Travel Japan

If you aren't, you should be! There are lots of things to do and see... and EAT in this wonderful country.

Japan is a place where you can see the super-modern, as well as the ancient and traditional. Japan has the high speed bullet train, as well as giant temples that are over a thousand years old. They have the newest electronic gadgets that can do the most amazing things, as well as geisha's in kimonos clacking down the street in their traditional "geta" shoes.

Did I mention the food? When I tell people that eating is half the fun of coming to Japan, they don't believe me; but those who have been here know what I'm talking about. Japan has lots more than just sushi!

Tokyo - One Of The World's Great Megacities

Tokyo isn't really a city; it's more like 10 cities pushed haphazardly together. Walking around the streets of areas like Shinjuku or Odaiba, you feel like you're in some kind of science fiction movie, with monorails passing overhead, neon everywhere you like, and people zipping by on futuristic-looking motorcycles.

You can get off the train pretty much anywhere in Tokyo and there will be something to see, but here are a few of the best sights:

Asakusa - There is a famous temple here called "kaminari-mon" (Thunder Gate) that people from all over the world come to see. In Asakusa, you get to see a great temple complex, and the main street is lined with shops and vendors selling food of all kinds. It's a great place to pick up some uniquely Japanese stuff for everybody back home.

Ginza - Ginza is the ritziest part of Tokyo, and it is known for its high-end brand name shops. If you're like me and you're not interested in buying a $400,000 watch, it's a great place to get a cup of coffee, sit down in the outside patio of the coffee shop and people-watch.

The Imperial Palace - Not far from Ginza, this is where the Emperor lives... well, not anymore. But it is a sprawling park right in the middle of the city for you to stroll around in.

Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya - If you want to see where the newest of the new fashions are coming out, the west side of Tokyo (including Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya) are great places to go. Shinjuku is probably the most bustling part of the city, and Shinjuku Station is the busiest train station in the world.

Roppongi - For a little something to do at night, Roppongi is known for its nightlife. It is full of clubs where foreign people like to hang out, and you can meet travelers and Tokyo-ites from all over the globe.

Whew! We haven't even left Tokyo yet. You could spend years in Tokyo and not see half of it, so let's move on to some other wonderful places to see in Japan.

Kyoto - Where The Traditional And The Modern Meet

Kyoto is the number one destination for Japanese people. It is a small city nestled in the mountains where you can still see old Japan. In Tokyo, you may see a geisha on the street, or you may find old temples, but Kyoto is a truly historic city.

Kyoto is most famous for its temples. Kiyomizu-dera sites perched on the mountainside, the biggest temple in Japan, and overlooks the city lights below. Kinkaku-ji is a temple made of gold that sits shining in a lush, green park. There are more temples in Kyoto than anywhere else in Japan.

Another cool thing about Kyoto is that if you get off on a side street, you feel like you've gone back in time. The main streets are full of car traffic, buses and everything else, but the tiny side streets, which are just wide enough for two people or so to walk down, are really fantastic. And, they are lined with tiny bars and restaurants in the style of old Japan.

Okinawa

Okinawa is often called Japan's Hawaii. It has a unique culture and an entirely different feeling from the rest of Japan. Most of all, it has wonderful beaches, and Japanese people flock there every summer to enjoy the sun.

Hokkaido

If Okinawa is Japan's Hawaii, Hokkaido is the old west. In Hokkaido, you have wide open spaces, cooler weather, and mountains always on the horizon. Hokkaido is a great place for outdoor lovers, and paradise for skiers and snowboarders. It is also known for its delicious, fresh seafood. You can get amazing crab, scallops, tuna and salmon in Hokkaido, and that's only naming a few.

These are just a few of the most popular spots. You can get a Japan rail pass, wander all over the country and always find things to do Japan has some of the world's best hot springs spread all over the country, and each little locality has its own famous food and sights.

Japan is a great country for travelers because...

- The people are friendly, courteous and helpful. Not so many people can speak English, but they'll try their best, and between bits of English, bits of Japanese and lots of gestures, you'll always be able to get around.

