yes please!
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Japan Travel |OT| One does simply not visit just once
- Thread starter hwalker84
- Start date
yes please!
I took Japan Airlines, they even encourage you to buy additional luggage (you're allowed two checked-in luggages) to buy souvenirs and all that... They really don't care as long as it isn't something illegal.
RapidCancel
Member
Awesome. Mind if I get some credit, never been part of an OP for an OT before
When I took Malaysian air the first time I went, they actually allowed 2 checked in luggages per person and we bought a ton of stuff. When I took Canada air last year though, they only allowed 1 check in and the weight limit was less too. We had to do a lot of moving stuff around and getting rid of a few things last year. Kinda sucked. I looked at JAL, but the price difference was usually $500+ more per person.
I actually came back in here to edit my post and give you all of the credit but you got to it first.Awesome. Mind if I get some credit, never been part of an OP for an OT before
Really? I took Air Canada -> JAL and I was allowed 2 baggages on both.
RapidCancel
Member
I have too much free time at work haha. Plus it took a while to type that stuff. We're you going to credit in the OP?
Yeah it's some stupid thing where if you purchase your ticket between a certain date they don't give the second bag free. It still shows up like that on their website.
TheBryanJZX90
Member
OP is looking good, one suggestion is some Japan-specific accommodation sites. Major international sites will have international chain hotels or you could book directly with a hostel, but there are a lot of good choices in the middle too.
http://www.japanican.com
http://travel.rakuten.com
Both are run by major Japanese travel companies and have a lot more selection than something like Expedia.
http://www.japanican.com
http://travel.rakuten.com
Both are run by major Japanese travel companies and have a lot more selection than something like Expedia.
MikeHattsu
Member
Don't forget to add hostelworld. That's where I got my current booking.
Going to Nara today!
Going to Nara today!
Which Hostel in Nara? Fing loved that place.
MikeHattsu
Member
No hostel. Just taking the train for a day trip. Just finished my visit to Fushimi Inari shrine.
for accommodation
http://booking.com
data
http://japan-wireless.com
http://globaladvancedcomm.com
japan national tourism organization
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
OP is too tokyo centric
http://booking.com
data
http://japan-wireless.com
http://globaladvancedcomm.com
japan national tourism organization
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
OP is too tokyo centric
Will add to the OP.for accommodation
http://booking.com
data
http://japan-wireless.com
http://globaladvancedcomm.com
japan national tourism organization
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
OP is too tokyo centric
MikeHattsu
Member
Could be useful to have some info for those arriving at Haneda and KIX too.
RapidCancel
Member
Can also throw in TripAdvisor for reviews on hostels and etc.
MikeHattsu
Member
Pics from Fushimi Inari shrine:
How long did it take you to get to the top? =p
MikeHattsu
Member
I only went half-way to the top since I was going to Nara:
That's Todaiji temple in Nara in the last pic.
HammerOfThor
Member
I've always wanted to visit Japan and a few Eurpean countries, but all I know is English.
Genuine question, how do you get around not knowing the native tongue?
Genuine question, how do you get around not knowing the native tongue?
OJdaKiller
Member
Lots of stuff is already in English and seemingly almost everyone at least knows some English...Don't let that hold you back from going..I've gone twice knowing no Japanese.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
I don't know the answer to that since I have my 2 years of Japanese in college. But I'm not at all fluent so I know the general feeling of stumbling through there.
But English is written most everywhere. Lots of places have English menus and whatnot. You will not be the first English speaker stumbling through the country and they want your business so they usually accommodate. Many people know English there too. It's not something you can count on... but there's usually at least one person around semi-fluent.
Just learn a few basic phrases. How much is this? Where is this? Excuse me. Thank you.
I've never been to Europe but I bet they ALL know English at this point.
ThreePiMatt
Member
Not sure if/how much its going to help but I'm planning on taking a Japanese class at my local community college before my trip in August. Figured it couldn't hurt.
MikeHattsu
Member
As long as you go to tourist locations you should be perfectly fine without knowing any Japanese. There's maps and English signs everywhere in the big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.
I don't read nor speak Japanese and I was traveling alone and survived!
The power of google maps and hands signal
And for the tourist spots, just follow the people in front of you haha
Did Hiroshima yesterday and just come back from miyajima.
Hiroshima was interesting. The streetcar to the atomic bomb dome drops you literally next to it. so matter of factly that it feels a bit underwhelming. But the peace park is really nice. That sense of quietness really makes you stop and think.
Had soba okonomiyaki at a place calle Goemon which was really nice.
Miyajima was good. We went fairly early so it was quiet and we could get some nice photos. We ran into a wedding party having photos taken at the torii gate so we took some of them too
Now heading back to Hiroshima to catch the shinkansen to Tokyo. Tomorrow we'll hang around asakasa and the skytree
Hiroshima was interesting. The streetcar to the atomic bomb dome drops you literally next to it. so matter of factly that it feels a bit underwhelming. But the peace park is really nice. That sense of quietness really makes you stop and think.
