Japan 2023

Introduction

This series of posts will be more like a diary of random observations, and less like a consistent story. Over 2 years had passed since that trip, and some memories inevitably got lost (tip: writing things down, even in a keyword form, while on a trip, helps), but… 

This trip was longer than previous one in 2018, and had more complex itinerary:

• Tokyo
• Osaka
• Hiroshima
• Kyoto

And then some “improvised”  day-trips from Tokyo at the end.

Let’s begin with a fact that as of spring 2023, Japan still had some COVID-related restrictions for foreign visitors. You needed to be either fully vaccinated, including 3rd booster shot, or provide a negative COVID test taken within certain time frame before flight. So yes, this complicated things a bit.

I ordered a Japan Rail Pass + data sim card in advance (I could probably find a data sim in Japan too, but just didn’t want to bother). I think 2023 was the final year when Japan Rail Pass still made financial sense (while still being not cheap), after that they raised prices dramatically. I guess you can’t subsidise tourists forever...

 

How to backup photos while traveling

Have you ever wondered how to backup photos from a camera, while on a trip, without needing a computer and internet? 

Well, there are 2 main ways to do this:

1. smartphone (or tablet) + USB card reader + external storage if needed (like USB flash drive)
2. purpose-built proprietary devices (hard drive + battery + card reader combined into 1 device)

Option 2 may not be a good fit for many people (me included) - I don't want to rely on a proprietary backup device (which is likely expensive, and won't be used that much). So my idea was to utilize existing (or common) devices as much as possible, so I gravitated towards Option 1 (iPhone + USB-C hub/card-reader + USB flash drive). When you have this combo working, you can use standard "Files" app on iPhone, but it's a bit inconvenient and prone to human errors in this scenario. So I asked myself - "maybe I should create an app to make (travel) backups more simple and robust (and also learn something about iOS development in the process)"? 

It took time, but eventually, I did it, and published the app on App Store. So, if backup problem mentioned above sounds familiar, and you have newer iPhone or iPad, you might give it a try. See app's website for more info - TurtleBackup - offline photo backup app for iPhone

PS. app is free (no ads or other shit) at the moment, and realistically I don't think there's enough potential users to bother making it non-free.

 

It's been a while

More than 4 years since last post... Guess I need to post slightly more often? 😕

 

Japan 2018 - Kyoto

Kyoto

Train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto was smooth. I went on Hikari train, it's not the fastest one available,

but still pretty damn fast. On the way you see some suburbs / countryside, which reminds of the USA a bit.

On arrival, you immediately feel that Kyoto is way smaller than Tokyo.

According to the internet, Kyoto has around 1.47 million people, but it sure feels less than that.

Much more relaxed and "chill" atmosphere overall.

Old temples, buildings, streets... all this obviously attracts a lot of visitors.

Anyway, even aimlessly wandering on "secondary" streets feels damn good.

 

Summary:

Chill city, even though I've only got a really small glimpse of it, would gladly visit again (and I did, in 2023).

 

Photos: Kyoto 2018 on Flickr 

Japan 2018 - Tokyo

Tokyo

It's not an easy task to describe Tokyo in a few words... Realistically it's impossible. Tokyo is deep, overwhelming and amazing.

But, I'll try. So, here are some bullet points. Sure, many of those are obvious for well-travelled person, but I'm not that person 😀

• "Hello Kitty" is a thing
• People are glued to their phones in the subway
• First reminder that you're in the megalopolis (megapolis), is the view from the Tokyo Skytree. It is something special indeed, at least in the dark (I hope I come back to someday, to compare the view in daylight, if nothing else 😀). For the person who isn't used to the skyscrapers with red lights on top... I can't describe it properly, pictures I've taken also aren't good and don't do it justice. But...  if you've seen "Lost in translation" you should kind of understand what I'm trying to say here.
• Second reminder that you're in huge city indeed - is the amount of people in rush hour, especially in subway
• At daytime, river banks (promenades) were almost empty, streets also didn't seem crowded
• Foreigners are not uncommon, but there aren't that much of them compared to the number of locals
• (Kitchen) knife shops - that's something I haven't seen before
  
• Also a whole block of shops dedicated to kitchen / restaurant-related stuff  (including plasticky "demo food")
• You can even find Justin Bieber records in some random the book shop I encountered😀
  
• Some "weird" desserts in the convenience stores (you understand that it's a dessert, judging by the shelf it's located at, but you can't exactly figure out what it is even if there's a picture). Bought some, interesting taste (some green stuff, can't exactly describe)
• Heated mirror in the hotel's bathroom. Definitely a good idea if you ask me.
• They'll provide you with a chopsticks at the checkout if you buy a meal (sushi / noodles / ...) from the convenience store. Also, generally they can reheat your meal if needed (haven't tried though)
• Shinkasen trains (aka bullet trains) are something special, for sure
• Platforms are numbered in accordance with train car numbers, so you're in the right place in advance
• Shinjuku district is kind of uncomfortable, some shady-looking people around
• Shibuya. The infamous Shibuya crossing - it exists, and it's impressive.
• A ton of "capsule" wending machines (machines that sell stuff packaged in capsules)
• Insanely great shopping malls, especially Yodobashi. I almost got sensory overload from all the sounds and blinking lights 😀 Also lot of sophisticated toy / hobby stuff (like trains, glue models etc)
• "introvert friendly seats" at food places.. I mean, Japan overall is an introvert-friendly country, and food places aren't exception
• Newer subway trains have LCD screens with route / direction / transfer information, also show on which side the doors will open
• "sideways" light switches in the hotel
• just a single option of Japanese beer available in place called "Wold beer museum", kinda strange (I'm sort of beer aficionado)
  
• It seemed like Tokyo never sleeps, like with some planning you could find a meal in the middle of the night
  

As usual, I often felt stupid for not being aware / not adjusting to the situations quickly. 

Had some minor "customer service" issues, like item was billed twice in the shop (and I discovered it only after leaving the shop), and public transport ticket (Suica) wasn't working after returning from Kyoto. But both issues were resolved, even if it took a bit of time and the other person didn't understand me well (and for sure I didn't know any Japanese either)

Bottom line is - from what I've seen and experienced, Tokyo it is a great city indeed, would gladly visit again (and I did, in 2023).

Photos: Tokyo 2018 on Flickr