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    It's more than likely that I'll be visting Japan in September so I'm hoping to attend this years TGS on both days open to the public, could anyone that's been in previous years tell me if it's worth ordering tickets to be shipped to the UK as soon as they're available or would I just be better off getting tickets at the venue when I arrive there?.

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      Akihabara really is changing at an amazing pace. When i first got here, the area to the right of the Yamanote station was basketball courts and a carpark. Now it's a bunch of huge buildings and even has a British bar (The Rose and Crown).

      It used to be painful going to Akihabara if you had to eat whilst there - the places were okay, but a bit dumpy. Now? man, it's becoming a culinary powerhouse! lol.

      My hot tip is still Komen in Yodobashi - the kogashi tantanmen is spectacular, especially with the dried garlic topping. Sure it knocks about 3 years of your life but god it is worth it.

      Perhaps some of us should hook up there one time?

      It's more than likely that I'll be visting Japan in September so I'm hoping to attend this years TGS on both days open to the public, could anyone that's been in previous years tell me if it's worth ordering tickets to be shipped to the UK as soon as they're available or would I just be better off getting tickets at the venue when I arrive there?.
      When i had to go on the public days, i've always just turned up on the day and paid on the gate - if you want to avoid queuing around for that, you can always buy the tickets at most JR stations when you get here.

      Sounds like this year, they are clamping down on people slying in to the press day. Last year had much harder checking than previous years - people getting turned away with the "we work for <blah> but we don't have our docs" - now you give your name, and they cross check you on preregistered list.
      Last edited by DCharlie; 28-06-2006, 23:54.

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        Finally got my pics online, had 3 days in Tokyo middle of June, pissed it down all the time, that's why we went to Disneyland on the last day, dragging the missus around shops and sites in the soaking rain isn't easy.

        Absolutely fantastic place and a big thank you to Darwock for recommending Tokyo Ryokan to us, the place was brilliant and cheap to boot. See the 2nd pic for the view out of the window and the last pic for a pic of the room itself.

        Oh and about the 2 toy dogs, well, they travel everywhere with us, it's a long story

        Enjoy

        Tokyo

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          You came during the rainy season. We have hardly seen the sun for about a month.

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            I know, still bloody hot though!!

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              TGS 06 tickets, what's the best way of picking some up?........ anyone?.

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                Bit of a random bump, but I bought ?150 worth of Yen last week (31,000Y) for my proposed return to Osaka in a couple of weeks.

                Anyway, long story short I wont be returning to Japan until next summer, when I will be moving there permanently. I just had to buy a new iMac to get me through my final year of my architectural design degree.

                So is anyone going to Japan anytime soon? And would they be interested in buying my ?150 worth of Yen off me for say, ?140?
                Drop me a PM if so.

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                  Originally posted by dave heats
                  Bit of a random bump, but I bought ?150 worth of Yen last week (31,000Y) for my proposed return to Osaka in a couple of weeks.

                  Anyway, long story short I wont be returning to Japan until next summer, when I will be moving there permanently. I just had to buy a new iMac to get me through my final year of my architectural design degree.

                  So is anyone going to Japan anytime soon? And would they be interested in buying my ?150 worth of Yen off me for say, ?140?
                  Drop me a PM if so.
                  I think the post office do a comissions free trade in... maybe worth a try

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                    Hey all,

                    I'm off to Tokyo in a couple months time *god-willing* and I'm trying to gauge how much I need to budget for getting around Tokyo and a daily allowance for food, drink etc.

                    We're sorting our JR passes this weekend so we can visit Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama et cetra whilst we're there, as well as our Studio Ghibli tickets -- is there anything else considered a must see to take full advantage of our JR passes?

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                      If it's not already on your list try to visit Kamakura - it's just a bit further south from Yokohama (think it's about four to six stops) and a lovely little town.

                      If you have enough time in Osaka make sure you go through Den Den Town (which is in the Minami area - i.e. south of the city) - it's loads better than Akhihabara in terms of quantity of, and prices for, games and electronics.

