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Five things not to do on a romantic getaway in Japan

27 Comments
By Paula Gerhold

Who doesn’t want to take a vacation alone with their special someone? Couples’ vacations are quite popular in Japan with both the young and old. In a country that boasts a wealth of hot springs, rustic townships, and even big tourist-centered cities, there is no end to exotic places to visit. Shared vacations can be a great way to learn more about the local areas and spend some time with your Japanese boyfriend or girlfriend.

But what happens after the first couple days of excitement wear off? What do you do when he starts snoring too loudly or she takes too much time picking out an outfit to wear for the evening?

Here are some helpful hints for couples looking to take a trip with their Japanese partner.

1. Keep in mind your partner’s physical limits.

A common complaint between couples is one or the other of them dragging their loved ones along without consideration to their fatigue. Japan may have fantastic public transportation in the bigger cities, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t do your fair share of walking when you visit smaller towns. The opposite can be true as well. Don’t be a stick-in-the-mud and refuse to budge if you’re a little tired. Try to figure out a schedule where both of you can see what you want to without stretching your limits to the brink like this unfortunate couple:

“We decided to go for a short trip in the country. I wanted to look around and see the sights, but he was too tired to walk. We ended up just sitting on a park bench for 2 hours, even though it was supposed to be a vacation. I think his lack of stamina kinda woke me from my dream a little.”

2. Don’t take everything except the kitchen sink with you.

If you’re going on a weekend trip to Mt Fuji, remember that someone has to carry all the suitcases you bring with you. No one wants to be stuck with luggage duty, especially if they are trying to be nice and help you out. Girls, your Japanese boyfriend might not say it, but he still might get annoyed if you make him lug all of your stuff around the countryside. Being prepared is one thing, but be sure to take into account how long your trip is and pack simply whenever possible. And don’t forget to leave space in your suitcase for souvenirs for your Japanese coworkers and friends. They might expect a little something when you get back, especially if you took vacation time off of work.

3. It’s a vacation, live a little!

Saving money is great and all, but who goes on vacations to save money? Your significant other certainly won’t expect to be eating fast-food burgers every day and grabbing souvenirs at the 100 yen stores. (Though don’t rule that out entirely.) Half the lure of visiting other parts of Japan is the new and awesome 名物 (meibutsu or local delicacies), and those don’t always come cheap. Budget wisely so that you can enjoy your time away from home and eat all the fried foods on sticks, tasty noodles, and bean paste pastries the place has to offer!

4. Bathroom etiquette is a must.

Some Japanese people retain the mentality that living with someone when you aren’t married is rather tawdry, even if it’s more commonplace in North America. Don’t be surprised if your coworkers are startled to hear that you share an apartment with your boyfriend or girlfriend. So for those of you taking your first trip about the country and staying together with your partner for several days at a stretch, make sure to remember your that you’ll be sharing ALL the facilities with the other. Try not to surprise your bedfellow with your sloppy habits.

“When the two of us went on our first vacation together, I was stunned by how messy she made the bathroom,” came one man’s complaint. “The shampoo and body soap containers were left open and knocked on their sides. Her hair was all over the tub. The bathroom unit was compact, but even so, she had splashed water from the shower all over the toilet. It was a bit of a shock.”

On the other hand, it’s not just the girls who should be careful. One member of our own RocketNews24 team regaled us today with the tale of how, not wanting his new girlfriend to hear him making number twos in the hotel bathroom during their first trip away, he had the clever idea of running the shower while he used the toilet, hopping in as soon as he’d answered the call of nature. The entire plan went off perfectly until he heard a quiet gasp from his girlfriend half an hour later when she went to use the bathroom herself and our writer realised that he’d actually forgotten to flush the toilet when he’d finished.

5. Don’t let your eyes wander during your trip.

Perhaps the most basic and yet crucial pointer for vacationing couples is the reminder that you are there as a couple. Tourist spots are usually crawling with more than just the usual city slicks. Try to remember that your girlfriend won’t necessarily like it if your eyes stray below the neckline. Likewise, your boyfriend might not appreciate you chatting up the waiter at the local okonomiyaki restaurant. Japan has many beautiful beaches, from the shores of Shirarahama in Wakayama to the famous Emerald Beach in Okinawa. Lots of beaches can mean lots of bared skin and temptation. Make your visit memorable by making your special someone feel like they matter.

Preparation for a trip takes more than squeezing clothes into a duffel bag. Don’t go into it blindsided. Shared vacations are a great way for couples fresh and new or tried and true to get to know each other… for better or worse.

