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Japan Travel |OT| One does simply not visit just once

A

Akim

Banned
How much is actually closed in Tokyo during new years? Is it just on the actual day, or can I expect things to be closed all week?
 
A

Anony

Member
clay_ghost said:
It will be crowed as he'll I think.
Edit.

I am in Osaka now, any recommendations where I should go for some last minute video games shopping (amiibos, switch cases etc)?
Click to expand...

i was just in osaka, literally anywhere in denden town
dept stores for new stuff, 2nd hand shops for old (dept stores sells old used games and systems too, but 2nd hand shops way better)
note that i prefered random 2nd hand store vs super potato, but if ur short on time, just hit up a super potato (theres 2 locations)
 
Z

Zalasta

Member
Originally I was going to fly into and out of Narita, which would make the rail pass worth it since I'll be taking a round trip to Osaka and back. But now I may fly into Osaka and leave from Narita instead, if it's only going to be one way on the shinkansen (with side trips to Hiroshima, Nara and Kyoto), is rail pass still the way to go?
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Zalasta said:
Originally I was going to fly into and out of Narita, which would make the rail pass worth it since I'll be taking a round trip to Osaka and back. But now I may fly into Osaka and leave from Narita instead, if it's only going to be one way on the shinkansen (with side trips to Hiroshima, Nara and Kyoto), is rail pass still the way to go?
Click to expand...

If you're going from Osaka->Hiroshima->Osaka->Tokyo within 1 week, then the rail pass is still the way to go. Those 3 trips with the Shinkansen would be 33K+ JPY, while the rail pass costs 29K.

If you skip Hiroshima, then it's not worth it though.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Anony said:
I went to nakano Broadway today (12 - 4)
Half the stores weren't open
Is this normal?
Click to expand...

Wednesday is closing day for some of the stores there.

Oh, and if you're talking about the 4th floor, then there's a lot of empty stores there with nothing in them.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Anony said:
anime goods/figurines
the mandarake there didnt have as much for sure
Click to expand...

You checked all the Mandarake stores there, right? :p

Well, it's not as big as all of Akihabara, but they have some stores selling older stuff if that's what you're looking for, cels and production materials, art books, those gacha stores and there's that one store that have a lot of rarer figures (most expensive store there though).
 
A

Anony

Member
MikeHattsu said:
You checked all the Mandarake stores there, right? :p

Well, it's not as big as all of Akihabara, but they have some stores selling older stuff if that's what you're looking for, cels and production materials, art books, those gacha stores and there's that one store that have a lot of rarer figures (most expensive store there though).
Click to expand...

ya, i did
i don't like how their stores are spread out everywhere

i guess i'll have to go back, either it was closed or i went into it and thought it was meh
do you remember which area/floor it was on

also, i'm potentially looking for a miku/project diva arcade pad for ps3/4
i saw one in osaka, but hesitated to get it, now i regret that desision
 
C

Cherubimon142

Member
Akim said:
How much is actually closed in Tokyo during new years? Is it just on the actual day, or can I expect things to be closed all week?
Click to expand...

I was just in Japan over New Years, and got to spend time at Comiket and the first week of the New Year. Many places are closed, but it's mostly those that have closures on the holiday hours. Food stalls and restaurants tend to stay open, and many of the electronics, clothing stores and anime goods stores have special fukubukuro sales. My advice for those is to go to the stores days in advance when the sales lists are posted to know what you would want, then get in line at the expected ungodly hour if you want electronics. Otherwise, just go to anime stores for a large box of heavily discounted random figures or CDs.
 
A

Akim

Banned
Cherubimon142 said:
I was just in Japan over New Years, and got to spend time at Comiket and the first week of the New Year. Many places are closed, but it's mostly those that have closures on the holiday hours. Food stalls and restaurants tend to stay open, and many of the electronics, clothing stores and anime goods stores have special fukubukuro sales. My advice for those is to go to the stores days in advance when the sales lists are posted to know what you would want, then get in line at the expected ungodly hour if you want electronics. Otherwise, just go to anime stores for a large box of heavily discounted random figures or CDs.
Click to expand...

