Japan – Before I Kick it Travel

2 February 202010 May 2020

Japan: Three Restaurants You Must Try

Japan is a culinary powerhouse! Before I get into the three restaurants you must try in Japan, let’s talk about Japan’s food culture. Japanese food culture is so important to its society that it is classified as a world heritage. The means that it is unique and stands out from other food cultures. Centered around regions in Japan and seasonal food, Japanese kids learn the importance of food from an early age. In part, the Japanese use food to teach teamwork and responsibility.

If you get the chance to spend a considerable amount of time in Japan, you will notice that food colors and flavors change throughout the seasons. Even sushi varies throughout the country. Part of food tourism in Japan centers around this, which brings people together. It is so influential on the culture that it is only the fifth culinary heritage added to UNESCO. And, it is only one of two entire cultures to be recognized, the other being France.

10 Etiquette Tips for Japan: First Time Visitor Guide

10 Easy Tips for Travel in Japan

Chinese and Korean foods greatly influenced Japanese cuisine. Japanese food is now one of the most popular foods in the world, and I am sure when you think of Japanese food today, you think about how delicious it is. Sushi, fish, soy-based foods, noodle soups and tempura are just a few things that come to mind.

Etiquette in Japan

No matter where you dine, there is an etiquette to eating in Japan. Let’s start with chopsticks. They are the main way to eat food in Japan. I have not at all mastered how to use them, even though I have really tried. I am sure that during my trip, many people wondered why I was staring at them. But, I was trying to figure out how to use chopsticks properly. There are a ton of things you can do wrong with chopsticks, and for most foreigners, it is easy to commit a faux pas.

Always pick them up with the right hand
It is best not wave them around
Do not point chopsticks at people
Passing food between chopsticks is not okay
Do not stick them vertically in your food

Unlike in the US, mixing wasabi and soy sauce is not the norm in Japan. It is better to put wasabi on sashimi and then dip it in soy sauce. Also, walking down the street while eating or drinking is a big no no in Japan. This can sometimes be weird because street food is a thing in Japan. And, it seems perfectly normal to eat food and walk down the street at the same time. But, do not be surprised to see people huddled around a food stand and stuffing their faces before moving on with their day. Finally, slurping large bowls of noodles is perfectly okay and expected!

So, with all of that said, I want to share my three favorite food experiences in Japan. First of all, I ate a LOT of noodles during my trip. I love ramen and udon. It was always an amazing meal no matter how cheap or quick they were. However, I did not want to leave Japan without treating myself to some unique experiences.

1. Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511

Kobe beef is one food item on my bucket list that I was super happy to try. I am always up for succulent, tender beef, and Kobe is some of the best. Kobe is Wagyu beef from cattle raised in Japan and is considered a delicacy. It has a ton of flavor due to its fatty nature. Kobe was impossible to get in the United States between 2009-2012 because of a disease outbreak and it its still rare to find on US restaurant menus. That is why I had to have it during my trip to Japan.

Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511 is a restaurant you must try in Japan. Located in Tokyo, it came highly recommended as a place to have a Kobe food experience. I chose to do the seven course Kobe tasting menu plus a seasonal appetizer plate. Everything was well-prepared, beautifully presented and delicious. They served Kobe beef in so many different forms from raw to fried. The meal was a dream and the service was perfect.

Tips:

Getting there: I highly recommend making reservations. The restaurant website provides several options on how to get to the restaurant. I did not have a car, so I took the subway.

Dress: I think business casual is appropriate, but you can certainly dress fancy and still fit in.

Cost: $$$$

2. Kyoto Gogyo

Gogyo is also a restaurant you must try in Japan. Located in Kyoto, it is known for its burnt miso ramen noodle soup. As I have already mentioned, I love noodles. There are eight different types of noodles that are part of Japanese cuisine. Some are served hot, and others are served cold. My favorites are ramen and udon and I do not think I went a single day during my time in Japan without eating one or the other. The Japanese imported ramen from China. Now it is one of the most popular dishes in Japan and eaten all over the world. Noodles are inexpensive and the Japanese consider them to be a convenience food, especially since one can find them on pretty much any corner in the country.

