Travel Taleswith Mike Siegel

Japan

by Mike Siegel

Ancient history meets ultra-modern lifestyle.

Mike’s Snapshot Review

  • WHEN: July, 2007

  • DURATION: 10 days

  • VISITED: Tokyo, Kyoto

POSITIVES

  • **Safety- **Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. I never felt scared walking the streets, even though as a 6-foot white guy I tend to stand out there. Good starter country for Asia if you’ve never been.

  • **Cleanliness- **The Japanese take pride in cleanliness. The streets are clean, the trains sparkle, and their high-tech toilet technology alone puts Westerners to shame.

  • ****Transportation- ****The train systems are efficient and extensive to nearly every corner of the country. I took a high-speed bullet train to Kyoto from Tokyo and back, and it was awesome.

  • **Sports- **The Japanese love to play and watch sports, especially baseball, soccer, and the traditional Sumo wrestling. I caught a pro baseball game in Tokyo and it was a blast. There is also great winter skiing in the north.

  • **Culture- **Japan’s rich history goes back thousands of years. They honor the past but never stop looking forward. Tokyo, while it still has it’s share of ancient palaces and museums, embodies the future. The streets of Kyoto, the former capital for thousands of years, harken back to a different era.

  • **Shopping- **If you like to spend money (see below) Tokyo has got you covered. The Japanese love shopping and fashion.

  • **Nightlife-There’s always something open and rocking in Tokyo. **

NEGATIVES

  • **Cost- **There’s no two ways about it- Japan, and especially Tokyo, can put a hurting on your wallet. Tokyo is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world, on par with London and New York.

  • **Language-**Though nearly all Japanese learn English in school, many forget it when the exams are over. I met many locals who were afraid to speak English because they were embarassed that their skills were not good enough. However, most signs and all train announcements were given in English as well as Japanese. I had few problems getting around.

  • **Socializing- **The problems came with trying to strike up a conversation with a local. Like many Asian cultures, it’s not common to start chatting with a stranger. As a solo traveler who didn’t speak Japanese, bouts of loneliness did occur. Definitely a few “Lost in Translation” moments.

  • Food– Let’s be clear: If you like Japanese food, you’ll be in heaven. Luckily, I do. If you don’t eat sushi or any other seafood, choices can be limited. This can be more of a problem outside Tokyo, where you can find any cuisine if you look hard enough.

  • **Weather- **Japan gets all four seasons in the extreme, so choose wisely. You’ll want to do a lot of walking in these cities, and I went in the July heat – not good. Spring and autumn are the best times.

  • **Distance- **yes, it’s far, but closer than the rest of Asia for most Americans. Many direct flights from U.S., especially from the west coast. Check flight deals and off-peak seasons.

MUST DO

  • Get a tourist rail pass and learn the train system – long distance trains all the way down to the Tokyo metro. It may take a day or two to get around comfortably, but it will save you time and lots of money overall. Also, take abullet train, then lament the fact that we don’t have them in the U.S.

  • DON’T take a taxi from Narita Airport to downtown Tokyo, which can cost upwards of $100. Do what the locals do-take one of the many airport buses.

  • Attend a sporting event. If you like baseball you must go to a game. I really wanted to see Sumo, but it was not the season.

  • Hike Mt. Fuji if possible. It’s not too far outside Tokyo, and try to reach the top as dawn breaks.

  • Go to the famous Tokyo fish market in the early morning. It’s very cool, and a good time to go is the first couple of days of the trip, when jet lag forces you up at crazy hours.

  • Don’t knock 7-11! To save money, I often bought a little box of sushi rolls at 7-11 for my lunch. It was quick, cheap, and tasty.

  • Shop in Tokyo’s Harajuku district. The people- watching alone makes it worth the while.

RECOMMENDED?

Absolutely!

**PHOTO CREDITS**

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