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Trip to Japan

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take A LOT of your business cards.

study up on their customs so you don't make a fool of yourself.
Like it or not, you've got to understand that to them, we are uncultured barbarians.

E V E R Y T H I N G you do conveys significance to them, where you sit, how you hold your body when you simply stand there, how you bow, where you eyes look, everything.

We can't learn all that looking in from the outside of their ancient culture, but at least try to learn a few basics, to perhaps let them see that you have some respect. They'll appreciate it, & receive you better.

Possibility:
How about cold calling a couple of Japanese businessmen in your home town & ask for a brief lunch meeting (you buy) to learn some pointers on how to handle yourself over there, & maybe also to get introductions to some connections in-country? Introductions are really important in Japan.

Briefing on Japan to peruse before your departure.
 
Originally posted by: scott
take A LOT of your business cards.

study up on their customs so you don't make a fool of yourself.
Like it or not, you've got to understand that to them, we are uncultured barbarians.

E V E R Y T H I N G you do conveys significance to them, where you sit, how you hold your body when you simply stand there, how you bow, where you eyes look, everything.

We can't learn all that looking in from the outside of their ancient culture, but at least try to learn a few basics, to perhaps let them see that you have some respect. They'll appreciate it, & receive you better.

Possibility:
How about cold calling a couple of Japanese businessmen in your home town & ask for a brief lunch meeting (you buy) to learn some pointers on how to handle yourself over there, & maybe also to get introductions to some connections in-country? Introductions are really important in Japan.

Briefing on Japan to peruse before your departure.
Click to expand...

I dont know...there is deff a lot to be said about being respective of their culture. And yeah a lot of the old people will look at you funny, and when u sit on the train everyone is gonna look at you to see what you are doing. But for the most part I dont think a lot of them care, expecially the young people. They are just looking at you cause your diffrent. Heck a lot of them just want to talk to you.

That being said..my time there did teach me somethings. It is usually thought that the Japanese love Americans and such. Yeah they like the idea of American culture, they its really cool and everyone wants to go there. BUT if you stay there long enough you have enough encounters and such that you really get o know and have the feeling that they really dont want you there. They dont want you to be part of their society. Sure they all may be eager to talk to you, have fun, buy you a drink, and such but after thats over...they really dont want anything else.

Of course thats not true for all Japanese nor is it really true at all....just a observation.
 
Originally posted by: scott
take A LOT of your business cards.

study up on their customs so you don't make a fool of yourself.
Like it or not, you've got to understand that to them, we are uncultured barbarians.

E V E R Y T H I N G you do conveys significance to them, where you sit, how you hold your body when you simply stand there, how you bow, where you eyes look, everything.

We can't learn all that looking in from the outside of their ancient culture, but at least try to learn a few basics, to perhaps let them see that you have some respect. They'll appreciate it, & receive you better.

Possibility:
How about cold calling a couple of Japanese businessmen in your home town & ask for a brief lunch meeting (you buy) to learn some pointers on how to handle yourself over there, & maybe also to get introductions to some connections in-country? Introductions are really important in Japan.

Briefing on Japan to peruse before your departure.
Click to expand...

While this is sound advice, I think it would be far more important on a business trip rather than what appears to be a vacation. I think this is particularly true in the larger cities, where it isn't completely out of the ordinary to see gaijin. When I was there, most people were very friendly and quite helpful, too.

Obviously, regardless of the situation, you should behave in a respectable manner.

If you can learn any basic Japanese phrases, it would obviously be very beneficial. You're also likely to really impress people if you can get your pronunciation close to what it should be; they really don't expect foreigners to know any Japanese whatsoever.

JapanesePod101 has a bunch of good podcasts that might help, including some focusing specifically on survival phrases.

 
Why would you want to go in March when it will be very cold? Anyways, a one week JR pass should be plenty especially if you enter and leave Japan thru Narita airport(Tokyo). I have been there with my family two times in the past 18 months and we had a blast! Japan is one of my favorite countries to visit in Asia.

PM if you need any more info.
 


Like karma said .... but instead of Tokyo tower (which you have to pay for), an alternative is to go to the Tokyo Government building. It's got two viewing towers that will give you an almost 360degree view of the city for free .... it's a short walk from the Shinjuku station, it's called Tocho. Just look on the street maps that are bilingual & litter almost every corner near the station or ask people "Sumimasen, Tocho wa doko desuka?" and see where they point.

Asakusa is a VERY good place to pick up souvenirs, very decently priced too and a ton of choices. The Asakusa temple is more than enough temple for you. If you want another one, I'd suggest Kamakura where you can see the Daibotsu (big Buddha). Google it.

Shibuya is a very good place to check out, for the sake of watching people at the minimum. Very trendy and alternative. Probably the busiest intersection right outside the station, best view is to go to the Starbucks across the street, get a coffee and find a seat by the window on the top floors. That Starbucks is packed though because you and a million others have the same idea.
 
I'm tempted to take a trip there now (no real financial issues holding me back...), so when would you say is the best time to go?
 
Originally posted by: Aikouka
I'm tempted to take a trip there now (no real financial issues holding me back...), so when would you say is the best time to go?
Click to expand...


Early to mid May right before the hot humid rainy season of summer.

 
Originally posted by: Aikouka
I'm tempted to take a trip there now (no real financial issues holding me back...), so when would you say is the best time to go?
Click to expand...

I went for the first two weeks of October because of the F1 race. It was cloudy/rainy for the first five days or so, but the rest of the time there was very pleasant (70-80F and sunny).
 
Go to Nintendo HQ in Kyoto. I was in Kyoto in April last year and didn't even know Nintendo was headquartered there until I got back home 🙁
 
Originally posted by: ZetaEpyon
Originally posted by: Aikouka
I'm tempted to take a trip there now (no real financial issues holding me back...), so when would you say is the best time to go?
Click to expand...

I went for the first two weeks of October because of the F1 race. It was cloudy/rainy for the first five days or so, but the rest of the time there was very pleasant (70-80F and sunny).
Click to expand...

I was in kyoto for that and my friend went down to see it. He spent like 700 bucks on that trip...crazy.

I would say the best time to go is may or somewhere close to that. It gets crazy hot and humid injapan so I would advice not giong i the middle of the summer. Going in the winter inst bad either. You dont get all the buetiful trees and everything but you might get snow. i love the onsen but I woudl LOVE to be sitting outside in one as its snowing and everything is covred in white. That would just be awesome.
 
Originally posted by: MajorMullet
Go to Nintendo HQ in Kyoto. I was in Kyoto in April last year and didn't even know Nintendo was headquartered there until I got back home 🙁
Click to expand...

Thats for sure, just got a DS Lite and I love it.
 
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