Japan General

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Can anyone recommend a good pet cafe in tokyo that specialises in shiba inus? I want to get dogepiled.

>>1218208
Any places in kyushu you would recommend spending more time in?

>>1218121
What onsen is that?

How substantial is the difference between the normal JR pass and the green one?

>>1218229
Green pass gets you into first class cars. So much comfier seats, and 2-2 seating on shinkansen instead of 3-3.

>>1218232
Would you say it's worth it then?

>>1218233
That's your call. Do you want to pay 30% more for slightly comfier seats on your shinkansen rides/NEX ride? Are you riding those trains enough during your trip to make it worth it?

>>1218233
No. Green card have reserved seats only. You're paying extra for additional time needed to be spend at jr office instead of taking any train you want. Moreover, normal cars are comfy enough anyway

>>1218233
The normal seats are fine. Even if you're tall you'll find you get plenty of leg room.

>>1218236
>>1218237
>>1218241
Thanks, good to know.

>>1218221
I really liked Fukuoka, would recommend 3-4 days there, maybe with a day trip to Nagasaki (though Nagasaki was comfy AF too). I would have probably also liked to spend more time in Kagoshima. Skip Beppu though

>>1218210
Been to Tokyo aa couple of times. Weirdly, it reminds me of London. HK was much more... Oriental.

Anyway, what advice do you have for socialising and getting to meet people? I managed to get friendly with some college-student types who were trawling the parks looking for people to practice their English on, but as a 6'6", pug ugly, Gaijin I suspect that I intimidate the (already stereotypicaly meek) local populace.

Hey /trv/ I'm planning a trip to Japan, and I'm planning on staying for at least two months.

I'm not looking to spend all my time in Tokyo but move around as much as I can.

Can you guys give me recommendations or personal experiences for places I should visit anywhere in Japan?
I'm interested in anything from sightseeing to good eats, whether it's a nice looking temple, some market to check out, a good place outside Tokyo to see cherry blossoms, but I especially want to meet and talk to local people. So bars and the like that welcome gaijins would be great.

I know I can google all these and I will but I'd like to hear you guys' opinions as well.

>>1218279
Haven't been yet but this caught my eye

https://www.japan-experience.com/city-tokyo/kitchhike-home-cooking

If anyone has any knowledge of this I'd be interested to hear about it, seems like it could be a good way to get to meet some local people in a relaxed setting.

Trying to find ideas for day trips from Tokyo. I would like to keep the distance at most ~2 hours from Tokyo on the shinkansen. I've already got Nagano, Yokohama, and some others down but looking for nature areas, maybe beaches on the east coast that are great.

>>1218281
That seems fun. I'd be worried about being a weirdo doing it alone though.

>>1218281

I have not used KitchHike. However, I did do an 'AirBnB experience' during the beta with someone who (I believe) is also on KitchHike, where I spent 3 days learning how to make ramen from scratch with the host (family owns a ramen restaurant) and a bunch of strangers from all over the world. 10/10 experience been thinking of doing another similar thing next time I go.

>>1218266
>>1218279
check meetups for events to meet locals and other travelers.
>>1218283
Kamakura for beaches
Mt. Takao for nature/scenery
Mt. Nokogiri for the same
There's also some decent hikes in Tsukuba I heard
Kawagoe for old edo houses and traditional shit
Ise Peninsula might also be doable

>>1218289
I'm going with a friend, but if you're going alone it could be a little awkward at first, but I think once you broke the ice it'd be good.

>>1218295
That sounds nice, will very likely do somtething like that then.

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>>1218283
Hanno in Saitama.
Smallish town, not very touristy, and there's a very easy hiking trail up mount Tenran that gives a view of the city.

http://ridgelineimages.com/hiking/mt-tenran/

>>1218301
Forgot to mention it's an hour from Tokyo.

>>1218295
Is it this one?
https://en.kitchhike.com/menus/56ecae566b69747207810000

Is it a bad idea not to book any rooms in advance? I want to be flexible but I'm afraid I'll have trouble finding anything on too short a notice. What do you think?

>>1218312

Looks like the same host. Not sure if the experience (3 days, shopping together for fresh ingredients at the supermarket and farmer's market, etc) would be the same, though. Also her English was very good, so language wasn't an issue, if that's a concern of yours.

>>1218313
I think it is wise to book the first night at least. Immigration/Customs usually want to know this.

>>1218313
Book flexible rates. Most places require you cancel 24-48 hours in advance to not be charged a penalty. Always read the rate terms. But booking on the fly, depending on when you go, is a great way to get stuck in a manga-kissa or a capsule hotel because everything else is full.

>>1218319
How much was it a social thing and how much was it more a cooking thing?

>>1218324

We made everything from scratch over 3 days, which meant a lot of downtime to socialize while things were preparing or we were slicing/making noodles/etc, so it's hard to say, honestly. A lot of socializing took place, but I was with good people. A bad group, as I had with another AirBnB experience during the same trip, would've ruined it.

>>1218325
Huh, you spent three days on it? And this was in a group with other people who'd signed up? Were they also tourists?

>>1218321
Yeah I've booked the first so I won't have to deal with bullshit while jet lagged.

>>1218323
Shit. I hoped there would always be something in such a fuck-huge place and that I wouldn't have to book. Can't deal with all the planning, my plans always just gets screwed over anyway.

Got any recommendations for Tokyo then?

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I also am planning to ATTEMPT to travel to Japan this summer, but I'm going there through one of those programs that coordinates your trip. Like usually it's for college students/post graduate students. The program is called KCP International, I've heard nothing bad about it and it seems to be a reputable company with good reviews from students who used them. Anyway I'd have the option to stay in a dormitory or with a host family, and the location would be in Shinjuku.

They said I'd be enrolled in a language class to learn the language and a cultural class to learn the culture, frankly I can't speak a lick of Japanese but they said it's fine though they recommend it's better to at least know basics. Also they can't guarantee I'd get a host family since it's limited, but someone told me it's strange for someone in their 20's to stay with a host family, does anyone here have any experience staying in a host family, studying in Japan, or using this program? I've never been out of the country and I'm really nervous but also excited, like I'm just not sure how to prepare or anything. I'm sure most people who go overseas to a new country for the first time feel the same way.

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Folder of my Japan pics - mostly Kyoto gardens through the seasons plus a few misc ... there's also a text file with list of locations

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:45c69efe618606e67d3e21d50a22ff058c12a12f&dn=Kyoto2014-15&tr=udp%3a%2f%2ftracker.coppersurfer.tk%3a6969&tr=udp%3a%2f%2ftracker.leechers-paradise.org%3a6969&tr=udp%3a%2f%2ftracker.openbittorrent.com%3a80&tr=udp%3a%2f%2fopen.demonii.com%3a1337

>>1218296
>>1218301
Thank you very much!

>>1218326

They were all tourists except for one person doing a temporary job before returning home, all of us from different countries. It was ~3 hours/day for 3 days. First day we ate at her family's restaurant and she took us around the area, to a couple temples, talked about ramen, etc. Her father actually took us to a local shop and bought us sake. Mainly a social thing with food and drink. Second day we did the shopping, prepped some stock, made the chashu, did the eggs, etc. Third day we made the noodles, cooked it all, assembled it, and ate. One of my best memories from that trip, desu. The KitchHike listing looks like it might just be the last day experience, though.

>>1218216
Is there really no doge cafe? No one will help me find a shiba inu to cuddle?

>>1218383
at what age were you diagnosed with autism?

>>1218385
>liking cute animals is autism
you're sounding a bit autistic there anon

>>1218389
much doge
such spastic

fuck off and google it

>>1218391
I have, and there seem to be plenty of cat cafes, a few dog cafes, and no shiba inu cafes, they all seem to be terriers or poodles.

>>1218343

The fact that you think that you will be able to speak at least 2 sentences of japanese after 2-3 months under any condition just shows that you are not only clueless about everything, bit your problem is that you refuse to get out of your comfort zone. Everyone on here told you that your plan is literally the worst thing you can do and you are protecting your plan like your life depends on it.
You are insecure and want to experience "something new" while at the same time not having to face anything new. It's not only that you are afraid to face new and unexpected challenges, you are fighting the option of something that is doomed to be working perfectly fine but being something you are not used to yet.
Fotget about the whole thing until you are even remotely ready to go abroad.
This board is full of travellers with an ungodly amount of experience and people who have yet to experience the world , but these people are at least ready for it and, this might be a hard pill for you to swallow, you are not ready AT ALL.
Forget about it, move on with your life, get drunk, get high, have sex on a strangers party while your dick won't go hard because you are too intoxicated and you end up just smoking a joint, looking at the stars and eventually puking because you have yet to grow up

>>1218394
I'd prefer advice from anyone but this guy, who apparently takes pleasure in trolling me on my other thread when I'm simply just trying to get feedback from others.

