Hey TLers! This June 13~29th, I will be going to Japan for the first time of my life!!! I've been into Japanese music and anime since middle school, so I am really excited. I took four years of Japanese so I can at least somewhat converse with others.
Soo... I'm blogging here to see who else from TL.net are going to be in Japan around that time who can hang out~ I'll be around Shinjuku and Tokyo. I'm also thinking of training to Osaka.
I'm also going to Guangzhou and Hong Kong from June 1~12th if anyone is around there.
Have a nice time there ! I've been living in Japan for 6 months and travelling to Japan on a regular basis (once every year). What's the type of your accommodation ? Hostel or Hotel ? As for the weather, June is not as hot as July/August but you should be warned that it is already very humid and hot in June (over 30° C).
It is advisable to buy the "Japan Rail Pass" if you plan to travel or even "just" travel to Oosaka once, because the ticket for Shinkansen from Tokyo to Oosaka is nearly as much as the "1-Week Japan Rail Pass" itself, which allows you to use JR Trains 1 week for free...
Going by bus to Osaka is a lot cheaper than the bullet train. They depart from Tokyo in the evening and you will reach Osaka in the morning. It's around 4000JPY while the Shinkansen is around 14000JPY.
If you are taller than 180cm I wouldn't advice it though...
my experience was japanese people are super shy and afraid to try to use english or "hand talking". i never went to tokyo though. and since you have some japanese you will probably fare a lot better than i did. mani taught me 4 words, and i used them all! especially when i lost susies umbrella and had to ask for it back from some guy. i really struggled at restaurants even getting someone who looked willing to try to deal with me haha. everything was pretty expensive, especially as a traveler. maybe if you have someone set up in the city and youre grounded in one spot it will cut costs, but training around every day was super expensive. i wouldnt stay in a capsule hotel even for the experience, i dont really look back on sleeping there with warm memories...
overall i felt the experience was amazing but the social aspect (outside of haji and mani ^^) left me feeling pretty cold.
On May 26 2010 02:33 Chill wrote: my experience was japanese people are super shy and afraid to try to use english or "hand talking". i never went to tokyo though. and since you have some japanese you will probably fare a lot better than i did. mani taught me 4 words, and i used them all! especially when i lost susies umbrella and had to ask for it back from some guy. i really struggled at restaurants even getting someone who looked willing to try to deal with me haha. everything was pretty expensive, especially as a traveler. maybe if you have someone set up in the city and youre grounded in one spot it will cut costs, but training around every day was super expensive. i wouldnt stay in a capsule hotel even for the experience, i dont really look back on sleeping there with warm memories...
overall i felt the experience was amazing but the social aspect (outside of haji and mani ^^) left me feeling pretty cold.
Where did you go though? I think people in the tokyo area might be more willing to try to use what little english they know and they are probably more accustomed to foreigners. Alcohol also seemed to get them to open up (yes, yes we all do but I noticed a huge difference just after a couple of beers).
One cultural "difference" I noticed is that japanese people are super shallow and you don't really get to know people well very easily.
On May 26 2010 02:33 Chill wrote: my experience was japanese people are super shy and afraid to try to use english or "hand talking". i never went to tokyo though. and since you have some japanese you will probably fare a lot better than i did. mani taught me 4 words, and i used them all! especially when i lost susies umbrella and had to ask for it back from some guy. i really struggled at restaurants even getting someone who looked willing to try to deal with me haha. everything was pretty expensive, especially as a traveler. maybe if you have someone set up in the city and youre grounded in one spot it will cut costs, but training around every day was super expensive. i wouldnt stay in a capsule hotel even for the experience, i dont really look back on sleeping there with warm memories...
overall i felt the experience was amazing but the social aspect (outside of haji and mani ^^) left me feeling pretty cold.
Where did you go though? I think people in the tokyo area might be more willing to try to use what little english they know and they are probably more accustomed to foreigners. Alcohol also seemed to get them to open up (yes, yes we all do but I noticed a huge difference just after a couple of beers).
One cultural "difference" I noticed is that japanese people are super shallow and you don't really get to know people well very easily.
Osaka and Kyoto.
I was just coming from Korea. Korean subways have everyone yelling and laughing, using cellphones, etc. The Japanese subways I was in were basically silent. The streets were a lot quieter too. I can't really put it into words, but the feeling I got were people in Japan were just tired of being around other people so much and wanted time alone.
On May 26 2010 02:33 Chill wrote: my experience was japanese people are super shy and afraid to try to use english or "hand talking". i never went to tokyo though. and since you have some japanese you will probably fare a lot better than i did. mani taught me 4 words, and i used them all! especially when i lost susies umbrella and had to ask for it back from some guy. i really struggled at restaurants even getting someone who looked willing to try to deal with me haha. everything was pretty expensive, especially as a traveler. maybe if you have someone set up in the city and youre grounded in one spot it will cut costs, but training around every day was super expensive. i wouldnt stay in a capsule hotel even for the experience, i dont really look back on sleeping there with warm memories...
overall i felt the experience was amazing but the social aspect (outside of haji and mani ^^) left me feeling pretty cold.
Where did you go though? I think people in the tokyo area might be more willing to try to use what little english they know and they are probably more accustomed to foreigners. Alcohol also seemed to get them to open up (yes, yes we all do but I noticed a huge difference just after a couple of beers).
One cultural "difference" I noticed is that japanese people are super shallow and you don't really get to know people well very easily.
Osaka and Kyoto.
I was just coming from Korea. Korean subways have everyone yelling and laughing, using cellphones, etc. The Japanese subways I was in were basically silent. The streets were a lot quieter too. I can't really put it into words, but the feeling I got were people in Japan were just tired of being around other people so much and wanted time alone.
