Yokoso Japan

My Journey Starts Here

The North West Airline flight touched down Changi Airport slightly after 2am today, 16th April after a tortuous 7 hr flight from Tokyo. My seat was giving me problems. I was unable to recline it to a more comfortable position no matter how hard I played with the switch. It couldn’t help that the kids in front were making hell a lot of noise on the plane.

Anyway, surviving the 10 day Japan trip without the convenience of a package tour was great. As a first-timer, it was appropriate to visit places within the tourist track ~ Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Yokohama quickly came into mind. These cities have well developed infrastructure so getting around with the Japan Rail Pass was relatively easy and inexpensive. Even so, there were a few encounters where we have slight difficulties boarding the trains as a few lines share just 1 platform. We have to “double” confirm before boarding haha!


My 10 Observations:

1) Tokyo commuters keep to the left on the escalators while in Osaka, the norm is on the right.

2) I do see recycling bins in major train stations and the Japanese do make it a point to sort out their rubbish. However, unlike Taiwan, the Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores are still providing free plastic bags to customers indiscriminately.

3) Waiting for departmental stores to open in the morning is quite an experience. Their staff would gather around the entrance and their departments to greet and bow to the first customers. However, the infamous ladies manning the lifts in major departmental stores are gone.

4) Be forewarned that Japanese do squeezed their way into the train during rush hours. Be prepared to be squashed. And pls do not use your mobile phones in trains as it is considered rude.

5) The probability of Japanese men not washing their hands after visiting the loos is higher than in Singapore. Yucks!


6) Thanks to the low crime rate, the neighbourhood police post (Koban) serve more as an information counter for confused tourists rather than catching thieves. And the policeman we spoke to at Ginza spoke excellent English.

7) Countless of vending machines lined the streets. It is diffcult to get thirsty in Japan.

8) Most shops are closed by 9pm with a few exceptions in Shinjuku. There are no night markets for budding shopaholics. Many eateries do operate round the clock though. No worries of getting hungry at night.

9) Contrary to popular urban legends, visiting Japan need not be a costly experience. We did not burn a big hole in our pockets. There are some affordable ramen, sushi and bento stores. Prices can be a low 390 yen (S$5) for some. Of course when all else fails, there are McDonalds and Yoshinoya Stores operating 24 hours. 100 Yen stores still exist in some neighbourhoods even though they are less common these days. [There is no need to bring biscuits or instant noodles from your home country].

10) Smoking is prohibited in most places and there are designated “Yellow Boxes” for smokers to enjoy their puffs. And cigarettes are affordable too.


On a parting note, English is not prevalent in many places including touristy HMV Store at Shibuya. Learning a few Japanese phrases and be brave to make mistakes (and risk to become the joke of the day) is the best way to enjoy Japan. Even so, one can rely on finger pointing exercise when all else fails.

Japanese

Osaka by train

people are well known to be courteous and they do extend their helpfulness to confused tourists. However, with many signs written in English and decipher through their Kanji Characters, it is surprisingly easy to get around and enjoy Japan at your own pace.

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