Japan Travel |OT| We have to go back

Mills · Feb 21, 2019

I'm going mid March by myself, my first time there, staying in Shinjuku. Weather forecast looks quite cold compared to where I live, so I'll be bringing layers.

As someone who does not speak any Japanese, what is the best way to experience:

1. Anything weird or unique that you can only experience in Japan. I'm willing to spend money on the experience. I have the very boring: DisneySea, a cat cafe, Akihabara. I want weirder. I remember seeing a Vice episode where some guy got his ears cleaned by a girl. That's too weird but looking for strange things like that. I really like live/musical theater as well, taking any recommendations there too.

2. Japanese food (I don't eat fish but I am willing to try things while there). Street vendors? Just pick restaurants near the hotel? Ask the hotel staff? Is there anything that fits into #1 that isn't too outlandish?

3. Culture (modern over historical, but wouldn't mind a day spent on the historical)

4. Nightlife It would be nice to find an area that has a decent mix of foreigners and Japanese.

Thanks!! I'm excited!

MikeHattsu · Feb 21, 2019

Mills said:
1. Anything weird or unique that you can only experience in Japan. I'm willing to spend money on the experience. I have the very boring: DisneySea, a cat cafe, Akihabara. I want weirder. I remember seeing a Vice episode where some guy got his ears cleaned by a girl. That's too weird but looking for strange things like that. I really like live/musical theater as well, taking any recommendations there too.

Just go to Robot Restaurant :P

Mills said:
4. Nightlife It would be nice to find an area that has a decent mix of foreigners and Japanese.

Well, you're already staying in Shinjuku...

Mills · Feb 21, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
Just go to Robot Restaurant :P

Yeah I saw that one mentioned in my research, definitely going to check that out!

MikeHattsu said:
Well, you're already staying in Shinjuku...

Great, I picked there for that reason but wasn't certain...

nicoga3000 · Feb 21, 2019

Quick said:
You're welcome Skwinglos. It's been great here so far, I'm sure you'll have fun.

Anyone know which money exchange is most reliable? I'm trying to figure out where to get my money changed and I'm seeing conflicting info online.

Your bank will likely have the best exchange rate. We bank with Chase and got a solid rate when we did it.

Alternatively, open a Capitol One 360 account. We also did that and it was awesome. Deposit your currency in, no foreign transaction fees or ATM fees (from your end...I believe there was a small fee the Japanese ATM charged). So we just withdrew JPY from the conbini.

MMarston · Feb 21, 2019

Against my better judgement, I am in the pretty early steps of planning a second trip to Japan this summer somehow. So I'm looking for some ideas here, such as:

1. Obscure stuff in Tokyo that I might've missed but might be interesting to take a look the second time around. But not stuff that's too weird.

2. Osaka. I have never been to Osaka. I need recommendations for stuff in Osaka.

3. Any other underrated places elswehere in general, really.

mantis · Feb 21, 2019

Summer is hot in Japan. So maybe make a visit to Hokkaido? Should be at least a bit colder there in summer.

MikeHattsu · Feb 21, 2019

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...ket-struggles-attract-tourists-tuna-auctions/

The Toyosu wholesale market in Tokyo's Koto Ward has been struggling to attract visitors to watch tuna auctions even though a designated viewing area was opened about a month ago.

The now-defunct Tsukiji market had been flooded with people looking to witness its tuna auctions, which became a hugely popular event for domestic and foreign visitors alike.

The observation deck for the tuna auction was opened on Jan. 15 at Toyosu, but visitors need to apply in advance either online or over the phone.

If the number of people making applications tops the limit of 120 a day, successful applicants are selected at random.

The number of applicants, however, has been far below that threshold, apparently because applications must be made half a month before a visit and many people are unaware of the system. In addition, some of the successful applicants have failed to show up on their scheduled day.

Up to five people can apply as a group, but the names of all visitors must be submitted. This requirement is also believed to be dragging down the number of applicants.

Many foreign visitors are instead going to a passage on the second floor of the Toyosu market's wholesale building, where the auction can be viewed without making any prior arrangements.

