Anyone been to Tokyo, Japan?

[tiggywink92]

Hi my daughter is going to Tokyo in a few weeks time.  She is going with a friend and its the first time she is leaving me and going overseas.  Has anyone else been there and did you feel safe and do people speak English there?

[nevynreally]

Is that you Crystal?

[debra9275]

Tiggy, I have a niece who's been living over there since she turned 18. It's a safe place and there are lots of Aussies working there. don't worry, they will be fine.

[purple_haize]

I have 2 friends living over there and they love it, both have lived there for a number of yrs. Very safe place, and as Deb said, there are alot of Australians living and working over there.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

Im in Tokyo at the moment.

Its safe, particularly regarding belongings, but like any foreign city, there are places I wouldnt recommend going alone or late at night- particularly when she sounds young/ inexperienced.

People do speak English. Its polite to ask them if they do and then ask your Q, rather than assume they can and will. 

It is pretty cold here at the moment, only 5 degrees in the morning, getting up to about 12 degrees so she will need to bring warm clothes including a coat.

You can message me if you or she, have any other Qs

[moonlyte]

According to this recent article, Japan is not safe for foreign women:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2013/10/23/voices/japan-no-safe-country-for-foreign-women/

EDIT: And read the comments below the article too.

[tiggywink92]

Hi to the person that lives in Tokyo atm.  Are you female and australian?  Ive read the comment below yours and now pretty concerned for my daughter.  Thank goodness shes not white and blonde hair but italian looking and very thin from the back looks japanese:-)

[nohousework]

My youngest son aged 25 has lived in Japan for two and a half years.

My Hubby and I travel over there 2 times a year to visit him. I feel more safe in Japan than I do in Melbourne.

Most people will try and talk to you in English but there are others who keep on conversing in Japanese even if you don't understand what is being said.

This led my Hubby and I to take basic Japanese language classes and we feel confident now in shops and restaurants etc. Maybe because we are always together that we have never been approached, but my son has said the Police really don't like foreigners.

If your daughter doesn't take risks, respects the culture and people she will have a great time. Thre is so much history in Japan. I can see why my son loves it there.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

Hi tiggywink,

Yes I am female and Australian.

I also lived here for almost 3 years many years ago, so I know the city and culture well.

I read the article (and comments) that was posted with interest. My response is anyone with a computer and the internet can find a story- at least 1! that is negative about random situations that happen to ordinary people in other countries. Without doing a c&p, I feel for that woman- for anyone who has had to deal with violence- but is it typical in Japan? I dont think so, and I speak from my own experience.

The thing is, every country that a person can visit will have its own negative stories. As others have said, if your daughter uses her common sense and is calm and spends time enjoying herself she will have a wonderful time- and this goes for any person visiting any country.

But remember to tell her about the coat and warm clothes!!!

PS Change AUD$ to Yen in Australia- its much cheaper! She can change money at banks, the Post Office, even 7-11, but Australian banks take a huge chunk to allow you the convenience.

Any other Qs, let me know..

[tiggywink92]

thanks you make me feel abit more calm:-)  My daughter is laughing at me.  She has just bought a warm jacket and i have bought some thermal underwear for her to wear.  Ive told her she is better to go on tours or is she okay going on the train around?  She is staying at a hotel in the middle of toyko so is she safe to walk down the street to get dinner?  Thanks for the replies:)