First time to Japan... Advice please!!

CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 15:00

Hi All!!

Heading to Japan for a month in Feb.

Been wanting to go to Japan most of my life, and finally going!!

What do I need to know about everything? And where are some places that I absolutely have to go?

I like to think that I know Japanese culture quite well, having studied Japanese all through high school. I still remember a little bit of the language, and can read characters.

I will be skiing for at least 10 days of my month there, and flying return into/out of Osaka.

All advice appreciated, thank you!!

Travel

Comments

  • Woodinski on 09/10/2015 - 15:04
    +7

    Useful tip: You can only get money out whilst you are there (assuming you don't have a Japanese bank card) at either Citibank or Japan Post ATMs.

    • shaiguy on 09/10/2015 - 17:59
      +7

      Get a Citibank transaction card for no fees/good FX

      • baronseng on 14/10/2015 - 11:40

        Does Citibank credit card works the same?

      • Agret on 15/10/2015 - 18:50

        Is that just for Japan? I'm heading to Europe and if I can use the card with no fees that would be great.

    • slknv on 09/10/2015 - 19:12
      +17

      Or at 7-11 ATMs - used my Citibank debit visa to withdraw yen there no problems.

      • stealthpaw on 12/10/2015 - 08:16

        This is what i did when i visited in march. Never have any issues with cash.

        • skazclaw on 30/12/2015 - 05:14
          +1

          Didn't think I'd come across Rin from LB :D

        • stealthpaw on 30/12/2015 - 20:00
          +1

          @skazclaw: I managed to snag a copy of LB in akihabara for about $10 AUD :D

        • skazclaw on 30/12/2015 - 22:36
          +1

          @stealthpaw:
          Nice bargain for sure! I actually thought I bought it for that price too when I was there, but instead it turned out to be the OST. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

        • stealthpaw on 31/12/2015 - 13:34

          @skazclaw: I'd be happy to pay that for the OST anyways since loved the music.

        • skazclaw on 31/12/2015 - 15:58

          @stealthpaw:
          I wasn't disappointed for that exact reason! :)

      • nikey2k27 on 12/10/2015 - 08:25
        +1

        stay away from MasterCard I got NAB MasterCard it did not work half the time my Citibank card work a very well.

        • Reiso on 12/10/2015 - 17:22
          -2

          i heard that currency exchange isn't that good in Japan, it will be best to exchange majority of your spendings here….

        • cosmic on 12/10/2015 - 22:29
          +2

          @JupiterR: No, that's if you exchange at banks/exchanges (those are atrocious); the rate you get at ATMs is close to spot, so will be better than what you get here.

        • Onit on 14/10/2015 - 22:33

          @cosmic:
          thats bull, especially at postoffices, i was there last year when we were above 100 yen to a dollar and got around 91

        • cosmic on 14/10/2015 - 22:58
          +2

          @Onit: I've used 7-Bank ATMs dozens of times all over the country, including recently, and have always got close to spot. I haven't used a Japan Post ATM since 2007; the few times I did I got close to spot (I'd remember because we were trading at 107). It could have something to do with your specific bank or card (padded fees etc.).

        • eug on 30/12/2015 - 12:42

          @cosmic: I also used 7-11 ATMs with my Citibank card and got pretty much what xe.com displayed. Got about 0.88 last month. No fees.

    • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 20:29

      Excellent advice, thanks guys!!

    • srhardy on 10/10/2015 - 08:06
      +1

      Good mobile banking app too. Beware of fee's at ATMs though, look for network shared ones. Alas in thailand thats 1 atm for the whole country! Otherwise love me C+ and i now use it linked to ebay when not traveling.

      • Gina Rinehart on 11/10/2015 - 15:25
        +1

        Never got charged a single fee by citibank on any ATM in Japan, and I went around a lot and used a variety of them. Always was about 1% off the visa exchange rate at the time or less. Unbeatable.

