Advice about Japan
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Try a Family-Run Bed and Breakfast in Japan
"Minshuku" or Japanese bed and breakfasts have similar origins to bed and breakfasts. Minshuku began with families living by tourist areas providing one or more of their extra rooms as accommodation for tourists. Thus, minshuku were family-run and toilet and bathing facilities would be shared among…(104 words)
GenS
Enjoy Scenery in Japan Without Having to Walk
The seishun 18 ticket is a very cheap way to travel long distance on trains in Japan. The ticket is sold in sets of five and one set costs 11,300yen. The amazing thing is that one ticket will allow you to travel on any JR local train in Japan as many times as you want with in 24 hours. This is amaz…(172 words)
GenS
Find Out Why Family-Run Hotels are So Comfortable in Japan!
There aren't any strict manners that you wouldn't have to follow at a regular hotel but do at a Japanese bed and breakfast or minshuku. However, the unique aspects of a minshuku create some space for extra things you could be mindful about. First of all, minshuku are almost always family run. They …(173 words)
GenS
How to Get to Okinawa, Japan?
Tokyo’s outer islands are good alternatives to flying far to Okinawa for nice beaches. A hydrofoil will carry you quickly to different islands. My favorite is Niijima island, about 1.5 hrs from Tokyo on hydrofoil. The island is small but the beaches are beautiful. They reminded me of Hawaii. Gett…(108 words)
GenS
How to Survive the Rainy Season in Japan
The rainy season in Japan is not very long. It is basically the month of June, beginning in early June and ending usually by July. The coming of the rainy season marks the end of Spring and its end marks the beginning of summer. In comparison to Spring, not only does it rain much more frequently du…(100 words)
GenS
Comic Market, The Largest Manga Event in Japan
Comiket, or Comic Market, is Japan’s largest manga related event. It is held once a year in August. To truly understand the appeal, I think you must have a strong passion for Japanese manga culture. What you can find at Comiket are manga related products that are made independently by “circles” or …(138 words)
GenS
Packed Train Boarding Tips in Japan
Although a packed train in Japan seems like total chaos, there are a few rules that people follow to keep everyone safe and orderly. First of all, you need to line up properly on the platform before boarding. On the platform, there will be signs showing you how you should line up. Everyone follows …(246 words)
GenS
Aways Stand to Left in Japan on the Escalatr
One basic manner you have to know on your trip to Japan is to always stand on the left side of escalators. Only stand on the right side if you are walking up. This is a rule that everyone follows and you will naturally follow it when you see people doing it. In escalators, there aren’t any rules in…(158 words)
GenS
Best Bar in Roppongi, Japan
My favorite bar in Tokyo is Heartland bar in Roppongi Hills. It is a very open and fancy bar, always lively with people, perfect for a drink before clubbing in Roppongi. It is also where Heartland Beer (a Japanese beer made by Kirin) was first made. For Roppongi, the beer cocktails are very reasona…(84 words)
GenS
Specialty Ramen Stores in Japan
First of all, its important to know that it is rare to have bad ramen. Any ramen in Japan should be tasty. So when you are looking for your favourite ramen, you should first think about what kind of taste you like. Do you like a shoyu (soy sauce) base? Or tonkotsu (soup made from pork)? Miso? Sea f…(186 words)
GenS
Great Sashimi in Japan
At the tsukiji fish market, you would naturally assue that the best delicacies are made from fish. In fact, there are many other delicacies, unrelated to fish, that you should not miss. All of these are comparatively cheap and have a lot of volume. These places exist to provide cheap but tasty and …(177 words)
GenS
Try the Ramen Specialty Dish In Japan
All of the options you have to personalize your ramen at a ramen shop make it really tempting to add things to your ramen. However, I recommend any first time user of a ramen shop to try the house specialty, without adding anything extra. The ramen master at ramen places has spent years finding the…(187 words)
GenS
McD's In Japan
Charging your electronic devices using any "unofficial" plug will get you into trouble. Trust me, I'm writing from firsthand experience. I was on a 7 day bicycle trip down South to Fukuoka and needed electricity desperately. I was at a hotspring and tried sneaking some juice while I was soaking in …(125 words)
GenS
Hungry? Eat Cup Noodle Ramen in Japan
