Why You Should…Go To Japan

June 15, 2009 Posted in Cool Stuff

There’s a great many things to do and places to see in this world of ours. As humans, our lives are pretty short (and if you party like I do, it’s probably going to be even shorter). So we have to prioritize! We have brains for a reason and that reason is…reasoning (well, at least some of us use them for that purpose: see comment about partying above). Let me be your voice of reason as I show you all the things you should be doing right here, right now.

By Katie

Let’s look at the facts – our economy is bad, everyone is cutting back, no one has money (maybe that’s just me), and even the weather is bad. If there was ever a time that vacations were needed, it’s now. Whatever happened to the glory days of the traditional random college backpacking trip or the “I need to find myself” adventure to who-knows-where? Well, go find yourself! Actually, I already found you – you’re in Japan. And you’re having the time of your life.

Here’s just a few of the reasons why you should go to Japan:

Hot Guys – Scoff if you must, but Japanese guys are very good looking. High cheekbones, sweet lips, fabulous hair, impeccable style, etc. They also tend to be edgy (underground music scene and such) and they know how to party (think long nights stomping around the different bars, clubs, and karaoke rooms of Tokyo). But they’re not all play – these guys know how to put their pretty noses to the grindstone and they come out all sexy and intelligent on the other end (having a job doesn’t hurt, either).

Fashion – If you want new fashion and edgy style, then Tokyo is your city. They are unafraid to try new things and you’ll see some things walking around that you’d never have thought of…until you saw it next year on a runway in Milan. Luckily, most of the cool stuff is pretty cheap because they love a good deal in Japan. Find your way to Harajuku or Shibuya (both parts of Tokyo) and you’ll come out with bags upon bags of happy. Just expect some serious stares when you get back to the US.

Food – The immediate thought is, of course, “sushi.” Sushi is amazing in Japan, but much the same as the good-quality sushi restaurants that we have here in the US. If you really want good food, get yourself to the countryside or some city street vendors. Can you say “yakitori”?? Well, you will after a couple glasses of plum wine. Don’t forget – Japan is the place that Kobe beef come from, so you can never go wrong with a beef dish.

History - If you’re a history buff (or you’re just looking to give some validation to your random trip to Japan by visiting castle and whatnot), then you probably are already aware of all the amazing things that are packed into that tiny little island. Monuments are a favorite of Japanese people and you will probably notice the massive amounts of schoolchildren in cute little uniforms blocking your view of the giant wooden Buddha or whichever monument you choose to see.

Scenery – To start, the architecture is amazing. Tokyo is arguably the most beautiful modern city in the world, filled with lights and shiny objects (yayyy shiny objects!). Kyoto is another amazing city, filled with equal parts old-school temples and buildings as well as the technological wonders you find in Tokyo. Venturing beyond cities, you’ll find mountains and rolling fields of awesomeness, not to mention the seaside and even a big inland freshwater lake!

Culture – From tea ceremonies to karaoke, you’ll never want for an interesting cultural experience. More often than not, you’ll feel like a fish out of water, hopelessly opening and closing your mouth while you gape at whatever is happening in front of you. But don’t worry! Japanese people are, for the most part, very friendly and warm and they will do all they can to include you in their culture…even if that means pushing a prayer stick in your hand and then making you walk across a pile of burning logs. But I digress…

When you come back from Japan, you’ll be stylish, experienced, well-traveled, and sporting a couple of hot Japanese boy toys. And, if you were a good little traveler, you’ll be able to impress your friends with some sweet Japanese phrases (“Watashi no nihongo wa heta desu!”) while you make them look at all your photos.

3172918 CommentsWhy+You+Should...Go+To+Japan2009-06-15+18%3A30%3A55Katie+-+Michigan+State+University on "Why You Should…Go To Japan"

Ashley says:
Mon, 15th Jun 200912:42 pm

Thank you so much for this article! Very few people seem to realize just how gorgeous Japanese guys..I'm glad to see I'm not the only one!:P

Japan is also a beautiful country with a rich history and culture…I'm super psyched to be moving there for college next year!

Liz says:
Mon, 15th Jun 20094:11 pm

Can we please stop propagating this lie that asian men are hot? Because they are not, and no one is convinced.

Willy says:
Mon, 15th Jun 20096:05 pm

Asian guys have the smallest dicks on the planet, no ass and they smell like garlic..

Maggie says:
Mon, 15th Jun 20096:56 pm

You guys are so lame…Asian men are hot! Stop being racist haters & go get lives.

Maggie says:
Mon, 15th Jun 20097:06 pm

Asian men are a complete joke….Ahhhhhssssoooooo

Bubba says:
Mon, 15th Jun 20097:23 pm

Jennifer be my sister and lets get married real soon

Jaclyn says:
Mon, 15th Jun 20098:59 pm

What is so good about Japanese guys? Please explain……..

Kay says:
Mon, 15th Jun 20098:30 pm

wow great responses… not close-minded at all…

Jennifer says:
Mon, 15th Jun 200910:30 pm

Military men can't be taken seriously anyway. They are just hs dropouts with no education. Losers.

Ambrose says:
Tue, 16th Jun 200912:04 am

Name one hot asian guy…not

Go eat some sushi and chain yourself up for your man. Don’t forget the handcuffs and blindfold.

Jennifer says:
Tue, 16th Jun 200912:16 am

Anyone named Bubba can’t be taken seriously. Go marry your sister you piece of white trash.

Earl says:
Tue, 16th Jun 200912:19 am

Don’t waste your time over there. I spent 3 years in the military over in that place. Damm place is overcrowded, everyone is in a hurry, cell phones are strapped on their ears, the food sucks, everything is overpriced, the club scene blows hard – bunch of Jap guys trying to act black and looking queer most the time, there music is awful and a lot of them don’t care for Americans despite taking all our money.

Ashley says:
Mon, 15th Jun 200911:21 pm

Asian men are totally hot! If you can't see that, then you must not be looking hard enough? Who didn't totally fall for Harold in Harold and Kumar?

I dare you to tell me one person!

ziggy stardust says:
Tue, 16th Jun 20095:15 am

Completely ridiculous to decide that all "Asian" men are not hot as Asia is an entire continent filled with many different cultures, languages, religions and people!! It is also flawed to generalize an entire country as being friendly etc. However I think Japan is fascinating and would be well-worth the visit.

and as for hot "asian' men…have you seen Wolverine?! Helloooo Agent Zero!

Margaret says:
Tue, 16th Jun 20095:23 am

I'm studying abroad in Tokyo now. I've been here for two months, I leave in August. Thank you so much for posting this! As much as I adore Europe (I spent a semester there too) sometimes people forget all the fun other places, like east Asia, have to offer. Japan's a lot of fun, the only thing I have to disagree with is the "Japanese men are hot" assertion…they're pretty. Prettier than a lot of girls, very, very vain. I like men who groom properly but not ones who carry nicer purses than I do. Otherwise, you're on the ball : )

Margaret says:
Tue, 16th Jun 20095:25 am

Postscript: the photo is the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, in Kyoto. I was there this past weekend.

Oh, Jennifer: clearly you know nothing about the military. My father went to the United States Naval Academy and was a career naval officer for 24 years…if you weren't already aware, the Naval Academy is easily as difficult to get into as an Ivy League university. There are plenty of intelligent people in the military; and those who enter as commissioned officers are required to have at least a bachelor's degree. So shut it.

Jenny says:
Tue, 16th Jun 20097:32 am

Asian men are totally hot. <3

Thanks for posting this! Japan is the first place I want to vacation to after I finish grad school.