Japan fact and fiction, tips and insights

Before we left for Japan we heard a lot of rumors, that I'd like to dispel or confirm.

*First, and most widespread rumor is that Japan is expensive. I'm typing this from a 4-star hotel, which is costing us 140 bucks a night, and every meal we eat costs about $6 a plate. Subways are 200 yen, which is about $1.70, and you can get most drinks and snacks from less then that. In all, we are finding the country very affordable. However, I think a lot of it is knowing where to go.

Some of my tips:

>train stations have a lot of good, cheap food.

>Don't eat at your hotel, it's overpriced and most likely bad food. Walk a block or two in any direction and you are bound to find a much better, cheaper little place.

>When in doubt, every noodle dish is good.

>If you can't find a restaurant, convenience stores or grocery stores all have a lot of tasty treats. Many times, they can heat them up for you too.

>If you are going to travel a lot, a rail pass will save you money. Especially if you want to take the shinkansen (bullet train). Whats more is that it is really easy.

*The second rumor I heard was that everyone in Japan speaks English. This is completely off. Yes, there is English everywhere in this country, but hardly anyone speaks it. Those who do speak it are nice enough to help you when you are lost or confused. Many restaurants also have English menus. Despite the fact that very few people speak English here, the country is set up in a way that makes it very easy for English speakers to get by.

>Most of the noodle restaurants have a vending machine you order with. They all also have plastic food sets outside. Ordering is as easy as matching either the number, picture, or kanji with the button on the machine. In a lot of these restaurants, it's pretty easy to get help from one of the waitress. To form a question, just ad des-ka to the end of what you want to ask, and it's okay if it is a broken sentence. "rice des-ka" usually gets the desired result, a point at which button is for a bowl of rice.

>at places with menus, you will usually get an English menu, we haven't been let down yet with this. To order, just point, they get it.

>most places have calculators on hand. When they figure out that you don't speak Japanese, they'll just put the amount in on the calculator, so you can pay.

>the most important words to learn in Japanese are "excuse me" "sorry" and "thank you" we've learned.

>all of the train stations flash the information in English, but it takes a while for the signs to switch over. The easiest way to find the right train is just to ask the employees who check your rail pass. One word, "Kyoto" usually results in them flashing a number with their hands. A quick thank you, and you are off to the right train. They are also good with always suggesting the fastest train.

>A lot of the trains themselves also go to English translation once you are on board. We found this on every train in Tokyo, the Shinkansen, and the local trains in Kyoto. However, we did not find this on the trains that leave Kyoto for other areas. When this happens, listen to the conductor and try to pick out the station you need from the japanese. You can also look at the route guide above the doors, and pay attention to the stops, or, learn the kanji for your stop, and read the Japanese sign.

>Still, it is best to get a phrase book and learn some of the essentials. They have some good phrases in there that are very helpful.

*The next rumor I heard is that the public transportation system is very easy to use. This one is true. We've used both the trains and the subway and haven't been let down. Again, people are very helpful, just ask if you are in the right place, or ask to be pointed in the right direction. It is the best way to get around, so don't be intimidated by it. For example, when we went to Osaka, we took the train into the station, and then walked for a few minutes to the subway,and took that to the right stop. Sounded intimidating, but this 2 minute subway ride was the same as 45 minute walk. Well worth figuring it out! Again, here the rail pass is also a good idea, it covers JR trains, subway and buses, and can get you almost everywhere.

*I heard from a lot of people that I was going to have a lot of great food in Japan, so I'd like to explain some of these things. We've been trying to save money, so many of our meals have been cheaper, and not the delicacies people expect of Japan. But here I go

>Ramen is very consistent and very good, but don't try to get it with anything other than pork

>Sushi, yes, it is good. Challenging to order

>Bento boxes are a great quick meal

>The rice triangles with seaweed wrapped around them are awesome

>the pancakes with sweet beans in them are good, but be warned, they put those beans in EVERYTHING and try to pass it off as a desert food. So far, the pancakes are they only ones we like. Stay away from the ones with gooey dough on the outside, many times they look like mochi balls. Non refrigerated mochi balls = bean stuff. They are a huge let down.

>The things that look like egg rolls with rice in them aren't all that great. They are greasy and spicy.

>the cold noodles with an assortment of goodies on top (usually tomato, meat of some kind, cucumber, etc) is great. This is usually expensive in the restaurants, but you can get it for half or a quarter of the price in stores and it tastes almost just as good.

>the don dishes, which is something over rice, such as fish, katsu (fried pork), chicken and egg, etc. Are tasty and cheap.

>cod roe spaghetti is great. When you get it, it looks like pasta in a creamy tomato sauce, upon closer inspection you realise that it is butter and a lot of very small, pink balls. Very good, you can get this at a lot of coffee places, which are actually on the pricey side.

>Japanese just don't get Foreign food. So far everything we've tried that isn't Japanese has failed miserably. Notable, the American and Mexican food. Donuts aren't sweet here, they can't figure out eggs, they manage to destroy sandwiches, and the churro we got came with salsa to put on it. Yeah, they really don't get it. If you ever feel like you want to get something that reminds you of home, wait for the feeling to pass, you will be let down. Maybe some of the chains are safe, like McD's and KFC, but we haven't tried.

*Just some tips. Japan does things differently from the west in a lot of ways. Here are some things to remember:

>bring cash, most places don't accept credit cards, and ATMs that take US cards are hard to find.

>bring a hankerchief, many restrooms don't have paper towels to dry your hands on. Hankerchiefs are easy to find in Japan, if you have having some trouble back home. Some don't have toilet paper and you need to buy tissue. If you see a tissue vending machine right outside, or right inside, the restroom, check the stalls before you go. You may be left in a bad situation. Oh, they also don't usually have soap, so if you are a germaphobe bring some hand sanitiser.

>wear shoes that are comfortable, but easy to take off. We've had to remove our shoes for many of the attractions we've seen, and also in dressing rooms. Since we are eating cheap, we haven't had to yet for a restaurant, but there is a stack of shoes at the front of the sushi restaurant in the hotel. So you may need to take them off here as well.

>umbrellas are great any time of year. In summer it is either raining, or the sun feels like you are an ant caught with a magnifying glass between you and the sun. You can buy them everywhere in japan, but shop around. We've found them for as cheap as 300 yen, and as expensive as 10,000 yen.