of '98), there weren't many regular ATMs that would take American ATM or debit cards. Best to go with travelers' checks and cash. (Sorry if you already know this bit - it's just that when I think of going to Japan, I immediately think of MONEY)

3. Language and culture - many Japanese don't speak English, or if they do, they're shy to use it. Most bigger train stations and department stores will have an Info booth with some English speaking staff. If you ask someone for directions to some place, and they point you in a direction and then leave quickly, it might be wise to ask another person. In tight spots, a smile and a bow with a Thank you will be an appropriate and well accepted gesture. Openness and kindness is always accepted and reciprocated; tension and a "fierce face" will not be looked upon with happiness.

There is an English Tourist help line - get tourist brochures at the airport and it should be listed in most.

Sorry if you know most (or all) of this already. Much of the above I had to learn the hard way. Have a wonderful trip - it's a great place, and I thoroughly enjoyed my life there. Japanese are a thoroughly decent people, and love having guests in their country.

10-05-2006, 07:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
Intense1 Crazy Location: Music City burbs	Hi, thought I'd give my two yen worth here, since I lived in Japan for seven and a half years. Some of my visits: TOKYO 1. Yoyogi Park on Sunday afternoons - this park is accessable easily from Shibuya Station (after about a 10 minute walk) or Harajuku station (right there, depending on the exit you use.) They close off a street and all kinds of bands, dance groups and extertainers of all sorts stake out a place on the street and do their thing, lending the feeling of a street fair. There's lots of vendors selling food (fried noodles, hotdogs and squid on a stick, to name a few) and if the noise gets too much, the actual park is a very nice stroll. Plus its next to Meiji Shrine, which is very interesting to see, if you're into that. But since it's January, it might be too cold to have the street fair thing, so it could be a hit and miss thing. BTW - Shibuya station itself is quite the thing to experience on a Sunday afternoon, as there are just scads of people there. Don't go if you're claustrophobic or people shy, though. There is no sense of personal space with all that throng around. 2. Shinjuku, most anywhere. Lots of stuff to see and do. 3. For electronics, it's Akihabara. OUTSIDE TOKYO 1. Hakone - in the mountains a few hours out of Tokyo by train. There is an outdoor sculpture museum that has an extensive Henry Moore collection, as well as an indoor Picaso collection. And the hot springs are nice. 2. Kyoto - for the best "old style" sense of Japanese life. Streets are laid out in a numerical way so you can go to #4 street and stroll a nice market. Plus, most people from Western Japan say Kyoto has the best food. SOME ADVICE 1. Plan your travel times in Tokyo so that you're not having to get on a train before 9 am or after 4 pm. If you're in Shinjuku station at 5 pm, God help you! You might want to go there one day just to experience it, though. It's a hoot to see the station platform staff have to kick people in the legs just so they'll pull in all their extremities in order for the train doors to close. And to be on such a train that is literally full like a brick of vacuum-packed Folger's coffee is a lesson in proxemics that will be hard to forget. (Warning: if one finds oneself in this situation, do not be surprised if one is groped) 2. Money, money, money. Don't forget that you'll need absolute gobs of it for everything. And don't forget the airport departure tax (2,100 yen when I was there last - not sure if it's still at that rate.) Most restaurants don't give free coffee refills; you'll have to buy another cup of coffee if you want more. Plus, the last time I was there (winter of '98), there weren't many regular ATMs that would take American ATM or debit cards. Best to go with travelers' checks and cash. (Sorry if you already know this bit - it's just that when I think of going to Japan, I immediately think of MONEY) 3. Language and culture - many Japanese don't speak English, or if they do, they're shy to use it. Most bigger train stations and department stores will have an Info booth with some English speaking staff. If you ask someone for directions to some place, and they point you in a direction and then leave quickly, it might be wise to ask another person. In tight spots, a smile and a bow with a Thank you will be an appropriate and well accepted gesture. Openness and kindness is always accepted and reciprocated; tension and a "fierce face" will not be looked upon with happiness. There is an English Tourist help line - get tourist brochures at the airport and it should be listed in most. Sorry if you know most (or all) of this already. Much of the above I had to learn the hard way. Have a wonderful trip - it's a great place, and I thoroughly enjoyed my life there. Japanese are a thoroughly decent people, and love having guests in their country. __________________ (none yet, still thinkin')