Preferably feedback that doesn't include getting into hour long internet debates/arguments.

>>1218404
You're not being trolled you unbelievable faggot, he's trying to give you good advice. You're clearly not comfortable going out of your comfort zone, so until that changes stay away from Japan. Go visit Canada instead or something.

>>1218343
>>1218404
So what do you need advice on?

You want to go there through a program. Everybody here advises you against that. For various reasons.

But you made up your mind and still want to go through with it. Alright, so being how you will have your trip planned through that program its not like you will have an awful lot to say on what you are going to do or see. Its cookie cutter traveling. Great.

>>1218408
>It's not like you will have an awful lot to say on what you are going to do or see. Its cookie cutter traveling. Great.

For a first time visit I think it's perfectly fine, I'd be happy seeing ANY part of the country. If I ever go back a second time then I'd gladly plan my own itinerary, but for a first time visit I don't see a problem with using a program that plans your events for you. I'm sorry if you can't understand that, or just don't agree with it but lots of people do it and I don't see anything wrong with it.

>>1218407
>You're clearly not comfortable going out of your comfort zone, so until that changes stay away from Japan.

Amazing, really it is. So you're saying that ANYONE who is intimidated traveling to another country should not go? What backwards thinking, I think most people would say it's perfectly normal to be intimidated to go to another country aside from your own. So you've never made someone that was intimidated to travel overseas? Nobody? Everyone you knew was ready to go and wasn't scared in the least bit? I find that hard to believe. Most people never go overseas, and even then when they do they're going by themselves which can be quite scary if you've never traveled by yourself. Some people might travel with another person, but traveling by yourself can be quite intimidating and I don't see anything wrong with it.

Do you just expect every young traveler to behave a certain way and think a certain way? A good way to break out of your comfort zone is to do things like this, by going to another country I'll HAVE to get out of my comfort zone, and I think it's a good way to overcome intimidation. Frankly by you telling me not to go because I'm not comfortable is terrible advice since I'd never get out of my comfort zone if I never went, by going I'm getting out of my comfort zone.

And might I add that you are a horrible, horrible advice giver. I hope you don't give advice to people you're close with like friends or family.

>>1218412
>but for a first time visit I don't see a problem with using a program that plans your events for you

Could you explain your point of view? Why do you rather let somebody else, somebody that doesn't even know you, plan a trip for you instead of planning it yourself?

Is it laziness? Do you feel that you're not qualified enough or that you would mess things up if you went on your own?

I mean sure its a lot easier this way and I can see why it may be appealing to you, but man. Think about it.

>>1218418
>Is it laziness? Do you feel that you're not qualified enough or that you would mess things up if you went on your own?

Well for the most part I suppose this is true, not so much lazy but fear of messing things up. I mean, it's a foreign country, I've never been there and I think it's perfectly normal to be afraid of screwing your plans up. It's a little bit more refreshing and comforting knowing you have someone/people who are familiar with the country and specifically cater to foreigners who want to visit Japan taking care of things.

I'm aware that limits my freedom, but I'm really just happy to be able to go to Japan at all. I don't want to be picky about what I'll see, just going there is more than enough for me. A lot of people want to go to Japan but probably never will, and it's a real experience to be able to say I went to Japan at all. Honestly I was quite jealous of people my age who said they got to go to Japan, and I know there are several others like myself out there as well.

>>1218412
Being ferried around with fellow English speakers and cloistered in a safe space for a few months, and happening to be geographically in another country, does not constitute visiting another country. If you don't want to explore and meet people on your own terms without being led around by the nose, you aren't actually interested in travelling, you've just internalised the glamorous perception of spending money on going to some exotic country.

>>1218422
In a way I agree with what you're saying, but at the same time I don't think everyone has that "lone wanderer" mentality. Like they don't really feel comfortable going there, walking around by themselves with nobody else. I mean surely you can understand how intimidating that could be for some people, I think it's natural honestly. And your suggestion for these kinds of people is to simply just not go? That's kind of harsh, it's a once in a lifetime experience for some people and telling them to not go is just almost flat out mean. Not saying you don't have a point, but you should at least try to be sympathetic or understanding of it.

If I buy a fancy knife (folded thousands and thousands of times of course) or other sharp cooking implement will I have any trouble getting it back into the UK?

>>1218392
Are you an imbecile? Googling "shiba inu cafe Japan" gave me an exact address and description of one from the very first fucking link...I won't even state the name here because for gods sake I don't want the poor animals to witness such a huge faggot
>>1218343
But the shiba inu guy just pales in comparison with this idiot. "I want to ATTEMPT visiting Japan", all caps preserved for historical evidence. Like, one phrase only and you already know you're talking with a full fledged autist. And that's given we are on a bloody 4chan. Impressive. Stay home you retard or at least cooperate with the shiba inu guy

>>1218418
Honestly I don't think there's anything wrong with just booking an organized trip. It's a comfortable and worry-free way to travel, and experiencing things together with like-minded people can be a plus. You also still get to pick the agency and their itinerary to suit your needs.

>>1218421
>but fear of messing things up

What could you possibly mess up? You get your flight and you get your place to stay ahead of time. You check out how to get from the airport to your place and arrive there (if you want to spend money you may even take a taxi instead of public transport).

Easy enough right? Now prior to going you will have made a list of things you want to do/see while over there (you will have read reviews and tips from other travelers so you know what is worthwhile) and you just work through that from day to day. If you just want to take a walk through some part of town for a day you can do that too. Its all up to you.

Maybe you will board the wrong train some time? Maybe you will be unable to find a place you are looking for? That is basically the worst that can happen to you. And it takes roughly ten to twenty minutes to get that out of the way.

>>1218425
Yes, I can appreciate it's a bit intimidating, but I cannot stress enough that you're fucking yourself over and wasting a fuckton of your parents' money if you do one of the sanitised program visits.

My recommendation is you find a friend who would be interested in exploring with you, so you have someone around who you know and are comfortable with but are still doing your own thing without being herded around by tardwranglers.

Try looking for an airbnb with a friendly english-speaking host who'll offer some basic advice (it'll be much more cost effective too). Then maybe look into something like >>1218281 to meet some local people and make some friends if you're lucky.

>>1218430
When I said attempt, I meant in the sense that it's not a done deal. It's just in the working stage right now, you literally have the reading context of a mentally degraded potato, congrats. I am planning to go to Japan, but I haven't really planned a lot of it out yet and the trip won't be for probably 4-6 months. You act like I was just "thinking" of going and hadn't committed to going/planning the trip, which isn't the case.

>>1218432
THANK YOU, the one fucking person on this board who actually understood where I was coming from and what I was trying to say. Bless you.

>>1218436
>My recommendation is you find a friend who would be interested in exploring with you

I have no friends, and even if I did none of them would have the funds to go to Japan with me, nor would they probably just agree to fucking go to another country out of the blue with me either.

>>1218430
>Are you an imbecile? Googling "shiba inu cafe Japan" gave me an exact address and description of one from the very first fucking link.
>implying I didn't find that
The first thing they mention is one that used to exist but closed eight years ago. The second thing they mention is a cafe where you can bring your own dog, which I don't have. The third one is also closed.

Please anon, give me some credit, I wouldn't have come here to ask if I hadn't checked through at least the first page of google results.

>>1218440
>I have no friends
Make some then. Sounds like you belong in /r9k/ not /trv/.

>>1218438
>THANK YOU, the one fucking person on this board who actually understood where I was coming from and what I was trying to say. Bless you.

it's not that we don't understand where you're coming from or what you are trying to say. We're just saying it's dumb

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>>1218440
> I have no friends
I wonder why, I think you're going to find some on r9k, don't forget to call everyone itt "fucking normies"

>>1218446
>We're just saying it's dumb
Yeah, like eating in a restaurant. After all, it's so much cheaper and more healthy to just cook your meals yourself. It's not like you'd let others decide what you eat, right?

>>1218443
I seriously can't believe that shit. Tokyo wan wan is the first link and it's open and was always open...

>>1218450
oh come on, that comparison isn't fair at all.

Booking a roundabout trip is like going to an Italian Restaurant but you need to have Pasta with tomato sauce.

