what's Saitama like, anyway?

[befamfivh]

So I'm going to study abroad for a year in Kawagoe starting this coming Sept. -- the problem is I don't know anything about the city (or the prefecture it's in) other than seeing a few token look-how-beautiful-our-city-is snapshots provided by the university I'll be attending.

What can I expect, if anything?

Any tips on especially fun and exciting things to do in Tokyo that shouldn't be missed would be appreciated too.

thanks

[cstaylor]

... he's a fellow Saitama refugee. I hope the two of you both survive your trip to Japan's hellhole (I swear, 3 out of 5 violent crimes I see reported in the press are in Saitama-ken).

[tidbits]

Kawagoe is same as as other city,lots of lamp posts, wires and cables..I asked a Japanese what is special in Saitama,he said the stadium!(I think he is still recovering from World Cup fever) Hmmm...Fun and exciting to do in Tokyo....is cultural shock in Japan considered exciting???I like Hanabi Taikai (Fireworks Festival)but that will be just over by the time you are here. Can't think of anything new in Tokyo except Disneysea...

[kamome]

I lived in northern Saitama for a year and it was a very rural area with not much to do. Kawagoe, as I recall, is a bit more of a "city" than where I lived, but you will have to go to Tokyo if you want real entertainment options. If you don't feel like taking the approx. 40 minute train ride to Tokyo, you should go to nearby Omiya. Omiya has some nice restaurants, bars, karaoke, and shopping available. That's also where you will have to do your shopping for CD's, since Kawagoe is unlikely to have much in the way of music imports. Omiya is kind of the central city in Saitama and I often went there as an alternative hang out to Tokyo. You can also go a little farther south to Urawa, which is closer to Tokyo and has more restaurants, bars, etc.

If you want tips on having fun in Tokyo, there are a million websites on the 'Net about that. Start with the links on this site, then do a general search on Yahoo. When you have specific questions, come back and ask us fuckees for advice!

[Crispy]

Kawagoe? Are you going to TIU? I'll be there by the end of August.

[befamfivh]

Kawagoe? Are you going to TIU? I'll be there by the end of August.

Yeah I am. What a coincidence, eh?

[Crispy]

Check yer email.

[GuyJean]

Whoa! I attended TIU about nine years ago!!

It's actually located at Kasumigaseki station, next to Kawagoe.

The Kawagoe Matsui is fun.. Where are your host families located?

Mine was in Shinrin-koen.. Waaaaaay the f*ck out there.

I'd like to get in contact with gaijin director there.. He had a mustache, and didn't speak much Japanese.. I think his name is Mr. Adams.. If you see him, could you let me know?

T, to thu I, to thu mutha f*ckin' U!

When telling people where you attend school, say "TokyoKokusaiDaigaku".. It's more impressive.

GJ

[Crispy]

I don't know who or where my host family is yet, they tell me I'll know at the end of July. As for this "gaijin director", I haven't heard the name, my contact as the head of JSP is a woman.

[Mgamer1011]

yeah i'm heading there to TIU also, looking forward to it actually.. get me away from the hellishness that is home~~~

[Mgamer1011]

hehhehe... no problemo... but i think Mr.Big can take the credit for that... I think he was the first ^_^ laterz

[Crispy]

Well, I wonder how many more JSP folks are going to find their way to this site? This is working out better than I could have imagined.