The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

No, I'm a strict veggie mate. Are there any kind of shops where I could just get veggie sandwiches or the like?

Subway!

but i bet they sneak some meat in there somewhere..............

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

I really don't know to be honest. I have never met a Japanese vegetarian. The locals love their fish and meat. I am sure you can get meat free meals but it's the bases etc, you have to be careful with unless you stick to western food.

I have been to 1 veggie restraunt in 'pongi. Cant remember where it was tho. Great, and i mean great veggie tempura but very average okonomiyaki (dont really like it at the best of times)

There are lots of indian restraunts too that do veggie

If you dont like / cant eat the local food you are missing out on a massive part of the travelling experiance, imho.

[mementoman]

Brilliant, ta'

Anywhere you'd recommend staying in Kyoto mate?

http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/index.html

Stayed at this place last September and it's top notch for ?15 each a night in a double room if you don't mind sharing the showers/bathroom. Don't let the word hostel put you off - it's spotlessly clean with a nice wooden floor and comes highly recommended and I hope to stay there again later this year.

Looks like they are opening one in Tokyo too

[figflair]

I understand about missing out on local cuisine and I'm not the type to go abroad and just eat at McDonalds but I would like to be able to eat! So if I'm stuck, are there plenty of western type places to eat?

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

I understand about missing out on local cuisine and I'm not the type to go abroad and just eat at McDonalds but I would like to be able to eat! So if I'm stuck, are there plenty of western type places to eat?

tonnes

[Nobu]

It's issued by Japan Railways (JR) so I assume that the metro is not included, but I am not 100% on that.

And your ride to Kyoto on the bullet will pass by Mt. Fuji as well. If the weather is clear you will get to see arguably the world's most beautiful mountain.

Confirming that your JR Pass will also be valid for subways. I know mine was. You can use it for any JR line except for the Nozomi ones, I think.

[Darwock]

Hold on, it's valid for the JR *line* of the subway (which isn't actually a subway, it just shares some of the stations) but none of the other subway lines which you will need. But the subway is cheap as chips. And you can get weekly/monthly passes etc in any of the stations if you wanted.

[Nobu]

Hold on, it's valid for the JR *line* of the subway (which isn't actually a subway, it just shares some of the stations) but none of the other subway lines which you will need. But the subway is cheap as chips. And you can get weekly/monthly passes etc in any of the stations if you wanted.

Ah, yes. I guess I should have made that clear. JR Subways. That was all I needed myself. Stayed in Shinjuku so I jumped on the Yamanote line whenever I wanted to see something, though I basically spent too much time in Akihabara, trying to find some games among all the porn.

[figflair]

I've had a friend reccommend a trip to Mount Koya to visit the buddhist temple. Anyone been there? Also can anyone reccommmend any good clubs in Tokyo and what are the prices like? Thanks.

[Darwock]

Made my way round the coast towards Mt. Koya but for various reasons didn't get the chance to go. It was a very long journey the way we went though.. it might be easier to travel there from the Kyoto side. No shinkansen on those lines. The scenery around Wakayama is breathtaking though.

As for clubs, take recommendations with a pinch of salt. They all sucked in one way or another! (not that way you pervs)

[segages]

I've got a Koya-san trip planned when I go in a few months. Doing a few weeks in Kansai this time. From what I've looked at, it's about two hours train then a cable car ride to Koya. Also doing a one night stay in Tokushima via the ferry from Wakayama which should be good.

Any other must see recommendations for Kansai? Only been to Kyoto before but Kobe, Himeji, Kyoto, Osaka, Wakayama, Koya, Tokushima are already planned, hopefully with some Sumo thrown in.

edit: also, does anyone know if any alt/indie/rock bands are playing anywhere in Kansai around mid-March? I've looked on KTO but don't see much.

[dave heats]

Im moving to Osaka in a couple of weeks, hopefully for 6months+. Does anyone know where I can find any decent apartments? My usual websites are primarily for tokyo based accomodation

[smallvillex]

Hi Dave,

How come? Sounds great mate, hope you really enjoy yourself!

[Fei Fong Wong]

Nara is good for sightseeing if you've got time. As for bands Urban Square may be of interest in Kobe. There is usually quite a lot of music stuff happenning in Kobe anyway. You could also check the listings at Kansai Scene. There's some listings at the bottom of the page but its only for the current month.

[Fei Fong Wong]

Im moving to Osaka in a couple of weeks, hopefully for 6months+. Does anyone know where I can find any decent apartments? My usual websites are primarily for tokyo based accomodation

Kansai Scene have classifieds. http://www.kansaiscene.com/cgi-bin/n....pl?category=1