Visiting Japan

[Psyke]

I dunno..... my sensei used to show us videos of this show known as Cool Japan, where they take foreigners from different countries, such as USA, Germany, France, Thailand, Sweden and bring them around different parts of Japan, and they talk about how different the Japanese culture is from their own native countries. They seem to have so much fun, and it's hard to imagine them being ostrasized by the Japanese.

Wait, I just managed to find an episode on youtube. Check it out here. Search for Cool Japan if you're interested in other episodes.

[Animeniax]

Asians (ie. yellow people) in Asia treat foreigners like crap. They don't have the same view of the western world that we have. They don't idolize the west like some of you think. They are extremely conservative even if they don't look like it. They've never had prolonged exposure to other ethnicities, so you shouldn't expect them to like westerners.

Yellow countries aren't nearly as multicultured as the western countries. In fact, I'm willing to bet that over 99% of people in Asia are yellow people. You can argue that tourists go to Japan and whatnot all the time, but the relatively small number of tourists barely makes a dent in the demography. They're still pretty much interacting with other yellow people and living yellow culture 24 hours a day. When you live in a society that has an overwhelming majority of one ethnicity and culture, then it's only natural that you'd be highly conservative.

Appearance is the easiest way to distinct westerners. Even though I'm not Japanese, people probably wouldn't glance at me twice because I'm yellow. I don't stand out in a crowd of other yellow people as opposed to white, brown or black people. When they find out that I'm actually not Japanese, they'd probably still treat me worse than they do real Japanese folks.

I agree with everything BoC says here. My version would have been more aggressive and less apologetic though.

I dunno..... my sensei used to show us videos of this show known as Cool Japan, where they take foreigners from different countries, such as USA, Germany, France, Thailand, Sweden and bring them around different parts of Japan, and they talk about how different the Japanese culture is from their own native countries. They seem to have so much fun, and it's hard to imagine them being ostrasized by the Japanese.

It would seem like they're having fun on the surface because it's a special occasion and the Japanese like most Asian cultures are very image conscious, so they'd be very cautious about appearing unfriendly or impolite on TV. I would bet how they behave in normal day to day life is different as it concerns foreigners. This is pretty much true for anyone though, not just the Japanese.

Something I encountered was the courteous "blow off". I'd ask for directions or help and some Japanese would wave me off with a "sorry no speakee" attitude, like they didn't even want to try to help, particularly when I asked if they spoke English first.

[David75]

I was wondering if it's possible to create a thread specific to "Save Japan Culture from World Invasion" and put there all messages related to this subject. So that we do not keep a thread with two seperate ideas that do not mix well together?

Thanks

[Animeniax]

Some more interesting things to consider when visiting Japan:

When looking for English speakers, keep in mind that high-school dropouts and delinquents probably didn't master the language. When I went to a yatai stand (food stall) in Fukuoka and asked the attendant if he spoke English, I got the usual "dekimasen" and the cold shoulder. I didn't think about it until that moment, but it makes sense a guy running a food stall probably didn't do too well in his high school studies (when they take higher level English courses), and opted for a vocational or food service career. Don't let it discourage you, I got something to eat and drink at that stand anyway and had a blast talking and getting drunk with some of the locals who did speak English.

Vocabulary:

sore: that
dare: who
kore: this, here (not location); for pointing out your selection

doko: where (usage: Tokyo eki, doko desu ka, meaning: "Where is Tokyo station?")
koko (de): here (location)

When ordering ramen, they'll ask you something that I didn't understand at the time, but it turns out they're asking what style you want. Typically the four choices are tonkatsu (pork soup base, southern regions), shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce, Tokyo style), or miso (northern, Hokkaido style). You can get all 4 types in any region, though a given type is the specialty of the restaurant in that region.

[Junior]

It's not like they'll run up and stab you because you're black. They'll just look at you and think to themselves, "Hmm...a black guy......0_o"

That really made me laugh. I keep picturing a black guy walking down the street and Japanese locals walking past him with this confused expression.

