Visiting Japan

[EusebioKun]

Originally Posted by gravitation

ooo i plan on going as an exchange student when i finish skool!! ^__^ i really like japan and would love to live there for a while there is this thing called the JETT programme or summin and they deal with things like that im not to sure of their site but ive heard they are good ^_~

why not do it when in school (I'm assumming ur in high school right now)?

Learn the language as much as u can. Will definitely enjoy the time there more I'm sure.

[Karma and Effect]

Acutally.. I was suppose to go sometime around.. Now! T_T It was suppose to be for my 16th B-Day but things came up and we went on a cruise not too long ago instead.. But we will for sure go next Spring Break and I can't wait I had to give up getting a car this year for this and a lot of other things xP Where gonna go to like 4 places there I think. Tokyo (Mostly), Okinawa (We might not be able to), Kyoto, And I forgot the other one(s). @_@ There's a guy at this Japanese Steak House called Koko's that is helping us too. ^^

Originally Posted by gravitation
ooo i plan on going as an exchange student when i finish skool!! ^__^ i really like japan and would love to live there for a while there is this thing called the JETT programme or summin and they deal with things like that im not to sure of their site but ive heard they are good ^_~

AHH! Dude I know about that! The same guy at Koko's told us about that, I've heard good things too yep

Oh and to answer Shiokaze:
1. Yea I'd get them a book of the city or somethin like Raikage said.

2. LOL! Be equipped with bug spray!! >__< (Wait, will that stop centipedes? )

3. Dunno about in Tokyo, but if you ever get a chance, I think Okinawa would be fun.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by Shiokaze

Question #3:
What are some must visit places in Tokyo?

That's all for now I think. o_O

Everyone has his or her own subjective opinion of what's best, so it's hard to give a good recommendation without telling us about what you like, no?

My suggestions, in no particular order:

1) To get the best cityscape views, go to Roppongi Hills. The observation deck gives you a 360 degree view of all Tokyo. On clear days, you might even see Mt Fuji.

2) Akihabara. If you're posting here, I assume that you're at least a little bit of an otaku? Akihabara is the closest you'd get to otaku heaven.

3) The Imperial Palace. Since you're in Tokyo already, why not?

4) Tsukiji Fish Market. I hear it's going to be moved pretty soon. So catch it while you still can. Fresh sushi at very reasonable prices too.

5) Harajuku, especially Takeshita Street, if it's gothic lolita maid cos-players that you want to see.

6) Shibuya by night, definitely. By day, it's a little boring.

7) If you're of legal age to drink, I highly recommend a trip to the Ebisu Beer Museum. Very cool displays of the vats and distilleries used to brew beer. More importantly --- really really really cheap and good beer for sale!

8) Finally, if you have the time, by all means make the trip to Mitaka (only about 1h train ride from Shinjuku station) to visit the Ghibli Museum. It's impossible to be unhappy just to be there.

[Circular Logic]

Question: If you were to pick a city/university to spend a year's exchange in, which one would you pick?

I'm thinking either Tokyo or Sapporo, but some opinions would be nice. :>

[Shiokaze]

Originally Posted by Karma and Effect

Acutally.. I was suppose to go sometime around.. Now! T_T It was suppose to be for my 16th B-Day but things came up and we went on a cruise not too long ago instead.. But we will for sure go next Spring Break and I can't wait I had to give up getting a car this year for this and a lot of other things xP Where gonna go to like 4 places there I think. Tokyo (Mostly), Okinawa (We might not be able to), Kyoto, And I forgot the other one(s). @_@ There's a guy at this Japanese Steak House called Koko's that is helping us too. ^^




AHH! Dude I know about that! The same guy at Koko's told us about that, I've heard good things too yep

Oh and to answer Shiokaze:
1. Yea I'd get them a book of the city or somethin like Raikage said.