Probably not helped that Toyosu is further away than Tsukiji as well :P

MMarston · Feb 21, 2019

mantis said:
Summer is hot in Japan. So maybe make a visit to Hokkaido? Should be at least a bit colder there in summer.

Asian summers are far from new to me lol and I was already there for summer 2017, so I definitely know what I'm in for.

Although, Hokkaido looks great scenery wise so I'll put it on the list anyways.

MikeHattsu said:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...ket-struggles-attract-tourists-tuna-auctions/
Probably not helped that Toyosu is further away than Tsukiji as well :P

I guarantee that half the reason more people went to the former location was because of the general area's character despite being as unsanitary as it is now for the auction.

I mean, this atmosphere looks like that so-called "authentic, grounded" Japanese experience that most tourists become suckers for.

This is just looks like a boring, sterile field trip.

Deleted member 36135 · Feb 21, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...ket-struggles-attract-tourists-tuna-auctions/
Probably not helped that Toyosu is further away than Tsukiji as well :P

I'm sure those scheduling issues don't help, but when I looked on Google maps it seems a bit harder to get in and out when compare to the old place.

MikeHattsu · Feb 21, 2019

Skwinglos said:
I'm sure those scheduling issues don't help, but when I looked on Google maps it seems a bit harder to get in and out when compare to the old place.

It's alright if you're going to Odaiba as well, but otherwise it's kinda a pain.

Deleted member 36135 · Feb 22, 2019

Whelp, booked the last spot for the Mario Kart thingy on Sunday.
Should be cool!

Deleted member 31873 · Feb 22, 2019

Hi again Japan Era, I'm wondering if anyone can advise on travelling with tattoos in Japan?

I've booked two weeks for my parents and I in September, but my dad has a tattoo on each arm (between his wrists and elbows). I know it's not possible to use public onsen, gyms, etc. but I'm getting a lot of conflicting information online regarding other places. In particular, we've booked one night in a Ryokan in Hakone, and I recently learned that many Ryokan's will refuse guests with tattoos. We're also planning to visit some temples too.

Are the tattoo's likely to cause any problems for my dad in Japan?

MikeHattsu · Feb 22, 2019

MartinB105 said:
Are the tattoo's likely to cause any problems for my dad in Japan?

Tattoos should be fine in most ryokans as long as you stay away from the public baths. Some are allowing them at the baths now too, but it's best to check directly with the one you've booked to be safe. Other places that doesn't involve bathing or swimming should be fine.

Laevateinn · Feb 22, 2019

MartinB105 said:
Hi again Japan Era, I'm wondering if anyone can advise on travelling with tattoos in Japan?

I've booked two weeks for my parents and I in September, but my dad has a tattoo on each arm (between his wrists and elbows). I know it's not possible to use public onsen, gyms, etc. but I'm getting a lot of conflicting information online regarding other places. In particular, we've booked one night in a Ryokan in Hakone, and I recently learned that many Ryokan's will refuse guests with tattoos. We're also planning to visit some temples too.

Are the tattoo's likely to cause any problems for my dad in Japan?

You should content the Ryokan. My wife and I have tattoos -- tattoos that we got in Japan -- and booked a fancy Ryokan outside of Kyoto. The only bath they had was a shared one that had a no tattoo sign. We had to try to bathe using our room sink and were pretty stinky after our three day stay.

Deleted member 31873 · Feb 22, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
Tattoos should be fine in most ryokans as long as you stay away from the public baths. Some are allowing them at the baths now too, but it's best to check directly with the one you've booked to be safe. Other places that doesn't involve bathing or swimming should be fine.

Laevateinn said:
You should content the Ryokan. My wife and I have tattoos -- tattoos that we got in Japan -- and booked a fancy Ryokan outside of Kyoto. The only bath they had was a shared one that had a no tattoo sign. We had to try to bathe using our room sink and were pretty stinky after our three day stay.

Thanks, apparently the room only has a toilet and sink, but there are private onsen that can be booked for a fee, although I'm not sure my parents are that keen to experience the onsen anyway (it was my idea to stay at a Ryokan). I guess it should be OK for one night.

