I’m back from a much-needed and long-awaited weeklong vacation in the Land of the Rising Sun, JAPAN! I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. I had a really nice experience there especially since it was autumn and the peak of the Koyo Season (when the colors of the leaves change). That meant nice photos! The weather was a bit colder than usual (winter feels, in fact) but it was exactly what I liked. To say that Japan is a beautiful country is actually an understatement. Japan is delicate yet strong. It is where the old meets the new, where the outrageous meets the traditional, where the sights are clean and breathtaking and where the food is just downright delicious. It is definitely a must-visit. If you’ve been saving up for a trip abroad, I highly suggest that you make Japan your next travel destination. Here are some of the reasons why:
  1. Efficiency and Discipline - Yes, what you’ve read and heard are true. Internet is super fast in Japan. The buses and trains are on time. People queue. Traffic rules are obeyed.
  2. Cleanliness - Did you know that the water from the faucets all over Japan is potable/drinkable? That is how clean their water systems are. One of the things that I also find fascinating is that it is prohibited to eat and drink while walking in Japan. Ergo, you consume your food where you bought it. Or you stay put and then eat. My theory is that they want people to be responsible for their own trash. Because let’s face it - people have the tendency to just throw their garbage anywhere if they don’t see a trash can nearby! Also, toilets in public restrooms are clean and all flush! They have toilet paper, hand soap and hand sanitizers as well.
  3. Respect for Elders - In Kyoto, I personally witnessed this: two men lined up at a fast food chain. An elderly woman comes in. The two men notice, makes way for her and allows her to order first. The cashier doesn’t take her order first. Instead, she guides the elderly to a nearby table, offers her water and then takes her order. Cashier then brings her her food. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to remember when the last time I saw something similar here in our country was.
I’ll be sharing Japan travel tips on my Mindanaoan.com blog. Don’t worry - you can visit Japan on a budget! To tip or not to tip? Meanwhile, I’d like to ask you, my valued readers, for your opinion on whether or not you give tips. You see, when I arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport, a taxi alley attendant asked for “pang snacks.” No wonder he was too eager to help us with our bags and insisted on placing them inside the cab trunk himself! If that attendant asked for his “pang snacks” from you, how would you feel and what would you do? I’d love to hear your thoughts! That’s it for this week! Visit my blog Mindanaoan.com for budget travel tips and more lifestyle, pop culture and travel stories. Til next ish! Safe travels, everybody! IMG_0010 img_0227