I'm Going To Japan

SubaruWRX wrote:Also how can I find out which places take Credit cards?

most of Akihabara does not take cards right?

i am planning on visiting Akihabara when i go next week. They got tons of electronics and Anime stuff, even otaku/manga cafes i hear about.
From what i have heard, places that are like nice hotels, restarants(not all unfortunately), and nicer dept. stores all take credit cards, all others just take yen-cash only. So, be prepared to bring a lot of cash/or enough cash for your purchases on your trip, it should be ok, just be careful of where you keep the wallet and protect your money. I hear that Japan is safer, safer than other countries. Or you can also use their ATM, i did it once last time, they convert the $$ into Yen automatically, but only during atm/bank hours, go search in japanese tourbooks, they should inform you the open hours.

Roppongi04 wrote:Hey qilver, Have a nice trip. I have been thinking about going possibly in late July, but not sure yet. Last time I went to Narita, I took the Nex train (i think that was the name) from inside narita, into the city. About the luggage, There seemed to be plenty of room on the train. I arrived on a wednesday at about 7pm, and there were not many people on the train at all. We bought the tickets at Narita before getting on the train. We had 4 people with 2 suitcases each. I slept a little on the train. The only hard thing was that I got of the train, at Shinjuku station, which was huge. We had to carry our stuff for like 15 min just to get to the subway we needed. That station was huge, hot, and crowded, kinda overwhelming. We had to get a little help. I used the little Japanese I knew. But anyway it should be fun.

yeah, thanks, i am so looking forward to this trip, i need it. Thinking of taking the JR-X from Narita, but first staying the first night in Narita, then going to Tokyo/Shinagawa on route to Kyoto for the next night, Tokyo all thereafter for the trip. Thanks for the info on the luggage, will look into the JRX instead of the limo-bus. I think i have to reserve a seat once i get to Narita and are ready to go to Shinagawa/Tokyo for the JR-X. I am going to take the JRX, if i do instead of the bus, probably around 11am or so the next day. Yeah, i can see me and my friend carry around our luggages around the stations, but it s/b ok. I have been practicing a little on the japanese phrases, should help a little.
:bonk:

SubaruWRX wrote:thanks qilver, yeah I was at the bookstore the other day looking at some of the Japanese travel books, they had at least 7 of them.

I'm looking forward to going but not getting lost.

lol too bad I was not into Japan back in 1998-1999 lol I could of stayed there a month or longer if I wanted to.

Heh I was going to go to italy but my mom does not like flying so that was over with :(

lol and I asked her if she wanted to go to Japan.. and she said I would have to pay her way...

LOL sorry mom but if these rates are true thats like some $2,000 for just 2 people and a hotel, lol I'm going to have to find out about that as well.

books of recommedation are:
"Lonely Planet" Tokyo, "Lonely Planet" Kyoto, or "Lonely Planet" Japan.
"Eyewitness Travel Guides" Japan
"Insight Guides" Tokyo

all of which i have and very good books to look thru for pix and information. I am sure it will be helpful to you.
Also try to look into getting a japanese phrase book, to use on your trip. And Maps will come in handy as well.
good luck.

cool thanks I will make a list of that, btw someone had a link someplace to that buget hotel I forget the name but it was like $23 a night lol... thats what the conversion was.. I think it was like 1,300 Yen I think.

Tu_triky wrote:
JAL is actually a PARTNER airline co of Northwest in their WorldPerks frequent flyer program so frequent flyer miles earned on Northwest Flights might possibly be redeemed for JAL operated flights...it's worth checking out if you got a shit load of miles already in the bank.

It's only on JAL domestic flights. I think the international flights are part of the American Airlines mileage network.

@supermidget: I suppose the US equivalent would be debit purchases, in which you use your PIN as if you were at an ATM. But in Japan you can store your card information on your phone using RFID technology. Now that would never fly here, due to privacy concerns.

@all travelling to Japan: Make sure you contact your local JNTO office before you leave. They'll mail you all the information and maps you'll need.

yeah I got JAL & ANA programed in my cell phone, they have alot of flights on American Airlines.


