Backpack now or tick the box later

Photo by Dai Sugwa (Ramen Expert) via personal collection with permission

Japan wants to be more tourist friendly it seems, but will their pursuit of the tourist dollar be to the detriment of it’s ‘Lost in Translation’ appeal.

Coinciding with the opening of a fourth international runway at Haneda airport, near Tokyo, the Japanese government this week has announced they will offer travel allowances to around 100 foreigners in exchange for feedback on their stay in key tourist destinations.

It seems a lack of information and understanding of Japanese cultural practices is keeping the tourists away, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

"What we hear is that there really isn't enough information on things like how to buy train tickets, or how to use the baths in traditional Japanese inns," an official from the Japan Tourism Agency said (Reuters, 2010 19).

So fellow backpackers the writing maybe on the wall for us travelers who find that the struggle to buy train tickets and unfamiliar bathing rituals, are what make the journey more memorable when traveling in a foreign country like Japan.

My advice is, go now or forever be traveling in ‘Tourist Land Japan’.

Now before anyone asks, I'm all for Japan tourism, especially if their plans mean more flights, better facilities for travelers, and the possibility of a Japanese government-funded holiday (I have already forwarded my interest). What I worry about is that a push to become more tourist-friendly may result in not only the forfeiture of Japan’s ‘Lost in Translation’ charm, but in the creation of ‘mini Tokyos’ all over Japan, after all when the Japanese do something they don’t do it in halves.

It's easy to understand why the Japanese tourism ministry is keen to get a bigger slice of the competitive tourism market, especially when there is growing diplomatic unease between Japan and China, one of its biggest visitor markets. Spilling onto the streets of Beijing last weekend, Chinese nationals protested under anti-Japanese slogans, generating further bad publicity for Japan in China which may result in many of the 1.5 million Chinese tourists expected to visit Japan in 2010 to change their travel arrangements.

The good news is that even if Japan adopts a ‘tick a box’ attitude towards tourism, they cant mess with a good Ramen broth. So I stand by my claim, if you want a true experience of Japan, get in front of a steaming hot bowl of Ramen.

Slurp Ramen for a real taste of Japan

Including Ramen in a culinary backpacking tour of Japan will help you fully immerse yourself within the culture; Through Ramen you can begin to really understand Japan and her people. Your average Tokyoite can locate almost anything his heart desires within a few hundred metres of his house, be it the latest in gadgetry, or a pair of panties that have been pre-worn by a pretty school girl (so I’m told *blushes). But what your everyday resident of a city like Tokyo actually desires, more than anything else, is to savour a nice, big, hot bowl of Ramen.

Why I heart ramen and Japan

I heart Ramen and Japan because... : )

Photo: Dan Beazley (personal collection)

All of life's worries are gone when you smell a freshly prepared bowl of Tonkotsu ramen.
As that first spoon full of creamy pork broth hits your belly like a big warm blanket all of your problems disappear. Slurp some noodles and you’ll understand why this is the meal of choice for a busy Japanese salaryman. Made from boiling the hell out of pork bones, the smell, while off putting the first time, can become quite addictive.

Photo: iteijeiro via flikr.com

From out of nowhere you catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji whilst traveling to Tokyo on the Shinkansen.
When you're speeding along at at around 250 km/h on the ultra efficient bullet train, towns, farms and cities whizz by. Then you see Fuji, she dominants the landscape and has an ethereal quality, no wonder it is one of Japan’s unofficial national symbols. I didn’t expect to see Fuji, her sheer presence brings me to tears. That trip was a highlight of my adventure and I didn’t have to leave the train.

Photo: mattb_tv via flikr.com

In Japan if you're too drunk to find accommodation you can take the guide book’s advice and crash in an internet cafe.
Wandering onto the streets of Osaka at 3 am in the morning with a full belly of ramen and a head swimming in beer, I decided to take some advice from the Lonely Planet and head for the nearest Japanese Internet Cafe. On my way I passed a guy handing out flyers for Media Popeye (Internet cafe). "Doko?" I asked in my best Japanese, and he quickly pointed to a door. I stumbled in and was promptly handed a key with a number attached, the assistant showed me to the elevator and pushed the button for the floor I needed. No language necessary. When I arrived on my non-smoking floor I was greeted with a scene that looked something like this.

Photo: kenny_lex via flikr

My language teacher inspired me and introduced me to ramen.
Mr Cotteril was a fun, energetic teacher who drew cartoons when he wrote on the blackboard. Through him I heard people communicate in another language for the first time, learnt how to fold a paper crane, was introduced to ramen and almost vomited when trying raw fish for the first time. He gave me my first taste of Japan.