{"id":26844,"date":"2017-04-27T15:44:31","date_gmt":"2017-04-27T22:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=26844"},"modified":"2018-03-25T11:49:04","modified_gmt":"2018-03-25T18:49:04","slug":"from-tech-to-toilets-10-tips-for-first-time-travelers-to-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/from-tech-to-toilets-10-tips-for-first-time-travelers-to-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"From Tech to Toilets: 10 Tips for First-Time Travelers to Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"10
\nSpend only a few days in Tokyo.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most memorable days of our entire 10-day trip was the first whole day we had in Tokyo – a Sunday with the cherry blossoms blooming, we happened to make the right choice to visit the older area of Asakusa to see Sens\u014d-ji temple, Japan’s oldest temple. Leaving the temple we happened upon a traditional Shinto wedding, then stumbled upon a sakura<\/em>\u00a0matsuri <\/em>\u00a0(cherry blossom festival) parade which we followed to the river where families and friends gathered along both banks for hanami <\/em>(flower viewing).<\/p>\n

\"Tokyo<\/p>\n

Tokyo is a vibrant neon megalopolis comprised of 23 distinctive wards from the\u00a0old downtown neighborhoods of Asakusa or Yanaka to the trendy cosplay quarters of Harajuku, the high-rises of Shinjuku, \u00a0and Shibuya, the epicenter of fashion and culture – each governed as an individual city.\u00a0Tokyo-Yokohama continues to be the largest city in the world<\/a>, with nearly 38 million residents. Needless to say, you are in the midst of a crushing amount of humanity in the train stations, shopping districts and on the streets of the most visited areas.<\/p>\n

\"Tokyo<\/p>\n

Hanami in Asakusa<\/p>\n

You may have seen videos on YouTube where passengers are being squished into the train by a station attendant so the doors can close – \u00a0I witnessed this for myself during rush hour on my first Monday in Japan. A petite slip of a girl squeezing herself into a train car, standing on her tip-toes clinging to the rail above the door, dressed in modest office attire, the toes of her nude patent leather pumps clearly on the door track. Wondering how the doors were going to close without her being crushed and her pretty shoes ruined, until the attendant came along and, with no pause and both arms spread, pushed the entire mass of bodies and limbs further inside and the door closes. Astonished by how humiliating this must be, I couldn’t add to their misery by recording the whole scene.<\/p>\n

\"Sens\u014d-ji<\/p>\n

Sens\u014d-ji – the oldest temple in Japan.<\/p>\n

My daughter and I spent three nights in Tokyo which really gave us only 2 full days in the city as the first night we had energy only for finding our Japanese guesthouse, checking in and walking to dinner at a quiet neighborhood restaurant. On the third day we checked out and started our journey to see more of the countryside and traditional Japanese culture in Takayama, Gifu prefecture.<\/p>\n

\"Shirakawa-go<\/p>\n

Shirakawa-go, Gifu – Unesco World Heritage site.<\/p>\n

Buy a JR Pass<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The JR pass can be used on the JR trains within Tokyo and is especially cost effective for train travel from and outside of Tokyo. The JR Pass must be purchased before arriving in Japan<\/a>. You will receive an “exchange order” which is exchanged for the actual pass at a JR office at the airport or train station when you arrive. The passes are available for 7, 14 or 21 days and you can buy an ordinary pass or a green pass, which allows first-class travel. I was visiting for 12 days, but knowing that the JR Pass works for the Narita Express, I purchased the 14-day pass for $399. I didn’t bother calculating how much I saved – you can work out how many train journeys you\u2019ll be taking and add up the prices using Hyperdia<\/a>, but given our itinerary and taking the Shinkansen three times, I’m sure it more than payed for itself, in dollars and the hassle of purchasing individual tickets.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that the pass isn\u2019t accepted on every train route in Japan \u2013 for example we couldn\u2019t use it for the Hakone loop or for some of the private local train lines within Tokyo. There is an option on Hyperdia where you can search for trains that are only included with the JR Pass. Or you can simply use Google maps and access the schedules for the station that you plan on departing from. Thankfully, my daughter had a handle on all the logistics.<\/p>\n

