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"The tradition and technology mixed... " a Japan Travel Page by joiwatani

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"The tradition and technology mixed... " a Japan Travel Page by joiwatani

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joiwatani   
Halloween costume, ala-Dolly Parton


Real Name: Jo
Lives In: Seattle, US
Member Since: Apr 07, 2007
VT Rank: 156

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Page Views: 255            Last Visit to Japan: December, 2007      

The tradition and technology mixed together

by joiwatani - last update: Jan 21, 2009

The Old Japan

Travelling in Japan
Although Japan belongs to the first world and very advance in technology, the people of Japan maintains their culture, traditions and beliefs. Not only they practice these, it show on how they preserve their ancestor's structures, buildings and parks. It also shows in their daily living-the way they present and serve their food and drinks, their clothes, houses and gardens, among other things.

It is very fascinating to visit Japan. One experiences the Japanese' ying-yang of modernity and culture.

There are four islands in Japan: Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu and Hokkaido. The largest island is Hokkaido and the smallest is Kagawa.

The population of Tokyo, Japan's capital is 12,060,000. The highest mountain is Mt. Fuji.

Japan's people love to eat fish (sushi). Last year, they caught about 5 million tons of fish!

I visited Kyoto, Tsukuba, Narita, Tsuchuira, Ishioka and Mito. I also went to Sano and Oarai.

The places to see the "older Japan" is Kyoto. There are so many temples in Kyoto that three days is not enough to explore. I truly enjoyed the Japanese traditions of going to the different temples and participate in some of their traditions.

I was excited to visit Japan since I haven't seen my three sisters and two brothers for a long time. They immigrated to Ibaraki, Japan with their families early 1990s.

I brought with me a Japanese dictionary and the book by Anne Kaneko entitled "Japanese for All Occasions: The Right Word at the Right Time. Then I went to the local library to borrow travel books for Kyoto.

In Japan, it is always best to go the Information Centers to get free maps. There are many Informations Centers and they are usually staffed by older Japanese volunteers who speak pretty good English.
The map of the railway system in Tokyo

The New Japan

Japan is very advance in technology. The railway system in Japan is the first thing that I can tell you how the people embraces it. It is fast, on time and affordable. The "shinkansen" (bullet train) is an example how advance the transit system in Japan is. It is a fast train that's why it is called bullet train because it travels as fast as a bullet!

Tokyo's Akihabara district is the one place to see where Japan displays their modern technology. Also, some places like the City of Mito where there are modern buildings, recent technology displays. Also, it has a museum that displays what the Japanese are working on: new robots, new buses, new cars, new phones, new televisions, etc.
This picture was taken at Ginkakuji Temple

The Japanese people

The Japanese people are the most polite people in the world! They say "Sorry", "Excuse me!", "Pardon me" and "Thank you!" all the time. They are very courteous, respectful, and mindful of other people. This view of mine is probably the same with other tourists who go to Japan.

I admire their demeanors on their daily living. They are not rude on the streets even how busy they could get compared to big cities in the world!

It is very pleasant to travel in Japan because of their people.

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"I would love to come back each year on different seasons!"
Cons:"I wish I can read and speak Japanese so it is easier for me to travel!"
In A Nutshell:"Japan is exciting to visit and experience the difference of the old and the new culture!"
joiwatani's Japan Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 3 - Photos: 13
 
RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Transportation
Tips: 3 - Photos: 6
Local Customs
Tips: 3 - Photos: 14
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 2 - Photos: 10
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 7 - Photos: 16

joiwatani's Japan Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Bowing in JapanNovember, 2007 2
Table Manners in JapanNovember, 2007 
Wash your hands before you enter in the TempleNovember, 2007 7
The Kimono (National Dress) in JapanDecember, 2007 10
The Towers in JapanDecember, 2007 6
The Beautiful, Spectacular and Amazing TemplesDecember, 2007 8
The food in Japan besides Sushi!December, 2007 8
The food in Japan, Part IIDecember, 2007 5

Comments for joiwatani about Japan
csordila Sun Apr 19, 2009 13:39 UTC
 A trip looks promising here!! Thanks for visiting my pages - Venice, Brussels, Oostende. Best. L.
freddie18 Sat Apr 18, 2009 01:26 UTC
 Interesting and detailed information on Japan.
sachara Sat Apr 4, 2009 21:16 UTC
 Jo, thank you for the very interesting and useful information about Japan in your tips and travelogues.
Hosell Tue Feb 10, 2009 18:34 UTC
 Very nice page and beautiful pictures! hope to go to Japan someday and see also this beautiful country!!
See More Comments

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