日本観光

12 amazing places you should visit in Hokkaido

2019-07-17 by Taka Leave a Comment

It seems that the rainy season this year is going to last longer than usual in Japan.
As the temperature is going high, I already started missing the cool weather.
So, this time I wrote about Hokkaido, which is the Japan’s northernmost area and it is one of the best destinations during hot summer time.
Hokkaido is known for its tremendous land with great nature, landscape, and food culture.
22% Japanese land belong to Hokkaido and many parts of it are unspoiled.
Hokkaido attracts many outdoor lovers from all over the world like hikers, campers, and cyclists in summer, skiers and snowboarders in winter.

Here are 12 places you should visit in Hokkaido with info about food culture there.

1.Sapporo

It is the capital city of Hokkaido and there are about 2 million people there.
Combining both Japanese and foreign cultures, this place has unique atmosphere.
Many foreign cultures were introduced to this area during the Meiji Restoration period, when Japanese people started learning from overseas.

Sapporo Clock Tower, which was build it 1869, is a historical and cultural symbol of Sapporo.
This place was originally used as the first institution for Agricultural Studies in Japan, and students conducted their military training and physical education here. It is now a museum of history and the iconic tower of Sapporo. The bell rings every hour and tells the time to the city.

Beer is a popular product in Sapporo. Sapporo beer, which is the oldest Japanese beer brand is popular all over the areas in Japan. You can find Sapporo beer easily (the one with a Star label on) at any convenience stores or supermarkets. The technique of beer brewery was introduced to Japan from Germany in the late 1860s and the very first one was brewed in Sapporo in 1876 by a Japanese brewer, Seibei Nakagawa, who trained in Germany. At the Sapporo beer museum, you can take a guided tour of the history and brewing methods and taste fresh beer after the tour.

The must-see event in Sapporo is the Sapporo Snow Festival.
It is an annual event held in February. It features about 250 snow/ice sculptures on display outside in Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino.
At night, some of them are lit up and you can enjoy viewing/taking pictures of the beautiful art works.

2.Otaru

It is a harbor city which can be reached by train from Sapporo within an hour. This area thrived as a port city, and many western style buildings were made during Meiji era.
Glassware and music boxes are popular products here, and it is also known for its picturesque city view. There are many museums and shops, so this area is a good place to buy souvenirs!
In February, the Otaru Snow light path festival is held every year, when snow lanterns and illuminations light up the city during from 17:00 to 21:00 everyday.

3.Hakodate

Hakodate is the southernmost city of Hokkaido.
This city is the first port to open up to foreign trade, so you’ll find a lot of international influence in this area.
The Hakodate Morning Market (open from 5:00am until 3:00pm everyday), which is just a minute walk away from Hakodate Station is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood.
Major sightseeing spots are the Motomachi area, the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses, and Goryokaku park with its historic relics.
At night, you can enjoy the amazing view. The night view here is considered one of the most beautiful in Japan along with Kobe and Nagasaki.

4.Niseko

This place is a very popular ski resort that attracts people from all over the world. The powder snow in this area is high in quality and there are a lot of hotels and Onsen spots.
If you like outdoor activities like hiking or skiing, you should definitely check this are out!

5.Asahikawa

This is the 2nd largest city in Hokkaido after Sapporo. There is a popular Zoo called Asahiyama Zoo, which has a glass tunnel through the penguin pool. You can learn about wild animals in Hokkaido such as eagles, deer, wolves, cranes. polar bears, etc.
Asahikawa ramen is a popular local food there. The broth is soy sauce based and a little more oily compared to most ramen in Japan.
Eating the ramen seeing the beautiful nature in Hokkaido will surely be a great experience!

6. Lake Toya

This lake is known for its spectacular view with the active volcano Mt. Usu and the nature around it. Lake Toya is one of the most popular hot spring areas in Hokkaido as well. In 2008, G8 summit was held here.

7.Furano and Bie

Furano and Biei are best-known for their lavender fields.
In Biei area, there is a popular blue pond called Shirogane blue pond and a spectacular waterfall called Shirahige Falls (it means “white beard waterfall”) , where you can see white curtains of water there and from November to April, light-up events take place from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. Biei Shirogane Onsen is another popular spot where you can relax taking a hot spring watching majestic nature around.

8.Noboribetsu Onsen

Located in south-western Hokkaido, it is the most popular hot spring town in Hokkaido.
There are 9 different kinds of hot-springs.
Among them, the most impressive one is Jigokudani, or Hell Valley.
The valley is 450 m wide, and 3,000 liters of hot water is produced per minute. In the north of the town, there are various hiking courses around.
Virgin forests in the area are designated as Japan’s natural monument.

9.Daisesuzan National Park

It is the largest national park in Japan (226,764 ha, more than 3 times bigger than Tokyo).
It is a great place for hikers. There are many different hiking courses, so any levels of hikers can enjoy walking in the beautiful nature seeing wild animals and flowers.
Asahi-Dake (2,291m) is the tallest mountain in the area, and there is a ropeway which goes up to 1,600m above the sea level.

10.Lake Mashu

This lake is considered as one of the clearest caldera lakes in the world.
Visitors are not allowed to go down to the lake, but there are two observation decks from which you can enjoy the views on a fine day.
It is the best if you could rent a car to get there, but you could take infrequent buses that run between Mashu station and the Observation deck 1 (until November).

11.Shiretoko National Park

This national park in the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005.
The nature there is unspoiled and it can be accessed only by foot or boat.
It is a home to many wild animals such as beers, foxes, deers, etc.
Just like in all national parks, you are not allowed to feed or throw away trash in the area so you need to follow the rules strictly if you are going.
In winter, drift ice can be seen in the Shiretoko Peninsula.