Source: Trend News

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- 9 Ways to Have Fun Playing Video Games with Your Girlfriend -- Looking for love? Tweet and ye shall find! -- Bill Gates Building a Mansion in Japan!? We Investigate

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


27 Comments
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I really don't want to believe that these are things people actually need to be told...

21 ( +23 / -2 )

What a bunch of hogwash! Romantic get-away? No wonder why folks don't want to get married here, they have no idea what the word "romantic" means if they have to follow to "beware" of the things written here.

16 ( +20 / -4 )

In summer there really is no such thing as a romantic getaway in Japan. Everything is overcrowded and overpriced.

16 ( +22 / -6 )

Leave your phone at home, or at least in your hotel room. It's not romantic if you have your phone out half the time updating Facebook and mailing friends.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

Romantic getaway in Japan? Getaway from Japan! Simple as that!

9 ( +13 / -4 )

There are quite a few nice pleasant places to go to. You are the one to make it romantic!!! Sweating buckets is not romantic and imposing that on someone you are getting to know is not the way to go. Instead of going to the beach try a nice river or lake, instead of Disneyland try a theater of a museum and if you want to hit the beer garden aim for the early evening. Basically just have a good time, if it is fun and pleasant for you most likely it is going to be the same for the one next to you!!!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

romantic getaway pshaw? We left the kids at grandma and grandpa's place for a few hours and I took my wife out to dinner and to a love hotel!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

our writer realised that he’d actually forgotten to flush the toilet when he’d finished.

Journalism at its finest.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Aren't all of these pretty obvious? Especially the last one. Keeping in mind physical limits is nice though. No, John, I don't want to go hiking. I never EVER want to go hiking.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Hmmmm....romantic getaway in Japan....Now that I think about it, all my children were conceived everytime we went on a vacation.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The points posted above have absolutely no relevance to Japan. No offence to the author, as I'm sure they believe that they're posting helpful tips, but I notice that some people living in Japan get an inflated ego, and start to think that these common-sense tips are somehow not common sense anymore.

One thing that wasn't mentioned: many people don't appreciate spontaneity in their vacations, which is a shame. Trying to plan everything, and refusing to deviate from the plan, is a surefire way to lose any romantic spark, or sense of adventure.

Of course, things don't always work out as they do in the movies, and you may have your bum days, but remaining flexible and open to suggestion (read: sometimes just going where the wind takes you) is a good way to ensure you get the most enjoyment from your trip.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Went on a romantic getaway to Hakone and we were fine... yes, she organised it all like a military operation, but with so many trains, coaches and pirate ships to cope with I suppose it was necessary.

The examples given in the text are certainly not my experiences... maybe I was lucky, lol

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Another note: In the text, it says "after the first couple of days..." Perhaps it was more because of my previous job at a conversation school, but it's hard to get more than a few days off, in a lot of Japanese companies, anyway. :P

3 ( +4 / -1 )

One for the woman, leave the keitai in your hotel room or turn it off!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Malfupete, you are a lucky guy to have a wife like that. She's a keeper. Could never get, my now ex (japanese) to go out on a dates even though we had three different babysitters (family) within 15 minute walk from us. Always had to be with her sisters, nieces, nephews, mom, etc. I know several wives the same as my ex.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The person who wrote that probably doesn't know how Japanese go on Holiday. The only people who seem to take their time on holiday seem to be the retired people.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Don't let your eyes wander during your trip"

Boyfriend, upon seeing a female with a dynamite body: Whoa, look at the legs on... I mean, say, how about stopping somewhere for lunch? ha ha

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If you have to run your vacation like a "military operation", please tell me how you are having fun!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I can't believe someone has taken time to write this waffle and everyone, including me, responding to it!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

HELP! That drivel has just melted my brain.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

One for the woman, leave the keitai in your hotel room or turn it off!

Yes! Totally agree with that one.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Is there an etiquette for quiet time for us single guys?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You NEVER go to Mt. Fuji for a romantic getaway. You can go to the lakes where you can see Mt. Fuji. Or up in the high tower hotels within Tokyo where you can see it far away. There, you can take a fair amount of luggage.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In summer there really is no such thing as a romantic getaway in Japan. Everything is overcrowded and overpriced.

This very much depends upon where you are. Down in Yamaguchi, there are lots of areas that are beautiful and empty.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

We decided to go for a short trip in the country. I wanted to look around and see the sights, but he was too tired to walk. We ended up just sitting on a park bench for 2 hours, even though it was supposed to be a vacation. I think his lack of stamina kinda woke me from my dream a little.

I had this problem when I went on a romantic getaway (or dirty weekend, whichever you prefer) with a man who was 12 years older than me and used to driving everywhere instead of walking. I dragged him out on a hike, but we had to stop every half an hour and sit down so that he could recover. I went off him a bit.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

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