Visiting Japan

[Animeniax]

The Japanese have been really friendly and polite, but maybe that's because I'm asian and look like one of them, so I can't comment on their so called "hate" towards gaijin or foreigners.

Anyway, here's a video of my trip to Tokyo last year, in case you haven't seen it already.

No offense Psyke, but I don't think you look quite Japanese. I make a sport of differentiating between Asian people, and I've gotten pretty good at telling people's nationalities apart.

I'm often mistaken for Japanese abroad and in Japan, but the situation turns kind of awkward when I ask a Japanese person if they speak English since I don't speak Japanese well. I've been told by other foreign-born Asians that it's because they think you're either lazy or showing off by speaking English. Of course, it could just be the language barrier that turns them away.

Probably a rash generalization, but in large cities, I think it's easier being a tourist for someone who is definitely not Japanese, since the locals think you're dumb anyway, and therefore will help you out. In smaller towns, I've seen instances where they help their own domestic visitors out, while leaving foreigners in the cold. Win some, lose some.

[Psyke]

No offense Psyke, but I don't think you look quite Japanese. I make a sport of differentiating between Asian people, and I've gotten pretty good at telling people's nationalities apart.

None taken, but I wasn't really saying I look Japanese, but just making a contrast statement saying I don't look like a gaijin in Japan. I've been mistaken to be Japanese a few times in Japan, but maybe it's because I can speak the language and tend to start conversations. The sucky part is that once they think you can speak Japanese, they rattle on and I've got to tell them to slow down a bit......

Most of the time, they treat me and my wife like natives till we show signs of struggling when answering their questions, and then they will try to use whatever English they can master. Doesn't happen often, since I carry 2 dictionaries in the bag you see in the video.

[Animeniax]

I'd love to see the video but youtube is banned where I live and work.

I see what you're saying about being Asian (yellow). It's like in "The Good Earth" where they're from one part of China and worried about being considered foreigners in another part, until they see the real foreigners, the white people.

One giveaway that you're not Japanese is that you start conversations with strangers I tend to give away my foreignness by looking around while on the trains and subways, instead of staring blankly at the ground or at my cell phone, which is what 99% of the locals do. I'm also bad about making eye contact with people. I do it too often, and make Japanese people uncomfortable.

They do talk fast, don't they! It's not like in anime or j-dramas where they enunciate and it's easy to (somewhat) understand what they're saying.

Some more basic vocab for travelers:

ohayo gozaimas(u) (you'll hear this every morning from everyone, especially at restaurants and hotels), say the same in response
dozo: go ahead, after you, help yourself
eki: station (trains, subway), so you can ask to go to Shibuya station or Tokyo station
itsu: when (time)
hitori (desu): alone, by yourself (when you dine alone, and they ask you how large your party is)
kinou: yesterday
kyou: today
ashita: tomorrow
seishou densha: last train (what time is the last train to a location)

[Sapphire]

So it's a good idea for a tourist to not make eye contact with a Japanese native? XD

Also, what makes Japanese people immigrate, and do you think they regret it or not really mind the foreignness?

[Animeniax]

Do you mean immigrate or emigrate? Cause the first means to move in, the second means to move out.

I think the rigid social structure and demands of society force some Japanese to move to other countries. Japanese are very enamored with the freedom of expression and choice in the US and abroad. Also, they're very concerned with their image to the rest of the world, so success abroad is in a lot of cases more important to them than success in Japan.

Alas, Japan is not the wonderland and utopia a lot of us want to believe it is. It has it's share of problems and ugliness. If you visit Japan with that in mind, you won't be as disappointed that it's not like in anime.

I think the aversion to eye contact is prevalent anywhere in the world, but especially in Japan, where it's considered rude, just like a lot of things you might do in your home country. I went to this monkey island in Japan and there are signs up warning against staring at the monkeys, as they will take it as a challenge and attack you. Same thing applies to people.

[Junior]

Forget what you learned in anime. Do not use 'yo' at the end of sentences unless you're mad. Pretty much stick a "kudasai" or "onegaishimasu" after everything you say, which means "please" or is just being polite. You'll definitely want to learn "sumimasen" which means "excuse me" to get someone's attention or to excuse yourself for being a dumb tourist or for inconveniencing someone.

I have a question about the word 'kudasai'. It's used always with a verb right? But 'onegai' can be used alone?

Please don't scapegoat me.

I can and I will. <3

Chav...? Now where did you pick up that word from I wonder.

BOC. =)

I think the aversion to eye contact is prevalent anywhere in the world, but especially in Japan, where it's considered rude, just like a lot of things you might do in your home country. I went to this monkey island in Japan and there are signs up warning against staring at the monkeys, as they will take it as a challenge and attack you. Same thing applies to people.

Wow...I didn't know that! That's useful advice. Is it true that smiling with teeth is considered agressive in Japan? I heard it somewhere but I'm not sure if it's true.

[Sapphire]

Damn, I feel like this conversation is turning towards animalistic rituals lolz. Don't bare your teeth, don't look them in the eyes!

Ani: I meant emigrate, sorry.

My brother seemed to meet a lot of friends In Japan. He didn't mention anything about people being cold or unfriendly, I'll ask him about it.

