I had the amazing opportunity recently to study abroad in Japan. During my travels I learned more than I could ever put in words. Traveling abroad to a place as foreign as Japan can be jarring. So here’s my list of the seven things you need to know before going to Japan.
1. Get use to being squeezed into tight places.
Whether it be on the train or in a restaurant, space is at a premium in Japan, so every nook and cranny will be used to its fullest, if you have a problem with small spaces and being packed in tight, don’t take the subway.
2. Beer is incredibly cheap and comes in giant cans.
Oh and it can be bought out of a vending machines, drink carts on bullet trains and convenience stores. This includes hard liquor too.
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3. Japanese food = Best hang over food in the world.A hot bowl of ramen and a Pocuri Sweat (aka Japanese Gatorade) Will magically bring you back to life after a night on the town with all that cheap booze you poisoned your self with. Personally I can attest to the magic of this combination.
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4. Ordering your own food is the first step.
Japanese is one of the hardest languages to master, so when you finally do things like order your own meal or ask for directions you’ll feel like a million bucks.
5. Communal bathing at the hot spring.
Many traditional inns still have the Onsen, or a communal bath rather then a western style shower, so get ready for some quality nudity time with complete strangers.
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6. Shut up on the subway.
I can't stress this enough, be quite on the train, many people are sleeping from 18 hour work days, so when on one of the many great subways, shut up, do not talk and do not make noise with your phone. The last thing you want to be is a obnoxious tourist.
7. Dive into the food.
I can honestly say you don’t do Japan right if you don’t at least try everything that looks appetizing. Aside from godlike sushi, other less known dishes in America like, Onigiri, Sukiyaki, and my personal favorite things on earth, Gyudon, (pieces of beef over rice with pickled ginger.), are some of the most delicious things to ever grace my mouth.
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