I like to describe that as the Lost in Translation feeling. I've always wanted to go to Japan and am even going to Japanese classes but since watching that film I've realised that home is where all my friends are and all that's different in other countries is the food as there are just as interesting tourist locations in our own respective countries for the most part.
Going by yourself or with ppl that can't show you the culture is probably a pretty lonely/boring experience overall compared to going somewhere in a large group or with ppl that know the lingo and cool things to do.
If I was to go anywhere on holiday again it would be very particular goals of places/experiences to have there.
I think it comes down to personality too. Not only extrovert vs introvert, but there are people who can start fun by themselves, while most people are just catalysts at making a fun time even more fun. The former is pretty rare and I feel they would be the ones who do the best alone in a foreign country. Definitely not me
On May 26 2010 02:33 Chill wrote: my experience was japanese people are super shy and afraid to try to use english or "hand talking". i never went to tokyo though. and since you have some japanese you will probably fare a lot better than i did. mani taught me 4 words, and i used them all! especially when i lost susies umbrella and had to ask for it back from some guy. i really struggled at restaurants even getting someone who looked willing to try to deal with me haha. everything was pretty expensive, especially as a traveler. maybe if you have someone set up in the city and youre grounded in one spot it will cut costs, but training around every day was super expensive. i wouldnt stay in a capsule hotel even for the experience, i dont really look back on sleeping there with warm memories...
overall i felt the experience was amazing but the social aspect (outside of haji and mani ^^) left me feeling pretty cold.
Where did you go though? I think people in the tokyo area might be more willing to try to use what little english they know and they are probably more accustomed to foreigners. Alcohol also seemed to get them to open up (yes, yes we all do but I noticed a huge difference just after a couple of beers).
One cultural "difference" I noticed is that japanese people are super shallow and you don't really get to know people well very easily.
Osaka and Kyoto.
I was just coming from Korea. Korean subways have everyone yelling and laughing, using cellphones, etc. The Japanese subways I was in were basically silent. The streets were a lot quieter too. I can't really put it into words, but the feeling I got were people in Japan were just tired of being around other people so much and wanted time alone.
You know it's kind of strange that most people I talk to about their experience in Japan is different from mine, the people I met there weren't super shy, they were talkative and they weren't too shy about using their English either (when I got lost people actually went out of their way to get me back on track, that was very kind of them).
But yeah being in the subway it's really quiet, they don't like it when you talk on your phone either when you're on the train. It's suppose to be out of respect for other passengers I think (but what happens if it's an important call?). Someone actually told my friend to be quiet once whilst he was on the subway lol
I envy you OP ^^ I'm just like you except I only have 1 year of Japanese experience, for now. Since you're going to Tokyo (and you sound like an otaku :D) I'll assume you're going to Akihabara. Hope you have fun!
Chill is right, even in tokyo its rude to talk on your cell in the bus or on the train. But OP don't worry about those things, you're a foreigner, most of them already look down at you. But if you really like anime, I suggest going to Akihabara, such a great district. Manga/Anime stores everwhere, SEGA arcades every other block, and rows and rows of cheap electronics.
Also try out all their foods, so good (maybe besides whale and horse)
On May 26 2010 06:40 Terrakin wrote: But OP don't worry about those things, you're a foreigner, most of them already look down at you.
lol? Maybe that was just a personal thing with you, because I don't get that at all, and neither do the majority of my friends here / people who visit.
OP, have a good time. PM me if you have any questions about Osaka as that is where I am.
Thanks for the wishes guys!! Is there anyone around Guangzhou or HK who wants to hang out this June? :D
I think it'd be an interesting experience different from Chill's or Mani's for me because I am Chinese. So even though I may not be able to speak it that well, they will get confused since I look Asian LOL. It'd be hard explaining "I'm Chinese American.." haha.
On May 26 2010 06:40 Terrakin wrote: But OP don't worry about those things, you're a foreigner, most of them already look down at you.
lol? Maybe that was just a personal thing with you, because I don't get that at all, and neither do the majority of my friends here / people who visit.
OP, have a good time. PM me if you have any questions about Osaka as that is where I am.
If you are white they will look up at you. If you are Indian they see you basically as equal. If you are anything else they look down on you (esp if you're of asian or latin origin)
I'm free to chill after the 23rd. I'm living in Shibuya-ku, but close to Shinjuku station. I know the area pretty well (for a foreigner), send me a PM if you need restaurant/attraction suggestions
I will start my internship in a japense company in tokyo on the 28th of june, so will probably arrive there on the 27th. Gonna PM you closer to time about hanging out but dont know yet where im living etc.
Since I will be there for two month I will travel the country up and down on the weekends. Therefore I would like to meet up with people from everywhere of Japan to get more insight to its culture. If someone lives in Japan, I would appreciate any PM in that aspect. I know I'm quite fresh on TL but will tell more about myself in a PM request to whomever wants to meet up.
don't plug in your laptop in the restaurants there, my history professor had a story about how a resto owner ranted because a foreigner "stole" his electricity....and be extra sensitive with manners and stuff, I'm not saying that you don't have them, it's just that Japanese people are extra sensitive when it comes to greetings and honorifics and the whole bowing down system..
I don't know about the whole thing so you're better off asking tl members who has stayed there for a long time..like Mani.
EPT
! I've been living in Japan for 6 months and travelling to Japan on a regular basis (once every year). What's the type of your accommodation ? Hostel or Hotel ? As for the weather, June is not as hot as July/August but you should be warned that it is already very humid and hot in June (over 30° C).
