"High Culture & Modernity" Top 5 Page for this destination Japan by SLLiew

Japan Travel Guide: 19,319 reviews and 53,198 photos

The famous Tori Gate, Miyajima Island at low tide

Otera, Obento, Pachinko

Japan is a delightful country to vist. You can witness a country with traditional cultures and modern technologies blended into a unique way of life. From the slow sipping tea ceremony to non-stop fast bullet Shinakansen train.

Where you can be served breakfast in your room with hot bath prepared at a typical Japanese hotel ryokans. Where you can buy your "manga" comic magazines or umbrellas from street-side 24 hours vending machines.

Where the "samurai"and "other working classes" are now international corporate executives called "sarariman". Where most Japanese women of the older generations stay at home and await their husbands coming home late from work .

Tokyo is a fabulous city to roam around - Shinjuku, Akihabara, Shibuya, Ginza.... It is a favorite gateway to all Japan besides Osaka and Fukuoka.

Where language and high cost of travelling is a challenge, Japan is defintely a must-visit country with value for every yen.

"Kon-ni-chi-wa" or Hello

Downtown crowded Tokyo

For easy direction, practise saying in Japanese
"Sumimasen, (Shinjuku, Tokyo Tower, Disneylando) e ikitai no desuga" and follow the hand directions even if you have no clue of the Japanese that follows.

To say in English "Excuse me..." will quickly drive the locals away like plague.

JR rail pass is convenient, fast and economic way to go up and down the country. I went from Nikko to Nagasaki. Had to see all the top 5 famous castles, temples (otera), gardens, mountains, lakes and islands during my first Japan trip and was more selective in subsequents visits.

Obento (take-away meal boxes) can be bought easily at train stations. Saves time and money. Eat while you travel on the train or bus. Ramen are delicious and cheap too.

You got to try some of these...

Typical Japanese garden (Koen)

1) Taking a Japanese hot bath in a Japanese home, public bath or onsen. Soaking in hot water is excellent relaxation after a hectic travelling day.

2) Taking the train in Tokyo in the morning rush hour.

3) Playing pachinko (gambling ball machines) - second best after Las Vegas.

4) Eating sushi (raw fish) every day and raw eggs over steaming rice for breakfast.

5) Sleep on the tatami floor

6) Tokyo Tower or any tall building for bird eye's view of the metropolis..

7) Visit a typical Japanese garden for your spirit and soul.

8) Drink sake or ochya (tea)

Intro Updated Jan 17, 2008
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Reviews (59)

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Hotels (4)
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Local Customs (8)
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Things to Do (18)
See All Kyoto - a city of temples

Transportation (5)
See All Leaving the harbour
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Skiing in Japan
Restaurants (2)
See All Japanese homemade breakfast

Comments (34)

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xaver Jan 21, 2011 at 11:08 PM

great local custom tips about a country that give a lot of importance to local customs and manners.
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balhannah Jan 19, 2010 at 12:01 AM

An excellent page on Japan. It would have been quite an experience to stay with a Japanese family, I think that is a good way to find out about the culture!
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Imbi Nov 23, 2009 at 5:14 AM

I have never been to Japan but its on top of my wish list. Great work
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SabrinaSummerville May 17, 2009 at 3:00 AM

Thank you so much for visiting my Cairo pages. I do absolutely love that City. Now Japan - there's a place I want to visit!!!!
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hopang Mar 11, 2009 at 6:15 AM

Excellent page on Japan and your lovely photos! Bring back fond memories of our trip to that country many years ago! ~ho & pang
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jumpingnorman Feb 1, 2009 at 10:16 PM

Mt Fujisan and kyoto- I want to see them someday...nice tips and thanks for sharing! Greetings from your friend in AZ, Norman :)
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starship Apr 23, 2008 at 11:25 AM

Unique culture and food. Would like to stay in a Ryokan some day but too much yen for me. My brother lived there for about a year and a half!
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deecat Apr 7, 2008 at 10:17 AM

What a comprehensive page about Japan. Found your customs information very interesting such as double parking, buying wishes, tea ceremony, difference between shine and temple. Lots of gardens & mountains. Well done!
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volopolo Feb 1, 2008 at 7:11 AM

Japan is one of my favourite country!
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nepalgoods Jan 9, 2008 at 7:42 AM

Excellent page! I liked the Japanese Onzen very much!