Planning things on your own is realizing that there are three different restaurants within 500 Meters from each other and then picking the one you like most - and also getting to order Pizza if you prefer that.

>>1218445
>>1218447
>Find someone near you who wants to go to Japan with you.

Do people do this? Just find some local guy in their area who would travel with them to another country? Even if you don't know them that well? How do you fucking do that? Just post a thread or say "Hey looking for chill person who wants to travel to Japan with me, message me if interested?"

Do people really do such a thing? That's somewhat hilarious if true.

>>1218456
Some of what I've come across makes it seem to me that it closed down at some point.

Have you been to it recently? If you can definitely confirm it exists and has shibas and is still open then I'll happily take your word for it, the google results have been ambiguous.

>>1218450
No, it's like wanting to go to italy to experience the great authentic local italian food and culture, and then you stay in a globalised chain hotel and manage to find a pizza express to make sure you're not exposed to any actual authentic italian food.

>>1218472
It's like people are asking about a good restaurant and you complain that McDonalds is shit.

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How late is too late to see Cherry blossom in Osaka, roughly?

Also where is the best /out/ place to view them? Somewhere I can camp would be best, since I'm taking my tent.

On Japan guide Yoshino looks like the most /out/ place but is there anywhere else in Kansai?

>>1218483
I think mid to late April is the deadline for almost anywhere in Japan.

Is there still time to book tickets from UK to Japan for a week anywhere between end of March to mid of April?

I have a travelling itch and have about £1000 for the entire trip. If not, I don't mind waiting and planning it for another time but the next time I'm free is during the summer and I heard the weather's too hot.

>>1218489
Why don't you just check for flights instead of asking here?

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>>1218343
>KCP International
Well, they seem to get decent reviews and it sounds like you can do whatever you want and go explore in your free time, with handholding if you need it.
The program (full immersion with Japanese-language classes and English support only offered in a supplementary class) seems pretty serious, too - very focused on actually learning the language.
It's just that they seem to get these kinds of people. And you sound like you'd rather just go on a more touristy trip.

>>1218492
I've been looking at Skiplagged. I noticed the price is quite high if I depart anywhere in March. Just wondering if that's due to March being a popular time to travel or simply because it's only within a month.

>>1218494
I could be wrong but I don't think the closeness to the date makes much difference. Late march is of course very popular because of cherry blossoms. Do you really want to go just for one week? It's hardly worth it imo.

>>1218494
It's about £400 - £500 return during March on Skyscanner.

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>>1218227
Takaragawa Onsen

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>>1218210
Ok. So I've read through the thread and lurked /trv/ for a while before deciding to finally post this.

This post will probably seem like trolling but I'm 100% serious and I know my situation is both strange and dire but I'd still like to travel despite these facts.

I am a really sheltered and introverted 23 year old guy. I have 0 real life friends, I have never been to a bar/house party/clubbing. I have never drank alcohol/smoked cigarettes or did any drugs. Needless to say I'm really anti-social.

Yet somehow even though I don't socialize at all I still feel like I'm not isolated enough. That's why I came up with the (admittedly) romanticized idea of traveling to the other side of the globe to Japan alone.

I have saved up $5000 and have around a year of 2-3 hours a day of Japanese language training under my belt.

My question is if there is even anything to do for really anti-social people like me? Is traveling an inherently social phenomenon that is unenjoyable without the human interaction aspect of it?

Are there any other travelers like me out there that just want to isolate themselves even more from the world by traveling and keeping their mouths shut for a month?

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

>>1218513
Tell us what you'd want to do in Japan, and we'll tell you if being a social recluse gets in the way.

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>>1218513
>sheltered
>23
>never drank
>never smonked
>doesn't do drugs
>never been to a club/bar/party
>introverted
Literally me. Most people don't think we're weird. They just think we're losers who "don't get it".
There's plenty of things to do for people like you. Just do thinks you would enjoy normally and if you see something different over there that you think you'd enjoy then try it out.
You're just throwing mental hurdles in front of your self for very little reason.

I've traveled through almost all of Asia by my self and never felt that my introvertedness stopped me from enjoying it.

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>>1218513
Went to Japan for a month by myself. I am an introvert. I felt even more isolated then when at home. No pressure to communicate with anyone. I knew minimal Japanese, but I got by with ease.
It will be a supreme pleasure to visit Japan, if you enjoy being alone (that is if you are traveling solo).
Pic related: at the beach

>>1218521
*than
I never thought I would fuck up then and than

>>1218518
>>1218521

Thanks, good to know it's possible

What was the duration of your trip, what did you do and how expensive was it in total? Want to know what I can expect.

>>1218524
A month
1500 cad ticket plane
600 cad Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka jr
1500 cad hostel/food/entertainment/transport/spending

>>1218210
How safe are Tokyo districts and Kyoto?
I live in a third world shithole where nobody walks anywhere at night because of crime. I've been to New York City and there were always people walking around regardless of the time, so I never really felt alone and vulnerable there. From what I've seen, the Tokyo metro isn't up 24/7 so sometimes you have to walk.

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>>1218524
I went for 2 months last year. 56 days with 5k USD.
Also went for 2 weeks the year before.

Went into a little bit of detail with this >>1218107
post.

>>1218526
the shadiest corner of tokyo is safer than the nicest bits of any third world shithole. just don't follow a nigger back to a brothel.

>>1218526
Walked around Tokyo from sunset to sunrise multiple times. Never felt threatened in any way. If anything, the people out were avoiding me.

>>1218528
>>1218530
Damn, sounds like a great place. Must be nice being able to walk wherever you want without having to scout the area every time you cross a block.
Might give Tokyo a look next year. Thanks for the info

>>1218533
Make sure you have white skin though. A lot of places refuse service to anyone without white skin, this includes Asians.

>>1218534
The fuck? Is feeding misinformation a meme on /trv/?
I have never heard that before.
I'm Vietnamese (born and raised in america) and look Vietnamese as fuck. I've never been refused service anywhere in Japan accept for like 2 restaurants because I couldn't speak Japanese.

>>1218535
I'm Indonesian and I was rejected for half the restaurants I tried to visit.

Didn't realize it was racism until I saw a group of Americans going into a restaurant so I thought "hey a gaijin accepting place!" and I got rejected again. I just stopped trying going to restaurants after that to be honest.

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>>1218513
You are almost like me. I'm leaving in 2 weeks with +5000 dollars and basically never open my mouth in public. This trip for me is to change my hikikomori ways and stop sitting on computer for 15 hours a day.

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>>1218540
Hmm. I'm not saying your story is untrue. But I really have never heard that before.
Everyone's experiences are different. And I know that Japanese do have a disdain for outsiders.

Whats this Rippongi is bad meme, someone explain

Also travelling to tokyo in 2 weeks, ive plotted general touristy stuff and yoyogi park, senso-ji and whatnot, what are some hidden gems in tokyo you enjoyed?

>>1218407
>going out of your comfort zone is uncomfortable

Well, no shit that anon is uncomfortable going out of his comfort zone. Being outside the comfort zone is uncomfortable by definition. Learning and doing new things is always going to be uncomfortable, but that's how we learn. If you're comfortable, you're stagnating.

>>1218553
It's just one of the expat hubs, for a tourist wanting to experience "real Japan" it is dissapointingly bland.

>>1218553
Shitty over priced bars, ugly, bottom of the barrel women and niggers. Not colored people, actual niggers.

Is there anywhere in particular I should go or anything in particular I should do if I'm interested in meeting japanese music students?

Im in finance (mortgage) at the moment without a degree. What is my best best of moving to japan for a while without becoming a teacher? I can speak general jap but I heard it was impossible to find a job there.

>>1218570
Don't even try.

I have a friend who is interning at a Japan VC right now. He speaks good Japanese with around ~3 years of practice. When he started working there he did the usual 8 hours of work and was conscious enough to do the 4-6 hours of overtime as well.

He managed to work like this for over a month until his boss asked him out for a drink one weekend, my friend still had to write a lot of reports for his uni and had massive sleep deprivation because of that overtime during that month so he politely rejected and gave his reasons.

Needless to say he didn't receive his work emails anymore and all colleagues started to ignore him from then on. After continuing to work like this for 2 weeks he decided to go all-out and buy expensive gifts and apologize to his boss. Now remember this guy is just a student with a 6 months internship his compensations barely covered his rent in Tokyo let alone his actual cost of living. Spend around $600 for a gift basket.

