Look at Tokyo today and you will see what the Tokyo- jin (meaning Tokyo people in japanese) have that we don’t have in our cities- bustling streets with thousands of people waiting to cross the roads, giantic television screens on the sides of buildings, high school students roaming the streets of shibuya after school and fashion statements made everywhere you go! It never cease to amaze travellers in Tokyo at the amount of things all happening all the same time, and most are often left dazzled by everything they see.

So, what can you do in Tokyo when you are there? (provided you are not “paralysed”, dazed and standing in the middle of the street).

What can you do there: Many things..

But before you have fun getting lost in a foreign land without no knowledge, how about learning how the train works for a start? That’s a good start, if you are intending to use public transport, and you can probably pick up the rest from there.

Some quick points..

1) Trains are called JR (Japan Rail) and there are many trains stations all over japan. The whole system of train routes and stops is a massive spider web and it takes some understanding of the sytem to get from point A to point B in Tokyo.

2) To get to most tourist spots in Tokyo, you only need to know about Yamanote train travel. Learn to get on to Yamanote train travel from your local train station and the rest is easy.

3) If you are going to travel intensively by train, it’s advisable to get a unlimited JR train ticket from major state train stations like Tokyo and Osaka train stations- costs savings overall.

Things to do:

Using JR trains, you can just about get to anywhere you want in Japan. There’s also a shinkansen (bullet-train) to get from state to state but it’s rather expensive for a ride. Places like Ueno, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Ginza and Harajyuku are places you should look out for as they are the main tourists spots with heaps of Japanese culture and attractions.

Ueno (pronounced as “ooo-a-no”) - famous park and zoo

Shibuya- hotspot for young people, high school kids and accessories

Shinjuku- business center but lots of shopping and interesting things about

Akihabara- computer, electronics and gadgets town

Ikebukuro- accessories, trendy clothes and more shopping

Harajuku- fashion, large variety of shops and roppon-ni (bars)

Ginza- trendy and expensive shopping area

There are so many things and places that you see in Tokyo; entertainment, traditional, cultural, food, shopping and tourist spots, and I will only spoil the fun of adventure to tell you about everything in Japan or Tokyo like guide books do.
You easily find help and tourist information along your way, if you get lost in the bubbly Tokyo. Now that you know how to get around Tokyo using trains, why not take up the challenge and explore Tokyo on your own?

Author: Adrian Curtin works full-time as a webmaster at http://www.travelwalk.net Travel recommendations, travel forums and resources. His interests lie predominantly in travel and creating his travel stories in his laptop while travelling.

It can be recalled that Peter Moore of Microsoft used Sony console’s price as a spring board in launching a new Xbox 360 marketing campaign. Moore released statements that gamers get more value in buying a Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360 for the value of a single PS3 games console. No doubt that the statement made even hard-core Sony fans hesitant about buying a PS3. After all, $600 is big money. Plus, the possibility given by Moore is a no-brainer: it is a choice between two next-gen consoles and more gaming options or one PS3. Sony has to act; and the usually quiet Steve Howard finally broke his silence.

In a recent press conference in Tokyo, Sony Corp’s Steve Howard released a statement justifying the new Sony console’s price. He claimed that the in buying a PS3 games console, the consumers are actually buying potential. Such a vague statement needed further clarification and Howard obliged. According to him, though the PS3 console is admittedly pricier ($599) than Microsoft’s Xbox 360 ($300) or Nintendo’s Wii($250), it provides users Blu-ray technology– touted to be the technology of the future. Further, if the new Sony console’s performance reaches its full potential, users would benefit from higher technology and longer years of use. Howard also implied in his statement that Xbox 360s and the Wii’s are cheaper because they are merely “transitional” consoles with inferior technology when compared to the futuristic PS3.

