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ntan1 posted:if you are not from japan the maximum you should pay for any flight is $100. I think that should read: 'Not living in Japan' And 'Promotion for tourists'
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Sep 15, 2017 00:20
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Stringent posted:If you want the best prices go to London Sports in Jimbocho: https://www.yelp.com/biz/%E3%83%AD%...%94%B0%E5%8C%BA Thanks for the tips, London Sports unfortunately didn't have any boots or waterproof footwear in my size. Nice variety, but everything was just barely too big or small. One of the Victoria stores down the block got me sorted with a pair of rain boots! Hoping the rain doesn't get too crazy... 
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Sep 16, 2017 00:32
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So I'm headed to my flight to Tokyo now and I was just thinking -- is there a specific goon-approved phrasebook type app I should download? I guess I'm looking for something to have some canned phrases listed that I can just learn, but also the ability to look up individual vocab as needed. I lived in China for a year in college, so I can kind of get the gist of a lot of characters, but I've heard that it might be wise for me to learn katakana? If so, is there an ideal flash card type app for that? Thanks!
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Sep 16, 2017 02:57
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unbutthurtable posted:So I'm headed to my flight to Tokyo now and I was just thinking -- is there a specific goon-approved phrasebook type app I should download? I guess I'm looking for something to have some canned phrases listed that I can just learn, but also the ability to look up individual vocab as needed. すみません (sumimasen - sue-me-ma-sen: sorry/excuse me; this one will be used the most) これ (kore - co-ray: this one; point at the same time) ありがとうございます (arigato gozaimasu - ah-ree-gah-toe go-za-ee-mas: thank you; nod your head a little for maximum effect) you don't need to know anything, but those 3 will do basically get you through any situation where you're interacting with someone who isn't responding body language.
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Sep 16, 2017 03:21
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Go-zai-mish-tah after arigato when you're thanking for something that is already done/happened. Ie: sumimasen to get a waiter's attention for another beer or to order, arigato gozaimas when they take your order, arigato gozaimishta as you're leaving.
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Sep 16, 2017 05:01
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VelociBacon posted:Go-zai-mish-tah after arigato when you're thanking for something that is already done/happened. So, like, in an example I'll be dealing with in a few hours... immigration dude stamps my passport, my response should be "arigato gozaimashita?" Plus maybe a little nod/head bow?
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Sep 16, 2017 05:26
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unbutthurtable posted:So, like, in an example I'll be dealing with in a few hours... immigration dude stamps my passport, my response should be "arigato gozaimashita?" Plus maybe a little nod/head bow? Basically just think of it like saying "Thanks for that" in English. I wouldn't gently caress with anything at immigration just answer their questions and move on. Or make a joke about NK.
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Sep 16, 2017 06:03
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throw a fit about the photograph and digital fingerprinting. they will respect your determined spirit.
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Sep 16, 2017 06:08
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bushido means not taking poo poo from anyone, got it
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Sep 16, 2017 06:39
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VelociBacon posted:Go-zai-mish-tah after arigato when you're thanking for something that is already done/happened. It's gozaimashita.
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Sep 16, 2017 08:15
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Okaikei kudasai (oh kye kay koo da sigh) is a way to ask for a bill at a bar or restaurant, very useful one that classes never taught me. Also, okawari (oh kah wah ree) if you want another serving of a drink. Of all the writing systems, katakana is the most helpful since then you can read menu items for English-language things like fast food or drinks.
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Sep 16, 2017 10:24
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Stringent posted:It's gozaimashita. It's azass あざっす and azasshta あざっした
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Sep 16, 2017 12:56
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In Tokyo. Around here we say Aitozaimas.
