JAPAN – Overall

Overall…. Japan was fun,the highlights?

HIGHLIGHTS

• PEOPLE ARE SO NICE,* Asterix because it applied in some cities. Tokyo, people were too good for themselves, however Osaka, and Kyoto everyone pretty much was really helpful. Our first encounter was within our first 2 hours in Osaka, we were lost at the train station, didn’t know how to get to Capsule Inn.. we managed to stop a couple who were nice enough to actually walk us there… it was a few blocks away. They helped call up to see where it was and all. So if you are in Japan, I say, don’t hesitate to ask! Even with basic Japanese; Japanese people love hand directions – which are often easy to understand. Just learn the basic direction terms… i.e. go straight blahblahblah
• FOOD in OSAKA, just AMazIng. Recommended to go Dottonburri, you can eat till you go broke! I suggest eat street snacks as you go to get a full taste of the place =) Cheaper food options and more variety.
• Cheap Japanese cosmetics! I stocked up on my make up kit, simply because everything was practically 3x cheaper than Sydney, and still slightly cheaper than online (saves you searching and paying for postage). There a few pretty good brands, i.e. branches of Shisheido – Majolica Majorca and Maquillage are all very affordable. You don’t want to know how many ‘drug stores’ we went into, in a day.
• ICHIRAN, You will find a few branches in and around Tokyo. We went to the one near Ueno station. Really yummy Ramen, you can customize to your preferences!
• Hot Springs are a Must! Especially in cooler season, I can’t imagine it in Summer… but it was really nice experience, even if you have to be nude, particularly open air hot springs are great. Just what a busy traveler needs!
• Clean, Fancy, Technologically-advanced toilets – I’m hygienically paranoid when it comes to public toilets, but when in Japan, I gladly use the toilets, because they practically clean it really often. Feel so spoilt because the toilet seats are heated , (not from the previous user!)… really going to miss it when its winter here. Oh and not forgetting to mention the Bidet, cleaning thing that.. yeah… sprays your rear…
• Heated train seats
• Souvenir shopping! Was fun, but a tip is.. don’t buy it from shops near the entrance, as chances are you WILL see similar stuff in the next shops.. until you approach the tourist spot. Because, they have an advantage of selling it more expensive near the entrance!
• Manga stores are fascinating - Never in my life had I imagined manga stores have a large section catered for ‘lesbian’ and ‘gay’ manga, oh of course the pornographic ones too. Apparently they are an interesting read. It made me wonder if they even have ‘normal’ mangas?

though there were times that can make it not fun, such as;

LOWLIGHTS

• Lugging suitcases around from place to place; we were being cheap asses not to pay Y800/day for station locker hire, and because we changed accommodation 7 times in 15 days – We were ambitious and chose convenience, and wanting to see more. Lesson learnt/Point of Realization: Next trip to Japan, I’ll gladly stay in Osaka for half/majority of the trip and do day trips from there. And stay in Tokyo for a few days – for major shopping; clothes, electronics (I didn’t get a decent akihabara trip!)
• the CROWD; quite expected in a small city full of people and hustle and bustle.
• Absolutely AVOID Peak hours (8-10am?) You will either be stuck in human traffic, trying to swim through a school of sardines, or packing yourself into a train carriage. Experienced the latter, 2x and its not something you want to experience. You can get pushed out of the train, silently, no one says anything, and they don’t give a shit if you have a giant suitcase. I admire their skills too of getting into the carriage when clearly, its full to the door. Enter Sideways. and Push. That should get you in there. Ladies, get into the ‘Women only carriage’ during peak hours. Have heard bad situations when men and women mix in a carriage. It ain’t a good feeling.
• QUEUEs at Disney Land/Sea - it’s almost impossible to get onto more than 3-4 rides in a day, the popular ones anyways, without having to wait 1-4hrs for them. They have this ‘Fast Pass’ system, which allows you to get on the fast lane with them, you can only get 1 in every hour or something. So if you get those, lucky you, if you don’t you’ll absolutely hate fast pass holders. I’m sad I didn’t get my money’s worth there. Oh and I absolutely recommend Disney Sea over Land, its so much more nicer. You’ll love the atmosphere there
• FOOD IN KYOTO, Is expensive and Scarce, Tokyo similar too. Alot of the stuff you find there is like Ramen, Soba etc. Kyoto you’ll find those fancy Japanesey set menus
• SHOPPING in Japan.. the fashion is awesome, its full of florals (maybe cos it was almost Spring season) but it is kind of over rated, alot of the stuff is average priced, but considering its Made in China stuff then its quite over priced! Quality is only so-so. But if you aren’t so nit picky like that, then it’s good. Japan made stuff are like really expensive
• No WIFI, hardly ever got onto Wifi, only at the airport when we arrived, but it was really weak signal. Thank god, I brought Ethernet cable to get on from our hotel room, provided they had the port.
• IRASHAIMASEEE - meaning ‘Welcome’ in Japanese… I have never heard of such a diverse yet annoying range of irashiamase’s ! Entering shops, sales staff would squeal it out, squeak it out, yell it out, groan it out,, whatever you can think of. It’s quite horrifying. On the bus, bus drivers sound like creepy old guys =3

That is pretty much what I could come up about the highs and lows during my travel to Japan, hope you guys will look out for these

DOMO ARIGATOU~

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1. [JAPAN] Takoyaki Galore
2. [JAPAN] Shop and Dine
3. [JAPAN] City of the Future – Tokyo
4. [JAPAN] Princess’ Castle – Himeji.
5. [JAPAN] Last taste of tradition