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Travel
to Japan
What
to expect on your trip to Japan?
We are often asked about the sharp differences in
the levels of interest that Japan and the rest of the world has in each
other. For instance, there
is no tourist destination on the planet where you will not find a group
of Japanese tourists with a tour guide right in front with everyone
following in a disciplined manner.
A sight like this is very unlikely in Japan.
Outside of major metropolitan areas, you should be only lucky to
see some non-Japanese faces.
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What
is the scenario outside of Japan? Japanese
tourists may be everywhere, but their interaction with the locals is
practically nil. The Japanese are so skeptical of the world outside Japan that
they travel with everything that they are used to in Japan.
For instance, Japanese will always travel in groups, every minor
detail is taken care of, and every minute of the trip is planned (and
generally followed strictly). It
is rare for the group members to venture outside of the group to try
anything that is not pre-selected.
Even when it comes to shopping, tour operators identify shops and
establishments for shopping and tourists are served there by
Japanese-speaking assistants who can immediately convert all prices into
Japanese Yen, arrange for shipping to Japan, and pack the gifts in
Japanese style. (Related article: Japanese
shoppers in Hawaii) |
 What is the outcome?
We believe that the Japanese miss out on a lot of
the fun that comes from taking an adventurous approach during travel to
a foreign country. It is
likely that you will get into trouble once in a while, or commit a faux
pas, but overall you will have a richer experience and there would be
some funny stories to share once you get back.
By taking a more sheltered approach, however, the experience is
more predictable, as our writer
Carol Tan found out during her trip
to Japan.
Almost all providers of services to Japanese
tourists know what works with them – predictability, discipline, and
excellent service. In
return, they are guaranteed good compensation.
Does this bring Japanese closer to the rest of the world?
Absolutely not! In
fact a constant complaint we hear from non-Japanese, who understand
Japanese language, is the tendency among Japanese tourists to refer to
the local people as gaijins even in their own countries (without
realizing it is the Japanese themselves who are the gaijins
outside Japan). (Related article: Foreign
words usage in Japanese)
What
can you hope to find in Japan if you travel there?
Be prepared to run into a lot of trouble with
unexpected surprises. The
language will be a source of constant frustration and while most
Japanese will try to help you, the language barrier will make it harder.
The food, the prices, the bathrooms, and so many other unique
Japanese customs and practices will baffle you but that should all be
part of the fun.
While it is a good idea to read a bit beforehand so
as not to get into some serious trouble (for instance, boarding wrong
buses/trains, getting lost, or eating stuff that you did not want to),
just keep your mind open and enjoy it when you do get surprised.
Japanese are generally more forgiving of the henna gaijins
(strange foreigners) and regardless of how well you do, you will still
be treated like one. So why
not go have some genuine fun in Japan!
On the other hand, Harald Galda, as he has written in his memoir,
feels that if you do not speak the language fluently but can do some
preparation, travel in Japan can be a very pleasant
experience.
Recommended links: Experiencing a culture shock
Has Japan lost
its soul? Travel
to Japan to visit the in-laws Traditional
Japanese meal for an exchange student Testing
Japanese language skills Suggestion
on enjoying Japan How
to make the best of your trip to Japan? Learning
more about Japan American
view of Japan Discovering
Japan |
