What To See and Do In Japan For First-Timers

Above, Senso-ji and pagoda in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are contemplating a trip to Japan and never been there before, Australia's Herald Sun has a new article on what to see and do for first-timers. Itg is especially useful if one is traveling there solo.

It begins with:

Celebrity chef David Chang flies there for the food. Pop singer Gwen Stefani finds trends in Harajuku. I finally travelled to this island nation in May. You know it, the place of sushi, samurai films and Sony Walkmans. Japan. One of the most fascinating places in the world. 

CNN presenter Anthony Bourdain considers Tokyo the most exciting city to visit alone. Though I’m partial to independent travel, I wasn’t comfortable tackling the world’s most populous city (of 37 million people), let alone its home country, solo. 

So, in need of a primer, I signed up with On the Go Tours’ Tokyo to Takayama trip: eight cities in 14 days; a flexible itinerary; licensed Japanese tour guides; and travel via buses, subways and bullet trains. Mingling with locals appealed more than sitting in an airconditioned coach. 

Each tour caters to a maximum of 16 people. Together, we were thrown in the deep end on day one, thrust into Tokyo’s biggest and noisiest festival, Sanja Matsuri.

Japan may seem intimidating to someone who has never been there, but after about a day or two wandering around, one's confort level there skyrockets pretty fast. The people there are very friendly and helpful, so don't be afraid to ask (many do speak English to a degree) at a tourist center at a major train station.

To read more, go here. 

12 Things You Should Know About Japan Before Going There

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in the Setagaya section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are planning a first visit to Japan or just need a refresher, Australia's Herald Sun has 12 things tourists should know before going there.

They begin with:

AFTER stepping foot in Japan you’ll quickly notice that there are rules, both written and unwritten, that everyone seems to know and follow. 

Don’t be caught out by surprise. Here are some top tips that will come in handy for anyone visiting for the first time.

To see what they are, go here.

How To Take On Tokyo

Above, a view of Tokyo from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are planning to visit Tokyo, some helpful tips will make your visit a trouble-free one.

Australia's Herald Sun has some tips posted:

More than 37 million people call Tokyo home, making the Japanese capital the most populous metro area on the planet. Famous for its food, shopping, temples, hot springs, tech goodies and all-round quirky culture, the host city for the 2020 Summer Olympics is an assault on the senses. Here are tips on how to take on Tokyo.

To read more, go here.

Herald Sun's "Ten Top Tips For Traveling In Japan"

Above, one tip is making good use of Japanese vending machines. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Keeping up-to-date on things involving Japan travel saves foreign visitors from making cultural mistakes. It doesn't matter where the helpful tips come from, as long as they are useful. The latest comes from Australia's Herald Sun website (I've noticed quite a lot of Japan travel-oriented articles originating out of Australia lately).

The newspaper posted ten top tips for traveling in Japan. Following some of them will save the traveler money.

They begin with:

In ritual-rich Japan, there are right and wrong ways of doing almost everything. Fortunately, being labelled a dumb foreigner – causing confusion and embarrassment by behaving differently – is easily avoided.

What’s more, emulating the Japanese ensures a better holiday – and saves money.

At one time, the idea of buying a can of Boss hot coffee from a vending machine (tip number 7) didn't seem all that appealing to me. But, once I tried some, I became a believer and it has come in handy more than once. It particularly came in handy last February while stuck midway between Tokyo and Narita airport for hours at a Chiba Prefecture train station due to snow. The coffee's not bad either! (Thankfully, I always bring along a supply of Sweet N' Low from home.)

To read the article, go here.

Herald Sun: "Tokyo's Colorful Frozen Tuna Auctions"

Above, the entry to the Tsukiji Fish Market.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the more interesting things I saw while in Tokyo two years ago was the Tsukiji Fish Market (officially, it is the Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market).

The Herald Sun (Australia) has a good article on the fish market (along with a video).

They begin it with:

Tsukiji is the biggest fish market in the world, and it's colourful frozen tuna auctions are fast becoming a pit stop on the Tokyo tourist trail.

The auctions are run in two shifts and registration starts at 5am at Kashidoki Bridge.

Only 120 people are allowed into the auctions each day, and there were already tourists waiting in line when news.com.au arrived at 4:30am.

Once inside, punters examine the catch, poking and prodding the giant tuna before lining up to make their bids.

The nearby restaurants served the freshest sushi I've ever tasted. It has been reported that people have to wait in line at the restaurants to get a seat. I must've really lucked out as I got seated immediately.

Above, fish packed in ice in styrofoam boxes.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are planning a trip to Tokyo, by all means go to the Tsukiji Fish Market. Make sure you do so before next year as, per the article:

The Japanese Government is planning to move the markets to Koto in 2013 so it won’t be long before Tsukiji is shut down.

Above, the day's catch all set for sale.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full article and see the video, go here.