    • cosmic on 11/10/2015 - 09:43
      +3

      That's not true at all; as mentioned, you can withdraw money from 7-Eleven ATMs and they are much easier to find. They also don't shut after hours and during public holidays.

      • mezje on 11/10/2015 - 10:29

        Unless things have changed 7-Eleven ATMs do NOT accept Mastercard.

        • ajdlinux on 11/10/2015 - 11:20
          +2

          I believe they have changed - I used my Mastercard without issue last year.

        • mezje on 12/10/2015 - 07:57
          +1

          @ajdlinux:

          Ah, I went in January 2014 and they did not work, made things kind of annoying (before I realised I could pay with the card at most vendors anyway).

        • ajdlinux on 12/10/2015 - 17:53

          @mezje: Yeah, from memory there was a period where 7-Eleven wasn't accepting international MasterCards but that was over by the time I went in July 2014

        • Lee Gee on 13/10/2015 - 09:41
          +1

          @ajdlinux:you may find that some ATMs won't accept foreign VISA, but the Post Office will ;-)

        • Warehouse on 13/10/2015 - 10:50

          I went feb this year. Was using commbank travelcard at the 7-11 atms (thats all i ever used), never had an issue. (these travelcards are all mastercard)

        • ajdlinux on 13/10/2015 - 18:25

          @Lee Gee: Many ATMs in Japan (apart from Post Office and 7-Eleven) don't accept any international cards

      • chompy78 on 31/10/2015 - 12:05

        +1. Was there in April and Mastercard worked at the 7/11

    • jkcat on 11/10/2015 - 14:02

      Do remember that there is a Daily Withdraw Limit applied onto most Australian bank accounts ($1k potentially). Currently it would be slightly more than 80,000 Yen, do not go over or your transaction will simply fail, and sometimes the machine doesn't explain it in a good way.

    • OzJD on 12/10/2015 - 00:10
      +1

      Also worth noting is that ATMs are not always 24 hours in Japan. Many are closed outside of business hours.

  • Woodinski on 09/10/2015 - 15:10
    +5

    Also most "towns" in Japan are serviced by the Japan Rail pass. This may only be of use if you are expecting to have a period of regular travel (i.e. every day or second day). Don't get this when you are going to be stationed in the same place for a couple of days (i.e. skiing) as it will be cheaper to buy individual tickets. I used this when i spent a week traveling to new cities or on day trips each morning and probably saved about 25-30%.

    Use Hyperdia(hyperdia.com) for checking whether it is worthwhile or not and for planning where you want to go (just make sure you tick the box and search JP Rail Pass only).

    Places I can recommend are:

    • Hiroshima
    • Osaka
    • Kyoto
    • Himeji (temples)
    • Nikko (temples)
    • Omachi / Toyama (only if you want to do the alpine route(alpen-route.com)) Note: I don't think this is accessible in Feb due to the snow..
    • Tokyo
    • Nara (temples)
    • Nagano (skiing, snow monkeys and temples)

    Hope that helps. Japan is awesome and i am sure you will have fun no matter what you do.

    • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 20:32

      Amazing, that helps a lot…ways to kind of 'trick' the rail pass to get the most value…will definitely look into this more as I'm finalizing accommodation!!

      • Warehouse on 13/10/2015 - 10:56
        +1

        Plan this one ahead of time, you wont be able to get the pass at the discounted visitor rate while within Japan. You have to either bring it with you or have it delivered internationally to your hotel. When I went, I had to order from France (i think) and have it delivered to my hotel in Japan. It is really worth it as intercity trips could cost you $100 each way. With the JR pass it is almost unlimited, and the JR lines run through most cities so you can still get around there too (though imo sometimes taking the metro would be easier). Either way, goodluck and have fun!

      • rover on 13/10/2015 - 13:37

        The trick is plan your itinerary so your big travel is clumped as much as possible in 7 days.

        If you fly into Osaka, consider starting off with one of the various Kansai region pass (these can be also be used for airport transfer on the Haruka express). One other non-rail pass option is a luxury overnight highway sleeper coach from Osaka to Tokyo. Some coaches have bed-like seats.

