| Author |
Message |
    
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2493
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 2:43 pm: | 
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I have to go to Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe for business. Anyone have any tips? |
Chris Dickson
Citizen
Username: Ironman
Post Number: 924
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 2:44 pm: |
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Take a plane ...
Big Train
Horn-infused funkification!
www.bigtraintracks.com
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Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 155
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:17 pm: |
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mem --
Tips on what? What to see/do? How to conduct business properly? Where to eat? What airline to take? How to beat jet lag? How to get around the cities? How not to offend your Japanese hosts?
I'm sure I can offer some good advice, but please be more specific.
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1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 760
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:19 pm: |
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my husband has been to Japan many times. let me know what you want tips on. I'm sure he can advise. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2497
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:20 pm: |
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Yossarian,
I get the hint. Forget it. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2498
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:25 pm: |
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1-2,
I will be staying at hotels, so there won't be any "hosts" to offend, (seeing that I am so offensive). I already know how to beat jet lag but looking for anything basically outstanding, i.e., transport, food, city habits. Asia is still fairly new to me. Thanks for any help. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2499
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:27 pm: |
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Also - going for Kobe beef - first time as well! |
algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1510
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:28 pm: |
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Mem - this is so exciting. When are you going? |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 761
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:32 pm: |
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I'll get the goods. in the meantime, I've never figured out how to beat jet lag - what's your secret? |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2500
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:36 pm: |
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Alg,
End of January. Not very excited, you know I am tired of this - not so fun when it's business. Now if it was a Caribbean island...!!!
However, I am looking into stopping in Palau or NZ for some zzzz on the way back. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 524
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:40 pm: |
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I may sound stupid but I do a ton of traveling and often have difficulty with language barriers. I took photos of about 30 things. Cabs, trains, busses, pizza, a glass of beer (you might try wine) the inside of a mall, hotel whatever. Then when I get lost looking for something I show the picture to someone. Works all the time. Most of the time I write the word on the pack of the picture so I can use it next time.
More of a travel tip the Japan info, never been there.
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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2501
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:42 pm: |
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1-2,
Most of my overseas flights have landed me in the morning, so I stay up as late as possible the night before (the only time I ever drink coffee) have one glass of wine on the plane (I really mean one, too, 1-2!) and sleep. I take a sleep aid if it is a very long flight. That's the only thing that's worked for me... |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2502
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:44 pm: |
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Brett - So all I need is a photo of a glass of wine and a MacDonalds's hamburger! Thanks!
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Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 525
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:46 pm: |
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I really have found some great bars with one of the pictures. It’s got a tray with a Beer, Glass of wine and a Martini. It’s funny you said that too, I have a cheeseburger picture! |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5974
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 3:52 pm: |
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Jet lag won't bother you until the trip back. For meeting with business colleagues, offer business card up front with both hands. Never write on cards (in front of person who gave it to you). Treat their card as if it were gold. Avoid discussing controversial issues. Don't bring up anything negative. Speak to the most senior person -- not just the person who speaks English best. As guests, you should be seated furthest from door. Don't be bothered if the Japanese take time to speak only among themselves; they are seeking consensus. Listen to indirect comments and responses. They like to say no without having to say no. Never ask "who's in charge here." If you take photos, send them copies. Carry a samurai sword and offer to cut the sashimi. At the end of a meal, scream at the top of your lungs and tell them you have no money then toss an orange at the most senior person while he isn't looking. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 1977
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 4:09 pm: |
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Mem,
Where are you staying in Tokyo? Roppongi is sort of the gaijun ghetto there and a lot of english is spoken. Outside of Roppongi there is less english spoken and it is harder to get around without a native. If you are going someplace in a taxi, it might be helpful to have your destinations written down in Japanese. Getting cabs late at night is a pain because the cabbies are looking for businessmen going to the 'burbs because fares are higher.
You mentioned Palau. Are you a scuba diver? Palau has some of the best diving in the world with 200 foot visibility and walls of up to 900 feet. The Palau Pacific Resort looks like a fantastic place although the time I was in Palau I stayed elsewhere. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2503
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 4:17 pm: |
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tjohn,
We are getting the itinerary on Mon or Tues. Just found out that a colleague and friend is coming with me and she is Japanese, so I am OK for the first couple of days, then she will be gone for a week with her family.
Palau: One of my sisters worked as an environmental scientist in Guam for a year or two, and she spent a lot of time scuba diving in Palau. I've always wanted to see it after hearing her talk about it. But so far it looks cheaper to go to NZ or Hawaii. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 156
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 4:42 pm: |
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Hey mem, what's with the 'tude toward me.
Contrary to what you may think, I wasn't giving any "hint" to you. I was just looking for more information so I could be helpful, seeing as how I lived in Japan. I didn't want to waste my time and yours by telling you things you already know.
But, as you say, forget it.
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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2505
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 4:47 pm: |
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Yossarian,
No tude, I thought that your "how not to offend my hosts" remark was in reference to all the punishment I received here on MOL because of my posts about the way I have been treated at times by French people. Lately some people on this board seem like they have a real bitter grudge, and they are just crouched and waiting to pounce. Sorry for the paranoia. |
curb
Citizen
Username: Curb
Post Number: 364
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 5:18 pm: |
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F the French. |
imacgrandma
Citizen
Username: Imacgrandma
Post Number: 202
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 4:10 pm: |
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1-2 Look up the Argonne National Lab website for their anti-jet lag diet. It works! |
Phil
Citizen
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 732
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 4:35 pm: |
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Try and plan some time to tour the Temples in Kyoto - I spent a day doing this and could easily have spent two - one of the most amazing tourist experiences of my life. |
jro
Citizen
Username: Jro
Post Number: 43
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 12:35 pm: |
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I lived in Kobe for two years. Not much to do, but it is a very "international" city by Japanese standards which means there are great alternative restaurants if you get tired of Japanese food (Chinese, Indian, etc.) You can take a ride on the monorail to Port Island. It will give you a nice view of the city and the harbor. If you know someone with a car, have them take you at night up into the mountains just outside of Kobe. You get an incredible view of Kobe on one side and Osaka on the other.
Food wise: Make sure you try the street food! Hot bowls of ramen, grilled octopus, takoyaki (little balls of dough with octopus inside), teppanyaki (like pancakes stuffed with red bean paste). Buy a can of coffee with milk, hot chocolate or tea from a street vending machine and use it to keep your hands warm while you walk. Then drink up -- delicious! Go for Okonomiyaki(a large pancakse served family style on a griddle filled with the meat or seafood of your choice). My mouth is watering.... |
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