Had soba okonomiyaki at a place calle Goemon which was really nice.
Miyajima was good. We went fairly early so it was quiet and we could get some nice photos. We ran into a wedding party having photos taken at the torii gate so we took some of them too
Now heading back to Hiroshima to catch the shinkansen to Tokyo. Tomorrow we'll hang around asakasa and the skytree
Did Hiroshima yesterday and just come back from miyajima.
Hiroshima was interesting. The streetcar to the atomic bomb dome drops you literally next to it. so matter of factly that it feels a bit underwhelming. But the peace park is really nice. That sense of quietness really makes you stop and think.
Had soba okonomiyaki at a place calle Goemon which was really nice.
Miyajima was good. We went fairly early so it was quiet and we could get some nice photos. We ran into a wedding party having photos taken at the torii gate so we took some of them too
Now heading back to Hiroshima to catch the shinkansen to Tokyo. Tomorrow we'll hang around asakasa and the skytree
Did you make to the museum?
Is one of the most amazing sites I had been.
Now you need Osaka to eat the local okonomiyaki
Tomorrow and Saturday is my day off. Shoot me a PM if wanna meet
Ho come there's no people?
When I was there it was really hard to take pic without tourist!
Same. Though I don't necessarily mind having people in photos, I want them to look natural rather than taking photos of other people posing for photos.
Going to the top is something I may consider doing next time.
MikeHattsu
Member
I went early at like 7. And there were a few other people there, but not a lot. And these are some select shots with less people in them.
I only went half-way to the top since I was going to Nara:
That's Todaiji temple in Nara in the last pic.
Love seeing these pics from similar shots that I took
Here's mine
And mine lol
I just took random pic with one hand, the other one was holding umbrella
MikeHattsu
Member
I was all over Kyoto yesterday:
Kinkakuji:
Ginkakuji:
Kiyomizudera:
Shimogamo Shrine:
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine:
Iwatayama Monkey Park:
Kinkakuji:
Ginkakuji:
Kiyomizudera:
Shimogamo Shrine:
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine:
Iwatayama Monkey Park:
distantmantra
Member
Fuji is visible this morning in Tokyo. Just noticed the top of it from our balcony in Sangenjaya.
Boom Boom Pow
Banned
any interseting thing going on for golden weekend down in the sanyo/kansai region?
StormyTheRabbit
Member
Am I crazy for wanting to just travel Japan's countryside even more so than it's cities?
DCharlie
Banned
We should be coordinating this a bit better - there's a steady throughput of Gaffers so we should have a prescribed location in Tokyo/osaka/etc every month
Christ - i've been saying hi to all and sundry in aki - this is making me look a bit stalkery but , fuck it, my main "trait" is i'm approachable and willing to say hi
If you are Josh from the Navy and were wearing the newcastle shirt ... hi again
Or - as i say - Gaf stickers so we can rock up and annoy/help you visitors
Christ - i've been saying hi to all and sundry in aki - this is making me look a bit stalkery but , fuck it, my main "trait" is i'm approachable and willing to say hi
If you are Josh from the Navy and were wearing the newcastle shirt ... hi again
Or - as i say - Gaf stickers so we can rock up and annoy/help you visitors
FINALFANTASYDOG
Member
Silly Question!
Is it considered unacceptable to just go and freely charge your cell phones in cafes after purchasing an order?
I was in the idol cafe / live house(one where Denpa Inc. got thier start) in Akihabara and was semi-amused that the staff went from "welcome home master" in a high-pitched voice.
To sternly saying from across the room in a low-pitched voice "In this store, do not charge your devices!" like I was doing something that was obviously not in common sense, when I was using a plug right next to my table.
Back when I lived in Japan I had no smart phone so didn't have this.... but now I've been charging it at every cafe I've gone too.
I was thinking since they had 500 yen/30 mins cover charge, but maybe it's an insult to use that time looking at your cell phone instead of at the idols in training....
Is it considered unacceptable to just go and freely charge your cell phones in cafes after purchasing an order?
I was in the idol cafe / live house(one where Denpa Inc. got thier start) in Akihabara and was semi-amused that the staff went from "welcome home master" in a high-pitched voice.
To sternly saying from across the room in a low-pitched voice "In this store, do not charge your devices!" like I was doing something that was obviously not in common sense, when I was using a plug right next to my table.
Back when I lived in Japan I had no smart phone so didn't have this.... but now I've been charging it at every cafe I've gone too.
I was thinking since they had 500 yen/30 mins cover charge, but maybe it's an insult to use that time looking at your cell phone instead of at the idols in training....
I've never bothered to go into a idol cafe, so I don't know what the rules are there, but I've seen people charge their phones at Starbucks and McDonalds.
