Tokyo!!!11

[the beat]

Anyone ever been? Wanna go? Find Japanese broads hot as hell? You know they would go ape shit over cute white boys..

This thread is stupid as fuck, but goddamn do I wanna go to Tokyo.


http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/01/322152193_f1ab23b927_b.jpg


Thoughts?

[Zok]

I'm actually there on vacation right now :)

It's pretty cool! I'll upload some pictures later. There's a LOT of stuff here to see, you really need to stay for about a week or two to fully absorb it.

[Agent 008]

I'm actually there on vacation right now :)

It's pretty cool! I'll upload some pictures later. There's a LOT of stuff here to see, you really need to stay for about a week or two to fully absorb it.

What the hell are you doing online mate? Life is more important than a message board - whatever time of day it is, go out and enjoy the atmosphere of the city. :thumbsup:

Edit: the Tokyo skyline looks amazing.

[Dream of the iris]

This thread is stupid as fuck, but goddamn do I wanna go to Tokyo.





-


Agreed. Both points :p :thumbsup:

[TruthWielder]

Its wonderful...its terrific, its bombastically badass. The culture, the scenes, the clubs, the people, the variety of life and wonder and culture and merriment. I had an excellent time when I went. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[Gith]

Anyone ever been? Wanna go? Find Japanese broads hot as hell? You know they would go ape shit over cute white boys..

This thread is stupid as fuck, but goddamn do I wanna go to Tokyo.


http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/01/322152193_f1ab23b927_b.jpg


Thoughts?

Seriously? That picture looks like a version of hell. Don't understand how people can be happy living around so many other humans.

[Irukanji]

Tell me more :)

Im thinking of going there next year, just doing the whole backpacker thing(i can hear the police heli flying around outside, shitting me off)

EDIT: LOL he's doing laps of the suburb...

Anyways, I'm thinking of starting at the top and working my way down to the south then back to Tokyo then back home(maybe with a stop in Thailand or something).

Whats the average cost/day for accomodation and food/drink(not including alcohol)?

[Jim "fuck latinos" Carrey]

They do not love foreigners, for the most part.

The Japanese are a very nationalistic, racially conscious group of people. The only women there that are interested in foreigners, even Japanese American foreigners are those who are considered social deviants, rejected by their parents or racially mixed, or Koreans. I don't recommend you go there, it's a fucking hell hole, as the other guy said there are simply too many human beings. It's a concrete jungle, you could get lost there and you would never find your way home.

[Jim "fuck latinos" Carrey]

Who was it that mentioned on this forum that every last natural river bed in Japan was paved over? Regardless.

[TruthWielder]

They do not love foreigners, for the most part.

The Japanese are a very nationalistic, racially conscious group of people. The only women there that are interested in foreigners, even Japanese American foreigners are those who are considered social deviants, rejected by their parents or racially mixed, or Koreans. I don't recommend you go there, it's a fucking hell hole, as the other guy said there are simply too many human beings. It's a concrete jungle, you could get lost there and you would never find your way home.

True true, they are quite that way. But please, in no way feel intimidated or unwelcome. Tokyo is a hugely diverse and open minded place, while at the same time the people there uphold constant civic and cultural values such as courtesy, integrity, and ease of manner. They are not too expressive when it comes to showing affection (older people that is, the youth are crazy and awesome as fuck).

I would have to disagree when it comes to the mixing of foreigners and whatnot. That may be a more traditional viewpoint but its not as if interracial relations is abnormal. It happens, happens often, and is generally just accepted by the public at large as inevitable.

It is not a hell hole. It is a concrete and neon heaven. Every sort of store, shop, food, toy, entertainment, books, movies, video games, pachinko parlors, grocers, restaurants, clubs, and the coolest and wildest nick nacks, people, and places. If you are willing to

a)learn as much as you can of the language
and
b) be willing to explore and get lost

I assure you, you will have an amazing time. Most japanese people will look at you and wonder about you while quite a few will be interested by you and probably try to speak to you.

Let me give you two big tips that, without a doubt, made my trip:
1. Try your best to speak the language. This goes when traveling to to any foreign country but japanese people will especially appreciate the effort.

2. Be polite. Nothing turns off the japanese public like rudeness, rowdiness, and disrespect (things that Americans are stereotypically known for in japanese culture, and rightly so).

