In a few days, I’ll be moving into my new dorm in Kyoto where I’ll stay for the spring semester as I study the language on exchange. I’ve sorted out all of the big important things: visa, eSIM, flights, etc.
All of the advice I’ve found so far has been very generalized and not enough to help me feel mentally prepared for throwing myself into this foreign country. I’m wondering if anyone could offer up some random specific advice on anything at all. Maybe on unspoken rules, how to eat out, tips for taking the trains in Kyoto, or joining a student club (like karate or aikido 😁) with only a basic understanding of the language.
Whatever random tidbits you may have to offer, I’d love to hear them! Anything helps!!
by emi-segg
16 comments
At convenience stores put your money in the tray instead of handing it to the cashier!
If you’re visiting shrines, bow before the torii gate, and avoid walking in the middle, that’s reserved for the deity of the shrine.
Kyoto is mainly buses. It’s pretty easy though, you just buy a monthly commuter pass that goes between your dorm/apartment and your school. Or you just use your IC card and load it up with money and the ticket fare will be automatically subtracted from your balance. Look up what an IC card is, you’ll need one as soon as you arrive
Unspoke rules? Don’t do makeup in public. Don’t eat food or drink outside the establishment you purchased it (bottled water and drinks are an exception). Walk with the flow of traffic. Don’t stop randomly in the middle of foot traffic. Don’t talk loudly on transportation. Never play music on your phone without headphones. There might be more but really, monkey see, monkey do. You’ll be fine. You’re a foreign student, no one’s going to judge your harshly.
Have a blast!
1. Buy Suica card
2. Get a student commuter pass
3. Watch few videos about general manners at public domain
4. If possible get an international driver permit
5. Avoid touristy areas for food as it is expensive there.
6. You can join kyoto international foundation centre for many clubs outside of school.
7. You can check activities posted at your city hall.
8. Try sakura hanami
You can ask any specific question
Conbini food is your best friend when getting settled in. Once you have been here a few weeks switch to grocery store bentos at night. In Kyoto, give yourself a bit of flex time with the busses. Google maps isn’t 100% accurate on the timing, and it can be hard to figure out your bus if you don’t recognize the kanji for where is headed.
Something I noticed (and appriciated), when walking on the side walk, finding where you need to go or having to figure out, do NOT just stop in the middle of the side walk or where you are, step in to the side.
Learning Aikido, especially at the beginning, requires observation more than language. It sort of teaches you a new way to learn, so go for it.
You’ll be arriving just before cherry blossom time, so you’ll notice that the trains will become very crowded. Be mentally prepared for that.
Eating out is easy enough with modern technology. Pointing to a plastic display of the food you want to try is fine or pointing to the menu if you can’t pronounce it. You can call the wait staff to your table with a simple sumimasen.
Some restaurants will have you order and pay on your cellphone. Others might have a tablet for you to order. Some restaurants have a button for you to press which will alert your server that you want to order something. Don’t be shy. Use it or they won’t come.
Get involved. It’s the easiest way to make Japanese friends.
Which part of Kyoto and for how long? Kyoto gets very humid due to its geography. Be prepared for hot summers and cold winters.
7pm-9pm at supermarkets. Certain items are cheaper during certain days so keep track of that
Bring home country (comfort) food like chips, canned goods, spices/ sauce for cooking etc
Kyoto is great. There will likely be a big student fair held at the beginning of the semester where clubs try to recruit freshmen. Martial arts sounds great but also don’t sleep on “English club” or “international exchange club” as these will be geared to more language-based stuff.
WHEN IN ROME…….
download NERV, and have it on. Download the yahoo transit app. While google works, this is much better (screenshot & google translate if needed)
hit up shizuya for the best melon bread in the area, maybe be Japan
Don’t be rude on public transit, visit the island of Yakushima when you get the chance (the most relaxing 4 days of my life), go to the temples in the countryside rather than the city (the monks cultivate moss gardens with meticulous care, and it is breathtaking); also, there is a trail behind the Fushimi Inari shrine that takes you through a larger bamboo forest without any tourists, once you reach the end, keep going through the mountain and keep following the signs that say “Big Rock” which leads to a great hike that took me all the way through the mountain.
Here is the trail: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBbFNoyJA48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBbFNoyJA48)
Here is Big Rock:
[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRcG2hg5P3b3RUqzPqV35T5uuCdrTFgDYN6dw&s](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRcG2hg5P3b3RUqzPqV35T5uuCdrTFgDYN6dw&s),
[http://stefaniewhat.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/how-many-roads-up-mt-inari/](http://stefaniewhat.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/how-many-roads-up-mt-inari/)
Which Uni are you at in Kyoto?
Bring your favorite medicine!
Buy your contact lenses in Japan.
Buy your shoes in your home country.
Japanese people think Trader Joe’s is cool. Makes for good gifts.
This post has been flooded with a ton of rule breaking comments, mostly Rules 6 & 7.
Sorry OP, but it’s getting locked.