I thought to make this a bit more interesting I would spilt this blog post into questions and answers so it would make it more informative and also easier to skip past the bits you don’t care about.
Q; Is it expensive to get to/how do you get there?
A; Yes and no. Japan is literally on the other side of the world so it is expensive to get there, but if you want to go therefore cheap choose flights with stopovers, check sky scanner and keep an eye out! Unfortunately you cannot get a direct flight from Belfast. Therefore your best bet is to go from Dublin or London (I know, more travelling). If you go directly from these locations a direct flight ispossible (and a lot faster) but is definitely the most expensive option. Most flights to Japan have at least one stopover, and this is usually Amsterdam. A cheap return flight would be about £600, and this can go all the way up to over a thousand. You can obviously pay more to have a comfortable seat – and this is not money wasted!
On one flight, the plane was quite empty and they said we could move seats so I found 4 seats beside each other empty and lay across them, and used all the pillows and blankets to form a pretty comfortable bed! So don’t be shy to do this if the opportunity arises.
Q; How long does it take to get there?
A; A direct flight from Dublin will take you 13 ½ hours to get there. If you choose stopovers this can greatly increase this time frame. I flew from Japan to Korea, Korea to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to Dublin, then a car journey back to Belfast. It took me more than 24 hours to get home and waiting around in airports can be very bad (especially when you have none of the country’s currency on you!)
I flew with KLM both trips to Japan and they were pretty good.
I flew with KLM both trips to Japan and they were pretty good.
Q; what is the food like on the long flight?
This is obviously the most important question.
You will get normally 2 meals on the plane, both of which will have a starter/main/dessert set-up. The dinner option comes with a choice of Western/Japanese. I always choose Western, and as airplane food goes – it is pretty great. Beef spicy meatballs, profiteroles, cheese and crackers, hot bread roll. Breakfast is usually eggs and sausages with fruit salad etc. Drinks are unlimited at all times and the selection is huge (and included alcohol). They also usually have a ‘snack’ which could be ice cream or waffles and shortly after take-off you get some nice smoked almonds.
The main thing I would say is – if you want anything just ask. You want a second white wine to nurse you to sleep? Ask for it! They also have cup noodles on request and usually a selection of sweet treats in a stand on the back of the plane. These included mini mars bars, cheese crackers, Mentos, and biscuits.
This info obviously varies depending on who you fly with – but I believe they are all pretty similar.
Q; What is the in-flight entertainment like?
A; Pretty great. Unless you are in the front rows you will have a personal TV unit, and a remote. There are a few different categories – Music, Games, Audiobook, TV, language lessons and films.
Music; very limited, mostly classical.
Games; Tetris etc, but very slow and poor graphics.
Audiobook; Didn’t use – but I did download my own from audible on their free 30 day trial – give one a go if you are interested – breaks up the travelling well.
TV; Spilt in genres, but each TV show has 2 random episodes, sadly no whole seasons or even 1st episdoes.
Movies; The best option. They have over 10 in each category. The categories given are; New Releases, Holywood Hits, Kids (including lots of Disney), Classic and Foreign.
Language Courses; in my opinion very bad and not fun at all. Good choice of languages though!
Games; Tetris etc, but very slow and poor graphics.
Audiobook; Didn’t use – but I did download my own from audible on their free 30 day trial – give one a go if you are interested – breaks up the travelling well.
TV; Spilt in genres, but each TV show has 2 random episodes, sadly no whole seasons or even 1st episdoes.
Movies; The best option. They have over 10 in each category. The categories given are; New Releases, Holywood Hits, Kids (including lots of Disney), Classic and Foreign.
Language Courses; in my opinion very bad and not fun at all. Good choice of languages though!
They also have a Flight Tracker which tells you where you are flying over, speeds and how long is left of your flight.
Q; How do I travel once I am in Japan?
A; if you are in Tokyo, get the subway – 100% of the time. The subway in Tokyo is very reliable, efficient and easy to navigate. In each station they have a machine where you can buy individual tickets but if you are there more than a day or two my best advice would be to get a Pasmo (or Suica which is the old name) card. These work exactly like Oyster card in London. You can buy these as soon as you get to Tokyo in any stations – just ask at Information. You can top these up at any station via machine, which helpfully also has an English option! Everytime you swipe your card it will tell you your balance.