[KrayZ33]

is there something like a samurai-festival or a museum? which has lots of samurai armors/katana weaponry? and where you get information about their lifestyle etc?

i always wanted to see someone wearing this armor.

[Animeniax]

I have a question about the word 'kudasai'. It's used always with a verb right? But 'onegai' can be used alone?

I think kudasai is for making a request, like "please be quiet", while onegai(shimasu) is used when requesting something concrete, like a fork or chair.

Wow...I didn't know that! That's useful advice. Is it true that smiling with teeth is considered agressive in Japan? I heard it somewhere but I'm not sure if it's true.

I can't comment on the toothy smile thing, though it may have something to do with displaying the bad teeth a lot of Japanese seem to have.

Here's a picture from the monkey park I visited:

[Animeniax]

is there something like a samurai-festival or a museum? which has lots of samurai armors/katana weaponry? and where you get information about their lifestyle etc?

i always wanted to see someone wearing this armor.

There are samurai and ninja museums, but the ones I know of are in smaller touristy towns. Some towns have preserved the samurai districts (housing, narrow lanes) and those usually have a museum too.

Here's something to check out:
http://hisexperience.jp/index.php?op...emid=17&id=291

[sangai]

im planning on visting japan asap..for me im not sure who to fly through, where to stay.. i wanna move from the top of japan to the bottom.. id like to stay for a month or two if i could...
i know tokyo has places that i heard for 10 bucks a night you could basically sleep in a fancy 4' x 8' room LOL which id totally do.. i wanna go there to enjoy my self see the sites , take in events just enjoy the night scenery...

[KrayZ33]

im planning on visting japan asap..for me im not sure who to fly through, where to stay.. i wanna move from the top of japan to the bottom.. id like to stay for a month or two if i could...
i know tokyo has places that i heard for 10 bucks a night you could basically sleep in a fancy 4' x 8' room LOL which id totally do.. i wanna go there to enjoy my self see the sites , take in events just enjoy the night scenery...

trust me you won't have fun when u rush from one place to another... it might be interesting in the beginning but after a while it will get on your nerves.. at least thats what i m thinking.. i m not the type who likes to wander through a whole country especially when i'm alone, for me the best thing would be a place where i have to work a bit, thats the best way to get used to the new culture etc. (in my opinion)
and you get to know some people there and if you do it right they'll always welcome you when you go to the same country again and visit them.

well but then again, flying to japan is really expensive so its probably better to stay there a bit longer than just for a week and some time later another week.

[Animeniax]

im planning on visting japan asap..for me im not sure who to fly through, where to stay.. i wanna move from the top of japan to the bottom.. id like to stay for a month or two if i could...
i know tokyo has places that i heard for 10 bucks a night you could basically sleep in a fancy 4' x 8' room LOL which id totally do.. i wanna go there to enjoy my self see the sites , take in events just enjoy the night scenery...

Couple things: are you Asian? If not, please limit your stay to 2 weeks like a good foreign tourist should.

Most major carriers fly into Japan, especially Asian airlines. Tickets used to be pretty cheap ($1000 from the States or the middle east), but with fuel prices on the rise, it's getting up around $1300.

I don't think there are any places cheaper than youth hostels that charge around $30. Capsule hotels charge around $40, but I wouldn't recommend them. No privacy, no peace and quiet, no security for your belongings (unless you use coin lockers), and it's pretty cramped and seedy. You can get a decent hotel room for $60 depending on where and when you travel.

One trip I went from Osaka to Fukuoka then up to Sapporo and back to Osaka in 3 weeks with plenty of stops in between. It's fun if you enjoy train trips, which I do. It's also a good way to see the difference in culture and people between the regions of Japan.

[sangai]

im plannin for at least a month or two.. not just a week.. okinawa, sappora, kyoto, are some of the main places i wanna spend alot of time at. .see some shrines.

no im not asian my japanese ain't to great but i can get buy just can't read alot of it yet.

trains not a problem, id pretty active while im there so the capsule hotels would be fine if i have a place for a duffle bag.. i don't know if they got the typical laundry mat so i dunno what id do there..hotel would be better if i brought a suit or anything dressy.. tokyo from my understanding would be my most expensive stay..

[Junior]

Couple things: are you Asian?

Any Asians? or just Japanese/Chinese and Korean?

o.o

Random question.

[DB_Hunter]

Side note, I just realised how funny it is that the Japanese are considered asian ahead of Pakistani's, Indian's etc despite the former not even being attached to the damn asian continental land mass.

[sangai]

yah. pakastani's are considerd indian for some reason i don't quiet get the differtials there.. asia i guess includes like china, thailand, taiwan, korea, veitnam, japan maybe a few others

[Buffalobiian]

Side note, I just realised how funny it is that the Japanese are considered asian ahead of Pakistani's, Indian's etc despite the former not even being attached to the damn asian continental land mass.

I guess when a lot of people think of the Oriental/Asia, they get the image of imperial China. Hence they often consider countries nearby with similar culture, food?, location and skin colour/genetics (straight vs curly hair, lighter skin colour for city dwellers.). That's my interpretation of why that happens anyway.

[Board of Command]

Chav...? Now where did you pick up that word from I wonder.

BOC. =)

What are you talking about? I've never used that word. I don't even know what it means.

[DB_Hunter]

Chav is a very UK centric term..... which is why it made me wonder.