2006-12-13, 16:27 | Link #181 |
Sloth
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I visited Tokyo in January, and I can say pretty much that Japan lived up to my expectations and more. kj1980 and other Japanese members will obviously have a different perspective than non Japanese people because to them, being in Japan is a reality so they've obviously seen the ugly side of it.
But since I was a visitor on the surface, I never got to see that, and if others have the same experience I have, then it's easy to leave Tokyo with your "Japan in an anime dreamland" fantasy still in tact. Living there is an entirely different matter. It's the same with London, I suppose. When I see tourists, I ALWAYS think "why the hell are they ooohing and aaahing at this disgusting place"
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2006-12-13, 18:09 | Link #182 |
piyo, pipipiyo, piyo.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Edmonton, if going to j percy page high, pm me
Age: 33
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well, I lived in japan for six years during childhood, and I have to say it has its positives and negetives like all the countries. But I would love to live there than anywhere, bec they have the best convinient stores, there are places where otakus gather in thousands everyday, and bec I like japanese food (well, that is what I ate for 6 years in school). One of the negetive sides of japan has to be lack of space, and higher % of bullies being there than canada. But then again, there is not a single thing in the world thats perfect
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2006-12-13, 20:17 | Link #183 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
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I went to Japan along time ago, like when I was 9, actually yeah I was 9 because I remeber going there for my 9th birthday. An now I've made Japanese my major. Should be going to Japan again within the next few years to finish up the require credits needed to graduate then come back to San Francisco to graduate! LOL..I'm sure you all wanted to know that.... JAPAN IS REALLY PRETTY ^_^!!
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2006-12-14, 08:20 | Link #184 | |||||
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Ok I didn't read all the thread yet, but, I wanted to reply to a few things......
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-Ehhhh? Avoid meat? lol I wouldn't have eaten very much if I had taken your advice.. Food infact can be very cheap, atleast a lot cheaper then here in London. Oh and no bread? wtf? lol I do suggest you avoid eating anything you would normally get at home though. Go for new experiences.... If you can find it go to the all you can eat/drink (including alcohol) Okonomiyaki place on the sunshine side of Ikebukuro... Really really awesome place... Nice owners there as well. Might be a bit hard to find though cause it's upstairs. -If you are going as a visitor and will be travelling about get a JR Rail pass.... Me and my girlfriend both got a 21 day pass when we went for 3 weeks and saved a lot of money.... We went from Tokyo -> Kyoto -> Osaka -> Tokyo -> Hokkaido -> Tokyo as well as travelling about in the various cities every day... If you are staying in 1 city it's alright though.... Tickets around Tokyo were about 300 yen I think. That's less then the current price in London. v.v;; -A map isn't all that helpful really, you find them getting in the way a lot. It's really easy to find your way around most places anyway.. Take one just for safety, but, otherwise you will find people very helpful and it will be a lot easier then studying a map. You'll also find interesting places whilst lost. -Yeah don't spend all your money in the first manga store you go to.... There are so many of them around it would be a pity not to have money for all of them. =P If you're a girl whatever you do go to the sunshine side of Ikebukuro! Loads of anime shops targetted at girls there. lol Guys should go there as well as they have a different selection of things you find in other places. -If you're there long enough you might end up getting stalked yourself like I did.... Don't take things to seriously there. Quote:
If you like what you've seen about the place so far it isn't likely you'll think it sucks. Just as long as you're will to go about life differently to how you have before. For me my view of the place was as I expected. lol Seriously, go by yourself if you must it would be a shame to miss out on a great time because you were scared of going alone. It really doesn't cost all that much.... Me and my girlfriend spent about £3000 on our trip, but, we spent large amounts on things you wouldn't expect.... £500 on concert tickets for a start (amazingly close to the stage of a Tokyo Dome sellout). That's not really likely unless you just sit inside the whole time. lol Anime isn't real, but, a lot of it is based on life inside Japan so when you rip out the fantasy aspect of it you're left with what you can expect of the country really. =P Quote:
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2006-12-14, 09:43 | Link #185 | |
Sloth
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2006-12-14, 10:49 | Link #186 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Yeah the reason I posted is because a lot of posts just seemed to be trying to put people off going with stuff which isn't really true....
