Japan is one of the most desirable destinations in the world right now, and with good reason. Not only is it filled with incredible culture, technology, architecture, and even nature, but it’s also a place where you can completely immerse yourself in a completely new culture that you might not really have much experience with. Of course, coming face to face with a culture that’s completely alien to you, especially if you’re doing it on your own, can be pretty overwhelming too. In fact, it often leaves a lot of people wondering where to even start when it comes to a trip to Japan. With that in mind, here are just a few ways that you can really make the most of your trip to the land of the rising sun!
Learn the language
If you want to avoid feeling completely lost and confused while you’re in Japan, then the best thing that you can do is to learn how to speak Japanese before you go. Of course, no one’s expecting you to be completely fluent or anything, but learning a few key phrases and words can be incredibly useful to help you feel a little bit less at sea while you’re there. Plus, most people are more likely to look favorably on travelers if they can tell that they’re really making an effort to connect with the country that they’re in.
Research the culture
Not only is it important to be able to understand the things that people around you are saying, but having an awareness of the kinds of things that they would talk about and do is a good idea as well. Sure, you’re never going to be able to fully understand everything about Japanese culture, especially if you’re not there for very long, but looking up certain things about Japanese customs and etiquette can not only make the place seem less confusing but also save you from any embarrassing social faux pas.
Be open to new things
The very best thing that you can do if you really want to make the most of your trip to Japan is simply to embrace the unknown. No matter how prepared you are, there are always going to be things about your trip that will come as a genuine shock or surprise to you. So be open to those things when they come along. Perhaps it’ll be an exotic dish you’ve never heard of, an activity that is totally new to you, or simply meeting some new people and letting them show you a little sample of their culture. No matter what it is, the only real way to get to know somewhere is to actually spend some time diving into all of the things that make it unique.
Of course, however foreign and alien many of the aspects of Japan might be, the most important thing to remember is that everyone there is a person just like you. No matter what, it’s always possible to find common ground with someone, no matter where you both come from.
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