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

well im finally getting to do what ive always wanted to do, go on a solo trip to japan.

im going to tokyo on 1st july and will be staying for 12 days [wish i could stay longer but would need more money]

i plan on staying in a youth hostel in tokyo, explore tokyo for a bit, the culture, the nightlife etc. and plan on venturing out for a few days, climb mount fuji and visit okinawa.

anyone got advice for a first time solo traveller?

and another question, im 18 [legal drinking age here in ireland] and i know its 20 in japan, how are the japanese on underage drinking? dont misunderstand me im not going to get drunk everynight and pass out on the streets, i mean i would like to relax one night in a bar just having a couple of beers- is this doable for an underage traveller, or would the japanese be strict at letting me into a bar.

i plan to take some japanese lessons, but how easy or hard would it be for me to get to tokyo from narita airport and find my way to the hostel?


thanks in advance
mark

I hear most the signs around there have english, so you'll be fine with that. I take it your a begginer as far as japanese goes then? Study hard. good luck.

As far as drinking goes, you probably won't have a problem unless you go to a spendy nightclub, where they tend to be more strict. Most young Japanese have no ID, so it is hard to check.

The most expensive part of your trip will be the plane ride from Tokyo to Okinawa. Eliminate that and you will probably be able to stay at least another week.

cheers for the replies, and MMM now that you say i could stay another week if i eliminate goin to okinawa, that seems like a good idea.

I hear it is beautiful, but it's a bit like going to Los Angeles, and then dropping by Hawaii. Your plane ticket from Tokyo to Okinawa will probably be as much as your ticket to Tokyo.

Where exactly is your hostel? Which station?

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]'

im learning some japanese, but do you know if it would still be hard for me to travel this way? but i am learning some japanese so hopefully i should be ok, finding my way to these stations.

Especially in train stations, signs and maps are in English. If you know the name of the station you are trying to get to, people are generally pretty helpful.

Bring forks.



and spoons....

An acquaintance of mine who is only a few years shy of 40 was asked for ID at womb. He was living in Japan at the time. This is a rare case but it can happen.

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!

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.

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

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

i actually can use chopsticks fine.

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.

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. :)

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

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?