As Beauty Week continues, it seemed natural that I write something about one of Tokyo’s most famous districts, and a place that I’m rather fond of myself: Harajuku. But when it comes to the subject of cool places in Japan, I thought I might make a regular thing of it; if you’re planning a trip, another source of info always helps. I might recommend an out-of-the-way place like Kagoshima, or suggest avoiding Osaka because I already took the above picture for you. So before we get to Harajuku, why not discuss some popular ways to get to Japan itself?

Vacation

I’ve been to Japan twice, the first time as study abroad, the second as vacation. Obviously, especially if you’re on the east coast, it’s not the most convenient travel destination. Cigarette smokers should be warned about the brutal twelve-hour flight from L.A. But tickets are cheap now due to our reeling economy, and through expedia.com you can find some great flight+hotel deals.

Study Abroad

If you’re in college, this is the way to go. A semester or year at a Japanese university with a homestay is probably the most fun you can have for your time. Here is a program that has both a credit and a non-credit option, so you can take it even if you’re older; and while I can’t vouch for it personally, the price is competitive and it is nice to have some structure to one’s visit.

The JET Program

The Japanese government’s JET Program is rather (in)famous, and if you’re a Japanophile, odds are you know someone who has done it or is doing it now. It’s a government-sponsored teaching job; so you have job security and a support structure. The downside is you can end up getting sent anywhere, and your Japanese supervisors aren’t always perfectly sensitive to your needs. Reports that I’ve heard are mixed: some peoples’ lives are transformed; others get exactly the exposure to Japan they wanted; some are broken. JET accepts people who can’t speak any Japanese, which is a sure one-way ticket to ruin; my friend who taught JET, who had strong Japanese skills, got stuck in a rural area with a bully of an ex-gym teacher for a boss. Look into it carefully if you want to apply, and be warned that given the economy, it’s more popular than ever.

Freelance Teaching Jobs

It is possible, though more difficult, to get a job directly with a Japanese school. Here is one periodical which runs advertisements. An acquaintance of mine managed this; but he was a vapid playboy, so I’m not sure this was a good thing…

Other General Tips

-Buy the Rough Guide. Lonely Planet guides are incomprehensible in my opinion, but the Rough Guide is both easy to read and highly informative.

-Avoid planned package tours unless you find one that really fits your budget and areas of interest. Even if you get totally lost, exploring and seeing things at your own place is always more fun, and usually cheaper to boot.

-The yen is rather volatile right now. When planning your trip, if possible, wait for it to dip low against the dollar before changing a large amount for yen. This is low-grade currency speculation, but hey, it’s not illegal.

-Anyhow, most importantly: Have fun!

[In the picture: Elliot Sakoda and Gregory Burnett. Don't sue me, guys!]