The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[butchcvc]

off topic, but check out this live wmp webcam stream with audio at aizu train station (amazing quality).....

http://www.ntt-east.co.jp/fukushima/...kamatsueki.wvx

[Richard.John]

Great stream, it's just a shame that it's not something more interesting, though the densha otakus of this world are probably soiling themselves right now.

[JAPJAC]

Eki Cam-Suge inakappe magide. Kimoi.

[DCharlie]

okay, i'd give the following advice.

Firstly, i'd mention i've been here in Japan for 5 years for what it's worth. However, i say this up front : things change, places go crappy, places go good, and no matter how long someone has been here it's no guarantee their advice will be the best. Anyways, i hope someone can find this useful.

1. DO sort out accom. before you arrive.

I'd highly doubt you'd be able to name your price in any hotel in Japan, this isn't a bargaining country. The price is the price, it's pretty much non-negotiable for the japanese let alone for foreign visitors. The other thing is that by the time you get from Narita to Tokyo, you are probably going to be spaced out after a lengthy flight. The journey into Tokyo can take from 1:15 on the train to around 2:30 on the limo bus. If you arrive without accom. and have no language skills, then you are going to have to go to the ITC near Tokyo Station and ask the people there to help you find accomodation. I've done this before when travelling from Tokyo to Osaka, and whilst the people were helpful it was time consuming and you never really knew how much you'd end up paying. My advice would be to book something over the Internet, where you can deal in English, most likely get a somewhat reduced rate, and then you don't have to worry about where you will be staying. Loaction wise - for TGS you'll need to get to Tokyo station, so it's a good idea to get somewhere close to or near to the JR Yamanote line.

2. It is possible to do Tokyo/Japan cheaply.

Places like the Sakura guest house and other places mean accom. doesn't have to cost the earth. Another good choice is to go for a Ryoukan (Japanese style guest house) which not only gives you a taste of Japanese life, but also cuts costs. IF you be a bit adventurous and eat where the locals eat, you can slash your costs even further. If you are travelling around Japan, the rail pass is also highly recommended as you'll get your money back after one bullet train journey (just be sure not to stamp your pass at Narita as the pass is valid from that date onwards). Places to drink cheaply are everywhere : Tengu does drinks for around 1 pound a Lemon sour, with beer not much more ; there are many "Nomihodai" places which will offer you _at least_ as much beer and wine as you can drink for a set charge/time limit. The Hub (branch of british bars) has a very reasonable happy hour. I can get more details on these if required.

3. Keep your nose clean.

Some people see Japan as some sort of fairly land where no pety crime goes unpunished. Whilst this might be true in some cases, the big thing is it gives the actual people here who have to live here and do a proper days work a bad name. Don't be a douche - just don't do it. No thieving, no dealing, no train fair dodging, no GTA etc... If you are planning on doing something dodgy, please stay at home. If you are caught, you are pretty much stuck. There is no need to let you speak to anyone under Japanese law for up to two weeks - you can be held without charge for that length of time.

4. It can get really hot.... and rainy....

At the moment, there is a typhoon over head and it's raining big time, yet two days ago , it was 33C when i left work at 6:30 at night. The weather is very variable at this time of year, extending into September so be prepared for all weathers.

5. Smokers delight?

Whilst a pack of cigarettes is just over 1 pound over here, please note that a lot of areas (ie: out door, on the street places) are now smoking bans are inforce in a number of areas. Akihabara is one such area. If caught smoking, you'll have to fill out some forms and you'll receive a fine.

6. There is more to Japan than Tokyo.

It's not even a question of being cultured - there is a million and one interesting things outside of Tokyo - and if you can make the time to take a trip to Kyoto/Osaka then it's worth a trip. Nikko or Isu or Kamakura are closer to tokyo and are always worth a visit. For the REALLY adventurous with a little bit of cash, you could always jump on a hydrofoil and head out to Niijima or the islands away from Tokyo. There are many different flavours of Japan, and if you can it's definitely worth seeing as much as possible. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, etc... etc... all feel different and have thier own vibe, so obviously different people prefer different styles of places. Do some reading and decide for yourself what you'd like to see.