3. Be happy, thankful, and pleasant. Smile.

Several times in Japan because of these attributes I was treated with exceeding generosity and kindness by several random japanese people who just so happened to save the day.

One time my sister and I, trying to find our way back to asakusa, were in the subway and just couldnt figure out where the hell we were and didnt know how much fare to pay the machine (in japanese of course). Suddenly, on my right an tall, formidable stoic looking businessman in a dark suit, rolex, and suitcase came up to me. He looked like a samurai. Damn. Anyway he asked in good english "Where you going?". I told him, he put in money for me, and pointed us in the right direction.

This similar situation happened more than once with a great many people.

Another time I had taken an overnight bus from kyoto back to tokyo and met a software designer named Yoshiaki (yoshi) who spoke a bit of english. We conversed long into the night and I told him how much i enjoyed the culture and told him of America. He told me his interests and about his job and asked me lots of questions. When we got back we wanted to head to ikebukuro and hardly knew where to start.The main terminal of the subway in tokyo is MONSTROUS. There are fucking shopping malls, yes, plural, malls, underground. Yoshi, being a hell of a guy, led us over an hour out of his way, walking and trekking tirelessly until we got to ikebukuro. Hell of a guy.

I could say lots more occassions but I dont want to bore...trust me man, get the frommers guide to tokyo if youre just staying in tokyo. Also, get a few basic books on the language and a dictionary. If you have that, a partner, and you follow my three suggestions, I promise you will have a life changing experience.

[the beat]

...

That's fucking awesome man. Is a trip to Tokyo affordable?

[Irukanji]

That's fucking awesome man. Is a trip to Tokyo affordable?

Depends where you are. It's like $2000 from the west coast of aus to tokyo, so maybe the same from the east cost of the US, maybe only $1200-1500 from the west of the US? In AUD, of course. Only guessing because of the KM's involved.

[TruthWielder]

That's fucking awesome man. Is a trip to Tokyo affordable?

For ten days, less then two years ago, 3,500 is enough for one person and a comfortable amount of spending money. Tickets included.

www.sidestep.com is awesome for tickets. Compare the prices of other sites right there. they are generally tge vest though.

www.roadjunky.com is worth checking out for travel advice.

Big tip here: FUCK HOTELS. So they look pretty, big deal. They are massively expensive and even cheap ones will drain you dry. Stay mostly in hostels. Other than that, do yourself a favor and for several nights stay at traditional japanese inns (ryokan). You wont regret it. And dont feel weird about public baths, just chillax like the japanese do.

>>> This www.hostelworld.com is what you want. Hostels will let you meet people from around the world, just liek you, who have no idea wtf is going on. You will also meet people that do know wtf is going on. Suggestions, help, and advice are invaluable when you're backpacking.

As far as packing...you are backpacking so it will all be carry on. 2 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 5 pairs of socks, 5 underwear, perhaps a nice shirt or two with belt and pants. if you want to go to a nice restaurant one night. you dont need any more than this.

Bring your frommers, bring the dictionary, and perhaps granola bars for those moments where you just need to move but youre kinda hungry.

Best of luck to your eventual journey.

[Irukanji]

^And bring your manners and respect :p

Better to either make friends or avoid the locals, then to end up in jail :)

[Euda]

It's hard to find people that want to travel to Tokyo. What makes it a more attractive destination than other places in Asia?

[TruthWielder]

It's hard to find people that want to travel to Tokyo. What makes it a more attractive destination than other places in Asia?


Well, first off its a 1st world country, an openminded democracy with all types of people, prosperity, technology, and beauty. The land, the culture, the history, the art are all amazing.

Tokyo is without a doubt one of the biggest and best major cities in the world. As far as cleanliness and lack of crime, I know of none better. Though I dont say this from experience I hear the bars and clubs are tremendous. Food is amazing.

Really though, unless you enjoy the culture it might not be worth your while. Please look into it.

[Agent 008]

Well, first off its a 1st world country, an openminded democracy with all types of people, prosperity, technology, and beauty. The land, the culture, the history, the art are all amazing.

Tokyo is without a doubt one of the biggest and best major cities in the world. As far as cleanliness and lack of crime, I know of none better. Though I dont say this from experience I hear the bars and clubs are tremendous. Food is amazing.