Strangely Akiba wasn't the place I would call my heaven..... I had a lot more fun in Den Den Town and Ikebukuro....... Ikebukuro's animate was awesome and Den Den was just shop after shop of models..... It's also where I got my Minna models (densha otoko)! XD Akiba was very cool though.... Oh and they had this special kind of crushed ice using some random machine for the ice or something... Delicious.. It certainly did quench my thirst and did the same for the games fan inside me..... The number of arcades everywhere was incredible! A little hint for anyone going to Japan... Whatever you do don't stick to the main roads 100%.. Little less obvious side streats hold great secrets! Quote:
I just saw this........... That's crazy! £50ish a night is the cheapest room they have? That is not cheap by any means..... I stayed in hotels which were about 4000 yen a night and they were awesome... The rooms were every bit as nice as the ones in them pics..... The only difference is the ones I was in were in "shady" areas....... As in down back allies, with hostess clubs in Ikebukuro..... Whilst you sometimes got bothered by the scouts trying to get you into the clubs (as did everyone) it was perfectly safe and the hotels themself were awesome. If you're thinking that prices in Japan are high just don't go for these more mainstream hotels.... Last edited by darkcloud; 2006-12-14 at 11:13. |
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2006-12-14, 14:43 | Link #187 | |
Sloth
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The thing with these anime stores is I was just TOO overwhelmed by the number of goods available, especially since I live in London where anime merchandise is hard to come by cheaply. We should have spent more time in Ikebukuro, we just visited that street which begins/ends at the Hello Kitty store, and ends/begins at that car showhouse.
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2006-12-14, 23:44 | Link #188 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The anime world ^_^
Age: 29
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I lived in Japan for about 5 years and I'll tell ya, it's about one of the greatest places on Earth. All the people there are like so nice and it's such a beautiful place. I sure wish I didn't have to leave Japan. It was such a great place and I had great friends. I lived in Hiro, Tokyo.
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2006-12-15, 04:37 | Link #189 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
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As for comiket, my girlfriend started harassing me about how we didn't go during that time....... The thing is I wanted to go during that time just because it was hotter, but, she suggested going during Tokyo Game Show. lol That was really awesome, me her and a familly of 3 cosplayed as bleach characters and we ended up getting way more attention then I thought...... 1 of the 3 we went with was a 6 year old cosplaying as Yachiru so that kinda explained it. =P This kinda ruined any future cosplaying experience though because it was on such a massive scale.... It's just not the same here in London. lol Yeah some of the stores are overwhelming sometimes, but, I just decided to take my time, stroll through them and visit some shops more then once. lol I ended up very comfortable with that size shop by the end of the 3 weeks though... Now when I walk through London I look up at the skyline and it just seems too low... I've still not adjusted back to life here properly. =P Me and my girlfriend only spent so much time in Ikebukuro as that's where we were staying in Tokyo.. We would end up back there every night no matter what so we got to see something new.... Speaking of which, there was an awesome restaurant there called Milkyway..... It had the nicest milkshakes and really cool parfaits...... It was decorated like space as you could guess from the name... This was also something I really liked about Japan, the amount of effort they put into stuff like that.... ^^d Anyway, Milkyway is an awesome date locations. lol |
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2006-12-25, 23:41 | Link #190 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Mixi and Globee
Hello everyone,
First day on this forum. Could someone here could send me an invite for Mixi (www.mixi.jp) or Globee (www.globee.jp)? I want to meet Japanese people and find friends in Japan before I go there. I want to join a Japanese network! Help! Thank you in advance, Z |
2006-12-27, 15:40 | Link #191 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Hey,
I'm new to this thread (in fact, new to this forum ), and I don't really want to read the whole topic, buuuuut.... I've been to Japan last summer, for 1 month, and that was way too short. But it was a lot of fun, met a lot of people, etc. Pictures can be found at: http://jesse.ssnt.org (categorized as well!). With just a little bit of Japanese and a lot of english you can get around easily. Sometimes you have to adjust your english to how they say it, which is pretty funny. (One time I asked for the "subway" in Tokyo. This guy didn't understand me so I said "metro". Still didn't work so I tried "me-te-ro" and bingo!). The Japanese are very friendly and the country itself has a lot to offer. I plan to go their again next summer! Cheers, Jesse. |
