|
I'll be in Tokyo from the 19th-22nd. I'm hoping to watch some of the Grand Sumo tournament while there. 1) How hard is it to get same day General Admission tickets? I'll plan to arrive at the box office when it opens - around 8AM - but do I need to worry about a queue forming and getting there super early? 2) I've read that even with GA tickets, if you arrive before prime viewing hours, it's sort of common to wander up to the front (the Arena Seats A) area and watch from there until the actual ticket holder shows up. Is this true? Thanks!
|
#
?
Sep 2, 2012 04:49
|
|
|
|
| # ? Jun 2, 2024 03:51 |
|
|
Sheep posted:Thumbnail that image, jesus chrst. Thanks. I knew they were shochu, but they were quite nice. I really appreciate the assistance with identifying the brewery.
|
|
#
?
Sep 3, 2012 00:15
|
|
|
FLOOR_MASTER posted:I'll be in Tokyo from the 19th-22nd. I'm hoping to watch some of the Grand Sumo tournament while there. I would imagine fairly easy on a weekday, and no idea on the weekends. We went to Fukuoka's in 2010 and got there early and saw a few short lines of people still buying tickets, and that was a Sunday. But Tokyo is Tokyo, so who knows. If you have a lot of interest in sumo in general, we've got another thread going year-round in SAS
|
|
#
?
Sep 4, 2012 15:01
|
|
|
FLOOR_MASTER posted:1) How hard is it to get same day General Admission tickets? I'll plan to arrive at the box office when it opens - around 8AM - but do I need to worry about a queue forming and getting there super early? 2.It used to be true, and I think still is at the non-Tokyo tournaments, but for the past year or two there's been a crackdown on ticket-checking after a convoluted scandal where some yakuza guys sat in the front row and got shown on national TV. If you have a ticket for the lower level you should still be able to move up front, but if your ticket is for the upper level (i.e. the cheap seats) you're probably out of luck.
|
|
#
?
Sep 4, 2012 21:20
|
|
|
Need advice. I may need to go to Japan for business trip at the end of October to Yokohama area. Since this is an internal company conference I'll be busy for the whole day and the main question I am facing now - should I take my wife with me or not? We wanted to visit Japan for a long time and this looks like an excellent opportunity - we are thinking about taking a short vacation afterwards and travel around, but I am concerned whether she would "survive" for 3-4 days alone. Staying in the hotel room waiting for me is always an option, but sitting for four days inside may be painful. So, the main question is - do you think a white female in early 30's will be able to walk around this area for few days comfortably alone? I still remember staying in the middle of Tiananmen Square and that feeling that all Chinese are looking at you. Not that we care a lot, but still it's a bit stressful and I am not sure if Japan is different. Overall it looks like there are quite a few tourist attractions near this hotel, so I assume the locals should be accustomed to foreigners. And related question - can you actually walk around Yokohama Bay area?
|
|
#
?
Sep 6, 2012 16:21
|
|
|
That area is basically a huge shopping mall and convention center. You'd have trouble getting people to glance at you once. I'd be more concerned that she would get really, really bored. She should probably take the chance to take a side trip somewhere while you're working. Or she could just explore Tokyo or something.
|
|
#
?
Sep 6, 2012 16:28
|
|
|
Exergy posted:
Absolutely. Yokohama is a really easily walkable and accessible town. She'll be totally comfortable there; I wouldn't be at all concerned about safety. Mostly I agree that for probably the first day/two days Yokohama will seem super exciting and cool, and then it may get boring real quick. Thankfully Tokyo isn't hard at all to get to from there, nor would places like Hakone or Kamakura be difficult to get to at all. Do it! Also historically Yokohama is extremely accustomed to foreigners. Look up the history of the area; it's actually very interesting.
|
|
#
?
Sep 6, 2012 16:39
|
|
|
I agree with Riptor, the only real problem is that she may get bored on her own, especially if she's not used to travelling on her own. Otherwise, there's plenty of stuff to keep her occupied and Tokyo is literally only about 30-40 minutes away.
|
|
#
?
Sep 6, 2012 17:03
|
|
|
Riptor posted:Thankfully Tokyo isn't hard at all to get to from there, nor would places like Hakone or Kamakura be difficult to get to at all. Do it! Seconded. Tokyo may be a bit overwhelming for her on her own, but Kamakura and Hakone would be two amazing day trips for her if she gets cabin fever. Unless of course, you would rather do that together with her after your business is finished. Both places are very easy to orient just by following the steady trickle of people. The classic Hakone loop is very popular especially, and late October would be great for getting a chance to see Mt Fuji. The leaves in Kanto might not quite be turning, though. Kamakura is fairly easy to navigate too, but takes a bit more time to plan if you go off the beaten path.
|
|
#
?