- Japan is a very safe country. The cities have their dodgy parts, but nothing like the cities of Europe or America. Once you get out in the country, safety isn't much of an issue.

- It is so convenient to get around. Japan has the best public transportation system in the world. You can go to virtually any corner of the country by train.

- The food is amazing. Fresh seafood, noodle and rice dishes, tender and delicious meat, Japanese-western fusion, and a particularly Japanese flair and creativity to everything they cook.

- When you travel Japan you may find it to be one of the most interesting and unique cultures on earth. It's an island nation that changed from a nation of samurai's to a nation of businessmen overnight... and one of the world's great financial centers. Even standing at the train station watching the river of people flow by is a fascinating experience.

From the chanting of a Buddhist service in a remote mountain temple, to the rushing of a super-express whipping through a station; from an ancient little old lady selling fresh vegetables in a market, to an ultra-fashionable young woman with multi-colored hair and cyber-punk clothes in Harajuku; from an elegant and poised geisha strolling along in her colorful kimono, to a passed-out businessman sleeping on the sidewalk with his suitcase for a pillow - Japan is endlessly fun and fascinating!

Japan is awesome, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a great cultural experience, fun sightseeing and good food. Japan is a great country to visit, but there are a few things I'd warn you about. There are some downsides to traveling to Japan.

Are You Sure You Didn't Put An Extra Zero There Somewhere?

No, that's the amount. Japan is expensive. It's one of the most expensive countries in the world, right up there with the major countries of Europe. If you are flying from the United States, you can probably find a plane ticket for under $1,000 if you really hunt for it, and it helps if you're from the west coast or New York. I've seen round-trip flights from LA, San Fran and Seattle for as low as $400. And, people do get lucky. I have a friend who traveled from Phoenix for $450 round-trip. But the plane ticket is just the tip of the iceberg!

Hotels in Japan are ridiculous, especially if you want to be around Tokyo. There are youth hostels, but they are a little pricey by world standards too, and you have to book them early. Your best bet is to come to Japan visiting a friend who can give you some floor space.

And let's not even mention going out. Every time you go anywhere, money seems to start slipping out of your wallet. No, there aren't pick pockets. It's the crazy price of everything - the train, food, drinks, sightseeing. Bring lots and lots of cash.

The ATM's Close

I said bring lots of cash, and I meant it, because it's not easy to get money from home in Japan. Japan is a super-modern country, but they don't have many international banks or ATM's where you can draw money from overseas. It's not that common practice for stores and restaurants to take credit cards, either. And checks are unheard of.

If you are coming to Japan, I would recommend budgeting for your trip (overestimate expenses!) and bring it all in cash. You can get your dollars in yen before you go or at the airport, but this is a cash-based society. The upside is that Japan is pretty safe, so you don't have to worry too much about your money being stolen.

The Language Barrier

In Japan, it's pretty tough to find people who speak English. In Tokyo, you'll find somebody who can tell you what you need to know somehow, but when you get out in the sticks, you'll find no English anywhere. This goes not just for people, but for signs, menus and other important things you'll need to know about.

Again, the best thing you can do is have a guide who can navigate for you, or to bring a good phrase book and compliment it with lots of gestures. The lack of English doesn't destroy anybody's trip to Japan, but it makes it a little tough to get around.

Which Train Goes Where!?!

Finally, Japan's ultra-modern, super-convenient, amazingly efficient train system as confusing as heck. Have you ever seen a train line map of Tokyo? It looks like the inside of a circuit board. It's cool to look at, until you have to actually figure out where you need to go!

Foreign travelers getting lost on the train is a common sight on Japan, and somebody will always come along to help you. You can also talk to the guy in the train station, or even a police officer, and they will give you directions. Not in English maybe, but some hybrid of Japanese, English, gestures, and maps drawn hastily on napkins.

Don't let any of this stop you from experiencing this wonderful country. I can honestly say that 100% of the friends and family members who have visited me here have left saying they would be back as soon as they won the lottery or something. Just keep this in mind when you're planning your trip!