Thanks for all these tips Ani. ^^ I really didn't know Japanese could be so...awkward towards non-asian folk.

oh btw, what does Ramen taste like? D: I'd love to try it sometime. >.>

[David75]

oh btw, what does Ramen taste like? D: I'd love to try it sometime. >.>

Pasta, spices, meat and so on.
Depending on the style and the one preparing them, you could really find jewels.
I'm not directly talking about ramens, as I've never been to japan and didn"t get the chance to try some from a very good place, but the whole pasta soup concept.
I've had the chance to try vietnamese versions from two different famillies, that's really something different and new to a westerner. I really had a blast, which doesn't happen a lot for food matters as I tried quite a lot of things.

I hope someday I can try quality ramen, rather than Cup Noodles.

[Animeniax]

Fresh ramen is delicious. It's a bit different from the packaged bowls and even more so than the noodle packs. The packaged ramen from Japan isn't even really available in the west, those are mostly Korean brands and the generic Nissin and Maruchan brands from Japan. They have a much broader variety of ramen bowls available to the Japanese, as usual.

Where I'm at in the states, there are plenty of Vietnamese pho noodle shops and they're quite popular. I noticed there are zero ramen shops, and I even asked at local Japanese shops if they knew of any in town and they said no. So I'm thinking of opening up a ramen noodle shop, maybe even call it Ichiraku Ramen like in Naruto, unless it's copyrighted. I don't know if people would be willing to buy $5-7 bowls of ramen when they're used to 33 cent packs at home.

If you get a chance to go to Japan, definitely try some of the ramen shops in the different regions. It's usually fairly cheap (sometimes not, depending on the toppings) and delicious.

[Buffalobiian]

Fresh ramen is delicious. It's a bit different from the packaged bowls and even more so than the noodle packs. The packaged ramen from Japan isn't even really available in the west, those are mostly Korean brands and the generic Nissin and Maruchan brands from Japan. They have a much broader variety of ramen bowls available to the Japanese, as usual.

Where I'm at in the states, there are plenty of Vietnamese pho noodle shops and they're quite popular. I noticed there are zero ramen shops, and I even asked at local Japanese shops if they knew of any in town and they said no. So I'm thinking of opening up a ramen noodle shop, maybe even call it Ichiraku Ramen like in Naruto, unless it's copyrighted. I don't know if people would be willing to buy $5-7 bowls of ramen when they're used to 33 cent packs at home.

If you get a chance to go to Japan, definitely try some of the ramen shops in the different regions. It's usually fairly cheap (sometimes not, depending on the toppings) and delicious.

I'm very interested in what the serving sizes are like over there. In Australia, we don't have Ramen Bars, but we do have Japanese restaurants and some counters in food courts and stuff that sell ramen. I don't think it's the real deal though. But the serving sizes are like 0.o.

That being, what I consider, tiny.

Japanese food here is expensive, and from the places I've tried, you generally get a huge bowl with little ramen, but lots of broth. What's it like over there?

[David75]

Fresh ramen is delicious. It's a bit different from the packaged bowls and even more so than the noodle packs. The packaged ramen from Japan isn't even really available in the west, those are mostly Korean brands and the generic Nissin and Maruchan brands from Japan. They have a much broader variety of ramen bowls available to the Japanese, as usual.

Where I'm at in the states, there are plenty of Vietnamese pho noodle shops and they're quite popular. I noticed there are zero ramen shops, and I even asked at local Japanese shops if they knew of any in town and they said no. So I'm thinking of opening up a ramen noodle shop, maybe even call it Ichiraku Ramen like in Naruto, unless it's copyrighted. I don't know if people would be willing to buy $5-7 bowls of ramen when they're used to 33 cent packs at home.

If you get a chance to go to Japan, definitely try some of the ramen shops in the different regions. It's usually fairly cheap (sometimes not, depending on the toppings) and delicious.

As a matter of fact, in Paris I go to a Vietnamese Pho restaurant were prices are from 5 to 12 € (yes...) with the average around 7.
It's small but always crowded, with 90% of customers being vietnamese...
The deals is that only one bowl will stuff you easily, even if you're a great eater because the bowls are huge and full of everything. No starters, then no room for desert, as a matter of fact it's sometimes difficult to finish the bowl...