There are several ramen soup bases. My favorite is Shoyu (醤油, Soy Sauce), which is a clear, brown broth flavored with soy sauce. Toppings for the soup include chashu (roasted or braised pork), moyashi (bean sprouts), tomago (hard or soft boiled egg), various types of seaweed, among other things. Usually, the only sided dish is gyoza (pot stickers).

I was intrigued by Gogyo burnt miso ramen noodle soup. I eat Ramen in the US quite often, but I had never heard of it. While, I normally do not order miso-based ramen soups, I had to try it. It was amazing. I expected to have a burnt taste, but instead it had a smoky flavor that brought out the other flavors of the dish. It was worth trying and I would love to enjoy another big bowl of burnt miso ramen soup.

Tips:

Getting there: There are a few locations in Japan, but I went to the one in Kyoto. Be prepared to wait to get seated, as the restaurant is popular. If you are only going for the ramen, then offer to sit at the bar instead of the main dining area of the restaurant to help you get in sooner. Gogyo is in downtown Kyoto, and as for all of my other outings in the city, I rode a bike to the restaurant. It is very close to Nishiki Market so it is possible for you eat at Gogyo and tour the Nishiki Market during the same outing.

Dress: Dress is casual!

Cost: $

3. Tempura Endo Yasaka

Whenever you are doing research about food in Japan, you will for sure come across tempura, or fried food. It is usually seafood or veggies. Unlike fried food in the US, tempura batter is much lighter, fluffy, and crispy. Japanese usually serve tempura it with sauce or salted without sauce. The best part is that Japanese usually serve it and eat it hot, immediately out of the fryer. Today, Japanese enjoy a lot of tempura at food stalls. It is a custom from the Endo period when it was forbidden to make tempura indoors because it was a fire hazard, since most houses were made of paper and wood. Even though that is the custom, it is worth going to a sit down restaurant to enjoy a tasting menu full of yummy fried food.

For my food experience, I chose to eat at Tempura Endo Yasaka in Kyoto. You will find mixed reviews about this restaurant, but I though it was a fantastic experience. The service was great and the food was delicious. At the restaurant, you have the option to sit at the bar right in front of the chef as he prepares every course, which I recommend. Even though I was there for the fried food, the courses included some fresh sashimi fish, which was nice. The meal was well balanced and one of the best things I ate in Japan.

Tips:

Getting there: I recommend that you make a reservation. The restaurant is not that big and it is quite popular. It is situated in an ornate wooden teahouse south of Gion. I rode the bike that my Airbnb provided for me to the restaurant. It was a little hectic getting there because the streets were crowded, but I got to see a lot of women dressed in kimonos during my ride. So, that was fun. Depending on where you are in the city, walking may be the best way to get there, while enjoying Kyoto.

Dress: I was dressed in smart casual but that was mostly because I rode a bike there. Others were in business casual or date night attire, so I was a little out of place.

Cost: $$$$ – This was one of my more expensive meals in Japan

25 January 202010 May 2020

Solo Travel to Japan: 5 Tips For Your Trip

Solo travel to Japan! What a great time I had all by myself in such a fascinating place. So much of the country intrigued me that I had wanted to go for a long time. The culture, food, and history all seemed so unique from what I had experienced in the Western world and Africa. So, of course it was at the top of my bucket list. My trip to Japan did not disappoint. Of all of the countries I have traveled to, it ranks high on my list as one of the best places I have been. And, I hope to return someday to see and experience more because after almost two weeks, I had only scratched the surface. My bucket list is still full of Japan related things that I need to check off.

By the time I made it to Japan, I had already visited more than 30 countries, many of which I had gone to by myself. However, solo travel to Japan terrified me to the point that I actively looked for a travel partner. It ended up that everyone was busy when I wanted to go, so I was on my own.

You may be wondering why solo travel to Japan worried me. Well, for starters, the language barrier. I took years of Japanese in college but that was forever ago and I only remember a few words. I certainly cannot read Japanese anymore and I had heard that most of the signs would only be in Japanese. It was the first time I traveled to a country where most of the people did not speak English, signs were not in English, and I did not know enough of the language to get by.

