The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[fuji]

Sorry to say but if you had got your money a few days earlier the Yen was trading at about 143, Sterling took a kicking due to the election

[teddymeow]

Yeah, I should've thought of that.

Still, we're not too bothered. It'll just mean that we can take our time mooching about rather than rushing around looking for gaming bargains!

Besides, as it's just the two of us this year we can do less "touristy" things that our friends hadn't done before. I enjoy just walking around taking in the atmosphere - don't need cash for that.

[neoboy259]

Still, we're not too bothered. It'll just mean that we can take our time mooching about rather than rushing around looking for gaming bargains!

Exactly the same attitude we had when we went. Mind you, I still managed to spend about a grand on gaming and toy related items

Anyways, for eating and travelling, Tokyo is relatively inexpensive so a poor exchange rate doesnt make too much of a difference.

[teddymeow]

Very true! We've got about ?110 a day to spend so once you take food and Metro out of that it should be more than enough. The tighter the purse strings are for the first 11 days the easier it'll be to raid Akiba on the last day for epic gaming tat!!

[DCharlie]

Not sure if this is the best place to dump this link, but -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcharlie/collections/72157624007899446/

collection of pictures of Japanese arcades, thought there might be some interest in this thread

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re: food- yeah, recently everyone is slashing their throats to give good deals. So you can eat extremely well on a small budget

[Lorfarius]

Very true! We've got about ?110 a day to spend so once you take food and Metro out of that it should be more than enough. The tighter the purse strings are for the first 11 days the easier it'll be to raid Akiba on the last day for epic gaming tat!!

Don't hold back. When I came back and several people I've spoken to none of them saw a sole at customs.

[teddymeow]

Yeah, the last 3 years there hasn't been any officials.

My mate had a PS3 in his hand luggage!!

[teddymeow]

Not sure if this is the best place to dump this link, but -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcharlie/collections/72157624007899446/

collection of pictures of Japanese arcades, thought there might be some interest in this thread

Sweet! I love the HEY! in Akiba. Spent ages there.

[randombs]

How did your ears handle it? First time I went there my ears were actually hurting for a few hours afterwards (I think I spent about 20 minutes inside) but the next time I went I wore my ipod earphones (normal ones, not noise-cancelling, and no music) and it cut the sound down enough for me to bear it for two hours each night

[noobish hat]

I'd be more worried about my lungs than my ears.

[randombs]

That too. Although I smoked like a chimney while there, so I was contributing to the problem somewhat. Although there's something mildly empowering about a quick drag after a dragon punch KO. And I loved the way the staff would replace my ashtray, sneaky little hobitses, creeping up MGS-style. I'd see a hand approaching the tray in the corner of my eye, and then *swipe*, the tray is now empty!

[teddymeow]

How did your ears handle it?

I loved the noise!! Awesome stuff, all those games on at the same time crying out for attention, trying to get me to spend my Yen!!

The smoking didn't really bother me either. Normally it does but I found it add to the atmosphere!

[noobish hat]

You like the noise AND the smoke? Then may I suggest a trip to your local pachinko parlor. You'll be deaf, dead, and broke in no time.

[briareos_kerensky]

How did your ears handle it?

For me the problem was the smoke, especially on crowded floors or cabinets near walls and corners.
Ears were delighted of all the noise in arcades! I mean, if you enter an arcade you expect to hear electronic-generated noises all over the place, it wouldn't be an arcade without them.

I'd see a hand approaching the tray in the corner of my eye, and then *swipe*, the tray is now empty!

LOL. What struck me the most in SEGA center in Akihabara is that everyone in the staff always gave you the deepest bows I've seen in all Japan.

[teddymeow]

LOL. What struck me the most in SEGA center in Akihabara is that everyone in the staff always gave you the deepest bows I've seen in all Japan.

Yeah, those bows quickly became smirks when I got my ass handed to me at VF5 for the 20th time.

There was a cool arcade in Shibuya. Seem to recall it being next to a cinema and below a Bic Camera. My friend Dave spent about Y2000 trying to win a limited edition Sakura Kit-Kat!

He got it, shame it tasted vile!!