Comments on: 16 Random Observations About Tokyo, and Survival Tips

By: Nora

Nora — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 17:11:24 +0000

In reply to Philip. Hi Philip, I guess it stands to reason, given that Kabukicho is Tokyo's entertainment and nightlife district. Hope you enjoyed your trip on the whole.

By: Philip

Philip — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 08:29:12 +0000

I just came back from Tokyo and I agree with some points but I did find some garbage around Kabukicho area and I also saw a huge rat which I took a picture of. Yes, most of the streets are clean but around Kabukicho area it can be quite dirty.

By: Nora

Nora — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:42:56 +0000

In reply to @tarik_a. Thanks Tarik - those are great observations! I was surprised at the natural havens tucked in and around this large city.

By: @tarik_a

@tarik_a — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 22:18:39 +0000

Just returning from Tokyo, spot on points! Three additional, regarding the wonderful gardens (essentially forests inside the city), incredible art, in galleries, museums and public, and unfortunately the female gender bias, that remains pervasive from centuries of tradition.

By: Nora

Nora — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 20:55:52 +0000

In reply to Sean.

Hi Sean,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately you didn’t quite read my post accurately (eg: in reference to taking a taxi from the airport, it was a rumour I’d heard years ago, not something I actually did). Same thing about the fruit. I’m aware the $140 melon is decorative (actually they’re given as gifts, and I say so in the post).
Please be careful of accusing somebody of not doing their research if you’re not prepared to actually read what they write.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 18:03:28 +0000

If ur gonna go out a few times a week y don’t U just get a metro pass? Suica saving is next to nothing compare to the saving u get from metro pass and people don’t take taxi from airport to Tokyo… they take the train which is about $12 r u sure I’ve done ur research? And for the $140 melon that’s a decoration piece, they do t eat those so if u want cheap fruits visit chain super market. Vegetarian restaurants are everywhere and they even have food trucks through out Tokyo as well. This is what happened if u go in without research I can easily say the same thing about any country if I went in blind. Japan is not expensive. But one thing u get it right is their work culture if I have to live anywhere in the world and work Japan won’t be it but if I have enough money to retire and live any where I’ll pick Japan

By: Nora

Nora — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:10:05 +0000

In reply to Tokyo Five. Wow - thanks for the insider scoop! I didn't realize this.

By: Tokyo Five

Tokyo Five — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 06:35:47 +0000

>although most bicycles are inexpensive cruisers, people don’t generally lock them up. It might seem that way...bicycle locks are small and attached to the frame on the rear tire, usually. Different from western countries' bike locks, so you probably just didn't notice - but most bicycles here are locked.

By: Nora

Nora — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:22:03 +0000

In reply to Kathryn.

Thanks for weighing in, Kathryn.
Interesting – and not really surprising, but certainly disappointing – that Japan manages its image by skewing crime reporting and media coverage. I’m sorry that you had such a bad experience in getting robbed (and being unable to get any sort of justice for it).

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 08:12:06 +0000

Interesting observations but there are a few things I’d disagree with.

Japan might be safer than most Western countries but crime is totally under-reported. I was robbed when I lived in Tokyo and, after spending 16 hours at the police station giving a statement! was told that they wouldn’t take it any further. After that, I spoke to a lot of people who said unless the police know they can solve a crime, they won’t even record it. That makes the crime stats a lot lower than the reality. Also, while property is generally safe, people (esp women) aren’t.

Btw. there was looting after the earthquake, it was just not shown in the media. The Japanese do a lot to protect their self-image.

Medical care might be cheap and is often good but there is a culture that the doctor is God. Asking for a second opinion is seen as an insult.

Vegetarians do get it tough and often even food that seems okay is made with dashi stock, which is made from fish. There is an app, I think it’s called Pink Cow, that lists vego cafes etc in Tokyo. Worth checking out even for non-vegos 🙂