Wait, I know most of you cannot understand FX terms so you can refer to this entry to review.
Top 5 Cities to Visit on your Virgin Trip
1. Tokyo
It's going to be "Singapore, Singapore" like it will always be "Tokyo, Japan", if you know what I mean~
I don't really know what I meant but if you got it, you must be one kind of a genius :)
Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and it is a bizarre mix of so many things!
You will be missing out if you've never been to the other great cities of Japan (like Kyoto) but something's missing if you've been to everywhere else but Tokyo.
Moreover, Tokyo has an efficient (I did not say "easy") railway system and helpful tourists' information counters located in almost all of their popular tourists spots.
Even if you can't speak their language, it's quite possible to travel without much difficulty.
2. Kanagawa
Kanaga... what?
Kanagawa is located south of Tokyo and its name might not sound so familiar to you but it houses Yokohama and Kamakura. The train ride takes about 40 mins ~ 1 hour (more about trains next time, okay? don't bitch yet) and Mt Fuji is visible from both Tokyo and Yokohama.
Yokohama was one of the main ports that was opened up for foreign trade. While you'd think the place will have much western influence, Yokohama is also famous for its Chinatown.
There is Chinatown all over the world because we have Chinese in all corners of the world. (Yay or nay?)
The usual Chinatown is often old and dirty but I must say, Chinatown in Japan and Singapore are one of the cleanest that I've seen in the world. Then again, it kind of feels like something's missing without all that porky/drain smell floating amongst the dark and torn buildings.
Further west, Kanagawa-ken (prefecture) also sits a big Buddha. Welcome to Kamakura.
Maybe you aren't interested in history but of the eras in Japanese history, Kamakura was one of the significant ones. There, you'd find temples, an old street and a beach.
3. Osaka
The food paradise of Japan!!!! Glico man says "yay"!
In Osaka, you can visit Dotonburi which is an area filled with eateries. The place is famous due to its crazy many and huge neon light signs that line the streets. Osaka is one of the busiest city in Japan and the people in Kansai (west side of Japan) are famous for their outspoken personality and humour.
Rumour has it that if you pretend to shoot any random Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe) person with your hand shaped like a gun, they will pretend to look like they were shot. Funny~
But here's an interesting fact, Osaka is well known for Kushiyaki (fried stuff on a stick) and it is known that you CANNOT dip any stick into the sauce TWICE. The sauce is put in a shared pot so if you dip it once, take a bite and want some more of that sauce, you're dirtying the pot with your saliva~~ Anyway, that wasn't the interesting fact. The interesting thing was a Japanese TV programme actually did a survey on this and found out that less than 10% of the Osaka people have EVER eaten Kushiyaki in their entire lives. It is like not all Englishmen eat fish and chips. It is not common to their diet. It was just an image that spread. Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki on the other hand, are popular local treats :)
4. Kyoto
Tokyo is the fashion capital.
Osaka is a gourmet land, and
Kyoto is old.
Unlike the old streets you see around Japan, the whole of Kyoto is pretty old.
Old doesn't mean dirty.
The place isn't famous for skyscrapers or neon lights.
Kyoto is the old capital of Japan but unlike most ancient capitals in the world, the place remains intact. Kyoto is elegant, beautiful and a little mysterious.
You DO get to see geisha(s) & maiko(s) walking around in kimono.
One of my favourite places in Japan!
5. Sapporo
Sapporo is the main city for Hokkaido and while it does not have as much to offer compared to the other cities in Hokkaido, Sapporo serves as a good introduction to the perpetual chilly island (?) Sapporo also has a Chitose airport that serves international and domestic lines. The neighbouring cities are also easily accessible by train or bus.
If you are still concerned with the radiation levels, I think this was one of the best articles for layman-- a BBC article that used bananas to describe the levels of radiation. Also, refer to BED (banana equivalent dose) #imanerd
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