Really though, unless you enjoy the culture it might not be worth your while. Please look into it.

Not to mention that it's hard not to respect them for what they managed to accomplish since the post-WWII collapse.

[el drewto]

Well, first off its a 1st world country, an openminded democracy with all types of people, prosperity, technology, and beauty. The land, the culture, the history, the art are all amazing.

Tokyo is without a doubt one of the biggest and best major cities in the world. As far as cleanliness and lack of crime, I know of none better. Though I dont say this from experience I hear the bars and clubs are tremendous. Food is amazing.

Really though, unless you enjoy the culture it might not be worth your while. Please look into it.

Wouldn't Singapore offer the same experience with a smaller language barrier?

[el drewto]

Well, first off its a 1st world country, an openminded democracy with all types of people, prosperity, technology, and beauty. The land, the culture, the history, the art are all amazing.

Tokyo is without a doubt one of the biggest and best major cities in the world. As far as cleanliness and lack of crime, I know of none better. Though I dont say this from experience I hear the bars and clubs are tremendous. Food is amazing.

Really though, unless you enjoy the culture it might not be worth your while. Please look into it.

Wouldn't Singapore offer the same experience with a smaller language barrier? I don't want to take Japanese classes...

[TruthWielder]

Wouldn't Singapore offer the same experience with a smaller language barrier? I don't want to take Japanese classes...

To tell the truth I know next to nothing about Singapore though I hear Jakarta is one of those places that one must visit at least once in their lifetime. My ignorant opinion would be that Japan has a far stronger economy and vast culture, with much to appreciate, even with western sensibilities. Of course, go with whatever place you think you will enjoy more.

Also, just letting you know, practically every japanese person speaks a bit of english as its their second language and is taught in schools. I suggest learning as much japanese as possible more out of convenience and politeness than out of raw necessity.

[Irukanji]

Singapore/Japan have basically the same exchange rate, although the real winner for me is that Japan has a sort of mystique about it.

Only costing ~$1015/return to japan now, not sure wether taxes(~$300) are included or not...

[TruthWielder]

Singapore/Japan have basically the same exchange rate, although the real winner for me is that Japan has a sort of mystique about it.

Only costing ~$1015/return to japan now, not sure wether taxes(~$300) are included or not...

Ah, another interesting point! Ticket prices. They differ in price based on two things: when and how far in advance.

Summertime is naturally vacation time so the bloody airlines charge assloads more during june and july. You can definitely get cheaper tickets at other times of the year, especially winter. For example, on sidestep.com I just found a May 28 flight to tokyo, round trip for 700 bucks without including taxes which would probably make it under a solid grand. June however gives much more painful results, I dont seeing anything more than a grand without taxes, which ends up around $1300.

Additionally the farther in advance you get your tickets, usually the better. However sometimes strange last minute super deals come up when somebody cancels or something.
Especially on ticket auction sites like this:

http://www.skyauction.com/


Anyway, I would suggest www.sidestep.com for most of your needs but its good to keep your eyes peeled.

[TruthWielder]

Been browsing and found exceedingly helpful website.

http://www.japan-guide.com/


http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e625.html <<< Living in Japan


http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e622.html <<< Japanese Etiquette

[Trueborn]

My fiancée is Japanese, I've lived in Japan for just over two years (I'm back in the U.S. for some other things for a few more months), and I've been in two TV commercials in Tokyo: one for an internet service provider, one for a Japanese beer.

The picture you posted was taken from the top of Mori tower which is right in the center of Roppongi Hills. Directly in front, just before the start of one of the imperial palace grounds (the dark spot that looks like a lake) is Akasaka. That's where you'll find the U.S. embassy. I know you're not from the U.S., but I have no idea where you'd find Canada's except for perhaps Hiroo. To the right of the main road in the area just south of where the buildings are a little darker is Roppongi proper. Can you see the yellow U-shaped roller coaster on top of a building? That area, along with Shibuya (which you can't see in the picture because it's on the other side of the tower) has *the best* clubs and bars I have ever been to in the world. If you're looking for Japanese women, those are the places to go.

My personal recommendations: Gas Panic, Club 99, Hobgoblin, and Vibrations. The last place is my favorite because I don't have to pay cover and all my drinks are free. Perhaps I'm biased. :D