However, market analysts and yours truly, seriously doubt this claim by Howard. Times are hard, and people are sure to think about whether the PS3 games console deserves its price tag. This can look bad quickly for Sony because reviews show that PS3’s Blu-ray-supported graphics are only equal to that of the cheaper consoles. If there are differences, these are highly indistinct, unless you want to spend game time analyzing the graphic pixels. Even the controller is deemed inferior to that of the PS1 from seven years ago. In fact, the Wii sports a much better controller. Also, Howard’s potential-based argument is stretched too thin and poorly supported. What if the new PS3 didn’t reach its full potential? Then, there is the case of disappointed consumers whining over their loss. What about the long years of use? I doubt that five years would pass before the gaming giants come up with a new console prototype. Surely, Howard can come up with something stronger than an argument based on “potential”. PS3 games enthusiasts need more fuel for their cause. Meantime, do you know what I’m excited to hear about? Peter Moore’s response to Sony’s “potential”.

by Carver Tate

Tokyo: A Consumer Capital

It may be ironic that one of the most expensive cities in the world also has one of the most rampant and flamboyant consumer cultures. Tourist attractions in Tokyo consist of many gargantuan shopping complexes in addition to the cultural favorites. The Ginza shopping district reigns supreme for ostentatious spending habits, with thousands of mega-stores, boutiques and an excessive array of non-functional novelty stores for the easily amused within us all. For a dose of New York in Tokyo, visit Shibuya, which is rife with higher-end shops, shrines, King-Kong-sized plasma TV screens and the busiest pedestrian street crossing in the world.

A Culture of Retrospect and Reflection

There is a tendency to become inundated and desensitized by the neon lights that line the city streets like masts in Japan’s ocean of technology. While these electric temples serve to extol a hyper-modern age, Tokyo also possesses some of the most idyllic and serene shrines and pagodas in the country. Meiji-jingu is the most impressive of Tokyo’s Shinto shrines, built with Japanese cypress and copper plates for the roof. Even though the shrine was destroyed during World War II, the reconstruction has not lost any of the grandeur. Just north of the city, Bonsai Park treats visitors to the zen-like art of cultivating these meticulously placed miniature trees and experiencing the calming of the mind. An essential experience for anyone traveling to Tokyo is the view of Mount Fuji in the early hours of dawn. This is possible from within the city, atop one of the massive skyscrapers such as the Government Building in Shinjuku. Directly in the center of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace (Kokyo) is an inner-city sanctuary that is home to the Imperial Family. The public can visit the surrounding East Gardens and walk along the double bridge over the tranquil moats of the palace grounds, but the palace buildings and inner courtyard are closed to visitors.

Travel to Tokyo with a willingness to get lost among the hustle and perhaps find yourself again in the silence of a shrine. The expansive city and system of subways make it nearly impossible to make a wrong turn.

by Frank Johnson

With the big subway (chikatetsu) stations such as Shinjuku or Ikebukuro having a myriad of exits and platforms, it’s suprising there aren’t more collisions as everyone zigzags every which way. Actually I can’t recall ever seeing anyone majorly get bumped into or fall down. If you need to stop its best to head for the nearest wall or pillar though as stopping dead in your tracks without warning is likely to cause a pile up!

Another thing you notice is that apart from on the train platforms themselves it’s very rare to find seating in the stations, and for that matter even benches on the street are extremely rare. However, with the temperature climbing at the moment the humidity is becoming quite uncomfortable so most people are taking refuge in air-conditioned coffee shops and restaurant. With so many tempting places to stop in, I find myself wondering at the end of the day where my money went.

The demise of eBay Japan is no great loss and Yahoo! Auctions is enjoying immense popularity. Even when eBay Japan was in the running, Yahoo! enjoyed a 95% share of the online auction market, compared to eBay’s piddling 3%.

Yahoo! has made great inroads in Japan, both through their Yahoo! BB broadband services and also the ubiquitous Yahoo web portal. Yahoo! has been very well accepted in Japan and has gained the respect and trust of the Japanese people.

Cultural differences could place more of a part than it first appears. Yahoo! has been careful to tailor their service to the Japanese way of thinking and of life.