2. LOL! Be equipped with bug spray!! >__< (Wait, will that stop centipedes? )

3. Dunno about in Tokyo, but if you ever get a chance, I think Okinawa would be fun.

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

Everyone has his or her own subjective opinion of what's best, so it's hard to give a good recommendation without telling us about what you like, no?

My suggestions, in no particular order:

1) To get the best cityscape views, go to Roppongi Hills. The observation deck gives you a 360 degree view of all Tokyo. On clear days, you might even see Mt Fuji.

2) Akihabara. If you're posting here, I assume that you're at least a little bit of an otaku? Akihabara is the closest you'd get to otaku heaven.

3) The Imperial Palace. Since you're in Tokyo already, why not?

4) Tsukiji Fish Market. I hear it's going to be moved pretty soon. So catch it while you still can. Fresh sushi at very reasonable prices too.

5) Harajuku, especially Takeshita Street, if it's gothic lolita maid cos-players that you want to see.

6) Shibuya by night, definitely. By day, it's a little boring.

7) If you're of legal age to drink, I highly recommend a trip to the Ebisu Beer Museum. Very cool displays of the vats and distilleries used to brew beer. More importantly --- really really really cheap and good beer for sale!

8) Finally, if you have the time, by all means make the trip to Mitaka (only about 1h train ride from Shinjuku station) to visit the Ghibli Museum. It's impossible to be unhappy just to be there.

Originally Posted by raikage

Regarding your first question, when I stayed with a host family for a day or so, I got them a picture book of the city I live in.

Nothing too big or fancy or expensive.

Thank you all, and um, do you know the outlet voltage in Japan?

[Kyuusai]

Originally Posted by Shiokaze

Thank you all, and um, do you know the outlet voltage in Japan?

Japan uses 100 volts. Yep, not even 110 like the US, even though their outlets look like ungrounded American outlets. Then it gets REALLY interesting, because Eastern Japan uses 50Hz cycle, while Western japan uses 60Hz cycle.

Fortunately, it probably won't matter! If you're worried about a laptop or some other piece of complex electronics, take a look at its power supply (or the unit itself if it's a plain cord or there's no information printed on the power supply itself). If it were made in the last decade or so, odds are that somewhere in the line where it lists the input it will say 100V-240V and at the end of that line will say 50/60Hz. Yes, most modern electronics support any modern international standard with auto-switching power supplies.

Not everything else is that way, though! Irons (hair or clothes), toaster ovens, hair dryers, etc, are generally not made with the capability to handle different electric standards. If you're coming from the US, you'd only be a drop of 10 volts or 10 Hz, which will probably not harm your equipment, but it doesn't mean it would still work properly, and better safe than sorry, right?

So, the good news is that your equipment will probably work just fine there. Just don't trust anything that doesn't say so explicitly.

[Shiokaze]

Originally Posted by Kyuusai

Japan uses 100 volts. Yep, not even 110 like the US, even though their outlets look like ungrounded American outlets. Then it gets REALLY interesting, because Eastern Japan uses 50Hz cycle, while Western japan uses 60Hz cycle.

Fortunately, it probably won't matter! If you're worried about a laptop or some other piece of complex electronics, take a look at its power supply (or the unit itself if it's a plain cord or there's no information printed on the power supply itself). If it were made in the last decade or so, odds are that somewhere in the line where it lists the input it will say 100V-240V and at the end of that line will say 50/60Hz. Yes, most modern electronics support any modern international standard with auto-switching power supplies.

Not everything else is that way, though! Irons (hair or clothes), toaster ovens, hair dryers, etc, are generally not made with the capability to handle different electric standards. If you're coming from the US, you'd only be a drop of 10 volts or 10 Hz, which will probably not harm your equipment, but it doesn't mean it would still work properly, and better safe than sorry, right?

So, the good news is that your equipment will probably work just fine there. Just don't trust anything that doesn't say so explicitly.