Nice, thanks for the info.
 
H

Hagi

Member
Saw an ad today in Shibuya for a Last Jedi art show that starts this week, anyone been to something like this before? I love Star Wars but not sure if it would be something I'd like.
 
L

Laevateinn

Member
Cherubimon142 said:
I was just in Japan over New Years, and got to spend time at Comiket and the first week of the New Year. Many places are closed, but it's mostly those that have closures on the holiday hours. Food stalls and restaurants tend to stay open, and many of the electronics, clothing stores and anime goods stores have special fukubukuro sales. My advice for those is to go to the stores days in advance when the sales lists are posted to know what you would want, then get in line at the expected ungodly hour if you want electronics. Otherwise, just go to anime stores for a large box of heavily discounted random figures or CDs.
Click to expand...

So, how terribly crowded does Comiket feel. It gets like twice as many people as TGS but does Tokyo Big Site handle it better than Makuhari Messe?

Jim_Cacher said:
Visiting Osaka next week to see Babymetal. It's been a year and a half since my last visit. Really excited about the trip.
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Jealous :(

Worthintendo said:
Guys, guys

GUYS

How awesome is Japan :D
Click to expand...

It's terrible. Don't go!
 
Z

Zyzyxxz

Member
Just finished my 3rd and longest trip yet. This time I went from Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka.

I have to say Kyoto is such a beautiful city (minus all the Chinese tourist). I definitely wish to return. Osaka on the other hand was somewhat disappointing for me.

I didn't feel the food was any better than Tokyo but it was my first time there compared to how much more familiar I am with the restaurant scene in Tokyo but when it came to okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushiage those are some of my least favorite Japanese foods already so I guess Osaka wasn't going to impress me as much as Tokyo anyway.

In the future I really wish to do a Hokkaido trip but its going to Sapporo and Hakodate good enough or is renting a car worth it? I'm not really too crazy about the idea of renting a car and paying for parking.
 
D

Darksol

Member
Hagi said:
Saw an ad today in Shibuya for a Last Jedi art show that starts this week, anyone been to something like this before? I love Star Wars but not sure if it would be something I'd like.
Click to expand...

Nah I haven’t. Occasionally I come across Vader dressed as a samurai though.
 
clem84

clem84

Gold Member
Me and a friend of mine are big fans of J-pop. We collect stuff and sometimes we exchange things we have in double.

We're both making a trip to Tokyo in November (I'm from North America, he's from Europe). He wanted to give me a few things but unfortunately, we'll be missing each other by 4 days. He's leaving on November 12th and I arrive on the 16th. At first I thought he could put his stuff in these lockers that are next to some metro station and I could pick the stuff up when I arrive. That would obviously not work because he would need to somehow give me the key.

Would any of you have some kind of solution for this? Is there a place where he could leave a few things, like a box full of stuff, and I would pick it up when I get there? Bear in mind the guy doesn't speak Japanese so if it's some kind of place that provides this service, the staff would need to speak English.

Thanks.
 
Z

Zyzyxxz

Member
Zatoth said:
You could use the same hotel/hostel and he asks the staff to keep the items for you.
Click to expand...

Thats a good idea, have him drop it off at your accommodation?

Another idea is have him use the postal service to ship it to the airport for you (its not that expensive) and then you can pick up by showing your passport and matching the name.
 
clem84

clem84

Gold Member
Zatoth said:
You could use the same hotel/hostel and he asks the staff to keep the items for you.
Click to expand...

Zyzyxxz said:
Thats a good idea, have him drop it off at your accommodation?

Another idea is have him use the postal service to ship it to the airport for you (its not that expensive) and then you can pick up by showing your passport and matching the name.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely try one of those.
 
K

kubus

Member
clem84 said:
Me and a friend of mine are big fans of J-pop. We collect stuff and sometimes we exchange things we have in double.

