Japan (buy, theater, high school)

[Chi-townChica]

Train etiquette? Try to avoid blowing your nose in public. Kind of gross when you think of it.

Learn something off the wall too like "Kyo wa atsui des ne?" It means "very hot today isn't it?" Since you're going in Spetember, you'll be saying it a lot. I booked my stay at Shinjuku New City through www.asiarooms.com for $70/night. It was big enough for one person. Get Lonely Planet's Tokyo and the Rough Guide to Tokyo. There are a ton of hostels you could stay at and you'll meet a lot of people.

Originally Posted by Colddiamond102

Im hoping to be traveling there in September to see my boyfriend. He's stationed in Yakosuka (sp?). This is probably a stupid question, but are there alot of hotels in Tokyo? Are they expensive? Im still not sure where I'll sleep when I get there. lol

What phrases in Japanese should I familiarize myself with so that I may mind my manners?

What is the train etiquette there? My Sailor says there's a certain way you must stand, otherwise its considered rude. Is this true?

Anything you could tell me would be appreciated.

[Puru]

I'd love to visit Japan someday! I've always been very interested in Japanese culture and history, but I'm not too good when it comes to learning new languages. I only know a few basic phrases and words. Some of my good friends have been to Japan a few times and one of them has been studying Japanese since grade school.

From what I've gathered from Train etiquette in Japan, its mostly fine to text, but considered very rude to talk on your cell phone.

Also for eating etiquette, don't blow your nose at the table (ew!) and don't stick your chops sticks straight up in rice (which is something I see people do all the time in America).

[Colddiamond102]

I think we'll end up in a hotel of some sort (dunno where or which one...I'll leave that up to him)...Im not exactly sure how much of the Japan I'll be seeing. lol

[RobE]

First, in Osaka, there is a Comfort Inn in Shinsaibashi that is very affordable and one of the front desk people there has lived in the U.S. and speaks perfect english. It's kind of on a side street about a five minute walk from the subway station. It's located in kind of an alley, but Osaka is very safe (and Tokyo is even safer). There are several nearby convenience stores for you to pick up food from if you don't want to go the fast food route.

I like the Century Southern Tower Hotel in Tokyo, which is next to Shinjuku Stadtion, but it's a little pricey. The staff speaks english and it is just over the pedestrian bridge from the big Kinokuniya Bookstore that has an entire floor devoted to english language materials, magazines, etc.

As for language stuff, "so desu" means, "yes, that's right," while "hai" is just "yes." "Chigaimasu (chee-guy-mahsu)" means "that's incorrect" while "iie (ee eh) just means "no."

Also, in most of the cheaper restaurants, you will see plastic models of the fare at the front and you can just point to what you want. There is also no tipping in Japan. Also, when talking to a Japanese person, don't look them in the eye, but rather at their lower jaw. It is a culture that prizes indirection, which is why you aren't going to get a lot of direct eye contact.

If you are going to be using the Shinkansen (bullet train), I recommend you get a Japan Rail pass. It is good for all but a couple of the bullet train lines as well as all the Japan Rail trains (but NOT the private subway lines such as Hankyu, Kintetsu, etc). However, if you want to use Shinkansen, you must go to the Shinkansen counter and get a ticket (just show your JR pass) for the time when you want to make your trip on it. All the other train lines you just flash the pass at the main counter and they will let you on to the platform.

On my last trip, I had no problems using my credit cards at Starbucks or at hotels, but for most small restaurants you will probably have to pay cash. Also, the ATMs there are only open for specific hours, not 24 hours like in America. And not all of them take U.S. credit cards or bank cards.

Also, you can order Japanese stuff from Amazon Japan (which has an english part of their website).

As for the trains, talking loud and eating on the train are both rude. The trains usually stop running around midnight and begin running again around 5-5:30 a.m.

Make sure you hit Kamakura, a seat of one of the old Shogunates, too, which is on the JR Shonan-Yokosuka Line out of Tokyo. You hang a left out the station at Kamakura to go to the big historic shrine they have there. Kamakura is one of my favorite cities in Japan. So check it out.

To go see the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, you take the Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station and then use the Marunouchi exit, iirc. It's like a huge park. Hibiya Park is also near there, as is the Budokan Theater.

[Colddiamond102]

Originally Posted by RobE

First, in Osaka, there is a Comfort Inn in Shinsaibashi that is very affordable and one of the front desk people there has lived in the U.S. and speaks perfect english. It's kind of on a side street about a five minute walk from the subway station. It's located in kind of an alley, but Osaka is very safe (and Tokyo is even safer). There are several nearby convenience stores for you to pick up food from if you don't want to go the fast food route.

I like the Century Southern Tower Hotel in Tokyo, which is next to Shinjuku Stadtion, but it's a little pricey. The staff speaks english and it is just over the pedestrian bridge from the big Kinokuniya Bookstore that has an entire floor devoted to english language materials, magazines, etc.

