Advice for traveling to Japan

japan.txt

You're going to Japan! That's awesome, enjoy your trip.
This is some advice I've shared with friends over the years,
gleaned from many, many trips.

1. Buy a Japan Rails Pass. japan-rail-pass.com
   Bullet trains are one of the best parts of visiting Japan
   and they're expensive. A one way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto
   will run you more than $100 so this pass will easily pay for
   itself. It's such a good deal in fact that it's unavailable 
   to residents of Japan and you can't buy them there, so make
   sure you order before you leave. It won't be active until you
   get it stamped at the station for your first ride.
   
2. Take cash. (~$1k USD)
   Many businesses in Japan only take cash, especially those off
   the beaten path. Change your money in the airport, unlike most
   countries there isn't much difference in exchange rate and changing
   at the airport is actually less expensive than finding a place in town.
   There's a bank across the way from the post office on the top floor of
   the international terminal in Narita that I like to use but it really
   doesn't matter much.
   Finding an international ATM is getting easier but may still be a challenge.
   Post offices and 7-11s almost always have them.
   
3. Eat everything.
   You'll have a hard time finding bad food in Japan as they take great pride
   in their cooking. There are few things Japanese people are less likely to
   forgive than a bad meal. Before you get on a bullet train find a bento box in
   the station, the station food is amazing in Japan and the boxes sold on board
   are often overpriced and lower quality (still great though).
   Convenience stores also have unexpectedly good food. They're a central fixture
   to life in Japan and you can find all sorts of things including toiletries and
   clothing.
   Yelp has some good reviews in Japan but if you're searching for a good place to
   eat Tabelog will be much better.
   
4. Finding help.
   If you're lost in Japan you're unlikely to spend more than a couple minutes on a
   corner looking confused before someone stops to offer help and practice their
   English. Japanese people are incredibly welcoming to foreigners, especially outside
   of the Tokyo area. Even in remote areas you're almost certain to find assistance
   from any local business but if you can't find anyone the station employees are
   always very helpful. You're rarely more than 15mins from a station anywhere in
   Japan.
   
5. Gifts
   If you have friends in Japan or are planning on making some it would be wise to take
   some small gifts with you from your local area. Snacks make excellent gifts as they
   won't continue to occupy space in the home, remember space is at a premium in Japan.
   Reciprocal giving in Japan is often taken to extremes so be prepared for them to offer
   you something in return whenever you provide a gift. If you've received a gift from
   someone it may be a good idea to wait until you part to give your reciprocal gift so
   they don't feel an obligation to reciprocate again.
   
6. Hydration
   It's extremely hard to find water in Japan for some reason and restaurants will offer you
   comically small glasses. I'd recommend you bring a collapsible water bottle and fill it at
   every opportunity. Be aware that non-potable water is often used for hand washing in restrooms
   and on trains so look out for signs (there will definitely be signs if this is the case).
   
7. Accomodations
   Hotels in Japan are much smaller than you likely expect, some have barely enough room for the
   bed and your suitcase. If you stick to overseas brands you're likely to find larger rooms but
   I'd recommend you stay in a Japanese business hotel at least once for the experience. Depending
   on how adventurous you're feeling you might even try a capsule hotel. They're not much more
   expensive than a business hotel but it's definitely an adventure worth having once in your life.
   Don't worry about making reservations in advance unless you're staying in Western style hotels
   from large chains, I'd actually recommend against it. You can sometimes save as much as 50% by
   making your reservations on the day of your stay using popular travel sites like Expedia and
   Hotels.com. If the reservation site offers you a breakfast ticket option you should always take it.
   Japanese hotel breakfasts are typically served buffet style and extend far beyond the sad muffin and
   toast you find in the US. You should stay in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese lodging) at least once if you can
   manage it. It's quite a different experience, you'll likely sleep on a futon on tatami mats which
   can be uncomforable if you're unaccustomed, but the tea, baths and Japanese meals more than make
   up for it. While we're on the subject of bathing it should be noted that Ryokan will often have shared
   baths. Shower before you get in the large soaking tub with your new naked friends and find an Onsen
   (natural hot spring) if you can. If you have tattoos you won't likely be able to enjoy Onsen but some
   places will allow it if you cover them with a bandage. Tattoos are strongly linked to organized crime
   in Japan and most public baths will have signs saying that they're not allowed. There are some baths
   that explicitly allow them, expect to make some new Yakuza friends if you choose one of them (if they'll
   even allow you near the door).
   