We're both making a trip to Tokyo in November (I'm from North America, he's from Europe). He wanted to give me a few things but unfortunately, we'll be missing each other by 4 days. He's leaving on November 12th and I arrive on the 16th. At first I thought he could put his stuff in these lockers that are next to some metro station and I could pick the stuff up when I arrive. That would obviously not work because he would need to somehow give me the key.

Would any of you have some kind of solution for this? Is there a place where he could leave a few things, like a box full of stuff, and I would pick it up when I get there? Bear in mind the guy doesn't speak Japanese so if it's some kind of place that provides this service, the staff would need to speak English.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
He could put it in a box and send it to your hotel using Kuroneko Yamato delivery service at a random convenience store. You can specify the desired delivery date, so that it arrives when you're in Japan and all checked in at your hotel, for example.

Here's some more info: link

I did this the other day by sending some boxes from my dorm to the hotel I was moving to, and also with my suitcase that I sent one week in advance of my flight date to the airport. They will just hold your parcel/luggage for you until your desired delivery date.
 
J

Jim_Cacher

Member
Zyzyxxz said:
It'd be nice if I didn't have to contend with obnoxiously loud, selfie stick wielding, and rather unmindful mainlanders every time I'm in Japan.
Click to expand...

Huh, this generalization and racist behavior certainly does not make you a better person than them.

Anyway, I am searching for "hidden gems" in Osaka and Kansai area that you think they are cool places, but people / tourists seldom go to. Anyone can give me some directions regarding this? Thanks in advance.
 
M

Meadow Drone

Member
Jim_Cacher said:
Huh, this generalization and racist behavior certainly does not make you a better person than them.

Anyway, I am searching for "hidden gems" in Osaka and Kansai area that you think they are cool places, but people / tourists seldom go to. Anyone can give me some directions regarding this? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Nara is hardly a "hidden gem", as much as it is a great place to visit, but I found the walk up mount Wakakusa, with the trail starting at the opposite end of Nara park from the city, to be a quiet and enchanting walk through the forest with an amazing and rewarding view over Nara and the Kansai area.
 
C

Cherubimon142

Member
Laevateinn said:
So, how terribly crowded does Comiket feel. It gets like twice as many people as TGS but does Tokyo Big Site handle it better than Makuhari Messe?
Click to expand...

Here are some photos that show how crowded it can be. This bunch was taken on the first day of Comiket at around 8 am, and I was on the first train out from where i was staying in Shinjuku. By the time you reach Odaiba, the station guards are ready and trained to handle all of the crowds, as there is only one station they are all headed to.

BEHIND ME

vbngX9Q.jpg


IN FRONT OF ME

qBWKoVX.jpg


HEADING UP THE STEPS, WHERE IF YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT BODY WEIGHT/MASS, YOU CAN BE LIFTED AND CARRIED BY THE CROWDS

j2OHyI9.jpg


ONCE OUT OF THE STEPS, IT'S TIME TO SPLIT OFF INTO LINES FOR YOUR COMPANY VENDORS. THE DOUJINSHI AREA IS JUST ONE MASSIVE PIER LOT, WHERE ROUGH SNAKED LINES ARE FORMED

d25yftl.jpg


r5kSxGY.jpg



END OF THE DAY WAS SO EXHAUSTING, THAT EVEN ONE OF THE SIGNS PASSED OUT

eoPo95K.jpg
 
C

Cherubimon142

Member
Zyzyxxz said:
Thats a good idea, have him drop it off at your accommodation?

Another idea is have him use the postal service to ship it to the airport for you (its not that expensive) and then you can pick up by showing your passport and matching the name.
Click to expand...

I've had some items mailed to me at the hotel I was staying at from Japanese auction sites, so I know that's possible. There are also English-capable staff and signs posted in English at the post office, so it's possible to get someone to help you there too.
 
C

Cherubimon142

Member
Last year's Winter Comiket, which happened in the last week of December. I anticipated the cold, and loaded up on $1 hot packs at the CVS beofre heading off to Japan. I distributed some to various attendees close to me who were in need of them, and this helped me break the ice (pun FULLY intended) to start chatting with some of the Japanese fans.
 
