So I'm planning a trip over end of March, beginning of April (hopefully catching the Cherry Blossom) and I'm starting to research where to go, what to do, where to stay, what to buy, etc...
HELP!!!1
To start this off then whats the best things to do in Tokyo and which is the best videogames store?
Cheers fellas.
Green eyes ON!
You jammy bugger. I've never been (seems like everyone else has
). Saur and Paper will have the low down on what to do, so I'll just sit back and weep silently into my keyboard.
Its not sunk in yet, my girlfriend has agreed to come and told me to sort it all out for us. I'm still a bit like w00t!!1
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When's 'Wii Carlton' coming out?
I'm going in April too and already have my tickets. Woo!
I'm with family at them moment but when I have more time, in the New Year, I'll post some useful links.
Ash
Awesome, look forward to hearing what you have planned Kaladron!
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When's 'Wii Carlton' coming out?
Well, I'm currently in Japan so feel free to ask me anything as well (as I used to live in Japan and my wife is Japanese too).
Some useful links to get you started.
http://www.japantravel.co.uk/site/default.html - This is where I booked my flights. The prices were good but they'd only just established the online booking at the time and it didn't work properly. They managed to sort things out by phone though and the service probably works now. These guys have been around London for decades. Very trustworthy in my opinion.
http://www.japanhotel.net - A great resource for browsing and booking accomodation. Good prices.
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm - Another good resource for finding accomodation. Lots of user submitted photos and reviews.
https://www.mybus.co.uk/apply/index.html - A good place to book tickets to the Ghibli Museum plus the all-important Japan Rail Pass. Essential if you're planning to get around a lot. These have to be booked before you leave the country.
Yeah, defo get a Rail Card if you plan to travel about a lot. How long you going for, and where abouts? I went for 2 weeks last year about the same time as you're going mate, and that Rail Pass was a godsend. We were travelling to and from Tokyo and Kyoto and visited loads of places like Nara and even went to stay in Yudanaka for a few nights to see teh monkeys (though the rail pass never covered the train there).
I'm not saying fuck the shops or nowt, but honestly, when you get there the last thing you'll wanna do is spend all your time in Aki n' such places - though you need to check out BicCamera for the EPIC SCALE!!1 of it.
Places of interest for me were all of Tokyo and it's tower (wait till night to go up) and Osaka, The Golden Pavilion and the absolutely humbling Tōdai-ji in Nara - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Ddai-ji
I'll get some pics up in here of that temple. It's fuckin' insane!!
You're gonna fuckin' love it man. I need to go back there, like, NOW!
Otaku stuff that's worth a gander are as follows:
Mandarake
http://www.mandarake.co.jp/
A brilliant chain of second hand otaku themed shops. You can buy pretty much everything here and they are goldmines for older stuff (though it's more anime and manga focused than gaming). The Shibuya branch in Tokyo is the most famous but the Nagoya branch is actually far bigger (plus it's just moved to an even larger building too). The staff normally do cosplay and sing karaoke as well, plus they are very helpful if you are looking for something obscure. I always spend far too much money here.
Bandai Museum
http://www.bandai-museum.jp/
Recently opened and covers everything Bandai has done in anime, toukatsu and a lot else. Worth a visit if you have the time.
Ghibli Museum
http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/
This is a wonderful museum and celebrates everything about Studio Ghibli's works. Mitaka is a bit out of the way though, as its in the suburbs of Tokyo, but it's worth the trip. You can sort out tickets here:
http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/ticket/overseas.html
Shinjuku Sportsland 3
http://www.spolan.com/ssl-3/
This is a lesser known arcade to most people outside Japan but it's the main one where the bulk of location tests are carried out. Not to mention that a lot of the top players hang out here too.
http://blog.wired.com/games/2006/06/shinjuku_sports.html
General stuff for visiting Tokyo and getting money:
Kimi Ryokan (Tokyo)
http://www.kimi-ryokan.jp/
I've stayed here a few times, as it was recommended by a Japanese friend, and it's really good. Not only is it very cheap but very central (plus the staff speak English).
Citibank
http://www.citibank.co.jp/en/index.html
As a rule, the Japanese don't do electronic money but if you have a VISA debit or credit card you can withdraw cash in Japan via Citibank (there are other banks that do this too but a lot of their machines don't have an English option for the menu system and they are the only bank that has their ATM's open 24 hours). Speak to your bank before you go to Japan and let them know that you'll be using your card abroad though, otherwise this won't work. You'll save a lot of money on bank charges this way as you literally convert your cash straight to yen.
More cultural stuff to follow
Thanks guys this stuff is perfect.
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When's 'Wii Carlton' coming out?
www.akiba-ch.com -- There's a map here detailing the best Otaku locations in Akihabara, some gems tucked away!
Yeah, defo get a Rail Card if you plan to travel about a lot. How long you going for, and where abouts? I went for 2 weeks last year about the same time as you're going mate, and that Rail Pass was a godsend. We were travelling to and from Tokyo and Kyoto and visited loads of places like Nara and even went to stay in Yudanaka for a few nights to see teh monkeys (though the rail pass never covered the train there).
Just how useful is the JR Rail Pass?
Does it work on underground trains and buses?
I'm only planning to make one long trip - to Mt Fuji and back - will the pass be worth it?
Its an overground only deal, but definitely worth it if you make a long trip (train tickets are horrifically expensive).
