So, my trip was confined to the main island of it Honshu. Honshu is the largest of Japan\u2019s 4 main islands and has the majority of the 124.5 million Japanese. It\u2019s considered the main island of Japan and is home to many significant cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, as well as the iconic Mount Fuji.\u00a0Honshu is a mountainous island with a diverse landscape, ranging from coastal plains to the Japanese Alps.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s larger than Britain and is the 7th largest island in the world. Honshu is a northeast-southwest arc, stretching about 800 miles (1,287 km) in length with has a coastline of 6,266 miles (10,084 km).\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I took advantage of Japan\u2019s incredible bullet train (Shinkansen<\/a>) system. Starting with a few days in Tokyo, 3 days in Kyoto, 4 days in Osaka, 1-day turnaround to Hiroshima and then a return trip for 3 days in Tokyo that included a 1-day turnaround to Mount Fuji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are 2 game center videos, or (amusement) arcades. This one is crowded<\/a> with players while this one is almost empty<\/a>. The Japanese are addicted to gaming machines (incl. Pachinko<\/a>) which hold a variety of game machines and experiences designed to entertain. Claw machines are very popular \u2013 they are known for their diverse prizes, which can include stuffed animals, action figures, and even practical items like handheld vacuums or pancake makers.\u00a0In large cities game centers span several floors, each floor categorized by game genre. You pay a few yen and you win cheap prizes but don\u2019t confuse this with gambling because gambling is illegal in Japan (although they plan to build Japan\u2019s first casino on the island where EXPO2025 is constructed after the event is completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shopping is a whole different experience in Japan. I am really not the right person to describe this kind of shopping because I go to a store with a list and stick to the list \u2013 well, maybe buy something that\u2019s not on the list. Shopping is a national past time and considered entertainment. There are so many places to shop \u2013 most stores have a small footprint but are crammed with thousands of items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An interesting Japanese tradition is to wave goodbye to customers. The custom began during the early days of train travel in Japan \u2013 wave to the departing passenger until the train completely disappears on the horizon. So, that tradition has spread to shoppers \u2013 I noticed when I acted friendly they followed that tradition when I departed the store. Check out this video of sales people at a shop<\/a> where I purchased green tea for my pal, Mark Hoffman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are places you can buy stuff (from Wiki which forgot to mention flea markets):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tips for Shopping in Japan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Souvenirs:<\/strong>\u00a0Consider traditional items like\u00a0kimono<\/a>,\u00a0yukata<\/a>,\u00a0fans<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0Maneki Neko (lucky cat)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Etiquette:<\/strong>\u00a0Shopping etiquette, such as lining up to enter stores, not eating or drinking inside, and paying with cash on a tray.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bargaining:<\/strong>\u00a0Generally, bargaining is not common in Japan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tips:<\/strong>\u00a0Tipping is not customary in Japan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Packaging:<\/strong>\u00a0Avoid removing packaging before purchasing items.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Japanese covered shopping streets (which I call \u201cpromenades), known as shotengai<\/em>, are a unique part of the Japan\u2019s culture, offering a mix of local shops, restaurants, and entertainment. These tiled pedestrian-friendly streets are typically covered by a roof, providing shelter from rain and sun, making them ideal for exploring regardless of the weather without any motor traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out this video of a shotengai<\/em> in Kyoto<\/a> that is many blocks in length. It is typical of covered promenades in every city. One in Osaka is said to be the longest in Japan, stretching for 2.6 kilometers, with a wide array of shops.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upon arrival in Tokyo I stayed in the APA hotel<\/a> in Shinjuku. By North American standards the room was tiny but discovered some hotel rooms in Japan are \u201cstandard size\u201d. Checkout this video of that hotel room in Shinjuku<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The plumbing in the hotel is mentioned in the accommodation video above<\/a>. The plumbing seems much more expensive than in North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This prepaid, rechargeable IC card is unique to Japan and is very handy \u2014 it\u2019s actually Japan\u2019s version of the European \u201cSmart Card\u201d where you charge the card with cash \u2013 for example, at the airport. Suica vending machines are everywhere. The beauty of the card is that it supplants need to carry around cash. It can be used almost everywhere on public transport instead of buying tickets for the Metro or Shinkansen, and as e-money at stores (think convenience stores) and restaurants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shohei\u00a0Ohtani <\/strong><\/a>is a God in Japan \u2013 a store in Tokyo is dedicated to him, selling everything from pillows to iced tea (he is the face of Ito En unsweetened green tea). His image appears on countless product advertising and billboards. Shohei\u00a0Ohtani\u2019s\u00a0stardom has elevated baseball\u2019s profile in\u00a0Japan, drawing huge crowds to see him play<\/a> and Los Angeles Dodger paraphernalia is worn by millions of Japanese and endorsements worth $100 million annually in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For folks who do not follow sports\u2019 stardom, Shohei Ohtani<\/a> signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, making it the largest contract in sports history.\u00a0 This is a staggering sum to a guy who plays a game. Turns out the Los Angeles Dodgers got a bargain from commercial endorsements alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lets look at the jolt to the LA economy. In 2024 more than 320,000 Japanese flocked to LA where 90% attended at least one Dodger game. That was before the World Series, which whipped Japan into a frenzy where 14.1 million viewed each game in Japan (to watch Ohtani) compared to 15.2 million in the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ohtani is not the only household name to make a huge commercial impact in Japan. There are countless famous sports stars commercially successful but one golfer, Hideki Matsuyama<\/a>, a Masters Tournament winner in 2021 has his face splashed all over Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a breakdown of some famous American celebrities and the Japanese products they\u2019ve endorsed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nGame Centers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Shopping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Covered Shopping Promenades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAccommodation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Plumbing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Suica Card<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOhtani-Mania<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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