12.Shikaribetsu Kotan

During winter (from January to March only), there will be a snow village at the highest elevation lake in Hokkaido, which is 800 m above the sea level. This is called Shikaribetsu Kotan and it features numbers of attractions such as ice bars, ice hot springs, and ice concert halls.
At night, some buildings are lighten up.
If you would like to enjoy the winter in Hokkaido, make sure that you check Shikaribetsu Kotan!

Popular cuisine in Hokkaido

・Ramen

There are basically four different kinds of ramen soup in Hokkaido: Miso (Sapporo), Soy-sauce (Asahikawa), Salt (Hakodate), and Curry (Muroran).
You can enjoy locally grown, fresh vegetables with delicious soup and noodles. Eating ramen is great especially during cold winter!

・Milk and Cheese

Hokkaido is known for its daily product.
Cool summers and snowy winters in Hokkaido is great for farming and agriculture. The quality of milk and cheese produced there is very high and rich in taste.

・Seafood and vegetables

Thanks to the surrounding seas, there are a lot of tasty seafood in Hokkaido such as salmon roes, squids, sea urchins, shrimps, crabs, sea shells, and various Sashimis. All of them are very fresh and taste great!
Hokkaido’s huge land is great for making vegetables.
You can enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the year.

How to get to Hokkaido from Tokyo

The easiest way to go there is by an airplane. The price varies depending on the season and the airline you use, but it usually costs from around 10,560yen to 25,000yen for a round trip. It takes about 1 hour and a half.
As an alternative way, you could take Hotoku Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo station to Shinhakodate Hokuto station. It takes about 4 hours and costs around 22,690yen for one way(reserved seat), but you can enjoy the beautiful view during the train ride.

Enjoy traveling there and embrace the nature!

If you need more info about Japan, give me a comment here or send me a message to[email protected]

See you next time,
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

Lost in Japan? 17 useful Japanese phrases ≪with audio≫

2019-05-24 by Taka Leave a Comment

So many people, and so many narrow streets… It’s very easy to get lost in Japan! Things are very convenient and safe here, but the transportation system is a bit complicated and if you can not read/speak Japanese, you might have hard time finding the best way to get to your destination even using Google map.
Here are some of the useful phrases that you can use when you get lost and want some help in Japan. Learn these expressions and enjoy your travel in Japan!

・When you want to ask

すみません/ Sumimasen

Excuse me.

（ここは/今）何処ですか？/ (Kokowa/Ima) doko desuka?

Where is this place/am I now?

〜は何処ですか？/ – Wa doko desuka?

Where is -?

道に迷いました。/Michi ni mayoi mashita.

I’m lost my way. “Michi” means “Way”.

〜へはどうやって行ったら良いですか？/ – He wa douyatte ittara ii desuka?

What is a good way to get to -? “Douyatte” means “How to”.
When you don’t know how to do something, you could ask like, “どうやってするのですか？Douyatte suru no desuka?”

〜への行き方を教えて下さい。/ – He no ikikata wo oshiete kudasai.

Please tell me how to get to -. “Oshiete” means “Tell me” or “Teach me”.

〜が見つかりません。/ -Ga mitsukari masen.

I can’t find -. This phrase can be used when you lost something and you are looking for it. For example, “Tokei ga mitsukari masen” meaning, “I can’t find my watch.”

ここから何分くらいかかりますか？/Kokokara nanfun kurai kakarimasuka?

How long does it take to get there from here?

・Other useful expressions

右/左 / Migi/Hidari

Right/Left

ここ/そこ/あっち / Koko/Soko/Attchi

This place(or here)/That place(or there)/Over there

(この/あの)道をまっすぐです / (Kono/Ano) michi wo massugu desu.

Go straight (this/that) way. “Massugu” is “Straight”.

(右に/左に/角を)曲がる / (Migini/Hidarini/Kadowo) Magaru.

Turn (right/left/at the corner). “Magaru” means “To turn”.

(歩いて/車で/バスで/電車で) 〜分くらいです。/ (Aruite/Kuruma de/Bus de/Densha de) – fun kurai desu.

It takes about – min (on foot/by car/by bus/by train).

遠い/近い / Toui/Chikai

Far/Close

案内しますよ。/ Annai Shimasuyo.

I will take you there.
Lucky you if you get this phrase from the person you are talking to!

〜で乗り換えて下さい。 / – de norikaete kudasai.

Please transfer at -. “Norikae” means “Transfer”.

助かりました！ / Tasukarimashita!

You saved me! /That was a help!
You could use this phrase to say thank you.

By the way, we don’t usually use “Block” in Japan when we talk about the directions.
So, you rarely hear someone says things like “Go straight this way for 2 blocks…”.

It is hard for Japanese people who can not speak English well to explain the direction.
But if you can use the Japanese words and phrases here, it will be much easier for you to get the right information when you are lost/looking for a place.

This reminds me of the time when I visited the U.K.
When I went to the U.K for the first time (about 4 years ago), I couldn’t find the hostel I was staying, so I asked for a help and a very friendly local drove me there.
I was very thankful for that! And I try to do the same every time I see someone who needs help in Japan now.

Japanese people are generally friendly and helpful, so don’t be afraid to talk to locals when you need some help.
If you know some Japanese, it is most likely that they will try to help you as much as they can.

Hope this post will be of your help.
If there’s anything that you want me to write, feel free to send me a message to [email protected]
Or you could simply give me a comment.

See you next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below!
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

All about capsule hotels in Japan

2019-05-15 by Taka Leave a Comment

Paying for food, transportation, shopping, and accommodation….
Traveling in Japan costs a lot of money.
If you are staying for a long time in Japan, you should plan out carefully.
There are a lot of delicious food and interesting goods, so without planning, you will end up spending too much money!

Here is an option for those who want to save some money during their trip in Japan: Staying at capsule hotels.
If you don’t care too much about the place to stay (or if you are a minimalist then definitely!), or looking for an interesting place to stay, booking capsule hotels is a great idea.

It will be a great experience staying at this unique accommodation and most of them are very comfortable and affordable.
Check the info below and learn all about capsule hotels!

