off to japan alone for a bit in july-any advice

[samurai007]

Originally Posted by alanX

Bring forks.



and spoons....

No need, if you know how to use chopsticks. It takes a bit to learn, I didn't know how when I first arrived in Japan, but you can pick it up. Impress your friends with it when you get home!

[Naoko]

Chopsticks are fun...albeit frustrating with some foods...like rice that's not sticky o_o I'm not completely sure of how Japanese table manners work...but sometimes when I go out to eat I just want to pick up my bowl/tray and put it to my face and scrape the food in DBZ style >_<

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Naoko

Chopsticks are fun...albeit frustrating with some foods...like rice that's not sticky o_o I'm not completely sure of how Japanese table manners work...but sometimes when I go out to eat I just want to pick up my bowl/tray and put it to my face and scrape the food in DBZ style >_<

Go for it. That's pretty common.

[alanX]

Originally Posted by samurai007

No need, if you know how to use chopsticks. It takes a bit to learn, I didn't know how when I first arrived in Japan, but you can pick it up. Impress your friends with it when you get home!

I was directing that with the presumption that he had no knowledge on the use of chopsticks.

[samokan]

Originally Posted by alanX

Bring forks.



and spoons....

no need, you can ask for them on the restaurant if you can't use a chopstick

[Tenniskettle]

Originally Posted by alanX

I was directing that with the presumption that he had no knowledge on the use of chopsticks.

i actually can use chopsticks fine.

[samurai007]

Originally Posted by alanX

I was directing that with the presumption that he had no knowledge on the use of chopsticks.

Many Americans (and other westerners) actually already know how to use chopsticks if they eat at Asian restaurants very often. Almost all Asian restarants here offer you a choice of chopsticks or fork, and many enjoy learning how to use them for the fun of it.

Similarly, nearly all restaurants in Japan have a spoon and fork available if you ask, and if you look like a foreigner, they might bring you a fork even if you don't ask for it, on the assumption that you must not know how to use chopsticks.

[spicytuna]

Originally Posted by Tenniskettle

actually looking up more info on 'tokyo hostel' - the website gives me a good idea of how to get there

'How to get to the Tokyo Hostel
I: FROM NARITA AIRPORT

The easiest and cheapest possible means of traveling is by the KESEI LINE to UENO STATION [H 17] and transfer to the HIBYA (SUBWAY) LINE to MINOWA STATION [H 19]'

That sounds about right.

It should be very straightforward but here's a pair of maps with Romaji.

JR Map of Tokyo :
http://japanrail.com/pdf/railpass/greater_tokyo.pdf

Subway Map of Tokyo :
http://www.tokyometro.jp/rosen/rosen.../rosen_eng.pdf

Print them out on a color printer and keep them handy for your travels.

[samokan]

you can actually ask them in narita or any information center in the station..

[alanX]

Originally Posted by samurai007

Many Americans (and other westerners) actually already know how to use chopsticks if they eat at Asian restaurants very often. Almost all Asian restarants here offer you a choice of chopsticks or fork, and many enjoy learning how to use them for the fun of it.

Similarly, nearly all restaurants in Japan have a spoon and fork available if you ask, and if you look like a foreigner, they might bring you a fork even if you don't ask for it, on the assumption that you must not know how to use chopsticks.

I know this, and obviously I know how to use chopsticks, as I lived in Japan for four years.

Like I said..I thought he was just a Japan noob, you know?