I wouldn't have thought it was worth it just for Mt Fuji though. When I went I spent a week in Kyoto, a day in Hiroshima, and a week in Tokyo, using the rail pass, and probably saved 50% on fares. That included the train from Narita airport too.
Oh yeah, you can't use it on the super fast Shinkansen trains either, but the normal ones are impressively fast and always on time anyway, so it doesn't really matter. I have to say using the Japanese rail network was one of the highlights of the trip
Spag you bitch!
If there is any chance you come across an old xbox game called METAL WOLF CHAOS (FROM SOFTWARE)...please get it for me!!!!! I'll give you chicken, beer and money for it.
Possibly the best trailer ever made. WELCOME, TO THE WHITE HOUSE! lol!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Genl242_ZU8
RICHAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRD!!!!!!
Its an overground only deal, but definitely worth it if you make a long trip (train tickets are horrifically expensive).
I wouldn't have thought it was worth it just for Mt Fuji though. When I went I spent a week in Kyoto, a day in Hiroshima, and a week in Tokyo, using the rail pass, and probably saved 50% on fares. That included the train from Narita airport too.
Oh yeah, you can't use it on the super fast Shinkansen trains either, but the normal ones are impressively fast and always on time anyway, so it doesn't really matter. I have to say using the Japanese rail network was one of the highlights of the trip
Oh yeah, I'll be getting the train to and from the airport as well. Hmm.
Aren't there different lengths of pass?
I vaguely recall a 3 day one? My imagination?
I reckon if you work it out it would make sense.
Not wanting to diss Fuji, but there are probably more rewarding places to visit if you are going that far. If I recall correctly, mount Fuji is a surprising distance away from megacity 3 (is it).
Any more useless hearsay and poorly remebered information just ask me.
Yeah, Mt Fuji is quite a distance. I looked at doing a visit, but the amount of travel involved did not seem like fun.
I think the JR Rail pass is sold as one week, two weeks, etc etc.
Yeah, I'm not too bothered about Fuji myself but the girlfriend was dead set on going, especially after she saw the hotel...
We could see it from our hotel when we was in Tokyo... well, at least that was what we were told, since we didn't see shit cause' of the smog, dammit.
It was only when we were flying back we ended up seeing it.
Oh, visit Yodobashi Akiba as well, across the road from Akihabra Station.
I swear, I could live there quite happily. It's beyond RIDICULOUS in there!
Oh, visit Yodobashi Akiba as well, across the road from Akihabra Station.
I swear, I could live there quite happily. It's beyond RIDICULOUS in there!
Innit! I spent near enough a whole afternoon in there! 0_0
Kaladron, I had a very similar view from the ryokan in Yudanaka. Though it obviously wasn't Mt. Fuji, the mountains were stunning.
If you get chance to go to Nara you HAVE to visit the Tōdai-ji temple. I swear down, it's breathtaking stuff!
Less than a week until I go. Nervous!
Anyone know of a good traveller's checklist to make sure I don't forget anything?
Rah! I forgot you were going to Japan, you'll love it man!
When I first went - I just decided to go on a complete random, didn't even plan it, just booked the tickets and a couple days later I was in Tokyo.
Didn't want to come back either T_T
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Yeah, I've been before but it was about 6 years ago and with my Dad. It's going to be VERY different this time!
Just make sure you have a big empty suitcase
Are you after buying/visiting anything in particular?
I have a big suitcase that'll be about a third full of clothes, loads of room free for goodies.
Not really planning to buy anything in particular, though I may pick up a cheap PS3 ready for when Valkyria Chronicles and MGS4 come out.
I'm intending to visit Mt Fuji, the Studio Ghibli Museum, Akihabara (of course) and whatever the girlfriend has planned. I think she wants to see some Kabuki theatre actually. It's not for me but I'll have to go anyway.
The Ghibli Museum is really just for kids, you'll be done in less than a morning. It is still worth a visit though - try and go on a sunny day to get the most out of the roof garden.
I'm a big kid, so it'll be cool. I need to go see that Laputa robot statue. NEED to.
For Spags and anyone else who's going. I just found an amazing website that lists a bunch of weird places to check out in Tokyo. It's just one guy's opinion but he seems to know his stuff and I've found about 10 new places I want to check out.
Good directions to everywhere from what I can work out.
http://www.hellodamage.com/tdr/travelguide.htm
Yay!
I'm just about to get the train to London, then it's off to Tokyo in the morning. Can't wait!
Will post pics and stories here upon my return.
Ash
enjoy it
Have a top time man, I've had to put the trip off as I need a chilled out holiday this year...wan't to hear all about it though!
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When's 'Wii Carlton' coming out?
Dont worry Spags - I'll gladly go in your place. Just send me an email when you get the tickets and hotel reservation sorted and I'll give you my address to send them to.
Always here to help, I'll send you back pictures.
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Still waiting to pop my Japan cherry. I can't see it happening anytime soon. 40 year old virgin is looking likely
Have a great time Kaladron. Can't wait to see the pics
Got back a couple of days ago. I'm shattered but had a brilliant time. And the suitcase came back about three times heavier than when it left.
I'll be putting the photos up on flickr some time this weekend.
Cool. Demand linkys when you have
Madbury: Japan == Awesome
Kaladron: Major Props
I've uploaded about half my pictures to Flickr. Will throw the rest up later.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25875949@N08/
That swan boat looks insane.
Yeah, it's creepy. Especially when it comes drifting out from the mist.
I didn't actually see a place where you could dock it, which leads me to believe it's Japan's equivalent of the Loch Ness monster.