You can also buy drinks from vending machines with your Pasmo card in stations if you have no change!
Note; the subways can get VERY crowded and warm, if you are claustrophobic avoid rush hour and the last trains home!
For more info; http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html
Q; What is I am travelling outside of Tokyo?
The first time I was in Japan we stayed in Tokyo for 4 days, then for a week travelled around Japan. We went to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Nara. For the week where we travelled we bought a 7 day JR pass.
This is a pass for unlimited travel on Japan rail (but not on Subways). It is £162 for 1 week or £258 for 2 weeks. This is a MUST if you are travelling about as rail travel is very expensive and quite difficult. With this you just flash this and go through – great for exploring.
You will travel via Shinkansen (and this got us on the ferry to Miyajima!) (A very fast fancy train) where there are toilets and drink vending machines. It is very spacious and comfortable.
More info here. http://www.jrpass.com/
Q; Can I use my debit/credit card to pay for things?
A; Sometimes, but not really. Here in the UK we live in a society where we pay for our groceries, travel tickets and meals by card (or at least I do). Japan does not operate like that. Everything must be paid in cash, so have a lot on you, and bring what you think you will need for the trip.
However, you can take money out at any Konbini (24/7 convenience shops) and these are EVERYWHERE you go. The most common are Family Marts, 7/11’s and Lawsons. These will charge you to use them, and you will also be charged the exchange rate… so don’t make too much of a habit of using these.
Q; What is Japanese food like? Any tips on what to order/what not to order?
A; Japanese food is very alien to me. On my first trip I felt nauseous a lot and didn’t want to try any new food but on my second trip I made more of an effort.
It is also prudent to note you are expected to eat with chopsticks everywhere you go, but you can ask for a knife and fork and they should have them.
So what do the Japanese eat?
1. Ramen (and lots of it)
Anywhere you go you will see many ramen bars, and sometimes stalls in the cities. Ramen is nice, but it is SO filling and you always get a giant bowl. It will come with a big wooden spoon and hashi (chopsticks) Usually there will be extra spices/oils and a pot of pickled vegetables. It can cost from about 4 pound to 10, but is usually pretty affordable and tasty.
Note; In most ramen bars you will put your money into a vending machine when you come in the door and pick a meal (for me normally based on pictures if they have any) A receipt will print out which you will give to the chef and he will cook it and serve it for you.
Anywhere you go you will see many ramen bars, and sometimes stalls in the cities. Ramen is nice, but it is SO filling and you always get a giant bowl. It will come with a big wooden spoon and hashi (chopsticks) Usually there will be extra spices/oils and a pot of pickled vegetables. It can cost from about 4 pound to 10, but is usually pretty affordable and tasty.
Note; In most ramen bars you will put your money into a vending machine when you come in the door and pick a meal (for me normally based on pictures if they have any) A receipt will print out which you will give to the chef and he will cook it and serve it for you.
2. Sushi – everywhere, all the time.
The Japanese LOVE raw meat, and would pick it over cooked meat any day. I find this so fascinating. Even the kids love it, sushi is very well respected and you will see it everywhere. It can be expensive and it always (to me) looks gross.
I went to an enkai when I was over. An enkai is basically a party in a restaurant where you all sit on the floor at a table and drink beer and eat meat. Mostly raw meat. I ate raw octopus, raw squid, many raw fish, and raw horse. It was strange, but oddly okay and kind of delicious, but I quickly ordered some cooked meat and was very surprised how excited the Japanese people got over the raw meat. Other cultures, eh?!
I went to an enkai when I was over. An enkai is basically a party in a restaurant where you all sit on the floor at a table and drink beer and eat meat. Mostly raw meat. I ate raw octopus, raw squid, many raw fish, and raw horse. It was strange, but oddly okay and kind of delicious, but I quickly ordered some cooked meat and was very surprised how excited the Japanese people got over the raw meat. Other cultures, eh?!
3. Fish, fish and more fish.
You will find the majority of options in most eating places in Japan are fish.