My second fear was being an African American woman wondering around a country that has a relatively homogenous population. The major cities are very crowded and it is not uncommon to see a sea of people who are all dressed in dark colors with mostly with the same dark colored hair. Even umbrellas tend to be one of two to three colors. Man, I stood out. I was expecting to see a lot of stares and pointing, and to hear whispers or people wanting to take a picture with me.

10 ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR JAPAN: FIRST TIME VISITOR GUIDE

The Best Japan Itinerary: How to Get the Best out of 10 Days in Japan

During my solo travel to Japan, I really had no reason to worry. It was true that the language barrier was a real issue. Outside of a few stores and some restaurants, I did not find many people who spoke English. Almost no one could give me directions in English. The massive transportation system was difficult to navigate. There were several times I was standing in front of a metro map full of Kanji characters wondering how in the world was I going to find my way to my destination. However all of my planning saved me. Google Maps and Citymapper were my best friends to help me navigate each Japanese city I visited.

Also, people did not really stare, point or whisper. If so, then they were good at hiding it. I was shocked that I felt very welcomed and at times invisible. I know that may sound weird, but I just mean that I did not have a lot of eyes on me.

Even with all of my initial fears about solo travel in Japan, the culture is what intrigued and sucked me in. Asia in general is a mystery to me. It seems so unique and different from the Western world that I cannot help but be fascinated by it. Japanese people can seem very formal and ridged, especially to outsiders. However, the country and its people are so colorful, artistic, and vibrant. There is a mix of modern and traditional at every turn. Such as, watching women beautifully dressed Japanese traditional dressed in kimonos stroll down the street.

Where else can you enjoy Sumo (相撲 sumō, literally “striking one another”), a Japanese style of wrestling. Two large men spend several minutes extending their arms, stumping their feet, and squatting to size each other up and to intimidate their opponent. All before trying to push the other person off of the mat or bring them to their knees. As the country’s national sport, its origins go back at least 1500 years, making it one of the oldest organized sports. The tournaments are completely in Japanese with no English translation, just go along with what the crowd does. Cheer when they cheer and boo when they boo!!

And, if none of that appeals to you, then Japanese food should be enough to make you want to go to Japan. Fresh fish and sushi, bowls and bowls of noodles, and freshly fried everything is just amazing.

As a matter of fact, I ended up being happy that I was traveling solo. There were so many surprises that deviated me from my plans. Many times I jumped off of a train just because I saw a street or part of a town that looked interesting. I am not suggesting that is impossible to do this if you are traveling with a companion, but it certainly is easier to do if you do not have to check in with someone for your every move.

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If I was faced with the same choice to travel to Japan solo, I would do it without question. Most importantly, preplanning was the right thing to do and saved me from my fears. It made it easy to get around and to enjoy the trip without worry. I completely believe that my trip was amazing because of it because half of the battle wass being able to navigate cities. Here a few tips that I hope will help you plan your trip to Japan.

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One thing that made me most nervous about solo travel in Japan was the transit system. Taxies are insanely expensive in Japan, so the train and subway are best ways to get around. The rail and subway systems are massive, and some of the stations do not have English translations of the train lines. I recommend either stopping at the JR East Travel Service center in the Narita Airport before heading into the city. You can also order or print maps of the cities you plan to visit ahead of time, which you should definitely do for travel outside of Tokyo.

The rail and subways in Tokyo are like underground cities and are the busiest in the world. Over a million plus people transit some of Tokyo’s stations each day. These are no ordinary train stops, where your only options are to go left or right when exiting. One of Japan’s largest station, Shinjuku Station, has 200 exits, so it is important to have an idea of where you need to end up. Citymapper will give you step by step instructions on how to plan your trips, to include telling you what part of the train you should get on and which exit to take out of the train station to get to your final destination.

Trains arrive and depart exactly when they are scheduled too! If you are late even by 30 seconds, you risk missing your ride.

JR Rail Pass

Whether you are doing solo travel to Japan or with a group, if you are going to be in Japan for several days, I highly recommend purchasing a Japan Rail Pass. It is a multi-use, discounted ticket for travel on all JR national trains in Japan. The pass includes the Shinkansen bullet trains you take to get around the country. It is a much cheaper way to get around and will save you LOTS of money. Just to paint a clearer picture, a 7 day pass cost me the same amount as a one round trip ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto.