If i remember a tv show i watched where it was one of those random facts they threw out ... it's technically illegal/stealing (窃盗罪
to use outlets w/o permission in JapanTECHNICALLY though. I highly doubt they enforce it that strongly though :d
I'll just ignore the touristy pictures...
How about Some Food Photos!
666 - コンデンス煮干しつけ麺 Condensed Niboshi Tsukemen (so thick. So amazing.)
Breakfast @ Denny's! - With the staple nuclear green melon soda I highly suggest trying the Denny's in Japan, you will be pleasantly surprised
Gyuan - Meat Nigiri! 100g Sirloin + 100g Filet of Kobe Beef! (Thanks RapidCancel!! it was AMAZING)
Tsukiji - Unfortunately we went on a day off... so only 2 or 3 places were open.. still good though!
Tsurutontan : Curry Udon with Shabu Beef- That bowl was huge, was also yummy! Mmm Mm
Ramen Museum - Salmon based Ramen, then Tonkotsu-Miso mix ramen.Mm. Great to try both "sides" of the ramen base spectrum. Both amazing, but I naturally prefer the thicker styles
Omae Teppanyaki - Assorted appetizers | Red Snapper & Scallop | Japanese Chateaubriand!
Papapapapain - Pineapple Ramen! (Salt + Shrimp base soup with actual pineapple juice. The egg is also soaked in pineapple juice! The pineapple isn't as strong as you would think!! It was awesome)
More to come tomorrow!
How about Some Food Photos!
666 - コンデンス煮干しつけ麺 Condensed Niboshi Tsukemen (so thick. So amazing.)
Breakfast @ Denny's! - With the staple nuclear green melon soda
I highly suggest trying the Denny's in Japan, you will be pleasantly surprised 
Gyuan - Meat Nigiri! 100g Sirloin + 100g Filet of Kobe Beef! (Thanks RapidCancel!! it was AMAZING)
Tsukiji - Unfortunately we went on a day off... so only 2 or 3 places were open.. still good though!
Tsurutontan : Curry Udon with Shabu Beef- That bowl was huge, was also yummy! Mmm Mm
Ramen Museum - Salmon based Ramen, then Tonkotsu-Miso mix ramen.Mm. Great to try both "sides" of the ramen base spectrum. Both amazing, but I naturally prefer the thicker styles
Omae Teppanyaki - Assorted appetizers | Red Snapper & Scallop | Japanese Chateaubriand!
Papapapapain - Pineapple Ramen! (Salt + Shrimp base soup with actual pineapple juice. The egg is also soaked in pineapple juice! The pineapple isn't as strong as you would think!! It was awesome)
More to come tomorrow!
I'll just ignore the touristy pictures...
How about Some Food Photos!
666 - コンデンス煮干しつけ麺 Condensed Niboshi Tsukemen (so thick. So amazing.)
Breakfast @ Denny's! - With the staple nuclear green melon soda
Gyuan - Meat Nigiri! 100g Sirloin + 100g Filet of Kobe Beef! (Thanks RapidCancel!! it was AMAZING)
Tsukiji - Unfortunately we went on a day off... so only 2 or 3 places were open.. still good though!
Tsurutontan : Curry Udon with Shabu Beef- That bowl was huge, was also yummy! Mmm Mm
Ramen Museum - Salmon based Ramen, then Tonkotsu-Miso mix ramen.Mm. Great to try both "sides" of the ramen base spectrum. Both amazing, but I naturally prefer the thicker styles
Omae Teppanyaki - Assorted appetizers | Red Snapper & Scallop | Japanese Chateaubriand!
Papapapapain - Pineapple Ramen! (Salt + Shrimp base soup with actual pineapple juice. The egg is also soaked in pineapple juice! The pineapple isn't as strong as you would think!! It was awesome)
More to come tomorrow!
Don't let me challenge you on food porn, you might lose.
Where are you now?
It's considered unacceptable to enter idol cafes ( ≖‿≖
Anyway that sounds weird, I've never seen anyone get told to not do that. I was in a natural lawson an hour ago and at the bench / eat in area they had a shitload of adapters and USB plugs inviting people to charge their devices so shrug.
I just use a portable battery anyway.
distantmantra
Member
Happy hour on Carrot Tower in Sangenjaya.
Great view. Totally free to sit up here of you don't want a drink.
Don't let me challenge you on food porn, you might lose.
Where are you now?
I welcome the challenge!!!
I'm back home now. Been for a week now.
Would like to go right back though
Wish I'd bought a wifi SD card so I could post some stuff using my iPad. Oh well, can wait a week or so until I'm back home.
Going to makuhari tomorrow or maybe Sunday to see a Nissan Skyline exhibition, they have all of them there on show apparently. My father in law is going too, he has been a diehard skyline fan, pretty much not owning anything else. Never the really powerful ones though
Going to makuhari tomorrow or maybe Sunday to see a Nissan Skyline exhibition, they have all of them there on show apparently. My father in law is going too, he has been a diehard skyline fan, pretty much not owning anything else. Never the really powerful ones though