The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: December nineteenth, with advise for independent travelers to Japan.

With one of the world's lowest crime rates, the islands of Japan are certainly a safe destination. Although summer smog in major cities can be intense, Japan is generally also clean, hospitable, prompt, polite and friendly, with perfectly potable tap water. But Japan can also be a perplexingly foreign place, especially for first timers. With that in mind, Japan's National Tourist Organization prepared a handy, informative, practical list of 25 tips for independent travelers.

For example, although Japan is clean, trash cans on the street are rare. That's because the Japanese don't walk and eat at the same time, and therefore produce little litter. Since they consider shoes dirty, the Japanese remove them when entering private places such as homes, temples and fine restaurants. Also, if you visit someone's home, take part in a tea ceremony or dine in an upscale restaurant, you'd be wise to practice sitting on the floor. While tucking your knees under your thighs is preferred, sitting cross-legged Indian style is acceptable; stretching out your legs in front of you is not.

Or dining. It's OK to slurp your noodles, but instead of a spoon, soup is eaten with chop sticks and the liquid drunk directly from the bowl. When finished eating rice, place chopsticks beside your plate on the holder. Standing the sticks up in the bowl is how the Japanese ritually serve rice to the dead. In addition to other issues of etiquette, from blowing your nose to taking a bath, the guide offers practical, money-saving pointers on a broad range of traveler-oriented subjects. The complete list is available by phone or on-line. Check travelersjournal.com for details.

FMI For the Japan National Tourist Organizations list of 25 Tips for Independent Travelers, call 212- 757-5640 or www.japantravelinfo.com

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