Top 10 reasons why you should visit Japan
I finally went to Japan. Since I was a little girl I´ve been wanting to visit this country. Fueled initially by my love for Anime and Manga, the more I learn about the culture the more I realized how interesting and different this was for me. The main thing I loved was the very clear contrasts: a very modern technologically driven country with a strong rooted tradition. I had been picturing how this might be like and I have to say, I was not disappointed. Japan is very good at selling themselves. You may say anime is just a cartoon, not reflected on reality, but it actually really reflects what you get, even the ones not based on realistic stories, the fact that they are all inspired on real places and experiences reflect very clearly and paint a very accurate picture of what you see in real life.
I finally went to Japan. Since I was a little girl I´ve been wanting to visit this country. fueled initially by my love for Anime and Manga, the more I learn about the culture the more I realized how interesting and different this was for me. The main thing I loved was the very clear contrasts: a very modern technologically driven country with a strong rooted tradition. I had been picturing how this might be like and I have to say, I was not disappointed. Japan is very good at selling themselves. You may say anime is just a cartoon, not reflected on reality, but it actually really reflects what you get, even the ones not based on realistic stories, the fact that they are all inspired on real places and experiences reflect very clearly and paint a very accurate picture of what you see in real life.
Our trip was 3 weeks and even though we didn´t stop moving from one place to the other, we saw NOTHING! There is so much to see and I´m definitely planning on going back some day hopefully sooner than later!
Here are my top 10 reasons why you should visit this amazing Island:
1. The culture:
Weather you are an anime, nature, history, culture or art lover, you will find it here. In the city you will find the hustle and bustle we all love and are so accustomed off when we think about Japan, although you should really go and stay in some of the countryside villages, walk around do some hikes and if possible go to a nice relaxing Onsen.
2. Animal:
Japan has a lot of amazing wildlife, we specially focused on going to see monkeys in their natural habitat. At first I was a bit concerned this moneys would be in normal Zoo like parks, but the 2 parks we went to, the moneys where roaming free and you have to respect their space. I saw a lot of people not being very aware that monkeys can be aggressive animals if not respected, so if they make the respective noises to pass you should move, but people just did not seem to know this and did not respect it. Here is a rule of thumb: if all the monkeys move because an other one is coming passed, you better move to as the boss does not like it if you do not respect him!
2. Animals:
Japan has a lot of amazing wildlife, we specially focused on going to see monkeys in their natural habitat. At first I was a bit concerned this moneys would be in normal Zoo like parks, but the 2 parks we went to, the moneys where roaming free and you have to respect their space. I saw a lot of people not being very aware that monkeys can be aggressive animals if not respected, so if they make the respective noises to pass
2. Animals:
Japan has a lot of amazing wildlife, we specially focused on going to see monkeys in their natural habitat. At first I was a bit concerned this moneys would be in normal Zoo like parks, but the 2 parks we went to, the moneys where roaming free and you have to respect their space. I saw a lot of people not being very aware that monkeys can be aggressive animals if not respected, so if they make the respective noises to pass you should move, but people just did not seem to know this and did not respect it. Here is a rule of thumb: if all the monkeys move because an other one is coming passed, you better move to as the boss does not like it if you do not respect him!
We also went to Nara where dear own the city, literally, if a dear decides to stay in the middle of the road you better relax sit back and wait as the cars will have to wait until the dear decides it was enough. They are adorable! Although be careful, they are still wild animals and can be very insistent when they want their biscuits and can hurt you. Be especially careful of those big horns they can really hurt. This is why you will see a lot with shaved horns.
We also went to Nara where dear own the city, literally, if a dear decides to stay in the middle of the road you better relax sit back and wait as the cars will have to wait until the dear decides it was enough. They are adorable! Although be careful, they are still wild animals and can be very insistent when they want their biscuits and can hurt you. Be especially careful of those big horns they can really hurt. This is why you will see a lot with shaved horns.
