Japan General
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You are currently reading a thread in /trv/ - Travel
You are currently reading a thread in /trv/ - Travel
New Japan General:
As always, feel free to ask about:
>Traveling to Japan
>Living in Japan
>Teaching in Japan
>Joining the Yakuza
>Getting your wee fantasies crushed
*Info on prostitution*
>http://rockitreports.com/category/sex-in-tokyo/
>http://erolin.net/
*Note about the JR Rail Pass*
Many people ask about whether or not the JR Rail Pass is worth it. It depends on your itinerary.
>http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
Plug your itinerary into Hyperdia to determine ticket costs, then compare to the below JR Pass options:
>7 day Pass: 29,110¥
>14 day Pass: 46,390¥
>21 day Pass: 59,350¥
Please check the /trv/ sticky before asking questions. It's filled with links to great resources, many of them specific to Japan travel.
Please refer to the old thread while it's still up: >>1099327
First for Tokyo is a meme city
乙
I've heard that most places that tourists would look up, places with high trip advisor ratings etc, are swarming with tour groups or chinese
Are there peak times to avoid the big crowds? Do you have to accept a crowd of some sort? The pictures are mostly empty temples and one or two people at those orange gates in Kyoto but I'd imagine that's not the reality
>>1101442
There's always going to be a lot of people at the tourist attractions, since Japanese people also visit them.
Does anyone know if medication such as paracetamol orLoratadin is allowed in the country? Thinking mainly of Alvedon and Loratadin Apofri, as they're known in Sweden.
>>1101460
I brought pills containing paracetamol and didn't get in any trouble, but then again, they didn't see them.
When an airport guard searched my bag he asked me whether I had any pills or other substances in my bag they should know about, I simply told him I had regular painkillers, and he didn't do anything about it, so I'm guessing it's not a problem.
What's the best place to visit in Hakone?
>>1101473
Probably the onsens
>>1101473
I'd say rent a car and drive the izu peninsula, just a bit south of there, then go up to fuji five lakes. Renting a car is by far the best way to see that area, as the trains just get you to the tourist central of Hakone (which you should spend a half day in too).
Would Hong Kong be a better option as an engineer who wants to study abroad? I'm not really into Anime or anything so I wouldn't be going to Japan for the niche things. I'm stuck between a Japanese city or Hong Kong or Shangai.
>>1101489
shanghai is a shithole, hong kong and tokyo would both be better for engineering
>>1101489
Two different languages and cultures. Also, Japan is not anime. Hong Kong is more English friendly, but from an outsider's perspective it seems more business-oriented. Shanghai is China proper, less English-friendly I imagine but it is probably about the same language barrier as Tokyo. Maybe Shanghai is hankering for engineers with all that growth, but Japan is more stable.
By the way, this is the Japanese thread, do you expect unbiased answers?
>>1101442
My advice is don't do what trip advisor or any other site says about Japan. When I was living in Tokyo I would check those sites and almost always end up going, "really? THAT place?! what?"
Instead, I would ask a friend in Japan, a friend of a friend, or maybe make a new friend in Japan who would show you around their city and tell you about their favorite places in Japan to visit. Local knowledge is vastly superior to what travel sites say.
>>1101489
>I'm not really into Anime
Neither are Japanese adults. You'll fit in just fine.
Plus, Hong Kong is nice, but it's really small compared to Tokyo, Osaka, or even just Japan in general. Everything you can find in Hong Kong is probably available in Japan in some capacity, plus all the stuff that's not available in Hong Kong.
If you think Japan is just anime then you're in for a very nice surprise if you go there.
Have any of you been to a cuddle café yet?
Would you be seen as a weirdo weeaboo virgin freak if you were caught going to one as a gaijin just for shits n giggles?
Any repeat travelers know of any non obvious places worth visiting? Going for a second trip, but I just realized that I've already hit everything on my list.
After checking out the sticky, it seems like http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html is the best link regarding the things to do in Tokyo. What particular places in that list (and those not on the list) would you folks consider a "must visit" or "must do" for a first time Japan traveler? Feel free to add Kyoto to the list of things to do as well.
I'm not an anime weeaboo but I do enjoy video games and eating good food, I don't tend to visit bars since I'm not a fan of alcohol, but I do like meeting new people. Interested in temples and any other religious/historical site. Hopefully these details will help narrow down the suggestions
>>1101516
Nope, I always wondered about the cuddle cafes with underage girls though. Seems pretty shady.
>>1101531
What part of the country?
>>1101516
I just don't get the point of a lot of those places. You can pay the same or a little more and get way more, Japan is the one place in the first world where sex workers get paid what they should
>tfw checking out the thread and sticky links
>go to the websites
>they are in English but somehow I can't understand the translation
>>1101546
I think they're aimed at people who are looking for "companionship" more than sex.
>>1101544
Trying to stay between tohoku and kansai. Made it all the way to kagoshima on my last trip, but this one is going to be shorter.
When going into a restaurant (with a counter), can I just walk to an empty seat and sit down or do I have to wait for the waitress to show me the seat?
got yelled at on another forum for asking what to do in japan over the comiket week in august this year, I'll only be staying for a week or so, what are the best places to check out for a p big anime nerd like me? I'm more interested in music than I am in the anime kiddy porn, is there any non comiket focused options for that kind of stuff?
How much money is a good starting point to carry around for the whole week?
>>1101548
Pretty good idea, in my opinion.
Prostitutes say a lot of the johns they see just want companionship for an hour, pretend like someone in the world cares about them for $300 per hour.
>>1101560
Summer comiket is gonna be fucking miserably hot. If you're looking for doujin music, a lot of stores in akihabara like mandarake, book off, sofmap etc. have a small doujin CD section, but I haven't looked for a store dedicated to that kind of thing. Any kind of secondhand store is probably your best bet. Money really depends on what you can afford to spend, I'd say at least $500, if you plan on taking out more later or if you aren't comfortable carrying large amounts of cash.
