Welcome back to CHIC-ipedia! It is always so fulfilling to hit ‘publish’ on a new blog post and I’m incredibly encouraged by its receptivity. My last post “22 Things I’ve Learned at 22 Years Old,” happens to be one of my most visited posts thus far and I really hope that the messages resonate with you. There are far too many Japan travel tips to include in a single post, so today I’ll start by introducing five things I wish I knew most before going to Japan for the first time.
For those who are reading this and wondering whether or not to make Japan your next travel destination, I say, DO IT! My first trip to Asia was very sporadic and simply happened by me saying “what if… we just went to Japan?” after my mom suggested we finally see Niagara Falls for her birthday. My reasoning: I figured it smartest to start checking off continents before revisiting countries that we’ve already been to. Rational, right?!
Japan is a country that I spent countless hours of my youth daydreaming about and my first time visiting was one of those moments where reality proved to be so. much. better.
Yet, it didn’t come without surprises. So here are five things that I pleasantly – and not so pleasantly – discovered.
Personal space doesn’t exist on the local trains.
At least not during peak hours.
This was probably one of the most shocking experiences by far. I’ll explain why: Like many other metropolitan cities where public transportation is highly favored, the trains get crowded. However, unlike New York or London, people on the trains in Japan will squish together until it’s physically impossible for anyone else to fit on board. There’s no room to move your arms or legs more than a couple inches out, if that. The worst part is getting pushed by other passengers.
I’m not the only woman who finds this behavior to be problematic. Throughout the decades, many women have been subjected to highly inappropriate behavior from men on the trains, with a recognizable increase during peak hours. That is why women-only carriages became more prominent in the early 2000’s.
I, for one, had only great experiences on the women-only carriages. Loads of space, great air conditioning and very pleasant passengers who, on occasion, would make small talk. What more could you ask for?
The weather is drastic
It’s time to check the weather forecasts!!
I visited Japan in the summertime and briefly glimpsed a weather forecast that said it was going to be hot. Late 80’s to HIGH 90’s. My research on the subject went no further for I simply thought “Alright, I’ll just make sure to wear more breathable fabrics.”
No. Just… No.
What I failed to learn is that heat in Japan is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Not to mention, there’s more than one factor at play… heat AND humidity. Some argue that it puts East Coast and Louisiana summers to shame. You’ll have to let me know your thoughts on that one. My personal experience in Japan can be summarized in two words: mist fans.
You’d think it’d be impossible to clock over 30,000 steps in awful humidity but alas I prevailed. The only thing stronger than a humid summer in Japan is my vacation mindset. I MUST see EVERYTHING!!! My mantra “shop until you drop” changes steadfastly to “walk until you drop.”
Tokyo is a lot bigger than you may think
Having grown up in Los Angeles while spending my fair share of time in New York, I pegged myself as a “big city girl.” So, after seeing an article that explains how Tokyo is three times the size of New York, I brushed it off as some loose comparison. Naive? Completely.
Simply walking from my hotel to the nearest train station humbled me IMMEDIATELY. Keep in mind, I always choose hotels that are as close to the metro as possible. Would it be a stretch to say that I might’ve burned 75 calories from that walk alone? Perhaps not?
By the time I returned home to Los Angeles, I inadvertently lost 5 pounds from walking so much. Helpful, because I could comfortably fit into my jeans again but shocking nonetheless. One might think that my hyperactive travel personality is the culprit for this drastic drop but I assure you that I was quite reasonable. I also have to give credit to the food I consumed… It was a lot cleaner than my diet prior. As for getting around, my mom and I took public transportation when it was readily available and walked only when it made sense. Which, in this case, seems to be always.
In most cases, getting from point A to point B is easiest to do by walking when you’re exploring the same district. It just so happens that, because it is in fact 3x the size of NY or LA, each walk can be a minimum of 20-30 minutes. So, if you’re wanting to see 2-3 things per district, you’re in for a good workout. The simpler way to go about things would be to taxi every now and then.
You don’t need to wait in line for hours to get a good meal
One thing that I knew before flying down to Japan is that the queues for trending restaurants can eat up for the whole day. Pun very much intended. Haha.
Anyways, I remember seeing a video on TikTok that documented hoards of people waiting in line for hours prior to opening time. Even at that point, not everyone would be guaranteed a reservation. They’re simply hoping to make it before the cutoff. Personally, I don’t have the patience to stand in a queue for more than one hour. After that, I’m either “hangry” or just eager to tick more boxes off my sightseeing list.
If you don’t mind the long lines, that’s fantastic. There are so many fascinating foods and places to eat in Tokyo. Every menu will make you feel like you’re living a fantasy… From robot cafes to dining with owls or eating the viral Mont Blanc dessert, you’ve got your pick.
Don’t get me wrong! My impatience doesn’t mean I don’t crave the experience. It just so happens that one of my favorite meals is from the highly coveted Ichiran Ramen. Their Tonkatsu is out of this world. So flavorful, and dare I say, perfect. The queue can be anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on the season and location, but it’s totally possible to get lucky. This is a place I would bite my words and wait in line for.
You can have a memorable experience at trending spots and the hole in the walls. There’s no need to wait in line for a good meal every single time.
Japan’s popular sights are not overrated
I’ll let the photographs speak for themselves this time around. The only thing I’ll say: “tourist traps” in Japan are overwhelmingly popular for a reason. Don’t feel compelled to rush through these sites. There is rich history ingrained within each spot. It’s hard to scuffle through without missing out on information that could inform your perspective on the country and its culture.
Here’s a quick look at some of my favorite visits:
Omoide Yokocho
TeamLABS
Bonus Thought:
Get away from the city and immerse yourself in Japan’s BEAUTIFUL nature! I was disillusioned into thinking that Japan is mostly ensconced by cityscapes and I couldn’t be more wrong.
Taking a trip to Mt. Fuji was one of the most tranquil and exciting parts of my trip.
XOXO,
Mila Fox
Read “22 Things I’ve Learned at 22 Years Old:” https://chicipedia.com/22-powerful-things-ive-learned-at-22-years-old/