7. Sites.
   I always recommend people spend a couple days in Tokyo. Make a point of visiting Akihabara and going to
   an animal cafe or browsing the small electronics shops. Forest of Owl is one of my favorites, they'll put
   an owl on your arm while you enjoy a drink and it's about a 5 minute walk from Akihabara station. All of the other
   areas of Tokyo are interesting in very different ways. Shinjuku has a fantastic night life but be very careful taking
   advice from people on the street about where you should drink. It is a hive of Yakuza activity and crime in the area is
   common, especially overpricing scams where you're promised one price and presented with a huge bill that they're willing
   to threaten you into paying. Golden Gai is a really unique area to drink but again be very cautious and take a Japanese
   friend if you can. You can buy a Golden Gai guide book at a convenience store near the area. Many bars have signs that
   say they won't allow foreigners because they have so many issues with drunk and unruly travelers. You're unlikely to come
   to bodily harm or be robbed/mugged, but the overcharging scam is incredibly common.
   In some bars you'll be presented with a small snack when you sit called otoshi, it's a compulsory appetizer and they
   will charge you for it, consider it a replacement for a cover charge. Under no circumstances should you take bar/restaurant
   advice from someone on the street. They may seem very helpful but it's their job to drag customers to their employers and
   you will almost always get scammed in those arrangements.
   If you get a chance stop by Ryogoku in Tokyo, it's the sumo district and you can often see them walking around in full
   regalia as they go about their days.
   
   Kyoto will take at least 2 days but you could stay weeks and not run out of things to see. There are more than
   a thousand temples but I always make a point of visiting these four: Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, Ryoanji and Kiyomizudera.
   Try to time your visit so that you're at Kiyomizudera at sunset, you won't regret it. Another great place to be at
   sunset is the Kyoto tower across the street from the station. Food in the Kyoto station is incredible, make sure
   you stop and eat at least one meal up on the 8th floor. There's a bus in front of the station that will run a circle
   through all of the popular temple locations and an all-day pass is only about $5.
   If you want to see Geisha and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) stop by Gion, it's beautiful and you're likely to see them
   walking through town on their way to various tea ceremony appointments. You're unlikely to be able to enjoy a Geisha
   tea ceremony without an invitation from a Japanese friend who will also have to be well-connected to get in. They're
   expensive but if you somehow get the chance you should jump at it, you may not get the opportunity twice.
   If you have time to take a day trip from Kyoto check out Himeji, a beautiful castle a short train ride away. The
   Arashiyama bamboo forest is definitely worth seeing as well.
   
   Hiroshima is famous for the nuclear bomb memorial and I highly recommend you take the time to go visit. It will be a sad
   day, the museum on site is intense, but it's such an important part of world history that I feel like a trip to Japan
   wouldn't be complete without it. Afterward you can take a trip to go see Bunny Island (Okunoshima). You'll have to take
   a train and a ferry but you can find directions online or ask at the station. Stop at a grocery store and pick up several
   bags of large carrots if you want to be extra popular. They offer pellet feed on the island but they definitely prefer
   carrots.
   
   Osaka is a less common destination for visitors but still worth the trip if you have time. Make sure you go see the
   aquarium there (Kaiyukan). There's a glass ferris wheel right next door and a LEGOland, along with a petting zoo with
   Kangaroos and other rare cuddly things to pet and feed. Eat Okonomiyaki in Osaka and try it in Hiroshima as well, they
   have very different styles but both are delicious.