nihon. here i come.

[BIG]

i will be in osaka + tokyo from oct 7th through oct 14th.
any recommendations as far as places to see/do?
i definitely want to hit up TGS on its final days. how do i go about doing that?
i also would like to visit the yasukuni shrine. are foreigners permitted?
if any of you guys out there would like to meet up, i would def be down for that as well.

 

[TonK]

i will be in osaka + tokyo from oct 7th through oct 14th.
any recommendations as far as places to see/do?
i definitely want to hit up TGS on its final days. how do i go about doing that?
i also would like to visit the yasukuni shrine. are foreigners permitted?
if any of you guys out there would like to meet up, i would def be down for that as well.

You really should buy me something neat.

 

[BIG]

You really should buy me something neat.

lol.
perhaps i can bring a trinket for ya should i make it to TGS...

 

[Oresama]

The Tokyo Game Show will be open to the public on the 11th and 12th. If you want to go on the first two days you'll have to trick them into thinking you're someone on the guest list, and then run like hell when the real guy on the list shows up. The show is in Chiba. Make sure you leave enough time to get there. The trains will be busy.

There is so much to do in both Tokyo and Osaka that you will never come close to doing it all, so just accept that up front.

If you want to have some fun learn Osakaben and see what kind of reaction you get from people in Tokyo and Osaka.

Thanks to the Densha Otoko dorama Akiba isn't what it used to be. It's still a good place to buy H Games, hugging pillows and stuff like that, but doesn't have the complete aniota factor of yesteryear. It's probably the best place on the planet for galge though.

Super Potato is probably the biggest game store anywhere. It also makes Japan-based eGay price gougers look reasonable. If it exists, Super Potato has it. If Super Potato has it, you can add an extra zero for the convenience. Try robbing them with a Metal Slug.

Cosplay cafes are always fun. They tend to cosplay new anime and games, so you probably won't see anyone dressed up as a Neo Geo character. Go to Akiba, find the nerdiest looking guy and offer to buy him a drink if he'll guide you to one. They're hidden in crazy hard to find places.

Speaking of nerds in Akiba, they all have money because they shop in Akiba. This is where you will go to rob people when you run out of money.

Should you be rich enough to go to Super Potato, you're also probably rich enough to spend a few nights in a cabaret. Bunny girls are hot.

Japanese pro wrestling is something you want to see live if you're a fan. Take a look at the sites in the puroresufan.com network for tour schedules closer to the departure date to see who is running where. HUSTLE is highly recommended if they happen to be running. Check them out at hustlehustle.com.

While you're in Osaka you might have a chance to see Osaka Pro. They have a cult following, although it's really Mexican in it's style. You either like it or you don't.

Den Den Osaka is everything Akiba used to be. Bring money. Lots of money. And then rob stores at metal slug-point because you won't have enough money.

Find a pachinko parlor in either city and lose some money. It's a great time.

If you haven't noticed a trend, everything is expensive in Japan. Whatever you were planning on bringing with you to spend, add a zero to that. I'm completely serious.

For general tourist attractions in Tokyo I'd recommend the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno park. In Osaka Exploland, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Nakanoshima Park and especially Osaka Castle are all worth your time. If you're an HG fan take a trip to Doyama-cho to see where he developed his gimmick. I wouldn't recommend bending over and yelling bachikoi unless you mean it though. Universal Studios Japan is in Osaka too if you're into that.

That should keep you busy for a week, but if not there's plenty more where that came from.

 

[Loopz]

Osaka- Personally, I enjoyed Osaka a lot more than Tokyo. I thought it offered a lot of the same things, but in a much less crowded, and more manageable space. You MUST go to Den-Den Town (Osaka's Akihabara), and also the arcade 50-Monty near the main JR station there. Lots of good competition and the games are only 50Y. There's also some really amazing tonkatsu restaurants around the train station, but of course, Osaka is primarily known for its amazing food. People there are just all about eating out.

Tokyo is amazing, but with only a week, you would honestly barely scratch the surface of what is possible there, even if you only stayed there.

 

[PinkSweets]

I would visit the Super Potato in Osaka. And of course AKIHABARA. Make sure you bring back a lot of video games, action figures, and massive loads of hentai from the 3 story porn shops

 

[aria]

i will be in osaka + tokyo from oct 7th through oct 14th.
any recommendations as far as places to see/do?
i definitely want to hit up TGS on its final days. how do i go about doing that?
i also would like to visit the yasukuni shrine. are foreigners permitted?
if any of you guys out there would like to meet up, i would def be down for that as well.

First off --have a great time, I love japan, and it has very little to do with games anymore. You should be able to visit the shrine, but I would be on extra good behavior so the psycho nationalists who are hanging around don't get the wrong idea --remember, all their war dead are honored there.

I've written a bunch on this topic (stuff to see) in other threads on the topic; I wanted to paste links but I can't get the search function to work with my iPhone --the most recent was The Legendary Lonewolf's thread. There's lots of good info from me and other members in those old threads. I'll try to remember to post them tomorrow, search for them in the mean time if you get a moment.

 

[tsukaesugi]

Edo Tokyo Museum is a must see, very interesting, and very tourist friendly:

http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/english/index.html

also

http://www.tokyoessentials.com/edo-tokyo museum.html

 

[aria]

Hey BIG,

Now that I'm back at a computer, here are clips of some stuff I recommend from older threads (I'll try to avoid repeats), as well as some other info now that I can type at normal speed.