C

Cherubimon142

Member
One of my favorite chains in Tokyo/Kyoto is Katsukura. They make the best fried cutlets that I've tasted so far, and you grind your own sesame seeds at the table while mixing your own sauce to your taste

Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 烏丸通塩小路下る東塩小路町901 京都駅ビルThe Cube11F
 
L

Laevateinn

Member
Cherubimon142 said:
Here are some photos that show how crowded it can be. This bunch was taken on the first day of Comiket at around 8 am, and I was on the first train out from where i was staying in Shinjuku. By the time you reach Odaiba, the station guards are ready and trained to handle all of the crowds, as there is only one station they are all headed to.

BEHIND ME
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. It's a bit... hmm... I'll try to get an idea what to expect from the doujinshi crowd before I make a decision.

Cherubimon142 said:
One of my favorite chains in Tokyo/Kyoto is Katsukura. They make the best fried cutlets that I've tasted so far, and you grind your own sesame seeds at the table while mixing your own sauce to your taste

Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 烏丸通塩小路下る東塩小路町901 京都駅ビルThe Cube11F
Click to expand...

I went to a place like that in Osaka. It was awesome.
 
V

Valkerionseven

Member
As for random gems to see in Osaka/Nara I always recommend the Kofun burial mounds in the southern Osaka city area (Sekai is the name of the actual city I believe, about a 20 minute train ride from main Osaka station) It's interesting but you can't actually go into it/see it up close as it is gated off. But you can walk around it, go to the visitors center and see it, and if you fly in during the clear day see them from the sky.

Interesting for history buffs but might be pretty meh for others. The smaller mounds are used as the base of the various parks in the area.



Might be going to Kyoto in November, if anyone has some recommended places to see or things to do outside the main attractions.

Possibly Tokyo for New Years as well, Comiket sounds interesting if its going to be that time of the year too.
 
C

Cherubimon142

Member
Laevateinn said:
Thanks for this. It's a bit... hmm... I'll try to get an idea what to expect from the doujinshi crowd before I make a decision.
Click to expand...

The doujinshi crowd is the same size, but spread out more. There are several main halls, each half the size of a football field. Small tables are laid out in rows like at an Artist's Alley at a con, but each table is so packed in that it can be a challenge to find your artist, even if you know exactly where to look. I had to walk past the same column five times before finding him. Imagine you're in a series of river rapids. On the sides are the areas you want to dock, but you have to fight against the opposing streams to get to them. Sometimes you get picked up and carried by a stream, only to be dashed against a rock. Now you have to struggle to get out or make do with the rock. That is what you can easily expect at the doujinshi booths. The biggest selling ones have lines that go outside, so search out there first if you want to buy any works from the big-name artists.

On the plus side, the Japanese are really happy to see Americans there, as it means their work is reaching an international level. I chatted with some artists, and had an in-depth conversation about Trump with a guy who was selling a Cthulu for President campaign module. Don't be afraid to ask for signatures, as many of the artists will be happy to accommodate. Some may even do a quick sketch if you ask nicely or early enough before the con.

One final piece of advice that I cannot stress enough is to first pick up a folding stool from Don Quixote before you go. You will be in line for hours with no room to sit down. That little stool will save your feet endless agony if you take my advice. I bought one after the first day, and it completely changed my experience waiting in lines.Also, you now have a stool to bring back to use at cons and other such events.
 
D

dani_dc

Member
Honestly, as someone that's been to his fair amount of Comikets in the last few years, unless there's something you really want to buy, just go an hour, hour and half after opening, chances are you'll be able to stroll just right in with little to no queuing.

The inside will still be pretty crowded but at least you won't be standing in lines for hours (unless you decide to go buy popular official goods).
 
M

meltingparappa

Member
Cherubimon142 said:
One of my favorite chains in Tokyo/Kyoto is Katsukura. They make the best fried cutlets that I've tasted so far, and you grind your own sesame seeds at the table while mixing your own sauce to your taste

Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 烏丸通塩小路下る東塩小路町901 京都駅ビルThe Cube11F
Click to expand...
I think I went to one of those in Nara. It was dayum good! Thanks.
 
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