Travel Photos of Japan, Tokyo and Kyoto - Tokyo pictures, Japan trip, Kyoto pictures, Tokyo vacation
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Below is a quick run down of the good and bad of Japan plus a set of links for more information and trip planning. To view the Japan photo gallery click on one of the images below.
Japan Trip: September 2004 - Tokyo and Kyoto
Travel Photos of Japan, Tokyo and Kyoto - Tokyo Photos, Japan Photos, Kyoto Photos
So here are some thoughts on the best and worst of our Japan, Tokyo and Kyoto trip.
Best:
- food. yummy, tasty seafood and noodle dishes that fill you up but don't clog your arteries (except for the world's greatest, no. 1 donut!!). i LOVE that i never once had to worry about anything being cooked or served with butter, cheese, sour cream or any other nastiness.. god bless the japanese for their shunning of dairy products.
- service, service and...service. the Japanese are always polite and considerate even while they probably despise you as a tourist and / or foreigner. the facade works for me. i also believe that most japanese truly are friendly and considerate.
- efficient transport. the trains and subway were always on time while i was there. literally, to the second. very clean as well.
- architecture. if you love the japanese aesthetic the you'll obviously love japan (duh). most of the restaurants and shops have a great attention to detail but also a very simple, clean style at the same time.
- fashion. the Japanese are way into fashion, including the men (the younger set at least). they have an interesting way of combining/fusing different styles from different periods and places into one, semi-cohesive, self created statement. the knee high, school girl look has been adapted and modified by women who want the sex appeal without having to enroll in high school again.
Worst:
- crowds. everywhere. all the time. non-stop. when i returned from Kyoto it was 11pm on a Tuesday night and the station and the streets were still jam packed.
- air pollution. i saw a few people wearing masks and a lot of people seem to have bad skin problems. i'm guessing the air pollution is pretty bad there.
- tiny spaces for tiny people?? Tokyo is a vertical city. many shops and clubs are actually located 5, 10 or 20 stories up from the street so not only is space limited and expensive, but it's difficult to find or discover places that aren't street level.
- humidity. nasty, nasty, and...nasty. it was worse in August according to Igor. I can't even imagine.
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Tokyo links:
Media Tinker - check the archive page for all the Japan topics. Awesome photos!!
Kristen - Media Tinker
another good blog by a former Tokyo resident
Justin's Japan
Easterwood blog. More awesome photos...
easterwood.org
Another Tokyo expat blog
Wirefarm
sigh...yet another good blog (cool aesthetic and photos)
anitpixel
Suggestions for Tokyo visitors
Japan blog comments
Sake Pub Crawl!!
Where in Tokyo to Drink Good Sake
Economist's City Guide
Economist: Tokyo
USA Today Guide
USA Today: Tokyo Travel Guide
Yahoo Travel - lots of tips and links here as well as hotel offerings
Y! Tokyo
Bullet Train (Shinkansen)
Shinkansen and other Japan tips
Japan National Tourist Organization
JNTO
Language tips
15 minute Japanese...
Great Translator - you'll need the Japanese character set installed
WorldLingo
UPDATE 3/1/2005: Sumo Tournament Schedule and Tickets
Nihon Sumo Kyokai Official Grand Sumo Home Page
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