Japanese are the most modest and dignified people I ever come across. Tokyo is the most densely populated cities in the world, and yet it is so calm and quiet.
Bhpian vasanth recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
First of all, apologies for deciding to post this too late. But still, better late than never right?
We had been to japan at the right time, when Japan was blessed with Sakura a.k.a Cherry Blossoms, which was between March and May.
It was a 8 day trip. From April 13th – 20th
Places covered :
Tokyo
Osaka
Kyoto
Hiroshima
Fuji
All the bookings were done from Bookings.com
The detailed itinerary was planned and penned down at least 2 months back, and booking was done accordingly.
We had taken a look at the itinerary from so called reputed Travel agents. Looking at the cost and after watching James May in Japan series, Fast and furious Tokyo drift, Hachiko, YouTube etc, oh please! It’s a place you must go by yourself and not depend on anyone.
All they show is overcrowded temples, (plural: temples, it looked more like pilgrimage journey rather than experiencing quirks and features of Japan)
Yes. You should see temples, but apart from that, we should explore Japan by foot, have a drive around the Fuji by yourself, hop on worlds best and most convenient Metro and bullet train.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
I honestly have no idea where to start from.
Stay:
Hotels were booked from bookings.com.
We stayed at the most affordable and cheap hotels. Costing between 7000-10,000 INR, for per night for 3 of us.
Cost vary from place to place. It’s pretty easy to find an affordable place, also cross check in google reviews, google maps to see how far you’re from the nearest subway station.
But you’re never more than 5 min walk from nearest subway station.
At that price, we had gas stove, washing machine, microwave oven, utensils all for ourselves. The rooms were immaculate. No speck of dust, no stains, not even water marks after wiping it down.
So when I mean cheap, it’s just that, you get a decent room with all necessary amenities, and you will not be pampered with bringing your bags to room, opening the door for you, etc.
You do it on your own. Not even in single hotel, we had a person-to-person check in/out process. The main door and your bedroom will be number locked. Email will be sent on your phone, with all the processes.
The commode apart from washing our parts, it also features seat heating. Just like on a luxury car. On the cold mornings you feel relieved before you even take a dump.
Travel:
Japan Rail pass : it is a prepaid pass which is mainly used for Shinkansen (bullet train) and JR Yamanote line (green line) in Tokyo.
We get it for 7 or 14 days pass
It costs around 300 dollars per person for 7 days., with unlimited journeys on Shinkansen & Yamanote.
But remember, you need to book seats for Shinkansen once you reach Japan.
It is valid only for foreigners, you need to book it from your home at least a month prior and they will deliver it to your home.
You have to activate it once you reach Japan airport.
You CANNOT buy this pass from Japan.
Ordered from official website.
Suica Card
It is just like London’s Oyester Card
Used for local transport and many many more things. You can even do shopping from this card, buy things from vending machine, use it almost anywhere in Japan 
Drive
As a BHPian, we are born to drive.
We had almost 150km drive around Mt Fuji.
Remember, Mt Fuji is far from Tokyo.
We did not book car from Tokyo.
After first 2 night in Tokyo, on the way to Osaka by Shinkansen, we stopped by Shin-Fuji station. It’s about 60-70km drive from there.
Remember, we need to have International Driving Permit to be able to drive in Japan. 
Airports:
There are 2 airports in Tokyo
Narita: far from city, about 1 hour travel
Air fare will be cheaper.
There is dedicated metro just for this airport called Narita Express. There are buses and taxis too.
We landed at Narita in Air India. Air India was again a whole different story. We regret flying on Air India. It’s not bad. It’s worse!
The in flight entertainment system wasn’t working, the seats are torn, wrappers inside the seat back pockets, food stains on the table. How are we supposed to sit idle for 6-7 hours ?? There is no wifi either.
The worst bit, there were so many mosquitoes from Delhi – Bangalore flight.
One of the passenger pressed the Flight attendant call button and telling him, “Sir, Flight mein machar hai”
How embarrassing
The only reason we chose was, it had the fastest and shortest flight time. Malaysian, Srilankan, etc had more than 2 layovers and reaches Japan after sunset. It is also cheaper. We could have booked Emirates, they’ve direct flight from Dubai, but the cost is almost twice compared to Air India.
Air India has direct flight from Delhi. And reaches by noon, and we have rest of the day to spend in Japan.
