Goyen and Goem: The Connection to other people.

The Genius of Niimi, Okayama Japan ...  
Yuji introduces me to culture of Japan and gives me a first hand look into a Blue Zone. Click HERE for the video.

GoYen (5 yen coin) and...

Goem  ("Means the connection to other people.") word play that hints at a Blue Zone's deep sense of community.

TIP # 15  Home Stays

The best part of my first visit to Japan with the Japan Fulbright Program included a home stay. 

I learned more from that one experience than can be measured in words. On my next trip Akiko found the Tanaka family in Asuka Village near Nara. Akiko Murakami, now a Nara Tour Guide arranged for me to stay with Tanaka-san use her home stay as a base. From there I went to Hiroshima for two days, and later to Niimi Okayama to find my mothers ancestors.
Kyoto to Nara: 45 min.
Nara to Asuka: 54 min.

Patricia with Tanaka-san at her family-stay in Asuka Village, near Nara.

64 minutes from Kyoto, Asuka Village is a welcome departure from modern city life in Japan. 
[ticket = 1860 yen or $17.07]  Additional details coming soon.

TIP # 12, 13 & 14   Planes, Bullet Trains, and Luggage. 

#12 LUGGAGE:  A "Roll Aboard" and a "Gadget Bag" is our mainstay for minimizing luggage concerns... under the motto: Travel Light and Smart.  If we can't get it into the two bags you see in this photo, we don't take it. Another happy benefit: this luggage combo eliminates waiting at luggage carousels at the end of your flights, they fit overhead on plains and trains [I store them in the space behind the last train seats on Bullet Trains.], and they are easier to transport through busy train stations and on the short walks to hotels.

If you don't already own a Roll Aboard and a Gadget Bag we encourage you to make the acquisition, you'll be traveling like a pro!  In fact, Travel Pro Roll Aboards and Gadget Bags are what we use. Next time you're at an airport, check what kind of luggage flight attendants and pilots are toting... chances are they are using Travel Pro Crew 11 and Rolling Tote.


#13 PASMO FOR LOCAL TRAINS: Once you clear customs, ask for the airport's Pasmo machine to buy a rechargable prepaid transportation card that contains an integrated-circuit chip, an IC.

 

This card allows you to enter the subway by simply placing the card over a PASMO card reader located on the fare gates.

Going between cities like Tokyo, Kobe, Kyoto, Okayama, and Hiroshima is where you trigger your Japan Rail Pass which makes travel by Bullet Train a great time saver.  Now that we're talking about Bullet Trains, this clip will give you a sense high speed train travel in Japan and how a "Roll Aboard and a "Gadget Bag" combo saves you from wrestling and lifting big suitcases.

Why call it a bullet train?

TIP # 14  JAPAN RAIL PASS (not sold in Japan), click HERE ...   Buy your Japan Rail Pass at least a month before departure, to allow enough time for delivery to your home.  

Then, when it's time to explore beyond Tokyo... go to Kyoto, Nara, and Asuka Village for the second part of your journey, jump on the bullet train: 2 hours 15 minutes. 

TIP # 11   Yen to U.S. Dollar Conversion

While our currencies fluctuate, this conversion chart will ball park the financial part of planning your trip to Japan.

For the daily exchange rate, click here.

TIP # 10 ... If you were to only take one tour while in Tokyo... this is what we'd recommend, especially if you have young children or grandchildren!

"Let's get lost together."  Ghibli Museum Tour  Here you will see inside the mind of one of the world's most creative geniuses, Hayao Miyazaki! Of his creations, my favorite is the Cat Bus from his movie: My Neighbor Totoro. Even more illuminating for those interested in Japanese culture is his film Spirited Away, an insightful experience into the Shinto essence of Japan: "spirits are not to be feared, but an everyday part of Japanese life."

By the way... the Ghibli Museum tour is an all day experience that includes an additional tour of the Edo Tokyo Open Air Architecture Museum and an excellent lunch at the Hotel Gajoen Tokyo.

Here's an informative video about Hayao Miyazaki's philosophy.  [You might want to skip the ad at 14:24]

"Take root in the ground, live in harmony with the wind, plant your seeds in the winter, and rejoice with the birds in the coming of spring..."

Why we need Totoro... a great way to prep your children or grandchildren for a trip to Japan.

TIP #9     How to use the Tokyo Subway system.  

A Video "How To" for the Busiest Train Stations in the World.

Mind boggling ... the first time I looked up at one of these maps in Tokyo Station. Not to worry... there are hundreds... thousands nearby to help you to your destination.  It is as easy as saying:  "Sumimasen" [excuse me in Japanese] then simply ask for assistance. It helps if you have your destination already showing on Google Maps on your device.  I can not imagine people anywhere in the world more helpful and generous with their time than the Japanese... who will often go far out of their way to lend a hand.

Did you know that the Japanese Ministry of Education requires at least 6 years of English before graduating from high school. This means virtually everyone you speak with in Japan understands what you say in English.  The only obstacle is that most Japanese people have very little experience speaking English, and now... you are an excellent opportunity for them to practice!

By the way: Google Translate is a useful tool that has been helpful in situations where I needed extra help.

Walk with me... into a painting...

Patricia just found two breath taking links that can be used to build your Japan itinerary.    Click HERE for more about how to get to the wisteria tunnel above.

1. 36 of Japan's most stunning places — CNN  Like walking into a painting when you visit Kawachi Fuji Garden in Fukuoka. Scroll to bottom for more choices.

2. The Most Jaw-Dropping World Heritage Sites In Japan.  We plan to visit one or two on on each of our up coming trips to Japan. More "You Might Also Like" choices at the bottom of the page.