Before I go on, how are you planning to split your time? A week's pretty quick (assuming you're already factored in the day you lose to travel), but you really only need a day or so to see Osaka, and if you can take a side trip to nearby Kansai neighbors Kyoto (at least 2 days) and/or Nara (day trip) that might be worth it. Depending on how much time you've allotted for both cities (Tokyo/Osaka) and what you prioritize in your trips, there're plenty of options.

There are two things I've found indispensable when planning travel:

(1) The Lonely Planet Japan guide is truly the best guidebook out there, the maps and advice are very useful

(2) This online guide is also great for planning, I found it after a big trip and I agreed with its ratings for different sites: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html

If you're planning to do more than a handful of bullet train trips (which is really the only time-efficient way to get between Osaka and Tokyo, consider the Japan Rail Pass --it seems expensive at first, but the savings are actually quite substantial compared to single bullet train tickets.

I'd be happy to share what worked for me:

• It is overall going to be rather expensive. Don't be surprised. Prices for a good place to stay actually aren't too bad, but it's everything else (transit, food, temples) that gets pricey.
• if you're planning to see many parts of Japan (or even a few) you'll want to take the Bullet Train. It is expensive, but the only way to quickly move between major cities. There is a trick to it: visitors from outside Japan can get the all-important JR Rail Pass. It allows you to ride unlimited bullet trains for week intervals. It's about $256 per person per week, but I found with my short trip I had likely got about $600 in tickets. Awesome deal. You must buy it from outside Japan! I'll relay the good travel agent I had at the end of the list.
• I like to travel at a pretty fast pace. In 12 days I managed Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Tokyo and Nikko. I derived my itinerary from the Lonely Planet guide and was not disappointed. Of course, this is basically central Japan, but unless you have a lot of time, this is "Must see" Japan for the initial visitor. You definitely MUST SEE Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo. If you find yourself stuck in only area (or limited by a week), do Tokyo-Nikko-Kamakura (I'd been to Kamakura on a previous visit) or try Osaka-Kyoto-Nara (the Kansai region, as its called). It's very possible to do all of these places with a JR Rail pass and 2 weeks (If you do the timing right you'll only need to get a pass for 1 week and then use the subways for the other days). Then again, I don't get tired like many other travelers. If you're limited by a week, I'd recommend sticking to either one of those trio of cities I noted above, and then you don't want the JR Rail Pass, but will instead take the local slow trains.
• Don't underestimate food at the Convenience stores in the subways or on the street. If you like sushi, you'll be stunned at how good these "low end" stuff is. This can save you money in the long run (but you will want to try at least one or two restaurants. the LP guide had some great recommendations, espcially in Kyoto)
• Dos and don'ts aren't anything to worry about. Read the LP guide and you'll learn all you need. The great thing is you don't have to tip! The only other major thing to keep in mind is the Tokyo subway stops for the night at midnight! I nearly got stuck a few times (I barely caught the last train on two occasions).
• Japan is very easy for English-only speakers. Any sign that you'll need will have English translation. Don't expect anybody to speak English, but if you can speak "map" (like a map in your guide book) you will be okay. I had zero problems finding my way around. You won't need a tour-guide or need to go on a paid tour. Everything is easy to get to using the tremendously efficient mass transit (the subways are so timely it will shock you).
• Because the JR Rail Pass is so controlled, you can only get it from 6 sources. In my research I found one of the tour agencies that's permitted to give them out can make solid hotel arrangements (and plane, if you need it -but I got my flights from Northwest Airlines for a good deal). http://www.kintetsu.com/ I can't recommend this agency enough, they know their shit. I told them I wanted around $100 per night, Western-style hotel, and they got me some really nice spots all along my own chosen route.

My fiance and I can't wait to get back there.

 

[Loefye]

Hey Chai, let me know when you are in Tokyo. It would be nice to kick it with you again. I have been living here long enough now to know some pretty good spots, both popular and hole in the wall places that are equally awsome. I also know which clubs to go to and which are a waste of your time and money...Send me a PM and I will give you my cell phone number and email here. See you soon!

 

[Loefye]

You really should buy me something neat.

Send me a PM if you are looking for anything in particular.

 

[ki_atsushi]

Hey BIG, if you can get me Dracula X and Double Dragon II: The Revenge for PC engine CD-ROM for cheap I'd appreciate it. I hear you can get copies of Drac X for like $50 in Japan. DD II should be even cheaper.

You can ship em when you get back home media mail, we're only a few hours apart.

I can throw a finder's fee on top for your troubles. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[rockhoward]

Have fun in Japan. I was thinking about going to go with you this year, but sadly time and money are not on my side. Let me know if you find something cool.

 

[Tacitus]

You're going to the land of Bukkake and you're not going to indulge?

 

[bloodhokuto]

I never got to stay in Osaka as i Just flew in there, but went straight to Kyoto, which is only just outside of Osaka - Jump on the Bullet train and try and see some of Kyoto.

As for Tokyo, Akihabara is not the gaming den it once was Ikebukuro and Shibuya are the up and coming consumer electronic areas.

If you are a musician, Ochanomizu is the place, my sister saved a small fortune on a new flute there.

When in Tokyo, don't forget to get a Suica card for the subway (like a swipe card instead if tickets), it costs 2,000 Yen (1500 value) and you can top it up as and when and also use it for some purchases (I bought something from Yodabashi camera with my spare credit).

 

[BIG]

thanks for all the suggestions, guys!
i'm def gonna get at you when i touch ground, mike. it's been a min since we last chilled.
bobak, i'll be sure to grab a JRP.
@ rockhoward - let me know when you're ready to go. i'll go with ya!