2007-01-26, 19:43 | Link #193 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
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I have some question
1.I'm considering to moving to japan but i dont speak any japanese just "bits and pieces" so what will be the best ways and also should i lived in a part of japan that is mostly gaijin that speak english and/or if they speak another language with english
2.Working in japan - i know there are "bilingual >japanese/english " place to work but my like of work fall under "Construction/Maintenances/Laborer/Driver" is there any company or jobs site that is bilingual friendly "since i'm a gaijin" 3.About driving in japan can can you tell me more about it 4.I heard that some japanese mock gaijin / make fun at them who try to speak there language is that true 5.Housing can you tell me more also " i want to pay the rent only no hidden fee " 6.Utilities work "Electricial,Water,Other " Tell me plz 7.is there any tv and radio is that englsih/japanese station and to let you know i look at other site about work and living in japan but is gave me a " smoking picture " so any info let me know |
2007-01-26, 19:50 | Link #194 | |||||||
Psychedelic
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Will you get odd looks in public? Sure. Will kids point and say rude things about you? Sure. Often times they don't mean to be mean and/or rude though, you just look odd to them and in the case of the kid he's probably never seen someone from outside of Asia before. This will vary from person to person though, most of the time people are very friendly. I got a lot of "Your Japanese is very good" when I visited the country durring high school (I took entry level japanese in high school). My Japanese was and still is very poor, but they tell you how good it is anyway. I was also told the similar things when I used chopsticks (something any japanese child can do). Quote:
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2007-01-26, 21:07 | Link #195 | |||||||
高校生
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: 大好きなところが遠すぎて
Age: 34
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[QUOTE]1.I'm considering to moving to japan but i dont speak any japanese just "bits and pieces" so what will be the best ways and also should i lived in a part of japan that is mostly gaijin that speak english and/or if they speak another language with english[QUOTE]
If you're planning on coming to Japan to work and live, you will need to speak at least some Japanese (unless you are going with JET/NOVA or the like, and even then it is highly recommended). You won't find a job without language ability, you won't be able to buy stuff, find an apartment, etc. I would say you would want to have at least JLPT level 3, and probably 2, certification under your belt if you were planning a permanent move for anything other than teaching English. There is no "part of Japan that is mostly gaijin that speak English." There are very few foreigners living in Japan on a long-term basis at all when compared with many other countries, and they most certainly do not all live in one place. Obviously, there are more foreigners in large cities than in smaller towns and rural areas. Quote:
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In addition, cars are extremely costly. There are expensive required inspections, petrol is around USD $5.00 a gallon, and in a large city, parking expenses alone are enough to ruin your budget. Quote:
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As with anywhere in the world, though, you can find relatively cheap places and super-expensive ones. It depends on what you want. Again, though, you'll almost certainly need to be able to read and speak at least a good bit of Japanese to navigate the somewhat daunting process of finding an apartment in Japan. Quote:
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Radio is the same, with the exception of the radio station aimed at US military people stationed in Japan. Quote:
I don't mean to discourage you or shatter your dreams or anything like that, but rather to provide a bit of a reality check. I hope you (and others) have found this information helpful. |
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2007-01-26, 21:17 | Link #196 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
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so should i forget it "because i know not to give up but in my situwation" i shouldn't ? I want to add one other detail my paret are from ireland and i travel about maybe 15 to 20 time from when i'm young to now with my father and i work over there help out my farther with his properity and operated heavy machinery and i might consider working over there and there is a problem that i experience "even those my parent were born in this country and me going back with my father so many time - i fell there is some bias against me because irish-american but is doesn't brother me because i ignore them i make good money here in the state but i fell that there is not enough work in NY " i'm not saying work is dead but for me is complicated " is just that " what is best 4 me " and i my answer is i don't know but also considering moving to pittsburgh near my brother in laws and one of my sister so there is a alot a concerplating and decision making |
