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I love Japan, it’s a beautiful country with amazing people, awesome food, the best shopping, and hilarious TV!
From my own experience, if you speak english, then you don’t need to be able to speak Japanese to “survive”, at least in the city-regions, although it certainly does help. (I speak conversational, but don’t ask me to read a newspaper!)
Before you go, study up on the culture, as it is very different to the norm in western societies.
even in the short time between my first visit in ‘03, and my latest in ‘07, Tokyo’s “Westernisation”, or more-so: “Americanisation” (no offence) had progressed at a frighteningly noticable pace—I hate to say it but you’ll need to get there soon if you want to experience a more “Japan” atmosphere, whatever you perceive that to be, or else steer clear of the capital.
I’ve seen Japan in every season and I think the best is definately Spring, by a long way. the cherry blossoms are… well you just have to see them; unforgettable
definately visit:
Tokyo – LOVE IT! (Harajuku, Shibuya [karaoke fans, come here at night], Ginza, Asakusa [ancient temple and flea-markets], Akihabara [for your cyber-electronics] to name but a few…)
**A very cool, arty suburb in Tokyo is Shimokitazawa, this is my special hint—it’s not on most of the tourist lists, best time to visit is in the evening when it really comes alive
HAKONE HOT SPRINGS THEME PARK: god, I could live there, just google it or something…
Hiroshima: visit, appreciate, commemorate, see first-hand the absolute horror of the cost of war on civillians.
—>catch the ferry from there to the beautiful MIYAJIMA island.
Kyoto – the ancient capital, much more traditional than Tokyo, beautiful, the buildings are kept in their original style in many parts so you can imagine yourself centuries previous…
so yeah, go on: visit Japan! you’ll love it.
