あけましておめでとうございます! Happy New Year!
This is a country you must visit. The culture, people, sights, technology, food are things definitely not to be missed. This is definitely a one sided post because I am a huge fan of this country. Pictures are fresh off the oven!
1. The people are very polite
This is like the basics of their culture. Staffs at the shops, restaurants, hotels, farms, anyway you name it, you find the same polite staffs. They greet, offer their services, promote the items, thank you, the bow. I remembered on several occasions that we were leaving on the bus from a hotel and farm, the staff bowed until the bus is out of sight and waved very happily.
2. All are on the left of the escalator
You'll never find anyone standing on the right if they do not need to rush. Be it at the train stations, offices, malls. If you see anyone standing on the right, they are probably tourist.
3. Recycling
The Japanese are huge on recycling. They separate the trash in 2 types, combustible and non-combustible. There are designated days which the recycling company will collect the different types of trash.
4. Clearing on trays in fast food restaurants
They clear their own trays in fast food restaurants. The very first time we ate at Mcdonalds and we didn't clear our tray, people look at us in a weird way.
5. Greetings
There is something to say before you eat, after you eat, when you come home, when you are going out.
6. Food
How can you miss the tempura, ramen, donburi, sushi and takoyaki? Because of the manpower in the smaller shops, they have vending machines outside where you pay and get a ticket and you just need to give the ticket to the staff and they'll serve your food.
7. Transportation
Though there are many lines and many exits, you can easily follow the directions at various train station. There are even lines on the platform to tell you which car number you are getting on. In the train, there are panels like the SMRT but with timing to tell you how long it is going to take you to the station you are alighting (For the JR line). There are also different ringing tones to tell you the train doors are closing at the various JR Yamanote stations. Best thing is you can eat and drink in the trains here and people does not litter. The timing is also very accurate,if the panel states the train will be there at 12.13, it'll be there.
8. Technology
The gaming stations, cameras and all the new technology developed here. Shinkansen that can travel 300 over km makes travel internally so easy and convenient.
9. Sights
Fuji-san, Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Sakura, the shrines and fashion are not to be missed.
10. Vending Machines
There are vending machines every few steps you walk in Tokyo. Almost everything can be sold from these machines.
11.Packaging
The Japanese wrap everything so nicely be it food, clothes, just about anything.
So what are you waiting for? Visit Japan now!
This is Angie reporting live from Tokyo, Japan.
