GenS's Advice List

GenS Japan 20 years in Japan

With my advise, your trip to Japan will be Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Cheap and unique Japanese snacks

If you are left with some extra change at the end of your trip and are lost what to do with it, go to any one of the thousands of convenient stores in Japan. You will find many "local" snacks there and you can pick and choose to take back home for your friends and family. I recommend buying snacks …(104 words)

GenS

Mountain Trip

Best Tourist Souvenir-- Samurai Umbrella!

Purchasing a real samurai sword in Japan is very difficult, especially after they enforced the laws against the possession of knives a couple years ago. I also assume that taking a samurai sword out of Japan will definitely be a hassle at the airport. A better option might be purchasing the samurai…(112 words)

GenS

Samurai Umbrella Souvenir Tokyo Asakusa Kamakura Airport Trip

How Do I Get to Haneda Airport?

The Tokyo Monorail is one of the most convenient ways to get to and from Tokyo and Haneda Airport. From the International Terminal, the non-stop Haneda Express only takes 13 minutes to get to Hamamatsu-cho station where you can transfer to the Yamanote line. On top of its convenience, the monorail …(80 words)

GenS

Haneda Airport Monorail Tokyo Airport Japan Yen

What is Japan's Transportation Like?

The answer to this question really depends on where in Tokyo you ant to go to. If you want to get to the Shinagawa area or anywhere on the Keikyu and Asakusa lines, you should take the Keikyu line. It only takes about 15 minutes to Shinagawa. The Tokyo monorail will get you to the Hamamatsu-cho are…(134 words)

GenS

Bus Japan Transportation Tokyo Train Airport Monorail

Experience the Unique Joy of a Traditional Japanese Hotel

If you stay at a ryokan (traditional japanese-style hotel), you will come across many unique services. The two I enjoy the most are the baths and the yukata. Any ryokan will have a large bath for all of the customers to share. The bigger ryokan will have an actual hotspring while others may just ha…(138 words)

GenS

Yukata (Light kimono) Japanese inn Traditional Hotel Lodging Table tennis Japan

Learn the Rich History of Yokohama, Japan at Family-Friendly Museum

The Yokohama Kaiko Shiryokan (Yokohama Archives of History) is a museum in Yokohama, dedicated entirely to the opening of the port city of Yokohama to Western trade in 1859. This was an important event which led to the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868, marking the end of the Edo Period an…(91 words)

GenS

Museum History Yokohama Japan

2000 Yen: One Night, Unlimited Manga

It is debatable as to whether a manga kissa can be considered a "lodging facility". The original idea of a manga kissa began as a cafe where you can relax and read manga. Now, you can pretty much do anything at a manga kissa. First of all, you are assigned a comfortable and private little booth wit…(149 words)

GenS

Manga Comic cafe Tokyo Hotel Lodging Arcade Computer Japan Cafe

Refresh Yourself with Green Tea in Japan

If you go to the drink section in a convenient store in Japan, you will find that about 20% of the drinks are different types of tea! The tea is very delicious and some even have actual tea leaves in them. When I was at school, I would drink green tea every day. When you come to Japan, I definitely…(70 words)

GenS

Green tea Convienence Store Japan Drink Tea green

Cheapest and Most Reliable Train Line, Yokosuka Line

If you want to save some money on transportation but don't want to take the bus fearing traffic, you should take the Yokosuka line. The Yokosuka line will only take about 30 minutes longer than the Narita Express but you will only have to pay about half the price. Also, since it is a local train, y…(83 words)

GenS

Train Yokosuka Tokyo Bus Airport Transportation Narita Express

Family-Friendly Zushi Beach in Japan

I recommend Zushi beach in Kanagawa prefecture. It only takes about 1 hour from Tokyo on the Yokosuka line and I was actually there yesterday! Although the transparency of the water can't really be compared to beaches you would find in Okinawa or Hawaii, the water is swimmable. Also, unlike most of…(144 words)

GenS

Japan family-friendly Beaches Kanagawa Summer Yokohama day trip Swimming Tokyo

How to Ride Trains in Japan

The idea of riding a train in Japan can be intimidating. There really are so many different lines that almost for a web over Tokyo. However, you shouldn't be intimidated. Most signs are also in English and buying a ticket is easy. From personal experience, I think buying a ticket in Japan is easier…(132 words)

GenS

Train Japan Tokyo Ticket Ticket machine English

Experience the Roaring Excitement of a Japanese Baseball Game

The aspect of Japanese baseball I enjoy the most is the cheering. Unlike at a game in the States where the crowd only gets loud when a team is close to scoring or something exciting happens, a game in Japan consists of constant cheering. When one team is on the offence, the fans of the team in the …(196 words)

GenS

Baseball Japan Game Guide bats

5K Runs Around the Imperial Palace in Japan

The Kokyo Run is a 5km running path that goes around the Imperial Palace. It is one of the most famous running paths in Japan and you will be able to meet other joggers. It would be best to do the run on a sunny day in either Spring or Autumn. During those seasons, the trees should be beautiful and…(75 words)

GenS

Japan Imperial Palace running Kokyo Spring Autumn Seasons

Manga Stores, the New Fun Hotels in Japan

Manga kissa or manga cafes can be found all over Japan. For about 300 yen an hour (the price depends on the place) you can use all facilities, which includes a private cubicle with a mattress, thousands of manga, DVDs, a personal TV, personal computer, internet, and games. Some places also have a s…(105 words)

GenS

Manga Comic cafe Japan Tokyo Arcade Computer Billiard Internet Yen

Do you need to Give Tips in Japan?

