{"id":14762,"date":"2017-06-02T12:51:58","date_gmt":"2017-06-02T11:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=14762"},"modified":"2024-05-08T10:44:34","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T09:44:34","slug":"only-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/02\/only-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Only in Japan: A first-timer&#8217;s experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Sam is our Tailormade Groups Manager in the Bristol office. Recently returned from her first trip to Japan, she shares her \u201conly in Japan\u201d moments including ravenous deer, secret Picasso and excitement she never thought she\u2019d feel for a toilet.<\/strong><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-14795\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Tokyo-Met-building-16-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>Touch down in Tokyo Airport<\/h2>\n<p>Arriving in Narita Airport, after two flights and 13 hours in the air, I followed the crowd through customs and spotted my luggage almost immediately. We had both made it in one piece and I was about to get my first taste of Tokyo!<\/p>\n<p>It was an airport, not unlike any others I\u2019d been to. There were English translations for all of the signs, including my name on a board held up by a friendly Japanese lady. She offered to look after my suitcase while I popped to the ladies to freshen up.<\/p>\n<p><strong>That was when I knew I was in Japan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Toilet talk in Tokyo<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14763\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14763\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14763 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-720x552.jpg\" alt=\"Toilet instructions at Tokyo Narita Airport\" width=\"720\" height=\"552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-720x552.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-768x589.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-1024x785.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-564x432.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-1200x920.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-900x690.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-1440x1104.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-390x299.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-780x598.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/20170421_015511-e1495730483718-510x391.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14763\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Toilet instructions at Tokyo Narita Airport<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The contraption I was faced with \u2013 so many buttons! Although I had the urge to push all of them to see what they did, I resisted. My\u00a0jet-lagged brain couldn\u2019t deal with that much information. I did contemplate though how many Westerners, when flicking through their photos at a later date, would be reminded that the first highlight of their trip to Japan was a toilet.<\/p>\n<p>This would be the first of countless times in the next two weeks\u00a0that I would think \u201conly in Japan\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>Only in Japan<\/h2>\n<p>Be it spending the day just outside of Tokyo in Hakone and stumbling across a private Picasso collection in the heart of the mountains. Or, on the same day, catching a pirate boat across Lake Ashi. These &#8220;only in Japan&#8221; experiences were endless and never failed to amaze me.<\/p>\n<p>A restaurant full of mannequins, a jingle for every train station, multiple trains speeding me back and forth across the country at 200 miles per hour. An island full of wild deer that would not hesitate to eat the map from your hands while you gazed at the spectacular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/miyajima\/\">floating <em>torii<\/em> shrine of Miyajima Island<\/a>.\u00a0The stark contrast of a visit to Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Museum with it\u2019s lack of blame and message of hope for future generations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14765\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14765\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14765 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Picasso gallery in Hakone, Japan\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/1.-Hakone-Art-gallery-21-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14765\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Picasso gallery in Hakone<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14766\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14766\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14766 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/4.-Hakone-Pirate-ship-3-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14766\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Pirate ship across Lake Ashi<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14816\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14816\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14816 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/6.-Kyoto-Gion-Issen-Yoshu-Restaurant-3-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14816\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>An inexplicable amount of mannequins at Issen Yoshoku restaurant in Gion, Kyoto&#8230;<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14819\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14819\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14819 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-720x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-720x576.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-564x451.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-1200x960.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-900x720.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-1440x1152.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-390x312.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-780x624.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-69-e1495788225200-510x408.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14819\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Japanese deer &#8211; feistier than they look!<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14769\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14769\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14769 size-medium-plus-size\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-510x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"510\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-510x680.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-1440x1920.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/2.-Miyajima-76-e1495730924551-780x1040.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14769\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Hiroshima Peace Park &#8211; a place of hope.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Japanese\u00a0manners<\/h2>\n<p>An &#8220;only in Japan&#8221; experience I felt everywhere I went\u00a0was endless politeness. One evening, I went to a 5-star hotel bar, looking like a drowned rat after being caught in the rain. I hadn&#8217;t had the opportunity to go back to my hotel room to change so I was also wearing a Harry Potter Gryffindor t-shirt (nothing to be ashamed of) and trainers. Unlike the reception you might normally expect in such a situation, I was treated like every other, smartly dressed, guest there.<\/p>\n<p>On another evening at\u00a0a traditional <em>ryokan<\/em>, my futon bed was laid out while I was at dinner. I dropped off promptly for one of the best nights sleep I\u2019ve ever had.\u00a0These are just two of many examples.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14777\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14777\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14777 size-medium-plus-size\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-510x392.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"510\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-510x392.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-768x590.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-1024x786.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-564x433.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-1200x921.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-900x691.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-720x553.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-1440x1105.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-390x299.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152-780x599.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/10.-Tokyo-Shinjuku-30-e1495731642152.jpg 1782w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14777\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>We turned up to the Park Hyatt, Tokyo looking like this and they were still nice to us<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14778\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14778\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14778 size-medium-plus-size\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-510x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"510\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-510x680.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-1440x1920.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/5.-Kanazawa-Sumiyoshiya-Ryokan-26-e1495731241902-780x1040.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14778\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>The best sleep I&#8217;ve had in a long time<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Homework<\/h2>\n<p>Every day I spent in Japan I would learn something new, about the country, the people, the culture, the history, even about myself! I came away with a list of things I wanted to know more about when I returned home.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Why was there a Statue of Liberty replica in Odaiba?<\/li>\n<li>Where did the idea of cat and maid cafes originate?<\/li>\n<li>Would I ever be able to navigate my way around Shinjuku station without going up and down the same escalator at least twice?!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Japan is an enigma, a country of contrasts, with old and new standing comfortably side by side. It\u2019s a country of endless discovery with a welcoming outlook and thriving culture. As a first-time visitor, I fell in love almost immediately. I can&#8217;t wait to return to the place where shrines, samurai, sushi, <em>shinkansen<\/em> and sumo wrestlers reside.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-14823\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-720x485.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-720x485.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-768x517.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-1024x689.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-564x380.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-1200x808.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-900x606.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-1440x970.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-390x263.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-780x525.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/8.-Tokyo-Asakusa-11-e1495789500924-510x343.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>If you&#8217;re a first-timer to Japan, like Sam, get in touch with our travel consultants. Having each lived and travelled extensively in Japan, they know the tips and tricks to make a first-time trip unforgettable. Email them at <a href=\"mailto:info@insidejapantours.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">info@insidejapantours.com<\/a> or call 0117 370 9751.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F14762\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Sam is our Tailormade Groups Manager in the Bristol office. Recently returned from her first trip to Japan, she shares her \u201conly in Japan\u201d moments including ravenous deer, secret Picasso and excitement she never thought she\u2019d feel for a toilet. Like this post? Help us by sharing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2355],"tags":[1724,1753,2039,2546],"class_list":["post-14762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-first-trip-to-japan","tag-japanese-etiquette","tag-japanese-toilet","tag-ryokan","tag-first-timers-japan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14762"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33816,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14762\/revisions\/33816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}