Subject: Travel in Japan
(Was: "Am I too Japanese to be a Nikkei-jin?")
> > Girls in Japan tend to be flattered when they are called
> > "kayowai" because it shows that the person who is saying it
> > thinks they are cute in a fragile way. I didn't buy it but
> > later on I asked my Japanese girlfriends and they all seemed
> > to agree. Even one of my friends who lived in the US for
> > several years and is more feminist than me didn't have a
> > problem with the word. I think differences like this make
> > me realize I am not Japanese.
>
> Trips to Japan help Nikkei-jin define the boundaries of
> identity.
I'm a sansei and have never been to Japan. Much of
the recent discussion here has made me want to go.
Because of work and budget considerations it would
necessarily be short, probably 2-3 weeks.
Any recommendations on whether to go with a package
tour or not? Any recommendations on a which tour
company to go with?
My Japanese is less than rudimentary and I am a travel wimp,
so a tour sounds good. At the same time, not
being tied to a tour's itinerary and schedule might
be a good thing.
Thanks for any advice and insights you can give!
Subject: Re: Travel in Japan
> < Request for recommendations for travel in Japan >
Do you have any friends who are Japanese and have family back there?
It would be the best thing to tap into that great resource if you can
and feel comfortable doing that.
One of the things that made my honeymoon in Japan really special was
being shown around by friends and the family of friends (like 14 years
ago though). A friend took us to Takayama, in the mountains in the west,
not visited by alot of foreigners (except us of course), which gave
a great sense of what Japan was like a while ago. We never would have
visited Takayama if our friend hadn't taken us.
Getting taken to the great little neighborhood bars and restaurants
that are not visited by tourists were really neat. If you can go with
a friend that might speak a little more Japanese that would be helpful.
But here and there you can find people who speak English well and they
can help you out.
Unfortunately, because you look Japanese, they might not notice that
you are an American tourist and offer help as often. My husband is of
Italian descent and he was always able to find help when he ran into
"trouble" not speaking much Japanese.
I (a sansei who also speaks very little Japanese) am kind of biased,
but I think Japan, off the beaten path trod by tour groups, provides
the best experiences.
Have the best time!
Subject: Re: Travel in Japan
> > < Request for recommendations for travel in Japan >
>
> Do you have any friends who are Japanese and have family
> back there? It would be the best thing to tap into that
> great resource if you can and feel comfortable doing that.
I completely agree. Another possibility if you don't have
relatives or friends to contact, I remember that there was a home stay
program when I (a sansei) visited in 1989. One of my father's cousins
in Tokyo participated in this. Basically, you are put in contact with
a family that is willing to provide you with a place to stay during
your visit. I don't know what this costs, but you might be given
a meal or two as well. Families that participated needed to have at
least a decent knowledge of English (and other languages), and many
do this out of interest in other cultures. I think this might have been
run through a tourist board. My relatives kept a nice guest book of
the people that had stayed at their home throughout the years --
students, couples, single travelers from all over the world!
It seemed like it benefited both host and guest.
Subject: Re: Travel in Japan
> < Request for recommendations for travel in Japan >
At the risk of sounding too commercial for this list (though the
organization I am about to mention is a non-profit), I would like to
recommend the Manjiro Society's Grassroots Summit. Each year, the
organization switches between meeting in the U.S. and Japan, and
in 2001 the 10-day event will be held in Hiroshima. I'm planning
on going if I can. I went in 1995, and found the cost super-reasonable.
Even last year's trip to Shizuoka (I think?) was still very affordable,
and the trip includes some time in hotels but also some time with
homestay families, and enough touristy time balanced with panels
and some workshops about history and culture.
You can read about the organization at:
http://www.manjiro.org
Here's the Web site for the 1999 trip:
http://www.manjiro99.org
You can read a "Nikkei View" column I wrote about the '95 trip at:
A HREF="http://nikkeiview.com/archives99.htm#anchor9928">
http://nikkeiview.com/archives99.htm#anchor9928
Subject: Re: Travel in Japan
> < Request for recommendations for travel in Japan >
Japan is a great place to visit, even for a short stay, whether you
do it by tour group or on your own.
If your priorities are to "see" the country as a first-time visitor
and learn about its high points, then a tour might be good.
If you have any feelings about contacting relatives and getting
to know your roots and where your ancestors came from, then trying
to visit relatives (and friends) is the way to go.
Japanese are extremely gracious hosts who will go out of their way
to ensure your visit is good. (They will have to be taken care of
if they ever visit you, however). You will need to contact them ahead
of time (someone fluent in Japanese would help to communicate the
details of your trip) and see if they can put you up (which will save
you a lot of hotel or ryokan costs). You should also bring gifts for
them when you visit; you should not go empty-handed.
Subject: Re: Travel in Japan
Would anybody on this list have information
as
to a Kumamoto Kenjinkai in Los Angeles? I am going to be taking my
first
trip to Japan in a few months and would like to visit Kumamoto,
where my
family came from in the early 1900's wave of immigration. Being
Yonsei,
I have very little contact with people who may have any kind of
interesting
information on this area, so I thought maybe someone from a
Kenjinkai might
be able to offer some insight.
Subject: Re: Travel in Japan
> Would anybody on this list have information as to a
> Kumamoto Kenjinkai in Los Angeles?
You might try contacting "Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai" (1000 N Scott
Ave, Montebello CA 90640, Tel. 323/721-7331) to ask as to how you
could reach Nanka Kumamoto Kenjin-kai.
Subject: Re: Travel in Japan
> I am going to be taking my first trip to Japan in
> a few months and would like to visit Kumamoto, where
> my family came from in the early 1900's wave of
> immigration. Being yonsei, I have very little contact
> with people who may have any kind of interesting
> information on this area,
Perhaps you can visit or contact one of the US branches of the
Japan National Tourist Organization
and ask for literature (brochures and maps, etc.) on the area(s) you are planning to visit.
Does your family still keep in contact with the Japan relatives?
If so, perhaps someone can communicate your planned visit ahead of
time so
you can meet the relatives and do ohaka-mairi.
