Japan Experience

Lost in Translation

Advantages: Friendly people, good train links, plenty of interesting places to visit
Disadvantages: Nightlife options are limited, truly dreadful wine.

Japan has been on my must visit list for about eight years, however for one reason or another, I never quite got around to it until now. It was finally decided whilst on last years holiday that 2008 would be the year for Japan and I visited for two weeks in March. Getting there and around I travelled to Japan from my home in Bermuda via New York, the flight from New York is about 14 hours and I paid for it with air miles. For the benefit ...
...courtesy of expedia and a direct flight from the UK takes about 12 hours and at the moment seems to cost around £650 - £800. This seems a little expensive compared to some other Far East destinations, however I am sure there are sales from time to time and there are several carriers to choose from offering direct flights namely; BA, Virgin, JAL and ANA. I chose to fly to and from Tokyo (Narita airport), however it is also possible to fly to Osaka ...

Cat199 14.10.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of General: Japan

They will never forget, neither should we

Advantages: To remind us of the destruction war can cause
Disadvantages: Very emotional place

...sure everyone has heard of Hiroshima as the place where the Atomic Bomb went off in August 1945, ending WW2. On a visit to Japan I felt I had to go and see for myself what Hiroshima is like. We travelled by ferry from Shikoku island but you can also travel by train from Tokyo or wherever you happen to be staying. Hiroshima is a modern city, its towering buildings are a delight to wander around. Sixteen storeys is nothing for a department store here! ...
...kinds of fish. Hiroshima has rebuilt its industry and are now highly valued, not only in Japan, but internationally. They produce cars, bridge constructions, containers and cranes to name but a few. Hiroshima is steeped in tradition and customs, and throughout the year there are various festivals. Perhaps the most moving of these takes place on 6th August every year when there is the Peace Memorial Ceremony at the Peace Park and paper lanterns are ...

inejenn 24.11.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Hiroshima (Japan)

Curious Customs: Tips for Visiting Japan, Part 2

Advantages: A great adventure
Disadvantages: Leave that handkerchief at home!

...of Japanese gift culture and customs but it's still as well to be aware of their existence. As a visitor, you're quite likely to receive small gifts from people you are introduced to and you are not necessarily expected to give anything in return in those circumstances. Once when I went in to a bank in a small town to change some money I was served personally by the manager (probably because I was one of the few foreigners they had ever encountered ...
...presented with a gift-wrapped wind chime at the end of the transaction. Don't expect to receive that sort of treatment in Tokyo or any other big city though! If you visit people at their home or if you are taken out somewhere as a guest you should certainly go armed with some gifts. I would advise against giving anything too extravagant as it may embarrass the other person but the Japanese do appreciate designer goods and famous brands. When Japanese ...

Mitsudan 22.08.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Customs (Japan)

Easy travel in Japan!

Advantages: easy to use, use as many time as you want during valid day
Disadvantages: limited location to exchange voucher

Traveling in Japan is quite costly. So having a Japan Rail (JR) Pass is an excellent way for the foreigners to see Japan. However, you want to evaluate your situation before purchasing the JR pass as if you do not use it, there will be about 20% service fee for unused ticket refund or not getting full value for the money. Confusing? It could be... but it is fairly simple. JR pass: (quick overview) 1* pre-purchased Exchange Order (voucher) outside ...
...must complete "Application form for Japan Rail Pass Exchange" per person. If you do not speak or understand Japanese, you might want to consider printing and filling the form before arrival. I hate to say it, but customer Service towards non-speakers of Japanese is not always positive. Also, not all speak English well. To be on a good side, be prepared! Do check out the website and find out how it works. Remember, you will need "passport" for each ...

mckey 21.01.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Japan Rail Pass

The Kobe Eathquake

Advantages: It ensured protection for the future
Disadvantages: It was a worldwide disaster

** The Geography of Kobe ** The Kobe earthquake happened in Kobe is Japan (shown on the map to the right). Kobe has the the sea on one side of the city and big mountains on the other side creating a lovely post-card views. The most common nationality of Kobe is Korean, the second most common nationality is Chinese, third is Vietnamese and the forth is American The city has an average temperature of 17.1°C. Kobe currently now has a population of 1,533,852 ...
...to 14 years old. Kobe also has a very good economy with having one of the busiest shipping ports in that area. Kobe is also home to many headquarters of big companies such as Mitsubishi motors and industries. **Why did it happen? ** The Kobe earthquake (also refereed/known as The Great Hanshin Earthquake), happened at 5:46am on Tuesday, January 17th 1995. It had a magnitude of 7.2 which is nearly twice as powerful as the earthquake in Dover 2 years ...

mad.man.560 14.03.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Kobe