Little Bits of Beth

Hey there!

So what's something that's happened to you today or this week that's made you smile? And I mean really smile?

For me it would have been the big hug my friend gave me yesterday after not seeing each other in a month...because, well, I just came back from a trip to JAPAN! (Not an obvious segue or anything...)

Ramen = Love, Ramen = Life

Japan is one of those places I think that has something for everyone. From skiing and snowboarding, to anime, to fashion, to absolutely breathtaking sights, you'll never be short of things to do. Although this was my second time visiting (second of many more to come I hope!), it was my first really tourist experience. We (my sister, mum and I) got to visit many of the 'must see' spots and, well, eat a LOT of food. If you plan to go to Japan and lose weight...I have bad news for you.

Accurate representation of Beth after one month in Japan

Japan truly is the land of the weird and the wonderful, and it's no secret that it's becoming a major international tourist hotspot. If you're considering a trip there, please, just book the next flight. Do it. You will not regret it.

So without further ado, here are Beth's 'Top Five Tips for Travelling in Japan'
1. Remember Your 'Pleases' and 'Thank-you's! 

Now although you may find that the majority of Japanese people you come across while travelling do know simple English (and this can be very helpful at times), politeness and respect are a big part of their culture. So even as a tourist, making the effort to learn a few of these common Japanese phrases will not only make you look super impressive (language maestro, much?) but Japanese people really appreciate it! A simple phrasebook can certainly help you with this...but here are three phrases that, from experience, came very much in handy:

-ありがとう (A-ri-ga-tou) = THANK YOU. This one's a given...you can say it as many times as you like, in a row.... and you may even end up having an 'arigatou-off' with the person you are speaking with. And it's totally normal! Once you get into the habit of using this word, you probably will forget there was even an English way of saying it!

-おねがいします (O-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su) = PLEASE/CAN YOU DO ME THIS FAVOUR. Well, it kind of means a bit of everything, which makes it so handy! Just say this after ordering something...when you go up to pay for an item in a shop...if you want someone to pass you the wasabi (because you're a total bad-ass and can handle it!)

-ごちそうさま (Go-chi-sou-sa-ma) = THANK YOU FOR THE MEAL/THAT WAS DELICIOUS. And your food will most probably definitely always be delicious, so don't forget to drop this one to the restaurant/cafe attendant as you leave!

Japanese Pancake 'Okonomiyaki' made by yours truly

Sashimi in Hiroshima- YUM

2.  Kick off those shoes!

Contrary to what many of us have grown up being taught, you probably shouldn't double-knot your shoelaces before heading out while in Japan...because you're probably going to end up just taking them off very shortly afterwards! (They have very strict no-shoes-indoors rules.) Maybe even invest in some stylish slip-ons to make your life easier?

Housekeeping mop-shoes (?!)

3. Pack LIGHT!

You've probably heard this one before...but it cannot be stressed enough! Why? Basically everywhere you travel, your case/luggage will travel with you. Lots of travelling = lots of walking.

Lots and LOTS of travelling!

If you're anything like me, you'll most likely want to fit your whole wardrobe into your suitcase. But in hindsight, packing a bathing suit and running t-shirt for the middle of a snowy winter in Japan was not my finest decision. Nope. If you find yourself trying to justify packing an unnecessary item with  'But it might come in handy...' I promise you this: It. will. not. come. in. handy. You will experience all of the regret.

I once heard someone say that when they pack to go overseas, they pack what they think they'll need, then take half of it back out again! I think I need to adopt this strategy for next time...

4. KONBINI :D <3

Image Credit: www.iromegame.com

If you are a student, like myself, and you like to eat (a LOT), also like myself....konbinis will be your best friend while in Japan. 'Konbini' simply is the Japanese way of saying 'Convenience Store', and boy are they convenient.

Hungry? Stop by the 7/11 konbini and grab an 'onigiri' (rice triangle). Raining outside and you don't have an umbrella? Konbini has you covered. (I'm pretty sure they also sell a wide selection of liquor...)

Our personal favourites were the 'galbo' chocolates and chocolate covered caramel macadamias. You could buy a packet for around the Australian equivalent of $1.00. YES PLEASE! (And also they had hash browns which, if you know me, is an immediate winner.)

#GalboforAustralia2016

5. Get your culture on and visit an onsen. 

Onsens are Japanese hot springs. You'll find them scattered across Japan in pretty much every place you visit. In Japanese culture, the idea of going to an onsen is linked with purification and cleansing and is a truly beautiful and relaxing experience.* You may even have one in or nearby a hotel you stay at if you're lucky!

*Only fine print is that unlike ones you may find in western countries, Japanese onsens have a clothes-free rule...


And finally, I present to you what may just look like an ordinary can:

Have you figured it out yet?!

It's coffee in a can. That I bought from a vending machine (which, by the way, are conveniently located EVERYWHERE in Japan). That was also warm when it came out. If none of the reasons for going to Japan that I have presented here have at all convinced you yet, I hope hot-canned-coffee-from-a-vending-machine has. Because that, my friends, is the future.

Time to pack your bags for the trip of a lifetime I think!

 じゃーね！

-Beth

Hello to you, and THANK YOU for stopping by!

[Side note:  I would just like to warn you that I like to use exclamation marks (!!!!!!) for almost every sentence I write. So I do apologise in advance...! ]

Argghhhh where to begin? I've wanted to start blogging for ages and I'm finally sitting here... ... feeling like the biggest newbie on earth! SO MANY THINGS TO SAY AND WRITE ABOUT. So let's start simple shall we?

Firstly, here's a few facts about myself:

1. I am 19 years old
2. I live in Melbourne, which in my also unbiased opinion is the best place on earth. (If you're reading this and aren't from around here, I highly suggest you check Melbourne out sometime. It's amazing.)
3. I'm about to begin my first year studying a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice! Yay!
4. I am one of four siblings and I'm the blessed middle child
5. If you were to ever offer me a slice of cheesecake, the answer would always be yes. ALWAYS. (Another side note: did you know that July 30th is National Cheesecake Day? Did you even know that EXISTED? Amazing.)

Image credit: Culture Cheese Mag

I think that's enough for now...I'm sure if you decide to keep on reading through my posts you will get to know me!

Although it's already February, I still feel like the year is just starting out. I'm really really excited about what this year is going to bring and the things I'm going to learn. So here's a question for YOU: What are you most excited for in 2016? 

(If your answer was National Cheesecake Day, then let's be friends!)

-Beth