Japan

[Sockstuff]

I've just made a snap decision. I want to go to japan next year, probably on my own. Its somewhere I've always fancied going and I have money burning a hole in my pocket.

Has anyone here been? Like it? Hate it? Expensive? Friendly? Easy to find things to do? Easy to get around?

Whens the best time to go? Someone at work who has been a few times says april.

I'm really liking the idea of going on my own, do you think this is wise?

 

[Trem]

Great sig

I would be too scared to go on my own

The ladies there though.......


*fap*

*fap*

*fap*

*jis*

 

[rynnor]

Easy to get around?

A mate went - said its hard to find your way around the cities - he used sat-nav to get around in the end.

 

[TdC]

It's expensive too. especially the larger cities. 2 bob a night hostels? you'll not find those in Tokyo matey. Well done though Socky, I want to go to Japan too

 

[Sockstuff]

The ladies there though.......

Well a friend just sorted me out with that.... http://www.penismightier.com/articles.php?id=16510

Step 1 & 2 already taken care of

 

[babs]

April is a good time, try to catch it during Sakura (Cherry Blossom) season if you can, they go absolutely nuts over it and the whole country goes pink.

I assume you're going to Tokyo (maybe Osaka). Head for Roppongi district for clubs and slutty ...sluts, Akihabara for games and electronics. Shinjuku is nice but quite pricey. The people in general should be quite friendly, just don't take the piss.

There are loads of westerner-friendly hotels, some are quite famous like the Sakura Hotel (which apparently has whingy Americans in it most of the time). If you can though, spend at least a night at a Ryokan (traditional inn).

I've not been myself (more's the pity) but by all accounts most things are in English as well as Kana/Kanji, especially things like subways. You are right to go in the spring, summer is supposedly unbearably hot and humid.

Make sure you visit a Hostess Club at least once too If you get stuck for somewhere to stay there's always the love hotels, but you'll be paying by the hour and probably sleeping in semen.

If you want any help with phrases let me know, I'm in my second year of studying Japanese now so am familiar with the basics.

edit: lol, just read that link, see, Roppongi

 

[anattic]

It's an amazing place - the one place I've been that resulted in true culture-shock (both good and bad).

What Babs said about the signage/menus/English-spoken is true for Tokyo, although the further out you get, the less there is. It is well worth either learning the Kana (the phonetic Japanese syllabaries) or at least taking a crib-sheet with you. Katakana in particular is useful since many 'imported' (English) words are translitterated into it. For the Kanji, I just tried to remember them by word-association (i.e. Shinjuku = Lamp-post-upside-down-frying-pan).

If you can get out into the countryside, go up to Hakone. It is a beautiful place.

And it rains...alot...

 

[throdgrain]

Babs I hope you're noticing how quiet I am on this subject !

 

[babs]

LOL I just saw that you had replied and thought 'Oh my god, no'.

 

[throdgrain]

I actually DID reply yesterday, but deleted it for fear of offence.
Now its not often I say that , now is it

 

[TdC]

and a good thing you did too Throd

 

[DaGaffer]

Japan, China and proper trip round South America are my top three "travel to-do's". After that I'm kinda done , except maybe Cuba...oh, and New Zealand...and maybe the Phillipines...

 

[TdC]

New Zealand rocks hard tbh.

 

[throdgrain]

and a good thing you did too Throd

Im a nice guy really,kind of

 

[Draylor]

Japan has to be worth a look, any country that consistently invents products you just cant live without clearly has alot going for it.

 

[Whipped]

I've always wanted to visit Leeds

 

[Guest]

Leeds rocks hard

 

[Wij]

ai de sora ga ochitekuru

ore no mune ni ochitekuru