killertofu
Member
goddamn my friends are stressing me out about traveling
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Japan Travel |OT| One does simply not visit just once
- Thread starter hwalker84
- Start date
Subpar Scrub
Banned
In what sense?
killertofu
Member
Just in the sense of trains, getting somewhere, how much money being spent, how long were at certain destinations, stuff like that.
They're trying to cram so much in but also don't want to spend the coin to get there.
I just want to like, eat stuff and take photos and roam. Having a itinerary this detailed just stresses me out and I don't like being stressed on vacation lol.
It's also their first trip out of the country so it's hard for them to gauge the nuances that's gonna happen
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Yeah man I get you. I have my itinerary set into priorities, so I go to the stuff I REALLY want to see first, but give myself enough time to roam.
Some days are packed though, where I need to get to 3/4 temples in the same day, or the day trip to Nara.
Just make sure if you want to see something, YOU see it. It's your holiday too, and I've been told you can spend a whole day in some districts where you expect to see everything in an hour.
In terms of money... Well, it's something you have to deal with unfortunately :/ no point in spending thousands to fly to a foreign country and stay there and then not spend money busing/training around to places you want to experience.
Maybe talk to them about arranging a priority system or cutting some lesser attractions out in favour of wandering time? As I understand it, you're quite close to heading there though aren't you?
How many of you are travelling? How long?
killertofu
Member
4 people. 2 extra meeting us for a bit from Hong Kong. And lol this itinerary IS the cutting it down. I'm more of a "have one or two things you have to do and then spend the rest of the time exploring" kind of guy....like, wheres the spontaneity? Why do we need to know exactly where we're gonna go eat after attraction x. We're there for twelve days. If I get too annoyed I'lll just ditch them for a day lol
MikeHattsu
Member
Try adding as much stuff, that you don't care too much about missing, into the end of the first day as possible and then they'll see that it's not doable after you try to do it all.
My trip got a lot better once I stopped following GMap's path everywhere, that's for damn sure. Where to eat was simplified to "pick the place with the most locals inside."
Trip's almost over now, leaving tomorrow. Kyoto had both the best and worst times of the trip. Crowded places + short people x umbrellas = constant fear of decapitation (or at least neck wounds). The Fushimi Inari shrine after dark was pure zen though.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Dude I totally feel you.
One of my days just says "shibuya/akihabara" and another just "akihabara".
One of my Osaka days says "aquarium/explore/dotonbori at night"
It's important to be able to have a look around and take it in, I find. Was going to just wing the stations haha.
As for where to eat, I've only decided that I want to eat at pontocho alley in Kyoto one night. Maybe the black hole beef place in Tokyo, but I haven't decided.
The most packed of my days is an Osaka-Nara day trip-Kyoto day and a day in Kyoto where I'm trying to see the silver and golden pavilion with kiyomizudera and higashiyama in the same day.
But try to enjoy it man, hope everything works out.
Oooooooo, after dark? I was planning on walking it one morning, but I could move it around. Is there lighting?
Also what do you mean by "following g-maps paths"? I was planning on using g-maps if I get lost or when walking around.
ThreePiMatt
Member
I got back to Tokyo in about two weeks. I have tickets to a concert one day, and nothing else planned. I know I'll be going to a couple baseball games, so I'll find stuff to do in those areas on those days. The remaining days? Whatevs, I'll figure it out.
Yep, the path's lit, but not overbearingly so. The selling point was the number of other visitors there. As in, there were maybe 5; Enough to know you're not breaking the law. Compared to other shrines I visited, that was a breath of fresh air.
My first days in, I followed the paths religiously. Before long I eschewed the map in favor of heading in the general direction, only checking the map if I was really lost. Notable exception: if I was using Kyoto's buses to get somewhere. Walking, I became prone to "ooh, that looks interesting". And I loved it.
Also check out Arashiyama Monkey Park. Hike up a mountain, get a beautiful view of Kyoto, and feed some monkeys.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
I will if I get the chance, thanks. I'm only there for 1.5 days so I'll see if I can shuffle around my bullet train to be later in the day or something.
Totally feel you. I think its also really annoying on the other end when they don't know what they want to do and blame you for wasting their time.
Last time I was in Hong Kong with my cousin (who grew up there in her earlier years) I just said fuck it and left the apartment without them and did me.
I find it hard to find people I like travelling with because my priorities are different. I don't need to visit all the cultural things just so I can take a picture to prove people I've been there. I just want to eat really good food, see cool and interesting things, and just take the entire city in a little bit at a time.
That's definitely what we did and we were all the better for it. Once you realize there's no chance in hell you will see everything you would like to, it's so much easier to just prioritize one or two things a day and say screw it. Still was always hard to pick where to eat though. When almost everything looks/smells so good...