>>1101598
>Summer comiket is gonna be fucking miserably hot.
Can confirm. Was there in '14.
>>1101556
>When going into a restaurant (with a counter), can I just walk to an empty seat and sit down or do I have to wait for the waitress to show me the seat?
Depends on the restaurant
>>1101460
Generally it should be fine with off the counter drugs. If it requires a prescription I would consult the embassy
>>1101556
You wait for the waiter. Isn't it obvious if there's a counter?
A couple of mates and I are looking at going to Japan some time around December 2017, and we're planning on doing a road trip to find the best noodles we can. We're probably gonna have a few day stops for purposes other than noodles, but we want that to be the main theme of the trip. Any suggestions on where to start our planning? Is there some region that has an unusually high concentration of good noodles?
Also, what are some first-time-tourist spots that aren't the super popular tourist-shit?
Will fat foreigners get bullied in Japan?
>>1101644
Yes. Beaten, even. There are daily posses.
>>1101651
so just carry a knife or get a firearm permit
>>1101644
Expect this if you take the JR line
Will /fit/ foreigners get bullied?
>>1101644
well, to not get bullied you have to have the ability to run away.
by the way what do you guys think of this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqngrRBIpkw
is it disonorabru?
>>1101658
/fit/ foreigners will be fondled
>>1101667
>/fit/ foreigners will be fondled
>tfw /fit/, a foreigner but asian
>tfw so much stuff within walking distance
>>1101696
Dude, when are you going? We have the same hostel (GRIDS)
>>1101700
Heh, it was almost booked out when I found it. I'm going in July, you?
>>1101702
April - May. Damn shame.
>>1101644
No. Or at least I didn't get bullied, that I know of.
But I'm also 6'4 so it doesn't show as much.
Does anyone here teach in Japan? I have recently come across TEFL.
I'm currently learning German, and in my class is a law-professor from Hokkaido - if you've got any weirdly specific questions about Hokkaido, I'll try and sneak it into conversation without trying to sound like an autist.
>>1101667
Fuck yes. Totally gonna be wearing my tanks now
>>1101516
I just googled this
20 min – 3,000 yen
40 min – 5,000 yen
60 min – 6,000 yen
Here is if you want to do anything besides sleep next to them
Customer sleeps in girl’s arm (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Girl pats customer on the back (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Customer pets girl on the head (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Customer and girl stare at each other (1 min) – 1,000 yen
Girl changes clothes (1 time) – 1,000 yen
Girl gives customer foot massage (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Customer gives girl foot massage (3 min) – 2,000 yen
Customer sleeps with head on girl’s lap (3 min) – 1,000 yen
Girl sleeps with head on customer’s lap (3 min) – 2,000 yen.
.
The thing with maid cafes and stuff, unless you are a regular, it's going to be a disappointment. You just don't have time to form that fake bond.
>Would you be seen as a weirdo weeaboo virgin freak
well that is what you are right?
>>1101546
>Japan is the one place in the first world where sex workers get paid what they should
Do you mean they get paid better or worse?
>I just don't get the point of a lot of those places
Modern day low rent Geishas, I wish we had stuff like that here, strip clubs are trashy, you don't talk at a massage parlor, and 'taxi dancers' are in trash mold invested places.
>>1101644
You will be asked "why are you so fat?" a lot.
My friend in Tokyo is a big black dude and when his coworkers ask him shit like that he says, "why are you so thin? your wife must be a bad cook."
It's actually a pretty sick slam in Japanese.
>>1101696
And to think, that's just the super famous things you were able to find online. For every 1 famous thing online, there are maybe 10 secretly awesome things in that same area. That's why you gotta walk around Tokyo and explore, take weird alleyways, get lost on purpose, it's the only way to find the best stuff.
>>1101712
A lot of us are or have taught in Japan with JET or private companies.
>>1101879
>Girl gives customer foot massage (3 min) – 1,000 yen
>Customer gives girl foot massage (3 min) – 2,000 yen
nice
>>1101644
>Will fat foreigners get bullied in Japan?
dunno about Japan, but in China they will call you out on it all the time, like "why are you so fat? you should lose weight"
they will directly tell you "if you want to look better, just eat less"
"you don't have a girlfriend? because you're fat hahah"
It's really refreshing to encounter honesty, instead of fake politeness like in the west
>>1101879
>The thing with maid cafes and stuff, unless you are a regular, it's going to be a disappointment. You just don't have time to form that fake bond.
I visited a maido cafe in akihabara once and I had a pretty hard time keeping my face straight, I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the place. There were like 30%/70% foreigners and natives there and all the foreigners were bursting out in tears. If it weren't' for the increased revenue they would never let us normies in there.
Mind you I do feel sorry for the staff, it's probably not their ideal job, considering the job market there they need to stick to it.
>>1101644
No, fat foreigners will not be bullied. Disregard any post that says otherwise. Japanese are far too polite and reserved/passive to make fun of someone's weight casually.
However Koreans will actually do this. They don't mean it in a truly venomous or hurtful way--it's basically just bantz, but Koreans will make fun of you. A staff member at my gym called me out for having a big butt (I'm not fat, just genetically I kind of have a big butt. Or as he said "hip.")
>>1101644
>Will fat foreigners get bullied in Japan?
In a bar in Shibuya I were talking with a nippon and a bearmode gaijin in english, when the nip suddenly blurted out "You are so fat" to the bear guy.
We chalked it up to him having poor english skills rather than malice, he probably meant to say でかい. And really the guy was huge, like 195+ cm tall and wide.
I'm quite built too, although at a more reasonable 182cm and mostly they all wanted to touch my arms and chest.
Anyway, I don't think you will face any more discrimination than back wherever you come from, atleast you can trust the Japanese to speak tatemae to you directly.
>>1101890
>"why are you so thin? your wife must be a bad cook."
