Anand Elangbam: My Japan Sensation September 2016: Is it the Land of the Rising Sun or Land of a highly advanced Aliens? Let's find out...

Sharing my magical moments of the Journey

Nipon flag at Sumo

Having never made use of a local travel agent for visa process before, I thought, ‘what the hell? Let’s try it this time!’ My patient friend from Tokyo made no complaints whatsoever in all those days of documentation and correspondence, made over-complicated by my travel agent’s handlers from Kolkata and Delhi. Yes, it’s not advisable to use a travel agent to pursue a visa, especially when you’re a seasoned traveller like myself. I learned my lesson the hard way, all because I belong to this remote region of North East, far away from where they issue visa in Delhi! But after a lot of heartache uncertainties and irritation, I did get my tourist visa for 30 days to visit Japan.

A heritage metro station near Meiji Shrine

A japanese curio shop

Shirakawago, heritage village

The magical Arashiyama bamboo grove

My dearest college mate, Aalok Kumar

Yusuke Ogawa, my local guardian angel

Camping on the foothills of Fuji at Motosuko lake

Most crowded Shibuya Crossing

Tokyo Tower

Kimono clad beauties at Asakusa Shrine

With two admirers :) at Asakusa

The required list of documents are available on the official website of Japan including the downloadable forms. So, no worries, even if you’re a green horn traveler! Just google and get on the wagon of exploring using the Internet. It helps. Get a credit card or prepaid travel card with JPY or Japanese Yen and few cash ready for your journey ahead. Second, A Japan rail pass or JR Pass is a must have if you’re traveling for the first time and if you’re a budget traveler like myself. They are priced at subsidized rate and available online only to foreign tourists, while still outside Japan or also, available while still inside the airport. Book hotels or hostels or whatever takes your fancy, a Ryokan or Inn online using booking.com Once you arrive at their two most important international airports, Narita or Hanega, be sure to buy a pre-paid local Sim card for the best deals. Language is not such an issue as I feared initially, at least in the airport!

World's biggest fish market and Shushi

A Shinto Wedding at Meiji Shrine

A cute commuter from my station Hiro-o

It pays to prepare your travel itinerary before you land. Saves a lot of time and confusion. On reaching a metro station, get down to the basics of saving mode. Get a Passmo or Japanese Metro Pass, by using the ubiquitous kiosks and vending machines, after choosing your choice of language of course. Oh wait! They have only Japanese and English hmm… Thank God, for small mercies! Now, all you need to know about the trains in Japan is that they all run on time. Hyperdia.com will tell you at least 5 best routes and trains to reach from your station to your destination.

Hiroshima Castle

Where wild deer roams with tourists at Miyajima Island

Apps must have are citymap or google map and accuweather.com are a must too because nobody talks to nobody in Japan while traveling hahah… just kidding but seriously, they are a quiet lot and rarely communicate. Yes, taking a phone call while traveling in public transport is a no no! You will only see them sleeping, staring in space or just staring on their smart phones, i.e. when the gentlemen and ladies in black and white suits are not fanning themselves. I tell you, it’s a sight that tickles my funny bones and just to watch this amazing race discreetly became one of my favorite ways for time-pass. An umbrella, if you’re traveling during rainy season. With this, you’re well equipped to explore Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun. Easy, Nah? Lolss…. Not really!