7. There is more to do in Tokyo than Aki and games

For thrill seakers you could always check out Fuji-Q highlands - which has a Silent Hill style horror tour of an abandoned mental asylum, and the worlds fasters and the worlds highest rollercoaster (or at least, they were last year!). GOing to see a Japanese baseball game is a good fun way to spend a night, even J-League is fairly fun. Kabuki is also an option, especially the special shows which show a brief selection of scenes that has breaks for people to leave after each hour of performance. Again, i can think of more stuff if people need more options

8. Try the food.

Tonkatsu, soba, udon, sushi, sashimi, tenpura, etc etc... try as much as you can. Japanese food really is fanstatic, and it's worth trying out some places.
Meguro has a Tonkatsu place named "Tonki" and it really is fantastic, it's not exactly cheap but it's beautiful.

Anyways, i'll try and help as much as i can. I can provide more info if need be.

Cheers,
d.c.

[Richard.John]

Excellent advice, DCharlie.

[Darwock]

Yep, thanks a lot DCharlie, that's more like it ^^

Couple of things - about the rail pass, I understood that when you got it stamped you could state the day you wanted it to start, so we could stamp it at Narita and have it start from the following day. Is this not the case?

Also we have had to give up on pre-booking accommodation for the GP. We have a ryokan sorted out in Tokyo for the first week, but then we're heading off for Mie the day before the race with nothing ><

I've tried every online hotel, the ones with vacancies require membership, the ones who speak english don't have rooms free, and the ones who don't speak english don't even respond to the booking request forms. The hotel booking sites posted here don't return any matches for the dates we need. We've got no choice but to try and find something out there. Would this ITC you mentioned be able to help us out?

[Oh! My Car!]

yep Darwock, you can specify what day you want your JR Pass to be valid from, that's what I did

The ITC is just the tourism center, which are always very helpful, but I'm not sure if they can do much more than tell you where hotels are...

neoboy259 I suggest you get a JR Pass for the trains, saves you laods of money - check http://www.japancentre.com/

And Ady Fukuoka is lovely isn't it! Was only there for a couple days but checked out Canal City and the Yahoo Dome - some great stuff.
PS - when I went to check out the dome we went up in the JAL Hotel nearby (the massive one) and you can see all of Fukuoka from above, it's really great. The hotel also has a great roof garden I could see (not sure if the public can go in it) and a massive glass atrium which you can go in which is cool.

[eastyy]

Could someone recommend places to stay if the prime reason to go to japan is to go to arcades or visit game shops?

[Bleeders]

Going next-year myself and we're staying in Shinjuku, which I've been told is a lively place; it's near Hirose and Club Sega as well apparently.

[JU!]

Could someone recommend places to stay if the prime reason to go to japan is to go to arcades or visit game shops?

I hear Sakura hotel is cheap. When i have been to Japan i have always stayed in Kimi Ryoukan in Ikebukuro for a bit, cheapish as well.

http://www2.dango.ne.jp/kimi/ryokan.html

I always stay here, been to Japan twice stayed there twice for a bit nice place and staff are very friendly. The only draw back is the 1.00am curfew but that ain't that bad. Hope that helps.

Again hats off to DCharlie excellent advice there everyone who's going to Japan i feel should read your post.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Could someone recommend places to stay if the prime reason to go to japan is to go to arcades or visit game shops?

Sakura 'otel is what? 15/20 mins walk from Akiba? and a 10 min subway ride to Shinjuku? Although it is a pleasent stroll if you have a hour or so

[DCharlie]

actually, a friend stopped in somewhere in azabu juban for about 15 quid a night - no curfew and free internet. He was raving about the place- i'll ask him what the name was and let you guys know.