Laevateinn · Feb 22, 2019

MartinB105 said:
Thanks, apparently the room only has a toilet and sink, but there are private onsen that can be booked for a fee, although I'm not sure my parents are that keen to experience the onsen anyway (it was my idea to stay at a Ryokan). I guess it should be OK for one night.

Enquire about that fee. He probably doesn't want to spend 40 a night just to bathe

Deleted member 36135 · Feb 23, 2019

Whelp for some initial currency exchange I hit up one of the places outside customs in terminal 1 and it was a 2% fee from the rate I checked before my flight departed, which seems totally reasonable to me

Deleted member 36135 · Feb 23, 2019

Tehe! It's really setting in! Japan is sooo damn cool! On the Narita express to Shinigawa station! Already grabbed some vending machine drinks, sooo good!

mantis · Feb 23, 2019

Grab a melon soda (the green stuff), if you haven't tried one before.

Deleted member 36135 · Feb 23, 2019

The last machine didn't seem to have that one but I'll keep my eyes peeled for it!

Deleted member 36135 · Feb 23, 2019

Oh yeah picking up the wifi hot spot from the WiFi Rental Store linked in the OP was very straight forward. Just gave my name, password, and picking up from that particular brand and they had the envelope to me in about 5 seconds. Very neat delivery, came very clean and fully charged. Worked instantly.

MikeHattsu · Feb 23, 2019

Skwinglos said:
The last machine didn't seem to have that one but I'll keep my eyes peeled for it!

You can get it in 7-Eleven as well. Fanta Melon Soda.

mantis · Feb 23, 2019

I like the Suntory one better. But Fanta works too. And I can't recommend the one with the vanilla ice cream (float) in it.

MikeHattsu · Feb 23, 2019

mantis said:
And I can't recommend the one with the vanilla ice cream (float) in it.

Yeah, that one is terrible.

nicoga3000 · Feb 23, 2019

Skwinglos said:
Tehe! It's really setting in! Japan is sooo damn cool! On the Narita express to Shinigawa station! Already grabbed some vending machine drinks, sooo good!

If you're a fan of coffee, try one or two vending machine coffee drinks. Then never touch them again because they're weak and horrible, haha.

So excited for your trip!

Laevateinn · Feb 23, 2019

nicoga3000 said:
If you're a fan of coffee, try one or two vending machine coffee drinks. Then never touch them again because they're weak and horrible, haha.

So excited for your trip!

I'll be back in Japan a week from now and this is what I'm least looking forward to. I drink a liter of strong, black coffee a day and am going to have trouble getting by on the shitty weak coffee that they have everywhere there. Hopefully I can find a really nice coffee shop this time that's not too far away.

Deleted member 36135 · Feb 24, 2019

Whew, Mario Kart was a blast
Face hurts from all the smiling
What an amazing experience
Can't recommend it enough

Quick · Feb 24, 2019

So I'm heading out to Hiroshima in a few days and just wanted to confirm my route with people here.

It'll be Tokyo station to Shin Osaka station, then transfer to a train to Hiroshima.

I have a JR Pass.

MikeHattsu · Feb 24, 2019

Quick said:
So I'm heading out to Hiroshima in a few days and just wanted to confirm my route with people here.

It'll be Tokyo station to Shin Osaka station, then transfer to a train to Hiroshima.

I have a JR Pass.

Yes, that is correct. Both are Shinkansen train so don't leave the Shinkansen area when transferring. And remember not to get on any Nozomi or Mizuho ones :p

Valkerion · Feb 25, 2019

Mills said:
I'm going mid March by myself, my first time there, staying in Shinjuku. Weather forecast looks quite cold compared to where I live, so I'll be bringing layers.

As someone who does not speak any Japanese, what is the best way to experience:

1. Anything weird or unique that you can only experience in Japan. I'm willing to spend money on the experience. I have the very boring: DisneySea, a cat cafe, Akihabara. I want weirder. I remember seeing a Vice episode where some guy got his ears cleaned by a girl. That's too weird but looking for strange things like that. I really like live/musical theater as well, taking any recommendations there too.

2. Japanese food (I don't eat fish but I am willing to try things while there). Street vendors? Just pick restaurants near the hotel? Ask the hotel staff? Is there anything that fits into #1 that isn't too outlandish?