Now that's a sick burn. How do you say this in japanese?
>>1101936
Uhhhhhh, yes they absolutely will point out your weight.
They won't make fun of you, but they WILL ask why you are fat. It's not considered rude to them.
Japanese manners are not exact copies of western manners.
So I know all the actually "decent" teaching gigs require at least a Bachelor's degree. That said, how are you supposed to keep up them student loan payments on what is a stereotypically meager pay?
>>1101924
I like this.
people only change because of social pressures. Full stop.
>>1101974
I like the fact that its socially acceptable for anyone to ask about your weight and that anyone in your in group (real friends, family) are allowed to harass you about it until you lose the weight.
>>1101983
So long as you're getting close to or more than 40 hours an hour the pay is good enough that you won't have problems.
How's my accent? Been using rosetta stone to get a bit of conversational practice before I go
http://vocaroo.com/i/s0UE3e6soDV0
>>1102004
rosetta stone is shit for japanese
I want to teach in a specific city in Japan, is that possible?
I met a girl there and she's in college for the next two years. After that I can resume my career, but I want to be able to spend time with her in the interim.
>>1102007
Rosetta Stone is shit for any language that isn't similar to English. Its apparently amazing for Spanish, Italian, French, etc. But once you start learning any language with non-English letters and very different grammar its basically unusable unless you're doing shit tons of studying outside of it and if you're doing that you might as well use specially built and written things for the language you're learning
Planning my first trip to Japan. Looking at July; guessing it will be pretty hot? (I grew up in Florida, can't be worse than that.)
I kind of want to split it between city stuff and less-populous stuff. Maybe Tokyo for a few days, then maybe find a more remot ryokan with a hot spring for a couple of nights? Any recommendations?
I'll be traveling with my wife, we'll be total newbies; don't know the country or language at all.
>>1102017
Yep, but you gotta do some research first.
First of all, JET won't be an option because you don't get a choice of where you go. Most private companies don't give you a choice of where to go if you're applying from overseas. However, if you show up at a retail english school in the city you wish to teach OR you go to the regional office of an ALT agency and tell them your situation and apply in person, you have a reasonable chance of getting a job in or close by that city. Even if it's just part-time, take it and fill in your free time with private tutoring and group lessons. You should be able to make enough to live.
>>1102004
It sounds very American, but whatever, as long as they can understand you then it's done its job.
>>1102023
How long is your trip in total?
You can definitely spend a while in Tokyo without ever getting bored.
Hakone is about 2 hours from Tokyo by train and is world famous for its hot springs and ryokans with fantastic Mt. Fuji views. That's where I'd go.
>>1102030
Thank you for the rec!
Still planning it out, probably going to be 8-10 days total. Depends on how long I can farm the kids out to the grandparents.
>>1101983
If you're getting a bachelor's degree to teach English then there's no reason you should be 20k+ in debt, else you fucked up and picked the wrong degree. I plan to live frugally and pay my student loans off within the year, then maybe transfer that saving habit to grad school funds. I only have 7k debts for reference.
>>1102033
Try to push it to 2 weeks if you can. 8 days is crazy short for a trip to Japan. You'll be jet-lagged for most of that time.
For aspiring English teachers, would Tokyo be oversaturated, or do you think it's big enough to warrant steady demand? Ultimately it doesn't matter because a job's a job, but say if I apply for ECC what are my chances of them sending me to Tokyo even if I say I have no preference?
>>1102049
If you want Tokyo its a total crap shoot and you most likely won't get it if you're applying from abroad. If you go in person and apply your chances are pretty good. Pretty much everyone except GABA will give you an in person interview even on a tourist visa.
>>1102050
Yeah I'm abroad. I'd rather get a good company than a good location when it comes down to it I guess; Tokyo just seems really interesting to live in. Still, I don't want to get sent to the middle of nowhere.
>>1102051
Then you're gonna have to go in person and interview. You have to understand, thousands of people apply from abroad because it's easy and safe to do and they all want to be in Tokyo or Osaka. You're just one in thousands at that point.
If you physically show up, you've got a huge advantage over all the people applying from abroad, especially if you can secure your own accommodation.
If you say you have no preference, your chances of getting Tokyo are basically nothing. Most people want Tokyo so they have no reason to give it to someone who says they don't care.
>>1102075
Nah, I've pretty much accepted that I'll go where I'm sent, but I wouldn't go to Japan without a job anyway, especially to look for uncertain work. I'm gonna stick with applying overseas.
Currently living in Kansai and I've done just about everything besides Himeji. Looking to go somewhere new soon.
When's the best time to go to Okinawa between now and early-mid August? Also, is 7 days long enough to do everything worth doing?
>>1102079
Good luck, you'll need it.
>>1102080
Go this month, lest you be caught in the hot+rainy season
Anyone wanna meet up in Tokyo tomorrow evening and go to a bar or something? Drinking alone is kinda boring.
>>1102136
ありがとう
>>1101137
>I went into it as an atheist and I'm still mostly an atheist, but there were some things that happened on the pilgrimage that I can't explain.
ah come on man don't be vague!
>>1101137
>>1101147
also, if you aren't allowed to bring cameras and that how did you get a photo of yourself? or are you allowed Cameras?
>>1101879
40000 yen to film girl with smartphone at hentai tokyo ;)
If I made my living through something like youtube/twitch and wanted to live in Japan, what would that mean doing? Is there a visa for that? Does the amount I make matter to Japan? What if I want to buy a house or something with that kind of "job"?
>>1102340
first you gotta give us a hint to who you are
>>1102345
American white male. Does that help?
>>1102340
Not an expert but my guess is that if you are truly Youtube famous and have a bunch of subscribers you may be able to secure some kind of visa like an artist/entertainer visa or something along those lines. I imagine that in order for this to be viable you'd have to be one of the people for whom Youtube is firmly their full time job.
