If I had the money, i'd definetely would want to visit Japan for a vacation. I wouldn't want to live there though, I don't have any real good english teaching skills and I 'm learning Japanese. I hear its really expensive to live in Japan and that there is still racism and no benifits for workers... but I had a dream that I was playing baseball with some Japanese guys and I was having fun. I read a dream interpretation that I would be living in Japan somehow but I doubt it. Unless I had a million dollars or something like that... hahaha


I've been to San Francisco J-Town several times and also San Jose J-Town too. I've always wanted to speak Japanese to a nihonjin just for fun. What's the best way to have a vacation in Japan?

Japan National Tourist Organization.

Phone up JNTO and they will send you huge packets of info, maps, etc. It won't be much practical use but it will get you started thinking about how to plan a trip.

Unfortunately, tourists without language skills will experience Japan the most expensive way, since they are totally dependent on services designed to suck money out of tourists. It would probably be better to wait until you have a decent level of Japanese language skills, so you can be a bit more self-sufficient and do things more cheaply.

Charles wrote:Japan National Tourist Organization.

Phone up JNTO and they will send you huge packets of info, maps, etc. It won't be much practical use but it will get you started thinking about how to plan a trip.

Unfortunately, tourists without language skills will experience Japan the most expensive way, since they are totally dependent on services designed to suck money out of tourists. It would probably be better to wait until you have a decent level of Japanese language skills, so you can be a bit more self-sufficient and do things more cheaply.

A nice informative and positive post Charles. Are you feeling ill?

gboothe wrote:A nice informative and positive post Charles. Are you feeling ill?

ditto, Im shocked!

is Japan worthy of a vacation?

Yes.

Go.

As suggested above, J-skills only make things easier. And if I could give you only one piece of advice, it would be to know your katakana (or even take a small chart with you).

You will be amazed at how many things you will be able to read and understand at the same time - from "Basu Taaminaru" to "Koohii" and, of course, "Biiru".

is Japan worthy of a vacation?

In my opinion, unless you're rich, fuck no.

Go to India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam ect ect

AssKissinger wrote:In my opinion, unless you're rich, fuck no.

Go to India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam ect ect

Second that.

One of three requirements has to be met before enjoying Japan, imho; 1. Speak Japanese. 2. Know someone in Japan who can show you around. 3. Have lots of money.

I'm guessing none of these apply to you, so I would suggest some place else, like others mentiones.

ignore what these fuckedgaijins say. Japan is well worth a holiday. Dont expect to even come close to experiencing the real Japan though, with only say, 2 weeks. Japanese language skills are a huge plus, even if it is, as someone said before me, only katakana or hiragana. But, not essential. Obviously you can spend tons in Japan, but its much more cheaper than London if you are sensible. If ther restaurant has no prices outside, dont go in! If your looking for electronics - dont buy the first you see! Just do as you would at home.

As for attractions in Tokyo and elsewhere, most are free. Its free just to walk along the road and soak in the atmosphere. If you are into museums or gardens, some you have to pay for, but never over 4pounds. If you are interested in theme parks or theatre/gion shows, then sure, your money might run away, but it would in any theme park or show anywhere in the world.

Go visit Japan. You wont regret it.

(This is my opinion from rediculously expensive England. I dont know where u are from... )

Before you go to Japan make sure you know some basic Japanese. Or else you will not enjoy it. I have many acquaintances who have been to Japan cold and did not enjoy it. Let's face it, the city doesn;t have the charm of Lodon or Paris, it does not have your traditional tourist attractions. You need someone to show you the spots so you can appreciate. I took 9 people with me to Japan for our wedding (all expenses paid by Jack) those included mother, sister, best man and family and friend. None of them had ever been to Japan before and knew nothing of the language. They enjoyed it tremendously. We stayed there 7 days and used the time efficiently. Took them to the right spots, right restaurants and so on. Go there alone cold and you might end up in a hotel in Marunouchi on a Sunday and wondering where the fuck is everyone?

Japan's best tourist attraction is the the abundance of girls. Highly motivated, foreigner worshipping, hot young babes. Even I can get pussy in Japan.

Japan can be great depending on what you want to see. If you end up spending all your time in Tokyo or Osaka or any other big city you will be disappointed and broke. The countryside has a lot of treasures is not as expensive. Language is not that hugely a must as a tourist and I have generally found helpful tourist services in most cities.

[quote="kurohinge1"]is Japan worthy of a vacation?

Yes.

Go.

As suggested above, J-skills only make things easier. And if I could give you only one piece of advice, it would be to know your katakana (or even take a small chart with you).

You will be amazed at how many things you will be able to read and understand at the same time - from "Basu Taaminaru" to "Koohii" and, of course, "Biiru".

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I am memorizing my katakana and hiragana right now...I forgot to say I'm learning Japanese and I've been reading up on homestays and all that...I don't want to be an english teacher but I like teaching english to one or two or a handful of people rather than a 30-40 person lined up class...

And I am not foolish enough to have a vacation in Japan right now. no way...maybe after I graduate with my minor in Japanese I'd consider it. With a lot more money of course like maybe 10-20 grand dollars would be good?

QwertyJPC wrote: With a lot more money of course like maybe 10-20 grand dollars would be good?

Don't believe "Japan is expensive" stories because it is not. When people buy expensive stuff they forget to say that they bought the best qualkity of whatever they bought. There is sushi for 100 a piece and there is sushi for 2,000 yen a piece. There is white peach at a 130 yen each or those at 900 yen each and it's like that in everything.

I have had a dinner for 2 at Taillevent Robuchon and L'Osier and cost me 100,000 yen. But I have also had dinner for 2 at La Boheme for 2,000 yen and you can go even cheaper eating curry or noodles.