Capsule hotels are cheap places to stay.
They were originally made for salarymen when they couldn’t make it home overnight.
Therefore, most capsule hotels are made only for men.
However, more and more capsule hotels are offering accommodation for women and foreigners recently.
At such places, they usually offer gender segregated sleeping floors for men and women and well maintained with security systems.
Such capsule hotels are usually found near major train stations and it only costs around 3,000yen to 5,000yen per a night to stay
(except at some premium capsule hotels that offer more space and luxurious experience).

The type of capsules are different depending on the hotels.
A typical capsule is a fiberglass unit (about 1.2 m wide, 2 m long, and 1 m high), and has a single size futon mattress with sheets, blankets , and pillows, a TV/radio ,bed light, outlet, and WiFi inside with a curtain/door to cover the entrance.
Usually, two units are stacked and lined up side by side along the corridor.

capsule hotel osaka — This is the original capsule hotel in Osaka.

Bathroom/Shower room are shared with other guests like a hostel or guesthouse.
Some places have restaurants, laundry machines, vending machines, lounges with massage chairs, game/manga rooms, or even a Sento (Sento is the communal bathing place. About Sento, check my another post:https://hidanotaka.com/sento/).

Getting interested? But don’t rush!
Here are the things that you should know before going to a capsule hotel.

・You need to remove your shoes upon checking in.
You will be given a key with the number of the capsule you are using. You will have to return the key to check out, so don’t lose it!

・Smoking is not allowed inside of a capsule.

・You need to refrain from making too much noise or mess.
*Note that some capsule hotels are for a single stay.
At such places, you need to check out and check in again if you are staying more than a day.

Here are the recommended capsule hotels

In Tokyo

Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
It is located close to Shinjuku station, near Shinjuku piccadilly movie theater.
This place has a 24 hour bath and sauna with a lounge, restaurant, and coin-operated laundries.

Check in: From 4:00pm until 3:00am
Check out: 10:00am
Price: 2,500 to 3,800yen for women, 2,600 to 3,600yen for men

Capsule Value Kanda
It is a popular capsule hotel near Akihabara station.
They have luggage storages and 24 hour room service.

Check in: From 5:00pm
Check out: 10:00am
Price: 2,900 to 3,400yen

Hotel Asakusa & Capsule
This place is located near Asakusa station.
It has a large shared bath, free wi-fi, and a lounge, and each capsule has a TV and Yukata robe.
Although they don’t serve food, it is a cheap, comfortable place to stay!

Check in: From 4:00pm
Check out: 9:30am
Price: 2,200yen
*You could choose to stay at a room here. It costs 4,400yen per a night.

In Osaka

Capsule Hotel Inn Osaka
It is the first capsule hotel appeared in Japan in 1979.
I went to this place about 4 years ago and it was quite comfortable!
It has a big sauna and spa, a restaurant, laundry machines, and a spacious TV room with sofas. It’s only for men, however!

Check in: From Noon
Check out: 10:00am
Price: From 3,400yen

In Kyoto

Smart Stay Shizuku
It is a brand new (opened in 2018) capsule hotel near Kyoto Station.
It has a manga/magazine room, massage chairs, coin-operated laundry machines, a sauna, vending machines, and a restaurant.

Check in: From 4:00pm untill 5:00am
Check out: 10:00am
Price: From 3,980yen

If you would like to stay at a luxurious capsule hotel, you could stay at First Cabin Haneda.
It is fancier than average capsule hotels and is inside of the Haneda International airport.
The price is a bit higher than average capsule hotels, but you will be able to enjoy spacious single room.
Check in time is until 7:00pm, and Check out time is 10:00am.
It costs about 6,000yen per a night to stay at a first-class cabin.

Narita Airpot also has this kind of service, at the place called Nine Hours Narita Airpot.
It costs 4,900 per a night on weekdays, and 5,900yen on Friday and weekends.
Check in time is from noon to 5:00am, Check out time is 10:00am.
*There are a lot of First Cabin and Nine Hours in major city areas in Japan! If you don’t know which capsule to stay, you should always look for them.

I hope this post will make your stay in Japan easier.
There are a lot more capsule hotels all over Japan, and they are very convenient.
You will have a very comfortable stay if you can use some Japanese phrases and talk to staff.
Check my another post to learn some useful Japanese phrases: https://hidanotaka.com/17-simple-japanese-phrases-used-in-hotels/

Taka playing the guitar — This is me playing my guitar.

If there’s anything that you want me to write, feel free to send me a message to [email protected]
Or you could simply give me a comment.

Have a great day!(or night)
Taka

*I’m a professional composer.
You can listen/download my album below!
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

17 simple Japanese phrases used in hotels《with audio》

2019-05-08 by Taka Leave a Comment

Hi, How’s it going?
We just had the longest vacation time Golden week in Japan, and everyone’s back to work/school now.
I met a really nice couple from Israel and showed them around.

It is always nice to be friends with people from overseas!

Alright, this time I wrote about some simple, useful Japanese phrases that you can use at a hotel.
I have experience working as a front desk at a guesthouse ,so I’m sure they will be of some help.
If you know these 17 expressions below, you will have no problem staying at a hotel in Japan!

When you check in

1.チェックインをお願いします/Check in wo onegai shimasu.

Check in, please.
Onegai Shimasu means, “Please”. It sounds formal and is a nice phrase to use when you talk to someone you meet for the first time.

2.予約人数は（一人/二人/三人) です/Yoyaku ninzu wa (Hitori/Futari/Sannin) desu.

I have a reservation for 1 person/ 2 people/3 people.
“Yoyaku” means a reservation. When you count the number of people, “Hitori” is used for 1 person, “Futari” is used for 2 people, and from 3 people on, “ – nin” is used.
(“San” is three. “Yon, Go, Roku, Nana, Hachi, Kyu, Jyu” are four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten respectively).

3.予約番号は～です/Yoyaku bangou wa – desu.