The pass is only available for foreigners and you must purchase it before arriving in Japan. There are options for 7, 14, 21 consecutive days of travel. It takes about 2-3 days for the pass to arrive at your mailing address. I recommend giving yourself some extra time to receive it.

You can validate your pass at the JR East Travel Service Center at Narita airport when you land as well as other areas round the country. The clock starts on the pass after you use it for the first time.

Subway/Metro

You cannot use the JR rail pass on the Subway in Japan, but it’s relatively inexpensive to ride. Tokyo offers a 24, 48, 72-hour metro tickets that are only sold to foreigners. Starting price is less than $8.

Google Maps/SIM cards

If you have an unlocked phone, you should buy a SIM card at the airport. Being able to use the internet and Google Maps during your trip will make life much easier. (Prices start around $30).

You can order a SIM card before your trip, but I like to buy it in country to to ensure I get what I paid for. If buying a SIM card is not an option, I recommend downloading Google Maps to use offline or renting a pocket WIFI router. There are many places where you can purchase one.

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I was fortunate enough that the Airbnb that I stayed at in Kyoto had a bike available for me to use around the city. The bike ended up being quite handy and used it everyday to get around Kyoto. It was fantastic. I thought the metro system was even more difficult to navigate in Kyoto than in Tokyo. Pretty much nothing was in English. So, having a bike made getting around the city so much easier. I put Goggle Maps on my phone, strapped it to the bike basket and rode all over the city. There are several locations all over the city where you can park your bike, or there are bike garages in busy parts of the city that you can use for a small fee. There are several bike rental shops around Kyoto. Rent-a-bike and J-Cycle are good locations to rent bikes.

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Navigating most new cities can be difficult not matter the country, but it can be even harder when part of the population does not speak your native language.

While getting around Japan, I exclusively used the JR and Subway systems, but when I wanted to visit a site and learn more about the location, I booked tours through Viator.com, tokyotravelpal.com, and getyourguide.com

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Many people are nervous about eating meals alone. It is not something that really bothers me that much. And, it was no different during my solo travel to Japan. In almost two weeks in Japan, I ate at only two “fancy” restaurants. Otherwise, I ate A LOT of noodles. Occasionally, ate sushi at a sushi conveyor belt restaurant. But, noodles were the easiest and quickest meal to find in Japan. I love the way the Japanese enjoy their noodles…quickly.

It is easy to order and comes out fast. People generally are on a mission to eat their hot bowl of noodles as quickly as possible and then move on with the rest of their day. That means it never really feels weird to be eating alone because most people will be eating alone too. During my trip, I did go to a fancy Kobe beef restaurant in Tokyo and a tempura restaurant in Kyoto by myself. Those experiences were great too. They treated me like royalty!

As always, I take reading material with me to fill the gap between courses, but I in this case spent most of the time enjoying the atmosphere and the wait staff. I did not have the normal awkward moments when I eat at fancy places by myself.

Japan: Three Restaurants You Must Try

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During my solo travel to Japan, I was never worried about my safety. It is a country where you can roam the streets very late at night without much fear. As with any city, there are parts of town where you should be more cautious. Such as slums and the red light district. Otherwise, I think it is safe to take normal precautions in Japan.

24 June 201921 August 2019

10 Fun Facts About Sumo Wrestling in Japan

I originally only went to a Sumo wrestling tournament because it was on my bucket list. However, I became more interested in the sport as I prepared for my trip to Japan. Since the matches are conducted entirely in Japanese, here are 10 fun facts about Sumo wrestling to help make the experience more enjoyable.

1. Foreigners are some of the best wrestlers: Many of the top contenders in Sumo are recruited from abroad and several of them are from Mongolia. Japan recently limited the number of foreign wrestlers (defined as born outside Japan) to one per stable. They must speak Japanese and understand Japanese culture.

2. Life of a wrestler: Sumo wrestlers must live a traditional lifestyle. They are required to live in training stables, dress in traditional Japanese clothing, and strict rules dictate every aspect of their lives.

3. Crowd expression: The crowd does not have a problem cheering or booing throughout the match. They show their ultimate disappointment by throwing their seat cushions toward the ring.

4. Hairstyle: You will notice that everyone has the same hairstyle. The hair is oiled and combed into the shape of a ginkgo leaf. Apparently it also provides cushion for the head if the wrestlers fall.

