Tag: Japan

What to Do When You’re in Japan During a Typhoon

Categories Autumn/Fall, FAQ, Summer, WeatherLeave a Comment on What to Do When You’re in Japan During a Typhoon

(Featured Image from tenki.jp) Info about Typhoon Jebi’s expected path.

Hurricane Lane has passed through Hawaii, and we got about 50 inches of rain here on the east side of the Big Island. To prepare for a hurricane in Hawaii, people will fill up their car(s) with gas, buy a lot of water, food, ice, batteries, etc., and tape and/or board up their windows.

What if you’re visiting Japan when a typhoon is going to hit where you are?

  1. Typhoon Season
    • Typhoon season typically starts in (late) June and end in November, but there is a significant increase in typhoons during August and September.
  2. General Information about Typhoons
    • In Japan, typhoons aren’t given names, they are numbered, but information in English will include a typhoon’s name.
    • Intensity (from least to greatest): tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, typhoon (strong, very strong, violent)
  3. Weather Updates Sources
  4. Water, Food, and Other Necessities
    • A typhoon usually passes through an area within 12 hours, but it’s always good to buy water and food that won’t spoil.
    • If you need medication, toiletries, or other items, you should buy these beforehand.
  5. Utilities
    • Depending on where you are and how severe the weather is, utilities might go out. So, stay updated about the strength and path of a storm.
  6. Transportation
    • When the weather gets bad or is expected to get bad, flights will be canceled, and train service will be halted.
  7. Wind, Rain, Flooding, and High Seas
    • Stay indoors because of high winds and a lot of rain. Also, stay away from rivers, streams, canals because of flash floods/flooding, and also stay away from the coastline because of surges, which can be about 30 feet tall.
  8. Temperature
    • During summer, temperatures get a little cooler, but the day after a typhoon passes gets really hot.

If you are in Japan when a typhoon hits, please be careful and stay safe!

Basic Manners/Etiquette in Japan

Categories Culture, FAQ2 Comments on Basic Manners/Etiquette in Japan

No Tips

Japan doesn’t have a tipping culture because high-quality customer service is an expectation. If you want to show your gratitude for receive great service, you can give a little gift. For example, because we’re from Hilo, my parents gave a small box of Big Island Candies to taxi drivers, waiters/waitresses, hotel staff, etc.

In Restaurants

Certain izakayas (Japanese-style taverns) require you to take off your shoes before going inside. It’s easy to recognize this because there will be lockers to put you shoes in at the entrance, and there is a step to go inside of the main area of the restaurant.

Also, it is absolutely okay to call on waiters/waitresses when you want to order, if you want to ask questions, and when you want to get the bill. About paying your bill, if you see a register near the entrance when you walk in, you should pay at the register. Other places might have a little sign on the table that says, “Please pay at table.”

When you’re drinking with your friends and having a good time, somebody might spill drinks on the table. If this happens, you should clean up after yourself, so ask the waiter/waitress to bring you towels. They will help you clean up a little bit and also give you new plates, utensils, and other things if needed.

On Escalators

People in Japan will stand on one side of the escalator to let others who are in a hurry to walk on the other side. Depending on where you are in Japan, the side you stand on is different. In Tokyo, people stand on the left; in Osaka, people stand on the right. Some people generalize this rule by saying if you are in East Japan, stand on the left, and if you are in West Japan, stand on the right. But from our experience, it’s best to quickly observe which side people are standing on and follow, especially in areas in Central Japan, such as Nagoya.

On Trains

  • Put your phone on vibrate.
  • Don’t talk on your phone.
  • Turn your phone off in near priority seat section.
  • Don’t talk in a loud voice.
  • Stand in line to ride the train.
  • If you drink on the train, don’t get completely wasted and take your trash with you.
  • If you’re standing near the door when the train is packed, briefly step outside to let people off and then get back on.
  • Don’t hang and swing on the handles/bars on the train.
  • If you’re not used to riding trains while standing, hold on the handle or bar so you don’t bump (more like crash) into other passengers.

Public Restrooms

The majority of public restrooms do not have paper towels to wipe your hands. Some restrooms have a hand dryer, but you should bring a handkerchief or little towel with you all the time.

Trash

It’s a good idea to always carry a plastic bag, like ones you get from convenience store, to use as a trash bag.

Standing in Line

Just like we learned in elementary school, if there’s a line, don’t cut.

 

 

If you have any questions about manners/etiquette, feel free to contact us!!!

Travel Efficiently by Knowing How to Pack and Use Luggage Transport Services!

Categories FAQ, Luggage/PackingLeave a Comment on Travel Efficiently by Knowing How to Pack and Use Luggage Transport Services!

(Feature Image of us after we drank at Shinjuku)

What should you pack?

