2011-04-28, 15:24
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Link #961 | |
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Rawrrr!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CH aka Chocaholic Heaven
Age: 40
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It actually felt eerie to see all those touristy spots almost deserted, with only a handful of westerners even during major festivals and the like (of course, there were still at least a lot of Japanese), especially since I've already been there in May (further from peak season I think), and I very well remember the crowds. I think this odd feeling started in the plane, which was half empty at least from Moscow to Narita. It became more distinct when we arrived at the airport: lights offs, deserted terminals, a single booth being manned. By contrast, the activity in Tokyo appeared normal: the crowds of Shibuya, Harajuku and Yoyogi park being as distinctive as ever. My cousin, who lives in Tokyo, and at which place we were staying, had to point me a few details for me to notice: rationing of dairy products and bottled water in some grocery stores, shops closing earlier to save power, fountains turned off to save water, and calls for the public to save both water and electricity. Also, as we watched TV and visited the country, we could see more and more Nippon Ganbare! be it in posters, or on TV from stars, baseball players or random peoples. Similarly, I think almost every Shrine, Temple or shops, whatever their size, had trunks for the Tohoku victims. And a lot of TV programs were about the peoples in Tohoku: life in refugee centers, the anguish of cultivators as nobody wants their products, the despair of fishermen as their livelihood are in ruins, local business trying to resume operations in order to help the refugee, despite many workers having lost their own houses. On a lighter note, it was peak Sakura season in Tokyo, and it truly was beautiful: evening hanami by the river in Shibuya, the moats of the Imperial palace park, covered in petals, the Yakusuni Shrine and its beautiful cherry trees. After a couple days only, we went to Takayama, and there again, the oddness: of course there were loads of peoples during the festival, and a least a few westerns, but it felt kind of eerie, as if we had the whole town and its area to ourselves the day before the festival. The festival itself deserved its reputation, although it was a pity that the cherry trees had not bloomed yet this year. By chance, we came by a small ceremony in a small Shrine. As we passed by, we were invited to watch by a kind lady, the priestess's sister, who explained to us the purpose and steps of the ceremony, which was held to honor the Shrine's kami: a deity favoring learning. We were the only spectators, safe for the families of the little girls performing the dance; as aside from the priest, priestess and their assistants in ceremonial garb, it was all an attendance of middle aged men dressed up in formal suits. Next, in Kanazawa, we were lucky enough to found the city in full bloom: the sides of the river, the castle's park, not to mention the Genrokuen garden exceptionally open and lit up at night, and with free entrance to boot! It was also very pleasant to stroll in the preserved geisha street and samurai district. Alas, in Kyoto, it was past peak cherry blossoms (some were still left, but at least it was close to peak plum blossoms). Again, it almost felt deserted (compared to my previous experience), but the sights were great, despite the changing weather. Nara was similarly eerily deserted by foreigner, tough I admit it was nice to ignore the concepts of queue and crowd. To all those who intend to visit Himeji for its castle, be aware that restoration has started on the main tower, meaning it's covered by a huge scaffolding, which actually look like a 13 storey white building, with a 1:1 scale drawing of the tower on it. You can still visit the whole castle complex, and at least a part of the main tower's interior. Also, for the duration of the restoration, there are actually 3 exposition rooms within the scaffolding, from which you can see the exterior of the tower being restored close, as well as a panoramic view of the city, and expositions on the restoration techniques being used. Again, no queues... And it was the same in Miyajima, Hiroshima and Kamakura: no queues, no crowds, only a handful of westerners... Overall, it was a great trip. Putting to use the little Japanese vocabulary I gained these years definitely helped to better enjoy it (and knowing of the way to speak English Japanese style really helps). This time I really got to enjoy the food (and right in the season for mountain vegetable). My advice: go for Minshuku when you can, and ask for breakfast and dinner (you'll be served the local specialties), for lunch in a random restaurants ask for the taishoku: the day's lunch set is always a good price (and as my aunt says it, it's very hard to have a bad meal in Japan, unless you are very picky). I already miss the food: all those kinds of wagashi and tsukemono, and the rice, the rice! On a side note, while we traveled, I was surprised at the number of middle aged peoples I met who could speak English or even French. I don't know when I'll be able to go there again, but in the meanwhile: Nippon, gambare! And for now, I've got two thousands pictures to sort... 
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2011-05-05, 10:46
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Link #962 |
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*hic*
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: A Swede in Tokyo
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Anyone who can help me about Suica?
I bought a card, but the only option I could see at the machine was for a commuter pass. Okay, I don't have to travel by train every day, but I chose the stations I use more commonly than others, and loaded it with money. The card is dated one month forward. Since there will still be money left on the card after a month, what happens after that? I'm guessing that it simply turn into a regular pass, and the pre-programmed trip gets more expensive? Although I have yet to find out an easy way to see how much the regular prices are between various stations...
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2011-05-07, 05:44
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Link #963 | |
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Hige
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: God only knows
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A friend of mine posted this and a couple of other videos on youtube with following description.
Quote:
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2011-05-07, 09:03
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Link #964 | |
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Rawrrr!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CH aka Chocaholic Heaven
Age: 40
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Quote:
You leased a Suica card, which is a kind of cash card you can use to pay directly for your fare at the gates without stopping, and loaded it with money. At the end of your stay, you can simply return it and get your deposit back with the leftover credit.
