The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[teddymeow]

I'll agree on the choccy but nothing beats a nice bottle of Calpis Water!

Had a Wispa Gold and that seems to have appeased me slightly.

Just at Reading station surrounded by morons. I can't wait to get in, have a cup of tea and play my new games. In that order.

This year was a weird one. Maybe because it was just me and the missus but we seemed to have more "free" time than previous years.

Also, it was sad to see so many places that we have come to love over the years no longer trading for one reason or another. There was a great ramen place under the tracks by Akihabara station which is no longer there as that whole area seems to be being redeveloped.

The people were still friendly, the ladies still amazingly hot!! bit something seemed "off". Areas that we remember as being packed were empty. It was quite disconcerting walking through Akiba on SMG2 launch day and the streets were practically dead!!

New experiences this year: Tokyo Dome City, Jangarra Ramen and Kim Katsu. Top stuff!!

[randombs]

I'll concede Calpis as I've never tried it, and the fact it's got water means I can't argue against it (I've been cutting down loads on refined sugar and sugary stuff in general recently).

Play some Japanese stuff. When I got back I played Tokyo Bus Guide 2 (PS2) a lot, as I got to drive around Shibuya and Harajuku and places like that and tell me little bro that I'd just been there a few days ago

[doodledude]

Hey dudes,

thought I'd share some of my photos from my recent holiday in Japan if anyone's interested. They cover Tokyo, Nara, Osaka & Kyoto during Late March / Early April 2010.

Its on Flickr here

hope you enjoy

[Mr Ono]

Don't have permission to view page.

[doodledude]

I've updated the link, don't think you need a yahoo/flickr account to view them now

[sj33]

It looks like I've been accepted for a one year placement at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto from September, which I'm really pleased about! However, that means I have to get things all sorted out asap.

1) The university recommends that I fly into Kansai International Airport. Can anyone recommend a cheap airline for this? Obviously I'm cautious about BA.

2) It is also recommended that I join the Japanese National Health Insurance for 9000 Yen per semester (so 18000 Yen total). However, this apparently only covers 70% of expenses and some are getting additional insurance to cover the rest, as well as repatriation fees. Does anyone know how this works?

3) Financially, it looks like I'm going to have to open a Japanese bank account and transfer money from my UK account into my Japanese account. Until then, I should probably make sure I have enough money on my to last about a month or so. Bearing in mind I'm probably not going to be too careful with money (only there for a year, want to make the most of it), how much would you recommend I bring? I'm aware that credit/debit cards aren't really mass-accepted over there.

Cheers!

EDIT - Embarassing typo!

[kryss]

2) That sounds awfully cheap...I used to get health insurance with HealthOne but never actually had to claim. They were 50'000 for the year. Look at WorldNomads and see how the prices compare.

3) 200'000yen should be more than enough for a month. How are you paying for lodgings? Also, Shinsei are the easiest bank to open an account with as all the others seem to require a hanko.

[Darwock]

1) The university recommends that I fly into Kansai International University. Can anyone recommend a cheap airline for this?

Probably one of them Islamic Fundamentalist Airlines would do the trick.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. But really, my friend is coming to visit in August and the cheapest flight he found was Emirates into KIX.

[randombs]

may you burn in ヘル for your infidel humour

[Anpanman]

We said we'd never fly EK again but guess what.... because of price but also availability of flights - school hols.

No need to worry about BA they don't fly to Kansai, JAL used to but they stopped so you are looking at transferring somewhere.

Finnair, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and the two Korean airlines, Korean and Asiana usually have cheap deals.
Qatar are not as cheap as they used to be but they also route into KIX.

[sj33]

Thanks all, I'll check those out! I suppose it doesn't necessarily have to be KIX, it just makes the most sense (and the university recommend it).

[Fargo]

Its looking like I might be able to head out this sep/oct for about 10 days. I was originally planning to go and see TGS but if I waited two weeks I could go see the Japanese Grand Prix. I'm having a hard time deciding. Anyone here been to both and care to offer advice ? If only they were one week closer together and I could do both

[Square]

Its looking like I might be able to head out this sep/oct for about 10 days. I was originally planning to go and see TGS but if I waited two weeks I could go see the Japanese Grand Prix. I'm having a hard time deciding. Anyone here been to both and care to offer advice ? If only they were one week closer together and I could do both

That's what I'm going to do. Arrive on Sept. 16th, TGS on the 18th & 19th, Suzuka GP on the 10th Oct.

[Square]

Anyone had any experience with Citibank? I'm considering opening an account in yen, and just use that for cash whilst in Japan.

[huxley]

I thought about this but in the end I just took cash with me, Tokyo seems to be one of those rare places where people dont bat an eyelid at wads of wongo.

Woot only 7 weeks till my next visit!