Japan

Japan has been on my must visit list for about eight years, however for one reason or another, I never quite got around to it until now. It was finally decided whilst on last years holiday that 2008 would be the year for Japan and I have just returned from a two week break. Getting there and around~~~~ I travelled to Japan from my current home in Bermuda via New York, the flight from New York is about 14 hours and I paid for it with air miles. For the benefit of the mainly UK dooyoo readers, I have conducted research courtesy of expedia and a direct flight from the UK takes about 12 hours and at the moment seems to cost around £650 - £800. This ...  Read the complete review

First of all, apologies if you have read this review under a different category. I have been advised by the guide that I put it under the wrong listing first time round, so here goes again: I have visited Japan several times and each time I have toured to different places. This review is an overview of Japan in general, rather than a review of each place. Travelling to Japan can be relatively inexpensive if you shoparound for flights, but do make sure you work out the length of time you will be travelling. You can fly from Heathrow to Toyko in around 12 hours, but you then have to consider how to get to other destinations. Alternative ...  Read the complete review

"For rest rooms, go back toward your behind" (Sign at a Japanese train station) Welcome to the world of 'Engrish', a Japanese phenomenon that has probably caught the eye of many who have visited this far-eastern nation. But what is 'Engrish'? It is the term employed to describe the wholly inaccurate use of English by the Japanese. 'Engrish' is ubiquitous in Japan- whether it be on stationery, drinks, cars or underwear. It seems that Japanese slogans and advertising choose English words according to its visual and aural appeal to the Japanese layman - regardless of what those words might mean. Somewhat like our French, your ...  Read the complete review

I had always imagined Japan as the calming, introvert country I had read about in books. As I sat in my reclining seat, I could hear the wind whistling through the bamboo, and see the men and women practising tai-chi on long green lawns. I was feeling quite spirited at the prospect of seeing pale faced women wearing brightly coloured kimonos. I had wanted to visit the East ever since I was young, and now my visions seemed to be coming true... You can imagine my disillusion when I stepped off the plane and stopped to take a view of the horizon. What stood before me shattered all my dreams. A huge monstrosity of an airport dominated the skyline, complete with ...  Read the complete review

This is fairly long so I have split it up into sections for ease of reading. Your comments are appreciated as always. Places I have been to Japan now several times and each time I go, I am amazed by the people and culture of this very different country. Japan is located about 100 miles off the coast of Korea and runs all the way up to Russia. The country in made up of lots of islands, Around 2000 I?m told, but the main islands are (from top to bottom) Hokkaido, Honshu (the main island), Kyushu and Shikoku. Hokkaido Hokkaido is a group of islands at the far north of the Japanese islands and is on a parallel to Russia. The capital of ...  Read the complete review