My reservation number is -.
Most hotels won’t ask you to tell your reservation number but you should have it just in case. You are required to show your passport, so don’t forget to take it out when you check in!

4.～から～まで泊まります/- kara – made tomarimasu.

I’m staying from – to -.
It is great if you know how to say the dates in Japanese, but if you don’t, you could use English and say like, “ 24th kara 26th made tomarimasu” and they will understand.

5.カードで払えますか？/Card de haraemasuka?

Can I pay by (credit) card?
Hotels should be ok, but at some hostels/guesthouses in the countryside do not accept credit card, so you might want to bring some cash with you if you are going to such places.
You can learn more about this on my another post: https://hidanotaka.com/4-things-you-should-know-before-visiting-japan/

When you check out

6.チェックアウトをお願いします/Check out wo onegai shimasu.

Check out, please.
Yes, the same expression “Onegai shimasu” works here as well.

7.鍵をお返しします/Kagi wo okaeshi shimasu

I’m returning the (room) key.
You can say this as you return your room key to the receptionist.

8.ありがとうございました/Arigatou gozaimashita.

It is a formal way of saying Thank you.
Hotel staff will appreciate it if you say this when you leave!

Trouble 　

9.すみません、～が動かないのですが/Sumimasen, – ga ugokanai no desuga.

Excuse me, it seems that – is not working.
“Ugokanai” means something is “Not working”.

10.すみません、～の使い方を教えてください/Sumimasen, – no tsukaikata wo oshiete kudasai.

Excuse me, please tell me how to use -.
If you don’t know how to use an air-conditioner, a shower, or a TV, use this phrase to ask for a help!

Sending luggage

11.～へ荷物を送りたいのですが/ – e nimotsu wo okuritai no desuga.

I would like to send my luggage to – .
If you have big suitcases and want to send them to the next destination, use this phrase.
Note that you need to ask at least 2 days prior to the expected date of the arrival as it takes time to deliver suitcases.
If the hotel doesn’t have a delivery service, take your luggage to a nearest convenience store.
Most convenience stores can help you send your stuff.

12.幾らかかりますか？/Ikura kakarimasuka?

How much will that be?
The price is different depending on the size and the distance, but it usually costs roughly around 3,000 yen to send one suitcase. For the detail, check the website of Yamato delivery service.

Talking to hotel staff

13.おすすめのお店はありますか？/Osusume no omise wa arimasuka?

Do you know any good restaurant? /Which restaurant do you recommend?

14.そこは何時から空いていますか？/Soko wa nanji kara aite imasuka?

What time does the place open?

15.～まで行きたいのですが/- made ikitai no desuga.

I’d like to go to -.

16.～へはどうやって行きますか？/ – he wa douyatte ikimasuka?

How do you go to -? /How can I get to -?

17.～はどこですか？/ – wa doko desuka?

Where is -?

These are the 17 most used expressions at a hotel.
Not all workers at hotels can speak English fluently (especially in the countryside).
It is the best to learn them before going to a place to stay!

By the way, there’s no tipping system in Japan.
So, you don’t need to pay anything even if a porter helped you carry your luggage or a cleaning staff came to clean up the room!

https://hidanotaka.com/new-album-free-somebody/

My new album, “Free Somebody” is well received all over the world and I’m really, really happy about it!
If you haven’t listened to it, check it out here: Free Somebody

My previous work, is also available: Skyhigh

Thank you for your support!
I’ll keep on posting my music and info about Japan here.

If there’s anything that you want me to write, feel free to send me a message to [email protected]
Or you could simply give me a comment below.
I’ll see you next time!
Taka

53 useful Japanese words and phrases《with audio》

2019-04-20 by Taka Leave a Comment

Hi, How are you doing?
We just had the Spring Festival in Takayama.
The festival lasts for 2 days but we had a rainy day on the first day so the festival floats didn’t go out.
However they did on the 2nd day.
I was able to see them and take some pics.

About Takayama City, you can check my another post:https://hidanotaka.com/about-takayama/
We have festival 2 times a year here. Come visit if you have a chance!

This time I listed useful Japanese words and phrases that you can use during your stay in Japan.
There are still many places where the staff can only use Japanese, so I’m sure these expressions here will be of some help.
If you could use some of them, it will be much easier to communicate and make friends in Japan!

・Basic words and phrases

おはようございます/Ohayou Gozaimasu

Hello/Good morning. More casual way of saying it is おはよう/Ohayou.

こんにちは/Konnichiwa

Hello/Good afternoon.

こんばんは/Konbanwa

Good evening.

おやすみなさい/Oyasumi Nasai

Good night. More casual way of saying it is おやすみ/Oyasumi.

ありがとうございます/Arigatou Gozaimasu

Thank you. More casual way of saying it is ありがとう/Arigatou.

お元気ですか？/Ogenki Desuka?

How are you? More casual way of saying it is 元気?/Genki?

・Getting to know each other

初めまして/Hajime Mashita

Nice to meet you.

私の名前は〜です/Watashino Namaewa …Desu.

My name is …

あなたの名前は何ですか？/Anatano Namaewa Nanndesuka?

What is your name?

好きな（映画/音楽/スポーツ)は何ですか？/Sukina (Eiga/Ongaku/Sport) Wa Nandesuka?

What is your favorite (Movie/Music/Sport)?

・Saying Goodbye

お会いできて良かったです。/Oaidekite Yokatta Desu.

It was nice meeting you.

またね/Matane

Take care/See you again.

さようなら/Sayounara

See you/Goodbye. A bit more casual way of saying it is さよなら/Sayonara.

You could also say じゃあね/Jya Ne to your friends. While さようなら is polite and often used as a farewell message,
じゃあね often has the meaning “See you again soon/Let’s meet again”.

・At a store/restaurant

(これ/あれ)は何ですか？/(Kore/Are)Wa Nandesuka?

What is this/that?

