NIPPON transport

Navigation system should be self evident and readable no matter what language you use and wherever country you travel. Czech metro, London tube, or even Japanese transportation system should have some visual common.

This year I had an opportunity to travel across all Japan and experienced all these navigation’s in real. Before we start I have to say I do understand a bit of Japanese language and also I can read a bit.

Each travel I wrote a myself diary from the journey – memorize the stuff, get back to the situations which happened, stay keep in touch with all my new friends I’ve recently meet.

At this time my Japanese diary has changed to the sketch book of platforms, signs and drawing of kanji character. Name of the stations, streets and cities. It was completely different experience compare with all my travel previous experiences. I didn’t even look at the map, I just drew drew and drew. I think if you are a bit visual, your mind will change immediately. Everything become a big moving gallery and you just purely enjoy.

… doko desu ka

“… doko deska” basically mean “where is …” the station or place you wish to go. My drawing helping me out – most of the Japanese people I’ve asked for advice appreciate the way I traveled. Simplified communication sometime become really sophisticated and I don’t really understand, but I had my drawing – which help me out. In couple of days my diary become thick ball of all things I have got on the way. Tokyo (東京都), Kobe (神戸市), Himeji (姫路), Osaka(大阪市), Nara(奈良市), Kyoto(京都) and so on.

Memorized by kanji character my trip become a one big visual challenge to the eastern desert. All apprehension disappeared when we start talk.  Japanese people are amazing – more far you are from city, people more less don’t speak in English, but they are more open to share  Japanese in natural way. Also Czech people have a big advantage compare to other foreigners – we can pronounce most of the syllables exactly as a Japanese so in many cases if you youse just infinitive they’ll understand you and probably correct you. This helped me to survive and be secure all the way down to Kobe, Himeji and back to Tokyo.

in right order

Symbols, signs and colour in right order – was another thing which could help foreigners with  traveling. All transportation was unified to present information in right order. Someone can say – nothing really important, but for example. If you are in rush and you running across 3 or 4 platform to catch the train (which is always on time) is really handy that expected information is on place you already know.

Another things was colour -  colour coding all these line, handles, arrows, signs, even advert was on same colour – which looks a bit wired but anyway navigation itself in public transportation was not that hard as you can probably expected from guidebook you read before your journey.

Most of the time in guidebook advise you to visit the tourist information – which in many cases, especially in small towns doesn’t really work. Japanese address system is overcomplicated. In Kyoto (京都) I’ve try to find an accommodation add tourist information doesn’t really know the hostel and real location. Even people on the street told me I’m on right area but they don’t know where it is. Final after the 1/2 hour precise asking and eliminate houses around I’ve found that I’ve been looking for.

On the other hand there is a couple of people which kindly spend time with you and help you with direction even with transportation.

.. toire wa doko desu ka?

Nobody is perfect right! – so finally one short one for fun. I was so surprise to find out that some signs are not translate properly. Instead of exit on the sign in Nagoya was written “toire” which means toilet – it can be confusing isn’t it!

A bit of self control and luck will give you enough courage to survive anywhere. Hope soon I’ll have another opportunity to go to Japan and learn some more about Japanese mind  and Japanese people. More picture you’ll can see soon at my Flickr account.

That do you think about the traveling in Europe?

Which country has a best (up to date) navigation system?