                      And really, i know everyone is in love with this idea of Kyoto but seriously it's not all that impressive. I found it quite clinical and lifeless with all the camera-round-necks-yellow-shorted tourists and the main temple attractions are underwhelming for that reason. Spend a day there if you must, try to find the smaller temples up north in the residential areas, or go south Kyoto and visit the Nintendo building ; but it's really not worth staying for longer - spend more time in Osaka, Tokyo or, if you really want to take advantage of the JR pass - Hiroshima, Nagoya and Kobe.
                      Last edited by suicidepirate; 15-08-2006, 23:45.

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                        I agree completely. Kyoto is very underwhelming, especially if you go there after Tokyo. However, I would recommend the monkey park and the 'romance' train. Kamakura is definitely worth a visit and there are lots of other places on the outskirts of Tokyo that are great for day trips. Budget wise, you can obviously spend as much as you want, but food is cheap and you can travel on the tube for as little as 80p for a few stops.
                        Don't look at me, I'm irrelevant.

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                          Originally posted by suicidepirate
                          If it's not already on your list try to visit Kamakura - it's just a bit further south from Yokohama (think it's about four to six stops) and a lovely little town.

                          If you have enough time in Osaka make sure you go through Den Den Town (which is in the Minami area - i.e. south of the city) - it's loads better than Akhihabara in terms of quantity of, and prices for, games and electronics.

                          And really, i know everyone is in love with this idea of Kyoto but seriously it's not all that impressive. I found it quite clinical and lifeless with all the camera-round-necks-yellow-shorted tourists and the main temple attractions are underwhelming for that reason. Spend a day there if you must, try to find the smaller temples up north in the residential areas, or go south Kyoto and visit the Nintendo building ; but it's really not worth staying for longer - spend more time in Osaka, Tokyo or, if you really want to take advantage of the JR pass - Hiroshima, Nagoya and Kobe.
                          Figured as much tbh mate, we was due to stay there for a day or two, but managed to convince the missus a day is enough!

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                            I absolutely loved Kyoto. It's so mellow.. just walking about in the evenings and sitting on the river bank with all the other people, it was like a summer festival kind of vibe every day, but it was just another day in the city. Can't understand why people wouldn't love it, unless it's because you were looking for a Tokyo experience (cos you won't find it)

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                              I disagree, Kyoto is fantastic. Ninnaji, Kinkakuji temple's and Nijo castle are superb, particularly the nightingale floor at Nijo is well worth experiencing.
                              However, it's all down to individual taste and what you wish to see.

                              Nara also has some great sights with two World heritage Sites next to each other in the shape of Toadiji and Kasuga Shrine, Yakushiji is also well worth getting to see.

                              Himeji Castle which is the best one in all of Japan is also in the vicinity and if you can get there the National Ninja museum it Iga-Ueno is excellent and also has a castle up the road too.

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                                Originally posted by Darwock
                                Can't understand why people wouldn't love it, unless it's because you were looking for a Tokyo experience (cos you won't find it)
                                No not at all. I went to Kyoto while i was travelling through Japan - top to bottom - with no particular focus or itinerary. I simply felt it had no 'heart', ironic considering the beauty that lies within it architecturally. It's hard to explain but i was simply underwhelmed by it. Walking out of the huge JR station to see the huge bus terminal and seeing the huge crowds... it was as far from mellow and unassuming as one can get. That inital impression never really left me, even though i did manage to go further north in Kyoto and stay in what was genuinely a nice, relaxing area away from the main Temple attractions in the centre and the east of the city by the river, which as I said, while beautiful aesthetically had no emotional impact. (And no i wasn't actively 'looking' for an emotional experience, as if one ever could! But the total lack of any feelings for the experience either way stood out.)

                                At the end of the day, i'm not saying it's a fact that Kyoto is crap or something, hehe - it clearly isn't (and that stuff is obviously down to the individual experience anyway). I just felt that in proportion to its reputation (which it is impossible not to be aware of) it is not that special a place and not worth spending several days in.

                                ...unless you do find you really like it after a day Bleeders - in which case, errr, ignore me and stay for longer!

                                PS - agree with Ampanman, Himeji Castle is worth seeing and the Ninja museum was brilliant - if only because getting there involves getting on a single-carriage train that's got a bright pink/purple Ninja paint job!
                                Last edited by suicidepirate; 16-08-2006, 13:02.

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