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2011-05-08, 20:01
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Link #965 | |
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*hic*
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: A Swede in Tokyo
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Quote:
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2011-05-08, 23:09
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Link #966 | |
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黒猫のウィズやってます
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Quote:
Probably,You bought Suica 定期券? This one is suica. This one is suica 定期券. After your Suica定期券 expired as a commuter pass,you can use it as a suica. |
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2011-05-09, 01:19
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Link #968 | |
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Seishu's Ace
 Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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In my trips to Japan, I've been treated with more courtesy and genuine kindness by the local people than in any other country I've visited. Yes, politeness is a vital part of Japanese culture - but I think there's a very real desire to help travelers enjoy their stay. Most Japanese are very proud of their country and they want their guests to walk away impressed. Now, I don't live in Japan - and many people who do say the picture is different for foreigners who live in Japan than it is for tourists. I've heard stories (but can't say first-hand) of foreign residents who carry a camera with them to work so locals think they're a tourist. I do think there's some validity to this notion - the Governor of Tokyo, for example, is known to be a vehement anti-gaijin crusader. I don't think that represents most Japanese, but this is an island culture that has been in isolation for much of their existence and I suppose there's probably some suspicion of foreigners that you'd see if you lived there. However, as a traveler, I really don't think you'd run into any hostility whatsoever - quite the opposite. Even staring is a huge faux pas, though people tell me the Japanese are experts at doing it discreetly (in public baths, for example!). I've traveled to quite a few countries, and I can honestly say I've never been treated as well by locals than I have by the Japanese, and it isn't even close.
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2012-05-04, 06:45
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Link #969 |
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~AD~
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Just got back from visiting Japan for 2 weeks...
Places i go: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka... I must say the most memorable place in Japan is Kyoto (and of course Akiba )The views during spring (especially Sakura season) is magnificent... And visiting izakaya while mingling with the salaryman after office hours has been a great experience... In my case, they are wondering why an Indonesian people with no Japan connection are drinking shochu and singing "1/3 Junjou no Kanjou"...
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2012-05-06, 21:32
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Link #970 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Everett, WA
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Was wondering if anyone could tell me how difficult it is to get a visa to visit Japan? I've always wanted to goto Japan ever since I was a little boy. I fell in love with the culture from my 4th grade teacher's assistant who was a foriegn exchange student from Japan. Anyways off point, I have to say I've had a bumpy past, made mistakes, but have changed my life around. I don't want to give up on this dream that I have held in my heart since I was a child. Would a record shatter that?
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2012-05-06, 21:44
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Link #971 |
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=^^=
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: 42° 10' N (Latitude) 87° 33' W (Longitude)
Age: 45
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Learn this game:
http://forums.animesuki.com/showthre...ewpost&t=82472 Then play in Japan. Plenty of automatic tables to play with. 
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2012-05-06, 21:49
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Link #972 |
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Senior Member
Artist
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Normandy SR-2
Age: 29
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So Japan's playing a huge factor in my university decision... After going to a year of middle school in Tokyo I totally fell in love and now I'm very determined to go back - so I'm pretty sure I'll be accepting a school that has an excellent exchange program to Japan. I have to start planning early so I'll be deciding on which school to apply to... Perhaps Keio or Osaka since those are specific to the faculty I'll be in, but other big ones like Waseda and Tokyo seem to be available too! I'm really excited, living university life in Japan is going to be amazing <3 Now to go study and polish my Japanese, I really haven't used much of it for anything other than reading a few articles and listening to J-pop...
 Is anyone else here studying in Japan or has done it before? If so, I'd love to hear from you about your experiences  I'm sure adult life there's way different from being in middle school with your parents around like me four years ago XD
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2012-05-06, 22:32
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Link #973 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
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If you are outside the US it depends on your individual country but I don't think most countries have Visa requirements just for normal travel. Now if it is for extended stay that is a different story. And all these posts make me want to go back. I was there once in 2007. Alas lack of time & steep airfare keeps me away. One day I hope to go back.
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2012-05-07, 09:26
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Link #975 | |
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~AD~
Join Date: Oct 2006
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1. Submit a copy of your plane/ship ticket... 2. Submit a copy of your hotel reservation... 3. Write a general plan of your visiting town... 4. Submit three month copy of your bank account (in my country, you need at least Rp. 30million) 5. A copy of your passport And may i know what record of that? Is that a heavy crime?? You may have to consult with Japan embassy in your country to find out the answer... Be careful when submitting though... If it is rejected, you can not apply for VISA for another 6 months... So it is a waste for your travel ticket... |
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2012-05-07, 15:09
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Link #976 | |
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NePoi!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Age: 43
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Quote:
(Has anyone here been to see it?)
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2012-05-07, 15:14
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Link #977 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
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2012-05-07, 15:19
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Link #978 |
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Hige
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: God only knows
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If you are from europe or other listed countries, you have an easy life, visiting Japan legaly for 90 days. I actually wonder, if you leave Japan on the 89th day and then fly into it 2 days later. Can you then stay another 90 days?..
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Join me ^^ 