3. Culture (modern over historical, but wouldn't mind a day spent on the historical)

4. Nightlife It would be nice to find an area that has a decent mix of foreigners and Japanese.

Thanks!! I'm excited!

1. Depends what you mean ... -shiftyeyedlook-

Seriously though, Japan is, well a normal place believe it or not haha. It's honestly like your home, just as weird as you are/what you look for. If your into maid cafes you can find and go to a maid cafe but the majority of people living here never been or would probably want to go type thing. Just don't be that person who goes into a porn store to gawk at the -gasp- porn lol. Like seriously could do stuff like that in your home town (not sure why its a compelling thing for tourists here)

2. Depends where you go. There are not so many street vendors in most main parts of Tokyo. You can see them in some spots though. Look for/ask for a decent Yatai area (street vendors, but generally you can sit down at their stands at night.)

If you want something that fits 1 & 2 I would have suggested Alcatraz ER, but seems like it closed a few months ago. I think there are other fun themed places like that somewhere though. Google will be your friend in that case.

3. Once again depends what your into exactly. Can visit the various temples and shrines, museaums for various things like classic art, modern things like cars and so on. Most are pretty cheap so I'd research what you would be wanting to see first and go from there.

4. Nightlife with a mix of people, Roppongi is the default for that. What are you looking for clubs or bars? small crowds or big ones? Either way I'd say Roppongi, Shibuya, and Shinjuku are your bets in that regard, though any of the major districts are good for it in general to be fair.

Trace · Feb 25, 2019

So my next trip will be in mid-September (was just in Japan in December but got a flight deal I couldn't pass up on), is there anything in particular going on that time of year? I'm not sure if I'll be in Tokyo, Hokkaido or Kyushu but are there any festivals or things like that I should look out for?

Mills · Feb 25, 2019

Valkerion said:
1. Depends what you mean ... -shiftyeyedlook-

Seriously though, Japan is, well a normal place believe it or not haha. It's honestly like your home, just as weird as you are/what you look for. If your into maid cafes you can find and go to a maid cafe but the majority of people living here never been or would probably want to go type thing. Just don't be that person who goes into a porn store to gawk at the -gasp- porn lol. Like seriously could do stuff like that in your home town (not sure why its a compelling thing for tourists here)

Hey thanks for your responses. I don't know that maid cafes are really what I'm looking for, I didn't mean to imply by the example that it was supposed to cater to some weird fetish, just that it was totally off the wall and made no sense to me. I'm trying to come up with some examples from other trips... I've seen some really cool festivals in different countries where they walk across the town and then have a big show of dancing and music at the end. I've seen some live theater of local plays done by amateur actors/actresses where you get to meet and discuss the play with them afterward. I took a day trip on a lobster boat in Maine and learned about the day to day of a lobster fisherman. I like touring and learning about places with little known strange or sordid histories like some of the asylums in the New Orleans areas. I had a lot of fun doing the walking tour of Florence since there's tons of history there with some very impressive architecture. Hopefully that is more illustrative? I just like learning what it's like to be Japanese from some of the varied and more interesting perspectives.

Valkerion said:
2. Depends where you go. There are not so many street vendors in most main parts of Tokyo. You can see them in some spots though. Look for/ask for a decent Yatai area (street vendors, but generally you can sit down at their stands at night.)

If you want something that fits 1 & 2 I would have suggested Alcatraz ER, but seems like it closed a few months ago. I think there are other fun themed places like that somewhere though. Google will be your friend in that case.

Cool I'll look into it.

Valkerion said:
3. Once again depends what your into exactly. Can visit the various temples and shrines, museaums for various things like classic art, modern things like cars and so on. Most are pretty cheap so I'd research what you would be wanting to see first and go from there.

Yeah I'll peruse the museum and museum-like areas. I'll look further into it, but I'm still kind of ignorant as to the historical or modern purposes of the shrines. Might be a good chance to learn I guess, I just don't want to spend a day walking through and looking at things but not learning much.