Even online, the famed Japanese politeness and etiquette is essential. For example, leaving feedback like ‘Great buyer’ or ‘Bad seller’ will just not cut it. Nor will leaving over factual or emotional responses. There is a definite requirement that all communication between the buyer and seller is respectful and verbose.

If you have ever used eBay, one thing that may shock you about Japanese online auctions is their trusting nature. I have bought a number of different items where the seller has sent me out the item before I’ve even paid for it! This works because most Japanese will feel guilty and run down to make their payment straight away. I’ve even bought from proper online stores and been given the same payment terms, delivery now… pay later! If only Western society was like that.

Another reason for Yahoo! Auctions’ rise to the top was perhaps their Yahoo! Payments system. Yahoo! Payments allows the seller to receive the funds from the sale into their bank account.

A browse through Yahoo! Auctions reveals a world of items that Western collectors would drool over. But before you attempt to logon, you’d better have several years of Japanese studies under your belt. Unless you can converse like a native, with all the intricacies of the Japanese politeness you won’t get far. You’ll also need access to payment methods that you can only do in Japan, such as a local postal money order. International payments are definitely not accepted - and a Japanese delivery address is a must.

Most sellers wont even sell to overseas for these reason, and also because they don’t want the hassles of international delivery. Why would they? With a population of around 127,000,000 people, potential buyers in Japan are not exactly hard to come by.

The other convenience factor of the Japanese bullet train is probably not immediately apparent. For example, imagine catching a plane. You’d need to get yourself right out of town to the airport, check in early, go through the screening and boarding procedures and then do it all again at the other end! It could add many hours to a journey that may only entail 1 or 2 hours flying time. With the Shinkansen bullet trains, assuming you have an un-reserved seat, all you need to do is turn up at the station, wait about 15-20 mins for the next train and jump aboard.

The Shinkansen schedule is very regular and but I recommend picking up a Shinkansen timetable as the services do stop overnight. That way you won’t get caught out. Stash your luggage out of the way and relax! There are even food & beverage carts that are wheeled through the train just like in the air! You can purchase snacks, hot meals and even alcohol, and the seats have fold down tray tables too! When you arrive at your destination simply grab your bags and alight. Most Shinkansen bullet trains run from stations fairly central in the cities so are easy to get to.

You will find that your Japanese trip is much more pleasurable by train, and you can take in the sights too, albeit at pretty high speed. If you plan on traveling by train a lot in Japan, a Japan Rail Pass is definitely recommended and allows you unlimited travel on JR (Japan Rail) trains for 7, 14 or 21 days depending on the pass purchased. But be carefuly, since many other train companies other than Japan Rail and the Japan Rail Pass is not valid for all train services. You will find the JR Pass saves you an absolute bundle especially since you can have unlimited Shinkansen bullet train travel using it.

The Japan Rail Pass lets you use all Shinkansen services apart from the Nozomi class, which are the current fastest bullet trains. Since usually the Nozomi shinkansen will be a full express service to the destination, you are probably going to want to take the other Shinkansen service anyway to get off along the way for your sightseeing in Japan. A trip on the bullet train is a must-do for the total Japan experience!

Obviously, if you are wearing high lace up boots then it is going to get annoying real fast when you have to take them off every time you enter Japanese homes. It’s a good idea to purchase some new socks before your trip too and make sure to always wear clean, hole-free ones as you never know when you may need to take off your shoes. Some Japanese restaurants, temples and traditional hotels will also require that you remove your footwear too. The idea is to keep the dirt from the street outside and preserve the clean Japanese home decor. Most Japanese homes will also feature what is called ‘tatami’. This is the traditional straw matting that you may have visions of Japanese samurai sitting on. Walking on the Japanese tatami mats in anything more than socks is a definite no-no and you will quickly offend your host.

Japanese interiors may feature tatami prominently, however these days most houses in Japan only have one traditional style tatami room. It may be furnished with a sparse amount of Japanese furniture, while the rest of the house will often be of a Western feel. Even without the Japanese tatami room, most Japanese homes will feature a traditional part of Japanese decor called the ‘genkan’. Japanese interiors are usually raised higher, while the genkan will be lower so that you step up into the Japanese home.

