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Mark Kennedy's avatar

The KYUN PASS is extraordinary!

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The Great Reject's avatar

Thank you Tanikawa san. Japan is an endless source of discovery and happiness. I do not feel like visiting anywhere else to be honest. So, please continue accepting tourists. I recall watching the morning news at NHK and seeing tourists jumping in front of traffic to take pictures of the illuminations in Tokyo. We give ourselves a bad name. Not all of us are bad though. Blame Instagram and tiktok.

Here's some observations from my December visit. Some of these may be topics of interest.

Too many foreigners compared to 10 years ago (not to my liking, but then that includes me I guess). But are these tourists or immigrants?

Too much English speaking for my liking, especially in Tokyo (people should make an effort and not have expectations).

Japanese people speaking English even at remote areas.

Osaka literally taken over by Chinese tourists !

Kyoto tourist areas overcrowded even at 07:00 AM

Surprised by night curfew of ryokans !

Japanese car drivers appear so aggressive compared to their off road personas !

ETC cards are a saver.

Parking areas vs Service Areas. Do I have to pay to use them or not?

Petrol price is so cheap but then the tolls make up for it !

Plum wine is the best. So underrated.

Do not overdo the Onsen (time per session). Build your time slowly.

Someone must tell the authorities in Kanazawa castle to place exit signs everywhere with estimated time to each exit. I almost locked in the castle at 17:00 !

Train may be preferable and quicker to travel but you cannot grasp rural Japan unless you drive a car. stopping at a random shop and engaging with surprised locals was a must for me !

Food is quite salty. However despite eating a lot (and i mean a lot) every day I did not gain a pound overall ! How's that?

Do Kyoto locals really hate matcha tea?

Do japanese people have just coffee for breakfast these days?

How do the immense number of ramen shops and small eateries survive financially? There are so many of them ! Every block seems to have one or two. I felt for them but could not eat any more !

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