Our trip was the trip of a lifetime and I definitely recommend it for everyone. Below are some observations and other bits of advice for anyone considering a trip to Japan. 

Language and communication

• Three Japanese words are indispensable while traveling in Japan:
  • Arrigato = Thank you
  • Sumimasen = Excuse me
  • Biru = Beer
• Bowing is easy to catch on to, is slightly addictive, and seems to go a long way with Japanese people (especially when accompanied with a smile). People look at you funny when you continue to bow when you return home.
• Tourism is a main component of the Japanese economy and English is the most common second language, which makes getting around fairly easy, as many signs are also in English as well as Japanese.
• The Japanese language has few words that don’t end in a vowel, which makes it difficult for them to pronounce some of our words that end with consonants. If you are having a difficult time understanding something, try taking the vowel off of the end. A good example is that they will often say “hotto” instead of “hot”. 
• Japanese people have a hard time pronouncing words with the letter “L” in them. It is always funny and never gets old. 
• Water buffalo charades is a universal form of communication.

Restrooms

• Squatty potties are easier to use prior to the consumption of beer or sake.
• Squatty potties: The hood goes in front.
• Bring hand sanitizer. Many restrooms do not have soap.
• Most restrooms don’t provide an air dryer or paper towels to dry your hands after washing. Most Japanese people carry around small washcloths to dry their hands.
• Western-style toilets are catching on in Japan.
  • Many of them have a lot of fancy features (heated toilet seats, bidets, etc).
  • It is not uncommon to find a restroom with both western-style and squat-style toilets. Many times, there will be a line of (Japanese) people waiting to use the western-style toilets, even though there are squat-style toilets available.
  • Some Japanese people have apparently been quite confused by western-style toilets. There are many funny posters with instructions (and visual aids) to help Japanese people figure them out, as well as funny posters with instructions teaching white people to use squatty potties. Enjoy and always take your camera with you to the bathroom, just in case there’s a good one.

Dining

• Egg is an integral ingredient in Japanese cuisine. If you don’t like egg, learn to like it.
• Never cut your takoyaki (octopus nuggets) in half to see the inside. You’ll be sorry.
• It’s a much safer bet to find a restaurant with plastic food models in the front window. It’s much more exciting to choose a restaurant without them.
• Beer vending machines are AWESOME and need to be brought to the United States. There are not many of these machines in Tokyo, but there are many in some of the other cities, like Kyoto.

Packing

• Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and off, since you will need to remove your shoes before entering many temples. 
• If you go to Japan in the spring, you should make room in your luggage for rubber boots or other water-resistant footwear.
• Ponchos are not in style in Japan. Bring an umbrella.
• Pack lightly, since you will have to drag your luggage up and down countless staircases and on and off of many trains. Once you’ve packed your suitcase, unzip it, dump everything out, and then cut down what you’ve already packed in half.
• Wear layers. The weather changes quickly and many places don’t have air conditioning. Always wear (bring) one more layer than you think you might need.

Trains

• Buy the JR Rail pass (you need to buy it before you arrive in Japan). It’s worth it.
• Before train doors close, the train will announce something in Japanese that sounds like “Mighty Mouse”. Once the doors start to close, they really mean it. There is no holding them open.
• When taking the train or subway, always pay attention to where you are headed, even if someone else is leading the way. Otherwise, you will be left behind on the train platform in Ginza, left to your own devices to find your way to the Tokyo station.
• Trains and train stations are very musical places. Each train line has it’s own melody that plays to notify you that a train is arriving or departing. Sometimes it sounds like the platforms are dueling.

People

• Japanese people are very reserved and quiet, but are also very friendly and willing to help (especially in smaller towns). Many speak a little English and, even if they don’t, will go out of their way to help you.
• Japanese school kids love American tourists.
  • Many school kids (and some adults) get so excited at the chance to practice their English that they will approach you and say “Huhrroh” (Hello). Some will even ask if they may speak to you in English.
  • If you say “Hello” to one kid, expect to say “Hello” to all of them.
  • Some kids will be too shy to talk to you, but will smile shyly at you if you catch them watching you. It makes their day if you say “Hello” to them.
• Be respectful.
  • Try not to make a lot of unnecessary noise, especially in temples and shrines where people go to worship (imagine having to contend with tourists when you try to go to church). 
  • When in doubt, observe what the Japanese people around you are doing and try to do the same.
  • Japanese people are not fond of the large groups of Chinese tourists, because they are typically very boisterous and unreserved, the opposite of Japanese people.

Miscellaneous

• Massage chairs are shifty and unpredictable. Exercise extreme caution.
• Watch out for deer. They find the rear-ends of American tourists irresistible. 
• You are a water buffalo. You will not fit in, no matter what you do. Try your best to be respectful and mindful of cultural norms, but otherwise ignore the curious stares of onlookers.