Practicalities

Thought I'd put all the practicalities in one place in case I want to refer back.

Catching a bus

The  hop-on hop off bus to orientate myself only runs on weekends but  organisation at the bus station was another example of Japanese efficiency and consideration.  It seems that in Kyoto at least, the Japanese recognise the value of a real person and don't skimp on manpower.  (Yay!!!)  Not only does the bus timetable screen include information in English (and Japanese) on what buses to catch for the main tourist attractions and where to catch them, there are  also English speaking attendants to make sure you understand. I hadn't worked out which sight/site to visit, but I bought a day's bus pass (500 yen - or about$5.50) and headed off towards Kinkaku-ju Temple. The bus signage was clear so  I followed others on via the back door and scored a seat, which was great as it got very crowded.  Announcements in Japanese and English tell you about the bus and the next stop and the information's also on a screen at the front. When you're getting close, they tell you where you are.  It was great looking out the window and watching the world go by. 

On the shinkansen

When I first arrived, the helpful JR pass lady reserved my seats from Narita to Kyoto.  I changed at Shinagawa which was much less stressful than Tokyo but was very glad she'd done the reservation as half the carriages went to Shinagawa after Tokyo and the half went somewhere else. So I like to reserve my seat through someone who knows what they're doing.  

On entering and exiting, the train conductor and the refreshments trolley lady face the carriage gravely for a moment, before bowing solemnly.

For  the Shinkansen trains, the number of each car is clearly marked along the platform.  The train draws up and you step on and find your reserved seat.  The fast trains spend lots of time in tunnels.

Announcements about what’s coming up, which side you get off etc are made in Japanese and English over the tannoy.  Signs on the back of the seat in front of you tell you where the nearest toilets and rubbish bins are... and where you can find the smoking rooms!  

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed everywhere but smokers are accommodated.  How civilised.  Some restaurants still have ashtrays on every table and there are smoking rooms all over the place.  

Toilets

There seem to be lots of public toilets in Kyoto, usually traditional squat affairs and there appear to be urinals for women! I haven't tried one yet.

Have only gone to one toilet that wasn't beautifully clean with toilet paper, and  handy flush.  (Some public toilets charge 100 yen for a sheet of toilet paper. Fortunately I carry tissues.) 

The toilets in all the hotels and more up-market public toilets are sheer luxury! Even in the tiniest toilets, room is made for bidet, shower, seat warmer and controls.  Your bottom never felt cleaner. As it's summer, I prefer not to use the seat-warmer. 

 

Schoolchildren

There seem to be hordes of schoolchildren wherever you go.  I like the way they keep track of the little ones. 

Umbrellas

On a wet day, when you go inside (eg in the Mall and hotels) plastic umbrella holder dispensers appear at the entrance so your brolly does not drip dangerously. The hotels also put out racks of brollies for you to borrow.

The old and infirm

There are seats for the aged, infirm or pregnant on the buses, though they (we!) do not seem to be as well respected as in Seoul.   The only people I saw who needed support to walk, used walking frames that are more like pushchairs or mini shopping buggies with arms.  You’d need to be pint-sized to fit on the seat.  Have only seen people pushing them by the arms, generally bent over.  What a difference to the giant (wide) wheelchairs that were common at Auckland Hospital.  Says something about obesity in the two countries.  God help a sumi wrestler who needed one.