I don't know for the US restaurant market, but if for US$5-7 people can eat to stomach content, with high quality taste, it may be a winner. But with the underline part, you have to be sure customer eat and leave fast so that your tables rotate quickly enough for the restaurant to be profitable.
If you make smaller bowls, you may allow for starters and/or deserts that are also profitable (sometimes more profitable, hence smaller bowls...). Customers may stay a while longer if the table still makes the targeted or more profit. It depends on the hidden strategies you tailor made, that the customer must never be aware of.

The thing will then to have clear targets, and be sure customers clearly understand the difference beetween Japanese Pasta soups and other ways of doing it in Asia.
They have to know in less than 3 seconds something is different when they are approaching the restaurant.
Then, with you menu outside, it's less than 10 seconds (5 to 7) for them to decide wether they want to enter or not. It this time period, they have to get interrested...

A very important detail in the decision:
Is the restaurant crowded?
Is there people from the country represented by the restaurant (that one is sometimes less important, but may count)

For the crowded part, I have a friend who owns a restaurant. He has regular customers that come everyday on business day, and I mean everyday. Those customers make the restaurant full at 40 to 50% at key hours. That lures a lot of customers in.
Another restaurant is the next door, almost no one, never... And no one wants to go in, even tourists (and there are a lot there).
It's a commone rule for restaurants:
If there's no one in, there's a problem...

[Animeniax]

I'm very interested in what the serving sizes are like over there. In Australia, we don't have Ramen Bars, but we do have Japanese restaurants and some counters in food courts and stuff that sell ramen. I don't think it's the real deal though. But the serving sizes are like 0.o.
That being, what I consider, tiny.
What's it like over there?

They're pretty good sized, enough to fill you up. I tend to eat a lot in one sitting, and usually a bowl of ramen, a plate of gyoza (pork dumplings), and a beer overfill me nicely, though a lot of it is liquid. I've found ramen is one of the meals in Japan that aren't smaller portions. Japanese ramen doesn't really taste like the pre-packaged bowl ramen at all, which has more salt and thinner noodles and no meat.

As a matter of fact, in Paris I go to a Vietnamese Pho restaurant were prices are from 5 to 12 € (yes...) with the average around 7.
It's small but always crowded, with 90% of customers being vietnamese...

Yikes, that's pretty expensive for pho. You can get a bowl and drink for $6 (4-5 euro) where I'm at in the states. It's funny, the owner of one of these pho shops opened an upscale Vietnamese restaurant that basically serves the same food, but charges $9-10 for the same meal.

I don't know anything about the restaurant business, so if I go through with it, I'd hire a business manager and cooks to handle the business side. I'd just finance the operation and eat up the profits myself (literally).

I wonder if associating it with Naruto will help bring in customers? I'd also seriously consider opening it near a university.

[Raven]

I'm reviving this thread after over a year of no use, but there's some good (and slightly suspect) info in here. Thanks guys! I'm off the day after tomorrow.

[Animeniax]

You're off to Japan? What cities?

I won't be able to go to Japan again until maybe Christmas. Now that I'm back at uni, it will be almost impossible to go when I want, which would be between end of February and early March. That way you still get snow in Hokkaido but also the start of hanabi season, and it just might be warm enough by then to enjoy the beaches near Fukuoka, all in one trip.

Besides, with the current dollar to yen exchange rate, it would be even more expensive than usual.

[Sapphire]

Hey guys, turns out that I might be visiting Japan for this Spring break. (March 13-21)

Any recommendations on where to go, how to get there, where to sleep/eat, etc?

[samsonlonghair]

Lucky you!

[XanBcoo]

Hey guys, turns out that I might be visiting Japan for this Spring break. (March 13-21)

Any recommendations on where to go, how to get there, where to sleep/eat, etc?

You're a young girl, so for God's sake don't take the train anywhere.

[Animeniax]

Hey guys, turns out that I might be visiting Japan for this Spring break. (March 13-21)

Any recommendations on where to go, how to get there, where to sleep/eat, etc?