幾らですか/Ikura Desuka?

How much?

いいですね/Iidesune

Good. More casual way of saying it is いいね/Iine.

大丈夫です/Daijobu Desu.

I’m fine/It’s OK (Polite way of saying No).
You could also say 結構です/Kekkou Desu to directly say “No thanks”.

(Wifi/この商品)はありますか?/(Wifi/Kono Sho-hin) Wa Arimasuka?

Do you have Wifi/this product?

(トイレ/試着室/レストラン/メニュー)は何処ですか? (Toilet/Shichakushitsu/Restaurant/Menu) Wa Dokodesuka?

Where is a (toilet/fitting room/restaurant/menu)?

〜へ行きたいです/…E Ikitai Desu.

I’d like to go to 〜．

〜を食べたいです/…Wo Tabetai Desu.

I’d like to eat 〜．

〜をしてみたいです/…Wo Shite Mitai Desu.

I’d like to try 〜．

お願いします/Onegai Shimesu.

Please.

これをください/Korewo Kudasai.

This one, please (requesting).

どうぞ/Douzo.

Please (Offering)/Please go ahead/Here you are.

もう一度言ってください/Mouichido Itte Kudasai.

Please say it again.

ゆっくり言ってください/Yukkuri Itte Kudasai.

Please speak more slowly.

(写真を撮っても/触っても)良いですか？/(Shashinwo Totemo/Sawattemo) Iidesuka?

Is it OK to (take a picture/touch)?

はい/Hai

Yes.

いいえ/Iie

No.

すみません/Sumimasen

Excuse me. More polite way of saying it is ごめんなさい/Gomenasai I’m sorry.

何時まで空いていますか？/Nanjimade Aiteimasuka?

Until what time are you open?

おすすめは何ですか？/Osusumewa Nandesuka?

What do you recommend?

〜が食べられません/…Ga Taberaremasen.

I can’t eat ~. If you are a vegan/vegetarian, check my another post:https://hidanotaka.com/vegetarian-and-vegan-in-japan/

美味しい/Oishii

Delicious.

お会計お願いします/Okaikei Onegaishimasu.

Check, please.

ご馳走様でした/Gochisou Samadeshita.

Thank you for the meal.

クレジットカードは使えますか？/Credit Card Wa Tsukae Masuka?

Can I use my credit card?

いらっしゃいませ or いらっしゃい/Irashaimase or Irashai

It means “Welcome” or “May I help you?”

店内でお召し上がりですか/Tennaide Omeshiagari Desuka?

Will you be eating here?

お持ち帰りですか?/Omochikaeri Desuka?

Is this takeout?

喫煙ですか、禁煙ですか?/Kitsu-en Desuka, Kin-en Desuka?

Smoking or Non-Smoking?

**If you are not feeling well/In case of an emergency, you could say…**

具合が悪いです/Guaiga Waruidesu.

I don’t feel well.

助けてください！/Tasukete Kudasai!

Please help me!

Thanks to the advance of technology, nowadays you can communicate using a translator even if you don’t speak any Japanese at all.
But if you know some Japanese words and phrases, your stay in Japan will be a lot more fun and you can have the “Real communication” with locals without any devices and I’m sure it will be a great experience!
People will really appreciate it if you try talking in Japanese.

If you are interested in learning some Japanese slangs, check my another post :https://hidanotaka.com/japanese-slangs/

Have fun learning and speaking Japanese!
Taka

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

A Simple guide to train travel in Japan

2019-04-07 by Taka 6 Comments

Hi, how are you?
I’ve been busy writing and working on music and getting ready for new projects.
I just got an art work for my new album and the final version of my songs after mixing.
I think I will be able to release it at the end of this month.
Wait for it!

This time I wrote about train system in Japan.
Japan has a very efficient transportation network. The whole country (expect Okinawa) can be reached by train.
Japanese trains are very safe and clean, and they keep time very well.
Using trains is a very convenient way for visitors to travel in Japan.
However if you are a first timer, you might have hard time understanding how it works.
Here is info about trains in Japan and how to travel using them!

Train Categories

There are 5 kinds of trains in Japan.
You need to choose one depending on your purpose.

1.普通 Futsu (also called Kakutei)/Local

This train stops at every station.

2.快速 Kaisoku/Rapid

It skips some stations.
The price for 普通 and 快速 are the same but 快速 is usually more crowded.

3.急行 Kyuko/Express

It stops at fewer stations than 快速.
In most cases, the price is the same as 普通 and 快速.

4.特急 Tokkyu/Limited Express

It only stops at major stations.
To use this kind of train, a limited express ticket (called 特急券 Tokkyuken) is required in addition to the cost for the regular tickets (they are called 乗車券 Joshaken).
The additional price is from about 500 to 4,000yen depending on the distance you travel.

5.新幹線 Shinkansen/Super Express

It is the fastest and best kind of train to travel distant regions in Japan. Just like 特急, a limited express ticket is needed.

Seat classes

When you take a long-distance train, you get to choose between Ordinary and Green (first class) seats.
Green is less crowded and you will have spacious seats compared to Ordinary ,but the additional 30% to 50% fee is required.
Many of Shinkansen and limited express trains have 自由席 (Jiyu seki/Non-reserved seat) and 指定席 (Shitei seki/Reserved seat).
It costs around 300 to 700 yen to have a reserved seat.
※If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you don’t need to pay the additional cost and make seat reservations for free. You just need to talk to the worker at the counter to reserve your seat.
※Hayabusa, Hayate, Komachi, Kagayaki, and Hokkaido Shinkansen only carry reserved seats.

Seat reservations can be made from a month prior to the travel date at ticket offices, ticket machines, or online.

On Shinkansen, smoking is not permitted on trains, but there are some areas where you can smoke on long-distance trains.

How to buy a ticket

If you are traveling the short distance, you can either buy prepaid IC cards (Suica, for example) or get tickets at ticket machines.
Here is the instruction to get a ticket at a ticket machine for short-distance travelers.

