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Umbrellas for snow is the thing that always throws me. Never in a million years would I have imagined anyone doing that.
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Mar 19, 2023 14:30
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Oh, also, when we get up early in the morning (like, 7:00-8:00is), it seems like nobody is at the train stations; when we get out at like 9:00-10:00, there are a ton of salarymen that look like they're going to work; are the Japanese just not morning people?
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Mar 19, 2023 14:38
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Ham Equity posted:Oh, also, when we get up early in the morning (like, 7:00-8:00is), it seems like nobody is at the train stations; when we get out at like 9:00-10:00, there are a ton of salarymen that look like they're going to work; are the Japanese just not morning people? Need to state the station for this kind of comment. The closer you are to the business districts, the ‘later’ things will get busy. Also, things generally aren’t as bad now as they used to be since many places allow some degree of remote working.
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Mar 19, 2023 14:59
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Grand Fromage posted:Umbrellas for snow is the thing that always throws me. Never in a million years would I have imagined anyone doing that. This is how we identify non-locals in Boston
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Mar 19, 2023 16:03
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You mean fuckin tourists, ked.
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Mar 19, 2023 16:13
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Pollyanna posted:You mean fuckin tourists, ked. I'm going to have to face up all the bad karma I've accumulated over silently cursing the tourists in Manhattan to get the gently caress out of the way or move loving faster you goddamn Iowa residents. DO THEY NOT HAVE SIDEWALKS IN OMAHA, MIDGE?! We're going to be in Shinjuku and I'm prepared for Penn Station at its worst, just as a baseline. I know it will be even worse than that, but I'm actually kinda stunned that most reports are that it's not too busy from 7-9. I'd expect it to be HUGE around then with people arriving for the megacorps. Speaking of all the rain and mist, how much of it is foggy vs. just regular old London? I'm girding myself for full-on Blade Runner atmosphere to outweigh the "gently caress, it's raining on vacation" vibes
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Mar 19, 2023 16:44
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MJP posted:We're going to be in Shinjuku and I'm prepared for Penn Station at its worst, just as a baseline. I know it will be even worse than that It's honestly not anywhere near that bad
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Mar 19, 2023 17:24
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It's bad at like, 6-7PM on a Friday though
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Mar 19, 2023 18:00
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Yeah but penn station is a pit of despair 24/7
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Mar 19, 2023 18:02
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When is the peak times? Would it have been busier even earlier in the day and you're only seeing the people with late starts or something?
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Mar 19, 2023 20:24
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Im thinking about getting a hotel this next visit that has connecting lockable doors between rooms, so that our families can share the space or have separate sleeping areas as we want. Does anyone know any hotels near major stations that have these? Been tough to search and I am just calling places on the phone.
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Mar 19, 2023 22:00
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Apparently the Japanese keyword to search for is コネクティングルーム, didn't know they even existed here. Seems like Fresa Inn near Tamachi has rooms like this. https://www.ikyu.com/biz/00080853/?acp=8&adc=1&lc=1&ppc=2&rc=1&si=1&st=1&top=information&topics_type=ROOM Edit: doesn't look like there is a lot of space to just sit around and chill as a group though, based on the pics. Would probably be much easier to just get a suite plus a regular room on the same floor or something. zmcnulty fucked around with this message at 23:37 on Mar 19, 2023 |
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Mar 19, 2023 23:34
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Yea, it's wild. I found they have words for hotel rooms where the bed is in a small separate sleeping room, and also suites with different unusual shapes. Truly a learning experience this trip.
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Mar 19, 2023 23:40
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Right now is not representative of the normal ebbs and flows of Tokyo, because it's graduation/moving season. The midday is heavier than usual because of young graduates taking advantage of two weeks of free time, plus people moving to Tokyo before school and new jobs start in April. People are also taking time off work for sakura viewing or last family trips before kiddo becomes an official adult.