Valkerion said:
4. Nightlife with a mix of people, Roppongi is the default for that. What are you looking for clubs or bars? small crowds or big ones? Either way I'd say Roppongi, Shibuya, and Shinjuku are your bets in that regard, though any of the major districts are good for it in general to be fair.

Small crowds. Bars, any places to meet new people. I'll look deeper into the differences there.

Thanks again!

MikeHattsu · Feb 25, 2019

Trace said:
So my next trip will be in mid-September (was just in Japan in December but got a flight deal I couldn't pass up on), is there anything in particular going on that time of year? I'm not sure if I'll be in Tokyo, Hokkaido or Kyushu but are there any festivals or things like that I should look out for?

TGS? :P

Some festivals listed here:
https://www.japanvisitor.com/japanese-festivals/festival-september

Mills said:
I'm trying to come up with some examples from other trips... I've seen some really cool festivals in different countries where they walk across the town and then have a big show of dancing and music at the end. I've seen some live theater of local plays done by amateur actors/actresses where you get to meet and discuss the play with them afterward. I took a day trip on a lobster boat in Maine and learned about the day to day of a lobster fisherman. I like touring and learning about places with little known strange or sordid histories like some of the asylums in the New Orleans areas. I had a lot of fun doing the walking tour of Florence since there's tons of history there with some very impressive architecture. Hopefully that is more illustrative? I just like learning what it's like to be Japanese from some of the varied and more interesting perspectives.

I'll look further into it, but I'm still kind of ignorant as to the historical or modern purposes of the shrines. Might be a good chance to learn I guess, I just don't want to spend a day walking through and looking at things but not learning much.

Just look up tours and stuff on Japanican, Veltra, Govoyagin or something then.

Edit: Oh, and check Atlas Obscura.

nocontent · Feb 25, 2019

Did someone visit Central Japan (Honshu) during June, this year it was the only time slot available for me and it's better than not going at all. So I would like to know if someone got hands-on experience with the arguably rain-heaviest month in the year. How bad is it and do you have rain all day long or intense but short downpours!?

moonbeam · Feb 25, 2019

Any fried chicken recommendations in Tokyo? :) Doesn't have to be Japanese in style, Korean would also be good.

Deleted member 11822 · Feb 26, 2019

We arrived in Tokyo from Kyoto last night, and we are now staying in Asakusa.

We are officially overwhelmed with what we should do! Our main destination today is elementary school coffee (South of Shibuya) other than that ???.
Already agreed that the unicorn Gundam is not worth the trip today.

We are here for 2.5 days, and like to pick destinations in a city then explore around the area. Help me get some semblance of a plan era!

Darth Pinche · Feb 26, 2019

moonbeam said:
Any fried chicken recommendations in Tokyo? :) Doesn't have to be Japanese in style, Korean would also be good.

I'm kidding, but the Colonel is quite popular there. Each location had the Colonel in different outfits. This was in Kyoto.

mantis · Feb 27, 2019

Luchadeer said:
We arrived in Tokyo from Kyoto last night, and we are now staying in Asakusa.

We are officially overwhelmed with what we should do! Our main destination today is elementary school coffee (South of Shibuya) other than that ???.
Already agreed that the unicorn Gundam is not worth the trip today.

We are here for 2.5 days, and like to pick destinations in a city then explore around the area. Help me get some semblance of a plan era!

You could head to Nikko or Kamakura for a day trip.

moonbeam · Feb 27, 2019

Darth Pinche said:
I'm kidding, but the Colonel is quite popular there. Each location had the Colonel in different outfits. This was in Kyoto.

If I was going at Christmas time I might partake :)

MikeHattsu · Feb 27, 2019

moonbeam said:
If I was going at Christmas time I might partake :)

I did that. He was dressed as Santa then ;p

Vern · Feb 27, 2019

Hi people...

Thinking about going to Japan to see the Cherry Blossoms this spring. I'll likely be in China Mainland or Taiwan during March so travel to Japan isn't difficult. I am pretty open. I could go tomorrow or I can go next week or month or whatever. I don't need advice on any of that.

