Wrap Up

I haven't done one of these for a while, but then again it's been a long time since I've been to such as weird, wacky, wonderful country.

>>>> Pros

Amazing temples, beautiful scenery. If you like taking photos, this is the place for you, although maybe come in spring when things are even prettier.

Very polite general population. Even though most people don't speak English they cannot do enough for you. Bowing is completely normal, I think the restaurant owner at one place in Hiroshima was still bowing to us as we walked up the stairs and left the place.

Unbelievable train system. Clean, fast and efficient, not to mention comfortable and easy to use. Bullet trains are unreal, there is absolutely no reason to fly around this country.

Very clean and organised in most places, except for Tokyo I struggle to think of a place where I even saw a cigarette butt on the street and it was not uncommon to see people up early scrubbing their front porches or picking up pieces of non-existent rubbish.

There seems to be no crime to speak of. I remember seeing bikes everywhere just left and not chained up that were not stolen, pot plants and lanterns put out to decorate the foot path that were not vandalised and virtually no graffiti to speak of and the little bit we did see was strangely in English characters and not in Japanese.

Most things are very well signposted and most of the time you can be confident in just turning up at a place (once you're out of the stupid station) and just being able to wing it.

WiFi is everywhere and free. Many of the cities have their own free wifi just for tourists, things like this really illustrate just how far behind the rest of the world Australia is.

>>>> Cons

Although the trains themselves are somewhat amazing, the corresponding stations are a nightmare. I don't know whose idea it was to build shopping centres into stations but I think they should be made to commit seppuku. (Japanese ritual suicide) Additionally, the stations are so large and full of tunnels that you often feel like you are spending your entire day trying to get out of them, even if you are not in fact, lost.

Serious lack of usable ATM's. The only ATM's in the entire country that worked were in 7/11, which we thankfully almost everywhere (except Miyajima). If there is no 7/11 and you're out of cash, you're basically screwed.

Tourist attractions in early January a chock full of Chinese, who unlike the Japanese are frightfully rude and just barge you out of the way.

It's the land of being uncomfortable. There is NEVER anywhere to sit down, especially at train stations after your feet are so sore from trying to navigate to find the platform. Again who ever designed the stations should commit seppuku. Local trains and buses standing up is an inevitability. I don't normally praise CityRail and I know it's always late and mostly filthy, but I will say this, you nearly always get a seat. And oh my god the stairs, my knees have had it. I think there is an old Japanese proverb "To be honourable is to be uncomfortable"

The food is really nice, however the portion sizes are a bit small and it leaves you waking up hungry at about midnight. You also can't get a large meal in McDonalds or KFC, there is a reason everyone here is skinny. I must confess I've been hungry a lot here.

>>>>> My Tips

If you want to eat cheap, you can't beat the convenience stores. 7/11 (great for ATM's too), Family Mart, Lawson and Circle K. They have amazing food, sandwiches, entire meals, pancakes, all sorts of cakes and more drinks than you could poke a stick at or decipher. Strangely they also had stationary, business shirts, toiletries, souvenirs, stickers and all manner of gadgets. Now that's a convenience store!!

BUY A JAPAN RAIL PASS. I'll say it again shall I? BUY A JAPAN RAIL PASS! A two week pass for the JR rail system cost us about $460.00 each, but it saved us about four times that. It was usable on most bullet trains, the Miyajima ferry, all the JR local lines, and even the red sightseeing bus in Hiroshima!

Make sure you factor some rest time into your itinerary. I know everyone wants to see as much as they can and this was a mistake I made on this trip and my poor, poor feet and knees paid the price. It's just too much, the stairs, having nowhere to sit and the constant walking around in this country. You don't need to over extend, it could ruin your trip.

Do your research, it will save you a lot of walking. Even if it's just to consult the Lonely Planet to find out which station exit is closest to the temple you're visiting. It will make a huge difference.

Check what you're actually booking hotel wise. An "economy room" is going to be freakishly small. A semi double is equivalent to our king single and yes, a website like Expedia will let you book this for two people and sometimes a family. If you're not an experienced traveller, I would recommend booking your accommodation with a travel agent and paying a bit more as even I got caught out with this in Osaka.

The other major factor here has been the season, its winter here and at times it has been uncomfortably cold. It hasn't really affected the trip too much, however it seems like peak season for Chinese visitors so perhaps avoid winter and come in the spring or autumn, but not in summer, apparently its frightfully humid.

Overall, this place has been a lovely experience that both Darren (first time traveller) and myself (a veritable veteran) have thoroughly enjoyed. I think we the style of travel we chose (public transport), two weeks was long enough as over the last few days it has started to get a bit tedious, me with the stairs and Darren just wants to be away from people. If we should return I think we will be hiring a car and keeping out of the giant cities and just taking it a bit easier.

Sai yonara!