Visiting Japan

[Vexx]

From the US, I'm afraid hotdogs or lawyers don't store well in backpacks

Wine is a big fad there... wine from oregon or some unusual place in the US might be a hit (e.g. Texas wine) ... but then you're probably not 21+.... (also not sure what you can actually import so check customs rules)

The chocolate idea isn't bad as there are some excellent "micro-brew" chocolatemakers in America.

The more you find out about your host family the better, but you might look for something that your home town or region is known for ...
that would be an icebreaking measure as they will be curious about your home area. Obviously you'll have to decide how much to spend, but something that implies thoughtfulness and uniqueness rather than a "gift card" is the direction you want to go here...

The more I think about it, the harder it gets.... mostly food items come to mind and they're either hard to transport or possibly against the rules. Here in Oregon, we have a store called "Made in Oregon" that sells locally made items, perfect for such a situation. Your state may have something like that.

[poptart]

Originally Posted by Shiokaze

I am visiting Japan this summer with my school exchange program. I will be staying with a host family and I was wondering what would be a good gift for them? Some gift I could probably give to the family as a whole. I don't know if there is a daughter or son in the family yet, so I don't know what I should bring for them. I was thinking something America themed, however, even that is hard. I don't know... hmm maybe some baseball caps?

for something about where you are from, maybe this could help.

for christmas me and my roommate got each other photo books of our home towns. we were both from big cities so it was pretty cool. i'm from chicago so there were tons of books with some awesome photos taken by some of the worlds best photographers. she was from boston and i was suprised by how beautiful some of those old buildings are.

so maybe like a book on architecture or famous spots. so that way they could literally see where you're from and it a cool ice breaker.

[silverwolf]

Well iv been in japan and honestly speaking i didnt like it its crowed the dudes over their are all perverted (and i a dude btw)theirs panty machines that the dudes go to.This is stupid but i shall say it non the least in the train i took, (its F ing expensive btw) i saw a dude going in sum girl skirt the weird part was she didnt scream or anything im not bull sh ing u! + the takeout is so expensive the hotels are expensive ...

well if I may, if u want to travel the world take a look at ROME its so beautiful and the landmarks too and its like u feel that u are always welcome everywhere u go

anyway this is my experience in those countries maybe u will have it totally different from me

[sorvani]

I've been to japan two times and my third trip starts on Thursday.

I can not say I have had those kind of problems. Staying in Tokyo is no more or less expensive than staying in New York City.

[Ewok]

Originally Posted by silverwolf

theirs panty machines that the dudes go to

I'm not going to correct your hideous grammar, but there are no more used panty vending machines in Japan. Zero. Zilch.

i saw a dude going in sum girl skirt the weird part was she didnt scream or anything im not bull sh ing u!

Oh no! And if they were a couple? Or married? Hmmm?

+ the takeout is so expensive

Matter of opinion. Average meal price is 600-1200 yen - thats $5-11.

the hotels are expensive ...

~$80 for a twin share per night at the cheaper end (queenbed, ensuit)

[Syaoran]

Lol Silverwolf... where have you been hanging around in Japan XD
And Italy is certainly not cheap either O.o
Move your ass the to the Dolomites and your money will melt away as well.
Japan isn't that expensive when don't spent money on the first thing you see. The only really expensive things were the flight tickets.
You get a good meal for around 5€ where in my country you'll easily pay 10-15 € and that doesn't include the drinks you get for free in Japan and as much as you want: water or tea

[Vexx]

silverwolf probably got the "bakagaijin" travel package which is available in almost any country including Italy

As Ewok, Syaoran, and the Lonely Planet travel guides point out -- you can experience a lot in Japan for far less than wandering aimlessly in New York. You just have to do as the locals do...

I prefer the family-run inns and ryoko ... more expensive than the hostels... but lots more human than the "I can get this room in any city on the planet" HoJo-Hiltonesque crapola.

[Gaiarth]

Well, in all fairness, I have to say that my visits to Japan have been very expensive...but that's because of all the shopping I do. Akihabara is doubly deadly, as I enjoy anime and I love gadgets

As far as accommodation and eating go, it's the same as pretty much anywhere, you can do it expensive or you can do it cheap. I've always set myself a daily budget of 10,000 yen for living expenses (accommodation, food, local transport, shrine visits, drinks from vending machines etc) and always had a very comfortable stay without using generic business hotels. And I dare say you could do it a fair bit cheaper than that if you didn't mind roughing it a bit.

[Vexx]

Aye... a "$100" a day (~12000yen) per person pretty much describes my target budget for my wife and I almost anywhere we travel. We usually undershoot by a large margin even in Japan.

[Ikaruga22]

hey im taking a vacation in japan for the first time. i was wondering if u guys had suggestions on what to do there. i am going to be staying in ikebukuro. thanks !

[Vexx]

Check out the "Visiting Japan" thread ....
otherwise I'd say buy a copy of the Lonely Planet's Guide to Japan... that's about the best one I've ever come across that includes both the traditional sights and the alternative wierdness that is also Japan.

[Krutiac]

Hi, all !

I was just wondering if you would know anything about food courses in japan ?

Since I'm a full educated chef who's interested in Asian food culture.

The reason why I ask is because I haven't founded any information by myself yet.

I'm also wondering if there's a age limit since I'm 21 now and I would want to work a bit more before I go to i.e Japan or China.

Currently I'm living in Sweden.

// Krutiac . Life is a lesson - Live and learn .