Main thing I need advice on I guess is, what are the best places to see the blossoms? For me I prefer natural places, with less crowds... I know that can be tough in Japan especially during this season. Ideally I'd go somewhere with hiking, mountains, rivers, that sort of thing. I could spend a week or a month, totally open. If there are good spots in the south and good spots way up north over the course of the next couple months I can make multiple trips if I feel like it. So feel free to suggest anythng and everything, anywhere in Japan. If it's hard to get to that's even better, but please let me know how to get there.

Also any other advice on Japan is appreciated. I've been once before, to Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto and Mt Fuji. I don't plan to spend any time in any of those places again unless there is something particularly special about these places or near these places during this season. I'm also down to rent a car or motorbike to travel around, if those are good ways to get off the main paths.

Thanks!

MikeHattsu · Feb 27, 2019

Vern said:
Main thing I need advice on I guess is, what are the best places to see the blossoms? For me I prefer natural places, with less crowds...

There's gonna be crowds everywhere :P

But, how about Mount Yoshino?

http://www.yoshinoyama-sakura.jp/english/index.htm

Vern · Feb 27, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
There's gonna be crowds everywhere :P

But, how about Mount Yoshino?

http://www.yoshinoyama-sakura.jp/english/index.htm

Yeah I know :( I'm used to it, been in China like 7 years, just hope there might be some places off the main tourist trail that are harder to get to. I'm happy to go to villages or towns or off camping somewhere.

And yea Mt Yoshino looks not too bad, has 8 km of walking paths at least. Thanks for the suggestion!

KINGOFSHIBUYA Ltd. · Feb 27, 2019

Just got back again, and Im having a hard time dealing with being back in the US. I think I want to move.

Still havent posted pictures from my other trip, but I might post some from this previous trip.

Kyoto is dope, and I need to explore it more.

IrishNinja · Feb 28, 2019

okay, so just under the one month mark for our hanami trip, and we've got hotels lined up & a rough schedule of what city on what day, just trying to iron out specifics & open to suggestions here! here's what it looks like so far

3/24 - landing in tokyo, prolly kinda tired so prolly a ramen spot & something not too far from our hotel in shinagawa

3/25 - akibahara! possibly ikebukuro too? if we're up early, is doing both in a day feasible?

3/26 - hitting up kabuchiko in shinjuku because i need to see kamurocho! no idea what all to do after taking a thousand yakuza shots though (and finding whatever passes for club sega)

3/27 - off to shin osaka, and whatever's a good spot for hanami

3/28 - osaka castle, and more osaka stuff?

3/29 - okay so this part i'm fuzzy on: we're heading to kyoto, but at some point i'd like to (respectfully) pass by aokigahara for our podcast. ideally, this'd be when we don't have bags we're carrying though...so yeah, no idea when to fit this in

3/30 - Gion, Yokai Street

3/31 - Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama?

and the next 2 days back in Tokyo before leaving on 4/3. i know (mostly from this thread!) to check for super potato (especially in osaka!) for retro gaming stuff, and was recommended Disk Union for records...i think my girl wants to see the robot restaraunt, and is open to ramen/eatery recommendations. i'm gonna find generic stuff for bath houses, cat/owl/what have you cafes and karaoke bars, hoping for good temples/shrines/bamboo forest in kyoto and some more unique experiences about, she was talking about somewhere she'd found to see sumos training in the morning as well.

what do y'all think?

mantis · Feb 28, 2019

Instead of Osaka castle I would recommend to visit Himeji castle.

MikeHattsu · Feb 28, 2019

IrishNinja said:
3/25 - akibahara! possibly ikebukuro too? if we're up early, is doing both in a day feasible?

3/26 - hitting up kabuchiko in shinjuku because i need to see kamurocho! no idea what all to do after taking a thousand yakuza shots though (and finding whatever passes for club sega)

Well, it depends on how interested you're in the stuff you find in Akihabara. Some can spend several days there, while others are fine with just a few hours. It's possible to do both, but you might get exhausted from all the walking and stairs at the end of the day :P

Shinjuku is much closer to Ikebukuro than Akihabara is though, so if you don't go there on the first day, then you could visit before/after going to Shinjuku.

