10 Facts about... Tokyo!

Hey ya! So it's not that big of a secret that I've been vacationing in Tokyo recently! The decision to go (solo, as well) was a big one, not only because Japan isn't exactly budget friendly, but I also don't speak or understand Japanese.... But Japan is one of those magical destinations that I've always wanted to see, and it's tops on my to-visit list in this continent, so yeah.... I did months of research and prep since July and made it happen!

It also helps that fellow bloggers (William, Eric, Calvin) all went this year (not Tokyo though), which was encouraging and kind of made it 'Visit Japan Year' lol... Special shoutout to Calvin (who also fulfilled his dream of visiting Japan this year), who gave me travel advice and was genuinely excited and happy for me as I went on my trip! :)

To start off a series of posts, here are 10 things (some random) I discovered about Japan whilst in Tokyo:

1. You can survive without speaking Japanese!
It's true for Tokyo at least... the only Japanese words I ever had to use was arigato and sumimasen. The rest can be made up with smiles, hand gestures, pointing at pictures and they understand and speak basic English. Many restaurants have English /picture menu with prices stated. I also downloaded the Google Translate app which can directly detect speech in one language and translate it into audio of another.

2. Be prepared to get lost in translation
It's inevitable... some things are going to be confusing and you are going to make silly mistakes haha! Actually it's part of the fun... Some examples: At a restaurant, I looked at the vending machine and selected the picture which had ramen and a plate of gyoza, but when the food came there was also a large bowl of rice! My small stomach couldn't handle it >.<''
Another time, I ordered gyudon (beef bowl rice) which had a fried egg in the pic..... but when the food came, there was a whole, white egg in shell in 2 overlapping bowls. I wasn't sure if the egg was still raw or already hardboiled (sorry I can be blur at times), and what the 2 bowls were for. There was also a bowl of white, icky glue-like paste which was tasteless on its own. CONFUSION. 
Ohhhh then there was the time I went to an Onsen (hot spring bathhouse), there was this glass door with instructions in Japanese... I tried so hard to push / pull the door... 2 dudes were staring and laughing at me.... turns out it was a SLIDING  door!!! hahahahahaha

3. Japanese people are the nicest
This is an understatement. Their culture and the way they were brought up makes them organized, polite and selfless. I have experienced countless examples, whether it's at the train station, in an elevator, or just dealing with the sales person. Once you get over the language and cultural barrier, you realize Japan is a super comfortable and safe place.

4. Napping / Sleeping in public is quite common
The Japanese must be a hardworking bunch because every time I was on the train, I could see people dozing off, looking exhausted. Actually I was really tired too from walking from day till night.. Train stations can be massive and if you go in the wrong direction, be prepared for long walks! 

5. Suit up, please!
Men (working adults) are almost always spotted in black suits, and their shirts are in the typical safe colours. Nothing overly bright or flamboyant. Very formal and conservative dressing.

6. Department store basement food halls are HEAVENLY!
Seriously, almost every department store basement that I checked out in Tokyo has an epic selection of food (bento / takeout style), everything appears so damn delicious and the colours are so stunning, you will have a hard time deciding on what to get. It is a more budget option (that still tastes awesome), especially for dinner / supper when they have 50% discounts an hour before they close at 8pm. Restaurants are usually pricier at dinner than lunch, so I would usually eat from department stores at night.

7. Men are not so hunky, but slim
Commercial gyms aren't big in Japan like Singapore & Malaysia.. I think Jap guys are too busy working, they don't spend so much time sculpting their bodies like us vain MY & SG-ians. The most common exercise is jogging, I saw so many joggers. Also I think the amount of walking they have to do each day (commute to and from work, stations) is enough exercise to keep everyone pretty fit. 

8. Taylor Swift is BIG in Tokyo
Haha months ago I told tuls I wasn't feeling Shake It Off, thought the music video was cheesy and all... But this song really grew on me in Tokyo, because it was the only English song I heard being played, at different locations... to the point I started humming and singing it on the last day while walking around haha. 

9. Man Bush Galore :) 
Wow, ok this gets me so excited. I have NEVER seen so many naked guys at one go before. Not just gay saunas (more on that later), but regular onsens... where you can see naked guys walking around and bathing! Nudity is like breathing to them haha. Truly a gay man's dream!! I went to 2 different onsens, and was so happy to ogle at the uniqueness of man kind, really you see bushes, rods and balls of all varieties.... :) 

10. They love booze!  
OK this may be generalizing, but I always encountered people on the train and streets with alcohol breath... even some women. Obviously they don't drink till they get drunk and puke all over the place.. but I think it's more of a social thing, and maybe to keep warm? 


Much more to write about, including my trip to the *cough* sauna, visiting a massive sex store which is totally legal and out on a busy main street, and pics too :P

Till then,
Arigato!
XOXO