>>1102347
This idea assumes that it would be my full time job/source of income comparable to an average job. That said, anyone have a remote idea of what such a process would entail? If I did it I'd have to have a home of some sort, good internet, etc. I can't help but imagine there's a lot of sets of paperwork
>>1102340
Hahaha. Yeah, just sign up for the special snowflake e-celeb visa they offer.
Basically it goes like this:
Do you have a japanese spouse? Do you have a job in japan willing to sponsor a work visa for you? Are you a highly skilled professional with 7+ years experience in either academics, natural sciences, or business management?
If you answered no to these; congrats on your no visa.
>>1102347
No such thing exists.
>>1102360
>no such thing exists
Except artist and entertainer visas are pretty clearly defined on their visa website. Artist sounds like it fits perfectly. Don't get butt mad because you don't have anything worthy of being granted a visa for. http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/index.html
>>1102360
Simon and Martina, that Youtube couple that has a million + subscribers and became famous for their Korea videos (which they eventually ended up doing full time) recently moved to Japan to do videos. Do you have any idea what visa status they might have been granted in Japan if artist/entertainer is not a visa?
>>1102365
It is a visa though, that guy has no clue what he's talking about.
>>1102143
If I tell you the story over text, you won't believe it. It involves sleeping in an empty house and locks of hair falling on me and my buddy over and over again. White hair always fell on him, black hair always fell on me, no matter where we were in the house. There were also about 50 black and white cats that appeared and disappeared in this locked house. There's more to it, but it's so far beyond anything I can explain that it's pointless even telling people about it anymore hoping for an answer. The best answer I've gotten was, "maybe it was the monks from the temple who followed you and spent all night in the ceiling and crawlspaces of the house playing a prank on you."
There's other stuff from the pilgrimage, too. People routinely report seeing distressed looking women wearing traditional clothing walking towards this ancient popular suicide cliff and when they turn back to look again, they're gone.
The whole island is full of crazy stories, it's weird.
>>1102147
You can bring cameras, just not electronics that distract you in the moment like mp3 players, smartphones, stuff like that. The whole point is to be 100% in the moment, which is much harder than you'd think
>>1102340
Do you happen to have duel citizenship?
Of so, use your two passports and go on a visa run to Korea every 3 months. When you come back just use the other passport. I know a guy who did that for a year and some change.
>>1102371
Lolno. Technically I can't actually have that, but it depends which government you talk to
>>1102347
you have to have $10,000 in a bank account so they know you are not a bum
>>1102375
The guy I know is British and American and had passports for both.
I'm pretty jealous of him.
>>1102371
Officially the 90 days get reset whenever you leave the country, but with how many long term stays recorded in your passport will they start being difficult letting you in?
There is no 90 day in 90 day out rule like for Schengen, but neither is there in the US, and there you'll probably get denied entry on the second time you try to get in after you've stayed for close to 90 days.
Anyone experience of heard stories about people who do multiple close to 90 day stays in Japan with little time in between?
Currently planning a trip where I start in the south/east and make my way to Goryoukaku in Hokkaido in time for the cherry blossoms. Is there anything worth seeing in Okinawa and is there a cheap way to stop at individual islands on the way to the mainland from Naha? I heard the ferries once had a one-way seven-day ticket, but apparently they've stopped.
So how DOES one join the Yakuza?
>>1102438
Carefully.
>>1102438
Flamboyantly.
What would be a good amount of time to stay in Osaka? Going for 3 weeks with a buddy in august. Was thinking 2 weeks in tokyo, 1-2 days in kyoto, and 5 days in Osaka.
Ive seen some people say 5 days is too many, is it?
>>1102506
I'd switch the days in Osaka with the days in Kyoto.
I found Osaka utterly boring, compared to Kyoto.
>>1102506
probably yes. Maybe shave 1-2 days off Osaka and do Hakone, Kobe or Nara or something
>>1102368
The answer is always carbon monoxide poisoning:
http://www.ghostvillage.com/resources/2004/resources_10312004.shtml
Otherwise ghosts are real but I choose to believe the former.
I am not a weeaboo but I like Japan and want to go to Japan. Is it worth going to Japan if you are not a weeb? I just like the city life but also the rural and traditional life, the nature, food etc
>>1102621
Of course not.
Japan is only for weeaboos and retards.
Don't waste your time there.
Go to Norway instead, much better place to visit.
Bucky-san uploaded a new video, good for seeing what daily life is like, plus super /comfy/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLWPUs7SkbM
I have the opportunity to study abroad in about a year or so and Japan is my obvious choice. I'm currently 19 and will be 20 when I study there. I'm a Mechanical Engineering major but I'm really more of a business guy, I'm not particularly into anime culture. Anyways, to get to the point.
>When is the cheapest time of the year to go to Japan
I have a large break in my classes after Fall. So Dec 16-January 19 usually. I could go in January but I feel that it could possibly be a bad idea because it could seem dull.
>How much is the plane ticket going to cost?
I will happily fly with connecting flights. Especially since it seems that some stop in Hong Kong for hours.
>Hotels/Hostels
I think I'll be there for a week, two maximum and I'd like to keep the cost of a hotel <$750. Is a hostel my only option or is this a doable hotel budget.
>Food Budget
I'm completely content with eating street food and going to small local places while I'm there with maybe one exception just to experience a nice restaurant in Japan.
>Spending Money
Like I said, I'm not really into Anime or video games either so I'm not going to drop hundreds in Akihabara-- I will have to see it though. I may buy some magazines and books to i remember and help learn the language though.
>Travel within Japan
I want to go to Osaka since, other than Tokyo, this is the only place my school offers programs at. How much would a day trip to Osaka cost me?
>tl;dr
I am a college student that wants to go to Japan before moving there for study abroad and want a bare-bones budget estimation.
>>1102641
Depends. Where are you? If America, what state? It's cheaper to go from LA to Tokyo than from say, Miami to tokyo
>>1102591
Can confirm Nara is worth doing.