After he gave the gift basket nothing changed for another week until he was invited to his boss's office and got invited to go on a business trip during the weekend as a middle-man translator, which isn't in his job description at all. After which he wasn't completely ignored anymore. His boss still looks down on him and avoids talking to him unless absolutely necessary. There's a high chance he will not even get a positive recommendation after finishing his internship.

What wasn't included in this story is how my friend has been looking at a Japanese internship for over 3 years (which is why he started learning Japanese 3 years ago) and only found an internship 3 months ago.

If you still think working in Japan is a good idea then go for it, but i'm pretty sure my friend will never set foot on Japanese soil again after finishing his internship.

>>1218513
>>1218518
>>1218521
>>1218543
r9k, onegaishimas. Seriously, please stay in your basement, there is no need in another "silent sweaty guy with a backpack in front of anime figurine stall" episode

>>1218540
Maybe you're just ugly as fuck, or obese

>>1218587
Next time you see me punch me right in the face.
I'll be exactly as you described.

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>>1218590
With pleasure

>>1218587
At least I'm going to be in Japan.

>>1218587
Hehe, you really have no idea who you're talking to, huh?

*Unsheathes rifle hidden under trenchcoat*

>>1218232
I never taken the first class cars, but the normal seats are pretty comfy. Unless you are some rich fag who want his own cabin

Yo yo we're going to japan in the middle of march...

some questions:
is akihabara even worth going to? i've been told its a meme

Anything we need to see in osaka or tokyo?

Is hokkaido worth heading to? We really like the outdoors but don't really know where to start

>>1218609
Talk like a person not a 4chan meme. Japan is a country, not an anime

>>1218609
>akihabara
Might be worth it if you go on a Sunday, hope you have at least some interest in anime/games though.
>hokkaido
Hokkaido is the best place I've ever camped in my life feels like you have been transported to a surreal fairy tail or something. But since you are going in the middle of march I don't know what you can do in the winter months.

>>1218612
then why we on 4chan my man?

I have heard that akihabara is a bad tourist trap, massively overhyped, expensive etc.

I like some otaku stuff, but am not a super fan by any means. I'm looking to buy some retro games and maybe get a few capsule toys.

>>1218613
That sounds amazing, i really enjoy the outdoors. Do you think there will still be a decent amount of snow in March? Would love to get some hikes in..any favorites?

I've also heard they have the best onsens in Hokkaido and would really enjoy staying in one..have you tried any?

>>1218617
Only been in Japan during the summer unfortunately. onsen while I was already hot didn't really attract me lol.

>>1218613
I'm going in July, haven't finalised my itinerary and am interested in Hokkaido (though it seems more like somewhere I'd go in winter, I love snow) as a possibility. What is there to do in summer though? I don't think I'd be likely to do any camping, though if the scenery's gorgeous then it could certainly be nice to see it.

Anyone ever been to Asakusa? Any thoughts? Looked at the sticky but couldn't find anything

>>1218394
I dunno senpai, I started learning Japanese mid-january, then started right in the second semester of the Japanese course in my university. Never actually SPOKE Japanese in person before, but I chat to japanese friends sometimes.
Came into the classroom, teacher started talking to me in Japanese, and I was amazed how easy it was for me to respond. Of course, as she's a teacher, she probably pays attention to not use words I don't know, but really, if you get into the correct mindset, it's easy to communicate in Japanese only. And should you not know a word, just use the kanaified english word - for example I wanted to ask the teacher about the correct pronunciation of ふ, but didn't know pronunciation. So I just said プロナンシエーション, and she seemed to have no trouble understanding. Keep in mind, I'm not American or from an English speaking country, so I was not falling back to my native language but a language I know Japanese people learn in school.
Of course, if you do that too often you sound like a reverse weeb going "This is so sugoku kawaii desu, do you not think it is sugoi?", but it's better than fully english-ing them.

>>1218570
>>1218576
You have to work at a branch of a foreign company, and this is usually limited to more senior/leadership roles.

Japanese corporations are utterly retarded and the exact opposite of productivity and innovation.

>>1218616
Using extensive 4chan slang was never appreciated, even less now that even your mom probably heard about some memes.
And your question is extremely generic, there's nothing to respond to. Dont you think you can find "just some capsule toys and retro games" there regardless of how overrated it is?

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Travelling around Japan a bit this summer, hoping to catch some baseball. Should I buy tickets in advance, or are they easy to get when I'm there? What's the go?

>>1218624
yes

>>1218626
That's pretty naive. Talking in class is nothing like talking to a Japanese person in an every day situation. There's also the added pressure. I thought I would be able to wiggle my way through a conversation after a year of study, and once I was in Japan I realized that I basically knew nothing yet. It was only after a lot of real life practice and listening that I started to be able to have something that resembled a conversation.

>>1218313
I booked places the morning of when I went for two weeks. You'll be fine.

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There is now a /trv/Japan LINE group!
If you would like to join, email your LINE ID to:

trv4chan@gmail dot com

>>1218483
>>1218486
I second this. You'll see them starting to fall around mid-April.

>>1218540
I'm sorry, that really sucks. Can you speak Japanese?

>>1218553
If you're American you should already know about the CIA's travel warnings there.

>>1218609
>is akihabara even worth going to? i've been told its a meme

What for? It's THE place for maid cafés, there's a flea market on weekends and you can see a lot of otaku stuff like idol concerts. It's also got some pretty good bargains if you're willing to spend an hour our so going through the stores' bins.

Nakano is more pleasant to shop in, and Ikebukuro is hands down better if your interests resemble what fujos like in any shape or form (for example, if you like sports anime).

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>>1218576
>>1218576
Is that the typical reaction most bosses would have if you declined an invitation to drink with them or something similar? Sounds brutal, especially considering he was justified in politely declining and also apologized.

Asking again in this thread:
Checked the links in the op but couldn't really find anything, is there any reasonably priced gaijin-friendly delivery health place in Osaka that offers anal no condom?

What's the best way to book concert tickets in Japan? The concert is in April, but I won't be in Japan until the end of March. It's a reasonably niche foreign group, so I'm not sure if it'll be sold out by then.

>>1218685
Getting tickets for small shows can be a pain in the ass as a foreigner. They're usually sold at conbinis or other stores instead of the venue.

>>1218688
Sounds easy actually.

>>1218703
Navigating the machines to find the concert you want isn't though. Had an employee help me last time and it took 15 minutes because he couldn't find it. It's easier if you have the event ID for the particular service though.

I have some extra cash but thinking of visiting Tokyo and maybe nearby areas for a week or two. But the only time I'm available is between July and September.

I don't mind rain so much as I find it quite comfy to walk through a busy city with a raincoat and umbrella but not a fan of the heat.

Anyone have experience of how bad the heat is during the start and mid of September?

>>1218493
What do you mean by "these kind of people"? Like weeaboos or something? I mean I'm pretty weeb myself, granted it would be nice to go on a "touristy" kind of trip but according to the program you get to go on excursions across Tokyo to different places and what not so you'll still get to see the sights and what not.

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Anybody recommend staying at a Ryokan? If so is there a big difference between the $300 ones vs the $500+?
Thinking of booking one night in Hakone in-between Tokyo and Kyoto.

>>1218748
September can still be pretty hot, but it's actually one of the best months to visit, I think. The worst is over by then.

>>1218750
From what I read about Ryokans, it seems the more expensive ones offer private meals in your room compared to like a communal meal, also you would be required to roll out your own bedding instead of having a maid do it for you. Like it sounds to me the more expensive ones offer better service, and possibly higher quality food and amenities I suppose.

I would see if you could look up the differences between the two Ryokans and see if they list any major differences, but the more expensive I imagine would have some higher quality stuff compared to the cheaper one. Also some Ryokans could cost you up to 50,000 yen which is roughly $450, which is probably that $500 one you're talking about.

The $500 one is probably REALLY SWANKY but $300 still seems like you'd still get a quality stay.

>>1218751
>>1218748
I figured any time is a good time to go, though I've heard Summer is kind of brutally because of the heat. I read that usually Japan gets a lot of rain in the early summer and then it turns the country into a "steam bath" afterwards, though Spring sounds great since it's Cherry Blossom season and the weather is decent. I think it depends on the person, if you love Winter and prefer the cold then go during the Winter. If you prefer hot and like the Summer then go in the Summer.

>>1218754
Beware though. Cherry blossom season can be rather cold too. I was freezing my ass off a couple of times last year. It was a small miracle that I didn't get a cold.

