Trip to Japan?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by IROC

The Japanese love vending machines. This one was in my hotel. I bought a beer (for about $3):



Horse sashimi (excellent - I had eaten most of it before it occurred to me to take a picture):

I think when I was there it was also possible to get whiskey out of vending machines. I think the whole vending machine thing expanded greatly after we were there.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by masraum

It's interesting that you (and us when we were there) run into so many folks that don't speak English, because when I was there (and I don't think this has changed) English was a required class in school for something like 8 years. So they have all been taught. But if they don't use it and haven't spoken it with native English speakers, they probably find it easier to not speak English.

^^Exactly. They can read and write English very well, but don't get a chance to practice speaking, so many Japanese really struggle. One of my Japanese colleagues introduced me to his daughter once because she was so excited at the opportunity to practice her English with a native speaker.

[mgatepi]

Used to be alcohol in the vending machines along the streets. This is now gone. Only in the vending machines inside the hotels.
I have been traveling there for the past 30 years on business. This will be my first personal trip this fall and I am looking forward to taking the time to see all that I couldnt find the time to see before!!!

[mgatepi]

Originally Posted by IROC

^^Exactly. They can read and write English very well, but don't get a chance to practice speaking, so many Japanese really struggle. One of my Japanese colleagues introduced me to his daughter once because she was so excited at the opportunity to practice her English with a native speaker.

Actually I have been told by my collegues in JApan that if I am ever lost, look for a young high school girl to talk to! They will be happy to help. So far, this has been true.

[WPOZZZ]

I'm 4th gen AJA (Yonsei) and grew up in Hawaii, so Japan and its culture is quite familiar to me. Unfortunately, if you look Japanese and can't speak it, the Japanese give you the stink eye. Of course the food is very familiar and people very polite. My cousins like visiting Japan once a year. Me? I prefer Europe.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by IROC

^^Exactly. They can read and write English very well, but don't get a chance to practice speaking, so many Japanese really struggle. One of my Japanese colleagues introduced me to his daughter once because she was so excited at the opportunity to practice her English with a native speaker.

I was on the track and cross country teams for our HS up north. All of the military schools in Asia would travel in to a central school in the Tokyo area for track and cross country to compete. Our coach would add a couple of days to the trip and take us to Tokyo. We hit Ginza, Shinjuku, Harajuku, and maybe one or two others. We'd get to a new place. He would say "everyone meet back here at ___o'clock" (a bunch of 14-16 years olds mostly, can you imagine?). My buddy and I struck off to check things out. We were both blond and got hit up to "practice English" several times.

Are you American?
Can I practice my English with you?

I still have some sort of bootleg cassette tape of Madonna that some guy gave me at the end of one of those conversations.

[porsche4life]

We went last March and loved it. Weather was great and we had an awesome time. We stayed in Mimaru apartment hotels, a little more money but they had nice bunk setups for the teens and the kitchen and dining tables were awesome. We went and picked up food at the markets and at the hotel most nights.

I was amazed how easy it was to navigate the trains. Google maps is excellent and most signage is in English. We used Google translate for restaurant menus and really didn’t have any issues with not speaking the language.

I believe the exchange rate is still favorable. Take extra luggage and plan on shopping. We didn’t think we would end up buying as much as we did. Next time I want to buy some more shoes, and get a pair of new glasses where they are $40 instead of $400.


Ping me any questions you have on Fb.

[Winter]

Furano for skiing.

Well, there’s tons of great skiing in Japan, but I like Furano as the town and adjacent ski area is less touristy than places like Niseko.

Otaru also makes a good “base camp” for skiing. Not really touristy and easy drives to places like Kokusai and Teine.

Second or third week in January usually = tons of powder and deep snow skiing.

Have a great trip.

[WPOZZZ]

Or if it gets too hot in the summer, head to an indoor ski area.