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Recommendations for Japan Travel

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Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#51

Post by numair »

rjh29 wrote: post #50
numair wrote: post #40

Quoted post unavailable.

What do you think that Japanese people are doing when they're travelling around with their 全国旅行支援? Are they not allowed to enjoy their vacation because the country has problems?

Of course Japanese people do it as well, including in their own country (see: Miyakojima). The escapist fantasy problem is something you see in almost every “cool” place. Island paradises, ski towns, Australian country towns, etc all have the same issue — people thinking they’re running away from their problems, but actually bringing them along to wherever they go (hence why all of these places to “rest and rewind” or whatever tend to be easy places to score drugs, meet alcoholics, and so on).

Japan attracts a disproportionate number of foreign people, especially foreign residents, who actively celebrate their ongoing escapist delusion. The difference is, Japanese society is too reserved and passive-aggressive to openly call people out on their BS. Thus, when other foreigners see this happening, we should call it out for what it is. Whattaboutism isn’t the answer.

This guy has lived in Japan for long enough to have a bit more balance than this ridiculous how-to guide to being blissfully ignorant of your temporary surroundings while attempting to extract maximum value from them.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#52

Post by samhuk »

numair wrote: post #40

Quoted post unavailable.

This reminds me of the "LBH" acronym that I heard about very often when Japanese locals describe typically western, especially American, tourists, who fit quite well into your identity description.

"Loser Back Home"

I didn't even know this stereotype existed until I got into a "so what do you think about all those escapist western tourists in your country" conversation with one of my Japanese friends (I'm from a very international UK area). Goes to show how withheld it really is. You are certainly right about that.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#53

Post by eCa »

omnibrain wrote: post #10
bigDinosaur wrote: post #2

Going off the beaten path always amuses me a bit as advice (what happens when everyone decides to do that?) but it's also quite true that you can often be literally tens of metres away from the most touristic locations with barely any tourists actually around you in most places (exceptions include cities that have become theme parks like Venice).

> exceptions include cities that have become theme parks like Venice Even in Venice, if you leave San Marco and if you cross into San Polo, you just have to leave the Ponte Rialto behind. It also helps if you arrive by boat and land at Fondamente Nove and just don't take the "straight" route to Piazetta San Marco. Cinque Terre is a similar "theme park" in italy. We've been there on an holiday weekend in spring with r…

Agreed completely about Venice (and Cinque Terre). Sometimes just a couple of blocks away from the signposted route to San Marco is enough. Also, get out early in the morning, before the heat and the day visitors arrive.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#54

Post by wingely »

ehnto wrote: post #45

This is somewhat adjacent for which I apologize, but being a Japan Fan of the travelling variety I have noticed a trend on HN toward Japan related articles. My understanding is HN has no user-specific algorithmic feed changes, so is this just a natural increase in interest toward Japan in general I'm seeing since the borders opened up? Most of the articles aren't even travel related, just about Japanese culture or pe…

Nerds love Japan

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#55

Post by riko41 »

Here are some additional ideas for off the beaten path Japan:

- Rent a car, better yet, rent a cheap camper van[1]. Save a ton of money on hotels.

- Get a local 4G internet card. Save on roaming charges.

- Set the option to "Avoid tolls" and "Avoid motorways" on your favorite navigation app. Slower, cheaper and much better scenery.

- Sleep on Road side stations(free and safe), bath on hot springs, wash your clothes on funny laundrettes.

- Use an app[2] with offline mode and content in English.

[1]https://www.japancampers.com/

[2]https://apps.apple.com/us/app/michi-japan-road-guide-offline...

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#56

Post by Trasmatta »

mlindner wrote: post #26
pyb wrote: post #8

"Very few people take me up on this part of the recommendation: get out of the cities if you are here for more than a week in your life." Same situation for visitors to the UK. I've given up trying to tell tourists to get out of London, they never listen.

The same situation for people visiting the US and they only ever go to some major US city like New York City or Los Angeles. Visit some place that's more than 100 miles from the ocean and isn't an urban downtown center.

If you're only going to one US city though, it might as well be NYC.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#57

Post by wittyusername »

This is interesting, but not great Japan advice. I just went and had a blast and did the opposite of his advice. I think people are different and want different things and don't feel bad if you just want to see the standard Japan checklist. His talk of everyone being surly..you know what, be respectful, everyone in Japan is so polite and nice that you will be happy with the level of service everywhere.

I've been many times and there is a time to venture out and there is a time to enjoy what everyone enjoys and both are fine.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#58

Post by impendia »

Having lived in Japan for two years, what I'd add to this is to spend a lot of time walking, if physically able.

For example, in my opinion the best way to explore Tokyo is to simply leave your hotel in the morning, wander around all day, and stop anywhere and everywhere that looks interesting. The excellent mass transit system means that it won't be a problem to get back.

In more rural parts of Japan, there are signposted walking trails. Here are three which I highly recommend, in whole or in part.

Yamanobe Road: https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kansai/nara/the-yam...

Kyoto Trail: https://kyoto-trail.net/trail_course_e.html

Shikoku Henro-Michi: https://www.henro.org/shikoku-pilgrimage/map

These places are wondrous for their natural and human-made beauty, and have tons of temples, shrines, and historic sights along the way. I strongly second Patrick's advice to get out of the big cities, and virtually anywhere you go you will find much that is beautiful.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#59

Post by Trasmatta »

numair wrote: post #40

Quoted post unavailable.

Should tourism be disallowed for everyone except activists? How would local communities respond to outsiders coming in trying to solve local problems without the necessary cultural context?

> It’s super hard when the locals are drowned out by hordes of self-interested tourists who have no interest in gender equality, wage suppression, insane zero-consequence sexual harassment + power abuse, and a lot of other issues.

In what way does a tourist spending a week in an area drown out those issues?

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#60

Post by numair »

samhuk wrote: post #52
numair wrote: post #40

Quoted post unavailable.

This reminds me of the "LBH" acronym that I heard about very often when Japanese locals describe typically western, especially American, tourists, who fit quite well into your identity description. "Loser Back Home" I didn't even know this stereotype existed until I got into a "so what do you think about all those escapist western tourists in your country" conversation with one of my Japanese friends (I'm from a very…

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