[Dorienn]

A trip to Japan has been a long desirous wait since long for me. I'm currently saving up, although, the income's pretty weak at the present time, it's increasing nonetheless. But I was wondering if there were any places someone could recommend for a 'gajin' like me to go, especially places which have strong traditional holding (I'd like to attend an 'Omatsuri' at some point too in life!).

[Azrael_Azure]

What I'm kind of interested in knowing is why does everyone who likes anime (well almost everyone) want to go to Japan, especially wanting to live/work there?
I've been to a lot of places and all I can say from my travelling experience is that the grass isn't greener on the otherside. Most things are extremely similar worldwide, ok I understand there's culture and other factors, but when you get down to the real bare bones of human life. Everyone is the same, some just speak a different language.

[Veritas]

I would imagine because it's easier to get anime in Japan.

And that's all.

[WanderingKnight]

What I'm kind of interested in knowing is why does everyone who likes anime (well almost everyone) want to go to Japan, especially wanting to live/work there?

Me, I'm in love with the language. In LOVE. I can understand about 5 languages, but out of them all, Japanese has hooked me like no other. I don't know why, I just love it. My dream of going to Japan relates to my intention of becoming a Japanese/English/Spanish (my mother language) literary translator. In fact, I begin my studies on English translation this year, so I guess I'm a little closer to the goal.

Anime was only a medium through which I could have contact with a language that I was kind of "destined" to love.

[poptart]

well for me i wanted to go to japan WAY before i even knew what anime/manga was. as an art major i loved the old school ink drawings and ceramics; that was how i was first introduced to japan.

then little tidbits about the culture and mannerisms intrigued me even more. i found it fasinating how their culture is infused into so many aspects of their life and is reflected in the art.

then i found manga and anime.... and i fell in love. beautiful art and great stories. *sigh*

i'd only want to go there for a week long visit. just to see it with my own eyes.


but on the grand scale, japan is like... 5th on list of places i have to see before i croak. england, france, italy, spain, japan.

[Azrael_Azure]

Originally Posted by Veritas

I would imagine because it's easier to get anime in Japan.

And that's all.

You can buy anime anywhere in the world, and quite frankly it's not the best for of animation at all. It's not exactly highly skilled, most of the time there's simple crappy sketches just thrown together, shit plots and stupid stereotypes.
I don't love most anime at all.

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

Me, I'm in love with the language. In LOVE. I can understand about 5 languages, but out of them all, Japanese has hooked me like no other. I don't know why, I just love it. My dream of going to Japan relates to my intention of becoming a Japanese/English/Spanish (my mother language) literary translator. In fact, I begin my studies on English translation this year, so I guess I'm a little closer to the goal.

Anime was only a medium through which I could have contact with a language that I was kind of "destined" to love.

I could understand going there to work if you had been offered a good job in that field, I wish you luck, it sounds like a promising career.
I still think that when someone just moves to a completely strange and new place that they might not like it as much as they previously thought.
Perhaps I'm just way too cynical for this thread.

Originally Posted by poptart

well for me i wanted to go to japan WAY before i even knew what anime/manga was. as an art major i loved the old school ink drawings and ceramics; that was how i was first introduced to japan.

then little tidbits about the culture and mannerisms intrigued me even more. i found it fasinating how their culture is infused into so many aspects of their life and is reflected in the art.

then i found manga and anime.... and i fell in love. beautiful art and great stories. *sigh*

i'd only want to go there for a week long visit. just to see it with my own eyes.


but on the grand scale, japan is like... 5th on list of places i have to see before i croak. england, france, italy, spain, japan.

I can see Japanese art any time I like in a museum, or I can turn on the T.V. and look at shows filmed in Japan etc.
I live in London, and I've been to Italy, France, and Spain. I can say one thing, they're very similar, and pretty rude. XD
Just before people get the wrong idea about my post, I'm not trying to argue with anyone or tell them their dreams are stupid, I was just really interested in why they wanted to move.
I'm doing something similar, just not moving to Japan, so I could be just as crazy.

[poptart]

Originally Posted by Azrael_Azure

I can see Japanese art any time I like in a museum, or I can turn on the T.V. and look at shows filmed in Japan etc.
I live in London, and I've been to Italy, France, and Spain. I can say one thing, they're very similar, and pretty rude. XD
Just before people get the wrong idea about my post, I'm not trying to argue with anyone or tell them their dreams are stupid, I was just really interested in why they wanted to move.
I'm doing something similar, just not moving to Japan, so I could be just as crazy.

mmm... i guess the reason why i want to see japan and all the other places has little to do with the people actually.

i could indeed go to the museum to see japanese art... but i can go to the art institute to see a japanese temple. i cant see the art houses and natural scenery. i cant take photos of mt. fuji from chicago. i cant see the culture and people in action from where i'm at. its all about visiting to see what its really like.

one could go and hate everything about it, finding that the dream was better than the reality. or one can go and love it.

by no means would i move there to live cause... well i like where i live now.

but there is nothing wrong with wanting to see the world, for whatever reason.

[Vexx]

... because traveling to distant lands, eating unusual food, seeing unusual sights, and dealing with alien cultures is ... dare I say, FUN?

Japan is probably one of the more interesting places for many because it is alien yet familiar at the same time. In my case, its my wife's heritage -- so we like to spend time there just as we like to spend time in my "heinz 57" origins (Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, flip a coin).

Things are the "same" everywhere... and yet very different. I find that people who don't travel end up with serious misconceptions about the world and the cultural mores outside of their little splotch of dirt.