Thread 2802973

I've never traveled before. I for the first time in my life have 5 weeks off to go abroad. I'm 32 years old, would be solo traveling, not interested in degen activities.

I'm considering two options. A trip to french speaking European countries. I have semi-decent french and would give me motivation to learn more. Could potentially be a more robust experience once arrived.

Or a trip to Japan. I would know absolutely zero Japanese so I find it a bit more intimidating. It could potentially be more rewarding visiting a culture significantly more different than my own. I have always liked Japanese culture a lot (i know don't bully me)

If I was in your shoes I'd do Japan, but French speaking Europe would be fun as well. It's just that Japan would be more different from what you're used to and you'd have 5 weeks to deeply explore and go off the beaten track.

It will be harder to "make friends" in Japan. I don't mean long term but I mean the kind of people you might randomly meet and spend a day with with, although it's likely you do that with some foreigners in Tokyo

Japan has poker for play money and I found that was a good way to meet japanese players. No foreigners did that and you're sitting down next to them and they try to use what english they have. It's not a touristy thing at all, was a fun way to meet people.

>>2802973 (OP)
go to japan. a lack of japanese won't hold you back, google maps and google lens/translate and you'll be fine. accommodations, food, transportation, and experiences are all affordable and excellent. you're going to love it. i've only had 2 weeks at a time twice-- i'm drooling over the idea of slow travelling through the country for 5 weeks.
that said, i would not want to visit japan from april-september. too hot. i went november both times and the weather was perfect for my midwestern american sensibilities.

>>2802973 (OP)
>not interested in degen activities.
Stay home nerd.

>>2802973 (OP)
What do you consider degenerate activities? Does drinking fall under that umbrella?

>>2804915
you're part of the reason for sanseito's rise

>>2807071
Solo travelling is the most degenerate activity there is. Everyone knows what you're there for, even if you don't know it yourself.

>>2802973 (OP)
Japan is France for millennials. Every single normie goes there as their first vacation. They all follow the same route and see the same things and eat at the same foreigner-oriented restaurants. There's nothing new or interesting there anymore. You'll be amongst crowds of tourists, but you probably won't even notice because you can't tell the difference between other Asians and Japanese. It's the most popular tourist destination in the world now (France still has a lead in numbers because euros can visit for a weekend trip, but in terms of actual long staying tourists, Japan is by far the most popular). It's overpriced and lacking value.

China today is what Japan was 20 years ago. Easy to get around transport, with English signs everywhere but normies are afraid to visit because it's "too foreign". It's a lot cleaner than it was before (cities and parks are really no dirtier than Japan) and cheap as fuck. Locals will bend over backwards to help you get around and make sure you're enjoying their country. Sometimes it feels like they're rolling out a red carpet for you. Meanwhile, Japanese people are just sick of tourists and it's even reported daily in the news that locals want them gone.

>>2807985
>Is that a hecking travelerino
>By HIMSELF???!?
>Oh my, oh he is, isn't he
>He's going to chat with BOTH locals and other traveling people and maybe hook up with them
>My entire trip is ruined
Odds are good your gf is fat and you're the miserable couple in the corner trying to cope with others enjoying themselves

>>2808203
Taiwan is way more normies friendly but with the same Nippom autism.
Plus for OP they basically all speak English

>>2808203
>Easy to get around transport, with English signs everywhere but normies are afraid to visit because it's "too foreign"
No good option for map apps with English and whenever it's brought up the solution is: learn chinese in a week, lol. Also normies don't want to deal with the payments, vpn and visa shit. All the other stuff is true, but lets not pretend there aren't still hassles

>>2808203
China is not the next Japan because Japan happened to get a wave of popularity, lol. Chinese culture is not going to be able to create the same type of appeal. If your idea of an interesting country is where people kiss your feet just go to Africa

That being said it really isn't as great during the time it's super popular but that only matters if you're judging it based on hipster points or you are someone that travels to enjoy attractions instead of vibe exploring, the latter of which will often land you into areas of Tokyo where you will be the only non Jap around, even now

>>2808482
Gen alpha is already growing up on Chinese games and zoomers are hooked on Chinese social media that's pushing Chinese travel videos. Once those gens reach their 30s and are taking their first overseas vacation with their spouse, they'll be visiting China.