Photo by lestaylorphoto on Flickr
They say that it takes seven or more years to master Japanese for those who learn it as a second language, and apparently it is especially difficult for westerners to master. This can be a little daunting for the intrepid linguist or traveller looking to take in everything the world has to offer.
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Photo by jpellgen on Flickr
Many young adults dream of the adventures they can have traveling the world. But reality sets in with a resounding crash when mom and dad refuse to foot the bill for such antics. While some teens take the collegiate route, letting their parents pay for school and then finding opportunities to study abroad as a way to see the world, others may be looking for an extended stay in a foreign country that allows for true immersion. And if you want to live in Japan for a while, teaching English could provide for ample opportunity.
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Photo by kenmainr on Flickr
Any time you visit a foreign country you are bound to face the “stranger in a strange land” learning curve. This is especially true if you don’t speak a lick of the language, leaving you hoping that you can find someone who speaks your language, or else relying on your bumbling attempts to form recognizable sentences from a book of common words and phrases.
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You’ve no doubt heard horror stories about masses of bodies being herded onto trains like cattle, often with the aid of oshiya (pushers), who stand on the platform and help to cram as many people as possible into already crowded cars. Or perhaps you’ve taken note of news stories detailing the advent of all-female cars on some trains thanks to rampant groping of female commuters (made possible by trains so densely packed that women can’t even turn around to see who might be molesting them). But let’s be clear: such incidents have been hyped by a media stuck in a 24-hour news cycle with little actual news to report. And while trains happen to be the main form of transportation used in Tokyo, any adverse conditions can be easily avoided by skipping peak travel times or simply using other forms of mass transit. So if you happen to be planning a trip to Tokyo and you’re wondering about the best ways to get around, here’s the 411 on public transportation.
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Photo by RageZ on Flickr
It can definitely be exciting to take an international trip. That’s because there’s nothing like experiencing a different culture—the people, the customs and the food. However, you can end up missing out on some of the best that a particular country or city has to offer if you decide to tour the city on your own. Just think about where you live. Aren’t there quaint little restaurants or boutiques that you’ve discovered only by living in that place for a certain amount of time?
If you’re in the midst of planning a trip overseas and Japan is the destination where you’re headed, as you’re writing down your list of “must haves”, make sure to put “tour guide” at the very top of it. They are professionals who will be able to effortlessly show you the best that Japan has to offer, which will make your trip just that much more memorable.
So, how do you go about finding the right kind of tour guide? We have enclosed five resources below:
Photo by JD Hancock on Flickr
Although you might suppose that Japan is a relatively small island nation, the weather varies widely from place to place and season to season. So before you pack for any trip you should look at the climate particular to the regions you’ll visit during the time of year you’re planning to travel, as well as check the weather forecast in order to make sure that the majority of your clothing will be appropriate for the temperatures and other weather concerns.
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