IWTKA...Japan!
What You Should Know
Currency: Yen
Weather: Warm days, Cool nights
English Friendly: (Scale 1-5)
Tokyo - 2
Osaka - 4
Kyoto - 4
Disability-Friendly: (Scale 1-5)
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto - 2
Toilets are in a small room of their own (this is pretty common/standard in Europe).
There’s no shortage of wifi; wifi is accessible everywhere!
Clothing can be a bit expensive here, for example $45-60 for a button-up blouse. *Disclaimer: expensive is subjective, I know.
Osaka has a great number of bike riders and bicycles.
Kyoto is very calm. I would describe it to be very suburban with a relaxed community.
There is a lot of smoking, specifically cigarettes. Unfortunately, this is just a common occurrence and it’s really no way around it.
Japan has bright lights, tall buildings, and an extensive metro. That’s as far as it’s futurism extends. Many people assume that Japan is the most futuristic and technologically advanced place in the world but this assumption is based purely on media fiction and stereotyping. I would wager to say that China is more futuristic than Japan.
The cuisine is almost exclusively Japanese! Of course there is McDonalds and Wendys, but aside from these few American fast food chains, you will be limited to eating entirely Japanese. If you’re not use to this cuisine or you’re not fond of asian food, you’ll have a tough time eating.
The culture is pretty individualistic. People normally stick to themselves and their own groups. I never experienced any discrimination or any issues with being disrespected. People here mind their business.
Accommodations
I stayed in the Nine Hour Narita hotel for my first night in Japan. This hotel is a capsule hotel.
Upon entering, the reception desk is located in the center and two doors are on each side that lead to each gender’s locker room. Within here you can go head straight through to the toilets and to the showers located on the far end. On your left, there is a door that leads to the capsules.
The capsules or “sleep pods” are within one dark room that is completely silent. Each pod contains an AC/temperature control, ambient music, charger outlets, and a light. Actually sleeping in the pod is not an issue. The capsules are very wide and the bedding is very comfortable. The sleep pod room is kept sanitary by having guest remove their shoes prior to entry. Slippers are given upon check-in. It may have been a standard, or it was just my luck, but noise disturbances did not occur during my stay.
I definitely implore everyone visiting Japan to stay at least a night or two at any of the Nine Hours locations to receive the best capsule hotel experience.
From Tokyo, I traveled to Seoul, but thereafter I went to Osaka. Here I stayed at the Hotel Trad!
I genuinely appreciate a hotel that shows concern and gratitude for their guest and Hotel Trad does just that.
I was originally told that the hotel was intended to be a condominium (or apartment?) but due to the lack of residency it was converted to a hotel.
Upon entry you step into the first section which contains a toilet closet on the right and the sink and shower on the left. This was the first accomodation I ever stayed in that had this! It was an absolute treat as I detest standard bathrooms with the toilet in the open. This toilet also had a great feature: once you flush, the built-in sink will automatically begin to run water for hand washing! The shower also has a dividing sliding door that allows for the sink to remain accessible, even if the shower is occupied. The only caveat to my stay was that the beds weren’t the most comfortable, they were somewhat harder than I prefer. Overall I still give Hotel Trad a 9 out of 10 as the ease of convenience to attractions and metro accessibility are unmatched.
See more of the Hotel Trad and their wonderful staff here.
Lastly, I flew back to Tokyo from Osaka and from here on out I stayed in the Oakwood Hotel & Apartments. This hotel is at least 20 stories. If memory serves me correct, there is a gym! About this hotel: Location, location, location! There are 3 different malls within eye site from your room or in just a 5 minute walk from the hotel! There are also two metro stops nearby and a 7/11 is also across the street. This hotel includes rooms with a kitchenette and 2-in-1 washer and dryer. Just as the Hotel Trad had, the shower and toilet are separated. This time they are separated within one room instead of two distinct rooms/closets.
Everything about this hotel is phenomenal. The bed was very comfortable; the housekeeping was always timely; and the staff were constantly attentive. This hotel is definitely a 10 out of 10, and if there’s a higher rating then that, this hotel deserves it.
Transportation
The total cost of my roundtrip flights and hotel accommodations was $1,446.08. I left from BWI to Narita airport in Tokyo. I stayed one night in Tokyo until I left for Seoul the next day. 2 days following this, I flew back from Seoul to Narita, then from Narita to Osaka. The roundtrip flight from Narita to Osaka cost $186.67. The bus ride from Osaka to Kyoto was $13.00 one way.
The Tokyo metro is just as complicated as it seems. Surprisingly, despite the language barrier, I was never lost. Thanks to Google Maps, I stayed on course with most of my itinerary and was never headed in the wrong direction. Metro stops are in Japanese and also include the latin spelling as well. There is wifi EVERYWHERE. Metros include malls/shopping center and are often packed with people. One interesting thing I noticed is that you can enter a metro at one point and it could take about 15 minutes to reach the opposing exit. The only difference between Kyoto and Osaka’s metros are that Kyoto’s metro is more comfortable and modern. Kyoto has pull down shades and carpet. Overall, Japan’s metros compares very closely to that of Seoul and Dubai.
And then there was food…
Unique, plentiful, and interesting are the best way I can describe the Japanese cuisine!
Staples: Mayonnaise, Udon, Sushi, Rice, Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Japanese Sweet Potatoes
Unspoken truth: Japan, or at least Tokyo, is big on mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is included in a lot of dishes here. From cabbage in okonmiyaki, to drizzled on top of sweet dessert (takoyaki), mayonnaise is never left behind.
Japan can be very vegetarian friendly as plenty of side dishes are included that do not include any meat products.
Recommendations
Take a light jacket as it gets cool at night.
Know some Japanese if you can help it.
Have money! Japan can be a bit more expensive than most are use to.