Hey /trv/. Planning a trip some time during april-may (while it's warm, but you can walk outside without melting), about a month long. I have little interest in cities/weaboo stuff/nightlife, mostly want to hike in countryside/mountains, see the pretty scenery just like in my japanese animus. To make planning more flexible/save monies/for the lulz I'm thinking about taking a tent/tarp/bivvybag and camping outside whenever possible. Any reason why that would be a bad idea? Also any tips for doing this?

What's an average budget for 7-9 days? Minus flight and housing.

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>ticket prices go up 50% during finals week

How is den den town? I've heard aki is a shell of its former self now

>>1218857
Good for older stuff. Make sure to visit Jungle.
Aki is still good. Visit trader 9, for example

>>1218869
I've looked trader 9 up and all I found was TRADER and? Right next to Don quixote?

>>1218857
>I've heard aki is a shell of its former self now
Hm, I've never heard that. How was it different before? I went this summer and enjoyed it, but it was my first time there.

>>1218872
In the 90s you could dumpster dive all the newest electronics.

>>1218871
Sorry, I fucked up, it's Liberty 9.

>>1218684
>anal no condom
You got no replies because everyone thought you were joking. Try a third world country instead.

>>1218857
I wouldn't go to Osaka specifically for it nor would I choose it over Akiba if you only have time for 1. If you're already in the city though and you want to do some anime shopping then there's no where else.

>>1218857
It's more relaxed than Aki and has decent shops. Legend has it it's even acceptable to haggle for prices there. Nice to visit of you're in the area anyway.

What's the best thing to do in the yoko area in april?

I'm tentatively looking at booking a place in Ueno for my Tokyo visit in the summer. I know nothing about the layout of Tokyo, is that a good area? Well placed for getting around the city? I think the place is near the underground at least.

>>1218956
What's yoko? Yokohama or Ameyoko?

>>1218968
Yokohama

>>1218961
I stayed in ueno last year for 10 days. Ueno seemed to be a good place for people on a budget. Only reason I ended up there is because they were the only airbnb offers at the time nearest to akiba. Just make sure you're within walking distance to the nearest yamanote station so that you have easy mode commute everywhere else.

>>1218987
Cool, that should be good then, thanks.

>>1218641
Well, I did say 'of course, as she's a teacher she probably pays attention to not use words I don't know'.
But - even still, it seems you think I was talking to her in class. I was talking to her before class - I arrived early and she just started talking to me in Japanese.
As I said, nothing complex yet, and when I listen to 2 Japanese people having a normal conversation, I can only understand the structure and maybe every third to tenth word, depending on what they are talking about. But I'm definitely already at a level where I could speak to a Japanese person if they paid attention to use very easy language and the topic is basic every day stuff.

>>1218685
What band is it?

>>1218852
>7-9 days
>without flight and housing
breh, flight and housing are the only things that can be 'averaged out'. if you only buy rice and nothing else, your budget can be as little as 10 bucks for 9 days. It literally just depends on what you actively spend

>>1218754
I think it just depends on how much of a pussy you are. I haven't been to Japan yet, but I've been to Thailand multiple times in the summer, and really, it's fucking fine. Just wear appropriate clothing. Just as it's not appropriate to walk around in a tshirt and shorts in the winter, it's not appropriate to wear heavy shoes, long sleeved shirts and jeans in the summer.
People complaining are the kind of people that live in a country that has the same weather all year +- 10°C. Even in Switzerland we regularly hit 40°C in the summer.
The moisture thing is just something different that you have to get used to, it's weird for maybe the first hour you get off the plane.

>>1218540
Sorry to hear that. I've never been rejected by a restaurant in Japan so don't take this the wrong way but I think you should keep trying.

>>1219024
Lol. You don't even know what you're in for. It takes nearly nothing to know a bit what is being said. You need a bare minimum of 80% understanding to even have a chance to get the gist of a sentence. Simple Japanese will work with your teachers but normal Japanese people will still find you frustrating.

But on the other hand, I respect you for studying. When you get to a decent level a lot of things people complain aren't foreigner friendly becomes accessible.

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Any decent bars etc to meet qts in Kyoto?

How do Japs feel about Mexicans or people of Mexican descent

>>1219131
They don't care. As a nonwhite person myself I'd recommend you to leave all the racial bullshit back in customs. If you get mistreated in anyway it's probably because you're not Japanese rather than Mexican.

This could be selection bias because of the above but most Japanese people I've met seem to be more respectful to people who are different compared to, let's say, Mid-Western USA.

The worst you'll get is staring from old people who've had very limited contact with foreigners.

>>1219131
>>1219136
If you're mistreated will most likely be because you're being an asshole, actually.
Follow the rules, ask if you don't know. This should defuse most of the animosity against you.

>>1219131
I traveled with a Mexican friend (I'm white.) The Japs offered me spoons and forks but not him. When we accidentally walked into a restaurant with a camera crew filming they did everything they could to only get me in the shot and not him. Other than that no difference in how we're treated.

>>1219033
Of course, but that's not average. Basically what I'm asking is the cost of an average meal for example.

>>1219170
500 yen

>>1219122
Seconding the question for this as well please

>>1219170
Beer is 500-600+ yen, a restaurant meal starts at about 500-1000 yen, and you always get free water or tea at restaurants.

>>1219131
God shut up

Going to japan in the semi near future for about a month+. There any pay by the week or for a month Gym's in or around tokyo? Really don't want to come back home with a month without any real kind of workout.

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Hey everyone, new here - of course.

My friend and I (23 and 26 years old) will be heading to Tokyo at the end of March.
We will be in Japan for 2 weeks [March 29 - April12]. This is our first time travelling to Japan and for me personally it will be one of the larger trips I've taken, aside from moving across the country for work for a few months.
We already have our airbnb booked for every night near Matsudo station. We are planning on staying in Tokyo for most of the trip but are very interested in day trips here and there throughout the trip.

Any suggestions for how we should fill our days? or is it best to loosely plan and let your interest at the time take hold?


-- Posted this in another thread that seems to have died so just posting this here just out of my own curiosity ---

>>1219256
Are you guys from special forces

>>1219279

Nope, just 2 boring average Canadians who wanted a break from the Prairies for a couple weeks... why?

Where's a convenient place to stay in Tokyo? Is the area around Tokyo station convenient for getting around the city? Or should I go to asakusa or shinjuku instead?

>>1219298
You should stay near the station of Yamanote line.
Yamanote line is roop train that go around the center area of Tokyo.

>>1219311
Thanks. Looks like yamamote passes through Tokyo station. Looks like shinjuku harajuku Shibuya opposite side of the loop though.

>>1219315
It's a 20 minute train ride

>>1219315
If you plan on doing a lot of night-life stuff then I would suggest staying on the shinjuku side of the yamamote line.
It's about a half hour trip from one side to the other, assuming there aren't any faster lines to your destination.

As far as making day trips out the city goes, then stations from all over the yamamote line get used.
So otherwise, it doesn't really matter but yes, a hotel close to a yamamote station would be good.

Asakusa wouldn't be _too_ bad if you do find a nice place there since it has train lines which can take you to the yamamote line. Including one which ends at Akiba if that's your thing. You'll have to change trains every day though.

>>1219279

???????

I'm a tall, husky, bearded Scandinavian. Broad shoulders, solid core. 240lb, 6'2, which in Scandinavia is average man size.

Should I already just forget hooking up with a Japanese girl the traditional way and just buy a prostitute instead? I don't have issues flirting with women, I regularly got laid at home. But I highly doubt that Japanese women are attracted to my burliness.

>>1219401
> 240 lb
Hahaha, what a delusional fat fuck
And stupid as well, this question is as platinum as "what should I see in Tokyo"

>>1219411
Fuck off Dyel. >>1219401 is literally perfect bear mode body. If Japanese girls aren't down I'd definitely hang with him.

No homo.

>>1219401
post pic to prove you're not fat

>>1219054
I fully realize that. As I said, I'm not from a primarily English speaking country, and I've learned both English and French to a very good level before - my native language is German. Of course, East Asian languages are way different from Western European ones, therefore there's nearly no words (other than the few english loanwords, or some german loanwords like アルバイト) that you just 'know' because it's nearly the same as in your native language. I don't think my goal is set too high either. I just want to be on a level that during my time in Japan in August, I'll be able to actually improve my language instead of having to fall back to English for EVERYTHING.

>>1219438
>アルバイト

Thank you. I had no idea which language it came from and it's always bothered me when I see in stuck on convenience stores and restaurants. Now I know.

>>1219439
In german it literally just means work. Arbeit.

