(English translation by Ishan Bhavsar)
‘Made in Japan’ – we are highly influenced by these three words as we know that Japan is among the power giants of the world. In September 2018, I visited Japan and the visit strenghthens some of my beliefs regarding Japan along with a bunch of new information. This travelogue echoes that experience…
Most of us are tempted to visit USA, no matter how many times our visa gets rejected. Even if visa gets rejected, some people resort to unfair means and enter USA illegally. European countries are also major attraction for us. However, there are very few visitors who wish to travel Japan – the Land of The Rising Sun. It’s quite surprising that the visa fee for the citizen of India is only 490 bucks! These days you won’t get even a large-size pizza in this rate! Moreover, the visa process is simple and within a week you get your passport back with a visa stamp. And, there are very rare chances of getting your visa denied.
Of course, there’s no direct flight to Japan from Ahmedabad, the way you find a direct flight from Ahmedbad to USA, or Ahmedabad to U.K.. To catch a Japan-bound flight, you need to reach to Delhi. There’s a direct flight from Delhi to Narita (Tokyo) operated by Japan Airlines on daily basis. Other airlines are also available.
Transportation:
Japan has an excellent public transport system. The bullet train, known as Shinkansen, is a very cost effective mode of transportation in Japan with the maximum operating speed of 320 km/hour. Japanese prefer trains for their daily commute. So, you find metro rails and express rails too. Certain cities have tram facility. Public buses and taxies are easily available. A disciplined nation as Japan is, you will rarely find any public transports running late.
Ravindranath Tagore who had visited Japan thrice once remarked that Japanese are very polite and speak in a very low voice. This is true even after a century. They are quite reticent, and talking purposelessly is out of question for them. But when you ask something to Japanese, you’ll surely get a feedback. The fact that Japan’s economy is the third largest economy in the world has not turned them arrogant. Indeed, they are a pleasant company.
A rider or a pedestrian, Japanese strictly follow traffic signals. The footpaths here are used by pedestrians as well as bicycles-riders. There are a large number of people using bicycles.
Cuisine
Japanese cuisine is completely at odds with our Indian cuisine. Their use of spices is very meager, and they are very cautious in using salt and chili pepper powder. Most of the population is vegetarian, but compared to the foodaholic Indians, their food is simpler in taste. The cuisine includes vegetables and root crops. You will be surprised to know that the traditional daily Japanese diet contains 30 food items on the platter! That’s the secret why Japanese are physically fit and lives longer.
The average life expectancy in Japan is 84.2 years. Obesity is not a health issue for Japanese as they walk an average of two to four kilometers daily. Japanese takes tea thrice in a daily, but the tea is without milk and sugar. They serve tea along with meal. If your taste buds are not satisfied with Japanese food, then Indian restaurant are available in major cities of Japan.
Shopping
The exchange rate of Yen, Japan’s currency is lower than Indian Rupee. For instance, you get 16,000 Yen against 10,000 Rupees. However, the price of goods is costlier in Japan as an average Japanese earns 30, 00,000 Rupees per month. More earning, more spending! That’s why you will find Japan expensive. However, the quality and durability of Japanese products is matchless.
Language
Japanese not just speak their language, they love it too. Average Japanese do not understand English, therefore, you find it difficult to communicate with them in English. You need to learn basic Japanese words. Of course, you find English-speaking guides or English signboards in mega cities, but if you plan to visit the suburb, then things might be difficult for you. However, the Government of Japan has started promoting English. You find English signboards at all the major places. In Japan, you needn’t worry as the graphics and signs will come to your help even if you don’t understand the language.
Places to Visit
Japan is an island nation, of which four of them are ‘mainland’ Japan. There are snow-capped mountains in the North and world-famous cities like Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the South. Those who are accustomed to package tour might not include Japan in their wish-list of travel destinations. Tokyo, with an estimated population of more than 35 million people, is the most populous metropolitan area in the world and if you sincerely wish to know the city, then even a week-long stay is not enough!
Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Kyoto – these are the major cities of Japan. Kyoto is an ancient city, and there is a Kyoto-Varanasi Partner City Agreement, under which Varanasi is made Kyoto’s sister city. However, Kyoto is far systematic and cleanlier than Varanasi. Kyoto had enjoyed the status of being the capital of Japan since ages. The palace of the Emperor, too, is in Kyoto. Tokyo’s nightlife, food outlets, and a number of places of hangout attract the tourists. We also find many Indians and Gujaratis there.
As Buddhism is Japan’s major religion, you find amazing Buddhist temples across Japan. There’s a striking similarity between Japanese culture and Indian culture – Sitting upright on the floor while eating, removal of shoes before entering the house, tea-drinking habit, use of vegetables in daily diet, vow-making and vov-fulfilling rituals etc;
Japanese love gardening, and people with gardening skills are admired by them. People of Japan cultivate gardens wherever they find open space! They do not like bare or uncultivated plots of land. One of the temples in Kyoto is made up of sand and stones, known as Japanese Rock Garden. Japan’s most adored trees are Cherry and Maple. The leaves of maple tree turns red and orange in winter which is an attraction for tourists. The beautiful blooming of cherry trees, too, attracts visitors.
If you wish to visit Japan, it’s advisable to opt for a middle-range package tour. Silence, system, and discipline are chief characteristics of Japan. More details are here https://www.jnto.org.sg
