Dessert Menu:
Is
that? Is that ...frozen spinach with sour cream and raisins?! Oh! It's actually a Green Tea with Oreos McFlurry.
Hmmm.... OK yeah, it could be a fair substitute for the bright green Shamrock Shake but "healthy" and "McFlurry"
don't exactly work well together, so blow the works McDo's and put some more Oreos in there!
The
Green Tea McFlurry is only for a limited time though, click here to see their latest McFlurry promotion!
For more McFun, why not check out the Japanese
McDonald's commercials from their official site.
http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/company/cm/index.html
Also, please don't be fooled by
restaurants with english names like Jonathan's.....
They have dishes like "spaghetti with american sauce" on the
menu.
Yeah. You think it's funny so you order it, but it
tastes so different and weird and defrosted, it just makes you want to have 'real' american food...
Jonathan's Grand Menu
...but
please try their awesome desserts, with just about any dessert or snack in Japan you just can't go wrong!
See Jonathan's latest seasonal dessert below:
And
then there's Denny's! Yes, they have Denny's and it has satisfying comfort food (like in the U.S.)
But comfort food in Japan consists of katsu-don,
soba and udon.
...ahhh...Udon
and Shrimp Rice, just like mama used to make.
In
any case, we recommend trying some of the Japerican foods you'll find on your travels, just know what you're
in for. :-)
If
you're in Yokohama, the best place for American food and atmosphere is American House, please click here for more information.
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Bathrooms in Tokyo
You might have heard that
Tokyo has the best bathrooms in the world with electronic devices ranging from self un-fogging mirrors to toilets with
heated seats that double as a bidet at the touch of a button and all of that is true. However, there is a part of Tokyo
that still lives in the traditional way, so some bathrooms (found at shrines and train stations) have traditional japanese
toilets. It's a delicate subject but these aren't like any toilets you've seen so for your convenience we've included
instructions on how to use a traditional japanese "squat" toilet, see the pic below.
Please note that when walking into a bathroom stall in the U.S., you walk in,
turn to close the door and then sit down (facing the stall door), even in a European squat toilet you would face the stall
door. In a Japanese bathroom you would face away from the door, and in many cases the toilet is positioned sideways
to the door but please know that to properly use the japanese toilet you'll need to face the toilet (for example you'd be
facing the handle to flush) and as above you'd be facing the slightly raised end of the toilet. Also, when squatting
your underwear/pants should be pulled down to your knees (like when camping).
Also of note: Traditional
Japanese bathrooms sometimes have a sink inside the stall that dispenses water when you flush the toilet. This is
for your privacy's sake, so you don't have to wash your hands in public (if you had an issue). Please know that in these
stalls, there may NOT be toilet paper. It's a good idea to carry a packet of Kleenex with
you especially when travelling in the outskirts of Tokyo.
Scariness aside, most squat
bathrooms have one or two "western-style" stalls in them and you can wait in the long line of japanese people waiting to use
them, but if you're in a hurry you've now learned how to use a japanese toilet. Congrats! :-D
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Japanese
Phrases in Tokyo
Below are a few very useful
phrases to use while travelling in Tokyo:
Greetings & Goodbyes:
english: Hello! /
Good Day!
japanese: 今日は
romanji: konichiwa
pronounced: "Kohn-eech-ee-wah!"
english: Good Morning!*
japanese: お早うございます
romanji: ohayo gozaimasu
pronounced: "Oh-high-oh
goh-zai-ee-mahs!"
*You can also just
say "Ohio", and that's acceptable. It's probably the only time strangers will happily say hi to you back, but don't
say it after 10:30am.
english: Good Evening
japanese: 今晩は
romanji: konbanwa
pronounced: "Kohn-bahn-wah"
english: Excuse me / Sorry
/ Can you tell me...
japanese: 済みません
romanji: Sumimasen*
pronounced: "Soo-mee-mah-sen"
* The phrase above
can be used often. If you're trying to ask someone directions and they don't seem to hear you...if you accidentally
bump into someone too hard...if you're trying to get through a crowd and no one will move...etc...
english: Thank you!
japanese: 有り難う
romanji: arigatou
pronounced: "ah-dee-gah-toh"
english: Thank you very
much!
japanese: 有り難うございます
romanji: arigatou gozaimasu
pronounced: "ah-dee-gah-toh
goh-zai-ee-mahs" ("zai" as in "bonzai")
english: Goodbye
japanese: さよなら
romanji: sayonara
pronounced: "sigh-yo-nah-dah"
english: Later!*
japanese: じゃあね。
romanji: jaa ne
pronounced: "Jah, nay?"
(there should be a short pause between the two words)
*this phrase translates
best as a statement but is literally a question and it means "later, right?" but if you break it down "Jaa,
ne" translates as "So, right?" - it's the abbreviation of "Jaa mata ne" (Jah mah-tah, nay?) which means "So
later, right?"