\"Shinto<\/p>\n

Shinto wedding in Tokyo.<\/p>\n

Give yourself plenty of time for the logistics of public transportation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once I figured out the subway system in Shanghai and Beijing, I knew I could get around in any city in the world. However, a public transportation system as complex as Japan’s requires time and patience. Signage is in a mix of hiragana<\/em> and kanji<\/em> and the car numbers on the train platform vary, depending on the type of train and length of train. So you might see 2-4-6 and go WTH. You’re not alone. Unfortunately, many times you have a short connection, at least, for the Shinkansen there are attendants who speak English and can assist you. Signage for JR trains display station names in both Japanese and romanized English on their platforms, names of the previous station and next station are at the bottom of the signboard in smaller letters, but when multiple train lines are stopping on the same platform and you are looking for a specific car (in the case of reserved seats on the Shinkansen) it is confusing – the best thing is to expect this and give yourself plenty of time.<\/p>\n

\"Map<\/p>\n

Take a look at this map for getting around Hakone, for instance. Even my daughter, who has lived in Japan for two years and is fluent in Japanese was a wee worked up, especially when one bus stop had more than one area on each side of the street and none were well marked. It was a chilly day shrouded in fog with a steady light rain, we wanted to make it easy on ourselves and take a taxi from our hotel to the Pola Museum of Art<\/a> about 15 minutes away. When the front desk informed us there were no taxis available, their shuttle took us down the hill to the nearest bus stop. It ended up taking us 1-1\/2 hours to get to Pola which, by the way, I highly recommend visiting if you encounter a rainy day in the mountains. P.S. the JR pass only worked up to Odawara station, then you have to rely on buses, taxi or the Ropeway<\/a>, which quit taking people (like us) shortly before 5:00 p.m. Plus, we discovered that we could not ride it from the last station at the top to the last station at the bottom because a section of it was closed for infrastructure repairs.<\/p>\n

\"POLA<\/p>\n

Pola Museum of Art, Hakone<\/p>\n

Expect to pay cash in most places.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Japan is still a cash-based society and travelers should not expect to be able to use credit cards in stores or restaurants outside of major cities. We were able to pay for all accommodations using a credit card, but otherwise most transactions are in cash. The exchange rate is currently steady at about 110 JPY (yen) to $1 USD, so $100 USD equals 110,000 yen. That is a lot of bills, even if you break it up between 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000 bills and it may make you uncomfortable carrying so much cash, but you’ll need it and Japan is a very safe place. It is easy to exchange money at the airport, but you may want to bring some yen so you don’t have to look for an ATM as soon as you land.<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/p>\n

Kinkaku-ji – Golden Pavilion Temple, Kyoto<\/p>\n

7-Eleven and Family Mart are more than convenience stores<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

7-Elevens and Family Marts are everywhere in Tokyo and throughout Japan with each convenience store chain supporting 10,000+ locations. However, this is not the 7-11 you have experienced in the U.S. The Japanese have taken the convenience store concept to a new level after buying a 70 percent stake in the U.S. company when it entered bankruptcy protection in 1990. They stock every single consumable food good you can imagine. Craving that afternoon caffeine jolt? Choose from over 20 varieties of iced coffee. Fancy a tipple after a long day at the office or miles of sightseeing steps? Observe the selection of beer, highballs, sake, Champagne, single-malt scotch and wine. Make it a meal! There’s also fresh sushi, onigiri, salads, sandwiches, and prepared meals with a bank of high-powered microwaves to heat them.<\/p>\n

Besides food and drink, both chains offer free wi-fi (at most stores), restrooms, and international ATMs where you can withdraw cash using international credit cards. There are other services available such as paying utility bills, buying tickets to events, purchasing prepaid cards and more at the multi-media terminals in stores. But as a visitor, know that 7-Eleven and Family Mart is there for you – a place where you can escape the searing heat or warm your frozen fingers, quench your thirst, score a snack, fire off a few pics and replenish your funds.<\/p>\n

