"8 Things You Need To Do To Really Understand Japan"

Above, the famous Shibuya Crossing (also known as Shibuya Scramble). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It seems that with the coming of the new year, there are more articles on Japan travel. There's how-tos, must-sees, experience-this, experience-that, eat-this and other such articles.

Of course, with the new year at hand, people begin thinking on what they want to do and where to go on their vacations. That's why there's an influx of articles to give people more ideas on what to see and do during the course of the year.

RocketNews 24 has a new "bucket list" article on "8 Things You Need To Do To Really Understand Japan".

All of their listed suggestions are excellent ones.

The article begins with:

Your first trip to Japan is bound to be a whirlwind visit as you try to pack so many things into a short period of time. Do go to Tokyo and see the white-gloved train pushers, the famous Shibuya scramble crossing, and many of the scenes depicted in anime and manga. Do go to Kyoto and see the shrines and temples that are simply amazing. 

But as a country that has so much to offer, it can take years to really get to know and understand Japan, even when you live here. So if you want to take your understanding of Japan a step further, we’re here to suggest a few things you’ll want to experience in order to better understand Japanese culture: things that give you insight on what’s behind the Japanese way of thinking. 

These experiences will help you understand who the Japanese people are, and why they act the way they do. Get ready to move from tourist to cultural expert after the jump!

My recent trip to Japan (last October) was a whirlwind visit as I needed to collect a few things for the updated edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. And, also, to give my "other half" an unforgettable Japan experience as it was her first visit there. When I first broached to Denise the idea of her coming along, she initially thought that it would be nice to go but was unsure if she'd really like it. (Luckily, since the trip was book research-related, much of the cost qualifies as a tax write-off.)

Well, once we got there and began to do things, that's when she really got into it and absolutely loved Japan and wants to go back. It also helped that she enjoys Japanese food.

That was my eighth trip to Japan and I enjoyed it just as much this time as I did during my first visit in 2001.

To see the eight suggestions, go here.