Unlike North America where everything is pretty much in a narrow price band, in Japan it's not. So you just have to look and make sure that you spend the money you are comfortable with.

Hotels in Japan are substantially cheaper than in Paris, New York or London. The fancy shmanzy Westin in Ebisu will set you back 30,000 yen including taxes and service. You would pay 2 to 3 times that much in London or New York for the same quality hotel. Even the New Four Seasons is 55,000 yen while it is double that in London or Paris.

So it's not really true that Japan is expensive but you do have a lot more choice there.

http://www.popjapantravel.com/

Is this travel package worth it? Seven days in Tokyo, Japan?

It depends how lazy you are and if you have someone else to come with you...those prices on the main page are based on double occupancy...getting a room for only yourself will be 70$ more a night, so thats $490 more.

In my opinion, it is a bit on the high side if there are two of you...it is no bargin but if you don't want to think about how to do (such as how to get to your hotel, how to actually get to hakone, how to get to TGS) most of the things on the tour, it could be of value. Shingawa doesn't have much going for it in its immediate locality, so you should factor that you'll probably be a 20-40 minute train/subway ride from more of the tradtional action areas (although the Ginza and Akihabara are just a straight shot up the yamanote line, which the train station is about 4 minute walk from the hotel). I stayed there a few years back, and it served its purpose at approx $90 a night...but I wouldn't stay there again...the savings in $ is lost in time getting to the places I actually wanted to be....I now pay a bit more to be locations where I can do more things/get more things done rather than saving a few bucks and spending alot more time on trains/subways/taxis when the trains shut down.

But if you are more independent, you could do it cheaper, esp if you are solo. You can book your own single via the internet to the Shinagawa prince for around $95 a night (tax included)...Tokyo game show...$20 or so for RT JR ticket to Chiba, $10 or so to get in...and the other places are of similar expense and are not particulary difficult to get there on your own, although you probably wouldn't have access to a bi-lingual guide...but then you would be compeletly free to do what you want, when you want, in the order you want rather than having to be back at the bus a X time on X day.

And think about who would be on this tour....While I have some Otaku traits, if I was stuck on a tour with bunch of them, I'd probably spend alot of time hating them. But that's just me...others might actually enjoy being with a similar minded volk who can debate the merits of lion Voltron vs vehicle Voltron.

QwertyJPC wrote:http://www.popjapantravel.com/

Is this travel package worth it? Seven days in Tokyo, Japan?

$2200 for a 7 day stay? I didn't spend that much on my last 2 month trip to Tokyo, including airfare.
Well okay, yeah, I only spent $250 on first-class round trip tickets thanks to my sister who worked at American Airlines, but hell, even if you paid regular fares, you should be able to stay in Tokyo for at least a MONTH for what you're paying for a week.
I don't know why anyone would pay for a tour package unless they're totally afraid of getting lost. For me, that's half the fun. If you go to Japan with a strict itinerary and only go the places you know in advance that you want to see, then you are missing what is happening all around you.

Charles wrote:you are missing what is happening all around you.

Hmm!

Japan is worthy but make sure its not something stupid like 1 week - make it at least two and if you can stretch to maybe three or a month and then you can encompass most of the best things of Japan that keeps us fucked gaijin here!

And dont forget gaijin houses for short stays and ryokans or even bunking at mates hosues too!

I can't speak Japanese well at all and I have a blast each time I go to Tokyo. It's fun and exciting, and as long as you're careful with lodging, food and entertainment - you'll be OK.

Fortunately, I do have a friend that helps me out and guides me around when he can. After a bunch of trips, I now feel comfortable enough to navigate the train system and could ask basic directions on my own. Suggestion: In addition to the kana, learn a number of kanji as well. Entrance and Exit are good ones to start with.

Lodging-Try a Gaijin House like Kimi Ryokan or do a search on this site.

Food-Ramen shops, Keiten Sushi, Yakitori & Beer Halls, Pubs Kebab trucks and even 7-11 will get you by.

Entertainment-During the day, go to showrooms like the Sony building and wander around different parts of town: Ginza, Akihabara, Shibuya, Shinjuku. Odaiba's a trip. I like to go to Llaox to get rejuvinated by a killer massage chair. Night? Get drunk BEFORE you go out to a bar. Avoid places with a steep cover.

Try to avoid taking Taxi Cabs too. The later it gets the more you'll pay through the nose. If you are out partyin' decide whether you will be taking last train or staying up all night in the district you're in (Tokyo is HUGE).

You know, I still get lost all the time. However, I enjoy that experience of getting lost and finding my way back home. Usually, I get plenty of assistance to get me back on my way. If you have a light heart and a good attitude, you'll have a great time.

That being said, I wish that I discovered Thailand much earlier in my life. It's totally a great place for a vacation. Your money goes 10x further than Japan, the food's great, the people are cool and it has many beautiful places.

mr. sparkle wrote:That being said, I wish that I discovered Thailand much earlier in my life. It's totally a great place for a vacation. Your money goes 10x further than Japan, the food's great, the people are cool and it has many beautiful places.

Wouldn't go there for all the gold in the world. Been there twice didn't like it and will never like. You get what you pay for. Thailand is a cheap holiday in every sense of the word. Comparing Thailand and Japan are like apples and oranges. Not the same holiday. If you are shit poor, go to Thailand because you are not gonna enjoy Tokyo all that much by eating food from 7-11.

Make a priority to get a J-chick as soon as you land, hopefully at the airport and treat her like a princess. She'll pay for a lot of the stuff including the love hotel where you will consumate your relationship.

Jack wrote:Make a priority to get a J-chick as soon as you land, hopefully at the airport and treat her like a princess. She'll pay for a lot of the stuff including the love hotel where you will consumate your relationship.

Please post phone numbers! Have keitai, will travel!