Sep 6, 2012 18:52
|
|
|
Thank you all for suggestions. Yes, we obviously want to go together to any major attraction, so she'll stick to Yokohama. From what I understood it should be enough for 2-3 days and then we'll see if she needs anything else.
|
|
#
?
Sep 6, 2012 19:50
|
|
|
I'm going to be going on a working holiday in Japan in about 5 weeks and I was wondering if there were any other Canadians (or aussies/kiwis) that have done the same, and what their experiences were like. I'll have a six month working visa. I have a few questions. Was it easy to find work and accommodation? I'm good with people and haven't had any problems with interviews and such, however, I don't speak any japanese nor do I have a university degree. I've heard from others that it's easy to find work in Japan as a native english speaker even without a degree. For reference I am an early 20s Caucasian male, attractive and about 5'8". What resources did you use for your resume, getting set up and such when you first arrived in Japan, and are there any major expat/working holiday communities or resources I should be aware of? I'm excited about my holiday in Japan but want to make sure I have all the kinks worked out. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
#
?
Sep 7, 2012 01:02
|
|
|
Exergy posted:Thank you all for suggestions. Yes, we obviously want to go together to any major attraction, so she'll stick to Yokohama. From what I understood it should be enough for 2-3 days and then we'll see if she needs anything else. Yokohama goon here. Like others have said, Yokohama is a great city, very comfortable and very walkable (just plan your trips up and down the Bluff, unless you like hills!). Your wife needn't have any concerns about getting around safely by herself. Feel free to PM me (or post in this thread) if you have any questions. I'm a history buff, too, so if you're looking for pointers on what to see in that regard, I would be happy to tell you what I know/have seen.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2012 15:13
|
|
|
Hey team, I'm now putting the finishing touches to the plan for my 2-week Japan trip at the end of the month and think I have most things worked out. I'm going to be approaching this trip as I do most trips by embracing my role as an enthusiastic but stupid tourist and have just read about Akihabara on travel wiki - I know almost nothing about anime but I enjoy a good arcade game and weird themed restauarant as much as anyone so it looks like good times - the current plan is to go on a Sunday (before the Swallows Giants game at the Tokyo Dome!) which is apparently when they pedestrianise the main street and it fills with cosplayers and the like. If I see some people in particularly awesome/hilarious/weird costumes are they going to be offenced/confused/weirded-out if I ask to have a photo with them? I know that they're just regular people with a hobby rather than the people you get in Red Square or Hollywood that dress up in order for people to pay for photos with them so I've no idea what their attitude to that kind of thing would be and while I think it'd be a cool photo to have I also don't want to upset anyone.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2012 17:59
|
|
|
For the most part they hang out like that in order to be seen/noticed, so as long as you're polite they aren't going to mind. The worst that can happen is that they say no, after all.
|
|
#
?
Sep 9, 2012 18:28
|
|
|
Jeremys Iron posted:Hey team, I'm now putting the finishing touches to the plan for my 2-week Japan trip at the end of the month and think I have most things worked out. I've been to Akihabara on a Sunday a few times but I don't think I've ever come across any cosplayers there. I suppose I may have gone at the wrong time/to the wrong place though. If you want to see a lot of cosplayers, you might want to head to the Tokyo Dome a bit earlier as the attached 'Tokyo Dome City' seems to be where cosplayers hang out on Sundays.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2012 01:04
|
|
|
I tried to take a picture with a girl in Akihabara and 20 guys dressed as Naruto beat me up and dragged me into the maid dungeon. Vigilance is required. I don't remember seeing any cosplayers either but there are maid cafe girls all over. And sex shops full of truly bizarre devices that are very much worth browsing. You'll have nightmares for days.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2012 01:11
|
|
|
I thought Harajuku was the place to be on Sunday if you want to see weird outfits? Maybe that's a different kind of weird. Akihabara is definitely an experience the first time you head there. If you wander through the dark corners you will find some truly bizarre things: strange sex shops and figurine stores and just endless porn. A thousand stereotypes about Japan can play out before your very eyes. Of course, I think maid cafes (and idol culture for that matter) are weird as hell, so maybe I'm just too prudish/Western for Akihabara.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2012 04:11