Getting Directions:
english: Where is the bathroom?
japanese: お手洗いはどこですか。
romanji: Otearai wa doko
desu ka
pronounced: "Oh-tay-ah-rye
wah doh-koh dess kah?"
english: Where is the train
station?
japanese: 駅はどこですか。
romanji: Eki wa doko
desu ka
pronounced: "Eh-key wah
doh-koh dess kah?"
english: Where is the post
office?
japanese: 郵便局はどこですか。
romanji: Yuubin kyoku wa doko
desu ka
pronounced: "Yoo-bean key-ohk wah
doh-koh dess kah?"
If they want to tell you
where something is, please listen for one of the following three directions:
english: right (as in right-hand
side, or make a right)
japanese: 右
romaji: migi
pronounced: mee-gee (the
"g" is pronounced as in "glee")
english: left (as in left-hand
side, or make a left)
japanese: 左
romanji: hidari
pronounced: hee-dah-dee
english: straight (as in
straight ahead)
japanese: 真っすぐ
romaji: mussugu
pronounced: moo-soo-goo
Getting Food and Service:
english: This, please.*
japanese: これを下さい。
romanji: Kore o kudasai
pronounced: "Koh-day oh koo-dah-sigh"
*Tokyo restaurants
have many picture menus, you can point to something on the menu (at your table) and order "This, please." If it's a
menu board and you need to point to it, use "That, please"
english: That, please.*
japanese: それを下さい。
romanji: Sore o kudasai
pronounced: "Soh-day oh koo-dah-sigh"
*Tokyo restaurants
have many picture menus, you can point to something on the menu (at your table) and order "This, please." If it's a
menu board and you need to point to it, use "That, please"
english: Check,
please!*
japanese:
お勘定をお願いします。
romanji: Okanjou
o onegai shimasu
pronounced: "Oh-kahn-joh
OH oh-nay-guy shee-moss" ("joh" pronounced like the name "Joe")
*When asking for the check
you're asking for someone to do something for you, like a favor, so instead of "kudasai" you would say "onegai shimasu"
To learn more Japanese,
please see the links below:
iKnow / Smart.FM - Japanese
lessons, with video and sound. The sign up is free, and you get lessons that are similar to the pricey Rosetta Stone software.
http://smart.fm
Jisho.org - Japanese Dictionary,
you can look up english and japanese words in this to get the definition or even example sentences.
http://jisho.org
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Luggage Delivery in Tokyo 宅配便 (Takuhaibin)
If
you've wisely decided to take the train into Tokyo (click here for more information) then you should know that taking your luggage on
the Keisei Skyliner and the Narita Express will be really convenient but dragging it to your Tokyo residence, or through other
trains or train stations will be a real pain. Never fear, this is Tokyo and they've thought of it all! At
the airport they have Luggage Delivery Services available at a very reasonable price. For around ¥2000 ($20) per piece,
they'll deliver the luggage to your hotel (or any address) the next morning.
Just follow these four steps:
#1 - Pack your carry-on with two changes of clothes, a toothbrush and pajamas so you can live without your bigger
luggage overnight.
#2 - When you pick up your luggage at Narita follow the signs to the delivery service (takuhaibin), it looks just
like a car rental counter.
#3 - Give them the
address to your Tokyo residence* (and pre-pay for the service). You might want to consider getting the japanese address
printed out here in the states to hand to them when you get there.
#4 - Sign for
the delivery the next day at your Tokyo residence*.
*Note: If you're staying at a self-service apartment and don't think you'll be home to receive the package then
(if you use Yamato service) you can send it to any 7-11 (they're everywhere) and they'll hold it for you so you
can pick it up when you can. At the airport you can ask where the nearest convenience store is to your address
and request a map from the station. To ask if it's ok to pick up at a convenience store (in japanese) say "Kohn-bee-nee
wah die-jo-boo dess kah?" romanji: konbini wa daijoubu desu ka? in english "Convenience store, ok?". To ask for
a map (in japanese) say "Cheez-oo oh oh-nay-guy-shee-moss" romanji: chizu o onegai shimasu. in english "Please
help me with a map."
If you want to do the same thing on your way back to the airport you can call them two days before your flight (ask
for an english speaker) and schedule a time for them to pick up your luggage where you are so you can pick up the luggage
when you get to the airport. You'll pay for the delivery when you pick up your luggage at the airport.
There are three major takuhaibin (delivery) services at Narita Airport:
JAL/ABC - This is the owned by the Japanese post office
and is very efficient. Their phone in Tokyo is 0120-9191-20 (phone lines open 8:30 - 17:00) Tokyo Time
ANA Skyporter- This
new company is owned by the airline of the same name and logo. Their phone in Tokyo is 0120-007-952 (phone lines open
9:00 - 18:00) Tokyo Time. Click their logo for more information
GPA/Yamato
- Also known as Kuroneko Yamato (Black cat Yamato) Their phone in Tokyo 03-3541-3411 (phone lines open 9:00 - 18:30)
- Tokyo Time. Click their logo for more information.
