{"id":12844,"date":"2020-01-29T13:00:06","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T13:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/?p=12844"},"modified":"2020-01-29T12:26:38","modified_gmt":"2020-01-29T12:26:38","slug":"first-trip-to-japan-dont-make-these-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/first-trip-to-japan-dont-make-these-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"First trip to Japan? Don\u2019t Make These Mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Alien in an alien land! Well, that\u2019s what it feels like when you make your first trip to Japan! Really, it\u2019s a place that is so vastly different it\u2019ll take a few days to adjust! And not just because of the jet-lag. The culture, food, the surroundings&#8230;the smells! Trust me, I\u2019ve experienced it, as have many, many others. But what an experience to have!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Japan is gearing up for the Olympics this summer. A feast of sport for all to enjoy. So, naturally many new visitors will be heading to the Japanese shores to take in the sport and enjoy all that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/tokyo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tokyo<\/a>, in particular, can offer. So, if it is your first trip to Japan, then follow these tips, don\u2019t make the mistakes and you\u2019ll be doing just fine.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>1. Eating Out<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12873\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.1.jpg\" alt=\"Man-holding-chopsticks-and-a-bowl-of-rice\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/tokyo\/hidden-food-gem-tour_30394\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Japanese food<\/a> is delicious, think sushi and noodles for starters! I mean what\u2019s not to like. If you\u2019re eating rice, which with most Japanese dishes you will, then please don\u2019t stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl. It\u2019s seen as symbolising death and also bad luck. Place your chopsticks next to the bowl, and no offending will take place.<\/p>\n<p>Another top restaurant tip is that you really mustn\u2019t tip when you leave. It just isn\u2019t part of Japanese culture. So, at least that\u2019s one less thing to worry about. Enjoy the food, enjoy the restaurants and their atmosphere and then leave without worry.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>2. Out and About<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12872\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.2.jpg\" alt=\"View-of-the-urban-sprawl-of-Tokyo-First-trip-to-Japan\" width=\"800\" height=\"447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.2-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.2-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re talking with someone or asking them a question, which you might as Tokyo is a vast place (20+ million residents for starters) and getting lost can easily happen. We\u2019ve all been there! So if you\u2019re asking for directions just make sure you don\u2019t point at them with your forefinger. It\u2019s seen as extremely rude. Nod your head or use your whole hand to make your point (sorry, for the pun!)<\/p>\n<p>Also, don\u2019t assume that everyone knows English. They don\u2019t and although almost all signs are in English (and Korean) that doesn\u2019t mean everyone can converse with you. They will, of course, try to help you, no matter how excellent or bad their English language skills are.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>3. Heading Indoors<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12871\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.3.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese-lady-relaxing-in-a-hot-spring-first-trip-to-japan\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets-guidebook.isango.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Into-Japan.3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>At some point, you\u2019ll head into a building or home that\u2019ll require you to take your shoes off. Many restaurants will, as of course, will visiting temples and family homes. You\u2019ll often be provided with slippers and a place to put your shoes. No-one is going to run off with them, so don\u2019t worry.<\/p>\n<p>If you decide to try out a public bath or onsen (<em>hot spring<\/em>) be prepared for two things really. Oh, you really should try them, it\u2019s bliss. Firstly you must wash before going into the public baths. Usually, soaps and showers will be provided or next to the bathrooms. And secondly, you\u2019ll probably have to be naked! Apart from a little drying towel. Don\u2019t worry, facilities and baths are segregated, so no need to be embarrassed, just go with it.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The list does go on but if you\u2019re visiting as a tourist, follow these few simple steps, and you\u2019ll be more than comfortable. Japan can feel an overwhelming, alien place. Customs and attitudes are very different, but they are a friendly nation, always ready to help. The first trip to Japan can seem a daunting prospect, but with a little knowledge, before you leave, you\u2019ll be prepared to embrace this incredible country. <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s as easy as that! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":12877,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,12,551],"tags":[41,440,1322,1447,1448],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>First trip to Japan? Don\u2019t Make These Mistakes<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"First trip to Japan? Then you&#039;re in for a travel treat of epic proportions. But as it&#039;s such a different place you&#039;ll need to follow these tips. 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Visiting India, aged 15 fueled his passion for travel, and the need to explore and discover has remained. He loves seeking out unusual places, finding fantastic cafes and experiencing different cultures. He has been fortunate to have travelled across the globe, and lived in Japan & the Czech Republic. He loves sharing his passion for travel, hoping to inspire, however quirky the content may be! 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