| The laziest form of travel and What NOT to do in Japan |
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Travel is the laziest form of learning. Just go somewhere you've never been, tend to your basic needs and lessons will be learned -- if only about your basic needs.The laziest form of travel? Entertainment. No ride to the airport, no 2.5-ounce can of shaving cream, no comburent rage at your fellow man.OK, it's not the same as travel, but art can reawaken you to places you've been or whet your appetite for places you want to go. At its best it can even transport you.I've done a lot of the laziest form of lazy learning lately. Even though my body hasn't slipped my ZIP code in weeks, I've visited Chicago, Pennsylvania, the Jersey Shore and more. I've traveled by book, film and tomato sauce. [Read the full article] Matador's destination expert on Japan lays out the country's avoidable attractions ... and what to do instead.Pachinko is one of the few ways to legally gamble in Japan, but don't be lured into a parlor thinking you'll see Vegas-like shows. The place is beyond loud, and full of cigarette smoke.The games themselves should be reserved for a 10th circle in Dante's Inferno. Imagine a pinball machine with a computer screen display; once you pull the lever you have literally no control as to where the ball ends up.Just like in Vegas, you'll find burnt-out slot jockeys mechanically inserting yen, winning once every 27 days. Fun fun.A karaoke booth with an all-you-can-drink special is a much better alternative if you want to be surrounded by video screens and loud noises.All the booths in Japan are private, so you can only make an ass of yourself in front of close friends. [Read the full article] |