>>1219424
That's what fat people believe in

Is it plausible to try to learn greetings/important phrases, numbers, the necessary vocabulary to order at a restaurant or ask for directions, and decent enough pronunciation in time for a trip in July? How much of a time investment would it be if so?

>>1219256
>>1215450

>>1219439
I knew it from the 'arbeit macht frei' sign in auschwitz and made the connection.

>>1219256
Woah, Matsudo is super far out. Definitely check out Shibamata, it's right around the corner.

Ask someone who wrote 243 applications in the last two months and wasn't invited to one interview anything.

Ask someone who has 4k Yen for the rest of the month anything.

>>1219448
What did you apply for? What are your qualifications?

>>1219449
Anything. Restaurants, English school, prostitution in Roppongi, clinic trials there is no job i haven*t applied for.
>qualifications
Got none. Highschool, that's it.
Previous job expierence.
Fluent in several european languages.
Only basic knowledge of Japanese.

Fuck man, I don't even have enough money for food this month.Unless I only eat a single package of CUP NOODLE per day

>>1219450
LOL, same, and I'll be there soon too. That's not very reassuring.

>>1219450
That is what you get for going to a developed country without any skills you fucking loser.

>>1219452
>look mom I got a bachelor degree for telling my teacher exactly what he wants to hear I'm so prepared for working xDDDD

Your bachelor means nothing but the japanese people are too dumb to realize that

>>1219440
Thanks for the translation.
>>1219445
Oh, now this is going to make me sad every time I see it. "Work sets you free."

>>1219442
Study 30 minutes a day 4 days a week. You'll know it all probably within two months, but take your time and just get started. Make flashcards and try to use it in you daily life. Even if it's just saying, "Konbanwa/Good evening" to your pet fish.

>>1219453
That attitude is probably why no one called back. Also, that's not what college is like at all.

>>1219454
Thanks. Can you recommend a program or book or video series or anything?

>>1219456
I've been at college and yes, it is exactly that.

>that attitude
This holier than thou attitude of yours must be the fucking burner at interviews. Surely you started with 300k $ per year job right after your degree, right?

Instead of ramming the knive deeper into the wound, how about you use your great and smart brain to offer some solutions here?

>>1219458
maybe if you're at a shit college

>>1219462
Real great solution you're offering me there, buddy.

Man, suddenly the interviews keep storming in. I'm drowning in job opportunities here. And that all thanks to your help.

>>1219457
Honestly, try a YouTube search for basic stuff like that. There will be short videos with native Japanese speakers to give you an idea on pronunciation. And remember, you don't have to speak perfectly. People get really excited to hear a tourist trying and it can make your travel experience more enjoyable.

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>>1219463
lel some guy with 4000 yen to his name is acting hard on the internet

>>1219438
アルバイト Actually came from dutch traders "arbeit". Not German. ビール also comes from dutch "bier"

It's just that the languages are so common that it's easy to confuse the origins. But a rule of thumb is that if a katakana word has a dutch equivalent it has a dutch origin.

The Dutch were the only traders(outside of China) with Japan from 1641-1853. This was when most medical breakthroughs and technological terms were introduced via the dutch to the Japanese so naturally they adapted the dutch words into their language.

Germans have a huge upper leg here because Dutch people share like 50% of the vocabulary with the Germans and only 10-20% with the English.

>>1219473
The JAL symbol there reminds me...

Anyone notice how they really seem to load you up on dairy on JAL flights?

I've only been on one round trip flight with JAL...But for meals/desserts I remember getting ice cream, yogurt, potato salad, egg salad, spreadable cheese, salad with cheese, and this rice porridge dish with cheese...Just a lot of fucking dairy. Some of which I didn't eat. White rice, too. Really bound up the bowels and gave me gas--the kind that you can't expel immediately and just sits there making you uncomfortable.

But they best thing they gave was the Yoshinoya beef bowl...

>>1219559
well, both for Arbeit and Bier it doesn't matter at all, since they're both literally the same in German.
Any sauce on it being dutch rather than German?

>>1219450
lmao mong

why did you think this was a good idea?

Wondering if anyone can help me, looking at portable wifis and i arrive at haneda airport at 8pm whereas alot of portable wifi drop off only between 9am - 5pm
Anyone else had this problem?

>>1219617
A lot of wifi/sim rentals can be delivered to your hotel instead.

>>1219648
Staying at a AirBnB

>>1219653
If you go for a sim instead then it could fit through the letterbox or ask the host if you can send it to his place and you can pick it up with your key.

>>1219450
How do you wind up living in Japan with only a high school edcation and no steady employment? Genuinely curious.

Planning on going to Japan this year somewhere between early October to early December. Its a 2 weeks trip and I'm not sure which 2 weeks should I book my ticket. I like taking event and landscape pictures if that helps.

>>1219746
I recommend you go in November.
This season Japan is not hot and not so cold.
And red and yellow leaves in mountain are so beautiful.

>>1219447
Yeah ive heard mixed things about our booking location, but we've been told its around 45-60 minute train ride into the city which we are fine with. We got the place for relatively cheap

>>1219733

Would love to hear this guy's story. Genuinely curious, no disrespect.

>>1219756
How cheap? I can't imagine any price that would justify that kind of train ride to the city center. It's almost a 1000 yen every day just to get to and from your Airbnb.

>>1219781
Sounds stupid. I booked one 5 minutes walk from shinjuku station for $330/5 nights. Can't imagine commuting an hour just to get to the city.

Any suggestions for where to stay in Kyoto? Heard gion is nice. But I'm doing a bunch of trips to different cities so maybe I should just stay by Kyoto station.

I have two full days (March 28-29) free to do anything in Tokyo. I'd say my budget for both days combined is ¥50,000. I enjoy adventure, idols, and I'm a total weeb. Any cool ideas for things to do?

>>1218210
That is a truly terribly beer

>>1219799
aki

>>1219799
i will teach you tekken so you can beat the nips

>>1219802
What is Aki?

>>1219820
I already beat them up at mosh pits

>>1219830
akihabara

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Hi /trv/,
First I'll say that the OP was very useful already, so thank you for that.
I work at a large multinational but on a small, specialized team that has recently lost a member in Asia. I have been asked to take a 1-3 month trip to Tokyo to backfill as well as help out with the recruiting process. The office and hotel are located in Chiyoda, very close to Tokyo station.

I have been to Japan before, staying with a wingman for 4 months in Misawa and I love it to death up there innawoods. However I've not spent more than a few days at a time in Tokyo transiting from the airport to the bar to the Tohoku shinkansen. I'm an officer and lead of my team, so I'm not too worried about crazy work expectations, however if Tokyo's financial district is anything like New York's, it will be full of expensive bars, shitty people, and boring gold-digger women/men.

I'm soliciting advice on 3 categories of neighborhood that I'd like to find while I'm there:
- A meat market that isn't packed with token foreigners already (if such a thing exists) or at least where I can meet some interesting/attractive people
- A lower-key area more likely to have a live house than a club
- A place with decent food variety at a reasonable pricepoint, as I'm not sure I'll have a kitchen.

Also, advice on hookup apps, gay and straight, again if such a thing is widely in use in Tokyo, would be appreciated. I'd be curious to hear which are the most fruitful.
I have enough money to do cynical shit like go VIP at every club or just drink at rooftop bars and trawl aforementioned gold diggers, but it's really not my style. My japanese is passable at a basic "where are you from, what do you do, want to see my hotel" level. I play Jazz/Blues/etc drums and guitar well enough to tour live houses if they do the pickup band thing that was common in Aomori.

Hope that's enough. Thanks again gents.
Pic somewhat related, Komaki Onsen Aomori-ya

>>1219833
I thought the slang for Akihabara was Akiba. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I've been to Akiba before and since I'm not really into anime and manga there isn't much for me to do other than go to maid cafes.

>>1219841
I was feeling really lazy

>>1219837
Hatsudai

>>1219845
Would never think to go that far out, what's the general gist?

Are there any special vaccinations that someone who will live in Japan for a longer time should have before going?

>>1219872
Vaccination for Japanese encephalitis.

>>1219859
What do you mean far out? It's very central. It more or less fits all of your 3 categories. It's calm and urban, has tons of shopping streets and a live house.

>>1218210
>*Info on prostitution*
Dont bother people. I speak japanese, not many establishments will take foreigners. last time i went, i couldnt even get in an oppai bar or tekoki.

Forget about any discounts or promotions. If you want to get prostitutes just go to mexico or europe.

Although, i really recommend trying a soapland at least once.

