"JAPAN" Japan by tigerjapan

Japan Travel Guide: 19,326 reviews and 53,239 photos

Living in Japan is one of the greatest things I have ever done. I decided to move here because i wanted to experience something totally different, to challenge me and remove me from my safety zone. It certainly did that!

One of the greatest things about Japan is how much of it's traditional world still exisits. Yes, Japan is a economic superpower of the modern world, but it holds onto it's heritage and traditions still.

I live in Tokyo, which is a neon-light filled hi-tech city, but even here i can still feel and see the remains of ancient Japan. I live in the ***amachi district, which is the original downtown area of Edo (original name for Tokyo). I chose to live here because it still has a tradtional feel and i like being able to walk around small streets with temples and old wooden houses. If i want the neon-craze a la 'Lost In Translation's' Japan, then i can jump the subway (or my bike) and head into Shibuya or Shinjuku.

Japan is an expensive place to visit, but there are ways to make your yen stretch: stay in smaller Japanese Inns or cheap Ryokans, eat cheap noodles or from smaller cheap restaurants (Japanese lunch sets are very reasonable) and buy a rail-pass in your home country.

Japan is like no other asian city. If you have a chance to come, take it!

Pachinko Spruker

If you are coming to Tokyo (or you live here) and want to save money I suggest you get one of these;

http://www.tokyocoupons.com/a.php?b=tf2102&c=index_en.htm

Anyway, just for fun here is a list of places i have been so far:

Kanto Region;

TOKYO
NIKKO
HAKONE
IZU
MT. FUJI & SURROUNDING AREA
CHICHIBU
KAMAKURA

Central Honshu Region;

INUYAMA
NAGOYA
TAKAYAMA
NAGANO

Kansai Region:

KYOTO
NARA
OSAKA
OKAYAMA
HIROSHIMA
MIYA-JIMA

Kyushu Region;

NAGASAKI

I still have so many places to see in Japan. These are not necessarily the best places to visit, just where I have have been.

If i had to recommend one area over another i would tell all tourists to deffinately see the KANSAI region first (Nara, Kyoto, Osaka). If you have a limited time, this is your best introduction to Japan.

Asakusa's Sensoji Gojuunotou

Japan is not a difficult country to travel in. Signs are written in romanji (which means using the Roman script) and more and more information is becoming avaialble in English (and other langauages). You may find yourself using a lot of gesture to get your point across, but the Japanese are very friendly and you'll find them willing to try to understand, communicate and help. Never let the language barrier put you off.

Pros and Cons

Pros:East meets West like nowhere else, traditional aspects of Japan, okonomiyaki and Japanese beer
Cons:Expense!!! But cheaper with: http://www.tokyocoupons.com/a.php?b=tf2102&c=index_en.htm
In a nutshell:Japan is a must-see for any travel junkie!

Intro Updated Feb 21, 2005
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Comments (6)

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orib Mar 3, 2008 at 12:20 PM

Careful about taking medicine to Japan though, they have anti-stimulant drug laws the prohibit the importation of some commonly prescribed allergy and sinus medications!
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SallyJesseRaphael May 6, 2006 at 7:08 PM

Best nightlife overview I have read so far. Tokyo sounds like fun!!
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urban4est Feb 11, 2005 at 8:42 PM

nice page. I don't think when u were a kid there were such bento. little meat . Didn't see Nihon no Hata Bento, rice with pickled plum. Onigiri was typical in the 70's. Sekihan or rice with dried fish. kids today don't know how good they have it.
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Kojidaiyo Jan 26, 2005 at 4:29 AM

great bento page!!
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BerniShand Jan 20, 2005 at 10:52 AM

the more l read about Japan the more l am fascinated........samba in Tokyo ? truly east meets west ! great page Tim
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Geisha_Girl Oct 17, 2004 at 11:26 PM

Oh my goodness! That "drum-beatin' Geisha" photo wasn't taken in Asakusa was it? I think I have a photograph posing with that same exact Rockin' Geisha! ;-) Great running start on your pages Tim! Welcome to VT !