We did exactly this and it was one of my favorite days. We stumbled upon an idol concert right on the river. It was fantastic.
I was really happy once we started hiking into Fushimi Inari after dark as well - you still have a lot of people congregating up front but the farther you go the less there are until you can actually walk ten steps without people taking selfies (not that I didn't also take my share!)
Sometimes Google Maps would take us down a residential street that was sometimes a lot of fun to walk down and just look around, but it can be a little awkward too...
And yeah we loved the Monkey Park once we got all the way up there. We got lucky and they had feeding time right before we left too which was hilarious, as they just tossed food around the area and played a midi over this crumbling loudspeaker.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
We did exactly this and it was one of my favorite days. We stumbled upon an idol concert right on the river. It was fantastic.
Great to hear
It's amazing the stuff you can stumble upon. On the way to the Mega-tokyo Pokemon center, I happened upon a cosplay meetup. Took a wrong term on the way to the gym, found a kids karate tourney. Just today I saw a dance festival while enroute to the Tokyo National Museum. Though it was jarring to hear Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" on your way to get cultured.Great to hear
That culture was then balanced with a trip to a maid cafe. I don't get the hype. Though it's hilarious you can pay money to play "crocodile dentist"...
killertofu
Member
Robot restaurant is overrated right
Subpar Scrub
Banned
I was planning on going there, heard pretty good things overall.
Around page 400. (unless op has been abandoned (or the op has been banned) the thread and people decide that a new thread is needed to make it more updated.)
I will never abandon you...
Subpar Scrub
Banned
I mean, there's no point not skipping to the end of a travel thread. As long as the OP is updated then it seems fine. Most of the suggestions and info other users give would have to be double-checked regularly for change though.
Going to be going to Japan tomorrow, flying out in around 32 hours. Going to be in Tokyo for 7 days, Sendai for 4, then Sapporo for 7.
I lived in Chitose years ago and visited Japan last year had a great trip. Being in Tokyo again, what are some good places to go for food? Last year my friends and I went to some nice destinations but I'd like to go to some bars and restaurant this time.
Also, recommendations of places to see in Sendai and Sapporo? We're kind of free and mainly just going to be looking up things to do on the fly for what we've planned right now.
I lived in Chitose years ago and visited Japan last year had a great trip. Being in Tokyo again, what are some good places to go for food? Last year my friends and I went to some nice destinations but I'd like to go to some bars and restaurant this time.
Also, recommendations of places to see in Sendai and Sapporo? We're kind of free and mainly just going to be looking up things to do on the fly for what we've planned right now.
SiegfriedFM
Member
I got the feeling that it is "every crazy Japanese stereotype condensed into a show" for people who won't take the time to actually experience Japan. Not too bothered that I missed it. Just going past the entrance was a descent into gilded decadence.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Oh damn, that's a shame. I'll be strolling around Shinjuku for the night anyway, might as well walk past and see how it is.
If you like ramen and spicy ramen I would recommend going to Kikanbo near Kanda station in Tokyo. My friend and I both really enjoyed it when we went.
There is also a lot of food inside of Tokyo station. we ate there a few times and always were happy with it.
Otherwise we mostly just wandered into places which for the most part worked out pretty well. There's seemingly a restaurant every other store in Tokyo.
ThatCrazyGuy
Member
This is what I did. It worked out most of the time. Little food shops everywhere it seems.
Right.
BronsonLee
Member
Ok so.
I go to Tokyo in a month.
I need help planning it out. Kick over some recommendations before I turn into a pile of anxiety
I go to Tokyo in a month.
I need help planning it out. Kick over some recommendations before I turn into a pile of anxiety
MikeHattsu
Member
Go to that Game On thing in Odaiba and try PSVR. Watch out so you don't get pink eye though ;p
BronsonLee
Member
Ooooh that looks fun. I tried Oculus this weekend at a public event so I probably already have it #SpreadItOn
CountBlack
Member
I'm leaving on Thursday and I haven't started any sort of itinerary yet.
What do you guys recommend for first time goers? I know I want to check out Akihabara, the Skytree, meet up with a friend by Saitama, go to the One piece store
What do you guys recommend for first time goers? I know I want to check out Akihabara, the Skytree, meet up with a friend by Saitama, go to the One piece store
ThreePiMatt
Member
I'll probably head to that GameOn thing in Odaiba as well. I liked that area, want to see more of it. Also want to go back to that arcade/store place that had all the old electromechanical games, that place seemed really cool.
I'm kind of iffy on Skytree. I think it looks cool, but when I went the line was horrendously long, and I'm not 100% sure its worth the 3000 yen or whatever it was to go up. Granted, it was also somewhat foggy the day I went so I didn't get a great view.
I'm leaving on Thursday and I haven't started any sort of itinerary yet.