        So you could for example use a Kansai pass, then 7-day Japan rail pass, then ski, then pay for a big sinkansen fare or two(maybe have the Tokyo stay between these two) and finish off on another Kansai rail pass. But it all depends on what you want to see.

        Use the Seishun 18 Kippu only if you want to stop off at lots of different places, using local/express trains to go from say Osaka-Tokyo is not good at all!

    • drprox on 10/10/2015 - 15:41

      Hrmm I'll need to look at this as headed there myself over xmas and even with cheap jetstar flights hardly seemed worth it even though I'm staying still plenty. Ie tokyo to osaka (3 days) to kyoto (3 days) to nagano (3 days) to tokyo (7 days). Given the taxis snd trains I'd need to get between airports the rail pass was still looking best.

      • Gina Rinehart on 11/10/2015 - 15:27

        Hmm, that is an awkward time scale for a 7 day pass, so you'd have to up it to a 14 day pass to get the return trip from osaka -> tokyo in, might kill the value of it. You'll hardly need a taxi, I didn't use one in 6 weeks I was there, you can train/subway almost anywhere.

    • nikey2k27 on 12/10/2015 - 08:28
      +1

      Don't japan rail when you are going to be stationed in the same place for a couple of days if want cheep travel over there Seishun 18 Kippu http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html

      • drprox on 12/10/2015 - 10:47

        thanks very much, looks gold!

        • Gina Rinehart on 12/10/2015 - 11:18

          Note that this does not cover the Shinkansen (bullet train) between cities, which is going to be the major cost of train travel. If you have a rail pass (which does cover that) then there will obviously be some overlap, which you can use in each city also. Do not underestimate the potential massive savings from a rail pass, if you use it correctly and plan your trip so it covers the long stretches of bullet train (with the bonus of covering local JR lines too).

        • drprox on 12/10/2015 - 11:21

          @brezzo: yep have just noticed this, damn. still might not work for me then! haha Unsure I want to take 10 hours or so to get between Tokyo and Osaka and then Kyoto and Nagano, once I've purchased bullet tickets I might as well just get the rail pass :(

          EDIT: just noticed what a 14 day pass costs, back to the drawing board!

        • nikey2k27 on 12/10/2015 - 20:00

          @drprox: we went out doing 10hours Tokyo to Osaka you can use night trains to save money. we did day thing. it was around $140 to come back on shinkansen bullet train. my friend was move over there she could not get JR pass but went I did the math I spent $270 rail whole 14days I was there.

        • drprox on 13/10/2015 - 10:53

          @nikey2k27: thanks mate. I've run some numbers and looks like I'll just be keeping my options open. I booked flights for the first leg from Tokyo to Osaka which means whilst the remaining travel could fit into a 7 day JR pass when I priced the trains individually it was still quite a bit cheaper. This means I can take the cheap/slow or expensive/fast options depending on my mood :)

        • nikey2k27 on 13/10/2015 - 14:18

          @drprox: I would never do the slow thing again, but my friend was a poor student she like pay her own way. local train has very few seats. Shinkansen one thing you should try.

  • thirtysixd on 09/10/2015 - 15:10
    +7

    dont make eye contact in an onsen

    • Forfiet on 09/10/2015 - 16:14

      don' let your towel hit the water…. Plus if the dude's next you have alot of tattoo's change onsen quick!!…..

      • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 20:32

        Why?

        • glengyron on 09/10/2015 - 20:38
          +3

          Full body tattoos are a sign of belonging to the Yakuza. You're pretty unlikely to randomly run across them.

        • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 21:04

          @glengyron:

          Hmmm, okay. Good advice, cheers :)

        • Forfiet on 10/10/2015 - 09:09
          +1

          @CryssieJade: Yep, correct…. glengyron is right you unlikely to come across them :) The towel hitting the water is true tho…

      • itbargainhunter on 13/10/2015 - 11:05

        Most of the proper Onsen would have statement saying "People have Tattoo not welcome/ not allowed"
        I have never met any one who has tattoo in an onsen I've been to.