\"Japan \"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Know a few useful Japanese phrases<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As with other countries, greeting people in their native language is much appreciated. Learn simple phrases such as:<\/p>\n

Good morning:\u00a0ohay\u014d gozaimasu<\/em><\/p>\n

Good afternoon:\u00a0konnichiwa<\/em><\/p>\n

Good evening:\u00a0konbanwa<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you speak English: eigo wa dekimasu ka<\/em>?<\/p>\n

Please write it down:\u00a0kaite kudasai<\/em><\/p>\n

Excuse me:\u00a0sumimasen<\/em><\/p>\n

Please:\u00a0kudasai<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you:\u00a0arigat\u014d gozaimasu<\/em><\/p>\n

How much is this:\u00a0ikura desu ka?<\/em><\/p>\n

For more visit Omniglot<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stay at a traditional guesthouse or ryokan, at least for a few nights of your stay.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you want to experience as much of Japanese culture as possible during your visit, you definitely want to spend at least a few nights in a traditional Japanese guesthouse or ryokan. Ryokans run the gamut from small family-operated inns to luxury ryokans<\/a>\u00a0immersed in nature with a spa-like ambiance. This traditional Japanese accommodation typically features futons<\/em>\u00a0(folding mattresses) on tatami<\/em>\u00a0(straw mat) floors and pillows filled with buckwheat husks. Don’t feel bad, if you only do it once. After this, I’m all about the East-meets-West rooms that combine western-style beds and a tatami room sitting area.<\/p>\n

\"Kyoto<\/p>\n

My first trip to Japan centered around Osaka and Kyoto since I was visiting my daughter and her boyfriend who live in Osaka. While in Kyoto we spent two nights at a modest ryokan with onsen<\/em> (public bath). Many ryokans have rooms with a bathroom ensuite if you choose. The ryokan will provide a yukata\u00a0<\/em>and slippers for each person which is the standard attire to be worn when visiting the onsen<\/em> and can also be worn to meals served in the ryokan and as pajamas.<\/p>\n

Many ryokan<\/em> are especially known for their outdoor hot spring onsen<\/em> (public bath) \u00a0and their traditional regional cuisine. <\/em>When you make your reservations, or at check-in, you have\u00a0the option of adding breakfast and dinner.\u00a0Kaiseki <\/em>(traditional, multi-course Japanese dinner) is usually a 6 to 15 course dinner beginning with appetizers. The appetizers are followed by \u201csashimi\u201d or sliced, raw fish (dip the seafood in the dish of soy sauce and season it with wasabi). Next is a clear soup, grilled meat or fish, steamed vegetables, a hot-pot, and a salad with dressing. Rice, miso soup, and Japanese pickles (tsukemono) are served at the end of the meal, followed by fruit or jelly for dessert.<\/p>\n

\"Japan<\/p>\n

Japanese kaiseki lunch in Kibune<\/p>\n

A typical Japanese-style breakfast is rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and Japanese pickles (tsukemono<\/em>). Breakfast also comes with \u201cnori\u201d or dried sea vegetables to eat with your rice (lay a sheet of nori on your rice and bring the ends together with your chopsticks to trap the rice inside). A small, salty plum (ume boshi) is sometimes served as well as \u201cnatto\u201d or sticky fermented soy beans and a raw egg (crack the egg into a small bowl; add a dash of soy sauce and beat it with your chopsticks; pour it over your rice). Some ryokans serve their own special breakfasts featuring local delicacies.<\/p>\n

\"Fushimi<\/p>\n

Fushimi Inari Temple, Kyoto<\/p>\n

An onsen is a public bath – try it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bathing suits or any other attire is not acceptable in the onsen<\/em>, so put your modesty aside and give it a try.<\/p>\n