As for language stuff, "so desu" means, "yes, that's right," while "hai" is just "yes." "Chigaimasu (chee-guy-mahsu)" means "that's incorrect" while "iie (ee eh) just means "no."

Also, in most of the cheaper restaurants, you will see plastic models of the fare at the front and you can just point to what you want. There is also no tipping in Japan. Also, when talking to a Japanese person, don't look them in the eye, but rather at their lower jaw. It is a culture that prizes indirection, which is why you aren't going to get a lot of direct eye contact.

If you are going to be using the Shinkansen (bullet train), I recommend you get a Japan Rail pass. It is good for all but a couple of the bullet train lines as well as all the Japan Rail trains (but NOT the private subway lines such as Hankyu, Kintetsu, etc). However, if you want to use Shinkansen, you must go to the Shinkansen counter and get a ticket (just show your JR pass) for the time when you want to make your trip on it. All the other train lines you just flash the pass at the main counter and they will let you on to the platform.

On my last trip, I had no problems using my credit cards at Starbucks or at hotels, but for most small restaurants you will probably have to pay cash. Also, the ATMs there are only open for specific hours, not 24 hours like in America. And not all of them take U.S. credit cards or bank cards.

Also, you can order Japanese stuff from Amazon Japan (which has an english part of their website).

As for the trains, talking loud and eating on the train are both rude. The trains usually stop running around midnight and begin running again around 5-5:30 a.m.

Make sure you hit Kamakura, a seat of one of the old Shogunates, too, which is on the JR Shonan-Yokosuka Line out of Tokyo. You hang a left out the station at Kamakura to go to the big historic shrine they have there. Kamakura is one of my favorite cities in Japan. So check it out.

To go see the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, you take the Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station and then use the Marunouchi exit, iirc. It's like a huge park. Hibiya Park is also near there, as is the Budokan Theater.

Thank you
Where would I go to get a pass? My BF should know this I guess, but it wouldnt hurt for me to know it too. lol

[NihonKitty]

Ok so you should see Asakusa, Tokyo Museum, Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya, Harajyuku, Meiji Shrine, Kamakura (big buddha), Shinjyuku.

[NihonKitty]

Also if you have time for a Hike on a mountain with temples at top, Mount Takao 1 hour from tokyo is nice. It was ranked 3 stars (3/3) in michelin guide which is best ranking.

http://www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/takao_san/

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

Also if you have time for a Hike on a mountain with temples at top, Mount Takao 1 hour from tokyo is nice. It was ranked 3 stars (3/3) in michelin guide which is best ranking.

Mt. Takao | MustLovejapan - Video Travel Guide of Japan

Oyama in Kanagawa-ken is also nice, and also Mt. Tsukuba in Ibaraki-ken. You can also go to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station (about half-way up the mountain) by bus from Gotemba Station.

[RobE]

Originally Posted by Colddiamond102

Thank you
Where would I go to get a pass? My BF should know this I guess, but it wouldnt hurt for me to know it too. lol

You can only get them outside the U.S. Information about them is here. What will happen is that after yo buy it, they will send you a receipt that you exchange at any Japan Rail office in Japan (there is one inside Narita Airport) for the Rail Pass. I think they have passes that are good for 7, 14 and 21 days. Just remember that for Shinkansen, you must go to the Shinkansen counter (I always go a day or two before to secure my ticket because they can sell out) at Tokyo Station or other specified stations and tell them what time you want to make your trip and you just show your Japan Rail pass as payment. Note that there are a couple of lines (I think one of them is the Nozomi) where the rail pass doesn't apply.

On regular Japan Rail trains (the Yamanote Line, for example), you go to the counter on one side of the turnstyles where the employees are and flash your pass. They will wave you through.

Also, one of the lines from the airport (the Narita Express) goes right into Tokyo and you can use your pass on that (you must go to the counter for that line and get a ticket by using your pass). However, the Keihan Railways has its own Narita express (the Starliner is what I think its called) train and that does NOT take the rail pass since they are a separate private outfit.

Also, if you decide to forego the pass, a lot of hotels have limousine bus service for about $30-40 and direct to and from the airport. So when you book your trip, check to see if your hotel has this convenient service. The Century Southern Tower does, for example. You have to go to the limousine bus counter at the airport or at your hotel and buy a ticket.

One other thing: before you arrive in Japan, print out your itinerary to show immigration (they will sometimes ask where you will be staying and what you will be doing). You can stay up to 90 days without a visa if you are a U.S. citizen.

Just a general travel tip: do not do currency exchanges at hotels. They charge a premium for that. Exchange your dollars at a foreign exchange booth before you leave the U.S. instead.

[RobE]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

Oyama in Kanagawa-ken is also nice, and also Mt. Tsukuba in Ibaraki-ken. You can also go to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station (about half-way up the mountain) by bus from Gotemba Station.

Or Nikko, though that is a bit out of the way. But the Toshogu Shrine and museum are cool and Nikko itself is a nice little town.