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Sep 16, 2017 14:41
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Question Mark Mound posted:Okaikei kudasai (oh kye kay koo da sigh) is a way to ask for a bill at a bar or restaurant, very useful one that classes never taught me. So, would it be okawari kudasai for "another round please" since I think I saw kudasai means please? Also general thank you to everyone for the tips
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Sep 16, 2017 23:40
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Yes or just hold the glass and say Okawari!!!! You'll be fine though like Japan* assumes that every non asian person is a tourist and that any tourist ever can't speak or read Japanese *There will still be plenty of staff who try to clarify by talking louder and faster and even more polite. Simplifying conversation is a learned skill, not a natural talent.
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Sep 17, 2017 00:39
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peanut posted:Yes Oh yeah, I'm not worried at all. I just like to try to speak a language as much as I reasonably can while on vacation. Not a huge deal if I gently caress up or revert to gestures
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Sep 17, 2017 00:59
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peanut posted:throw a fit about the photograph and digital fingerprinting. they will respect your determined spirit. lol
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Sep 17, 2017 04:28
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Just settled into my Airbnb and on all the beds, it's just a fitted sheet and then a comforter. And in the tatami room with the futons, it's just velvety mattress with a comforter. Anyway, this won't do for my delicate sensibilities, so anyone have a rec on a department store or something in Shinjuku where I can pick up a set of sheets? I'm here for like 10 nights so I think it's worth the investment Also I just downloaded line. Is it worth joining the group for a couple days? If so, how do I join?
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Sep 17, 2017 09:18
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unbutthurtable posted:Just settled into my Airbnb and on all the beds, it's just a fitted sheet and then a comforter. And in the tatami room with the futons, it's just velvety mattress with a comforter. Muji has sheets. https://www.muji.net/store/
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Sep 17, 2017 09:40
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Put a futon on the bed and another futon on you if you're cold.
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Sep 17, 2017 10:12
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I only have eight futons to work with so I have to be economical. I'm at sushi zanmai now and will be hitting muji in a few, so thanks for the recs btw
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Sep 17, 2017 10:23
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The comforter cover is removable/washable so it takes the place of a top sheet.
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Sep 17, 2017 13:22
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oh, then you're probably not going to like the hotel pillows full of pebbles.
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Sep 17, 2017 14:47
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Futons and sacks of rocks suck rear end, sorry Japan your bedding sucks. But beds across East Asia are awful so you're in good company.
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Sep 17, 2017 14:54
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I switched to a 1000 yen soba pillow earlier this year, no regrets.
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Sep 17, 2017 23:32
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hard beds are good for the spine or something. plus, if you are asian and already used to hard beds japanese beds are great.
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Sep 18, 2017 03:33
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futons are camping on the inside!
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Sep 18, 2017 03:42
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ntan1 posted:hard beds are good for the spine or something. yeah Asia likes to claim that yet this is the only part of the world I regularly see people permanently bent at 90 degree angles, so suck my balls
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Sep 18, 2017 03:53
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Yeah but in Japan at least ppls sole source of calcium was accidentally ingested fish bones so imagine how bad they'd be without the beds.
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Sep 18, 2017 04:04
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I've been told it's because of farm labor. No, it's from slouching and seiza (and boring poetry.)
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Sep 18, 2017 04:34
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Grand Fromage posted:bent at 90 degree angles, so suck my balls "Hey grams, while you're down there..."
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Sep 18, 2017 05:56
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I ended up stacking four futons on top of each other, which was actually pretty comfortable. The pebble pillow was actually fine, by the way.