        I guess Yakuza have their own favorite / private onsen.

    • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 20:33

      Bahahaaa got it ;)

    • pococse on 11/10/2015 - 21:06
      +1

      Its fine if your a westerner. When I first went to an onsen I was pretty uneasy about what to do. A few of the guys helped me out and had a generally good attitude about explaining me through the onsen. As long as you know the basics (wash before you enter the water. Dont let the towel touch the water) you are fine.

      Also, the little towel is to be held over your man-bits (or woman bits) while you are walking around in an onsen. Took me a while to get that one.

      Onsen is the best.

    • nikey2k27 on 12/10/2015 - 08:30

      used it like spa pool for 3hours well drunk. they give you dirty look. lol

  • Viderzo on 09/10/2015 - 15:17
    +6

    7-11 is your best friend

    • ItsMeAgro on 09/10/2015 - 20:38
      +1

      Yeah, stop in a conbini (convenience store) and buy me a creampan (custard bun).

  • kolorijo on 09/10/2015 - 15:19
    +2

    some useful discussion can be found here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/211665

    • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 21:04

      Thank you so much, I'll read through that later tonight!!

    • Gina Rinehart on 11/10/2015 - 15:30
      +3

      Or you can get WAY better rates and just withdraw JPY from an ATM using a Citibank Visa Debit card. Load it up just like any aussie bank account and it converts it when you withdraw at almost exactly the same rate as Visa/MC. Generally the preloading ones are only good if you get a really good deal on the rate you load it at, however it will rarely change enough to warrant the poor rate.

        • hayne on 14/10/2015 - 22:28

          Sorry, that's flat out wrong.

          Qantas makes around a 4 - 5% pure FX margin on their Qantas cash card. That is not the Mastercard rate at that point in time. Once you add on interchange and other fees, you're probably looking at around 5 - 6%. So if you spent $10,000 on your trip, you're paying about $500 - $600 in fees for using your Qantas Cash card.

          The only real advantages of Qantas Cash are 1) being able to lock in a rate - so if you believe the currency will depreciate more than 4 - 5% between now and your travel date, fair enough (but you're taking a bet) and 2) security - you're not exposing your own debit/credit cards to fraud.

          So no, it's not anywhere close to your Citibank Visa Debit card in terms of the rate you're paying.

        • hayne on 15/10/2015 - 23:17

          @Cheap Charlie: No worries - forex can get pretty complicated. As a friend of mine who worked in payments once told me "FX margins are the last great rort in payments".

          The Citibank link you've got actually refers to the rate they charge for a telegraphic transfer or draft (e.g. transferring money internationally from bank account to bank account). The Citibank Plus Visa Debit card rate is effectively the Visa spot rate: https://usa.visa.com/support/consumer/travel-support/exchang…. As of just then, you get 87.1 JPY for 1 AUD.

          If you have a 28 Degrees or Bankwest Platinum Mastercard credit card (0% FX margin), the rate you get is here: https://www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/. As of just then, 87.9 JPY for 1 AUD. Sometimes it's more expensive, sometimes it's cheaper than Visa. But they're both generally very close to the actual spot rate.

          The Qantas Cash rate just then was 81.6 JPY for 1 AUD. This means it's roughly 8% more expensive than any of the options I listed above. This differs by currency (USD and EUR have lower FX margins from my recollection) but 8% is a pretty steep price to pay just for using Qantas Cash instead of the other options.

    • itbargainhunter on 14/10/2015 - 10:50
      +2

      Very good one. I almost forgot to mention.

      2 years ago I arrived Kansai Airport for the first time after 6pm. All cuurency exchange shop/ bank were closed.
      Went to JR train station and try yo get express train ticket (Hakura Express) to city but they don't accept credit card!! (not sure anything has been changed since)

      I had no cash and was planning to draw some in 7-11 after I arrived city.

