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01-11-2011, 05:11 AM
The main thing I get annoyed at on these forums is this idea that observations by foreigners in Japan about this country and it's people are invalid and naive, especially if they are just english teachers. As though it's only after many years here and a deep understanding of the language and culture that you can possibly make any valid observations. I read into this to mean that until you have basically become Japanese yourself and can see everything from a Japanese perspective then your opinion is considered worthless or at the very least terribly naive. Now I've been here over 7 years (and am not an english teacher) but still my opinions are often attacked purely because I do not speak and read the language completely fluenty. All those years of experiences are supposedly worthless because I haven't become Japanese enough for some on here.
So what if James has some issues with Japanese men? They are his experiences and opinions. He doesn't need the likes of masegu telling him he doesn't know enough about Japanese language and culture to have any valid opinion. 
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01-11-2011, 05:22 AM
If it's cool we can continue this discussion in that other thread.
I'd like to keep this thread to the tips for foreigners. I'll reply to this post there again 
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01-11-2011, 02:10 PM
Thanks! I leave for Japan for 3 weeks on Saturday, so this was very helpful.
I've read tons of Japanese 'etiquette' guides, but they don't usually cover everyday stuff. One thing though - is the train system as complicated as it seems? This is probably the thing I'm most nervous about. I mean, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually, but I confuse easily so hopefully it won't be too problematic!
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01-11-2011, 03:14 PM
Quote:
One other I've thought of; Some Japanese restaurants will automatically give you a small dish of something pretty much right after you sit down. Sometimes this is 'service', in which case it is free (much like an amuse bouche in western countries). If it is service, they will usually say so. HOWEVER, other places will charge for this dish. Depending on the restaurant, it's usually only around the 200 yen mark and it is really not worth arguing about, so throwing a hissy fit over having to pay for something you didn't order is just going to make you look like an idiot. If you ate it, you should definitely pay for it. Just make a mental note and if you don't like the custom, don't go back to that restaurant, or politely -send it back- next time if they set it on your table. I'm not sure if sending it back is de rigour, but most places I've had this happen accepted it without too much problem. Letting it sit untouched on the table is usually not enough to avoid the charge. Quote:
Many tourists use the trains without knowing any Japanese, so you should manage just fine. Just don't ~panic~ if you get a bit lost, and use common sense. Worst comes to worst, try and ask someone for help.
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01-12-2011, 12:59 AM
The subways are BRILLIANT !
Truly smart design, every line is colour coded, every station has a Roman number and the name in romanji and the colour. You will also have the station announced in English too on the train but it can be difficult to understand it's quite fast.  That 12 there means I'm twelve stops from Shinjuku which is number 1 on that line The fare machines have an english button  HOLD ON TO YOUR TICKET ! It's like the UK in that you use your ticket to both enter and exit the system. It's way easier to navigate then the MTA in NYC. I'd echo a little what RealJames posted ... 1) The chivalry thing in terms of seats on the bus or train and opening doors for women, not to say it's all that different here in Canada but I noticed it. Honestly I don't think we think about it the same way. 2) Subways ARE quiet, compared to NA and gabbing on your phone is flat out rude, texting only, conversation is kept very low if there is any at all. This changes if students are aboard just after school but not by much. 3) Opening doors and allowing a woman to go first gets a start from the person and a very formal thank you. 4) Looking people in the eyes, this I didn't encounter as I got smiles most of the time, some of the older folks (I'm 40) looked suspicious of me but a slight bow, removes any of that. 5) Pay attention to signs or other landmarks, I found it next to impossible to get lost this way, and even if I wasn't where I wanted to be I knew how to get there. 6) English, don't hold your breath. No one "practiced" their english on me save one Ramen guy, which consisted of "If you want to speak english speak to her" "Where are you from ?" when I told him Canada he answered back "Vancouver ?" then went back to japanese wondering why I wearing just a T shirt in March. 7) Hand signs and a little japanese go a LONG way, a pad and pen work great too, wondering why something was working in Akiba an employee after realizing I had no clue he was say "we're closed" wrote down the opening time on a pad and I got it  8) NEVER EVER be afraid to ask ! saw dozens of salarymen crouching down on laptops helping out tourists with large backpacks, I got lost getting back to a subway station (just a missed a turn) so I figured I would follow the track to the next one, ran into two girls I asked them in english where the station was but the only english they said to me was "Right" I didn't know if it was direction or confirmation but we all had a merry giggle for 10 mins, finally stopped into a barber's and was escorted the half block to the entrance. 9) BOW ! It's not just a head nod like it is here, just bow from your stomach about 30 degrees This is not acknowledgement, it's respect, like a handshake. Don't believe that crap that you'll screw it up and it's best not to bother in the first place, the bows you'd screw up on are not going to happen in a regular tourist visit. 10) Language: as RealJames said, most important to know Excuse me, thank you, I'm sorry, the numbers from 1-10 help too. 11) I don't know any other way to put this ... LEARN how to BEHAVE ! This is not your country nor your hometown, you are a guest and you have no god given right to act as you want in someone else's country. Some things you may not like, some things you may not understand, either roll with it or go home ! Obviously to those on this board who live there and MMM have the right to complain about the hypocrisy when you see the context they are talking about. As a tourist you won't encounter that.