Also what is the JNTO?

SubaruWRX wrote:
Also what is the JNTO?

Japan National Tourist Organization http://www.jnto.go.jp/
They have offices worldwide.

dochira wrote:

It's only on JAL domestic flights. I think the international flights are part of the American Airlines mileage network.

Thanks for the clarification. It was a shot in the dark, but hey, tryin' to be helpful.

Tu_triky wrote:

Thanks for the clarification. It was a shot in the dark, but hey, tryin' to be helpful.

No problem. I am also a Worldperks member.

dochira wrote:
No problem. I am also a Worldperks member.

oh, i see. i was just throwin' out speculative advice. i belong to the star alliance. where we fight the tyranny and injustice of the Empire.

:crazy:

SubaruWRX wrote:cool thanks I will make a list of that, btw someone had a link someplace to that buget hotel I forget the name but it was like $23 a night lol... thats what the conversion was.. I think it was like 1,300 Yen I think.

there is a good one that i will be staying, in kyoto, forgot the url, but it is called Budget Inn in Kyoto, they have dorm rooms, and private rooms and the prices are quite affordable, for the ones in Tokyo, price around, i am sure you will find something good.
1300 yen, close to 12 or so dollars, when i usually convert it, since it is 105 yen - $1, i just knock off two zeros and subtract a little, so you have an idea. :applaud: :bonk:

dochira wrote:

It's only on JAL domestic flights. I think the international flights are part of the American Airlines mileage network.

@supermidget: I suppose the US equivalent would be debit purchases, in which you use your PIN as if you were at an ATM. But in Japan you can store your card information on your phone using RFID technology. Now that would never fly here, due to privacy concerns.

@all travelling to Japan: Make sure you contact your local JNTO office before you leave. They'll mail you all the information and maps you'll need.

thanks for the info on JNTO, i already have enough maps and tourbooks, i s/b good to go for my trip. :applaud: :bonk:

qilver wrote:
thanks for the info on JNTO, i already have enough maps and tourbooks, i s/b good to go for my trip. :applaud: :bonk:

Just don't forget to bring rubbers. :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

ahochaude wrote:
Just don't forget to bring rubbers. :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

:rofl: :hehe: :bonk: :naughty:

just got my book i ordered online, "Crusing the anime city", so for those who are Otaku like myself, read that the city of Nakano, which is west of shinjuku by a few trainstops. Anyhow they got this Nakano-broadway mall(The Otaku megamall), tons of anime/j-idol/manga/toy-hobby stuff at that mall, and i was looking at the maps in the book, just so many stores there, s/b all good and fun. :blahblah: :beatyou: :thumbsup:
also planning on checking out Akihabara for their anime/electronic goods. :thumbsup:

SubaruWRX wrote:cool thanks I will make a list of that, btw someone had a link someplace to that buget hotel I forget the name but it was like $23 a night lol... thats what the conversion was.. I think it was like 1,300 Yen I think.

hard to believe that budget hotels go for only 1300 yen, more than likely, business hotels go for about 6000-8000 yen, somtimes more, a good rate would be around $60/night. Hostels/dorms could go for $25/night, but $13/1300 yen? that is exceptionally low for a room/night.
keep searching, perhaps you can try www.atasiahotel.com, or locate an accomdation thru www.japan-guide.com or www.jref.com
good luck. :bonk:

thanks!

ahochaude wrote:
Just don't forget to bring rubbers. :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. :rofl:

* throws a box at qilver. :hehe:

http://www.tma-marriage.com/home.htm

:hehe:

SubaruWRX wrote:thanks!

think i asked you earlier,
whos the girl in your signature pix? and you got rid of the bikini girl one... :bonk: :shakehead:
went to the bookstore to browse thru the travel sections, esp. on japan, didn't see any new ones, but a good one i was flipping thru, was a book by "Fodor's" Tokyo, doesn't have a lot of pix, but it has a ton of information on Tokyo and it is the updated 2005 version. :applaud: