Off to Japan

Blaster · Post by **Blaster** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:33 pm

My Brother and I are going to be going to Japan for 2 weeks in November. We've been scouring the net for sights to see, places to visit etc. and we've come up with what we think we're happy with.

We'll be spending the majority of time in Tokyo with a couple of days in Kyoto.

So far we're taking a night life tour, a morning tour and a tour of Mt Fuji while in Tokyo. The rest of our time in Tokyo we don't really have much planned. Does anyone have some suggestions of some nice places we could visit?

In Kyoto we are taking a tour of the bamboo at Sagano-Arashigama - but that's about all we could think of? Any suggestions of nice shrines/temples to visit?

I've got my shopping itinerary sorted out though (priorities, right

) I will be going to Mandarake Nakano, and Anime World Star also. Our Tokyo hotel is going to be near Ginza and also close to Akihabara, so lots of money to be spent there. Are there any other really good anime/anime cel places that I could add to my list?

One thing I am worried about are Japanese customs. I really don't want to offend anyone or do something that is looked down upon while I am over there. I'm going to be reasearching their customs right up until we leave, but I just don't know where to start!

Carla · Post by **Carla** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:21 am

I want to go too

Have fun

Palance · Post by **Palance** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:56 am

Have a blast! I was there last year (sadly before i joined the cel collection hobby), but i can say that Kyoto is amazing. Definitely head out to see 'the Golden Pavilion' (Kinkakuji) and ask for the temple in the forest which overlooks the city - amazing views and a great walk through lots of old cobbled streets.

I'd also pay a visit to 'The Art of War' exhibition area in Tokyo. Yes i'm biased towards Berserk (And proud to admit it!

) but they have the full display every model they have ever produced for the series + an amazing metal cast of Griffiths helmet + gauntlets.

If you have time and you don't mind getting up early i'd recommend the Tokyo fish markets / Auctions. They start at about 5a.m but are well worth the trip out. Even if you can only get there for 6 or 7 it is still VERY lively and you'd be surprised at what you'll find there.

Have a great trip!!! Wish i was going back

Startyde · Post by **Startyde** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:41 am

That is really too awesome. Have a safe and fun trip buddy.

sugarcels · Post by **sugarcels** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:02 am

Cool beans

I have a friend moving there next month to teach English. I hope to visit her at some point (if I stop being poor and get enough money for a plane ticket

).

Ryouko · Post by **Ryouko** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:19 pm

I am leaving for Japan on March 23rd for a 10 day trip. ^^ So excited! A friend of mine that has been living there since August of last year will be showing us the sights (and saving us any hotel costs by sharing her apartment :D).

We will be spending our first two nights in Tokyo at a cute ryokan inn, just outside the city:

http://www.kangetsu.com/sub7.htm

They have really good reviews, and they're traditional while still catering to foreigners. ^_^

If you're going to Kyoto, then Osaka is not too much further (I believe a half or so by express train). I highly reccommend a visit to Spa World, a huge onsen resort in Osaka. We plan on spending quite a bit of time here. ^_^;

http://www.spaworld.co.jp/english/service.html

There is a Tezuka museum in Kyoto, I believe (Astro Boy, etc), as well as a neat Geisha/Maiko "dress up" expriences (Samurais for the guys) that we plan to do!

I hope you have fun on your trip!

Blaster · Post by **Blaster** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:31 pm

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'm very excited to be going

Ryouku - do you have any info on the Tezuka Museum? I'm a huge Astro Boy fan!

Ryouko · Post by **Ryouko** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:19 pm

Yeah, here's an informational page about it. ^^

http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.5/3.5pages/3.5leger.html

duotrouble · Post by **duotrouble** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:48 pm

Here!

http://www.anime-beta.com/phpBB/viewtop ... sc&start=0

Maybe you can get some helpful ideas. Have fun!

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:23 am

Good for you, Blaster! I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time since you've got a lot of great places listed in your itinnery. Visiting Mandarake Nakano & AWS would be amazing!! That's something I'd like to do because I buy stuff from them all the time.

Like you, I'd also be keen to visit the temples and experience the older parts of Japan that have a history. Make sure you take plenty of artistic photos of the landscape & architecture.

Adhering to the native customs is something I'm also a little concerned about becasue I have so much respect for them. However I'm sure that the locals are used to gaijin and make allowances. As long as you're polite and respectful you'll have no problems.

RoboFlonne · Post by **RoboFlonne** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:05 pm

What's the best time of year to visit Japan? Is november a good time?

Palance · Post by **Palance** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:26 pm

Late November is when i visited last year, and i managed to catch the end of the Autumn fall. You wouldn't believe some of the colours that greet you as you walk amongst the maple trees - truely amazing.

For what it's worth i think i travelled a bit late. Youd be better catching mid-October - Early November for the colours. Besides Autumn there is the Cherry blossom in April. From the way people's faces light up when they talk about it, the experience must be spectacular. I cannot wait to coincide my next visit with that time of year, and if anyone is thinking similarly, perhaps we can arrange a mini anime-beta meet-up in Japan

Don't forget to try the Ramen

Nick

Ryouko · Post by **Ryouko** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:47 pm

Yeah, one of the main reasons I'm going March 23 - April 2nd is to catch the cherry blossoms. ^_^ Can't wait!

cutiebunny · Post by **cutiebunny** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:55 pm

Palance wrote:Late November is when i visited last year, and i managed to catch the end of the Autumn fall. You wouldn't believe some of the colours that greet you as you walk amongst the maple trees - truely amazing.

For what it's worth i think i travelled a bit late. Youd be better catching mid-October - Early November for the colours. Besides Autumn there is the Cherry blossom in April. From the way people's faces light up when they talk about it, the experience must be spectacular. I cannot wait to coincide my next visit with that time of year, and if anyone is thinking similarly, perhaps we can arrange a mini anime-beta meet-up in Japan

Don't forget to try the Ramen

Nick

I'm headed to Japan this year around that time frame. I'm dying to see the leaves change colors. If you're planning on going there this time of year, let's hit Mandarake together

Blaster · Post by **Blaster** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:04 am

duotrouble wrote:Here!

http://www.anime-beta.com/phpBB/viewtop ... sc&start=0

Maybe you can get some helpful ideas. Have fun!

Thank you so much for that link! It was very helpful

Krafty - Photos are a definate. I'm buying a couple of 2/4 gig SD cards for my camera to take

Palance - I would have liked to go a bit earlier, but this was the only time both my brother and I could get off from work. And Ramen is going to be the first thing I eat in Japan