Thanks a bunchies, and I don't know about asking this next question...
well anywho, what is the average adult view on Japanese Anime? Like, if a 20 year old watching Anime compared to say a 10 yeard old.

[Kyuusai]

Originally Posted by Shiokaze

Thanks a bunchies, and I don't know about asking this next question...
well anywho, what is the average adult view on Japanese Anime? Like, if a 20 year old watching Anime compared to say a 10 yeard old.

You're quite welcome, but I'm afraid the answer to the next question isn't as positive...

Imagine what the average American adult would think of a grown man who watches cartoons. ...then add on to that disdain stereotypes of various perversions, violent tendencies, social ineptitude... and just generally being outcast.

Anime fandom among adults is definitely a subculture in Japan. Otaku are becoming more mainstream, but only as a curiosity, not as accepted members of society. The number of people belong to the subculture is very large, but still a minority, and a hush-hush one at that.

[Nergol]

Shiko:

1) Booze

2) Not at all

3) The Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Tower, the Shinjuku Governent Office Building (especially if you're a CLAMP fan), Akihabara, Nakano Broadway, Yokohama Chinatown, Odaiba...

Things to remember:

Bring an AM/FM radio and tune it to 810AM in Tokyo. The sake you get from vending machines is pretty good - try it. MOS Burger and Becker's Burger are awesome. Make sure to go to the Becker's that's a left turn out of Akihabara station, across from the hentai cosplay shop. Book Off is your friend. If you can find it in the maze of streets out the east end of Shinjuku Station, have a drink at Dubliners - the best Irish pub in all of Japan. The easiest place to use a foreign debit/ATM card to withdraw money is at the Post Office - Post Offices in Japan have ATMs in them. The ATMs there also have an option for an English menu - a lifesaver. They combine the virtues of being everywhere, and also being basically your only choice to withdraw money from a foreign account. Make sure not to be in a Women Only subway car after 9PM - I don't think JR does that, but the Keio line does.

Tokyo is really hot in July. Keep hydrated.

Have fun.

[xxanimefan4_ever]

random question
is wearing a shirt with japanese on it in Japan uncool?

[Tommy]

Originally Posted by xxanimefan4_ever

random question
is wearing a shirt with japanese on it in Japan uncool?

I would say yes, but also depends on what the shirt says. I bought a shirt to wear there only because I thought it would grab attention and I only got a couple of responses, but they were good ones.

[Shiokaze]

Originally Posted by Kyuusai

You're quite welcome, but I'm afraid the answer to the next question isn't as positive...

Imagine what the average American adult would think of a grown man who watches cartoons. ...then add on to that disdain stereotypes of various perversions, violent tendencies, social ineptitude... and just generally being outcast.

Anime fandom among adults is definitely a subculture in Japan. Otaku are becoming more mainstream, but only as a curiosity, not as accepted members of society. The number of people belong to the subculture is very large, but still a minority, and a hush-hush one at that.

Thanks again. I kind of thought that was the general response but just wanted to make sure.

Originally Posted by Nergol

Shiko:

1) Booze

2) Not at all

3) The Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Tower, the Shinjuku Governent Office Building (especially if you're a CLAMP fan), Akihabara, Nakano Broadway, Yokohama Chinatown, Odaiba...

Things to remember:

Bring an AM/FM radio and tune it to 810AM in Tokyo. The sake you get from vending machines is pretty good - try it. MOS Burger and Becker's Burger are awesome. Make sure to go to the Becker's that's a left turn out of Akihabara station, across from the hentai cosplay shop. Book Off is your friend. If you can find it in the maze of streets out the east end of Shinjuku Station, have a drink at Dubliners - the best Irish pub in all of Japan. The easiest place to use a foreign debit/ATM card to withdraw money is at the Post Office - Post Offices in Japan have ATMs in them. The ATMs there also have an option for an English menu - a lifesaver. They combine the virtues of being everywhere, and also being basically your only choice to withdraw money from a foreign account. Make sure not to be in a Women Only subway car after 9PM - I don't think JR does that, but the Keio line does.