      End up needed to find a ATM at the airport that support my ATM card.

      To avoid this you could have booked and prepaid your express train ticket onljine now. Our bring a small amoun of Yen (Y5000 per person should get you thru your first train + meal) if you decided to draw money from a local 7-11 ATM.

      • CryssieJade on 15/10/2015 - 08:30

        THIS is useful information…thank you so much, definitely grateful for that knowledge!! Will exchange a few thousand yen in Australia before arrival :D

    • Sweet3st on 14/10/2015 - 16:47
      +1

      Can second Travelex. Purchase currency online, pick up at airport! Easy…

      • hayne on 15/10/2015 - 23:22

        And pay for the privilege. I just did a spot-check - pre-ordering Travelex online gets you a rate about 6.5% worse than a Citibank Plus debit card. If you spent $10,000 on your trip, that's $650 just to go through Travelex instead. Not very Ozbargain-y!

        • Sweet3st on 15/10/2015 - 23:49

          I wouldn't leave without my Citibank Plus! But Travelex is easy if you just want some cash on arrival for tickets etc.

  • jlev on 09/10/2015 - 16:13
    +4

    10 year Japan expat here, recently returned to Australia.

    For how long are you in Osaka? Maybe consider doing a day-trip to cultural capital Kyoto seeing as you're so close. Also consider a day trip to Nara to the south.

    What do you usually enjoy doing in Australia? Might be worth looking to see if you can do the same in Japan. Might be fun to see how they do it there.

    Where abouts are you skiing?

    The thing I miss the most about Japan is the food and beer. Well priced and delicious. You're in for a culinary treat in Hokkaido - fresh water up there makes everything taste better, and it's the only place you can get Sapporo Classic beer.

    • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 21:00

      Thanks heaps jlev, you've given me a great compass to begin planning :)

      I haven't planned anything yet except for booked my flights, so will definitely do my research and see if I would like to go to Kyoto and Nara

      I'm a big kid, so I would like to see the Ghibli (sp?) Museum and Tokyo Disneyland. Shinjuku sounds like paradise to me.

      But mostly, I can't wait for the food!!

      Skiing in Niseko and Nozawa Onsen

      • snivy on 09/10/2015 - 21:52
        +3
        • Book early for Ghibli, or buy it online beforehand otherwise I think you'd have to use the machine at the convenient store. The cafe is lovely but there can be a long wait. My friends were there recently and they couldn't get tickets.
        • Tokyo Disneyland, on weekend you can get slightly cheaper price for entry after 3 pm, make sure you make it to the last train if not staying in the area because it's rather far from Tokyo! Bring newspaper/mat if you're gonna watch the parade.

        Otherwise just basic thing:
        - Free wifi is hard to find, get a prepaid beforehand or rent a mobile wifi
        - Taking photos is almost forbidden everywhere and they'd tell you off
        - If you get lost ask direction from the policeman
        - Be ready to make vending machine your bestfriend
        - People walk REALLY fast there! Don't just stop suddenly, you'd have five people bump into you right away
        - The trains/train stations are very confusing

        Check around what's happening around Feb next year, not sure if you're into themed cafe and museums but they do have temporary ones often. There are million things you can do there, depending on your interests. Since you mentioned you're a "big" kid, maybe you'd find Akihabara interesting.

        Enjoy you stay there :) I'm jealous, been trying to go there again!

        • CryssieJade on 10/10/2015 - 07:48

          Excellent advice!! I've written it all into my planning book…definitely into themed cafes and museums!!

        • srhardy on 10/10/2015 - 08:07
          +2

          given their LOVE of taking photo's here thats SO FUNNY

        • onetwothreefour on 11/10/2015 - 06:36
          +2
          • Taking photos is almost forbidden everywhere and they'd tell you off

          What? is this a joke?