1.Check the map above the machines and find your destination and fare.
2.Put the money into the machine and select the right price.
3.Choose the number of tickets.
4.Collect your ticket(s) and change.

If you want to travel for long distance, you should get a ticket at a ticket counter.
You need to tell where you would to go at what time, and whether you are taking an ordinary or green, reserved or non-reserved.

Going through the gates

With your ticket, you can go through the gates to the paid fare zone.
Insert the ticket into the slot and pick up the ticket that comes up on the other side.
If you are using an IC card, you can touch the IC card reader.
※If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you must go through a manned gate and show your pass.

If you have a limited express ticket, make sure you insert it with your regular ticket.
When you are at your destination, leave the paid fare zone through the gate.
You just need to do the same as you entered.
If you traveled without paying the correct fare, you have to pay the difference at a Fare Adjustment machine or at a manned gate.

Japan Rail Pass

It is also called JR pass (JR is the major train company in Japan).
This pass can be used by foreign tourists only and you will get unlimited use of JR trains including Shinkansen, Limited express, Express, Rapid, and Local trains, as well as Tokyo Monorail from/to Haneda Airport, and Ferry to Miyajima.
(Note that you can ride on JR buses with it, but can’t use highway buses)
If you are staying Japan for a while, you should get it for your convenience and also to save money.
There are two kinds of it: Ordinary and Green (first class).
You can purchase the pass online.
After making the payment, you will receive a voucher.
Within 3 months of buying it, you need to exchange it to the pass in Japan.
(You can exchange it at major JR stations and Airports. You need to show your passport upon receiving your pass)
Details are on the link here:Japan Rail Pass

The price of the pass is
For 7 days: 29,110yen (38,880yen for Green)
For 14 days: 46,390yen (62,950yen for Green)
For 21 days: 59,350yen (81,870yen for Green)

※You could upgrade your Ordinary seat to Green seat by paying additional fee.
※The pass can’t be shared or given to another person.
※You could purchase the pass at stations in Japan (instead of online) at an increased cost.

Note that you can’t use the automatic ticket gates with the pass.
Pass holders need to go through the manned gate and show the pass and passport.
The seat reservation is optional, but when you want to reserve a seat, you need to talk to staff at the station (You can’t reserve your seat using ticket machines).

When you are on train, you need to follow the manner.
To learn about it, check my another post: 13 things to avoid doing in Japan

Train system in Japan is great and once you know how to use it, you will feel very comfortable traveling in Japan.
I hope info here will be your help!

See you next time
Taka

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

7 frequently asked questions about Japan

2019-02-23 by Taka 2 Comments

Hi, How’s it going?  Japan is finally getting warmer, and the Spring is coming soon!
You can enjoy beautiful Sakura in Spring, so it is one of the best time of the year here.

This time I wrote about 7 frequently asked questions by foreigners.
I meet and talk to tourists or friends from other countries everyday,
and they often ask me these questions.
I hope this will help you understand how things are in Japan!

Why Japanese wear masks?

If you go out in city areas of Japan,
you will see a lot of people wearing masks.
You might wonder why they do that.
One reason is for health.
In big cities like Tokyo (It has more than 9 million people living as of 2019),
risk of contagion and disease is high.
People wear it to prevent from getting cold or catching flu.
The air is polluted in crowded places, so a mask is a good defense against dust and pollen.
In addition, some people wear masks not to spread their sickness to others.
“Think of others” is a very Japanese way of thinking and living.

Another reason is to just cover your face to hide physical imperfections.
For women, they wear masks on the days when they don’t put make ups.
Many different kinds of masks are available these days,
and some people wear a mask as part of a fashion.
Why do people sleep on trains/buses?

Japan is a very safe country and people won’t steal your stuff even if you fall a sleep in public (except in some dangerous areas).
So, you can get yourself a break during your commute.
Most business people work a lot of overtime (it is common to work over 12 hours a day…. very competitive in city areas) ,
and especially for those who work/study at a place that is a few hours away from home, commuting time is often used for getting some rest.
But still, don’t forget to keep your variable items with you at all times!
What are the differences between Shinto and Buddhism?

Shinto is the native religion of Japan.
Shrines(places with Torii, or holy gates that separate the holy area and the world outside of it) are the places for Shinto, and people worship the gods of nature(or Kami/Spirits) there.
In Shinto, there is no fixed dogma or book, and the main theme of it is love and reverence for nature.
Purity is very important and death is seemed as a pollution(sometimes birth as well).
It is believed that you can bring good spirits by clapping at a shrine, so people do that before a prayer.

Buddhism is originally from India and came to Japan from China in the 6th century.
Japanese temples are based in Buddhism,
and there are a lot of sects of Buddhism in Japan.
The goal is to learn the teachings of Buddha and reach the enlightenment by praying, meditating, training, etc.
Temples are the places where monks train themselves.
Funerals take place at temples as well (Weddings are held in a shrine).

Both Shinto and Buddhism exist without any conflicts today and they have huge impact on Japanese culture.
Calming yourself down is important at a temple, so prayers are silent in a temple.
Is it OK to drink tap water in Japan?

Yes, the purification facilities are excellent and well maintained, so water in Japan is very clear.
Although, some people (including me!) prefer buying and drinking mineral water, because it taste better and more natural.
Why are people so polite?

Respecting others (and also to keep some distances) to avoid any conflicts is very important and it is like a nonverbal manner in Japan, especially in crowded areas.
Unlike western countries, people live/work for groups than for individuals.
Depending on the person you talk to, people use formal or informal languages,
and usually to strangers or to someone you meet for the first time, formal communicating is used almost all the times in Japan.
So, you will think that people are super (or even too) polite,
and you might find it hard to close the distance with others at first.
It takes time to build trust and be real friends…!
Why are there a lot of vending machines?

