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Went there 10 years ago. Intriguing place, totally different to most other countries I've been to, very hard to get around day to day just because of language difference and lack of English. Still have nightmares about trying to order train tickets and holding the queue up for what seemed like for ever!
My neighbour is Japanese. She couldn't wait to leave Japan when she was old enough and would never go back there to live. Too much regimented order and too much servitude to the company you work for. Work life balance is all skewed to work. Just her view of course.
Went there 10 years ago. Intriguing place, totally different to most other countries I've been to, very hard to get around day to day just because of language difference and lack of English. Still have nightmares about trying to order train tickets and holding the queue up for what seemed like for ever!
My neighbour is Japanese. She couldn't wait to leave Japan when she was old enough and would never go back there to live. Too much regimented order and too much servitude to the company you work for. Work life balance is all skewed to work. Just her view of course.
Still a fascinating country.
It's improving, we went for a month last year, first time in 10 years and we were surprised at the multi language signs now, not just English but Chinese and Korean.
There's a City in the South that's built to look like Holland, definitely a place on my list, it must be weird.
The younger generation is changing compared to the old guard too.
The land mass of Japan is almost identical to the UK but they have more than twice the population. Seeing pelican crossings 100m long are surreal.
I've not been watching the programmes but I am a regular visitor, including this week. I said to Darran only yesterday on another thread that the country has a lot to offer the first time tourist although I don't find Tokyo as good as Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Singapore.
Japan is a country that is very much on the change in terms the behaviour of its people and the younger generation is definitely taking Japan into a new era with a definite Western theme about it. MarchamJack's neighbour wasn't too far off the mark with her comments and these still ring true in many areas although it is being broken down bit by bit. However the Western influences doesn't necessarily bring the chaos that we experience back home and there are two things that vividly remind me of this every time I come here, 1) the level of respect show to other human beings is still extremely high, 2) queuing for public transport is undertaken in an orderly queue and with no pushing and shoving ala London Underground. We could learn a lot from how the Japanese behave and interact with their fellow people.
I've not been watching the programmes but I am a regular visitor, including this week. I said to Darran only yesterday on another thread that the country has a lot to offer the first time tourist although I don't find Tokyo as good as Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Singapore.
Japan is a country that is very much on the change in terms the behaviour of its people and the younger generation is definitely taking Japan into a new era with a definite Western theme about it. MarchamJack's neighbour wasn't too far off the mark with her comments and these still ring true in many areas although it is being broken down bit by bit. However the Western influences doesn't necessarily bring the chaos that we experience back home and there are two things that vividly remind me of this every time I come here, 1) the level of respect show to other human beings is still extremely high, 2) queuing for public transport is undertaken in an orderly queue and with no pushing and shoving ala London Underground. We could learn a lot from how the Japanese behave and interact with their fellow people.
No pushing or shoving! haha they employ people to push
When we visited about 10 years ago, we got on a train, then my wife noticed a sign, it was something added since she moved away, women only carriages which were set up due to nuicance men (perverts). we were in one and all the women were looking daggers at me lol
There are lines painted on the platform, where people line up for their trains, each one identified for certain trains and the doors stop at the lines.
No pushing or shoving! haha they employ people to push
When we visited about 10 years ago, we got on a train, then my wife noticed a sign, it was something added since she moved away, women only carriages which were set up due to nuicance men (perverts). we were in one and all the women were looking daggers at me lol
There are lines painted on the platform, where people line up for their trains, each one identified for certain trains and the doors stop at the lines.
That was what caught me out when I went. Queuing up for the Shinkansen with baggage, pushchair and 2 year old. It all seemed very civilised until the train came in and I had about 15 seconds to get everything on board. They barely stop at stations. Still they adore small kids so I usually got plenty of help.
It's improving, we went for a month last year, first time in 10 years and we were surprised at the multi language signs now, not just English but Chinese and Korean.
There's a City in the South that's built to look like Holland, definitely a place on my list, it must be weird.
The younger generation is changing compared to the old guard too.
The land mass of Japan is almost identical to the UK but they have more than twice the population. Seeing pelican crossings 100m long are surreal.
[Post edited 22 Jun 2015 0:55]
It's about 50% bigger.
Enjoyed my visit there but couldn't wait to leave. Too regimented. Train guards bow as they enter the carriage. Cleaners bow as bullet trains enter the station.
Best thing about Tokyo was the parks.
Great skiing there. 2 foot of snow even in early Dec.
No pushing or shoving! haha they employ people to push
When we visited about 10 years ago, we got on a train, then my wife noticed a sign, it was something added since she moved away, women only carriages which were set up due to nuicance men (perverts). we were in one and all the women were looking daggers at me lol
There are lines painted on the platform, where people line up for their trains, each one identified for certain trains and the doors stop at the lines.
Ha! Yes to be honest I did see something like that on Sunday in Shinjuku.
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