The most important things to have with you is your PASSPORT, wallet, phone, a black or blue PEN, digital/hard copy of your passport. The first 3 are common sense, but some people might be thinking why a pen is necessary. You need to fill out your customs form before arriving, so bring a pen. You need to have a digital copy (a picture on your phone) AND a hard copy (copy on paper) of your passport just in case you lose your passport or your passport is stolen.

The next thing to think about is clothes. If you’re traveling during winter months, we suggest bringing one or two long-sleeved shirts, a couple pairs of jeans/long pants, warm jacket. After you arrive, you can head over to UNIQLO and buy HEATTECH, which is an inner-layer to keep you warm. So, traveling during winter means you need to pack more clothes. If you travel during summer, Japan is hot and humid, so you can pack t-shirts, shorts. Traveling during spring and fall can be tricky because temperatures will go up and down, so check we recommend checking weather reports before you leave.

You can take your laptop, noise canceling headphones, camera, etc.

What not to pack?

Beef products, opioids, (obviously) drugs, firearms, weapons, not more than $10,000 in cash, etc. For a list, check out this link.

Are you traveling to multiple areas of Japan and don’t want to drag around your heavy luggage on the trains and/or shinkansen? We have the solution for you!

Yamato Transport created for “scenes” to help travelers enjoy their trip even more:

Scene 1: Send your luggage to the hotel from the airport

Most flights from Hawaii will arrive in Japan at night, so you can’t send your big luggage after arriving and get it the same day. If you pack a set of clothes and other essentials in your carry-on or a smaller suitcase you check in and if you don’t mind getting your luggage the next day, you can send your big luggage. Please check the airport you are landing in to see if a counter is available and their business hours.

Scene 2: Luggage Delivery Between Hotels

This is a service that Brandon uses frequently because he and his travel buddies visit different areas of Japan in the same trip. If you send your luggage to your next hotel, the hotel staff will might put your luggage in your room before you even arrive! Now that’s service!

Scene 3: Luggage Storage and Tourist Information Services

This service is useful for travelers from Hawaii because flights from Japan depart at night and arrive in Hawaii in the morning. If you want to do some sightseeing before your flight, you can leave your luggage at a service counter, go sightseeing, shopping, eating or drinking, pick up or luggage, and then catch a limousine bus or train to the airport.

Scene 4: Travel to ski resorts and golf courses hands free

For skiers, snowboarders, and golfers, you can take your gear to a service counter and they will send it to your destination.

Recommended Areas to Stay in Tokyo

Categories Accommodations, FAQ, Trains, Shinkansen, TransportationLeave a Comment on Recommended Areas to Stay in Tokyo

Happy Aloha Friday!

First-time travelers to Tokyo, maybe even those who have traveled to Tokyo a couple times, might not be sure which area they should set as their base camp. Depending on the type of experience you’re searching for, your travel itinerary, and, of course, your wallet.

Here is a list, in no particular order, of train stations that we recommend to stay near when you visit Tokyo. The list is an image, and there is a lot of info. So, click on the image for high-resolution or you can download the image.

recommended-areas-to-stay-in-tokyo.jpg

In a nut shell, we recommend the following areas: Shinagawa, Shimbashi, Tokyo (Station), Ginza, Akasaka, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ueno. Each area has its own characteristics which appeal to different people. For example, Shinagawa, Shimbashi, and Tokyo are extremely convenient areas because of their access to different train lines, and all three have an image of being major hubs for business people. If you compare the three, Shimbashi has the strongest image of drinking; Tokyo has the most elegance; Shinagawa might actually be low-key compared to the other two.

Akasaka is not a major hub for business people, but there are a lot of companies, government institutions, etc. in the area, so streets in evening will be full with people looking for a place to drink.

Ginza, like Roppongi, Aoyama, Omotesando, is considered to be a high-class area. But even in these areas, there’s always reasonable and quality places to shop and dine.

Shinjuku and Shibuya are geographically next to each other in Tokyo, but Shibuya has an image suited more towards the younger generation (not saying that Shinjuku is for older people). Both areas have a lot of shopping, eating, drinking options, but a lot of visitors to Tokyo are attracted to Shibuya’s “scramble crossing”.

Ueno is located in Tokyo’s shitamachi (old downtown) area, so the atmosphere is different to other areas of Tokyo mentioned above. Ueno is close to Asakusa, and Asakusa has a nice “nostalgic” feel with its shopping arcades.

For more detailed information, check out the list above!

The Three Great Gardens of Japan: Kairakuen, Korakuen, Kenrokuen

Categories FAQ, Nature, Seasons, SpringLeave a Comment on The Three Great Gardens of Japan: Kairakuen, Korakuen, Kenrokuen

The most famous of all Japanese gardens are the Three Great Gardens of Japan (日本三名園, Nihonsanmei-en): Kairakuen (偕楽園), Korakuen (後楽園), and Kenrokuen (兼六園). In this post, we will show a couple of pictures we took at each garden and give some useful info.