|
|
|
Harajuku is more on the fashion side of weird rather than the anime/videogame side of it. One other thing you might see in Akihabara on a Sunday are a group of guys near the gundam and and cafes with folders full of idol pictures. What their aim is I'm not sure but they were there. As Gleri said, that place will 'cobfirm' a lot of Japan's more negative stereotypes.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2012 05:29
|
|
|
DiscoJ posted:Harajuku is more on the fashion side of weird rather than the anime/videogame side of it. That is where the AKB48 Cafe is located, and the crowd are the fans waiting to get into the cafe. It's so popular you actually have to wait in line to take turns to go in. AKB 48 is like this idol supergroup that's crazy popular in Japan right now, but the wiki can tell you more about them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKB48 I guess all that obsession may be a bit unhealthy, but they look like ok dudes having some fun. The only things that really threw me off in Akihabara was that 7 floor sex emporium with high pitched porn playing at full blast everywhere and the 2.5 kg curry set in Go Go Curry. They actually weighed that loving thing and timed you as you ate. It was daunting.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2012 08:58
|
|
|
DiscoJ posted:I've been to Akihabara on a Sunday a few times but I don't think I've ever come across any cosplayers there. I suppose I may have gone at the wrong time/to the wrong place though. WikiTravel posted:On Sundays, the main thoroughfare Chūō-dōri is closed to vehicles, and it turns into an unofficial stage for cosplayers (people dressed up as cartoon characters) and local bands to strut their stuff. Sadly, this is not as populated as it once was following a bizarre 2008 incident where a knife-wielding lunatic went around stabbing people at random, but the cosplayers are slowly returning. I'll actually be going to the Tokyo Dome area on a Sunday anyway to see a baseball game so I may well end up getting my quota there.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2012 09:51
|
|
|
Morgenthau posted:The only things that really threw me off in Akihabara was that 7 floor sex emporium with high pitched porn playing at full blast everywhere and the 2.5 kg curry set in Go Go Curry. Heh, Go Go Curry is actually from Kanazawa, we're kind of known for our curry culture. Another restaurant has a challenge where if you eat 10kg of Curry in an hour you win 10man. I don't think anyone has successfully completed it, I can't even imagine what the drat thing looks like.
|
|
#
?
Sep 10, 2012 14:16
|
|
|
Morgenthau posted:That is where the AKB48 Cafe is located, and the crowd are the fans waiting to get into the cafe. It's so popular you actually have to wait in line to take turns to go in. There is nothing even verging on innocent fun when it comes to men over the age of 14 enjoying AKB48.
|
|
#
?
Sep 11, 2012 04:56
|
|
|
I am OK posted:There is nothing even verging on innocent fun when it comes to men over the age of 14 enjoying AKB48. Jesus Christ, watching my varied, married bosses moon over any Japanese idols pretty makes me hate all Japanese males over 28. Liking AKB48 (with its often of legal age, often ugly membership) is a lot less creepy than liking some of the 12 year idol groups. Also Maeda has a dead ringer making porn now, so that's cool.
|
|
#
?
Sep 12, 2012 15:09
|
|
EVERYTHING I SAY ABOUT JAPAN OR LIVING IN JAPAN IS COMPLETELY WRONG, BUT YOU BETTER BELIEVE I'LL 
ABOUT IT.
|
Yeah, seeing the girls that are sexualized in Korea makes me uncomfortable too. 17 year olds made to look 14. 
|
|
#
?
Sep 12, 2012 15:57
|
|
|
Toussaint Louverture posted:Yeah, seeing the girls that are sexualized in Korea makes me uncomfortable too. 17 year olds made to look 14. Totally unrelated but can you explain why the "burberry man" thing is so common there. That poo poo blows my mind. ESL cafe discussion for those not in the know.
|
|
#
?
Sep 12, 2012 22:56
|
|
|
Sheep posted:Totally unrelated but can you explain why the "burberry man" thing is so common there. That poo poo blows my mind. ESL cafe discussion for those not in the know. Sex crime isn't a crime, Korean sexuality is hosed up like in Japan, and the police do not do anything ever. I had a friend who worked at a girls' middle school, there was a guy who would come watch them on the playground and beat off. The other teachers weren't really paying attention to it, when she finally called the cops their response was "Yeah he does that, don't worry about it".
