"Konichiwa dudes!" Japan by mad4travel

Japan Travel Guide: 19,395 reviews and 53,581 photos

I lurve Japan!

This is my third trip to Japan. I've been to Tokyo twice before on business and wanted to see more of the country.

This trip took me to the old capital Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Takayama and the Japanese Alps and of course, crazy old Tokyo.

What I like most about Japan is it has such a strong sense of identity. It embraces the new but does'nt lose the old.

It can be a baffling place, both in the sense that there is not much english around and its easy to get lost or that there are so many social niceties and customs you can fall foul of without even knowing it.

Fortunately for us westerners the japanese are very friendly and helpful and very forgiving when you do something they consider rude (blowing your nose in public is a case inpoint which is regarded to be as bad as we would regard loud farting in public! Apparantly sniffing is much better(!)

What I like about Japan

Golden Temple, Kyoto

Where should I start!

The manners.
The cleanliness, no litter and graffitti
The safeness of the country
The weirdness of the place yet with such strange familiarity
The fact that visiting Tokyo is like being on the film set of Blade Runner
The beautiful attention to detail in their food, goods and packaging.
The beautiful temples and shrines and japanese gardens.

What I don't like about Japan

Great looking dinner-could'nt eat any of it!

I have to admit it but try as I may I can't really get on with Japanese food. I don't like fish or shellfish and that is a major limiting factor.

I've tried to go vegetarian but find their vegetables a bit slimy. I've found refuge in Yakitori but there is only so much chicken on skewers and rice you can eat on one trip.

So I have to admit to being a foodie philistine and diving into the nearest McDonalds (shame on me!)

Pros and Cons

Pros:High tech and tradition co-exist. People are great
Cons:The food. Squat Toilets, come on you are a 1st world country now!
In a nutshell:Weird and most definitely wonderful!

Last visit to Japan: Apr 2005
Intro Updated Apr 26, 2005
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Reviews (26)

Takayama Spring Festival pt 3 Local Customs (6)

In the afternoon of the second day of the festival there was a parade with many of the locals wearing lots of different... more travel advice

Takayama Spring festival pt 2 Local Customs (6)

Puppet shows These take place from the top of the shrines during the parade. I've no idea what was being said but the... more travel advice

Takayama Spring Festival pt1 Local Customs (6)

I was lucky enough to be in the town of Takayama in the Japanese Alps when the 2 day Spring festival was on. The town... more travel advice

Takayama Things to Do (18)

Text to follow more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Kyoto Station

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Comments (9)

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Toshioohsako Nov 3, 2007 at 4:53 AM

very nice Kyoto photos. i am now in Tokyo for a week but have no time unfortunately to visit kyoto. Greetings
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huggy93 Aug 17, 2007 at 8:07 PM

How did you manage to sneak a photo of 1000 buddas, we tried but were told no cameras!!!?? Hehe
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SLLiew Aug 13, 2007 at 1:07 PM

Sugoi peiji. Nice page of Japan. Enjoyed reading your tips. Hope you can checkout my Japan page to compare :) Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.
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cloed Jan 22, 2007 at 5:50 AM

i am heading off to japan on thursday and reading your pages has got me all excited !!
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Raffies Aug 25, 2006 at 4:20 PM

keep up the good work , your things to do tips make an almost complete guide book for japan ..
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nepalgoods Apr 27, 2006 at 9:13 AM

Excellent page!
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Trekki Sep 4, 2005 at 12:44 PM

This Ryoanji Temple and the Zen garden look just perfect for an everlasting harmony ! Excellent pictures and tips - love the blossoms :-) Lucky you !
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tiger9090a May 10, 2005 at 10:59 AM

very nice page so far. I will check back later for more!
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travelslacker May 3, 2005 at 1:40 PM

nice japan pages!