Tips For Weebing Out In Japan

Above, the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka, Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you happen to be an otaku, geek, nerd, Japanophile of any sort, Geek.com has 7 helpful tips for first-time visitors to Japan to make their trip much easier.

They begin with:

Going to Japan is one of those lofty nerd goals that nearly anyone who remotely likes video games or anime dreams of. And, if you haven’t gone before and don’t know Japanese, it’s a pretty daunting task. I recently spent two weeks in Glorious Nippon, and I had a blast despite my linguistic ignorance. It’s not hard to have a great time if you keep a few things in mind while planning your trip. 

It’s a vastly different country from the United States, but the commercial and tourist areas are generally friendly and accommodating to English speakers. Most important signs are in English, and most of the symbols and icons we’re used to are used in Japan to the same extent. You don’t have to be intimidated by it. 

Preparation is everything, and even if you can’t teach yourself to be fluent in Japanese in time for your vacation/sabbatical/pilgrimage you can still get ready in some simple and helpful ways. Getting a passing familiarity with maps, locations, and pleasantries can go a long way, and plotting out your trip in advance can save a lot of headaches while still giving you plenty of wiggle room.

It just so happens that it was one year ago today that I made my last trip to Japan. I plan on heading back as soon as the updated edition of The Monsiter Movie Fan's Guide To Japan is completed.

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