Part I: The First Trip
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been dreaming of moving to Japan. In fact, I know a handful of members on our forum can back me up on this. However, before you pack your bags and grab those one-way tickets, I really have to put my foot down and stress this suggestion: visit Japan first.
Of course, not all of us will be able to visit Japan before moving there, or doing study abroad, in the near future. Let's face it, Japan is expensive, and not all of us have the time or money for a trip like this one. So, for those of you who absolutely can't take a trip to Japan before saying "sayonara" to your home country, well, here's to hoping that Japan is everything that you hoped it would be! If not, then... well, that's awkward.
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At this point, I'm sure a couple of you are shaking your heads right about now. You might be wondering "why does it matter so much?" Well, the answer is simple. Japan... isn't for everyone.
The summers are hot and packed with bugs. Japanese food and etiquette can take some getting used to. For those who are used to commuting by car, getting used to Japan's train system on a daily basis can present quite a challenge. And let's face it, even the most advanced Japanese learners will have a tough time adapting to life in a country that doesn't speak your first language. In fact, for a while, you won't be able to stop yourself from thinking: "if only I could explain in English" or "it would be so much easier back home" from time to time.
For many people, too often does the concept of "living in Japan" become "surviving in Japan." That is, surviving in Japan long enough to finish school, or complete your contract, and then jump on the next flight home. A few weeks in Japan beforehand will not completely prevent this from happening, however, if you were undeniably uncomfortable and miserable throughout the entire trip―you'll know that Japan is not for you, long before making a commitment to live there. And therefore, a trip is a good idea. A really good idea.
So let's buy some tickets and start making reservations.
If you're looking for a reasonably cheap, trustworthy airline to purchase your tickets from, here are my recommendations: Jetstar, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air (this is if you don't mind layover in Incheon airport, South Korea). Otherwise, you can spend a little more for a cozier seat and better peanuts. For those currently in the US and UK, this is a 12-16 hour flight. Make sure your seat comes with a USB port!
I recommend making a hotel reservation long before you go to Japan. In cities such as Tokyo, hotels can fill up very quickly. Especially in areas near train stations, and you're going to want to find a hotel in those areas. Bookit.com and Expedia are great sites to find hotels with decent prices and convenient locations, so I recommend that you check out those sites for booking your hotel room. You can easily find rooms for anything between 60-100 USD a night.
One thing to keep in mind is that hotels in Japan charge a fixed price per person, and hotel rooms are very small. In fact, unlike here in the states, you won't find many travelers lounging in their hotel rooms, especially if the hotel is a cheap one. When I was last in Japan, I couldn't stand being in my tiny hotel room for anything other than sleeping, and this wasn't because I was anxious to get outside and explore Japan. I'm sure it would have been different if I had stayed at more expensive, luxurious hotels, but alas―I'm not made of money.
If hotels aren't your thang, then you should definitely consider searching online for hostels, Ryokan or even Capsule hotels. These options are often much cheaper in price than hotels, and will give you that "authentic" Japanese feel that the western hotels I suggested above sometimes lack.
What's a "Ryokan"? A Ryokan, or 旅館, is a traditional Japanese-style inn. Think Spirited Away, minus all the excessive hot-tubs and the creepy demon and ghost creatures. Trust me, I've checked.
Some features that you can expect to see in a Ryokan are rooms with tatami mats, futon beds (on the floor), communal baths, and guests and staff wearing traditional yukata robes. Typically, you'll find more traditional Japanese food than western food on the menu in a Ryokan, and meals are often served to you in your room.
Your capsule will come with a small TV (usually connected to the ceiling), an alarm clock that wakes you up with light rather than sound, and a comfy futon bed complete with your own blanket and pillow. There will only be enough room for one person to either sit up, or lie down in a capsule, and I cannot guarantee that you won't hear your neighboring guest snoring nearby. All of your belongings are stored in a locker, and as for the bathroom―that's usually on its own separate floor. That said, Capsule hotels are very minimalist, clean, and give off a very futuristic, spaceship feel to them. Especially if you stay at a 9hrs Capsule Hotel, located in Kyoto and in Narita Airport.
"This is Captain Kirk to all ship personnel, red alert."
