Transportation
I recently kept on seeing posts from my Cali friends about gas prices being so high and blah blah… and I took a look for myself, and oh my… they were right 0____0 !!!!! So I’ve decided to dedicate this post to my Cali friends and their transportation crisis.
Being from California, where the general population relies only on cars, then coming to a Tokyo where the general population relies only on buses and trains was so weird to me.
Buses, Trains, Taxis: You can’t live without it here in Tokyo.
I wouldn’t know too much about transportation in rural areas (since I hear you need cars to get around everywhere), but in the crowded/city area’s of Japan, public transportation is essentially characterized for its punctuality, superb service, and the large crowds of people using it.
Foreigner Tips from me to you:
- Transportation is NOT cheap: consider buying yourself a commuter’s pass, which enables you to get around for discounted rates.
- Try to avoid Rush Hour hours (7am-9am//6pm-8pm): unless you like being copped up with sweaty, maybe drunk, horny, or tired businessmen.
- Speaking of Rush Hour and horny men, if you happen to be a woman: watch out for CHIKANS (groppers). Yea, horny men here try to cop a feel sometimes… but usually trains offer “Women’s Only” sections, so don’t worry too much!
- Always remember to check transportation time tables!!: Even though trains run till 12-1am in the morning, buses DO NOT. Hey, I mean unless you’re some rich bitch that doesn’t mind paying 1,500yen for every 2 miles you go, be my guest.
- Be considerate: if you see an elderly in front of you on a crowded bus/train, GTFU and offer them that seat.
- Lying (keyword: lying) and saying that your bus/train was late, which made you late, WONT WORK: Just trust me on this one.
- RELAX: Sleep if you want/need to (everyone in Tokyo does it). One of the wonders of not driving to work or school is having that extra 30-60mins to take your mind off things, which may sound weird, but it happens to me often.
Overall I love transportation in Japan. Every source of transportation is almost and always on time, the service is awesome, everything is CLEAN, time efficient, and getting around from town to town or city to city is pretty easy. Better than paying $5 per gallon in Cali I must say.
America: home of the fast-food, big-portioned, meaty, and fatty-fried foods.
In contrast, if I could describe Japan’s food in one word… I’d say Quality. Why?… Well because I feel that no matter where I dine (whether it be a fast-food joint, ramen joint, diner, or fancy shamancy place), the foods supes tasty and proportionately satisfying. In general, I feel that Japanese people put in hard work, time, and pride into everything that they do. Mix those three ingredients into a Japanese chef, and you’ve got yourself a damn good meal.
Fruits: here are definitely expensive, HOWEVER they are beyond mighty goodness. It is what it is: “You get what you pay for.” My grandma has paid $35 bucks for a package of grapes, and they are beyond orgasmic.
Even alcohol tastes good here! But since I am not a drinker, and I refuse to ruin my health with such toxic fluids… I will not go there. :]
Being the health conscious freak that I am, thankfully Japan hasn’t made it difficult for me…yet.
talk about staring problems.
Did I do something? Or are you just curious?
We all know the saying, “Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” Well that won’t slide in Japan, so I found this (online)!
It’s Brilliant!
A musician who resides in Tokyo, came up with an interesting tool that helps foreigners who don’t like being stared at by Japanese people. It’s a fake cover for a book entitled Why Do Japanese People Stare at Foreigners?
“The idea is simple, print out this cover and wrap it around a book in Japanese. Then, as soon as you get stared at on the train or in a public place (to the point where it becomes uncomfortable) take out the book and pretend to start reading it while giving the starer ample view of the cover. The starer is then made aware of the situation in the most Japanese of ways, through non-confrontation.”
There are no plans to sell it as a product, so anyone who wants to use this idea will have to design and print their own fake book covers.
sorry in advance.
I’ve been in Japan a little over two months now, and I’ve gotta say, my English…SUCKS.
It’s embarrassing because…well, it’s not like my Japanese has improved much… I can read and write a little better than before, but not at a native level.
So I’m kinda stuck in between this butt-crack (yea, I said it.)…People ask me to speak in English and I can’t even do that… some native I am right? Being mediocre on both ends sucks.
Hopefully a year from now I’ll be a tad bit more on the native level with my Japanese skills.
…Oh wells
mathieurobert asked: hey im taking a trip through norcal in a week from seattle! :) how is it there? :p
i’m not too sure how seattle is but from my experience, norcal is a wonderful and chill place to visit. SF might be cold so bring yourself a sweater or two!
Best advice in live: Stay positive👍 #pictureday #sigmakappa #hair #curls #smile #tired #bored #haveagoodday (Taken with instagram)
I can’t get over how much this made my night. Love you @vbenhar 💘 (Taken with instagram)