Also the travel agent’s return flight is from Osaka. It takes more than 16 hours, after 2-3 layovers from Hongkong and Colombo etc. That’s how they trick you into this.
But we have to appreciate the Air India Pilots, every landing was smooooooooth like the Citroen DS.
Haneda: within city limits, air fare will be comparatively more.
Everything in Japan is too damn systematic.
There is literally no errors. The booking process, the roads, Subways, sightseeing tickets, VISA process, you name it.
You don’t have to be smart to know those things. It’s just how ideal world should work.
Just like how instructions will be given on an AC remote. It’s straightforward, simple and to the point and most importantly punctual down to the very second.
Yes/ wifi
We rented a pocket wifi from Klook website
Everything is given in detail in the website. How to order, where to collect it from, how to return it, it’s completely hassle free.
Food:
We are Indians. The only thing as an Indian I am proud of us is our food.
And the whole world would also agree.
Japanese food is not for our desi tastebuds.
I do not know why people crave to eat Sushi and Ramen from some of the Japanese restaurants in India.
There is no concept of vegetarianism in Japan
Ramen smells of pork and beef
Sushi is raw. It’s RAW!!!!! (In Gordon Ramsey style) 
Shopping for food is also difficult in Japan
Every thing, from name, ingredients, is in Japanese. Even Google translate struggles to translate it.. let alone you expect locals to be well versed in English. There are no green and red dots labelled on the items.
Fruits are expensive and rare in Japan. 
I have 2 words for their cuisine- Disgusting and Nutritious.
Japanese people have the healthiest and longest living people in the world.
Only 3% of Japanese are obese, compared to 40% in USA and the tags we Indians are getting every year. From diabetic capital and what not.
I have not seen a single person with a remotely convex belly in Japan. Everybody is fit and healthy.
Attire:
We have to be well dressed in Japan. Neutral colours and Dignified, just like every other person over there.
Nobody wears shorts, t shirts, & crocs. If you find someone wearing these, they’re definitely a foreigner.
So we blended in with trench coats, formals, shoes.
Vending machines :
Japan has over 5 million vending machines.
It makes it 1 for every 23 person.
You just stand and look at any direction from anywhere you’ll find definitely find few.
You even get hot drinks like tea coffee latte etc. it will be steaming hot. Just how?
Coffee machines in convenience store:
Yes. At almost every convenience stores they have coffee machines.
You just pay at the counter for coffee and make coffee for yourself. 
Culture:
Japanese are the most modest and dignified people I ever come across.
The subway post 6pm will be packed almost like Mumbai local. The fact which boggles my mind is it is pin drop silent inside. There is just train noises and announcements.
Every single person stands in queue to enter the train. Nobody sticks to you and everyone keeps distance.
On the escalator, you’re supposed to stand on the right, and climb up and go on left side. Every single person follows that.
Tokyo is the most densely populated cities in the world, and yet it is so calm and quiet.
People in India modify and put custom exhausts for their Swift and Polos and drive like a maniac.
I have seen almost all cars from Tokyo Drift and they drive with culture! No show off, no attitude.
Forget about major junctions, pedestrians even wait for a green light for small cross roads. And nobody jumps the signal. 
Toilets
Yes. If you remember Japan is famous for funky looking toilets. Also, the moment we landed in Japan, we entered the first toilet in the airport.
Every single commode we used in Japan is motorised.
Apart from Japanising food and toilet controls, even the washing machines buttons, tv remote, AC remote, microwave every thing is in Japanese!
This was the first toilet nearest to the gate, we entered as soon as we entered airport at Narita.
Not because it was urgent!. I was clicking random buttons and exploring it. Some of them even features Audio button. It makes fake flush/water flowing noise to cover up your noises when you’re doing your business. How smart!!
This made me feel like I am sitting on a Throne.
It’s not a cafe. This is washroom at Shibuya.
Controls on the washing machine. Even the google translate is not able to translate it well.
Day 1 and 2 : Tokyo
* Yoyogi Park for cherry blossoms.
* Tokyo Skytree at night for the best views.
* Teamlabs planet (please do check out videos in YouTube) it’s unreal. The memories are still afresh. You need to book in advance. (James may had visited here if you remember)
* Asakusa Temple
* Shibuya scramble crossing and Hachiko Statue
* And some car spotting is must at this Shibuya crossing.
Team labs planet. The photos don’t do any justice. It’s a place everyone must visit at least once in their life.
Continue reading Bhpian vasanth’s post for more insights and information.