        • tailgatinholden on 11/10/2015 - 09:32

          @onetwothree:

          Yeah I'd like to know more about this.. or what the OP meant.

        • jkcat on 11/10/2015 - 13:53

          @onetwothree: It's not quite a joke, you are likely to observe heaps more "No photo" signs in shops and restaurants than in Oz. You'll develop a sensitivity to ask beforehand once you get there and be amazed of the handful places that does allow unconditional photoing.

        • onetwothreefour on 11/10/2015 - 17:50
          +1

          @jkcat: I only asked as I assumed it was a joke. Been to Japan ten times and never noticed/had a problem with taking photos.

        • jkcat on 11/10/2015 - 18:05

          @onetwothree: Then you must be a lucky one. Just go down the street packed with souvenir stands in Sensoji and you will get what I mean, for an example. Where no signs were clearly displayed, I still got turned down in a souvenir shop in Kamakura, a cosmetic shop in Kyoto, a department store in Osaka and a temple in Nara. It's wise to ask.

        • onetwothreefour on 11/10/2015 - 19:12

          @jkcat: I'd say you were the unlucky one, wife is Japanese and also said there would be no problem taking photos in shops. Maybe in Sensoji temple I might understand but nowhere else, especially souvenir and cosmetic shops.

          The OP should not be worried about being able to take photos whenever they want to.

        • jkcat on 11/10/2015 - 19:29

          @onetwothree: I didn't think it would go this far but you (or your wife) might be interested in having a read of http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2142812586011103301
          Of course there are mixed rules against photography, sometimes allowed and sometimes not, but "should not be worried" "whenever they want to" is surely exaggerated, even in Australia.

        • onetwothreefour on 11/10/2015 - 20:40
          +1

          @jkcat:

          It's nowhere near as exaggerated as this:

          Taking photos is almost forbidden everywhere and they'd tell you off

          You just have to use common sense but on the whole you won't get told off for taking photos.

        • jkcat on 11/10/2015 - 21:11

          @onetwothree: Both are exaggerated but being cautious is way more helpful when in a foreign country. Also, common sense varies on a cultural basis, it does not hurt to ask beforehand when in doubt, and would help to prevent rendering yourself as マナー悪い/bad mannered even if the staff didn't speak out.

        • SydneyLockOutLaw on 11/10/2015 - 22:14

          You can get a two week tourist Wi fi that work for some Wi fi in Japan.

          Just go to your local tourist electronic area (akibra) or tourist centre.)

        • snivy on 12/10/2015 - 22:56
          +1

          Only mentioned the photo taking part because the OP wants to visit Ghibli Museum and it's a bit confusing there, inside the building it's not allowed (and understandably so because it's a museum) but they don't even allow it inside the cafe, it's more so that the other guests wouldn't be bothered, so ok for the food just don't point it elsewhere—I think this is probably the case for a lot places; they don't want to make their other guests feel uncomfortable. On the good note, they normally allocate a place for photo taking. It's just that the OP expressed her interests to these kind places (which I also have interest) so I just want them to be aware since I was often left a little disappointed because of this.

          Not too sure about "take photos whenever they want to", my friend wasn't allowed to take photos of the cats on display in a petshop (not too sure why) but it's ok inside a dog/cat cafe. One time I wasn't even allowed to take photos of my own photo. There's another time where I asked to take photos with some people in kimono and they're cool with it. So I just think it's a bit tricky there.

          I agree that it's better to ask, they're just more sensitive about it than us and their culture is generally more private than Australian. I mean even their version of the iPhones permanently have the shutter sound on, that's gotta mean something.

          For the OP: not trying to hinder you from taking photos, you should take a lot! (where it's ok). I'm sure after a couple of days you'll get a pretty good sense about this.

        • carpecrash on 15/10/2015 - 14:38

          "Taking photos is almost forbidden everywhere and they'd tell you off" - that's absolutely not true

        • hayne on 15/10/2015 - 23:28

          @thecrevis: had zero issues taking photos when I was in Japan. .