I warn you first that this post is not really for you if your are a very health conscious person. One of the most popular quick meal options at the combini, especially among salarymen and male students, is cup noodle. At any combini, you will find a great selection of different noodles to try. …(169 words)
GenS
Roppongi Hills Toho Cinemas in Japan
The Toho Cinemas movie theater at Roppongi Hills is my favourite in Tokyo. The cinema is fairly new (about ten years) and shows the most English films in the Tokyo area. In Japan, U.S. animation movies are often dubbed into Japanese and only shown in Japanese. Only a selected number of theaters, in…(144 words)
GenS
Hamarikyu Garden, Beautiful and Ancient Garden in Japan
My favourite park in Tokyo is Hamarikyu Garden, right by Shiodome station. I was actually just there the other day and the scenery of the tranquil lakes with Japanese style bridges and gazebos was breathtaking. Entrance is only about 250 yen for and adult and the garden is perfect for a 3-4 hours o…(145 words)
GenS
Toshima Swimming Pool in Japan
Living in Yokohama, I rarely go to swimming pools in Tokyo. However, I have ben to Toshima swimming pool once and having quite a fun time. Toshima pool is more than just an ordinary pool. It is a waterpark. Japanese people have a thing for swimming pools and so there are many pools here in Tokyo an…(162 words)
GenS
Ueno Zoo, Fun Family-Friendly Zoo in Japan
Tokyo's most famous, most historic, and most popular zoo is Ueno zoo. It is an enormous zoo in the central Tokyo area and is a popular attraction among families, friends, and couples. The greatest draw since about last year are the pandas. Ueno zoo is the only zoo in Tokyo with pandas and in Japan,…(170 words)
GenS
Safety in Japan
I have heard from some of my foreigner friends that in some countries, people would rather avoid getting involve with the police than seek justice for a small problem. In Japan, you don't have to worry about the police taking advantage of you. Although they can be a hassle at times do the the amoun…(281 words)
GenS
Alta-mae Hiroba, Meeting Spot in Japan
When I go hangout with my friends in the Shinjuku area, we usually meet up at the Alta-mae Hiroba. This is an easy to find open space right outside of Shinjuku station's East exit. It is called Alta-mae because it is situated in front of a famous building called Alta. You can spot this building by …(98 words)
GenS
Shimokitazawa, Great Bars in Japan
Shimokitazawa is my favorite "shitamachi" (downtown or local) area in Tokyo. It is only about 10 minutes on the Keio Inokashira line from Shibuya and is a popular hangout spot, especially among the youth. There are numerous chic and funky bars and restaurants in the area and has a nice ambience til…(114 words)
GenS
Great Events On All the Time at Japan's Shinjuku gyoen
You would never fail to enjoy cherry blossoms at the Shinjuku-gyoen every spring time. Five minute-walk from the south exit of JR Shinjuku will lead you there.There are Rose festivals and beautiful Autumn colors to enjoy too!If you are in Shinjuku and want a reprieve from the crowds and bu…(71 words)
yumin
Japan's Animal Viewing Oasis is Tama Zoo
Tama Zoo is one of the most popular Zoos in Japan.I recommend that you should go to Tama-zoo because it is surrounded by nature and will make for a lovely full day of fun.You will enjoy all the animals and insects located in Tama-zoo. Get off at the TAMA-DOUBUTSUEN (Keio-Line),where you wil…(82 words)
yumin
Look for the "Uketsuke", Hospital Care in Japan
Although my experience at hospitals in other countries is limited, I don't think the process at a Japanese hospital is particularly unique. All you have to do when you get to a hospital is to find the "uketsuke" (front desk), which is usually located right by the entrance, and talk to a nurse about…(212 words)
GenS
Futon, Onsen, and Dinner in Japan
Futon, onsen, and dinner are the three reasons I choose to stay at ryokan over other lodging facilities. Usually at ryokan, you get to sleep in a tatami room in futon. Since I usually sleep on a bed at home, it is a great feeling to kind of return to my Japanese roots and sleep in a futon. Futon at…(238 words)
GenS
Need Medical Help in Japan
This website is a Tokyo city website dedicated entirely for foreign patients seeking medical help in Tokyo. Perfect for you! It is in English and you can search for any hospital in Tokyo. There is also a phone number you can call incase you cannot find a hospital and another number you can call to …(79 words)
GenS
Hospitals in Japan
You will be lucky to find a hospital with good English support in Tokyo. Good hospitals are everywhere in Tokyo but only the larger ones will have English support. However, there is no problem if you access this page:http://www.himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/qq/qq13enmnlt.aspThis site is made to p…(126 words)
GenS
Where to Find a Tasty Japanese Bento in Japan?