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2012 00:03
|
|
|
The wife and I are going to be in the Osaka/Nara/Kyoto/Kobe area for about a week at the end of December, does anyone have any good recommendations for stuff to do? We've looked at guidebooks and tourist information stuff, I'd be more interested if someone living in there could recommend some stuff out of the way that they enjoy. Any favorite restaurants/hangouts/activities? We are mostly going to be staying in Osaka but will probably do day trips to the other cities. Thanks.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2012 01:39
|
|
|
Himeji Castle is a great place for a half-day trip.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2012 02:01
|
|
|
totalnewbie posted:Himeji Castle is a great place for a half-day trip. Isn't it under re-furbishment still? or have they finished? It is still pretty cool wandering around the outside, but the main point is to go inside.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2012 03:22
|
|
|
Is it? I just know that it's close by and easily do-able in half a day at a nice pace.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2012 05:00
|
|
|
It is partially open, but nothing above the third floor is accessible until 2014.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2012 06:23
|
|
|
You can go inside some of it and it's enough to make it worthwhile.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2012 07:38
|
|
|
proctorbot posted:The wife and I are going to be in the Osaka/Nara/Kyoto/Kobe area for about a week at the end of December, does anyone have any good recommendations for stuff to do? We've looked at guidebooks and tourist information stuff, I'd be more interested if someone living in there could recommend some stuff out of the way that they enjoy. Any favorite restaurants/hangouts/activities? We are mostly going to be staying in Osaka but will probably do day trips to the other cities. Thanks. If you have a JR pass and are interested in the A-Bomb site, Hiroshima's Peace Park can be done in a day by taking the shinkansen. 90 minutes from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima on the Sakura (and some Hikari) shinkansen. Don't take the Kodama - it's almost 3 hours. Starting at Shin-Kobe is about 15 min shorter. If it's your first time, you could spend the whole week in Kyoto and Nara easily, so don't get too carried away with the day trip stuff. Hiroshima is definitely worth it, though, and Himeji would be if it wasn't still under construction. Himeji is a very short trip on the shinkansen if seeing the grounds is enticing enough, though - 15-20 min past Kobe on the same Sakura/Hikari route towards Hiroshima.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2012 13:59
|
|
|
Could also consider Okayama Castle, if the renovations at Himeji get you down: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5702.html It's a reconstruction, so maybe not authentic enough for you. Looks cool from the outside though.
|
|
#
?
Sep 14, 2012 01:03
|
|
|
I would suggest not bothering with credit cards, I lived there nearly two years and used cash for everything. Be prepared to have alot of useless change at the end though. I liken using your card at most shops to be around the same annoyance level for everyone around you as using a $100 bill to buy a candy bar at a gas station. Yes, you can do it but people will kind of roll their eyes at you. Don't worry about carrying so much cash, it seems crazy if you're from the states but that's just the way everyone does it. Most places are extremely safe and I never had a single problem in that regard. Back when I was in college I had a friend who liked to skip his classes and get crazy drunk on the weeknights. Well one day he doesn't show up for the whole day and his phone goes straight to voicemail. He shows up the next day, it turns out he got so drunk in Osaka he passed out in some park and woke up missing his wallet, his phone, his hat and one of his shoes. His host mom goes down to the koban and explains the situation and he had all his stuff back within a week. His wallet even still had some money in it.  Now I'm not saying that its a good idea to be a dumbass like my friend, but my point is don't worry about carrying around a bunch of cash. If you are that concerned, get a money belt or something and keep most of your money in there and just keep 20,000 yen in your wallet or something. Edit: This reminds me of when I went with the OL on bonus day and got everyone in the company's bonuses in cash and brought it back to the office. I had never seen an actual bag of money in real life before. Picking up stacks of $100 (equiv.) bills and running them through your hands is an experience everyone should try I think. Of course, this was in Shiga-ken, so not some big city but people just take it for granted that you are safe carrying around alot of cash. EasternBronze fucked around with this message at 03:38 on Sep 14, 2012 |
|
#
?
Sep 14, 2012 03:35
|
|
|
EasternBronze posted:I would suggest not bothering with credit cards, I lived there nearly two years and used cash for everything. Be prepared to have alot of useless change at the end though. I liken using your card at most shops to be around the same annoyance level for everyone around you as using a $100 bill to buy a candy bar at a gas station. Yes, you can do it but people will kind of roll their eyes at you. Don't worry about carrying so much cash, it seems crazy if you're from the states but that's just the way everyone does it. Most places are extremely safe and I never had a single problem in that regard.
|
|
#
?
Sep 14, 2012 15:04
|
|
|
Jeremys Iron posted:My issue isn't so much around worrying about carrying cash - more that my entire budgeting system is built on credit cards allowing me to defer payment for things (responsible I know) so getting cash out is much more problematic.
|
|
#
?
Sep 14, 2012 17:44
|
|
|
http://tokyo.craigslist.jp/com/3268552666.html
|
|
#
?
Sep 15, 2012 14:11
|
|
|
I've said this many, many times. Japan is loving weird. It stands to reason the people infatuated with it would also be.
|
|
#
?
Sep 15, 2012 15:35
|
|
|
|
| # ? Jun 2, 2024 03:51 |
|
|
Here was a photo of me (right) showing a tourist around the US countryside earlier this year.  
|
|
#
?
Sep 16, 2012 06:27
|
|