I was also so lucky as to catch some random light festival.
I have no idea of its origin or importance, though. But it was cozy as fuck.
>>1102641
>I'm completely content with eating street food and going to small local places while I'm there with maybe one exception just to experience a nice restaurant in Japan.
What is a 'nice' restaurant?
Because they have a bunch of restaurants with 3 michelin stars, and they should be 'nice'.
>>1102624
> I just like the city life but also the rural and traditional life, the nature, food etc
He obviously shouldn't visit Norway.
Norway is only good for nature.
>>1102621
Japan is also worth seeing, even if you're not a weeb.
I used to watch anime, which was what started my interest in Japan, but now I just find their culture genuinely interesting.
>>1102685
I wouldn't say it's ridiculous to pay large amounts of money for food, since it can be a true experience.
I once paid ~$250 for a 30 course meal, and it's something I'll never forget.
>>1102621
You know weebs are shunned in Japan, too, right?
It's very different liking Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese history, food, landscapes, etc and being a J-pop obsessed anime guzzling manga cosplaying weaboo.
But if you have to ask this question then probably you shouldn't visit Japan.
>>1102641
>How much is the plane ticket going to cost?
Just look that shit up yourself. There are dozens of sites out there that will do that for you. Go to skyscanner and put in your info and select "cheapest month" and do that research yourself, man.
>Hotels/Hostels
There are Air bnb rentals in Japan that are around $40-50/day, they might give you a cheaper rate if you're staying for 2 weeks. It's definitely within your budget and you'd get a sense of what normal living is like.
>Food Budget
Japan doesn't have much "street food" outside of festivals. It's not Thailand or India. You can eat well in Japanese fast food places like Yoshinoya or in family restaurants like Royal Host or Gusto or whatever.
For $35/meal you can go to a place like Standing Sushi Bar and eat sushi until you're full. It's cheap for the pretty good quality sushi they serve.
>Spending Money
I don't get what this question is. If you don't want to buy something or can't afford it, then don't buy it. It's not hard. If you're not into anime, then don't buy anime shit. If you want to buy language books, you can do that in America. The learning Japanese books in Tokyo aren't any more helpful or special than they are off Amazon. If you're just looking for souvenirs then there's lots of cheap stuff that makes for good souvenirs like temple charms or cellphone key chains.
>Travel within Japan
Most people would take the train from Tokyo to Osaka, but that can be more expensive than just flying from Narita to Kansai, even when you add in transportation to and from both airports. It's like $90 for a round trip flight vs $140 for the train ride. Also, the plane ride is only 1:30 vs the 3:45 of the Shinkansen.
Still planning my itinerary, should visiting just one tower be enough? (I do have a nice camera)
I see the government building has no fee entrance and offers a nice vista but then again there is Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills(here you get to visit Mori museum in ticket price), there's Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree
What should I pick?
>>1102862
Depends how much you like it.
I went to Tokyo Skytree at night, but it wasn't really anything special.
Nothing I have haven't seen before. It was just a bunch of lights over the city. Boring, in my opinion.
>>1102636
>I put video in 4Channel
What a sweet guy.
>>1102865
Maybe I should see tokyo city view+mori museum early in the morning and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building at night.
Fun things to do in Hokkaido/Sapporo? Into sightseeing, hiking, and maybe a bit of shopping. Also any food recommendations/things that are unique to the area, flying out from Tokyo today for 5 days before moving on to Osaka
Bruhs
Just landed
How do i use the 3 seashells
>>1103198
Squat facing the raised part.
>>1103198
Imagine the raised end is like a urinal and you'll remember the correct way to face. Also there's a bar there to hold on to.
Other than that it's easy, you squat, evacuate your inner messes, wipe, and flush. It might seem weird, but it's actually better for your ass.
>>1102862
Skytree is the tallest one, Tokyo Tower isn't really worth it unless you want a high up view of the temple below it, Tokyo Government building is the one everyone I knew went to (because it's free and good enough for their purposes I guess).
Fuck yeah going back to Japan this spring. Not doing a race across the country with a rail pass this time, sticking to Tokyo. Going to do more drinking (please no roofies) and check out local music this time. Hopefully Golden Gai doesn't burn to the ground before I get there.
>>1103205
except that is the opposite way to face and your shit won't go anywhere
this is stealth bait
>>1103237
So I guess the Japanese fucked up and put their handle bars on the wrong side, then?
Anyone going out in Tokyo tonight?
>>1103261
Only thousands of people.
>>1103264
Obviously I meant from here. If any one is, my LINE ID is: sabbataj
Hit me up
![t02200295_0300040213475924961[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/Bx11r6i.jpg "t02200295_0300040213475924961[1].jpg")
>>1103237
Thinking of going to Japan and I'd like to get some Jap poon while these but I would only be able to afford those cheap capsules or shared dorms so we probably cant have sex there; do Japanese girls accommodate at their place?
>>1102621
Just stay out of akihabara and you'll be good
Anyone know any tourist bars in kyoto?
>>1103305
do you not have google you retard
>>1103306
Can't find any on Google maps
>>1103198
how common are western toilets in japan? i have ibs and tend to sit on the toilet a lot
>>1103305
Here you go
HUB 京都京劇店(木屋町)
HONKY TONK(ホンキートンク)(宝ヶ池)
ZAZAPUB(木屋町)
五条ゲストハウス
フルハウス祇園
All names of cafes/bars where foreign tourists and students go in Kyoto. Just search it in google maps
>>1103308
So far, in Shinagawa, Akibahara, even Haneda Airport where I found the squat hole, there have been standard sit down "western" toilets.... The squat hole was rare, hence the earlier pic
Thanks for the earlier great advice though, all
>>1101460
Loratadin is just common allergy meds, it should not be an issue
Customs didn't even bother going through my bags but I did have a doctors note for anything I did bring
Feel like an idiot...friend told me that these were printed in vain. What do I need to show the airport staff, I've downloaded everything from Lufthansa website. I have the app too, but in the departure airport it's not possible to check-in via phone.