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Mar 20, 2023 02:19
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Ham Equity posted:Oh, also, when we get up early in the morning (like, 7:00-8:00is), it seems like nobody is at the train stations; when we get out at like 9:00-10:00, there are a ton of salarymen that look like they're going to work; are the Japanese just not morning people? Pre-COVID, the crush was always 6:30 until like 8:30, sometimes 9:00. This also depends on direction and line - a train I used to take south yo work was always ~1/3 full in the mornings, while heading north into Tokyo was absolutely rammed. Gabriel Grub posted:Right now is not representative of the normal ebbs and flows of Tokyo, because it's graduation/moving season. The midday is heavier than usual because of young graduates taking advantage of two weeks of free time, plus people moving to Tokyo before school and new jobs start in April. Yep, universities down to daycares have had graduation ceremonies the last few weeks.
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Mar 20, 2023 12:28
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harperdc posted:Yep, universities down to daycares have had graduation ceremonies the last few weeks. This explains why we've been seeing so many people in fancy robes. Also why Asakusa was so much more crowded than I would have thought for a weekday morning. The Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki was absolutely stellar.
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Mar 20, 2023 13:19
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If you think that's good, wait until you try Osaka style, the far superior version of the two
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Mar 20, 2023 14:59
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poo poo, I forgot a very critical question which Google hasn't yet produced results for: has anyone sighted or know where one might sight custard filled melon pan? They used to sell it at Mitsuwa by us many years ago, but it's been gone for at least a decade.
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Mar 20, 2023 22:23
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Saw it at an Asakusa stand 2 days ago.
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Mar 20, 2023 22:48
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Should have planned for more than one day at Nara. This place is incredible. That is all.
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Mar 21, 2023 07:58
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Looking to plan a summer trip to Hokkaido/Sapporo at some point. Anything I should know about the area? I assume we'll need a car and should travel relatively light since it seems like outside of Sapporo we'll be changing hotels every day or two. Been to Japan a few times in the past but only the big areas with public transit (Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo).
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Mar 21, 2023 20:11
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I meant to do some ryokan research before this upcoming trip but I don’t think this’ll be the year for a fancy ryokan stay. I want to dump a ton of money into the best experience but every time I price it out I invariably get sticker shock. Going to try for a few nights next year at reasonable prices.
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Mar 22, 2023 00:21
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Is it hard to get tickets the day of the game to see the Giants at Tokyo Dome? It would be to see them play the Carp in July on a Mon, Tues or Wed, and there's going to be 8-10 of us.
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Mar 22, 2023 01:03
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I dunno man. I am doing my first ryokan (today, actually) because I figured with the exchange rate, this is the cheapest chance I'll ever have.
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Mar 22, 2023 01:04
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I'm planning out my honeymoon and am looking at how to handle luggage while we're there. Is it better to use luggage forwarding services from within Tokyo? We're staying near Chiyoda City then heading to a ryokan in Gunma prefecture and then back to Disney Sea. We're also taking a shinkansen to Osaka but I think I'd rather keep it with us for that far a trip.
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Mar 22, 2023 03:00
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Chekans 3 16 posted:I'm planning out my honeymoon and am looking at how to handle luggage while we're there. Is it better to use luggage forwarding services from within Tokyo? We're staying near Chiyoda City then heading to a ryokan in Gunma prefecture and then back to Disney Sea. The concierges at the hotels forwarded ours between Tokyo and Osaka and then back again for about $25 total each time.
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Mar 22, 2023 03:14
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Cacafuego posted:The concierges at the hotels forwarded ours between Tokyo and Osaka and then back again for about $25 total each time. Same day delivery?
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Mar 22, 2023 03:15
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Chekans 3 16 posted:Same day delivery? No, we had to drop luggage off before noon or 3pm to have it there the next day when we checked in.
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Mar 22, 2023 03:22
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It’s the cheapest rate in the world and great service. For some places or even between Tokyo and Osaka 6am drop off is 3pm delivery
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Mar 22, 2023 04:18
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Wonton posted:It’s the cheapest rate in the world and great service. For some places or even between Tokyo and Osaka 6am drop off is 3pm delivery Yeah, I think I saw you mention doing that ITT, which made me look into it, so thanks for that, it really worked out great. So much less stress trying to drag massive suitcases through public transportation.
