31/12/2013
HINTS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT TOKYO, JAPAN:
1. No Tip is required
Basically you do not need to worry about what tips you should give in Japan. Hotels, taxis, restaurants – all the same: no tips required. Only exception is at expensive Ryokans (Japanese inns, where you sleep on Futon). Here even Japanese patrons hand out tips wrapped in a sheet of paper to service person(s).
2. You drive on the LEFT side of road
Traffic rules are very strictly adhered to in Japan. Remember that vehicles drive on the left side, and you look to your RIGHT before you cross a road. You are not supposed to cross the road when the traffic light is red (although there is absolutely no traffic in sight, nor jaywalk).
3. You do not smoke while you walk
You are not supposed to smoke while you walk. In some communities you may be fined for doing so. Indoor smoking is not entirely banned legally, and you may find some restaurants or bars where you find ashtray on the tables.
4. Buy “IC card” for trains everywhere
Remember the names “SUICA” and “PASMO.” These are the IC cards that are almighty while you are in Japan. You cannot ride SHINKANSEN (Bullet Train) with this, but otherwise you don’t have to buy single trip tickets every time you need to ride a train. How to buy it? Long story, come to JPI for details, OR visit: http://www.thejapanguy.com/how-to-get-a-suica-card/
5. Too much walk and you want to rest in a quiet spot?
There are quiet spots everywhere in Tokyo – it can be a shrine, a temple, small parks or public space in huge commercial buildings. You can also visit one of many cafes in Tokyo. A café is called in Japanese “KISSATEN.”
6. Public Bath”SENTO”
You should try at least once to visit SENTO, a public bath. Generally it costs JPY 450 (less than Euro 3.50) per person in Tokyo area and is divided into Men part and Ladies part. Remember, the hot water usually is VERY HOT. Do not try to dilute the heat by pouring cold water – look for a less hot bath tub, which usually is also placed in SENTO. “ONSEN” is an entirely different facility. You can only call a public bath “ONSEN” when the hot water comes right out of drilled source of real hot spring. It would cost more than SENTO – an example JPY 2180 (about Euro 15.50) http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Hotel_Review-g1066449-d1089895-Reviews-Ooedo_Onsen_Monogatari-Koto_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html .
7. What does “IRASSHAI MASE” mean?
When you enter a shop or a restaurant, you would hear “IRASSHAI MASE” quite often. It simply means “WELCOME TO OUR PLACE.” There is no official response you have to make. Just smile.
8. Best SUSHI in Tokyo?
Best Sushi material comes from Tsukiji Central Fish Market. You should wake up early to visit this place, where famous tuna auction takes place (much earlier than 05:00 am). For details read: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html . There are a number of Sushi restaurants in and around Tsukiji Market. Smaller, familyoperated restaurants close as early as 13:00, but larger resaurants such as this http://www.sushizanmai.com/ are open for public in a normal manner.
Best sushi shop is hard to define. If you are Michelin fan, try THIS 3 star restaurant: http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g1066451-d1177368-Reviews-Sukiyabashi_Jiro-Minato_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html .
9. Free WiFi? Don’t expect too much.
There are free WiFi hot spots in Japan, yes, but they are rare and not easily found. I advise everyone to rent a pocketable WiFi Router. It would cost approximately Euro 8.50 or less per day.
10. Religious Dietery?
If you are not supposed to eat pork (porc), be aware that many Japanese dishes use pork as their ingredient. Popular “RAMEN” quite often uses pork essence for its soup, for example. You will always have to ask the restaurant staff whether or not pork is used in the dish you are interested.
11. Sudden Rain? Enjoy cheap umbrella, made by vinyl.
You do not need to take your foldable umbrella with you to your trip to Japan. Buy a transparent, vinyl, automatically opening umbrella in Japan, and take it as a souvenir. It would costs you between JPY 300-600 (Euro 2.20 – 4.30)
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Essentially the processes to get a Pasmo and a Suica are exactly the same. Even the names of the buttons you have to touch in order to complete the process are nearly identical. What’s going to be different about this particular post is that I’m going to show you how to get a personalized Suica. If…