What do you guys recommend for first time goers? I know I want to check out Akihabara, the Skytree, meet up with a friend by Saitama, go to the One piece store
I'm kind of iffy on Skytree. I think it looks cool, but when I went the line was horrendously long, and I'm not 100% sure its worth the 3000 yen or whatever it was to go up. Granted, it was also somewhat foggy the day I went so I didn't get a great view.
killertofu
Member
So best practices for cash...
I'm thinking of getting out maybe like 300$ cash and then exchanging it at the airport. That'll be enough to buy the JR pass at the airport and then our transportation to our Air BnB and extra money. Then just use ATMs because my bank only charges 1%.
Does that sound right?
I'm thinking of getting out maybe like 300$ cash and then exchanging it at the airport. That'll be enough to buy the JR pass at the airport and then our transportation to our Air BnB and extra money. Then just use ATMs because my bank only charges 1%.
Does that sound right?
MikeHattsu
Member
I'd rather go to Mori Tower and go up to the Sky Deck.
Sounds good.
And Mori Tower has a Sailor Moon exhibition going on with original art and a collection of rare memorobilia.
SiegfriedFM
Member
Skytree was cool. We didn't spend too much time there, but it was fun to spot where we had been. For that reason, it might be a good idea to go there last on your trip.
Also, you can pay a little bit extra to skip the lines.
Also, you can pay a little bit extra to skip the lines.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Cheers guys, added the Miraikan to my Odaiba day.
I'm going to hit the skytree on my first actual day there, any suggestions on whether to go during the day or night? I was going to go to the aquarium as well.
I'm going to hit the skytree on my first actual day there, any suggestions on whether to go during the day or night? I was going to go to the aquarium as well.
ThatCrazyGuy
Member
I went to the (not as high) Bunkyo Civic Center observation deck. It was a pretty cool view. And free
killertofu
Member
Two more sleeps
MikeHattsu
Member
Just booked a trip for Fall 2016
I went to the (not as high) Bunkyo Civic Center observation deck. It was a pretty cool view. And free
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku is also free and offers a great view.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Just booked a trip for Fall 2016
Good stuff. Which month?
MikeHattsu
Member
September and October. Gonna check out the queues at TGS
Oh sweet! See you there maybe. Not TGS but somewhere in Tokyo...hopefully not the Robot Restaurant.
MikeHattsu
Member
When will ya be in Tokyo?
GF and I are in the process of planning a 2 week trip to Japan (where, besides Tokyo, is tbd). She wants to do August because work is slow then. Is there a better month we should be considering? Since this is going to set us back quite a bit of money, would prefer to do it right. I'll be combing through this thread for recommendations in the meantime
BronsonLee
Member
Slowly getting a plan together. Gonna see a baseball game at the Tokyo Dome on May 28th, then watch Dragon Gate on June 2nd.
I love gardens and museums, so my friend said I need to check out the Edo-Tokyo one and the Tokyo National Museum, which is in Ueno so I can get my photobug on.
It's like a month away.
I haven't even bothered practicing my Japanese.
私は完全にめちゃくちゃしています
I love gardens and museums, so my friend said I need to check out the Edo-Tokyo one and the Tokyo National Museum, which is in Ueno so I can get my photobug on.
It's like a month away.
I haven't even bothered practicing my Japanese.
私は完全にめちゃくちゃしています
MikeHattsu
Member
GF and I are in the process of planning a 2 week trip to Japan (where, besides Tokyo, is tbd). She wants to do August because work is slow then. Is there a better month we should be considering? Since this is going to set us back quite a bit of money, would prefer to do it right. I'll be combing through this thread for recommendations in the meantime
August is hot, humid and horrible. I'd say October - November and March - May (except Golden Week) are the best months to go.
Hanckybrainy
Neo Member
Hi Tokyo-GAF. I'm about to go on a trip in Tokyo for the first time. I will leave at the end of this week (I'm from Paris, France). I'm excited!
I like electronic music and clubbing and Tokyo seems to be a nice place to have a neat clubbing experience. So I'd like to go out one night in a club in Tokyo. But I don't know which one to pick! What I usually listen to is genres like drum and bass, drill and bass, IDM, electronica, breakcore, hardcore (happy or others), dubstep...
Is anyone have a recommendation about the club to hit while I'm there? It would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, tokyo-gaffers!
I like electronic music and clubbing and Tokyo seems to be a nice place to have a neat clubbing experience. So I'd like to go out one night in a club in Tokyo. But I don't know which one to pick! What I usually listen to is genres like drum and bass, drill and bass, IDM, electronica, breakcore, hardcore (happy or others), dubstep...
Is anyone have a recommendation about the club to hit while I'm there? It would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, tokyo-gaffers!
killertofu
Member
Hmm, we might be renting a car to take to Nikko/Mt. Fuji instead. Our friends have International Drivers' Permits.