Remove your shoes at the genkan and leave them there. There may be place to store them, or you may turn them around ready to step into when you leave and put them to the side out of the way. Or, you may even return to find that your host has neatly arranged them for you, a polite gesture in the culture of Japan. So remember to always where clean socks and remove your shoes when entering a Japanese home and pay respect to their Japanese traditions and culture.

Craig’s handbook is full of valuable tips and information that will help you find and prepare for this life-changing experience as well as how to succeed as an English teacher and lots of insider info about the teaching business in Japan.

As you’re probably already aware, Japan is a very unique place. No where else in the world will you find the same outrageous opportunities to make money that are open to just about anyone.

English Teaching.

The most common job for new foreigners is teaching English. Despite the thousands of English schools and 12 years of study at school, the English level in Japan remains at lower intermediate, ensuring strong demand for teachers. Every type of class and situation exists from Elementary schools right through to Flight Attendant Colleges. It can also be a great way into a previously non-existent position. I know of one teacher at a top Advertising agency who later became an English copywriter. He had no experience whatsoever in copywriting, they just liked him and enjoyed his lessons.

Acting/modeling/voice overs.

Without a doubt, the epicenter for entertainment work is Tokyo. There are around 60 major freelance agencies that offer all kinds of work to foreigners living in the area. It is not uncommon for first timers to walk into $1000 plus jobs, while their friends back home fight over $120 extras work. Experience is not expected - simply being foreign and having the right look is enough. In fact, most highly skilled dancers and actors would be appalled at how easy it is to get work and how the jobs are selected. Actual talent is very rarely considered - it is all about the look.

In many ways, the entertainment scene in Tokyo is a big break and a way to escape the comfort zone and limitations of home. Many foreigners living in Japan, doing the work, return home to find their friends are just as broke as they were 5 years ago, fighting over the same tiny piece of the entertainment pie, hoping desperately for a break. They are not seeing that Tokyo is that break! Ewan McGregor, Edward Norton, Ashley Judd and Cameron Diaz are among some of the current stars to have worked in Japan.

Dancing/hostessing.

Japan was long considered one of the best places for working Dancer/hostess types in the world. Whilst it still can be very lucrative, the rules have changed regarding visas. Whereas once a 90 tourist visa was adequate, immigration crackdowns have led to the introduction of entertainment visas for all women employed in the industry. The Japanese culture remains one of meetings and drinking, and corporate types still prefer to do both in the company of attractive, polite, western women. In the past, women simply had to be attractive and turn up, now they need to be just as adept at being charming in order to make the big money.

Wedding minister.

The white wedding business is huge in Japan. It is the most popular type of ceremony from Sapporo to Okinawa and all those weddings create a demand for clean cut pastors to conduct the 20 minute ceremonies. In some cases, 20,000 yen for the 20 minute ceremony and performing 20-30 per month on the weekends is normal, making this one of the best ways to make yen. There are some properly ordained ministers out there, but for the most part, basic Japanese and rudimentary training is all it takes to move one man from the classroom to the pulpit.

Headhunting.

The Headhunting industry in Tokyo continues to flourish unabated. New companies emerge quarterly and are still able to bill fees of 30 - even 35% in some cases. Most of the “recruiters” start out teaching English and usually have very little in the way of professional experience. As English speakers though, they are considered to be experts in dealing with foreign companies, which is more than enough to qualify them for the job. Here you will find recruiters - both male and female making 6 figures when many would struggle to hold down simple jobs back home. This truly is an extraordinary opportunity open to anyone with some professionalism and knowledge of Japan.

Japanese language skills.

For teaching English and Headhunting, Japanese is almost not required at all. Speaking with the students in Japanese is strongly discouraged - they are there to learn English after all, and in Headhunting, 95% of the candidates need to be effective communicators in English. That leaves Wedding Ministers - the ceremony is read in Japanese, dancing/hostessing - where some basic Japanese will be looked upon favorably and Acting/modeling/voice overs, where in most cases there will already be a translator and the pronunciation of 10 words in Japanese is more important that speaking ability.