>>1219837
You sound old and boring. The only reason older people are attractive is because of money and status, so I don't get why you're so turned off by gold diggers, especially since you're just looking for hookups.

>>1219912
That's a lot of assumptions for one post!

>>1219902
There are places that allow foreigners, you just need to read about them. That's exactly what OP's links are about.

t. foreigner that fucked a Japanese qt in a soapland

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>>1219574
If the dairy bothers you, they do offer lactose free meals for no extra cost. You'll have to request it in advance on the website.
Instead they give you a lot of salad and fruit. They also won't give you that haagen dazs ice cream by default unless you ask for it.

Side note: JAL is the only airline I've been on that give you metal utensils. Pretty neat.

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I was invited today for an interview with a company called GTEKS in Otemachi.
Like, I can't even remember applying for something like that.
This is their website.
http://www.gteks.jp/

It looks kinda shady and unprofessional.
Does anyone else know more about this?

What's cheaper to get from Tokyo to Sapporo or Osaka?

Flight or train?
I guess the train to Sapporo is fucking expensive and takes long.
But how about Tokyo / Osaka?

>>1219902
There are several pink salons that allow gaijin, along with a lot of soaplands in Yoshiwara as well as delivery health services in Shibuya/Shinjuku. Most of us that have read the sticky know what we get is just the tip of the iceberg.

Do japaneses often let friends sleep in their places and are generous about it?
I mean, in animes it all seems so easy, but I bet it isn't that easy on real life. I plan to travel to there next year with a friend, and currently I have a few japanese friends there, even one that will be living by herself in Tokyo next year. If I could sleep in someone house, wouldn't pay for the hotel costs and that would be awesome to buy more stuff to bring to my family, friends and myself.
But I'm afraid to actually asking it and seems like I'm being rude and only after their places...

>>1220000
>But I'm afraid to actually asking it and seems like I'm being rude and only after their places...

Why not just ask your friend if you could crash at their place? if they say no, then you have your answer.

>>1219784
You don't HAVE to stay near Kyoto station since the city is small and the metro is fast and efficient (like in the rest of Japan). I stayed near Marutamachi station when I was in Kyoto and had no problems. In fact, there was this little bento place that I walked by every morning on the way to the station that sold bento boxes for like 300-400 yen...And the food was actually very good quality for the price...

I didn't get to explore much south of Kyoto station (or even around it...) except for around the Inari Taisha shrine. But just look at a map of Kyoto and use common sense: How many metro stops away from the main hub do you feel comfortable staying at? The further away you get the more residential the city becomes...But I actually liked wandering around the residential areas...

Kyoto in general is chill as fuck. I liked it even better than Tokyo, and wish I had devoted more than 5 days to it.

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I am going to Japan in April and I want to go to the studio Ghibli Museum because I heard it was amazing.

However, buying tickets is a cluster fuck. I want to visit May 4th but apparently I can't buy tickets untill 1 month prior.

Does anyone know how to book this shit? I'm from Canada if that helps.

>>1220012
sounds like you should wait until 1 month prior and then book tickets

>>1220015
What website should I use to book? I heard it books up fast so I want to buy it as soon as it goes on sale. Do you know what time it happens?

>>1220021
Only way I know to book is on their website.

That said, it is very much geared towards young children -- unless you are a young child, it may be disappointing.

Going drinking and girl hunting tonight in Miyazaki city.

What are some pointers for hitting on Japanese women? Never done that before.

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>>1220039

>>1220049
basically the same as home but with a language barrier.

should prove interesting

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>>1220039

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>>1219987
Well, whatever it was today, it was a great expierence and being on top of a building on Otemachi was quite fun.

In case anyone gets an interview with GTEKS, take the chance. The website looks like shit but the office is top-notch.

>>1219830
Japanese mosh pits confuse me. I always see a few guys just hardcore dancing and we're not at hardcore shows.

>>1220012
Hi, I'm a Japanese and reserched about that.
Even we Japanese can't buy tickets of May, it will be started to sell from 10AM(JST) 10th day April, that may be 8PM 9th April in Ottawa.
Because May 4th is in Japanese long holiday season, ticket of this day will be sold out in a flash.
I recommend you to try to buy the ticket at the time.

>>1219902
Or fly to hong kong/taiwan etc which is what I'm doing this time. Unless you really want Japanese girls. Renting a Japanese phone to call up places is just a pain in the ass plus prices in Japan are fucking expensive

>>1219841
You're a weeb but not into anime/manga? What aspects of Japanese culture do you like besides idols?

>>1219473
Man after flying into Haneda once I can never fly into Narita again.

>>1220135
This

>>1220135
Why? Because it takes twice as long? Anyway there's no nonstop JAL flights from JFK until April. Not sure about ANA. Taking a stopover and increasing travel time from 14 to 17+ hours just to get to HND doesn't make sense.

>>1220138
Because it's closer to central tokyo and is a much nicer airport. I understand if you don't really have a choice but all things equal I'd pick haneda any day.

>>1220134
Sorry for the late reply.
I like pretty much everything: film, drama, history, poetry, architecture/aesthetic, qts, martial arts, cars, trains, music, mannerisms, Japanese hospitality, nature in Japan, and I have many friends there I'll be meeting again.

>>1220150
Huh, so what haven't you done in Tokyo already? There's so much there to enjoy. The obvious thing to do at the end of march is hanami

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Is Yanaka in Tokyo a decent substitute for Tashirojima? Or is Tashirojima the superior place for kawaii neko?

>>1220138
>>1220141
If you haven't taken a nonstop in coach from NYC, please save yourself and don't.
If you must, fly an american carrier.

I hope it's not still the case, but ANA coach had a smaller seat pitch than american carriers even on newer equipment. I'm 5'10" and it was intolerable. You will definitely want a stopover in cali somewhere to at least stretch your legs out and take a few deep breaths. It is well worth the few extra hours you'll add to the total trip, unless you have access to morphine suppositories or ambien.

That being said, if you have the cash to fly first on ANA, it's some of the best service I've ever had and probably second only to Haji carriers which you can't really compare to since they're basically just jizzing state subsidized gas money on their air industry.

>>1220151
I've been to some of the expected touristy places already, and many live houses. I did go to Kyoto and check out the city and its attractions which I really loved.

On one of my free days I'm renting a car and driving to Izu Peninsula to see the ocean, nature and just get out of the city for once.

If there are any interesting places to go near Tokyo like Izu or a certain place that has a uniquely Japanese atmosphere I'd love to try them.

>>1220208
If you haven't gone far north... check it out. At the top of the Shimokita peninsula there is a fantastic ring road that goes through a nature preserve full of wild horses. Rent a motorcycle and go.

Definitely top 3 of most beautiful places I've ever been to.

>>1219578
Sorry for the late reply.

Read about sakoku. When all western influences were banned from Japan except for Dutch influence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakoku

And Dejima which was their only contact with western society (the dutch) for ~200 years from early 1600 to late 1800. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dejima

The study of science/technology/medicine was even called "Dutch studies" for centuries in Japan because they thought it was exclusive to the Dutch instead of just western technological superiority.

P.S Ich bin Deutscher.

>>1220135
Haneda is great. The International terminal has a fun edo-themed design for the shopping area, and the domestic terminal is calm and spacious. And then it's close to the city with no hour-long train rides.
Speaking of the domestic terminal, there's a great, affordable udon/soba shop tucked away in the far corner of the lowest floor (if memory serves me right). Try their duck + onion (kamonegi) udon, it's delicious.

>>1220117
Thank you very much!

I am also going to Osaka from Tokyo during this "golden week".

Will it be hard to get a seat in the bullet train? Do you know the process for foreigners?

>>1220191
as in Yanaka the area north of Ueno? I lived nearby and can't remember there being a particularly huge amount of cats

Do you normally buy bullet train tickets in advance (as in months)? I'm heading to Japan in June and don't want to somehow be unable to head from Tokyo to Osaka midtrip

>>1220412
You can buy in advance but you can also buy one at the station before getting on like a normal train ticket.

>>1220422
So the bullet trains aren't sold out on a daily basis?

>>1220210
Thank your for this reply. These are the type of places I'm most interested in even exploring a foreign country. Unfortunately my budget is kind of limited this time but I'll definitely take note and check the place out at the next opportunity. I visit Japan at least once a year so it won't be long.

>>1218428
I'm not sure of the rules in the UK, but my partner bought back a cooking knife into Australia. It should be no problem if its in your checked luggage.