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Money in Tokyo
Credit cards aren't used that much in Tokyo,
and even when they're accepted they don't accept foreign cards. Yes...that means you! You have Visa, Master Card,
American Express and Discover probably on the Plus or Cirrus network. Cards that are accepted in Tokyo are
JCB, American Express and Visa cards on the JP network. It's possible to find "foreign" ATMs in Tokyo at Seven Eleven
(they're everywhere and easy to find) so you can use your Plus and Cirrus credit cards there to withdraw money. Also,
a new law passed to boost tourism a few years ago made foreign ATMs mandatory in Post Offices (Yuubin Kyoku - pronounced "Yoo-bean
Kee-ohk") the symbol on a map for a post office looks a bit like a telegraph symbol see? 〒 It can sometimes be
a challenge to find a post office but if you're lost you can ask someone "Yoo-bean kee-ohk wah doh-koh dess kah?" (romanji:
Yuubin Kyoku wa doko desu ka?) and they'll show you the way. Below is a YouTube of a foreign ATM demonstration
in 7-11.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L6qp3olfHM
Also
here's a link to for locations in Japan where they accept Visa's on the plus system.
http://www.visa-news.jp/visitjapan/atm/index.phtml
and here's where the 7-11 atms are, with their list of accepted cards (MasterCard
is temporarily suspended, pending a legal agreement):
http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/index2.html
Traveler's checks aren't accepted anywhere except for places that exchange money, like at
the airport or certain banks. Please see the link below to connect to the American Express traveler's check office locator:
http://www.aetclocator.com/us/
Cash is accepted everywhere. In Tokyo, it's convenient to carry cash around and everyone
does it. It's the safest city in the world and Tokyoites take advantage of that. They carry stacks of
¥10,000 bills ($100 bills) in their pockets/purses
and think nothing of it.
Don't count your
change
When dealing with cash,
please note that it is rude in Japan to count your change. If it's just too much of a habit, do it out of sight of anyone
who saw you buy the item, you'll look stingy, suspicious and mean. For Americans it can be really hard to wrap our heads
around this one "What if they made a mistake?" "What if they just stole some of my money?" The answer is pretty
simple...it doesn't matter. If you brought it to their attention you'd probably make the clerk cry, anger
the store owner/manager and humiliate the other patrons in the store. There's not even a 10% chance they'd believe you
anyway because you're a foreigner, and apparently mean and suspicious (see above) so they'll just kick you out anyway.
Y'know what? You're on vacation, so just trust that they got your change right and leave the counter peacefully and
gracefully. We guarantee that you'll have all your money with you. It's just a different culture to get used
to. :-)
Getting cash in advance of the trip - You can always bring your U.S. cash or traveler's checks to Narita Airport and exchange your dollars for yen when
you get to Tokyo, but it's much more convenient (and economical) to have cash with you when you land. The following
are a few ways to get cash in advance:
Online
Believe
it or not you can order your foreign currency safely and securely online at Travelex or Well's Fargo. The
rates are very good and you'll get the money the next day with Travelex (when their system is back up and running) and
in two days with Well's Fargo (you need to be at home to sign for it or they can send it to a nearby Well's
Fargo branch and you can pick it up there).
Travelex Foreign Currency
Well's Fargo Foreign Currency
In
Person
You
can find a local currency exchange office and pick up your cash in person. Please call ahead to see if they have the
amount and currency available for you to pick up.
Travelex locations
http://www.travelex.com/us/locations/default.asp?lang=ENG'
American
Express Travel Office locations, click the link then choose the box next to "Foreign Currency Exchange - Buy" before you enter
your address.
http://www.amextravelresources.com/
Please
remember that buying cash will cost more than the current exchange rate between the dollar and the yen. This is for
the service the office provides of getting the actual paper money in hand and giving it to you. However, for current
exchange rates please click the link below.
www.xe.com
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Tipping in Tokyo
Please
know that there is only one person that you tip in Japan and that's the Ryokan maid. By comparison here you
tip many people, but in Japan it's considered rude to tip taxi drivers, bartenders, servers, bellhops and valets.
It may seem odd that tipping in these situations is rude but if you tipped a salesperson in an american department store
for their help, they might get offended that you think they're paid so little and anyway they certainly couldn't accept the
tip. So please don't tip those people. That being said it would be really rude to not tip for maid service, since
it's literally the only time you should tip.
Pay
a minimum of ¥1000 / night for maid service at a Ryokan
If you get maid service at a Ryokan (in particular), then be prepared to pay ¥1000
- ¥2500 (If there are extensive meals served in your room at the Ryokan, then the tip price goes up)
multiplied by each night you are staying at the hotel in advance of your stay. For example, if you're staying for
3 nights at the hotel (with standard service) then you would pay ¥3000 as a tip. It may seem like alot, but you don't
ever have to tip anyone else and that'll save you at least that much since you'll be eating out practically every day.
Tip in
advance, with an envelope.
We
mentioned paying in advance as well, and this is equally important. Please get cash before your stay (click here for more details on getting cash before you get to your hotel) and
place the entire amount in an envelope on your pillow the first night you spend the night.
If
you're a family and are taking more than one room, than note that the tips above are per room.
Also note:
Even at a Ryokan, if you leave the envelope on your pillow after your first night and for some reason you come back to a clean
room with the envelope still on your pillow, leave it for one additional night and if no one picks it up then go ahead
and take the money back. It may not be the custom at this hotel or your bill might be charged with a
"maid service fee" at the end of your stay.
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