4. DON’T EAT THE CHICKEN!
Chicken for me is always a safe option I know I will enjoy. In Japan this is the complete opposite. Any chicken I tried (which at first always looked amazing) was not white on the inside. It has many different colours like purple, grey, red brown and had a horrible taste of either heavily processed rubber meat or slimy meat. Avoid, unless you find a KFC (the chicken there is pure!)
Chicken for me is always a safe option I know I will enjoy. In Japan this is the complete opposite. Any chicken I tried (which at first always looked amazing) was not white on the inside. It has many different colours like purple, grey, red brown and had a horrible taste of either heavily processed rubber meat or slimy meat. Avoid, unless you find a KFC (the chicken there is pure!)
5. Rice
Obviously rice is a MASSIVE part of a Japanese diet. So much so that the name of cooked rice ‘gohan’ also means meal! It is everywhere, and you can buy a rice snack called onigiri which is cold cooked rice balls.
Japanese rice is sticky and delicious.
Obviously rice is a MASSIVE part of a Japanese diet. So much so that the name of cooked rice ‘gohan’ also means meal! It is everywhere, and you can buy a rice snack called onigiri which is cold cooked rice balls.
Japanese rice is sticky and delicious.
6. Noodles
Like rice they are also EVERYWHERE. And the variety of instant noodles is incredible. I preferred the so based ones like the UFO noodles but they were all pretty great! If money is low stock up on these!
Like rice they are also EVERYWHERE. And the variety of instant noodles is incredible. I preferred the so based ones like the UFO noodles but they were all pretty great! If money is low stock up on these!
7. Yakiniku – Grilled Meat
There are yakiniku places in Japan where you sit at a table which has a grill in the middle of the table. They serve you the raw meat, and you cook it to your liking and pair it with the sauces. It is incredible.
The one we went to was called ‘West’ and was incredible. For 3000 yen each we got unlimited meat and salad bar. They set us in our own wee booth complete with TV (and remote) and electronic tablet to order all the meat we wanted! There is also unlimited salad bar which is salad, and desserts.
The main problem I found (speaking only basic Japanese at best) is that the whole menu in entirely in Japanese – but they do have pictures. SO either brush up on your Kangi, or be prepared to eat any animal under the sun. I accidently ordered liver and fat…
There are yakiniku places in Japan where you sit at a table which has a grill in the middle of the table. They serve you the raw meat, and you cook it to your liking and pair it with the sauces. It is incredible.
The one we went to was called ‘West’ and was incredible. For 3000 yen each we got unlimited meat and salad bar. They set us in our own wee booth complete with TV (and remote) and electronic tablet to order all the meat we wanted! There is also unlimited salad bar which is salad, and desserts.
The main problem I found (speaking only basic Japanese at best) is that the whole menu in entirely in Japanese – but they do have pictures. SO either brush up on your Kangi, or be prepared to eat any animal under the sun. I accidently ordered liver and fat…
8. Okonomiyaki
I sadly didn’t get to try this due to time constraints but this is a popular food in Japan usually a mix of spices, eggs, cabbage, fish flakes, seaweed and topped with Worchester sauce. Weird right?
I sadly didn’t get to try this due to time constraints but this is a popular food in Japan usually a mix of spices, eggs, cabbage, fish flakes, seaweed and topped with Worchester sauce. Weird right?
9. Eggs – in and on top of everything.
Which usually turns me but egg in rice and on sandwiches is done SO right in Japan for some reason. I fell in love with eggs whilst there.
Which usually turns me but egg in rice and on sandwiches is done SO right in Japan for some reason. I fell in love with eggs whilst there.
Try what you can. Some days you will be broke and want a McDonalds (they are everywhere!) or a KFC, but try where you can to eat some good Japanese culture in your belly.
P.S; The Japanese strangely make plastic versions of all their meals and display them outside restaurants.
P.P.S; The Japanese do not tip – I tried to tip them once and they got very confused.
P.P.S; There is very rarely a vegetarian option available.
P.S; The Japanese strangely make plastic versions of all their meals and display them outside restaurants.
P.P.S; The Japanese do not tip – I tried to tip them once and they got very confused.
P.P.S; There is very rarely a vegetarian option available.
Hope this was helpful. :)