Tokyo is really hot in July. Keep hydrated.

Have fun.

I'm not 20 so I can't drink in Japan. And all the bits of information are helpful.
Soo more questions?

1) Is there some site online I can see what is in Akihabara? Their main site maybe? I might want to buy some thingies and I kind of want a little look before I go? Japanese websites work too.

2) Maybe this is a question for the Japanese Language thread but anyways, do Japanese people feel that words like Computer and Konpuuta are two separate words?

3) What would make a good family gift for my host family? I already got something for each member and thought that getting an overall gift for the family would be nice as well.

[Abbott]

Just type "Akihabara" in google and you'll find plenty of sites about it. Here's one of the first hits I got: http://www.akiba.or.jp/english/

Remember, google is useful.

As for "thingies," it depends on what you want. There's a musical instrument district, electronics everywhere, lots of media shops (DVD, CD, Books and Video Games), anime and manga shops, anime and manga merchandise and plenty of porn. It's impossible to NOT find what you want.

[hkop]

Hey guys im heading over to tokyo for 2 weeks in July 20th, somebody who currently lives in tokyo speaks english and japanese think you can tour us around? im only coming with a friend of mine. 2 people.

[Risaa]

If you're not iffy about meeting up with someone you barely know (as seems the case here), I recommend trying Japan-Guide forums.

Good luck... that trip's going to rawk.

[Vexx]

yeah, I was going to say.... asking someone you barely know to spend two weeks of their life being your tourguide for free is a bit much.

Its a bit late to just *MAKE FRIENDS* via penpal or Web, so Japan-Guides is a good start.

[aohige]

Originally Posted by Shiokaze

Thanks again. I kind of thought that was the general response but just wanted to make sure.



I'm not 20 so I can't drink in Japan. And all the bits of information are helpful.
Soo more questions?

1) Is there some site online I can see what is in Akihabara? Their main site maybe? I might want to buy some thingies and I kind of want a little look before I go? Japanese websites work too.

2) Maybe this is a question for the Japanese Language thread but anyways, do Japanese people feel that words like Computer and Konpuuta are two separate words?

3) What would make a good family gift for my host family? I already got something for each member and thought that getting an overall gift for the family would be nice as well.

1) The question is, what can you NOT find in Akihabara.
Akihabara is not a store, so looking for their "main site" to give you all the info isn't very practical. Akihabara is name of a street.
It was originally a electronics street, but in the recent decades have turned into otaku mecca, with countless video games, anime, books, toys, and electronics stores. And I mean hundreds.
Stores come and go very fast, every time I visit Akihabara I see diffrent stores opening and closing.
You'll find anything short of a breathing moving HMX-12 maid robot there.

2) Uh, I don't quite understand the question. No, they aren't two separate words. Japanese can't pronounciate english well, that's all.

3) Sorry, can't help you there... what to get for a family is a universal problem, not anything native to Japanese. Meaning, not knowing who those people are, I have no idea what they would like as gift.
Maybe you could take a look at what the fads are in Japan right now, and see if there's something you can get from US.
For example, Billy Blanks is old news in US, but he's getting very popular in Japan right now... but the DVD prices in Japan are 2 to 3 times higher than US. Those ladies into fitness might like that. And so on. Ask the family what kind of stuff they are into.

[*aya*]

I have been to Japan last year^_^
I'm very very like the landscape of Shikoku.And I like Japanese school.
I hope I can become an exchange student in the future.

[EoT]

I also look forward to going to Japan, the culture and lifestyle is really different when in comparison to Australia. I plan to go there for a month sometime next year =)

[Takeru]

This information helps a lot guys. I'm going to Japan as my graduation gift from my parents for two weeks next summer to stay with my stepbro who's in the Navy.