I had a wonderful taste of Miyagi, Hiroshima and Kyoto before I reached Fujisawa just 30 minutes later on the Tokkaido line from Tokyo station. I splurged on the green car for a very relaxed and private meal and let me tastebuds have a party. If you a planning a 30 plus minute ride on a train from …(79 words)
Great Tip to Avoid the Rush Hour in Japan
On a longer (30 minute plus) train ride, I will often splurge on a Green car ticket. These temperate cars have a nice train attendant who comes by to sell snacks and drinks and when it is not rush hour you can get a window seat with a table to tap on your computer while enjoying the sites. During r…(279 words)
Cozy Places to Stay for Foreigners in Japan
The very strict laws about hotel licenses in Japan require all serviced apartments to rent from only one month or longer. These are fully furnished, have cleaning service and best of all a 24 hour toll-free hotline in English so that if you need assistance during your stay, there is always someone …(169 words)
When Shopping in Japan Live as the Japanese Do
Shopping in Japan can be a dream. The stores are beautiful and the shopkeepers are very civilized and unaggressive. One thing to remember is that when the staff say "Irashaimase" it basically means welcome and is a set phrase at every establishment. They are just welcoming you and not being pushy i…(113 words)
Japan's the Best Place for Cute Tiny Gifts
Look closely at the little knick knacks in the various shops along a street or shopping arcade in Japan and you will be amazed by the ingenuity that goes in to one little item and how it can grace the home with a bit of sweetness and be useful at the same time. I believe Japan has kind of mastered …(166 words)
Eat the Best Ramen Noodles in Japan
You can see here that we have ordered Jumbo Ramen with Nori (seaweed) as one of the best toppings. Floating quietly in the hot and tasty soup is the Onsen or boiled soft egg. If you cut it open with your chopsticks the soft yellow yolk will flow out into the ramen soup and add that last amazing tas…(90 words)
Nissan World Headquarters in Minato Mirai, Japan great place for Tech-Savvy people
If you want to see cutting edge green cars of the future getting ready for mass production, the Nissan World Corporate Headquarters in Minato Mirai is a great place to visit. The Showroom is state of the art and you can take a look at the history of Nissan and how the cars have evolved over the yea…(103 words)
Make sure in Japan to drink tea at a restaurant
Today, we stopped in at a beautiful little Sushi Shop in Ginza in Tokyo. The warm tea that came out right at the beginning prepared our palate perfectly for the lovely fish to come after. It was a truly perfect experience. We would recommend that when you come to eat sushi you make sure to prepare …(76 words)
The Cutest Cartoon Character in Japan, Funasshii
My daughter and I love the character representing Funabashi City in Chiba Prefecture named "Funasshii". Recently the characters or mascots from different areas of Japan are on TV a lot and there is actually a Sumo contest on TV between these adorable and playful characters. Each of them has a perso…(225 words)
Craziest Amusement Park in Japan, Fujikyu Highland
I was at Fujikyu Highland the other day for a speech and from the window in the hotel I spied this unbelievable drop on their huger roller coaster. Yes, you are right, it actually inclines like that and you could hear the screams of delight all through the day. The park did not seem very crowded on…(125 words)
How to Add a Touch of Cuteness with Your Gift in Japan
During the Holidays or during your visit in Japan, you might want to give your host, hotel concierge, or new friend a little gift of appreciation. You might also be planning to take things back home from Japan to your Japanese friends overseas. Guess what? You want a hint on how to up your polite l…(235 words)
Japanese People Love Hand-Made Gifts in Japan
I have always appreciated the simple gift-giving culture in Japan. Some of my friends describe it as cumbersome since upon receiving something there is always some pressure to reciprocate. Yes, I agree, but at the same time, the reciprocal gift can take various forms and hand-made items that serve …(358 words)
The Wildest Times in Japan Begin With a Cup of Sake, a Traditional Japanese Rice Wine
I remember going to a nearby Western Bar in Aiea with my friend from High School and sharing a few “Shots” of alcohol where you pour some mixture of strong and sweet into a little “shot glass” and down it together in one fell gulp.Those were fun and crazy times and the little buzz from that alc…(615 words)