If you’ve not been to Neil Duckett’s website lately, you are missing out on all action going on in Japan. Neil’s blog offers the cutting edge view of a country that only a well informed foreigner can provide.
You moved from Australia to Japan. Why spurred your move to Japan? Do you miss Australia?
The desire for change. I was treading water in Melbourne, not really achieving to much different week to week. I first came to Japan in 2002, then again in 2003 both for short periods of time. A few opportunities arose for me to consider moving to Japan in mid 2006, several months later i was living here. No, i don’t miss Australia as such, not in the homesick kind of way. Sure there are times i’d like to be back there but on the whole i’m happy being in Japan at the moment.
Where are you based in Japan? Where would you recommend tourists visit in the country?
I live in Tokyo and work in Hon-Atsugi which is 50kms south by train. Where to go i Japan? It depends on your interests i guess. Places like Shinjuku, Harajuku, Akihabara, Shibuya are great for people watching, shopping, eating etc. Asakusa is very traditional Japanese still with rickshaws as a mode of transport. Places like Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima are a fast train away and give a very different experience to Tokyo. Of course all the different places have their own speciality foods and popular shrines and temples to visit.
Your facts about Japan page is quite insightful. Do people really ask you questions like ‘What do to in Japan in December’?
Yes and No. The FAJ page came from reviewing the terms people were searching for that ultimately ended up on the site, so i turned then into questions. Once i had 100 or so questions others started to come in a few each week.
What’s your favourite thing about Japan – something that visitors can experience too?
I don’t have one. There’s lots of things i like about Japan. For me the first time i came here i was in awe with the lights, traffic, people and the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Just getting here and taking a walk around Shinjuku and Kabukicho is often enough for people to get the Tokyo experience. Eating, Drinking and spending a few days here catching the trains and subways regardless of the destinations is a great experience for most people.
Thanks for sharing those insights, Neil. I’m totally ready to head over now!
Have you been to Japan? What was your favourite experience?
Image Credit: Tokyo skyline by joi, Shinjuku byid_1325
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been to Japan many times, and don’t know that I can single out one favorite experience. Probably walking through Akihabara at night, if I were forced to choose.
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Ok – now I’m getting VERY anxious to go to Japan. A shame I’m in Asia next week – might just need to spend some extra time on that side of the world.
Andy, I lived in Japan for two years, and I’m afraid my favourite experience is a bit cliched – climbing Mt Fuji! It was really something. I don’t know how I’d plan a trip to Japan – even in two years there I left with so many more places I wanted to see.
Hmm – time for you to relocate for awhile, Amanda