3 Tips for Visiting Japan

Today I am pleased to introduce you to one of my featured sponsors for July.  Her name is Lisa and she has touched my heart with her photography and gorgeous family photos.  She is a mom to her adorable son and cute dogs, Jasper & Coco, and expecting her next bundle of joy soon.  She also shares my love of travel and is taking over my blog today to share with you a combination of travel and her photography hobby.  Make sure to introduce yourself and share some ACR love her way.

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Hi, A Compass Rose readers! 

My name is Lisa and I blog at expandng.com.  
I blog about my family and also my photography hobby. 
Reflected temple (after) | copyright Lisa C. Ng for expandng.com
I’m so honored to be sharing 3 tips for visiting Japan to you today on Bonnie’s lovely blog. In my former life (before marriage and kids), I lived in Taipei for two years and traveled to Japan twice. Once with some friends, and a second time all by myself. Japan really is one of the countries I’d visit over and over again. I love the food, culture, and how tourist-friendly it is (at least the cities I visited). Hope you enjoy the tips!

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Tip 1: A little Japanese goes a long way
I know two Japanese phrases, and they took me a long way while visiting Japan. Need directions? Have a question? Just say “Sumimasen“, which means “Excuse me“. Another I used all the time, “Arigatou gozaimashita“, which means “Thank you very much.” Listen to the locals use these words for their correct pronunciation.

  Flag over river (after) | copyright Lisa C. Ng for expandng.com


Tip 2: Trains, trains, and more trains
I visited the Kyoto region on my second time to Japan and took trains just about everywhere. If you’re planning to take a lot of trains, look into a Japan Rail (JR) Pass. Be sure to read the FAQ page to find out the details on the pass. For longer-distance trains, I reserved seats and got my pass stamped at the various stations – Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo. It was fun collecting them.

Tip 3: Restaurants with food displays are everywhere
When in doubt, eat at a restaurant with a food display. I once took a waitress outside to the window to show her what I wanted to eat. A few times cold noodle dishes were served when I was expecting a warm dish, but it certainly didn’t affect my appetite. Japanese food is one of my favorite cuisines.


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Hope the tips are helpful! 
I’ll leave you with one of my 
favorite photos from my trips to Japan! 
Please let me know when you visit Japan, 
so that I may live vicariously through you.

Reflected temple (after) | copyright Lisa C. Ng for expandng.com

*All photography in this post is copyright to Lisa C. Ng for expandng.com © 2013


  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    What a great post! I really want to visit Japan, there is so much beauty and history. I also absolutely love sushi and Japanese food too. The last tip is my favorite!

    A Golden State of Mind

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    I’ve been dying to get to Japan since I’ve been living in Korea for nearly 2 years, but it hasn’t happened yet….ONE DAY!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    ah, I loved Kyoto, Japan. I used the JR too – so necessary!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    I’m def going to keep that in mind when I get to go. I have yet to step out of the Tokyo Airport. :( Always jetting off to another airport.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    I hear you. I’ve been through the airport in Japan numerous times on my way to somewhere else. I cannot wait to go. My husband went and I should probably share his photos soon for a #TravelTuesday post.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    I thought so too! She did a great job and makes me really want to go sooner now that she gave such great tips. My kids and I could eat sushi all day. We actually almost bought some yesterday because we had been craving it, unfortunately it did not look as yummy as the sushi we got in Hawaii.