The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[Darwock]

What's the easiest way to get tickets for a central Tokyo based team? Will the season be on whilst we are out there?

In my case we just jumped on a train out to Ajinomoto Stadium (having confirmed beforehand that there was a match on that day). Followed the crowds hoping to come to a ticket booth... and while standing around outside the stadium looking for said booth, a woman came up to us and just handed us a pair of tickets. She protested when we tried to offer her money for them and then ran off.

Not sure you can count on that method every time of course!

[teddymeow]

Not sure you can count on that method every time of course!

Even the ticket touts in Japan are polite??! Brilliant!!

I think we're definitely going to try and get to a game; I've always wanted to see a live J-League game.

[sj33]

Just a quick question about the Japanese perception of tattoos!

Getting a tattoo on the lower half of my arm has been on the 'to do' list for a good few years. The main thing preventing this is the fact that I have a year abroad in Kyoto coming up, and I gather tattoos don't have the 'social acceptance' that they have in the west.

Is this still true these days? Best avoided?

[noobish hat]

I heard that if you turn up in Japan with a tattoo, you will be strong armed into a side office at customs and be inducted into the yakuza immediately. This may or may not involve the loss of fingers, you will have to report back to us on this one so we can update our records.

[Brian Topp]

I'm going back on April 6th, going to do the countrywide tour this time, instead of just Tokyo again. Oh, and of course, going to Ayu and Kumi Koda concerts too

The exchange rate really stinks right now. I try not to remember what it used to be... I guess its more fair now though... My first year there, a McDonalds meal (for example) was about ?2 in English money, so sterling was over-valued somewhat...

[Anpanman]

We always think that 200 to the pound is about right, now is too low, it was like this in 94 when I first went over, McDonald's was about a tenner.

Can go the other way, in 2007 we were getting 240 and although it was nice to be able to get PS3's for £220 when they were still over £400 here we both said that it was too much.

Back over in the summer, helping father out the with the rice harvest which should be fun.

[r3z]

My flight too has shot up by around £400.

Fancy taking in a baseball game whilst I'm there. Anyone know if I can just roll up to the ballpark on matchday and just grab a pair of tickets?

It depends on who's playing and on what day but generally speaking you should be able to get tickets on the day. Games are held a lot more frequently than football and there are a few teams that are based or hold games in Tokyo (and a couple of others very close by and easily accessible) so you should have a few options. If you're looking to attend on a specific day I would probably book in advance in case it is a popular game.

[Darwock]

Just a quick question about the Japanese perception of tattoos!

Getting a tattoo on the lower half of my arm has been on the 'to do' list for a good few years. The main thing preventing this is the fact that I have a year abroad in Kyoto coming up, and I gather tattoos don't have the 'social acceptance' that they have in the west.

Is this still true these days? Best avoided?

You will find yourself excluded from numerous hot springs and public swimming pools if you have a visible tattoo, and if you are ever considering seeking employment over here it's not recommended (unless you want to work in a bar).

A fair amount of young Japanese people have tattoos but they have to deal with these inconveniences as a result. Foreigners might get away with it more than Japanese do.

[sj33]

Balls I'm not really bothered about the onsen or anything, but employment in Japan is hopefully going to be the plan when I graduate university. I could keep it covered under a shirt sleeve but...

[kryss]

Long-sleeved shirts cover no end of sins. Mate of mine has tattoos on both upper arms and just wears long-sleeved shirts. Just don't wear pale colours.

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of job you looking for?

[JU!]

Balls I'm not really bothered about the onsen or anything, but employment in Japan is hopefully going to be the plan when I graduate university. I could keep it covered under a shirt sleeve but...

Long sleeve shirt is fine. Darwock is right though, when I start looking for a new job this may impact it not sure. But private Onsens are o.k. Tattoos are frowned upon here and I get strange looks/comments about, "did I do it myself", i"s it pen/Yakuza" etc. I have 7 up my left arm. As long as I wear a long sleeve shirt its fine. I have a friend who works for NamcoBandai. At the interview they asked if he had tattoos he said yes and it was fine, the company said a short sleeve shirt is k, but he chose to wear a long sleeve as not to offend.

Various other friends have big tattoos on their back. Plus one person I know has one on his finger!! He still got a job, so it should be o.k. I need to cover mine for parties with my school sometimes as they may offend. My missus hates them too and says Japanese people will get a negative image before you even speak to them. I think the key is if they are visible at work but this is the same in England too.

[kryss]

Why is it BandaiNamco in Japan but NamcoBandai elsewhere? Seems like such a silly thing to do.

Another former collegue of mine had a tattoo on his finger and used to just put a plaster over it when he was working.

[teddymeow]

Heh, well whaddya know?

Apparently the J-League is taking a 2 month break in mid May because of the World Cup.

Guess no game for me.

[QualityChimp]

Tim Rogers, who does the column from Japan in GamesTM has written on Kotaku a massive article why he's fallen out of love with living in Japan.

He seemed fine when I met him a few years back, if a little hard up.

It makes interesting reading, even if it seems like an extended irk post!

[JU!]

Tim Rogers, who does the column from Japan in GamesTM has written on Kotaku a massive article why he's fallen out of love with living in Japan.

He seemed fine when I met him a few years back, if a little hard up.

It makes interesting reading, even if it seems like an extended irk post!

That article is amazing but huuuge. Thanks for postin it mate. Gonna read the rest when I get time really really interesting some of the things I realise already, nice to know about other peoples experiences too.

Why is it BandaiNamco in Japan but NamcoBandai elsewhere? Seems like such a silly thing to do.

Good question mate dunno maybe Namco are more famous in the west while Bandai is an unknown. Bandai more famous in Japan? Not sure. Looked on the back of Soul Calibur also not sure why Bandai is first maybe they own the shares.