        • carpecrash on 16/10/2015 - 09:25

          @hayne: Re-read my comment.

      • kimmylala on 11/10/2015 - 18:50
        +1

        Omg I love the studio ghibli museum! ! Highly recommend it, you have to buy the tickets prior to going to Japan. I would recommend getting it soon, as it books out year round. =)

    • centrelink on 11/10/2015 - 11:42

      Did you get a technology shock when you returned back to Australia?

  • Sweet3st on 09/10/2015 - 16:51
    +6

    Lots of advice and discussion over on Whirlpool forum. Check out the FAQ http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/japantravelfaq and also the long running Japan travel thread http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2452179&p…

    • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 21:01

      Thank you so much!!

      • Baa on 11/10/2015 - 23:55

        Second this.

        Just recently returned from my second trip, this has everything you need!

        • CryssieJade on 12/10/2015 - 00:13

          I read some chunks of it, but 1700 pages over 17 threads is a bit much!! Have learned a few key things from there though!!

        • Gina Rinehart on 12/10/2015 - 11:20

          @CryssieJade: A lot of people just post their itinerary on there and people will give advice. So I'd suggest gathering as much info as you can, get a plan together and post it on there, and people will tell you the best way to spend your time, rail pass, etc.

        • CryssieJade on 15/10/2015 - 08:33

          @brezzo:

          Yup, will do…but I'm not even close yet. I finally get a day off work to pick up the LP Japan book I've reserved at the library. Now I need the time to read it :p

  • altomic on 09/10/2015 - 17:52
    +2

    In convenience stores you will see at the counter a glass cabinet full of steam buns. Get the "o-marn" (best phonetic) steam bun. Red bean paste inside. Yummy. Yummy. Yummy. One of the many little things I miss.

    • ItsMeAgro on 09/10/2015 - 20:39
      +1

      Pfft, no way bro piza man and niku man 4 lyfe

    • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 21:06

      Do they taste any different to the ones you can get from Chinatown? I love those things :)

      • ItsMeAgro on 09/10/2015 - 21:21
        +2

        Lots of common foods in Japan are originally Chinese, like Gyoza and shumai dumplings, mabodofu, etc. They are different from the Chinese style ones, and very tasty in their own way.

        Pan-fried Japanese Gyoza with the standard Japanese tare (sauce) is absolutely delicious. I drink that gyoza tare out of a bottle.

      • altomic on 09/10/2015 - 21:47

        never tried the chinatown ones.

  • ItsMeAgro on 09/10/2015 - 20:52
    +5

    I find it's fun to visit a bunch of "normal" places and just look around, like:

    • Konbini (Convenience stores like 7-11 and Spar. Try kureem pan and yuuki ichigo daifuku and funny flavours of drinks and snacks and ice creams)
    • Supermarket
    • Video game arcade
    • Book shop
    • Pachinko parlour
    • Vending machines on every corner (try ice-cream machines, hot coffee can machines, peach flavoured fanta, dodgy medicinal energy drinks, etc)
    • Restaurants like Yoshinoya, Hamakatsu, Chicken Namban at Hokka hokka te bento, Mos burger, and the local variants of McDonalds, etc.

    Also, almost all important signs will have helpful English, stations have the name in romaji, and most places people will be friendly and try to help a foreigner. Are you asian looking at all? Especially outside the big cities, non-asian folks stand out more, which is actually nice when visiting Japan, as people will notice you but usually not stare or be rude. It's almost like being a very minor celebrity sometimes.

    • CryssieJade on 09/10/2015 - 21:10
      +6

      Omgggggg the food, I'm so excited :)

      Starting an exercise regime from now because I'm sure I'll gain 5 kilos lol

      It sounds so nerdy, but my favorite thing to do in a new country is go to the supermarket and stare and the packaging :p

      Can't wait!!

      Oh, and for the record, I'm of Aus/Italian descent, but I tend to look like about 10 different nationalities. Maybe I'll be a star after all haha

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