>>1218857
Personally I liked Den Den town much better than Akihabara. I was able to find more of what I was interested in there and it was definitely more relaxed. Akihabara was just one piece and idol shit fucking everywhere. If you like older or more obscure anime Den Den town is where its at.

>>1220436
Is there Initial D stuff there?

>>1220348
It might be hard to get reserved seat between Osaka and Tokyo.
Ticket is started to sell from just 1 month prior, but if someone wanna buy on the Internet, he have to pay some monay and become JR(Japan Railway) Tokai member.
Furthermore I don't know if foreigners can become member or not.

So, when you arrive in Japan, go to ticket office of the nearest JR station(any station is OK) as soon as possible, and buy tickets between Osaka and Tokyo.
If you can't get researved seat unluckily, you can buy non-reserved seat ticket anytime.

I've currently put aside about 5k or 6k USD, not including plane tickets. Planning on staying for about 3 weeks, 2 in the countryside and 1 in the city. I figure I'll be getting by pretty cheaply in the countryside, and then it's party time once we get to the city.
Would that be enough money, or am I way off in my estimate? This is my first time planning a trip. I will have 3 friends coming with me.

>>1220432
That's good, thanks for the reassurance

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>>1218301
>>1218345
>>1218510
>>1218513
>>1218527
>>1219122
i'm going to Tokyo in 2 weeks.
What places should i go to?
Eat at? Play at?
The more obscure/bizzare/otakuish, the better.

(Not interested in stupid nature or boring temples, i can do that in my country, i always laugh at retards who spend thousands on plane ticket to go run..ehm "hike" in a forest like retards, maybe even get raped by a yakuza.)

>>1220464
do you like fighting games?

>>1220464
>i always laugh at retards who spend thousands on plane ticket to go eat... ehm "explore" food, maybe even have sex with a prostitute
>spends thousands on a plane ticket to go to restaurants and bars
Is this bait?

>>1220000
Quit being retarded and just ask.

I had a Japanese online friend for 6 months.

I asked if I could stay and they were more than happy to give me a room. I was sure to bring everyone a well thought out omiyage. I was social and was sure not to fuck anything up. Everyone had a good time and my friend almost gave me a key to the house, which I refused.

You're a fucking white male. Take advantage of your special snowflake status.

>>1220450
Yeah I did see some stuff there. Of course it would depend on what shops had at the time though

>>1220459
You won't need that much, unless you stay in ridiculously expensive hotels, eat like a king every day and buy tons of mechandise. I went for three weeks and I spent roughly 2k in total.

>>1220497
Will I find initial d stuff in Akiba without much trouble? My little brother's a big fan.

>>1220424
There were plenty of unreserved seats when I travelled to/from Kyoto on a Friday and Saturday but YMMV.
If you're going with a group of friends and want to sit together I would suggest paying extra for reserved seats (which can also be bought on the day).

>>1220502
Again, it would be entirely dependant on what things stores have at the time. I dont recall seeing anything in Akiba, but I wasn't looking for it. Keep your eyes peeled and I'm sure there will be something around. Also try Nakano Broadway if you have no luck in Akiba. Found a pretty rare berserk figure there and a few other gems but didn't have much time to check everything out.

>>1220497
Ah okay, when I was in Akiba during nov-dec there was nothing

>>1220537
I meant there was some stuff in Den Den town, not Akiba

fml...

5 days before my departure to Japan and I've gotten poison ivy covering both forearms....

I'm expecting a miserable flight, but determined to not let it ruin my first week.

Would a noticeable rash like this prevent me from entering any onsens?

>>1219442
No offense intended but you're most likely not going to learn enough Japanese in that timeframe that you couldn't just use English for. As an example, you may learn how to order at a restaurant, but that doesn't mean you will be able to read the menu. You might be able to read the sign that tells you it's a yakitori restaurant, but you probably wouldn't be able to read the menu that tells you all the different kinds of skewers you can order (breast, gizzard, sauces, etc).

If I were you, I would learn to read katakana. Since katakana is the script used for foreign words and Japanese has a LOT of english loan words, it is helpful to know for a traveler. Examples: トイレ toire (toilet)、エレベーター erebeetaa (elevator)、バス basu (bus)、タクシー takushii (taxi).

Learn how to pronounce words correctly (sumimasen is soo-mee-mah-sehn and not soo-mee-may-sun). And then learn how to ask "where is X (eg train station)" and "does this go to X (eg Kyoto)". You basically will need to limit your japanese to yes and no questions as anything requiring a more complex response you very likely will not understand.

I wouldn't even bother learning numbers because there are different ways to count different things (the number 2 versus 2 people versus 2 beers are all said in different ways) and most likely you won't be able to understand the numbers when you hear it - it's faster and easier to just use your fingers to indicate desired quantity and look at the cashier for the price.

>>1220559
You'd be able to get in if you covered them but you can bet that the other guests will be very unhappy if you enter the bath with them. Someone may even mention it to staff who will then ask you to leave.

>>1220559
Don't warry.
We Japanese don't stare at others in public bath.
Even if someone find your rash, he won't blame you.

>>1220412
I bought reserved tickets less than a week in advance going from Tokyo to Kyoto in November. The reserved section was mostly empty. No harm in getting the tickets early, but if you had to you can probably get the tickets same day without worry.

>>1220559
If it's blistering or bleeding then you shouldn't go, that's a good way to get sick. Otherwise it should be fine.

>>1220436
What about recent anime that's not one piece/konosuba/other popular bestseller?

I am tentatively planning a trip to Japan, right now I am looking at May, probably a 3-week period. I've never traveled out of the country, but I have traveled cross country alone. Right now I am looking at ~$1400 USD for round trip flight and lodging for 3 weeks in this half-hotel half-hostel in Tokyo. Main things I am wondering are if it's a bad idea to stay in the same place all 3 weeks, first timer tips, things of that nature. I know some Japanese but it's only from college, I took Japanese classes for 5 or 6 semesters. Also open to suggestions for things to do in the area. I know generally I want to try the game centers, go bargain hunting, generally explore. I don't care too terribly much about touristy sight seeing, but I don't really want to limit myself to just Tokyo, either. Will day trips be enough to get a good feel of other areas?

>>1220638
If you're getting a good deal on your lodging, just get a JR rail pass and do multiple day trips

>>1220661
That's what I was thinking, maybe explore Tokyo the first week, get a JR Pass for the second week and make a bunch of day trips, then maybe do some more shirt range travelling or things I think to do in Tokyo for the last week. Was just wondering if that was practical since I've never been and this is all theory for me. Thanks for the reply, by the way.

>>1220458
What is the difference between reserved and not reserved?

>>1220707
the not reserved ones are not reserved so anyone can come along and sit in them if they have a ticket

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So I decided to go to Narita from Kyoto instead of returning to Tokyo the day before. KIX does not go straight to JFK so flying from NRT instead. From KIX I'd have to go to EWR which I'd rather not do.

Anyway, how do I reserve the Narita Express seat with only fifteen minutes in between trains? Can I reserve it from Kyoto?

Is Green Plaza closed? Google says so, but I was there just 8 months ago! I loved the meme himalayan salt sauna, so refreshing

>>1220707
Reserved seat is little expensive(only about 800yen).
If you have only non-reserved seat ticket and there is not vacant seat, you have to stand from Tokyo to Osaka 2.5hour trip.

>>1220723
Narita Express is JR Train, so you can reserve seat at any JR station that has ticket office(even at Kyoto or Osaka).
Shinkansen is also JR Train, so you may just buy both tickets at Kyoto Station.

>>1220725
It closed at last Christmas.
http://www.hgpshinjuku.jp/

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>>1218624
It's pretty good, if you're near the area then definitely check it out. There will be a shit ton of tourists though.

new thread >>1220759

>>1220760
Bit early, wait until this one is on the last page

>>1220607
The guy doesn't know what he's talking about, Akiba has fucking everything, nakano can be better for really retro shit tho

>>1220778
Cool, thanks!

>>1218210
I was just being curious but damn prostitution sites I read in the sticky is too goddamn expensive.

>>1220813
lol what did you expect, service ain't cheap, no one wants to do it

Im travelling to japan next week for 9 days on my own.
Everyone ive spoken to has shunned at the idea of travelling alone.

Is this a meme whats wrong with travelling solo?

Booked my flights today from Dublin in early June (£670 return). How cheap can living costs be in Tokyo, not including travel or accommodation.

>>1221471
400 eur for 2 weeks, rented apartment is what I've payed both times.

TokyoStay has excellent service and runs a bar for foreigners and foreigner friendly japanese