Bye Bye Arigato Sayonara was the name of a popular song in Japan when I was living there about four years ago. Translated, it means 'Bye Bye Thank you Goodbye' which kind of sums up how I feel about my experience there. I was living in Osaka, in the south of Japan, for about two years and have very bitter-sweet memories of my experience. The Japanese people in general are not that welcoming of foreigners in the big cities, though I believe that Tokyo is more like other capitals which blend different nationalities together more effortlessly. For a holiday destination, you will probably not encounter the same racist attitude as those foreign residents for whom it becomes a part of every day life to be pointed at and stared even cussed in the street. The sweet part of my stay though is the facinating cultural aspects of this proud nation. The scenery is also stunning, Kyoto and Nara being amongst my favourite places. Kyoto is full of zen gardens, temples, wonderfully ornate bridges over stunning garden rivers, etc. Nara has the most peaceful deer park where the almost domestic animals will come and eat out of your hand. If you plan to make the journey to one of these smaller, scenic areas then try and go on a day where there is a festival as this is a sight well worth seeing. Ellaborate costumes abound with drums and dancing and it is not like anything else you will ever see. Generally, the food is excellent if you find out before hand what it is and avoid the more stranger food. Kobe beef is the most tender meat that I have ever tasted and although it is an absoloutly stupidly high price you should try it - you won't regret it! The main drawback is the price of everything, though it is now becoming cheaper due to the exchange rate, it costs a lot to get around (especially the bullet train) and to go out and see stuff. If you have ever had the desire to go there, go. It's everything you imagined and more. Souvenirs are expensive, though there are second hand kimono shops were you can get some beautiful items at lower prices though these are generally hard to find. Outside of Tokyo you will find few people who speak good English so a phrase book is a good idea. Japanese is pretty much standard over the country except for Hokaido so a phrase book and preferably with a tape is a good investment. It's expensive, ignore the comments about the foreigners, keep your passport with you and see the sights. Take a wad of cash - you'll need it.
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