3. Security:
Japan is such a secure country! Traveling in public transport and walking around is a blessing, you do not have to worry about time or place, just about getting off at the right stop and not forgetting anything behind. Im sure even if you leave something behind you will get it back as people do not steal and will leave it there.
4. Food:
5. People:
The Japanese people are some of the most friendly and respectful ones I have ever encountered. Weather they speak English or not, they will go out of their way to help you. Also they like to have fun. One of my favorite experiences was going to the Fun park, adults and kids alike where enjoying the experience, all dressed up in their favorite characters and having a blast. I never see this kind of commitment and not caring what anyone things in Europe, Just have fun!
4. Food:
The food is amazing!!! I was worried before going as I am allergic to fish and can´t eat any, but they have such a rich variety of cuisine that it should be the last thing on your mind. You can go to the most popular ones where I´m sure the food is amazing but in our experience even the restaurants without a queue where to die for! So weather you are on a budget or are happy to spur you will eat great food.
4. Food:
The food is amazing!!! I was worried before going as I am allergic to fish and can´t eat any, but they have such a rich variety of cuisine that it should be the last thing on your mind. You can go to the most popular ones where I´m sure the food is amazing but in our experience even the restaurants without a queue where to die for! So weather you are on a budget or are happy to spur you will eat great food.
5. People:
The Japanese people are some of the most friendly and respectful ones I have ever encountered. Weather they speak English or not, they will go out of their way to help you. Also they like to have fun. One of my favorite experiences was going to the Fun park, adults and kids alike where enjoying the experience, all dressed up in their favorite characters and having a blast. I never see this kind of commitment and not caring what anyone things in Europe, Just have fun!
6. Cleanliness:
Probably one of my biggest pleasant cultural shocks!. It is so clean! Seriously a city like Tokyo with billions of people I maybe saw 1 or 2 papers under a bridge in a fenced area (probably blown by the wind and without access for someone to retrieve it). It is soooo amazing to see that it is possible to respect your environment, and all this with no bins available on the road. People keep their trash until they get to an area where they can throw it away properly.
Tip: always keep a plastic bag in your pocket and use it to keep your trash. You can use the public bathrooms without reservation they are some of the cleanest I have ever seen.
7. The toilets:
8. Shopping:
Forget coming to Europe to shop, go to Japan! The amount of cool shops and amazing fashion you can find is mind bobbling. I never saw so much choice in my life! You also have amazing high fashion thrift shops, separated by styles. We especially loved all the trinkets second hand shops where you could find a lot of little treasures that take you back to your childhood. But seriously I was impressed with the fashion, people express themselves so much through their fashion, man and woman, I can honestly say they inspire you to just go for whatever your heart wants without holding back. It is such a refreshing sight.
9. Temples:
Visiting temples is an amazing experience. They are surrounded by nature, the art work on those buildings is amazing and it gives you the chance to combine nature with culture and spirituality. Even though they seem all more or less the same they are worth visiting and experiencing, each of them have their own uniqueness worth seeing.
10. Transport:
It is so easy to move around the country and the cities in public transport. Everything is very well connected, and if you don´t have a train you have a bus, although in our experience if there is just a bus it means it is a good city to travel by bicycle. Do yourself a favor and rent a bike wherever you can. Kyoto and Nara are a must see by bike. You get to see so much more than if you walk it and get to see not only the tourist spots but get a glimpse of the rest of the city and feel how it would be to live there. Rule of thumb: if the locals do it you should do it.
Travel to Japan!
Japan should be a bucket list country for everyone, and when it comes to price if you have the budget to travel around Europe then you are good for Japan as the prices are pretty similar.
Always remember you are a guest! Treat it, the people and the culture with respect!
Travel to Japan!
Japan should be a bucket list country for everyone, and when it comes to price if you have the budget to travel around Europe then you are good for Japan as the prices are pretty similar.
Always remember you are a guest! Treat it, the people and the culture with respect!