The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[Akihabara]

Was just reading this and wondered if anyone has been here:

Game Store Warehouse



I thought it looked pretty cool so I did some research. From the picture here I got the name 東金鑑定団 (Tougane Kantei Dan, though really it's Chiba Kantei Dan Tougane Ten, 千葉鑑定団東金店) and googled that. Eventually I got here. And here is a map showing how to get there.
Basically, take the Sobu line from Tokyo station to Chiba, change to the Sotobo line and get off at Oami, then take the Togane line to Gumyo. Head north to route 126 toward Naruto (yes, it's a real place). ?1280 one-way. The real problem is that there are only 3 trains a most per hour on the Togane line.
Check Hyperdia for other routes and prices.

I have to go to Chiba Minato to pick up a police certificate sometime so I'm only about 30-40 minutes away. Still, I'm wondering if it's worth going.

I've been there. I liked the trip, it's a pretty area and the train ride there was fun. The shop itself is pretty big and they have a lot of stuff, but it's all overpriced. I didn't buy anything in the end and was dissapointed. Visit e-otakara shops near Machida instead, they are great (Check e-otakara Sagamihara, it rocks).

[Anpanman]

There's also a Naruto near where we are when we go over;

http://www.wel-shikoku.gr.jp/eng/seto/uzusio.htm

[Darwock]

That area is slightly more well known for having the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Akashi bridge. The whirlpools themselves are a bit hit or miss.. I think you have to go early in the morning (depending on time of year) to have the best chance of seeing them. I went on a day trip to Awaji-shima and it just looked like some waves - very disappointing.

Are you staying on the Tokushima side or the Awaji side?

(btw the Japanese for whirlpool is uzushio, not naruto)

[asnozz]

I know nothing about these whirlpools so please excuse me if I am wrong, but surely it depends on the tides as opposed to whether it is morning or not?

[Darwock]

Well yes but tides are also dependant on season, high tide and low tide changes time of day throughout the year... something to do with the gravitational pull of the moon.

edit - I think

[kryss]

Yes, the tides are caused by the moon (and sun to a lesser extent).

[Anpanman]

That area is slightly more well known for having the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Akashi bridge. The whirlpools themselves are a bit hit or miss.. I think you have to go early in the morning (depending on time of year) to have the best chance of seeing them. I went on a day trip to Awaji-shima and it just looked like some waves - very disappointing.

Are you staying on the Tokushima side or the Awaji side?

(btw the Japanese for whirlpool is uzushio, not naruto)

The in-laws are in Tokushima so have been over the Akashi bridge numerous times, we always fly into KIX so the bus service goes over the Akashi and Naruto bridges as a matter of course - get to see Kobe Tower too.
Of all the times I've been over and the couple of visits I've made to actually see a big whirlpool this was the best I could get;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3496669264_8dfef67062_o.jpg

Think it's three bodies of water that meet in the straits there that give it the unique possibility of super large whirlpools but as you say it is a bit hit and miss.

[Darwock]

We got well and truly shafted by a taxi driver - having planned to stay on Awaji for the day we got off the bus on that side of the Naruto strait. The taxi driver 'advised' my girlfriend we should take a ride over to Tokushima, when I tried to ask her what he was talking about/where we were going he would immediately interrupt and keep talking.. ended up with a 6000 yen charge just for crossing a bridge ><

It also left us stranded on the 'boring' side for the whole day, when we had meticulously planned our day based on being on Awaji.

We're just staying home this golden week, a much better idea lol

[kryss]

Staying home in Golden Week is always a good plan...Though I went to Akihabara today and am going to Mt Takao tomorrow. At least Tuesday and Wednesday I can have at home.

[Richard.John]

The taxi driver 'advised' my girlfriend we should take a ride over to Tokushima, when I tried to ask her what he was talking about/where we were going he would immediately interrupt and keep talking.. ended up with a 6000 yen charge just for crossing a bridge ><

2,300 yen of that was the toll. Still very high for a bridge crossing, the cheeky bugger of a taxi driver. Talking about taxis, Tokyo has too many. It's bloody ridiculous how they are allowed to clog up the roads, day in day out.

[JU!]

Staying home in Golden Week is always a good plan...Though I went to Akihabara today and am going to Mt Takao tomorrow. At least Tuesday and Wednesday I can have at home.

Yep I 3rd staying home, GW is so expensive. I have been to a bbq in Tamagawa near Shinjuku ws good. N chillaxin. Thinkin about goin Akiba today not been in ages plus got futsal later.

[Darwock]

Did any of the rest of you ex-pats get the application form for the free 12,000 yen from the government? I got mine yesterday - will pay my train fares when I start work again, thank you very much Mr. Aso!

[fuji]

We got our application forms last week, the wife asked for a copy of my resident card so I set it over, I imagine we will be saving the money.

[Richard.John]

Only my wife got one. Is it for permanent residents only? I will be fvcked off if it is as I have to pay the ridiculously high local taxes, which irritates me no end.

[Darwock]

I don't think it matters, my visa is due for renewal in June yet I got one. As long as you're registered with your city ward office you should be getting it I reckon.