Oh oh, I was thinking of visiting Japan for spring break this March 13-20 too! Are you traveling by yourself or with a group? I was going to meet up with a friend there but he has pretty much bailed. I'd be happy going alone, but maybe we can meet up sometime during our trips.

You should visit Tokyo/Kawamura/Yokohama of course, and Osaka (it's like NY and Boston respectively), Fukuoka if you have the time since it's way far south, Hiroshima to remember, Miyajima Island for the otorii, Kobe for a steak dinner (pricey but worth it), and Furano/Biei in Hokkaido for either fun in the snow or the lush lavender fields, and to enjoy the hot springs. March is a great time for sakura viewing/hanami but it will be crowded, and we'll be a week or two early for blooming season.

If you're serious about this, it will be about $2500. That's around $1k for airfare, $300 for a rail pass for 1 week, $500 for hotels (cheaper if you share) and the rest for meals and souvenirs.

[Buffalobiian]

Hey guys, turns out that I might be visiting Japan for this Spring break. (March 13-21)

Any recommendations on where to go, how to get there, where to sleep/eat, etc?

Oh oh, I was thinking of visiting Japan for spring break this March 13-20 too!

This must be a good year to go to Japan or something!

I'll be going ~8th Nov for a week, perhaps more, depending on our budget. A few friends and I are planning to go after our final exams, and come back before supplementary exams/ graduation.

I'm not quite sure what our plans are at the moment, but I think we may be either spending a full week in Tokyo, or splitting it between it and another city (most likely Kyoto).

They're planning to do some suburb-level exploring, so any tips from past tourists/residents?

I think my budget would be around 2K -3K AUD (for flight and accomodation/transport only, excluding food)

[Sapphire]

Oh oh, I was thinking of visiting Japan for spring break this March 13-20 too! Are you traveling by yourself or with a group? I was going to meet up with a friend there but he has pretty much bailed. I'd be happy going alone, but maybe we can meet up sometime during our trips.

You should visit Tokyo/Kawamura/Yokohama of course, and Osaka (it's like NY and Boston respectively), Fukuoka if you have the time since it's way far south, Hiroshima to remember, Miyajima Island for the otorii, Kobe for a steak dinner (pricey but worth it), and Furano/Biei in Hokkaido for either fun in the snow or the lush lavender fields, and to enjoy the hot springs. March is a great time for sakura viewing/hanami but it will be crowded, and we'll be a week or two early for blooming season.

If you're serious about this, it will be about $2500. That's around $1k for airfare, $300 for a rail pass for 1 week, $500 for hotels (cheaper if you share) and the rest for meals and souvenirs.

OMG you seem to know a lot, why don't you come with us and be a tour guide? It's not set in stone whether I am going or not, but me and a few friends are seriously planning to go. I am personally looking at Delta airlines since I have a LOT of miles on it and can probably get a huge discount. My friends definitely want to go to Akihabara and wig out there lol. I want to get some hot clothing as well. But I also really want to hit the beautiful spots and fine dining. We were thinking sleeping in a hostel or something since that is said to be cheaper?

How exactly do you travel when you go? Tell me more!

[Animeniax]

Nah, it's just I've been three times, and miss it a lot as it's been 2 years since my last trip. Now that I'm learning the language, I want to visit again.

I don't really want to go in a group because I won't be able to do the things I want to without worrying that others aren't enjoying themselves (the things I love about Japan aren't the same as what most pop culture fans of Japan like, eg. I need about 1 hour in Akihabara before it's time for something else).

Hostels are definitely cheaper, but if you share rooms in a business or budget hotel it's a much better experience and not that expensive. However the Japanese charge by the occupant, not by the room, so even if you try to fit 4 people in a room, the savings won't be that good.

One of the things I enjoy about Japan are public baths/hot springs (usually full nude). Unfortunately there aren't many co-ed places so it wouldn't be as interesting going in a group.

You get from city to city mostly by train and around town by subway or trolleys/buses (in the large cities). Taxis are expensive but necessary in smaller towns. Renting pedal bikes is fun in smaller towns too.

[Psyke]

I'm trying to visit Japan again this year too, probably around the August, September period.