![]() ![]() That means if you know that your train is scheduled to arrive at the station at 5:07 p.m. And luckily, in Japan the trains do run on time. They are not readily available at subway stations.) The signs in subway stations are written in Roman characters. (There is one in the Kodansha map book, and most English-language guidebooks contain one. Navigating the Tokyo subways is a breeze, as long as you have an English-language subway map. The easiest way to get around Tokyo, however, is by subway. But if you're going someplace specific, it's always best to have someone at the place you're going fax you a more detailed map, which you can show the taxi driver (most of whom do not speak English). One of the best Japanese-English language map books is called "Tokyo, a Bilingual Atlas," published by Kodansha (available in Washington at Travel Books & Language Center, 20). I always arm guests with maps before they venture out alone. The biggest problem with exploring here is Japan's address system, in which houses and buildings are sometimes numbered not consecutively, but according to the order in which they were built. (No one uses checks, and many places do not accept credit cards.) People routinely walk around carrying thousands of dollars of cash. It's relatively safe: Elementary school kids ride the subway at night without adults. Getting Around: Japan is probably one of the best countries in the world for clueless tourists to stumble around. We had a delicious meal of grilled eel, braised vegetables, rice and soup. After an unsuccessful attempt to explain their Japanese menu, they dialed a friend who spoke some English and put us on the phone with her, and then let us look inside the pots in the kitchen. ![]() well, you get the idea.Ī few days later, in a tiny restaurant in Nagasaki, the owners spoke no English but welcomed us warmly. As we burst out laughing, he pointed to his chest to indicate that some of the meat was chicken breasts, and his thigh to show. When he realized we didn't understand Japanese, he began flapping his arms and cackling like a chicken. We walked up and pointed quizzically at the food he was cooking. We found that most people were like the street vendor we met one day in Osaka. My husband and I first toured Japan years ago, before we could speak any Japanese. And many Japanese in their twenties and thirties can speak at least a little English. Unlike Americans, who expect everyone to speak English, Japanese don't expect foreigners to speak Japanese. The Language: Exploring the Japan that resides outside the tour guides' range can be a bit difficult if you don't speak the language. And with the following tips in mind, most of my friends say they are surprised at how easy it is to get around in Tokyo. While we tweak the schedule according to their interests, the following itinerary contains the sites and restaurants that have generally been the biggest hits. But if you know where to look you'll see more: colorful festivals heralding Japanese traditions, peaceful gardens tucked behind concrete buildings, lively fish markets with swaggering auctioneers, temples where you can be soothed by smoke alleged to cure all ills, and nightlife ranging from ancient Kabuki theater to techno avant garde.Īfter 2½ years as a Tokyo correspondent and resident, I've had a surprising number of friends and family come to visit from the United States. Many Americans who come here looking for the "real Japan" of kimonos and wooden and paper houses often are disappointed to find that Tokyo looks like any big city, with high-rise buildings and traffic jams. ![]() Vendors sold grilled squid, rice balls and chicken. Suddenly an ornate, gold-and-red portable shrine came into view, carried by two dozen sweating men, wearing identical happi coats and stepping in unison. Energetic, festive chanting and the rhythmic pounding of a Japanese taiko drum filled the air. We emerged in a neighborhood of small shops, the streets jammed with people. Language Getting Around Money Hotels Suggested ItineraryĪs we were riding the Tokyo subway during my first visit here years ago, my dad suggested we randomly pick an interesting stop and go exploring. : Everything You Need to Know About Japan
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