5. Rules, Rules, Rules: Eye gouging, hair pulling, choking, hitting with closed fists, and kicking to the chest or abdomen are off limits. The goal is to push your opponent out of the ring or make them touch any part of their body besides the soles of their feet on the ground.

6. Like the ring? Take some: At the very end of the tournament, some fans break off a piece of the clay ring for a souvenir.

7. For men only…or is it?: Historically, women were allowed to participate in Sumo wrestling at some Shinto Shrines, however, it is currently forbidden.

8. The chubbier the better: Today it is expected to pack on weight because there are no weight divisions, so wrestlers do not want to be mismatched during competitions. However, Sumo wrestlers were not always chubby.

9. Sumo is an old man’s sport: Okay…old women too. Most of the Japanese youth are not interested in Sumo. I am not sure why not. It was super fascinating to watch!

10. What are you wearing: Sumo wrestlers wear a Mawashi (廻し)), a heavy fabric loincloth that the wrestlers grab and hold to gain an advantage during the match.

How to See Sumo Wresting in Japan: A Beginners Guide
Want to learn more? Visit the Sumo Museum

24 June 201917 May 2020

How to See Sumo Wrestling in Japan: A Guide

Sumo Wrestling in Japan: A beginners guide

How to see sumo wrestling in Japan was originally a great mystery for me. Of all the sporting events on my bucket list, sumo wrestling was the first that I checked off of the list. Sumo (相撲 sumō, literally “striking one another”), is a Japanese style of wrestling and the country’s national sport. Its origins go back at least 1500 years, making it one of the oldest organized sports. Only men participate in sumo and there are several rituals and religious elements, such as purification of the ring with salt.

For those of you who are itching to watch sumo wrestling in Japan, there are six major tournaments every year held around the country and each tournament last 15 days. I attended the tournament held in Osaka, Japan, every March. Getting tickets and understanding the rules in Sumo requires some planning. Here are a few tips to seeing this fascinating sport.

When to see Sumo

If your dates are flexible and you definitely want to watch sumo wrestling in Japan, you should plan your trip around the sumo tournament schedule. If not, then you should try to go to the sumo exhibitions that are held in between tournaments and occasional retirement ceremonies. You can view the full schedule of these events here.

Another option is to see a morning sumo practice by visiting a sumo beya (すも部屋, sumo stable) where the wrestlers train. I recommend that you book a tour through viator.com. You should expect to sit on the floor and be silent during the practice.

How to get tickets

Unlike many things, if you want to watch sumo wrestling in Japan, you must make a plan. Getting tickets is probably the hardest challenge. They sell out quickly, sometimes within minutes of going on sale. If you live on the other side of the world, it is even harder because of the time difference. Don’t fret! You can usually buy tickets through a third party. I used Voygian, which is a good site to book tickets and tours in Asia.

You have to pick up tickets in person in Tokyo, so build that into your trip, especially if you plan to see a tournament outside of Tokyo.

Tournament Day

If you want to see sumo wrestling in Japan, you should know that tournaments last all day and are a multi-day event. The wrestlers compete based on their ranking so the best wrestlers compete late in the day. If you show up when the doors open, the crowds will be slim and the matches may not be as exciting. I recommend that you plan to go in the last 2-3 hours of the day’s tournament when the top division starts and the crowds are lively.

How to get there: 9 Easy Tips for Travel in Japan

Sumo Rules and Traditions

The best way to see sumo wrestling in Japan is to enjoy it as the locals do. The tournaments are completely in Japanese with no English translation, so I went along with what the crowd did. Cheered when they cheered and booed when they booed!! Here a few tips to help you understand what in the world is happening.

• Matches take place in a Japanese ring called a dohyo (土俵). It is made of clay and covered in a layer of sand.

• There are no weight restrictions, so wrestlers try to gain weight to prevent being matched against a much heavier wrestler.

• There are several religious traditions the wrestlers observe during the match. For example, they sip sacred water and throw purifying salt in the ring before the match; the referee dresses like a Shinto priest; and the wrestlers clap their hands when they enter the ring to summon the gods.

• Before the match starts, the wrestlers spend several minutes showing off. They extend their arms, stomp their feet, and squat to size each other up and to intimidate their opponent.