So now that we've booked a flight, and reserved a hotel room, it's time to talk about what you'll need. Assuming that you've been on a trip before, I won't mention all the no-brainer things that you'll need like toiletries or clothes. (Well, that is unless you want to go to Japan completely naked. Hey! I won't judge.) So here's some things that I wish I had brought with me, and a few things that can sometimes surprise people.
Things you'll need.
1. Stick deodorant. Japan don't got 'em. In fact, you won't often find any kind of deodorant in Japan. If you're lucky enough to find some, it will be a kind of spray-on liquid that westerns aren't used to. These are also weaker than the stuff we're used to.
2. Proper walking shoes. On my first trip to Japan, I brought a whole heap of sandals with me and I quickly regretted that. You're going to be doing a lot of walking in Japan. A lot. Take this from the girl who's sandal got stuck in a crack, and sent her flying face-first onto the floor of a busy train.
3. Unscented Mosquito/Insect Repellent. Around this time of the year, the bugs and mosquitoes are everywhere in Japan. I actually didn't expect to see any mosquitoes over there, until I spotted a large purple bump on my leg the size of my knee. My third knee. The mosquitoes especially come out on rainy days.
4. Modest clothes. Especially if you're female. Japanese tend to dress more modestly than westerns (this is especially true for those in America), and it's important to avoid wearing clothing that reveal cleavage and sometimes even your shoulders. It's also a good idea to leave your short-shorts and miniskirts behind. Otherwise, you may get a few stink-eyed stares, some unpleasant experiences on the train, and some men may get the wrong idea.
5. Cash. This is the most important item on my list, and something that travelers often forget. Japan is a cash based society. That said, you'll quickly find that not many places in Japan will accept credit card. So, bring lots of cash on hand and make the currency exchange at the airport as soon as possible.
Things that may surprise you.
1. Don't tip in Japan. There is NO tipping (in any situation) in Japan. To tip someone is actually very insulting; people regard it as unearned income. The service you've paid for is covered by the total price, so why pay more? It simply isn't done, so don't do it.
2. Be quiet in public places. As said by LearnJapanese.com, "in general, English speakers talk much louder than Japanese speakers. In places like coffee shops, restaurants, buses or trains, even if you are speaking in a normal level of voice, it is usually considered very loud to most Japanese. However, it varies depending on the situation, so look around and check if it is somewhat quiet or not, then be careful about how loud you talk. Most of the time people will not say anything, but there is a chance [that] you might get yelled [at] by a Japanese person (especially old grouchy ones!) to be quiet."
3. Manners on the train. Generally, no one answers phone calls on the train, and should a pregnant or elderly woman (or man) appear, you are expected to give up your seat. People are very quiet in the train.
4. Ladies only train cars. Yep, these exist. Usually pink and girly in appearance, these cars are intended for ladies only, and you can find them in big cities like Tokyo. They were created to in order to combat Japan's infamous "chikan" (pervert) groping problem. If you're a young woman with a penchant for short skirts, it might be a good idea to jump on the ladies-only car during rush hours. Tokyo, in particular, is famous for perverts on the train who can't keep their hands to themselves.
Extra. "Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders DO upset us."
Unlike in western countries (especially here in the states), Japanese are not used to hearing custom orders. If you were to go to a McDonald's stand in Tokyo and ask for a basic hamburger minus half the dressing, the cashier will look at you as if you're crazy. That's why you'll find a lot of menus with pictures and numbers rather than lengthy descriptions of exactly what you're ordering.
In fact, when I worked as a resident assistant for twelve Japanese students, my students would often ask me why the waiters at restaurants in the states ask them so many questions. "Would you like lemon in your tea?" "Would you like your meat cooked medium or well-done?" "Soup or salad?" My students were very confused as to why they did this, and they were very intimidated since this is simply not done in Japan.
Just go with the flow, and take advantage of this! This makes ordering much easier for you, the customer, and for the cashier/waiter who may already be intimidated by the fact that "a wild Gaijin suddenly appeared!"
Throughout this series―"Getting to Japan"―feel free to ask me any questions either on the forum, in the comments section below, or on my social media sites (you can find them all listed here). Sometime in August, after arriving in Japan, I plan on creating short youtube videos and a podcast about living in Japan. Your questions can really benefit the podcast and help me decide what topics to talk about!
So, lovely readers, have you been to Japan before? Any funny, embarrassing stories to share? And if you have yet to visit Japan, what are you most excited for? What cities do you want to visit and why? Please let me know in the comments section below!
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