Travel: Japan - General
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sashimi:
This is the scene I saw in Japan ...
You will feel safer in Japan than in Sg. The Japanese standards of hygiene are legendary. All the way to the toilets. In some toilets, even their soap dispensers are infrared activated, so that you don't have to touch any buttons/taps.
I still shake my head when people in Singapore (we who still have people who spit in public and shit in food courts) \"warn\" travellers going to Japan about H1N1. Please! I felt so much safer in Japan!
The Japanese have been wearing hygiene masks for the longest time, long long before H1N1 ever appeared. They have a habit of wearing them when they have the flu - any flu. And it's not to protect themselves but to prevent their germs from spreading to you.
Somene dropped a piece of tissue on the floor. The Jap person behind picked it up automatically and walked to the nearest bin (& mind you, not within immediate reach) to dispose it.
I remembered thinking to myself then what would Singaporeans/I do?
(a) Ignore it
(b) Tapped on the shoulder to notify that someone that he/she dropped something
I must admit that it certainly doesn't cross my mind to pick it up and throw it away (i'm guilty of my lack of civic consciousness :oops:) Consolation is at least if it's not tissue I would still pick it up and return to the person
The POINT is it's true that Japs have higher hygiene discipline than in Singapore ... at least you see that trays are being automatically returned and NEATLY too. -
schellen:
Hey schellen, & that I did, after reading your post ! Bought dozens of calendars and schedule books with those cute Disney characters - all at 105 yen each! Didn't get much for my own shopping though ... I bought Phitens (saw another C-brand but not sure of its effectiveness), cosemetics (Shiseido, Kanebo etc are common and pretty cheap here - saw SKII only in Ameyokko area - VERY CHEAP but not sure if it's genuine so did not buy). Mostly spent on food souvenirs - - was recommended to buy Tokyo Banana - will taste it and let u folks know yummy or not
Since you are there at the end of the year, go buy their calendars!!! I'm not talking about Daiso only. Go to any bookshop or, best of all, go to Tokyu Hands, and buy them! You don't even have to spend a lot to get something of good taste and quality. (In SG, if you're unwilling to spend like $30-40 or above, you tend to end up with ugly and/or lousy quality ones.) You can buy many of them since they're not very heavy or thick (get those that display a few months per page and for tabletop display) and give them as souvenirs cum christmas gifts to friends and colleagues. That's what we did. Don't forget to grab some for yourself too! (^_^)
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Perhaps because in Japan, most of the times when people drop tissue, it is by accident and if they don't pick it up themselves, it's either because they can't (hands full, etc) or they don't know. On the other hand, most of the times in SG, the \"tissue-droppers\" litter on purpose or they know they dropped the tissue and refuse to pick it up even when they can. Well, this is my POV.
About returning trays, notice that the cleaning staff/fastfood restaurant staff are mainly there to serve and not clean up unless there is a spill/mess or someone needs help clearing their tray. Remember to dispose of your trash appropriately when you clear your tray cos the trash bins may specify where each item is supposed to go. They should have pictures to guide you or you can just \"signal\" one of the staff to help you.
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radiantmum:
Wow.... that's so cool& MMM, did spend at least an hour in Daiso
Almost all made in China but did \"sweep stock\" when I saw those cute stuffs that says \"for japan sale only\" :love: My christmas shopping is 80% done!
We deeply regret not buying more stuff or seeing the 100 yen shop. BTW, some of the stuff are tax refundable.
I saw some sporeans crowding round the burberry store in dept store. My friend said it's cheaper there? Those are tax refundable. -
Just a joke to share....
My hubby was super careful about \"Made in China\". For the stuff that he is buying as a gift, he would specifically ask if it is \"Made in Japan\"???? He don't want his colleagues to think that he got it locally or in China I was like..... with internationalisation, you can't help it. Who cares :lol:
We were looking for those \"Japanese lucky cats\". Think it's relatively cheaper in Japan. Found quite alot at Nakamise. But in the end, we got it at the airport!!! Saw something very authentic and cute and it's definitely \"Made in Japan\" :lol: :lol: . We paid around S$60 (quite reasonable compared to Spore). -
MMM:
Yah - they seem to hit the Burberry stores straight in any shopping malls. I didn't even bother to walk in and nly realise that Blue Label = Burberry hereWow.... that's so cool
We deeply regret not buying more stuff or seeing the 100 yen shop. BTW, some of the stuff are tax refundable.
I saw some sporeans crowding round the burberry store in dept store. My friend said it's cheaper there? Those are tax refundable.
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MMM:
Haha then I am in the same league as your husbandJust a joke to share....
My hubby was super careful about \"Made in China\". For the stuff that he is buying as a gift, he would specifically ask if it is \"Made in Japan\"???? He don't want his colleagues to think that he got it locally or in China I was like..... with internationalisation, you can't help it. Who cares :lol:
We were looking for those \"Japanese lucky cats\". Think it's relatively cheaper in Japan. Found quite alot at Nakamise. But in the end, we got it at the airport!!! Saw something very authentic and cute and it's definitely \"Made in Japan\" :lol: :lol: . We paid around S$60 (quite reasonable compared to Spore). Not so much about what other people think but feels souvenir should be \"representive\" and \"unique\".
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we are also going to Japan !
This thread is super duper informative!! hahaha -
Went to JTB at Ion yesterday. They don’t seem to know much and keep referring me to go to JNTO at OCBC building along Shenton way…
They can’t even confirm if the Airport Limo requires an exchange of coupons/tickets before boarding the Limo… They confirmed that the Website says the counter will close at 6pm (i thought it was 7pm)… yet they say its okay… no change of tickets to coupons necessary to board the limo…
with that kind of info i cannot take the chance to buy the ticket here in Singapore…
will go to Narita to take the N’EX instead…
anyways, the tickets you buy for the Airport Limo from Singapore JTB does not entitle you to the free metro day pass -
if u want to get the 1-day metro pass, get it from the airport, it’s cheaper than getting it from any other metro stations. the 1-day metro pass will only be validated when you use it the first time.
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