Category Archives: Japan

Google in Japan

Posted on by
Reply
Techie warning …. this post may me a bit more IT-ish than normal 🙂

I know I probably shouldn’t, but I keep comparing Japan to Korea.  They are pretty close geographically and Japan did occupy Korea for quite a while so I was expecting some similarities.  They do have some, but it’s the differences that seem to stand out more to me.

Korea seems to have pretty much downright rejected Google, everyone uses Naver, for search, maps, etc.  Now, Naver works just fine, if your Korean.  The problem is that it is not internationalized, so if you don’t read Hanguel then you are going to be a but stuck.  With Google, no matter what your language, you can most likely get at least the interface so you can read it.
Japan is the complete opposite, they have embraced Google like no tomorrow! All the train schedule are avaliable for Google, both JR (the national rail), private rail, subway lines, busses, everything.  But it’s not only the schedule, the prices are avaliable too.
If I use google maps for directions to Osaka it will give the train numbers, the platform, and the cost to travel. It will also tell you the correct exit from the station when you get off at the other end.  The transit systems have obviously put a lot of thought in how they share information with google to give their customers the best experience.  I’ve been really impressed.

Himeji Castle

Posted on by
Reply

I took the Shinkensen to Himeji to see the castle.  It’s not too far from Kyoto, about 45 minutes on a direct train.  Unfortunately, my rail pass does not allow me to take the fastest train from Kyoto, but it does allow it from Osaka.  For that reason I chose to change trains at Shin-Osaka station and board a Nozomi.  The Nozomi is the fastest bullet train (at the moment) in Japan.


National rail pass holders are not allowed to travel on them at all, but regional passes are allowed on certain routes.  

The stations are clearly marked for easy transfers and once you get to the platform there are signs of where to stand if you have not reserved a seat.  In unreserved cars you just sit anywhere as long as there is room.

The trains are nice and clean with announcements in Japanese and English and LCD displays telling you the next station.  They are very fast but a lot of the 30 minute trip from Shin-Osaka is through tunnels, so you don’t see much.  They are pretty quiet.  You are told to set your mobile phone to silent and people go between cars to make and receive calls.  There was also a smoking room on the train which I found quite funny.

Once you arrive, you get a view of the castle.  At the moment they are doing restorative work, so the view is a little obscured.  It’s scheduled to be finished in Spring 2015.

Even still the structure is impressive.  You can tour the other buildings inside the castle walls and have green tea in the garden.  The area is really nice and is an easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
Going back I stopped at KobÄ“ which is famous for it’s beef, but it was very expensive to get with most menus over 75$ for a plate.  Instead I had sashimi and sushi, as selected by the chef who was very helpful since there was no English menu.  It was really fresh and really well presented.  It came to 15$ with a beer, which I figure is pretty good.

Kyoto

Posted on by
Reply
I flew from Manila into Kansai airport which serves this region, including Osaka and Kyoto.  It is very well connected by train.  It look less than 40 minutes to get through the airport, pick up a rail pass, and get on the train for the city.  The airport, like most things I find in Japan, is very efficient.
The main train station is gigantic and has shops and a food court on the 11th floor with a great view.  This is the Kyoto tower.  From here it was a 10 minute walk to the hostel, but of course I managed to get lost.  It was pretty late in the evening, but I was approached my a helpful local and given directions.  This was quite reassuring coming from Manila!
Kyoto has so many UNESCO world heritage sights that I don’t stand a chance of seeing them all on this brief 5 day visit to the city.  I have tried to pick a selection of them while also taking the time to wonder around the city.
This is Fushimi Inari.  It’s hard to believe that this is in such a large city. It’s only 2 stops away from the main station and is free to travel if you have a rail pass.  It’s also free to enter.  It’s built on the side of a mountain and is a great 4km hike to the top for good views of Kyoto.
On the western side of Kyoto there is a large bamboo forest and a path running to the top where you can see monkeys.  They are indigenous to this area, but they stay bacause they are fed!
I’ve seen pictures before of these monkeys in northern Japan in winter in a onsen, or hot spring.  You could feed them inside and you were told not to look into their eyes or expect a monkey attack!