The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[chopemon]

Are shorts acceptable wear? I read somewhere that they expect people to be dressed smarter. I always rock shorts whenever I can.

[sj33]

People seem to wear literally anything here from what I've seen.

[chopemon]

So what are the prices like for newish games over there? On Play-Asia Caladrius and the new Dodonpachi are ?50 a pop. Will that be the going price for stuff like that over there?

[briareos_kerensky]

Not that much different. In fact, there's an higher chance of online retailers lowering the price, though you'd still have to deal with shipping and potential customs. All in all you'll spend less buying it in Japan...but don't go for Caladrius unless you're very thristy for shoot'em'ups.

[chopemon]

Cheers briareos!

Hopefully I'll find what I'm after (J only 360 games) a bit cheaper second hand and will probably swerve on Caladrius.

[chopemon]

Any suggestions for stuff to do in the evenings? We're going to be wondering around the different parts of Tokyo during the day but not sure what it's like for gaijin at night. Good karaoke bars? Good izakayas to chill in?

[fuse]

Where are you staying again?

I was in Shinjuku, and being as game shops closed about midnight, and then arcades a few hours later, you can probably guess how I spent many an evening.

[chopemon]

I'm in Shinjuku as well so that sounds bang on.

[Profit]

Anyone going to Animelo Concert at Saitama Super Arena on August 23-25 and Tokyo Games Show on September 21-22? I'd be happy to meet up.

Thanks.

[ETC]

I'm in Shinjuku as well so that sounds bang on.

Which hotel did you pick bud? I have my booking in but tempted to try to get a closer one.

[briareos_kerensky]

I'm in Shinjuku as well so that sounds bang on.

If you're in Shinjuku you can just spend the whole night there, either going in pubs or essentially anywhere: the night is when the Japanese get drunk and the fun begins
Though you'll might want to spend some time in the outskirts, last time I was in Tokyo I spent an evening searching for a micro-brewery in Shimokitazawa and instead ended up in some of the most peculiar pubs/eateries/arcades (as in streets, not gaming arcades) seen so far. Harajuku is an other good place where to spend nights, and if you are interested in beers, there's a good pub five minutes from the local station.

[ETC]

If you're in Shinjuku you can just spend the whole night there, either going in pubs or essentially anywhere: the night is when the Japanese get drunk and the fun begins
Though you'll might want to spend some time in the outskirts, last time I was in Tokyo I spent an evening searching for a micro-brewery in Shimokitazawa and instead ended up in some of the most peculiar pubs/eateries/arcades (as in streets, not gaming arcades) seen so far. Harajuku is an other good place where to spend nights, and if you are interested in beers, there's a good pub five minutes from the local station.

Beers??? As in micro brew beer??

any chance of a heads up

[briareos_kerensky]

Beers??? As in micro brew beer??

any chance of a heads up

Yep. Shimokitazawa apparently holds the best microbrewery pub in all Tokyo, but a combination of poor orienteering skills, cloudy sky, lack of GPS and uncooperative Google Maps I wasn't able to find it However I found a very nice place with some good American and European beers, which were more than welcome after the way too many places serving Asahi or Sapporo.
In Harajuku, entering the mail street, take the Idon'trememberwhichonebutshouldbethe2ndor3rd intersection on the left and you'll find a nice pub with Japanese microbrews and excellent food...and, I must admit, my first time eating curry as shown in anime :P
Then there's a good place in Osaka, but unfortunately it serves only good European beers. They had a red Japanese microbrew but it was completely tasteless...I think it was the brewer's target, I mean, no taste at all in a red beer...

[tokyochojin]

Guys, if you are visiting Japan and would like to know the best shops to visit in Akihabara for retro games I made a handy little guide - http://dreamcastgaga.blogspot.jp/201...akihabara.html

Let me know what you think!

[briareos_kerensky]

You should add the Mandarake in Nakano Highway...not Akihabara and therefore not in the article's scope, but I've found Nakano to be more enojoyable that Akihabara for shopping.