And about the baggage, I'm getting contradictory information, tried contacting them but they gave me a damn phone number instead of responding by email. I'm unsure whether I can bring 3 bags with me, one will be a handbag for camera and a rucksack where I have my laptop(length55xwidth33x10), these two I want to take with them personally on the plane while the third bag(clothes) will be for cargo hold. Very worried that I'll have to pay fee, flying economy light.
>>1103322
Seems I can check-in online 23 hours before the flight, will this be all?
I'm in Tokyo, been solo traveling around, and have no idea what do to here. I've visited shrines and temples, done the government building view, but for where to go at night I just feel like an idiot.
>>1103322
>>1103325
yeah check in, at the airport just show your passport and they'll give you the ticket which you then scan to go to the duty free area and show at the security gate.
I don't know the exact Lufthansa specifications but usually it's one normal sized cargo luggage, one carry-on item and a smaller bag like a laptop bag or a handbag
checked http://www.lufthansa.com/at/en/Free-baggage-rules
http://www.lufthansa.com/at/en/Carry-on-baggage
and I think it's how I said it
>>1103326
here's a map I made for myself last time I was there, it's mostly off the beaten path things since I saw the most touristy things the first time around but maybe it will help. Just ignore the events part obviously
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zlpvkYW_zixc.knEyuFkwM1wk&usp=sharing
>>1103329
Thanks
Also what's the deal with Tsujiki Fish market, don't understand the fascination, see some people chop up meat, eat fish? Fresh fish is everywhere I imagine
>>1103342
I was thinking of seeing the Tuna auction mostly, but I was too late
>>1103326
Tokyo has more to do than you could ever hope to do, so why not tell us your interests so we might be able to help you figure out where to go and what to do?
>>1103342
It's the largest fish market in the world and it's unbelievable how much fish is brought in off boats each morning and sold before the sun rises and probably eaten before the day is done.
The tuna auction is the main event people come to see, but really it's just seeing such a massive amount of fish of all kinds that really blows your mind.
You have to get there insanely early, though.
>>1102087
I thought teaching jobs were relatively easy to get if you didn't care about location? Is Japan really hard up for jobs? China is desperate, or so I thought.
Got a couple pictures from my trip.
>>1103510
Fushimi Inari Lake
>>1103512
That pic, while upside down, was about halfway up the mountain.
This is Osaka Castle.
>>1103513
The Buddha in KamaKura.
Super tourist spot, but the statue is pretty neat. It is the original from the 12th century and has survived tidal waves, fires, earthquakes, etc.
>>1103510
That looks great, where is that?
>>1103518
You fags surviving the quakes? Having second thoughts about traveling to Japan when aftershocks are likely
>>1103527
Yeah my mom is super worried about me now since I'm gonna go in a few months. She was already worrying, but I managed to quell her worries because I told her about how safe it is crimewise and now this happens kek.
What's the best place to get TEFL?
Been to Japan once for 40 days, coming back on a working holiday visa in September this time.
>>1102621
Yes, country side is fantastic, city is great, food is good, public transport convenient and takes you everywhere, it just checks all the boxes desu. Not cunty asians that want to rip you off either.
>>1102835
They're not unless you're only a weeb and nothing but a weeb.
Also outdoor hotsprings are fantastic.
Pic related, from Asahidake on my West of Osaka to Hokkaido 40 day trip.
>>1103547
Cycling great way to get around various locations in the country, this is in Sounkyo, Hokkaido, while thick snow was on mountains, but not at lower levels yet.
>>1103548
>>1103527
The aftershocks aren't too bad, but since the weather forecast is calling for rain tonight and tomorrow, landslides are a significant concern.
How many times you've been to Japan?
This will be my second time this year and 10th time in 6.5 years, not counting the 9 months of studying Japanese there.
>>1103527
Japan is a shaky country, always has been, they're pretty prepared for it and almost every building is built to withstand pretty big shakes. I wouldn't worry at all about being in danger from aftershocks.
>>1103505
They are, but less so when applying overseas and although you say you don't care about where you go, you really should. Sure, you could end up in a lovely small town living in an onsen hotel for a year, but you could much more likely end up living in a boring town with 1 temple, 1 train station, and tons of old people.
Sure, the first few weeks you'll be thinking, "wow, it's like a samurai village from the movies! And I'm making more money out here than I would in Tokyo!" Then, around 6 weeks in, you think, "hey, I should check out Tokyo. I need a break from this quiet life and there's so much more to see in Tokyo."
Cut to: 1 month later, you now spend every weekend on a train for 3 hours to and from Tokyo, spending all that extra money and hopefully crashing with friends in Tokyo every weekend. You've seen everything there is to see in your small town. You're sick of that temple. You're sick of that train station. You're bored to death of the same small talk conversations all the old people insist on having with you. You need some color in your life, some stimulus, and now you're throwing all your time and money towards that end on trips to Tokyo or Osaka.
It might not sound like you now, but I've seen plenty of people say what you've said and end up doing exactly what I'm talking about. Location matters, especially if you're going to be there for a year or more.
>>1103516
I see scenes like that all the time in the suburbs of big cities in Japan. Just gotta go exploring by yourself and you'll come across similar /comfy/ stuff.
>>1103547
The definition of weebs are that they are only weebs.
Being a weeb means you only like bullshit J-pop culture things, mostly for kids, and end up disrespecting the wider culture as a whole due to your weeby ignorance.
So you can't be a weeb and also an expert on Japanese history and culture, one negates the other.
So how much days should I spend in Shizuoka region, are 6 days enough?
Can I go on Fuji if I have a simple pair of shoes and hoodie? Going in 10 may or so
Maybe I should try smaller peaks as I am unequipped for mountain hiking
Where find jap girls with hairy arrmpits that are not necesarilly feminists?