In Japan, tipping is never practiced. In fact, people will often be surprised to receive a tip, not know what to do with it, and just decline your offer. Workers in Japan do not expect you to give them a tip. Also, since tips are not expected, workers are paid decently. On your visit to Japan, don'…(86 words)

GenS

Japan tipping Visit

Cheap, Used Books at Japanese Store Book Off

I used to be an avid manga reader and I would always buy my manga at bookoff. Buying a manga brand new will cost you about 400 yen while one at bookoff will only be 105yen. The books are usually in good condition and buying second hand is more ecological. Bookoff has other things you can buy. The b…(84 words)

GenS

Manga Cheap books Japan

Are you allowed to Use Your Cellphone in the Train in Japan?

In Japan, using cellphones in the train is ok. In fact, you will see a lot of people texting on their cellphones in the train. However, there are rules to cellphone use. First of all, using cellphones near the priority seating is a big NoNo. Priority seats are where people with pacemakers sit and c…(125 words)

GenS

Train Etiquette Japan Priority Seat cell phone

Need Contacts in Japan? Find an Opthamologist!

In Japan, you need a doctor's prescription in order to purchase contact lenses at a store. The easiest way to buy them is to go to your nearby ophthalmologist. There, you will be able to get a prescription and also buy purchase contact lenses. There is also the option of purchasing online but that …(66 words)

GenS

Ophthalmologist Japan Contact lens Doctor buy

Funniest Japanese Show in Japan: Itte-Q

If you're interested in japanese TV, Itte-Q is the show to watch. Even if you don't understand Japanese, the show should be entertaining. Its on Channel 4 from 8pm every sunday. On the show, they do different things every time but the basic concept is that the comedians and celebrities on the show …(135 words)

GenS

Television Japan Amusement park Visit Food Eat activities

Go to Kamakura Using the Yokosuka Line in Japan

Living in Hodogaya, a stop on the Yokosuka Line, the Yokosuka Line is one of the trains I ride most frequently. The line itself runs between Yokosuka station in Kanagawa prefecture and Tokyo station. Many of its stops overlap with the Tokaido line but there are many points of distinction. First of …(200 words)

GenS

Train Japan Tokyo Yokohama Kamakura Airport Chiba Kanagawa Narita Express

Where to Enjoy Manga in Tokyo, Japan

Manga Kissa, or manga cafes, can be found all over Tokyo. It is the ultimate pastime. For only about 300 yen an hour, you can get free drinks, read as many manga as you want, use the internet, watch movies, and even take showers! When you use a manga kissa, you are assigned a cubicle with a T.V and…(111 words)

GenS

Manga Comic cafe Tokyo Hotel Computer Cafe Internet Yen

How to Beat the Sun in Japan

In Japan, having fair skin tends to be considered an attractive trait, especially for women. Thus, many Japanese women take great care to avoid exposure to UV rays. One of the items often seen in the streets that women use to avoid the sun is the sun umbrella. These umbrellas can be purchased prett…(123 words)

GenS

Umbrella Japan Rainy Day used

Refresh Yourself in a Local Japanese Pool in Japan

In Japan, pools are popular attractions, during the summer season to take a cool dip. In large cities such as Tokyo, there are numerous waterparks with thrilling water slides and wave pools. One such pool is the pool at Toshima-en amusement park, open only during the summer season. Entrance is usua…(206 words)

GenS

Tokyo Summer Pool Park Yokohama Amusement park

Beautiful View from the Roppongi Hills Observatory, Tokyo Japan

Obviously, the views from Tokyo sky tree and Tokyo tower are wonderful. Sky tree is the world’s largest tower being 634m tall. Visiting these two towers, or at least one, is a must. Personally, though, I enjoy the view from Roppongi Hills. Although it’s not the tallest building in Tokyo, it is si…(128 words)

GenS

Roppongi Roppongi Hills Tokyo Ticket Building Museum Art Tokyo Tower Art museum City

3 Tips for Surviving Rush Hour in Japan

From my point of view, as someone who has to deal with the morning rush every morning, its difficult to understand why anyone would want to experience it. During the morning rush, all the trains and platforms are congested with people. Not only people but many grumpy people who are already in a bad…(350 words)

GenS

Japan Rush hour Tokyo Train Yokohama Event Music Sport Railway platform

Family-Friendly Showa Kinen Park, the perfect getaway from city life for kids during you Japan Stay.

As a kid, a trip to Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa would excite me the most. Built on a former Self Defense Forces base, the park is one of Tokyo’s largest parks. There is even a bicycle road running along the circumference of the park, which has a lake at its center. Rowboats can be borrowed for ch…(157 words)

GenS

City Park Bicycle Lake Tokyo Trip family friendly

Take a trip to the beautiful port city of Yokohama in Japan!

If you have a full day to spend and you’re in Tokyo, I recommend taking a trip to the port city of Yokohama, especially if it's a beautiful day. On a sunny day, the Minatomirai area with its series of shopping malls, amusement park and hotels situated around a bay is a must see! Yokohama is only ab…(303 words)

GenS

City Yokohama Tokyo Train Park Shopping Building Museum Movie Amusement park

Visit the "Castles" of Past Daimyo, Feudal Lords in Japan

If you are interested in learning about the Edo Period, I recommend visiting one of the many daimyo yashiki (feudal lord mansions) that can still be found in many parts of Tokyo. During the Edo Period, every feudal lord was forced by the Tokugawa Shogunate (the central government) to build and main…(221 words)

GenS

daimyo yashiki Visit Japan Tokyo River Etiquette Trip History architecture