An active interest in Japanese culture and the language will assist in daily life, but for the people simply interested in Japan as a way to make as much money as possible, it is simply not required.

Copyright 2006 Matt Canham

About the author:
Matt Canham has lived on and off in Tokyo for the last 7 years.
He has a resource site at: http://jobs-in-japan.marinerblue.com

And don’t forget to take grab a copy of Craig Desorcy’s excellent guide, The Super Teaching in Japan Handbook before you go!

The Japanese hotel association website also offers information on accommodations. Staying in a western-style hotel in Japan is equivalent to the experience in the US. The staffs at the hotel speak English and provide excellent customer service. The western-style hotel options in Japan include deluxe, business or capsule.

Foreign visitors are better accommodated in deluxe hotels in terms of language and food. Of course, you will not miss the Japanese influence because you will find Japanese restaurants in these hotels too. Business hotels offer reasonable prices. While the rooms are smaller than in a regular hotel and have an attached bathroom they are preferred mostly by traveling businessmen. These hotels do not have a restaurant or any other services, aside from vending machines. Visitors can expect convenience as these business hotels usually are located close to local train stations.

Capsule hotels are representative of the premium on space in Japan. These hotels offer a bed in a small capsule with a television and a shared bathroom. Located near railway stations the checkout is usually around 9 a.m. the next morning. Washing facilities are located within the hotel and some hotels even have luxury bathrooms and massage parlors.

Apart from the regular hotels, visitors to Japan can also look forward to accommodations like the Ryokan, Minshuku and Pension. Ryokan is essentially a traveler’s inn. Visitors who stay in a Ryokan experience traditional Japan as most of the rooms are in Japanese Style and you sleep on a futon on the tatami mat floor. While the rates are the same as a business hotel in the cities, Ryokan’s in resort areas are reasonably priced apart from giving you a unique Japanese experience.

Minshuku referred to as people’s accommodation are somewhat similar to the Ryokan but are generally family-run businesses. They are cheaper than the Ryokan’s. From the outside many look like a large house and sometimes you get to eat with the family. The downside is that English is not spoken and many of the houses appear old and run-down.

Pensions are the westernized version of the Ryokan and Minshuku. They are located in the resort areas and offer the same services albeit with a European flavor. Rates are generally per person and that includes Western or French style dinner and breakfast.

There are a few travel tips you need to know before you travel to Japan.

* Eating is Japan is quite a challenge especially if you do not know where to look for the right food. For instance, Tokyo itself has more than 60,000 restaurants. So the key is to eat just like the Japanese - look for local restaurants on the streets instead of high-rise hotels. You will usually find the best deals and the easiest way to choose your food will be to point to it on the display window (usually menus are in Japanese).

* Visit the Japanese National Tourist Organization website for a wealth of information on travel and hotels.

* Carry an easy to read conversion dictionary from your native language or English to Japanese.

* The Japanese generally have a quiet and peaceful culture. They are very particular about etiquette. So it’s very important to know their table manners, socially acceptable forms of greetings, tipping policies, hygiene, etc.

About the author:
Henry Huxton is site moderator of JapaneseHotelDirectory.com

Rumor

In typical Cruise style, and reminiscent of his previous stunts at other major openings, an entire shinkansen (bullet train) will be chartered from Tokyo to Osaka. With up to 150 guests on board, it is sure to be the experience for any Tom Cruise fan’s dreams. On the journey Cruise plans to personally meet every passenger and pose for photographs with them. Upon arrival at Osaka, the guests will then be invited to attend the opening night of the movie in that city too.

The Nozomi class bullet train that the Cruise PR team intends to charter is the current fastest shinkansen schedule in the fleet with a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) and makes the 515km (340 mile) run from Tokyo to the south-western city of Osaka in only 2.5 hours.