Comments on: Anyone got any tips for my backpacking around Japan?

By: michinoku2001

michinoku2001 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:20:17 +0000

You will like Sendai. When you are up there you should visit Yamadera, Matsushima, Hiraizumi, Aizu-Wakamatsu, and Tono. Be sure to try the beef tounge and sea-pineapple in Sendai.The Kerr book is good, but another one you should read is The Roads to Sata by Alan Booth.

By: Dr.Jellyfish

Dr.Jellyfish — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:24:23 +0000

It seems like others have covered the basics, but I’d just like to say that in these next two weeks try to cram as many practical Japanese phrases into your head as possible!!!

I’ve been all over the Pacific-Rim and believe it or not Japan has the worst level of English out of the lot, in fact to say it was lagging behind China, Taiwan, S.Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia etc… would be a huge understatement!

Then again it is the traveller’s responsibility to prepare for these kind of things – I just thought it would be best you knew!

Even when I was in Tokyo, sales clerks would literally SHAKE when I went to buy things (I’m of average height and build, slim – nothing even slightly scary… by any standards)!

Despite this, you’ll still have a great time Japan’s a great place!

By: Taro F

Taro F — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:31:41 +0000

Check this blog.

By: bluemoonmemory

bluemoonmemory — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:29:45 +0000

Keep your body always clean. Take showers every day. Foreign backpackers are always smell too bad. It is allowed in India or Nepal but not in Japan.

By: Q

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:25:42 +0000

Read Lost Japan by Alex Kerr–a great description of wonderful places to visit on the island of Shikoku. Be sure to visit Kyoto and Nara and Hiroshima and Kamakura. If you want to climb Mt. Fuji: it’s open for climbing only July August. It’s very cold, count on it being freezing up top. Do rent a bed at one of the mountain huts and climb up to see the sunrise at the top of Fuji. It’s always hazy in the summer except when a typhoon comes along and blows the haze away for a few days.

By: thecheapest902

thecheapest902 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:07:06 +0000

August 12-16th is our Bon holiday when trains are VERY crowded. I suggest you to avoid taking trains during that period. Or avoid any form of long distance transportation like bus or car.

On the other hand, streets or trains within Tokyo or Osaka will be much less crowded at that time.

By: yah_Xx

yah_Xx — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:24:40 +0000

err… a map. sunglasses. one of those english-to-japanese dictionary things and a smile!