Getting Ahead At The Culture Club
THE SUNDAY AGE
Sunday November 28, 1993
JAPAN, essentially, is a window-shopping exercise. One big store worth a visit for this purpose is Tokyu Hands in Tokyo and Kobe.
Tokyo Hands is the ultimate disposable-income receptacle. There is nothing here that anyone could urgently need, except perhaps for boxing gloves and miniature punching-bag sets in a variety of lurid colors.
Japanese bath salts are perfect as gifts to bring home. They're relatively cheap, attractively packaged, come in fluoro colors and are genuinely therapeutic.
Using your noodle It is advisable to overcome a revulsion of a raw fish for, if you are travelling on even a semi-official basis, you will be served it frequently. Those proficient in the use of chop-sticks and accustomed to Japanese food will be rewarded by warmth and admiration.
Because eating is such an intrinsic, regularly-partaken aspect of Japanese life there is a plethora of reasonably priced restaurants.
The Japanese can afford to eat out.
Department stores are excellent locations for dining. Usually, you'll find a variety of restaurants on a single floor. The standards of these eateries are high.
Custom formalities When visiting the Japanese in their homes it is compulsory to bring a gift. Ensure that it isn't cheap. A hardback, quality picture book on Australia is appreciated.
It is true the Japanese are deeply-offended by the western practice of nose-blowing. The notion of carrying a dirty hanky in one's pocket is appalling to them. Do not, however, leave your's behind. You'll need it to dry your hands at most public toilets where neither hand-dryers or towels are provided.
Japan, as read Because Japan is a country with such an overwhelming number of rituals and customs study the culture before you leave and learn some key phrases in order to assist your mobility with transport.
`Japan As It Is', published by Gakken, offers a quite candid and quirky insight into Japanese life with chapters such as ``A Day in the Life of a Japanese Businessman" and ``Getting Along with the Japanese." It should be available in the English-language section of larger bookshops in Japan.
The Japan National Tourist Organisation's free, ``Japan: your travelling companion" guide offers helpful advice.
Tariff policies It is possible to stay in Japan relatively cheaply and in some style.
Okayama Prefectural Government runs an unique chain of ``International Villas". The villas are designed as good-will gestures to foreigners and to help reduce the expense of visiting Japan. At less than $A50 per night per person they certainly are a bargain.
Each of the villas, located in rural or seaside locations, has excellent kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. Some of them have futons for slumber on matami mats with sliding doors, paper walls and traditional baths. For bookings or information in English telephone or fax (0862) 34-3311.
Cheque-list To Japan, take cash, in Yen, or travellers cheques, rather than relying on credit cards. Japan is a cash-based society. Bring more than you need and be prepared to come home with nothing.
If you want to maintain your budget, avoid the indulgences that you take for granted at home like sweets, magazines, coffee and newspapers.
Everyone dislikes foreigners who produce their calculators to determine the precise exchange rate for a mango, but in Japan it is an indispensable travelling tool to control budget blow-outs.
© 1993 THE SUNDAY AGE
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