I remember my friend and I were sitting at this cafe called Le Bon Nosh in Atlanta when she told me about this anime. She also expressed her desire to visit Japan one day and experience it all firsthand. Next thing you know, we were buying our plane tickets.
Earlier this year, I had a chance to visit Japan and I've gathered all the tips and tricks to make your trip to Japan a success.
Getting to Japan
I took a direct 13-hour direct flight from Atlanta to Tokyo. I packed only a carry-on and an extra bag in case I bought something in Japan. For in-flight entertainment, I downloaded the entire season of "The Last of Us," which kept me occupied for 8 hours. The rest of the time was spent napping or reading a book.
Touchdown in Japan
I landed at the busy Tokyo airport, where many people were providing directions. There were attendants stationed along the entire route, guiding people on how to exit the airport. My biggest concern was the language barrier, but thankfully, with gestures and basic English, I easily found my way through immigration.
Transportation
Since my trip was spontaneous, I didn't arrange for airport transportation in advance. Initially, the various types of transportation at the airport confused me, but after confirming with a few people, I boarded the correct train. However, I mistakenly went to the wrong hotel location and was too tired to catch another train, so we took a cab to our hotel on the first day.
Let me tell you something, transportation in Japan will not disappoint you. It's flawless. They have an extensive train network, and while you may accidentally board the wrong train at times, it's amazing how you can travel from one corner of Japan to another without a car. The trains are punctual, clean, and very safe.
Food
Call me a picky eater or not, but I found food in Japan a bit challenging. Outside of Tokyo, it was really hard to find cooked dishes without pork. In Tokyo, you can find a wide variety of food and drinks. There was even a place in Osaka where people were eating raw chicken 🤢
Places I went to in Japan
We stayed in different neighborhoods of Tokyo to experience the vibe of different towns. We initially stayed near the Keikyū Kamata Station and visited the following places:
Senso-ji Temple
Nakamise Shopping Street
TeamLab Borderless
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Sky
Mt. Fuji
Tokyo Disneyland
Meguro River
Ginza
Osaka Castle
HARUKAS 300 Observatory
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto: Kiyomizu Temple
World's second-largest Starbucks Conservatory
Do I recommend Japan?
Despite some struggles with the food, I would highly recommend visiting Japan. It's full of gorgeous scenery and advanced technology. It feels like they have life figured out. Of course, every country has its challenges, but even with the language barrier, I felt very welcomed and comfortable in Japan. If you visit during cherry blossom season, also known as the Sakura season, you will fall in love with Japan.
Why do I recommend Japan?
It's very clean and organized.
It's very safe for women, even late at night.
The Japanese bidet is a whole experience itself.
It's relatively affordable.
Their 7-Elevens are amazing.
On a side note, here's a funny story: I got stuck at the Tokyo airport for two days. I flew to Japan during one of the busiest times of the year on a standby ticket. I had planned to return on a late March weekend, which is the start of the cherry blossom season. As a result, all the flights to the U.S. were booked. At one point, I felt so homesick that I even considered flying to South Korea to catch a flight back home, but they have specific visa conditions, so it wasn't feasible. After staying at the airport for two days, I finally caught a flight to Atlanta, and I had never felt so grateful to be back home 😮💨
So, here's a helpful tip: avoid flying on standby during the busiest times of the year, anywhere.
Now, where should I go next?🤔✈️
Until next time, Peace
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