Wear the yukata<\/em> (robe for men and women) provided in your room to the onsen. Our ryokan in Hakone required guests to bring the small towel and large towel placed in the room. The small towel is used for washing and as a privacy towel should you feel a little uncomfortable being completely nude in front of strangers. Women and men have separate onsen areas – the sides are color coded red curtains are for women and blue (sometimes purple) for men. It is completely natural to bathe side by side – you’ll see mothers with their daughters and friends bathing together. In the changing room, find an open locker, undress, and put all of your clothes, except for your small towel, inside. Lock the locker – some have keys, others use a combination that you set. \u00a0Take the small towel with you into the bath area.\u00a0In the bath area find an empty shower area. Rinse off the stool, spray the bathing area, and sit down. If you have already showered today, and are clean, you can just rinse off before getting into the bath, otherwise sit on the stool and wash. After you are done washing make sure you rinse off all of the soap and suds. Then rinse off your stool and your area. Now you can enter the baths. If you have long hair, tie it up so that it does not touch the water. Keep your towel out of the water, you can put it on your head or off to the side.\u00a0After you are done bathing use your small towel to dry off a little before going back into the changing rooms. Baths are meant for relaxation and contemplation and is, without exception, a no cell phone zone.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

View from the Women’s onsen at Hakone Green Plaza Hotel {their photo}<\/p>\n

I booked our hotel in Hakone strictly based on their outdoor onsen with views of Mt. Fuji and was extremely disappointed when we woke the first morning to a steady rain and completely socked in by fog. But on our second day the sun was shining and we visited the onsen before breakfast, words barely (no pun intended) express how exhilarating it is to contemplate nature from a steaming, open-air bath with Fuji-san rising majestically in the distance.<\/p>\n

You will need a Hot Spot or buy a SIM card upon arrival.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was fortunate to have a built in guide and translator in my daughter, who has been living and teaching English in Osaka for the past two years and is fluent in Japanese. We relied on her phone for train schedules and Google maps. However, if you’re traveling on your own and speak minimal or no Japanese, having a Hot Spot or Japanese SIM card is essential for you to refer to maps, train schedules and translation apps. You can purchase both of these at Econnect<\/a> and pick them up when you arrive.<\/p>\n

\"Tokyo<\/p>\n

Figuring out Japanese toilets.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Modern Japanese toilets have heated seats, some with sensors that automatically open and close the seat, play music, and strategically placed warm water sprays with a dryer for the ultimate in cleanliness.By the time you leave Japan, you will want one of these in your next house! You may choose to experiment with these high tech toilets in the privacy of your hotel room, but don’t panic if you’re in a public restroom and can’t find the flush button. With all the different versions of the ubiquitous Toto toilets out there, it will happen – especially since it is not a handle on the actual toilet like we are accustomed to. There are other brands, but the most common is Toto. The older models have a plastic attachment to the toilet showing symbols and newer Washlet models have a streamlined touch pad on the wall which pictures the hygienic functions. The flush button is not one of those – usually it is a button on the wall behind the unit or next to it – it also may have the kanji for a small (\u5c0f) or big flush(\u5927). The flush may be controlled with a button, lever or by waving your hand in front of a laser sensor (depending on the system).<\/p>\n

Some bathrooms may have both Toto toilets and the traditional squat-style, which is a porcelain bowl in the floor – usually there will be an image on the outside of the stall indicating the western style toilets. You will probably avoid these if at all possible, but all those squats you do at the gym may come in handy, especially in the countryside. Click here for an entire article on How to Use Japanese Toilets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Always carry tissues or a handkerchief and hand sanitizer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, more toilet talk. With all the attention given to cleanliness and bathroom hygiene, it is surprising that most of the bathrooms will have sinks, but no soap or paper towels. this is one way to keep a pubic restroom clean, but… Some restrooms will have automatic hand dryers which never seem to be that powerful so it is nice to pull that handkerchief out of your bag to dry your hands and use hand sanitizer in the absence of soap. In all the museum stores and gift shops you’ll see many folded napkins and wash clothes in pretty prints – this is why. They’re not really wash clothes as part of a bathroom set or napkins for dining. I bought a really soft wash cloth with a lovely pink and blue crane design at the Pola museum to carry around with me.<\/p>\n

Most of all enjoy the beauty and culture of Japan! \u00a0KANPAI!<\/p>\n

\"Suntory<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n