• After minutes of “warming up” the match only lasts a few seconds.

• There are 70 winning techniques in sumo. Some include pushing your opponent out of the ring, throwing them to the ground or getting them to touch the ground with any part of their body besides the soles of their feet. You only get one shot. There is no best 3 out of 5 in this sport!!

10 Fun Facts About Sumo Wrestling in Japan

15 June 201910 May 2020

10 Etiquette Tips for Japan: First time visitor guide

Proper manners are important when visiting Japan and are widely practiced in the culture. Here are 10 etiquette tips for travel in Japan to keep you from committing a faux pas.

Tip 1: Greetings

Shaking hands is not common in Japan. Instead, people bow. Bowing is not only used as a greeting, but as a sign of respect in many situations. The deeper the bow, the more respect one is displaying. Small nods with the head are seen as casual and informal, but completely alright for foreigners.

Tip 2: Eigo o hanashimasu ka? (Do you speak English?)

Many Japanese people speak some English, but it is not widely spoken and you should not expect everyone to understand you. It goes a long way to learn a few Japanese words to help you along your travels.

Tip 3: Slurp Slurp (Eating noodles)

Noodles are everywhere in Japan. A cheap and quick meal that never disappoints. Slurping while eating noodles is common practice and expected. I have heard that it is customary to swallow your noodles whole, which I did not. But I probably also took longer than the average person from Japan to finish my meal.

Best noodles in Tokyo

Tip 4: Chopsticks

I tried so hard to handle chopsticks like the locals. This included me staring at people’s hands constantly to mimic how they properly positioned the chopsticks between their fingers. I FAILED!! However I did learn:

Never point chopsticks at another person
Use the opposite side of your chopsticks for communal eating
Do not pass food from chopstick to chopstick
Do not stick chopsticks into a bowl of rice
When not using your chopsticks, they remain horizontal in front of your plate vs vertical like you would place a fork.

Tip 5: Paying for goods and services

It is very rare to pass money or credit card by hand to pay for goods or services. You should place your payment in a tray that will be placed in front of you instead.

Tip 6: Tipping

Tipping is not practiced in Japan and generally will not be accepted if you leave one. It is okay to tip guides, but always place the tip in an envelope before passing it to them.

Related post

9 Easy Tips for Travel in Japan

Tip 7: Visiting Shrines

Shrines are a large part of the Japanese culture, so approach them with respect. It is customary for people to stop at the purification fountain before entering the shrine. If you want to purify yourself, there are several steps to doing it properly. If you are worried about being disrespectful, you can just watch to see how it is done.

Tip 8: Take off your shoes

You must remove your shoes if you are entering a shrine or temple, Japanese homes, and traditional Japanese hotels. If you are uncomfortable with bare feet in strange places as I am, keep a pair of clean socks without holes with you at all times. Where required, shoe removal is nonnegotiable.

Tip 9: Baths and Hot springs

Hot springs (Onsen) and bath houses (Sento) are very traditional aspects of the Japanese culture, and are interesting and relaxing experiences. I have only visited an Onsen, in which bathing tooks place outside, and had Mt. Fuji as the backdrop!

You must clean yourself before entering an Onsen or Sento
Bathing suits are not allowed
Tattoos are generally not allowed as they are associated with criminal activity
You will be given a small towel, which most people put on their heads while soaking. You should refrain from putting it in the water.

Tip 10: Public Spaces

Speaking on the cell phone on public transportation is not common and considered rude. It is also common to wear face masks in public. While the most common reason is to keep from passing sicknesses, a Japanese guide told me that some women wear them if they have not had the chance to put on makeup or if they are shy.

Either way, it is rude to blow your nose in public, and I swear I did not see a single person cover their mouths when they sneezed or coughed in the two weeks I was in Japan. So maybe the mask is the way to go!

13 June 201910 May 2020

10 Easy Tips for Travel in Japan

Traveling in Japan is much easier than expected and you can get lost in the many cultural surprises you will discover along the way. Let us first start with some 10 easy travel tips for travel around Japan.

Many travelers are not planners and like to remain flexible. However, I recommend planning at least a few things and becoming familiar with Japan before you depart for your trip. This will make it easier and less expensive after you arrive.