>>1103609
It will be my first time this summer. I almost went when I was an embarrassing 17 year old weeb who believed that Japan was an anime fantasy land. Had the flights booked and everything, but ended up pussying out cause I had nobody to go with. In hindsight, I'm glad I waited a few years.
Still soloing the country, but at least I've had time to study up on everything and realise that it's a country and not a tourist themepark. Pretty hyped to go.
Hey guys, just booked flights for a 2 week trip to Japan from Australia. Where do I buy my visa?
I estimate I will need around ¥300,000 for my time in Japan.
Is it unwise to carry that amount of money on me at all times during my trip? Has anyone else carried a large amount of money with them for an extended duration in Japan?
I will have to travel from Hiroshima to Tokyo with the SHINKANSEN. Can I pay for the ticket with credit card? Thanks in advance!
>>1103689
I too am curious about this
>>1103689
>Is it unwise to carry that amount of money on me at all times during my trip?
Are you buying diamonds cash or what? What's the point of carrying that amount of cash around in a high tech country with ATMs everywhere? If you can't afford to lose it, don't carry it at all. Traveler's checks or a wire transfer would be safest, even a prepaid credit card if you're off the grid or something weird.
Europeans that come to the US for the season, are sometimes carrying 10k cash, the maximum amount, but they're unloading it immediately for 3mo prepaid rent in their little vacation rental upon arrival. It's still risky, though. I don't understand it unless it's really not a big deal to you to lose it in some fashion. But 40k? Ridiculous. That's an uncomfortably sized stack in your pants, and larger bills like that wouldn't make any vendor happy to change.
>>1103725
Who the fuck uses travelers checks any more? They're the most inconvenient form of payment for everyone involved
>>1103725
Japan is cash based and nobody ever bitches about someone paying for a 150 yen soda with a 10000 yen bill because the ATMs only dispense 10000 yen bills
>>1103725
Err... 300k yen != 40k USD.
300K yen = ~2750 USD
Is it a problem if I arrive at the airport and have no yen on me? What say to the interviewer? I plan to use the 7-eleven to withdraw cash, the atm makes the conversion to yen from any currency, yes?
>>1103742
The airport has atms
Damn, I was planning on going to Japan alone this summer but now my wife's son is insisting on coming with me. Guess I can afford to bring him too though but it'll really cut my budget down.
>>1103742
Airport both has ATMs and a currency exchange office.
anyone have any experience on doing "chill" (i know it sounds dumb) travel in japan? just kind of lazing around and doing whatever? what did you end up doing? I want to spend like a week or so (I would do more if I could afford it) in each city and see what its like, but i'm not really fussed about "doing japan" as in seeing every noteworthy site.
>>1103769
also if anyone could share any experiences on [spoiler]gay bars[/spoiler] in japan it would be greatly appreciated.
>>1103769
By this you mean just chilling in your airbnb or something and not going out to see the city? Why would you do that. That's so much money wasted
>>1103782
not at all, more like just going out and discovering cool things that you encounter instead of the predetermined "see every attraction" or "do a city in 2 days" that people seem to do
>>1103785
Oh yeah, understandable. I'm gonna go for the first time this summer, so I can't really help you, but for the week I'll be spending in Kyoto I'll mostly be doing that. Renting a bike and going around the city sounds amazing.
>>1103786
Any reason for Summer? I've been thinking I should go in Spring but I am considering going in Autumn instead. I want to see the cherry blossoms but Japan looks really great in Autumn as well. I've also heard that it gets packed because of other tourists wanting to see the Cherry Blossoms.
>>1103789
Because that's when I'm out of class. I really would've liked to go during cherry blossom time, but oh well, and then again it'd be really packed at that time too. Thankfully I'm going mid may to beginning of june, so it won't be too blistering hot.
>>1103789
I'd also say Spring or Autumn is best.
I went in the Summer, and I'd love to return and see more of Japan, but I definitely wouldn't go in the summer again. Way too hot for scandi-me.
>>1103789
August is nothing but back to back firework festivals that shit all over the best show you've ever seen in the US. Plus you have to go early in the day to get a space so people just drink all day
>>1103791
I'm also going at that time. Does anyone know of any festivals that go on in Tokyo then, or a site to look for them?
>>1101878
Not by women though
>implying /fit/izens would mind
>>1103794
Yeah, I went to one. It was great, but holy shit there was a lot of people.
The one in Miyajima.
>>1103800
>small girl gives zero fucks
>>1103800
The really famous festivals are ridiculously crowded. Everyone from the surrounding communities comes out to join in. There's one day that's like the unofficial "best day" to look at the changing leaves in fall on Mt. Takao and the mountain gets absolutely FLOODED on that day with people. You see everyone from bros hauling up big pots and cooking gear to make stews on top of the mountain to little old ladies who walk at 100 meter per hour speeds to Harajuku girls wearing stilettos and miniskirts up the mountain trails. Usually there's a view of Mt. Fuji from nearly anywhere on the mountain, but on that day it's so crowded you might see it once or twice.
>>1103795
http://metropolisjapan.com/events/
The magazine is MUCH better than the site, pick it up when you get to Tokyo. It's available pretty much everywhere and it's an English magazine so you'll be able to read everything.
If I had 7 days, wanted to see Tokyo and bath in an outdoor hot spring at least once, where should I be spending my days?
I was thinking of staying somewhere in Tokyo and spend some time in the Tochigi Prefacture.
>>1103847
>Onsen
You get take a day-trip to Hakone from Tokyo.
Went to an Osaka Tigers/Hiroshima Carp game.
Its awesome. Highly recommend you go to one if you can.
>>1103856
I also went to a Hiroshima game when I was in Hiroshima, it was pretty fun for the first hour.
I left after 2 hours of nothing happening. I would never have though baseball to be so boring. It was my first time seeing it.
