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Recommendations for Japan Travel

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Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#141

Post by workingdog »

publicola1990 wrote: post #128
joenot443 wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Japan’s just a fascinating place. There’s no place quite like it in the world and as cultures exchange and evolve and become more connected, it’s unlikely there ever will be.

But Japan seems less "fundamental" than many other cultures including the Greeks, Persians and Chinese for example who all lay claim to thousands of years of cultural significance. Is there a Japanese equivalent of Budha or Aristotle or Confucius.

It's fair to say the culture is younger, but they have a very complete Shinto deity mythos that's just as lavish and nuanced as the Greek gods.

The isolation provided by being an hard to reach island has, in my opinion, made their culture quite differentiated and useful to contrast my own culture with.

For example, I learned from the Japanese that children are much more capable than my own culture thinks they are. So I don't coddle them as much as my peers do.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#142

Post by rtpg »

diceduckmonk wrote: post #126

I've traveled all 47 prefectures of Japan, and done all sorts of "edgy" stuff that AtlasObscura has yet to cover, such as trails where only several dozen people have crossed that season. I've also revisited tourist hotspots like Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto several dozen times. I'd recommend people follow the beaten path. Is the most touristy spots in Japan and Kyoto "overrated" (given how popular it is)? Yes. But if you t…

I cannot think of a single “tourist trap” beyond Imahan that tastes better than any random place in the same category in Tokyo. Different story outside the city but Tokyo generally has pretty high standards, and places that focus on matching what tourists expect rather than just being good rarely come out well

Granted I guess I like stuff here so I’m not the target audience!

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#144

Post by bluepizza »

numair wrote: post #51
rjh29 wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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” o…

France and the UK attract much more foreign tourists than Japan.

You seem to have lost perspective. Take it easy. It's not that important.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#145

Post by diceduckmonk »

rtpg wrote: post #142
diceduckmonk wrote: post #126

I've traveled all 47 prefectures of Japan, and done all sorts of "edgy" stuff that AtlasObscura has yet to cover, such as trails where only several dozen people have crossed that season. I've also revisited tourist hotspots like Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto several dozen times. I'd recommend people follow the beaten path. Is the most touristy spots in Japan and Kyoto "overrated" (given how popular it is)? Yes. But if you t…

I cannot think of a single “tourist trap” beyond Imahan that tastes better than any random place in the same category in Tokyo. Different story outside the city but Tokyo generally has pretty high standards, and places that focus on matching what tourists expect rather than just being good rarely come out well Granted I guess I like stuff here so I’m not the target audience!

I meant relative to tourist traps in other countries, wherein all the tourist traps in Japan are still edible whereas there have been places abroad I simply just discarded. I would consider the tourist traps in Japan to be below average compared to same-category restaurants but they tend to have some experiential bit or decor that makes up for the lower food quality. It could be as simple as having an English menu.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#146

Post by ianpenney »

I’ve been 18 times and I had a good chuckle at this story and the comments. All largely inaccurate. Especially the bits about APA and Kyoto.

Y’all reek of FOMO and exoticism. Chill.

Just go with it. You’ll be fine. Live your normal life, just in a different place. You can gaijin smash through anything if you’re a jerk. If you’re not, I’m sure you’ll find a way to be less shitty as a tourist and someone will appreciate it at the time - and forget about it the next day.

My favourite dining experience was going to Savoy and leaving it to the staff to make whatever they’d recommend. おすすめは何ですか? They have a pizza that’s not on the English menu. A woman from Boston sat at the counter and annoyed absolutely everyone in the restaurant with her loud, obnoxious behaviour, poor Japanese accent, and “I’m the main character” vibes. Classic Roppongi.

She didn’t get the secret pizza.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#147

Post by workingdog »

dzhiurgis wrote: post #130

What it’s like to travel and especially dine with small children? Our is 1 and 3 and not exactly behaved in Japanese nor European terms - they make mess and break things in restaurants. Will we have hard time in Japan?

If you just let them behave as normal you will have exceptionally hard time. Unless you're are really doing your best to correct them and meet behavioral expectations, then you'll find people are very forgiving. But truly, you'll have to show that you're trying.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#148

Post by diceduckmonk »

zdw wrote: post #143

Anyone have recommendations for a good place to visit that would show traditional Japanese woodworking (cabinetry, etc.) techniques?

Takenaka Carpentry Tool Museum in Kobe. Most exhibits are in Japanese only but if you know woodworking you can probably piece together what the tools do.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#149

Post by ghaff »

throwawaaarrgh wrote: post #118
impendia wrote: post #58

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 sign…

Tokyo is absurdly gigantic, I would not suggest randomly walking it. Also the subway system can be challenging, and the staff don't speak English, so if you get stuck they likely won't be able to help. Another random thing about the train system: there are women-only cars. I didn't realize this until I had already boarded and (as a man) I was absolutely mortified.

The subway system is sprawling but, as someone who doesn't know any Japanese, I've never had any real trouble navigating it. Didn't know about woman-only cars but I assume most Japanese would take it as just another clueless foreigner and wouldn't think much else about it.

Re: Recommendations for Japan Travel

#150

Post by tannedNerd »

ianpenney wrote: post #146

I’ve been 18 times and I had a good chuckle at this story and the comments. All largely inaccurate. Especially the bits about APA and Kyoto. Y’all reek of FOMO and exoticism. Chill. Just go with it. You’ll be fine. Live your normal life, just in a different place. You can gaijin smash through anything if you’re a jerk. If you’re not, I’m sure you’ll find a way to be less shitty as a tourist and someone will appreciat…

Cool so we shouldn’t try to go to Japan if we don’t speak the language is what I got from this. Aka gate keeping. You are worse than the people you are trying to admonish in the beginning of your comment.
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