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2007-01-26, 22:38 | Link #197 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
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and i got my brother in laws and my sister in pittsburgh,PA and why japan well here >well i'm bend into anime since i saw "akira" for the first time and i was intrigue by this and well i get to know anime little by little thank " Sci-Fi AnimNation - that where they show all the cool anime " and well i got hook and my friend intoduct me to "jpop" and i didn't what jpop was unilt he explain like my favorite anime like From Orginal Gundam & Akira to Dot.Hack he explain about how japanese muscian loan there music for op and en credit for anime and i get to know more about jpop and including jrock "from online" my first real crush on jpop artist was " ayumi hamasaki " for inuyasha and i can say that i use to collect action figure but not anymore i gave it up and sold them on ebay " some anime and some non anime " and also from the movies like Mr.Baseball Black Rain " My Favorite " Lost In Translation Kill Bill 1 & 2 That Christopher Lambert Film "where he was being chase by ninjas on that train and get help by another ninjas" Ju-on 1 & 2 " aka The Grudge 1 & 2 " The Brother "is a good yakuza / americana gangsta film - ending suck " Battle royale 1 & 2 Last edited by CTU:AGENT_HOGAN; 2007-01-26 at 22:53. |
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2007-01-26, 23:07 | Link #198 |
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 66
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o.. my...
Well... moving from Ireland to the US is a bit of a culture shock... but moving from the US to Japan.... superficially some similarities but it is about as close to moving to an alien civilization as you are probably unable to imagine. I'd suggest *visiting* there before moving there --- get a 3 month visa and find a ryoko or a host family to stay with ... *live* there, eat where the locals do, shop, etc. Work *very* hard on language ... no matter how good you get, be resigned to being the "dancing bear" -- they're just amazed you can do it at all. It used to be nearly impossible to find blue-collar work there but with the local population collapsing ( no one having babies ) that attitude may change in a few years. You'll probably never achieve citizenship but if your company finds you valuable you can probably get a long-term visa extended repeatedly. And that may change in 5 or 10 years as well as the need for tax-paying workers becomes more desperate. Whatever you do, learn to speak, read, and write Japanese at least at the high school level for your own sanity. Preferably take a few courses in "business japanese" so you won't offend your boss. Study the local customs, religion (Shinto and Buddhism), learn how to behave in a civil manner the japanese are accustomed to (i.e. not the Loud Obnoxious American or European). Anime and manga is a *VERY* small part of the country's culture, many gaijin make that mistake. Everyone should have goals ... I'd like to spend a few years there myself (teaching or at least regular extended visits).
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2007-01-27, 00:27 | Link #199 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
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WOW this is weird for a country that where anime for came from "inside japan" can i ask you another thing is there a catholic church in japan "not religeous but curious " but can i add one thing - everyradio station i'm not say the whole day but some station will have "talk forum" and while i'm with my father in his car i turn to some station and the complain and complain about the ireland goverment being so crappy WHAT ! for one stop complainting have a guiness LOL ! and two ireland is the biggest country for all major manufature if you order a dell,apple,ibm,dell if you lived in in europe the computer is made in ireland also we got cannon and car maker chevrolet but ireland is like other country that they dont like when goverment destroyed ireland history and land so they are very catiousbut now they are paying big $$$$ to buy land for larger project like the "by-ways" that link limerick to dublin instead of take many road this will lead upto dublin Last edited by CTU:AGENT_HOGAN; 2007-01-27 at 00:38. |
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2007-01-27, 08:17 | Link #200 | |||
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
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2. *shrug* 3. Bikes, lots and lots of bikes..... 4. Are there American's who mock Asians and the way they talk? 5. Well the fee isn't exactly hidden.... You'll have to pay it, but, as it's so well documented no problem. 6. Yes you get water, electricity and stuff........ :-/ They do work.... If you pay.. 7. .... :-/ Not on standard TV.... You got a smoking picture because people get a hard time from people when they have thought it through..... You haven't thought about anything. :-/ You sound really clueless.... Quote:
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Reading your other thread I feel like maybe you are a joke character..... hmmm... |
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japan, travel |
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