Holidays

NAS94620 said:

What are the go to helpful things that help when you travel

Japan is my current favourite destination with 5 visits so far.

Big plusses are it is clean, safe, the people are helpful and it is wonderfully exotic without being harmful (well other than a dish I tried called salted, pickled squid guts that was saltier than salt itself, but I should have gotten an idea from the name that it was going to be difficult).

The downside from an autistic perspective is the riot of information in getting about. I was able to focus on the English language signage which is on pretty much all transport systems and is effective, but unfortunately some of the underground stations in Tokyo are the size of Watford and you can take 30 mins to walk from one exit to another and there are just so many exits to choose from.

Planning is important and getting a bit lost needs to be factored in, but with a mix of a decent map, internet access on your phone and the helpful locals, you will get about if you can control the anxiety.

Lots of restaurants off the beaten track only have Japanese language menus but there are numerous apps where you can use the camera on your phone to scan the menu and it does a real time translation to English for you. No excuse for not being adventurous.

Taxis rarely need you to even touch the door handles - all seem to be automated and are very well maintained / clean.

There is a wealth of culture spanning thousands of years and a very polite, welcoming people.

Oh and there is no tipping for anything - it is seen as rude to do it which is a bonus after being the likes of the USA.

Thank you Iain, Japan sounds brilliant and so happy you have found a place you feel comfortable to return to! I’ll pop it on my list

Thank you Iain, Japan sounds brilliant and so happy you have found a place you feel comfortable to return to! I’ll pop it on my list