Other Destinations in Japan > Japan Experience

Advantages: Successful communication feels like an achievement
Disadvantages: It pays to invest some time and effort

<10> Communication Welcome to the third and final part of my top ten tips for visitors to Japan. Having looked last time at the potential pitfalls for gaijin (foreigners) in blowing their noses and taking a bath amongst other hazards, this time I'm dealing with the biggest minefield of the lot - the all-important business of communication. So here is tip number 10. The Devil's Language… The brick wall up against which most foreign ...
...course the Japanese language itself. It's said that in the sixteenth century the missionary St Francis Xavier, on discovering the difficulty westerners had in deciphering a single word spoken or written by the Japanese people, concluded that Japanese had been devised by the devil to prevent Christian missionaries from doing their good works there. Consequently Japanese, which seemed impenetrable to foreigners at the time, became commonly known as ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

Advantages: Must-go place in Japan
Disadvantages: No

In my last trip to Japan, I took a day trip to the world famous Mount Fuji. It's been dormant for many years and its last eruption was over 100 years ago. The weather was very good and it was a very lovely scene. For photo tips, it's better to take pictures from distance on the way in or out , but not on the mountain itself. You need to go through eight stations to get to the top of the mountain. We can drive up to the fifth station, the highest ...
...climbers as the mountain is only open to them for two months(July and August) each year. There is a post office at the station where you can buy a post card and send back home-which can be a great souvenir for friends and family. If you don't want to drive, the best day you can do is to join the local tours. I have included the opeartaors: http://www.japanican.com/index.aspx ... Read review