What to find out about traveling in Japan? 7 suggestions from frequent travelers

“Japanese culture is about respecting your environment and the people around you. Don’t talk in your phone on public transit and in confined areas around other people.

Also, savoring your food is a very important show of respect, so don’t eat while walking. As a substitute, sit down and luxuriate in each bite.

And be prepared to carry onto your trash around town while traveling and sightseeing — possibilities of finding a trash can are slim to none! Locals generally bring a small bag to hold the day’s trash until they get home. Japan may be very clean, and you will find public bathrooms to be spotless in comparison with other countries. Mainly, try to depart no trace.”

— Tyler Monahan, Recent Jersey-based assistant golf caddie manager married to a Japanese citizen. He has made three trips to Japan totaling 155 days.

“Trains are exceedingly punctual, so two minutes is a giant deal — if it isn’t arriving at the precise time, it’s a unique train! For those who miss a train in a giant city like Osaka or Tokyo, one other will likely be there in minutes, so don’t sweat it. Within the countryside though, it may very well be hours, or tomorrow!

Also, know the concept of “last train.” The whole train scene, each private and non-private, shuts down roughly between midnight and 5 a.m., which might seem just a little early in big cities, so be warned. In rural areas, it will possibly be much earlier. Be prepared to take a cab, or when you’re into it, explore this nocturnal world — perhaps at a jazz club that stays open until the primary train starts — which in big cities is a whole economy unto itself.” 

— Henry Rose, Seattle-based architect, who has made greater than 10 trips to Japan.

“Exchanging ‘meishi’ is an excellent, and serious, tradition in Japan. Cards are presented with each hands and a deep bow. Additionally it is one of the crucial unexpected and fun icebreakers you should utilize to fulfill latest people.

Get cards printed entirely in Japanese — you should utilize Google Translate for the interpretation. The staff at Kinkos — situated in all major cities in Japan — will walk you thru the entire process. After this, locals will likely be shocked, and absolutely delighted, that you might have meishi for them. During my last trip to Japan, I had 100 cards printed in Kyoto. I handed them out throughout the remainder of the trip, all the time to smiles.”

— Oliver Horovitz, Recent York City-based travel author who has visited Japan 3 times.

“Bare feet in Japan is a giant no-no. Travelers should expect to remove their shoes often in Japan and may all the time have socks on once they accomplish that. The removal of shoes might even occur in places which can be unexpected, like a restaurant.

Also, it is not uncommon to have slippers on the entrance to public bathrooms, with the expectation that restroom visitors use these slippers and return them promptly. You’ll want to only pack and wear your best (clean and hole-free) socks while in Japan. If you might have a group of fun or interesting socks, wear them in Japan where they’ll actually be seen and admired!” 

— Jolaine Pfeifer, Aspen, Colorado-based school administrator. She has made nine trips to Japan, on top of spending her middle and highschool years in Yokosuka.

“Rest assured, the one resemblance these little oases need to their U.S. counterparts is within the name! Stores like 7-Eleven and Lawson are immaculately clean and have absolutely anything you would possibly need, including a couple of go-to items that I hunt down every time:

• An important number of onigiri, that are sandwich-sized rice triangles wrapped in seaweed and stuffed with things like salmon, tuna, eggs and pickled plum.

• The coffee — especially at 7-Eleven. The automated state-of-the-art machines grind the beans and brew a few of the perfect coffee I’ve had, with plenty of preference options like temperature, brew strength, milk, sweeteners and flavors.
• These little bottles of flavored vitamin C shots called You-C1000, which I greatly appreciated within the winter on Hokkaido backcountry ski adventures. They are available in tasty flavors like apple, orange or lemon and are a handy method to get vitamin C every day.”

— Jeffrey Cole, Colorado-based leadership coach, who has made 4 trips to Japan, spanning the northern island of Hokkaido to the southern island of Miyakojima.

“Not only is the layout a blast, with a unique department on every level — however the merchandise is extensive and unique. There are 60 stores across the country, they usually concentrate on hobby, home improvement and lifestyle products.

It’s a terrific place to seek out reasonably priced, non-touristy gifts. They’ve the perfect pens, papers, and organizers, in addition to camping supplies — if it’s small, efficient, and practical, they’ve it!