Comments on: 8 confusing things about Japan https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/ Sharing the world with you Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:14:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: Andy Jarosz https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67626 Andy Jarosz Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:46:55 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67626 Very few words so far Carina. Smiling a lot and lots of konichawas and arigatos seem to do the trick :-) Very few words so far Carina. Smiling a lot and lots of konichawas and arigatos seem to do the trick :-)

]]> By: Carina /pocketvillage https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67611 Carina /pocketvillage Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:21:56 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67611 Three Japanese alphabets, two with 46 characters each and one with thousands? This really is a lot Andy! How many Japanese words did you learn so far and which one has been the most useful? ;-) Three Japanese alphabets, two with 46 characters each and one with thousands? This really is a lot Andy! How many Japanese words did you learn so far and which one has been the most useful? ;-)

]]> By: AJ - Fantastic Travels https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67532 AJ - Fantastic Travels Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:51:38 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67532 Thanks Andy really interesting post. I think just about everyone has heard something positive about Japanese toilets. Aren't the the 2nd most imported item to the Rich US citizens? Thanks Andy really interesting post. I think just about everyone has heard something positive about Japanese toilets. Aren’t the the 2nd most imported item to the Rich US citizens?

]]> By: Traveling Ted https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67307 Traveling Ted Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:08:49 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67307 I think bullet trains are so fast they speed past the connection. When we were on the shinkansen we blew past Superman. I was amazed I could drink a beer on the trains. I thought it was going so fast when I took a sip the beer would fly past my face, but then I remembered a high school physics class that explained why this did not happen. I think bullet trains are so fast they speed past the connection. When we were on the shinkansen we blew past Superman. I was amazed I could drink a beer on the trains. I thought it was going so fast when I took a sip the beer would fly past my face, but then I remembered a high school physics class that explained why this did not happen.

]]> By: Andy Jarosz https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67265 Andy Jarosz Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:55:55 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67265 Thank you James - great to get an expert opinion on these points. Yes, every day we imagine how the prices (most of which are very reasonable) would look if we were getting 250 yen to the pound. As for the pachinko we watched for a while until our ears could take no more but were not tempted to play. We bumped into some of your clients on Miyajima but sadly never got the chance to say hello. Shinko couldn't sing your praises enough though! Thank you James – great to get an expert opinion on these points. Yes, every day we imagine how the prices (most of which are very reasonable) would look if we were getting 250 yen to the pound.
As for the pachinko we watched for a while until our ears could take no more but were not tempted to play.
We bumped into some of your clients on Miyajima but sadly never got the chance to say hello. Shinko couldn’t sing your praises enough though!

]]> By: Andy Jarosz https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67264 Andy Jarosz Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:52:48 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67264 Yes, it does sound a bit strange that ATMs close for the night. So far we have planned ahead and never run low on money. Let's hope we never need an emergency ATM! Yes, it does sound a bit strange that ATMs close for the night. So far we have planned ahead and never run low on money. Let’s hope we never need an emergency ATM!

]]> By: Andy Jarosz https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67263 Andy Jarosz Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:51:42 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67263 You're right Mark - the loos warrant a post of their own. The research on this one is still ongoing. You’re right Mark – the loos warrant a post of their own. The research on this one is still ongoing.

]]> By: James https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67262 James Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:32:18 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67262 Hi Andy, Some interesting questions there...I will try and answer a few of your q's - 1. Local trains are very cheap, but long distance travel on the shinkansen is a bit pricey. However, it is only really pricey when converting the cost into today's UK rate. It is not as expensive as it appears for people earning yen. The GBP£ is awful at the mo. 2. Still not really into Wi-fi in Japan, although you can get phone signals just about anywhere. I have been several thousand feet up a mountain or under ground on the subway and still get perfect reception. Most people will access internet this way. 5. They do have quite a few golf courses, but not in the heart of the city. Get out into the countryside and there are loads. they are quite expensive though! 6. I have often questioned the sense behind the time zone and I believe it has been discussed in Japan. Japan are very serious about their rice crops and it has been suggested that if they were to alter the time zone, the rice would get confused!?! - seriously! 7. There are loads of bins in Japan, but you have to make sure you are putting the rubbish in the right bin - burnable, tins, paper, plastic bottles etc. It is a very clean country though and great how the Japanese respect the environment they live in - all part of Shintoism... 8. Don't really get pachinko myself and as far as I can tell it is a game of complete luck and addiction. I have had people on tour winning a few hundred quid not knowing what they are doing. I am enjoying reading the blog pieces Andy. the great thing about Japan in my mind, is that it is unlike any other place in the world and that everyday, you will experience something completely new. Look forward to reading more.... Hi Andy,

Some interesting questions there…I will try and answer a few of your q’s –

1. Local trains are very cheap, but long distance travel on the shinkansen is a bit pricey. However, it is only really pricey when converting the cost into today’s UK rate. It is not as expensive as it appears for people earning yen. The GBP£ is awful at the mo.

2. Still not really into Wi-fi in Japan, although you can get phone signals just about anywhere. I have been several thousand feet up a mountain or under ground on the subway and still get perfect reception. Most people will access internet this way.

5. They do have quite a few golf courses, but not in the heart of the city. Get out into the countryside and there are loads. they are quite expensive though!

6. I have often questioned the sense behind the time zone and I believe it has been discussed in Japan. Japan are very serious about their rice crops and it has been suggested that if they were to alter the time zone, the rice would get confused!?! – seriously!

7. There are loads of bins in Japan, but you have to make sure you are putting the rubbish in the right bin – burnable, tins, paper, plastic bottles etc. It is a very clean country though and great how the Japanese respect the environment they live in – all part of Shintoism…

8. Don’t really get pachinko myself and as far as I can tell it is a game of complete luck and addiction. I have had people on tour winning a few hundred quid not knowing what they are doing.

I am enjoying reading the blog pieces Andy. the great thing about Japan in my mind, is that it is unlike any other place in the world and that everyday, you will experience something completely new. Look forward to reading more….

]]> By: Kailos https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67261 Kailos Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:29:57 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67261 I have my something to tell... I went to Japan with my parents and the only ATM we can use was the post office one and it was close at 6 pm.... why?! I have my something to tell…

I went to Japan with my parents and the only ATM we can use was the post office one and it was close at 6 pm…. why?!

]]> By: Mark Pawlak https://www.501places.com/2011/09/8-confusing-things-about-japan/#comment-67260 Mark Pawlak Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:26:40 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=7483#comment-67260 Andy, A friend just returned with stories of toilets that play flush sounds, and cisterns that double as hand basins. Lets have a Top 10 Japanese toilet innovations. Start your research here: http://www.geekologie.com/2008/03/washing-machinetoilet-combo-sa.php Andy,

A friend just returned with stories of toilets that play flush sounds, and cisterns that double as hand basins. Lets have a Top 10 Japanese toilet innovations.

Start your research here: http://www.geekologie.com/2008/03/washing-machinetoilet-combo-sa.php

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