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01-12-2011, 03:51 AM
Very well put, I have very little to add about trains.
The one thing I'd like to mention though, in Osaka area there are ICOCA cards, and I think in Tokyo area it's Suica? And they can make your life a lot easier, basically cash cards just for the train and you can get the deposit back once you leave. I give one of those to any friend or family that visits so they don't have to worry about buying tickets or knowing how much it costs to go someplace. They are a little tricky to get at first (at most major stations you can get them talking with staff in a room next to the gate), but if you'll be taking the train often it's worth it imo. JTG: Smart Traveling Japan - SUICA and ICOCA :: YokosoNews - Japanese Culture, Lifestyle and Entertainment there are probably better sites for it, that's just a quick google ><
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01-13-2011, 11:56 PM
Heres my contribution, (refers to Tokyo mainly, By the way I did not write this up, found it) :
One of the best guides to all thing Japan is Japan-Guide which has a lot of good and useful information. The forums here are a good place to research topics that aren’t covered in other sites. Japan Travel Guide: Essentials Top Hot Spots in Japan – Welcome to Bento.com - For reviews on all the best places to eat in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Featured Topic: Tokyo Hip Cities | MustLoveJapan - Video Travel Guide of Japan - For information on the top hot trendy spots in Tokyo Virtual Guide - If you are interested in a virtual tour of some of the major tourist spots you can go to the following website which gives you a street-level 360 panoramic view of the city. Travel to Tokyo now - Panoramic Photography and Map - 360 Cities Volunteer Tour Guides – TokyoFreeGuide has a service where local university students and/or ex-pat foreign nationals are available to help guide you through Tokyo and specific areas. Most speak Japanese and English fluently and can also act as translators. Tips are not required but parties may need to pay for food, travel and other admission fees associated with the guided tours. They do need up to three weeks advance notice of the trip. - TOKYO FREE GUIDE - Volunteer Tour Guide Service in Tokyo An article about their service was featured here: Tokyo Tour Guide – For Free! | Travel Happy Expenses/Costs - Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world (rivaling New York and London in general product costs). Research prices of everyday items and services before you go to get an idea of how much you are going to be paying for items. One site that might be useful is PriceCheckTokyo which you can use as a guide. Please note however that this website may not reflect the most current costs of items in Japan: http://www.pricechecktokyo.com/ Onsen Recommendations – One of the best places to find information and recommendations on good “onsen” (Japanese Hot Spring) is Onsen Japan -- Japanese Onsen reviews, Japan onsen photos, guided Japanese hot spring tours, spa recommendations, and more which has a fairly impressive listing of most of the major onsen in Japan as well as local favorites. Includes prices, photos and short descriptions of all the onsen covered. Customs and Etiquette- Just because you’re visiting from another country, don't expect the Japanese to be understanding of cultural faux pas. Get a head start at being familiar with Japanese customs and etiquette as this will impress those that you meet during your visit: Etiquette in Japan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Public Transportation - The JR and transit system can be so confusing so it is a good idea to be familiar with your travel options including JR and subway routes: Travel Within Japan | Air | Train | Ferry | Bus | Taxi :: Japan Visitor Also take note of prices on the JR lines: http://www.japanrail.com/JR_japanrailpass.html If you will primarily be in the Tokyo area then you are may want to visit the Tokyo Metro webpage for information on how to use that system including using the new PASMO electronic card system: Tokyo Metro Home Important Numbers - Carry a list of important service phone numbers just in case you need help or run into trouble while in Japan. There are English speaking services available: Important | Useful Telephone Numbers :: Japan Visitor Cell Phones - You will not be able to make it in Japan without a cell phone (keitai). The "big three" cellular carriers in Japan are Au KDDI, NTT Docomo and Softbank. NTT Docomo is the largest of the three but Softbank boosts the most subscribers: au KDDI - au by KDDI NTT Docomo - NTT DOCOMO Global HOME SoftBank - SoftBank
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01-14-2011, 04:37 PM
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01-14-2011, 06:41 PM
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