Kairakuen (偕楽園)

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Location: Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture (Kanto Region)
Access: From Tokyo, Mito Station (and the temporary Kairakuen Station) can be reached by taking the Joban Line, which is run by JR and stops at Shinagawa Station, Tokyo Station, and Ueno Station. Limited express trains cost more, but will get there in about an hour, which is about half the time of ordinary trains.

  • From the North Entrance/Exit of Mito Station, take a bus from bus stop 4 (bus heading for Kairakuen; get off at Kobuntei Omotemon, Kairakuen Higashimon, or Kairakuen-mae) or 6 (bus heading for Kairakuen). Bus takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • During the plum blossom festival during spring, there is a temporary station called Kairakuen Station. So Kairakuen can be accessed by foot.

Price: Free. 200 Yen to enter the Kobuntei.
Must-see: Plum Blossom Festival (Ume Matsuri) which is usually held from mid-February to late-March. Depending on the weather, best-viewing dates differ from year to year. We will write a post about this in the future.

Recommended trip plan: A day-trip from Tokyo. Leave in the morning so you can arrive mid-morning. Enjoy the garden for a few hours, and then return to Tokyo before dinner.

Korakuen (後楽園)

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Location: Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture (Chugoku Region)
Access: From Tokyo Station by shinkansen, about 3 and a half hours. From Shin-Osaka Station by shinkansen, about 1 hour. From Hiroshima by shinkansen, about 45 minutes. Note that these times are calculated for those using a JR Pass, which restricts users from riding the fastest trains (Nozomi, Mizuho, etc.).

  • From the East Entrance/Exit of Okayama Station, take a bus from bus stop 1. Non-stop buses from this bus stop to Korakuen are available. Bus takes about 10 minutes.
  • From Okayama Station, take the city tram heading for Higashiyama, and get off at Shiroshita. About a 12 minute walk from Shiroshita.

Price: 400 Yen for just Korakuen. Combination ticket for Korakuen and Okayama Castle is 560 Yen. Combination ticket for Korakuen Okayama Prefectural Museum is 520 Yen. Combination ticket for Korakuen, Okayama Castle, and Hayashibara Museum of Art is 960 Yen.
Must-see: As you can see from the panorama picture above, Korakuen has large lawns surrounding its ponds. This give the garden a much more spacious atmosphere. You can also by a combination ticket for both Korakuen and Okayama Castle. There are also combination tickets for Korakuen and Okayama Prefectural Museum, and Korakuen, Okayama Castle, and Hayashibara Museum of Art.

Important: There is an area in Tokyo called Korakuen, and this area has a baseball stadium, amusement park, and a Japanese garden called Koishikawa Korakuen. This is not the Korakuen we are talking about! The Korakuen we are talking about is located in Okayama Prefecture.

Recommended trip plan: A day-trip from Hiroshima. Leave Hiroshima in the morning so you can walk around the garden and/or castle mid-morning. Have some lunch around Okayama Station before heading back to Hiroshima or moving on to another area, perhaps Osaka.

Kenrokuen (兼六園)

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Location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture (Chubu Region, Hokuriku Region)
Access: From Tokyo Station by shinkansen, about 3 hours to Kanazawa Station. Note that these times are calculated for those using a JR Pass, which restricts users from riding the fastest train on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki).

  • From the East Entrance/Exit of Kanazawa Station, take a Hokutetsu bus from bus stop 6 (Kenrokuen Shuttle) or 7 (Kanazawa Loop Bus) and get off at Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle. Hokutestsu has a 1 day bus pass for 500 Yen.
  • JR also has buses running from the East Entrance/Exit of Kanazawa Station, so you can use your JR pass, but the Hokutetsu is more convenient because they have buses running more frequently.

Price: 310 Yen
Must-see: If you go to Kanazawa before or after the large amount of snowfall, you can still see yukizuri that protect the trees from snow. Kanazawa Castle is also next to Kenrokuen. The Higashichaya District and the Oumicho Fish Market in the vicinity. You can walk to Higashichaya District from Kenrokuen, but it takes about 20 minutes on foot. There are taxi stands around the garden, so if you share a taxi with your friends, it’ll save a lot of time. We will write a post just about Kanazawa in the near future.

Recommended trip plan: A little far for just a day-trip, but it is possible if you leave early in the morning. However, we think you should stay at least one night Kanazawa because they have A LOT of great food.

This is our brief introduction of Japan’s three fantastic gardens. For all gardens, try to visit during Spring, Summer, or Fall, but don’t visit too early in Spring because you might miss all of the beautiful greenery, even though there are many nice structures and landscaping to look at during winter.