10 ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR JAPAN: FIRST TIME VISITOR GUIDE

Easy Ways Getting Around

Taxies are insanely expensive in Japan, so the train and subway are best ways to get around. The rail and subway systems are massive, and some of the stations do not have English translations of the train lines. I recommend either stopping at the JR East Travel Service center in the Narita Airport before heading into the city. You can also order or print maps of the cities you plan to visit ahead of time, which you should definitely do for travel outside of Tokyo.

One of Japan’s largest station, Shinjuku Station, has 200 exits. It is important to have an idea of where you need to end up. Citymapper will give you step by step instructions on how to plan your trips, to include telling you what part of the train you should get on and which exit to take out of the train station to get to your final destination.

Trains arrive and depart exactly when they are scheduled too! If you are late even by 30 seconds, you risk missing your ride.

JR Rail Pass

If you are going to be in Japan for several days, I highly recommend purchasing a Japan Rail Pass. It is a multi-use, discounted ticket for travel on all JR national trains in Japan. The pass includes the Shinkansen bullet trains you take to get around the country. It is a much cheaper way to get around and will save you LOTS of money. Just to paint a clearer picture, a 7 day pass cost me the same amount as a one round trip ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto.

Subway/Metro

Google Maps/SIM cards

If you have an unlocked phone, you should buy a SIM card at the airport. Having the ability to easily use the internet and Google Maps during your trip will make life much easier (Prices start around $30).

Book a Tour

Navigating most new cities can be difficult not matter the country, but it can be even harder when part of the population does not speak your native language. While getting around Japan, I exclusively used the JR and Subway systems, but when I wanted to visit a site and learn more about the location, I booked tours through Viator.com, tokyotravelpal.com, and getyourguide.com

Be on time!

The Japanese are very punctual, more so than in any other country I have traveled to. No matter what you are doing, you need to be on time so you do not miss out. Trains arrive and depart exactly when they are scheduled. Also, tours will start exactly on time. I was five minutes late to one tour because I took the wrong exit out of a subway stop and had to walk a half of a mile to get to the right destination. The tour group left me and I had to spend the next hour catching up with them. Also, the Japanese just consider tardiness to be rude. So, do not be late!!

Where do I put my trash?

I was completely surprised that I could not find a single trash can in public. Okay, there are a few, but they are hard to find. The most stated reason for the lack of trash cans is because of the coordinated terrorist attack on 20 March 1995. A deadly sarin gas was released into subway trains in Tokyo.

No trash cans also means there are no paper towels to dry your hands in bathroom. Where to dispose of them? You should keep a small plastic bag with you for your trash and a few hand wipes without during your trip.

Speaking of toilets…

There are different types of toilets in Japan. The Japanese style toilet, which is low to the ground, modern toilets, and high tech toilets with heated seats. The trick is that you may stand in the bathroom stall scratching your head trying to figure out how to flush them. It is not always obvious and there were a few times I just walked away.

Best Time to Go

You can visit Japan anytime of the year, but when you chose to go all depends on why you are going and what you want to see. I have several bucket list items to check off in Japan and I have completed most of them, but timing is everything and I was unable to do them all in one visit.

March-May and September-November are the best times of year to visit because you can see the beautiful cherry blossoms bloom in the spring and the changing of the leaves in the fall. But, don’t forget about Japan’s ski slopes and beaches.

Sumo wrestling matches happen throughout the year in different parts of the country. But, tickets for big tournaments sell out fast and it takes planning to attend.

Where to Stay

You only need one to two days in most of Japan. It is easier to base in one or two cities and then use your JR pass rail pass to get around to other parts of the country. I chose Tokyo and Kyoto. There is some debate over whether it is better to base in Osaka or Kyoto. I think Kyoto is quieter and has the old world charm. That is why many people are drawn to Japan in the first place.

There are so many options to chose from when determining where you will stay in Japan from traditional Japanese hotels called Ryokan to modern hotels.

Personally I have grown quite partial to Airbnb, especially since I was in Japan for two weeks, which I booked for my stays in Tokyo and Kyoto. There are generally hundreds of options. In Tokyo, I recommend that you stay near one of the larger subway stations. This will help save time getting around the city.