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Mar 22, 2023 04:30
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Ham Equity posted:Should have planned for more than one day at Nara. This place is incredible. That is all. What’s so remarkable about it?
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Mar 22, 2023 05:23
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socketwrencher posted:Is it hard to get tickets the day of the game to see the Giants at Tokyo Dome? It would be to see them play the Carp in July on a Mon, Tues or Wed, and there's going to be 8-10 of us. Have you checked the calendar? Until at least a couple years ago, they didn’t have games on Mondays. Also check if it’s the Marine Day holiday Monday or not, because that’s more likely to sell out. Otherwise it’s fairly straightforward…until you say 8-10 people. Then it might be best to plan ahead (those tickets likely going on sale soon through May) or rock up day of knowing you’re taking a risk.
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Mar 22, 2023 07:42
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If it's a weekday, non-holiday game, you don't necessarily have to snap up the tickets quickly, but there's no reason not to buy the tickets in advance at a convenience store as soon as you get a chance. I'm sure the convenience store staff will help you navigate the menus if you are able to show them exactly what game you are trying to attend.
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Mar 22, 2023 07:52
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Mailing luggage is good. Costs next to nothing, you send it in the morning and it shows up the next day. Had a couple issues but none of the "my suitcase has vanished forever" variety.
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Mar 22, 2023 10:30
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Crampy Grampaw posted:What’s so remarkable about it? I really liked the temples, and the museums we went to; we skipped a couple of temples, the treasure hall, and the sake brewery, would have been nice to have another day. We really liked the Buddhist sculpture museum, and Todaiji temple was so loving impressive. We went from Tokyo, where we had a small but not-too-small room with, like, zero amenities to Nara where we spent one night in an upscale Ryokan with two baths, to Kyoto where we have a room that is just barely big enough for three people (like, we have to keep our luggage under the beds tiny), but has a nice lounge with free booze every weeknight and a public bath. I already miss Tokyo; the sidewalks and trains in Kyoto aren't nearly as nice.
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Mar 22, 2023 11:50
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I really am enjoying Kochi
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Mar 22, 2023 13:27
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mongolia posted:I really am enjoying Kochi Please be careful.
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Mar 22, 2023 13:38
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Grand Fromage posted:I dunno man. I am doing my first ryokan (today, actually) because I figured with the exchange rate, this is the cheapest chance I'll ever have. This will haunt me going forward. I’d reconsider except I’ve already booked a stay for every night and I guess eating one night of a cheap hotel isn’t that bad, but eh.. I guess I can save it for next time.
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Mar 22, 2023 15:10
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Takamatsu is still looking a little light on things to do. I’m thinking for our days we stay in Takamatsu (about 6 or 7), we do a couple themed days: - Nature Day: Ritsurin Garden, Megijima, ? - Sights Day: Art Islands (Naoshima, and Teshima maybe), ? We already have a couple days planned that look like this: - Shiromineji-Negoroji Hike (dad declined the Yashima hike) - Okuboji-Ryozenji Hike (to watch pilgrims finishing their pilgrimage) And then a general thought of seeing Shodoshima at some point, but that’s about it. Kiiiinda not sure what else to do. Since we return the car a few days before leaving, we could theoretically take some public transport to other places, but the hours might be tough. Pity that that Japan doesn’t get the Mario movie until late April, I was gonna drag my dad along to go see it. 
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Mar 22, 2023 16:05
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If you don’t mind getting up early, you can take a day trip to Kochi if you’d like. It takes about two hours on train but if you have the JR rail pass, it might be enjoyable. The train ride is beautiful and the big sites of Kochi City are close to each other so it is very walkable. It’s a good day trip where you can see Kochi Castle, have lunch, visit a museum, and go back to Takamatsu. I’m sure there are other solutions in the area but Kochi is just what I know.
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Mar 22, 2023 16:26
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