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Sep 18, 2017 07:29
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unbutthurtable posted:Also I just downloaded line. Is it worth joining the group for a couple days? If so, how do I join? Definitely do this, and leave notifications on, and turn your ringer all the way up
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Sep 18, 2017 16:29
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Looks like my parents are genuinely interested in a Japan trip sometime next year. As was suggested, I told them April-May would be a good time to visit, except for during Golden Week. I have a basic idea of "tour some castles, do some hiking, maybe some flower viewing or cherry blossoms if the timing is right", and I've got my itinerary of "eat all the food I can find and pick up some nerd merch", but I have no earthly idea what else to do that a couple of mid-50s doctors would enjoy. They probably won't want to go all the way to Hokkaido, and although Okinawa and the islands seem pretty great I don't think they'd be as interested as I am, so we'll prolly be on Honshu. The Osaka area could be cool, but they'll want to tour Tokyo at the very least. So, probably the western coast? I can read some Japanese (though my kanji skills aren't that great), but I'm far from conversational. Do you think it's a good idea to get some practice in between now and April-May of next year, or should I just wing it? I have no idea how I'd practice Japanese in the middle of Massachusetts, but I can shitpost on Twitter at least. My parents will probably only want to do 7~10 days of in-Japan time, which is a pretty short amount IMO. I heard that two weeks is more worthwhile, but not everyone gets that much time off...if we can't make it two weeks, any suggestions for a whirlwind tour? Otherwise, load me up with recs  Also, my dad's into cycling. Any good cycling tours out there? EDIT: Oh yeah, I'm totally up for goonmeets too 
Pollyanna fucked around with this message at 16:51 on Sep 18, 2017 |
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Sep 18, 2017 16:49
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If they're OK with not going to Tokyo... Onomichi for the bike ride (2-3 days) Hiroshima (1-2 days) Himeji Castle (day trip) Nara (day trip) Kyoto (day trip or 1-2 days) Misc walking around town days in Kobe/Osaka (filler)
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Sep 18, 2017 17:29
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Traveller trick: Do not go specifically to Tokyo just to see cherry blossoms, unless you want to enjoy the ritual of being in very crowded parks taking pictures of cherry blossoms with 400 other tourists in the picture. Instead, any of the minor cities outside of Kyoto and Tokyo will be way better. For example, here is a picture of cherry blossoms in Maizuru Park, Fukuoka, where you will notice the complete lack of tourists (note there are still a couple).  The week after golden week, or the first or second week of April is a good time to travel from the US. They correspond with times when Japanese people are either starting school or just getting back from vacation. Cycling: Shimanami Kaido aka Shimanami bridge aka Onomichi/Imabari. Given that, you can stop in Hiroshima as well. Gonna go off the deep end and recommend that you actually skip Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji, unless you magically can get one of the rare connections on the west coast of the US that take you across the pacific to Kansai (these are expensive). Instead, do Tokyo, Hiroshima, Matsuyama and maybe like Fukuoka, which would let you see another minor city AND go on the Shimanami Kaido. There are $100 flights from Matsuyama to Fukuoka, and there are $100 flights from Tokyo to any of the cities listed above. Just make sure you are looking at the JAL Explore Japan fare or ANA Experience Japan fare. If you go to Japan again, then you can make a trip that encompasses Kansai or Kyoto region predominantly.
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Sep 18, 2017 18:23
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Pollyanna posted:Looks like my parents are genuinely interested in a Japan trip sometime next year. As was suggested, I told them April-May would be a good time to visit, except for during Golden Week. I have a basic idea of "tour some castles, do some hiking, maybe some flower viewing or cherry blossoms if the timing is right", and I've got my itinerary of "eat all the food I can find and pick up some nerd merch", but I have no earthly idea what else to do that a couple of mid-50s doctors would enjoy. Don't worry, they'll love it no matter what you do. Japan is basically set up for the convenience and enjoyment of old people, so everybody's parents love it. Don't go to Kyoto during cherry blossom time. Miyajima in Hiroshima would be a better choice, still crowded but you can still enjoy it.
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Sep 18, 2017 18:51
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Was anyone Japan willing to see if they could buy some shameful merch for me in exchange for a service fee and or care package from fatmerica? I'm in Los Angeles. The site I wanted to use has a Japanese and English option. The english side marks goods as sold out but on the japanese there's still an open order button so I'm not sure what to think
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Sep 20, 2017 08:21
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I do that kind of stuff all the time. Shoot me a PM with the details and I'll see if I can help you with your indulgences.
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Sep 20, 2017 10:19
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Please expose the shamefulness of the merch requested, thanks
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Sep 20, 2017 16:05
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