Vending machines are very useful for busy people, so they are everywhere for their convenience.
In addition, there is very little vandalism in Japan.
Vending machines can be anywhere, and they rarely get broken.
Some companies set vending machines so that they can put some ads on them.
Why the taxies are very expensive in Japan?

Japanese taxies are expensive.
It costs about 1,000yen to travel just for 2km, and they cost about 30 times more than in India!
They are expensive because it costs a lot to maintain the service.
In order to keep cars clean and safe, taxi companies have to check them regularly.
Also, government is controlling the price to keep the quality of it ,so they can not lower the price easily.
However, thanks to that, there is little accident and drivers are usually good.

It’s really fun to travel to other countries,
and learn about different cultures/lifestyles, isn’t it?
I’m planning to visit Korea sometime in May.

Where is your next destination?

(I went to a mountain in Shinhotaka area last week. I love nature!!)

Taka

※Complete song is available here Skyhigh Or click on the band camp link below.<a href="http://taka09090909.bandcamp.com/album/skyhigh">Skyhigh by Taka</a>

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

Literally convenient! Convenience stores in Japan

2019-02-13 by Taka Leave a Comment

Japanese convenience stores are really convenient!
They have everything you need from food to daily necessities.
Most of them are 24/7 and located near the station or on major streets. Although things are a little more expensive than supermarkets,
you can’t beat the great services that they offer!

There are about 50,000 of them in Japan (7,000 in Tokyo alone),
so you will see them anywhere you go.
Major convenience stores are Seven-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart.
Here is a brief introduction and guide to Japanese convenience stores!

Food

Bento (Lunch box)

There are many kinds of Bentos available at a convenience store:
Donburi(rice bowl dish), Soba/Udon Noodles, Rice with vegetables, Pasta, etc. And all of them are delicious!
Ingredients and calories are labeled on each product, so you can check what’s inside of them before eating.

If you need, you can tell staff to warm your Bento up in the microwave.
They usually ask if you would like to do that over the counter by saying
・温めますか？(Atatame Masuka?/Would you like to warm it up?)

If you want that, you could say
・はい、お願いします(Hai, Onegai Shimasu/Yes, please).

Or, if you don’t need to, you say
・いいえ、大丈夫です(Iie, Daijobu Desu/No, thank you).

By the way, you need to follow a certain way to open a wrapped rice ball.
I’ve seen a lot of foreign friends struggle, so here’s the step by step guide for a beginner!

First, pull the top part down (you need to flip the rice ball over and keep on pulling it all the way up).

Then, flip it and gently pull the right part off.

Finally take the left part off (Be careful not to rip the sea weed!).

Snacks

You can get candies, chocolates, cookies, fried potatoes, gums, ice creams and more!
You can also order Hot Snacks like fried chicken, Nikuman(Pork Buns) and Oden(Popular food for winter. It involves various ingredients simmered in a soy sauce broth).

You can never get bored trying different kinds of snacks at a convenience store!

Instant ramen

Ramen is very popular all over Japan.
There are many varieties of instant ramens at a convenience store.
Among them, the most popular one is Nisshin’s Cup Noodle.
For foreigners, Ippudo’s ramen is very popular.
You can try different flavors of instant ramens from Seafood to Tomato Curry taste.
I don’t really recommend instant ramen for health-conscious people, but if you are too busy/lazy to cook and just want to enjoy cheap Japanese dish, trying it will be a good idea!

Drinks

Mineral water, tea, milk, juice, beer, energy drinks, wine, whiskey, sake….
You can get almost any kind of drink you can imagine.
Some convenience stores have coffee machines inside and you can order fresh coffee.
For non-alcohol beverages, you can choose to get one in either bottle or carton (Bottled ones are usually a bit more expensive).

Daily necessities

Even if you forget bringing daily necessities like tooth brush or towels, you can get them at a convenience store.
Razors, gloves, notes, pens, lighters, as well as magazines and comics are available.
If you don’t mind spending some money, it might be a good idea not to put all daily necessities in your suitcase.
Instead, you can go to a convenience store and get everything you need after getting here!

Other convenient things

ATM

Yes, they have it! And dou don’t need to worry if you can’t read Japanese.
You can change the language on the ATM machine and withdraw/deposit anytime you want.

Copier/Scanner

If you need to print out/scan some documents, go to a convenience store!
Using the same machine, you can order some tickets for an event like a concert.

Shipping service

You can bring your luggage or package to a convenience store to send it to other places in Japan.
Price varies depending on the size and the weight.
(Letters are from 82yen, and a large package is up to around 5,000yen)

Free and clean restroom

The last but not the least, convenience stores have free restrooms!
And most of them are very clean.

You will be amazed to know how convenient Japanese convenience stores are.
If you have a chance to visit Japan, visit a convenience store to make your stay more comfortable!

Love convenience store food!lol

See you next time!
Taka

※Complete song is available here Skyhigh Or click on the band camp link below.<a href="http://taka09090909.bandcamp.com/album/skyhigh">Skyhigh by Taka</a>

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

4 things you should know before visiting Japan

2019-01-25 by Taka Leave a Comment

Japan is a country with many rules.
If you do not know about them, you could be in trouble with neighbors, friends, etc.
In the worst case, you could be charged or caught by police (or both!).
Here are 4 major things that you should know before visiting/moving to Japan.
Learn about them for yourself and for others to make your stay enjoyable!