IrishNinja said:
3/29 - okay so this part i'm fuzzy on: we're heading to kyoto, but at some point i'd like to (respectfully) pass by aokigahara for our podcast. ideally, this'd be when we don't have bags we're carrying though...so yeah, no idea when to fit this in

It's closer to Tokyo than Kyoto, but in any case it'll take at least 3 hours just to get there, even from Tokyo.

Edit: Would be about 5 hours one way from Kyoto.

Quick · Feb 28, 2019

I personally found Akihabara interesting on the surface, but nothing really interested me there enough to spend more than an afternoon there at first. At most, I almost bought a pair of headphones, but I really didn't need it lol.

I did spend at least an hour each in two separate days. One, to see if maybe a second impression would be better; and two, my roommate wanted to go to one of the electronics stores and I went with him.

Laevateinn · Feb 28, 2019

I managed to convince my wife that we don't need to spend a whole day going to and from Sakaiminato. We're going to Jindaiji instead which is much more reasonable and has a dedicated GeGeGe shop.

We leave tomorrow morning. I'm excited, of course, but I feel like we've packed too much travel into our trip. We're doing Tokyo->Osaka->Fukuoka->Osaka->Tokyo. It should be fine but the first week is probably going to be stressful and difficult to fit in retro game shopping. Speaking of which, any recommendations for Fukuoka (game shopping or otherwise)?

IrishNinja said:
okay, so just under the one month mark for our hanami trip, and we've got hotels lined up & a rough schedule of what city on what day, just trying to iron out specifics & open to suggestions here! here's what it looks like so far

3/24 - landing in tokyo, prolly kinda tired so prolly a ramen spot & something not too far from our hotel in shinagawa

3/25 - akibahara! possibly ikebukuro too? if we're up early, is doing both in a day feasible?

3/26 - hitting up kabuchiko in shinjuku because i need to see kamurocho! no idea what all to do after taking a thousand yakuza shots though (and finding whatever passes for club sega)

3/27 - off to shin osaka, and whatever's a good spot for hanami

3/28 - osaka castle, and more osaka stuff?

3/29 - okay so this part i'm fuzzy on: we're heading to kyoto, but at some point i'd like to (respectfully) pass by aokigahara for our podcast. ideally, this'd be when we don't have bags we're carrying though...so yeah, no idea when to fit this in

3/30 - Gion, Yokai Street

3/31 - Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama?

and the next 2 days back in Tokyo before leaving on 4/3. i know (mostly from this thread!) to check for super potato (especially in osaka!) for retro gaming stuff, and was recommended Disk Union for records...i think my girl wants to see the robot restaraunt, and is open to ramen/eatery recommendations. i'm gonna find generic stuff for bath houses, cat/owl/what have you cafes and karaoke bars, hoping for good temples/shrines/bamboo forest in kyoto and some more unique experiences about, she was talking about somewhere she'd found to see sumos training in the morning as well.

what do y'all think?

There's tons of good recommendations but a couple that stand out to me are Mutekiya in Ikebukuro and the place with a dragon (you can't miss it) in Dotonbori.

For hanami, there's a really nice park we stumbled upon on our first trip that I think was near Sumida river. Chiyoda (near the imperial palace) was also nice.

Seconding Himeji. It's a very impressive castle. If you're packed for time, don't do the walk-through because it's dark and it's basically just circling around going up several stairs until you reach a small shrine surrounded by hundreds of tourists but the grounds and the area around it are really cool. You can get there from Shin Osaka on the Shinkansen in about a half hour. The walk to the castle is pretty neat as well.

MikeHattsu · Feb 28, 2019

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...gers-japan-hit-record-88-59-million-2018-jta/

The estimated number of foreign guests at hotels and other types of accommodations in the country hit a record 88.59 million in 2018, the Japan Tourism Agency said Thursday.

The figure surpassed 80 million for the first time as the government steps up efforts to draw foreign visitors for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

By country and region, China accounted for the largest number of overnight guests at 20.94 million, or 26.5 percent of the total, followed by Taiwan at 11.47 million, or 14.5 percent, and South Korea at 11.26 million, or 14.2 percent. Hong Kong was fourth at 5.94 million and the United States fifth at 5.33 million.

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