Again, IF I HAVEN'T MET YOU ALREADY and you want to meet up and say hi, please drop me a PM.

[DCharlie]

oh, other minor tips -

1) Deodourant.... DON'T LEAVE THE UK WITHOUT IT. Japanese deo is about as much good as sucking a mint then blowing on your arm pits. So make sure you are travelling with Lynx or something...

2) Credit cards - there is a very large wave of credit card fraud going down at the moment in Japan - i've been stung twice by the tiny credit card reader slots that they fit over cash machines. So be sure to check any balances when you get home. Also note that using a credit card in aki is a major hassle, most places still don't accept Credit/debit cards - those that do almost invariably end up with you having to confirm with a bank employee over the phone that you are authorizing the transaction. If you can , go with cash - Japan is still very much a "cash country" and it just makes things flow so much better.

3) Bargaining - Japan isn't a haggling country - however, the duty free places will allow you to haggle in aki. Take your passport , as most places require this as proof that you are a visitor. Haggling in second hand games stores simply doesn't happen - so i'd advise against doing this. If there is no spine card, it's probably already reflected in the price.

4) Junk - although junk games (sometimes simply the CD's in a plastic wrapper) sound like a bad idea, they are actually a potentially great source of bargains. Sarugetchu! for 20 yen? great! You'll see boxes of disks especially in the middle of Traders 1 and 2. Don't be afraid to have a rummage! You can find some real STUPID bargains in there.

5) Getting sick in Japan / Tooth trouble - there are a couple of English speaking doctors in Tokyo but the best i've dealt with has been Dr King. Unfortunately, this is not a drop in clininc, but you can make appointments via phone in english - they accept foreign insurance too. www.thekingclinic.com for details. Please note that without insurance things can get pricey, they do accept credit cards.

Dr Kings site also has a link to English speaking hospitals for worse emergencies and also has a list of dental practices : http://homepage3.nifty.com/drleoking/kingslinks.html

be sure to get some idea of these places if you feel you might have a problem. Trying to find this info whilst away is a major pain.

6) Cash machines - Citibank machines allow any card with the CIRRUS or PLUS logo to withdrawl cash from them. Please look up where Citibank are located - there is a large branch in Shibuya. Ex-Aki visitors please note - the Citibank at the top of Akihabara is now GONE. The nearest branch is now in Ochanomizu. Most other Japanese cash machines will NOT give you cash
NOTE: During the world cup the Halifax made a claim that their card could be used in any cash machine - during the world cup, there were many very upset people who discovered that this claim WAS NOT TRUE. please bear this in mind.

7) Money transfer from UK - (taken from British Embassy website Western Union is now operating in Japan. To receive money, be sure that the money is sent through a Western Union agent. The sender will need to provide identification and fill out a form, "To receive Money". You will be able to receive the money just moments after it has been sent.
Suruga Bank, Tokyo Branch, 1-7-1 Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Nearest station is Mitsukoshi Mae, Exit A1)

8) Emergency
POLICE: 110
FIRE: 119
AMBULANCE: 119
Tokyo English-speaking Police Tel: 03-3501-0110 Monday-Friday, 08:30-17:15

9) In case the big Earthquake comes.
Bear in mind that Tokyo is 20 years over due for the "Big one" (a 7-8+ magnituted earthquake). Have a look at what the British Embassy advises :

http://www.uknow.or.jp/be_e/consular/life/earthquake/earthquake02.htm

Survival manual available at :

http://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.jp/index3files/survivalmanual.pdf

will add more as i think of them...

[Richard.John]

Once again superb advice DCharlie, but on the subject of cash machines, Post Office ATMs also accept foreign based cards (Visa debit cards for example) so they are always an option if you can't find a Citibank and are stuck for dosh.

[DCharlie]

oh yeah! I forgot about Post offices! Thanks. dc.