Know where to park

There aren’t many (almost none!) free parkings in Japan.
You could be charged if you park on the road without any permissions or at someone’s premises.
If you are going to live in Japan and planning to use a car, you should know where is OK to park.
If you are travelling by car, you will need to find a coin-operated parking (usually located near a train station)
It costs around 300 yen for an hour of use.
Follow the rules when throwing away trash

We recycle trash and you need to separate garbage into categories when you throw away.
You might find it hard to find a garbage can outside other than at convenience stores or stations (there aren’t many places to throw away trash outside to keep the road clean and tidy).
This might confuse you if you are traveling in Japan for the first time.
If you are going to live in Japan, you will have to follow the local rule when taking out the trash as the way to separate trash is slightly different depending on the area (Usually the city office gives you a guidebook after giving you the resident card).
When you throw away household garbage, you have to check the garbage calendar to know what kind of trash is picked up on the day. Then you have to put it in a specific garbage bag and take it to the designated area.
Keep it quiet on public transport

You have to refrain from talking on the phone while using public transport.
Keeping privacy is very important in Japan, and you have to think of others (not to disturb them) in public.
People keep themselves to themselves and don’t usually get involved in other people’s business.
It is an etiquette to keep things clean and quiet so that other people around you can be comfortable.
I think this custom is quite different from western countries where people enjoy interacting with strangers.
Take some cash with you

If you are planning to visit country side, you should take some cash with you.
Japan is a very safe country and there isn’t much crime of stealing money.
So in some places, especially in country side, people still use cash a lot and some stores don’t have card readers.
It you go to an area where there’s no convenience store, you will have hard time finding an ATM ,so you should get some cash before traveling.
*Btw, you don’t need to pay any tip at anywhere in Japan, so you don’t need to worry about carrying cash for that.

Above 4 things are major rules that anyone coming to Japan should know.
You might think that following rules can be stressful sometimes, but it is very important to keep things organized and be respectful to others in Japan.
If you are polite and respectful, people will like you and it will get much easier to make friends/settle.
Enjoy your stay in Japan!

This is me writing music at home.
Another recording session in Tokyo is coming soon!

You can listen to my music here:
Skyhigh
Soundtracks

Have a nice day!
Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

4 places to check in Otaku’s paradise, Akihabara

2018-09-15 by Taka Leave a Comment

For Anime and manga lovers and computer geeks(We call them Otaku in Japanese),Akihabara is like a heaven.
The area is full of Japanese electronics, anime, and manga products.
I grew up in Tokyo but even now I still feel that I’m on a different planet in Akihabara area. It is that unique!
The lively music and lightings never stop all day, all night.
Tall buildings with colorful ads of so many anime characters welcome you right after exiting the station.
You can’t really see/experience everything there within a few days but here are 4 major place that you don’t want to miss in the area!

1.Maid Café (and other uniqueCafés)

Akihabara has many interesting (and very weird if you do not anything about our culture!) cafes that will surely make your visit memorable.Among them, maid café(a cosplay restaurant) is widely known even to a lot of foreigners.At the café, maid girls act as servants and serve customers as masters.Food and beverages are decorated with cute designs on the table.You will see some young girls dressed up and handing out coupons/flyers of their café on many streets of Akihabara.Note that they are just entertainers and maid cafe is not a place to hook up.Also, in most maid cafes, taking pictures of maids or interior is forbidden.Please pay respect to maids there.

Maidreamin
Hours: 11:30 to 23:00(Mon to Fri)
10:30 to 23:00(Sat, Sun, and holiday)

@home Café
Hours: 11:00 to 22:00

Gundam café is another popular café in the area.Gundam(giant robot, or mobile suit) is one of the most popular Si-Fi anime in Japan.Gundam café is an anime café for giant robot fans, and the interior and the design of menu are based on the characters/robots of the anime. Even if you don’t know about the anime, it is a good place to visit to enjoy the atmosphere.

Gundam Café
Hours: 10:00 to 22:30

There’s also AKB48 café. If you like Japanese idols, it is a nice café to stop by.
Though taking pictures is not allowed inside, you can enjoy colorful items and sweets. Stationery and other items are on sale as souvenirs.

AKB48 cafe
Hours:10:00 to 22:00 (Sun to Thu)
10:00 to 23:00 (Fri and Sat)

2.Anime Markets

There are a lot of anime shops in Akihabara as well as figure shops, video game stores, and arcade centers. In fact, it is so full of them that I can’t even tell how many there are…!You can find your favorite anime character goods and costumes for cosplay by just walking around, but here are some of the most popular places.

Animate Akihabara
Open: 10:00 to 21:00

K-BOOKS
Open: 11:00 to 20:00

Tokyo Anime Center in DNP plaza
Open: 11:00 to 20:00 (Closed on Tue)

3.Electronics stores

Akihabara has varieties of electronics stores from a big store like Yodobashi Camera(it has as 9 floors and each floor has full of latest gadgets, it is near the station) to small shops that sell niche products for computers.It is very easy to find good electronics there, and I would say there’s nothing you can’t find to build or customize your computers.Do you need a different type of LED light? They have it.Are you looking for a crazy colored buttons for a controller? They have it.Here are most visited electronics areas

Denkigai (Electric town)

Yodobashi camera
Hours: 9:30 to 22:00

4.Kanda Myojin shrine

It is a shrine located about 5 min walk away from Akihabara.Even a traditional shrine like this one has Otaku influence inside.You can buy good luck charm(Omamori) for IT workers.Most Omamoris that you can get at a shrine are made to protect the holder from having bad lucks, but this one is believed to protect the holder’s computer from virus attacks.You will also find a lot of anime/video game characters on Emas, wooden plates where people normally write wishes. It is also a popular spot as a place that was featured in the anime called “Love Live!”

Kanda Myojin shrine
（Open 24 hours）

If you like anime, manga, or electronics, Akihabara is a must-visit place.
Even if you are not too crazy about those things, you can still enjoy watching Otaku guys and cosplay girls in the area.
I remember going to a maid café with the bass player of my band a long time ago.
It was quite an interesting experience to be said “Welcome home, master!” and watch them dance and sing. My country really is a strange island!

Access

From Shibuya:Take JR Yamanote Line Bound for Shinagawa, Tokyo
(Time:28min Price:200yen)

From Tokyo: Take JR Yamanote Line Bound for Ueno, Ikebukuro
(Time:5min Price:140yen)

Where’s a strange/interesting spot in your country?
Send me a comment!
Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]