I ain't gonna lie lads, these schoolkids qt as fuck w/ their yellow hats and coats
No pedo
>>1103870
There's nothing pedo about thinking children are cute, anon.
And I agree, they look adorable in their yellow hats.
>>1103872
Maybe a dozen, and they are harmless unless you are autistic why do you care so much?
>>1103886
I think you just answered your own question.
>>1103886
He's mad that his perfect little Asian utopia is ruined by a couple black guys asking him if he wants to go to their store. Also if hes bitching about that he obviously only went to the shitty part of Harajuku that has nothing but stores for under 18 year old girls
Would it be easy to spend an entire day in Asakusa/Nakano broadway or should I fit something else in there
>>1103899
Actually I just read how close Tokyo Soramichi is to Asakusa so I might do Asakusa in the morning, head over to Soramichi and then depending on how much I like Soramichi I'd either stay there or head over to Nakano Broadway.
>>1103869
i may be american but basseball isn't a game you really watch. you go with your boys and get drunk in the bleachers.
I'm from Germany, how much money will I need for 1-2 weeks to travel to .e.g tokyo?
Test
Any of you guys ever go to Kagurazaka? How late are the shops/restaurants open?
>>1101516
Been to these like 3 times. Some of the girls surprisingly speak English, though some do not. It helps a lot if you speak at least at a broken level.
I was walking like 8 hours a day so I really just wanted to lie down and get a massage somewhere and I figured why the hell not stop by Akiba, ended up spooning some 19 year olds for like half an hour or so.
I met one who said that she used to go to Vet school but then the cuddle cafe became her full time job, I assume she's using it to pay for school one day. Made me sad though, but maybe it pays well and people have to do what they have to do to get by.
I asked if they encountered any other foreigners and they said yeah it's pretty common, Europeans and another Asians alike. The worst is when neither party speaks English decently so it's just a game of charades.
Also went to a soapland twice in Osaka and had a great time just with broken level Japanese. Double nice because I didn't have to use the hostel shower and got bathed there instead after a long day of actual walking around exploring.
>>1103922
What was the name of the soap land, would you recommend it?
Anyone know of any good music venues in Tokyo?
Preferably ones that show rock, punk, grunge or rap.
I want to get a peek at their underground music scene while I'm there.
>>1103847
Tochigi is great, but if you only have 7 days then Hakone would be a much better choice. It's famous for outdoor onsens, so that's where you should go.
>>1103872
I used to live on Takeshita Dori, those guys don't bother you at all, unlike Roppongi. They're seriously the easiest touts to be around in Tokyo, you just walk by them and don't take their flyer or whatever.
>>1103911
2 Bratwürste and a bottle of Franziskaner Hans
>>1103913
yeah it's a really nice part of Tokyo. The shops (mostly restaurants) are gonna be open the same times as other stores in the city
What are the best large cities (excluding Tokyo) to live in?
>>1103993
I heard good things about Fukuoka and it seemed like a nice city when I visited it
>>1103995
thanks I'll check it out.
I'm looking for cities to apply for the JET program with, I thought for a while about urban vs rural Japan and I know the likelihood (if I get the place) is to be in rural Japan but there's something so enticing about big cities.
Best place for gachapon?
I just impulsed purchased flights to Tokyo, I'll be there for 9 full days, what should I do?
I'm interested in the Ghibli Museum but other than that I have no clue what the fuck to do.
>>1104015
I've done the same for 7 days and looking for things to do.
I know a guy from Japan and he said with only 7 days there there's no point leaving Tokyo other than maybe a trip to Kyoto.
He suggested just buying a train pass, there's one that lasts a few days, and just take trains around Tokyo and exploring.
Didn't know there was a Ghibli museum though, will check that out too
>>1103995
Fukuoka is amazing and probably Japan's best kept secret. JET stopped sending them into the city (for the most part afaik), but even rural Fuk would be a great place either way.
>>1104015
>>1104018
Ghibli Museum is really, really awesome, even if you're not that into anime, it shows you the behind the scenes creative process these guys go through to make these movies in ways no other museum has thought to show them.
Also, you have to buy Ghibli Museum tickets in advance. You can't just show up and get tickets. Don't freak out, though, because you can buy Ghibli Museum tickets in most if not all 7-11s in Tokyo. Google it for more information on how to do it because there are a couple good guides for people who are 100% new to all this.
Also, I really don't recommend a rail pass for a 7 day trip that doesn't leave Tokyo or the Tokyo area. Just buy tickets or get a Pasmo card with about $70-$100 on it and you should pretty much be able to go anywhere you want for the whole week, depending on how many cross-town trips you plan to make in a single day. Remember, not all rail passes cover all the trains in Tokyo. Tokyo is a network of a bunch of different companies working together so if you buy a pass for JR, it might not cover other lines like Keio or Toei, etc. Pasmo gets you pretty much everywhere.
>>1104030
Nah, Japan's best kept secret is something neither of us have heard about.
>>1104030
The entire country is moving away from JET. All the major cities no longer have the JET program because its easy enough for them to get people on their own at this point.
Per night fee 750yen
>>1104050
where?
>>1104065
Hotel Nisshou in Osaka. You can find it on Google Maps by searching for ホテル日章 萩之茶屋.
There is a review (in Japanese) with pictures here.
http://ameblo.jp/hey-heyhey/entry-10534561467.html
Does it matter which school you study abroad at?
I'm currently at Georgia State and have been getting things ready to transfer to Georgia Tech.
At my current school, I am able to transfer and study at a much more basic uni in Tokyo but if I waited for GT, I could study at Tokyo Institute of Technology. Would waiting be worth it?
>>1104090
If you're going to completely blow off all your classes then it doesn't matter. If you actually care about your classes then obviously you should wait for the better school.
Is Airbnb any good in Tokyo? Are there any really nice Airbnbs?
>>1104096
Are you saying that because classes will be harder at the smaller school or credibility or campus life?
