Hey guys, I've been gone for a week, on a trip to Malaysia. Had a wonderful time, but I'm covered in mosquito bites. Meanwhile, I see the forums have been busy while I was gone.
Since I've been traveling, I thought I'd start a poll about going to other destinations in East Asia, using Japan as your base. As most FG's know, it's often cheaper to travel internationally than domestically if you reside in Japan.
So what's the best country to go to in Asia if you're traveling from Japan? I'd say the criteria are: cost, modern conveniences, entertainment options, food, the language barrier, and of course, the chicks.
Please add comments to explain your vote (or to add your own country). Let's put Lonely Planet to shame!