I'm Going To Japan

dochira wrote:

I'm not sure you realize this, but this is the Sumo district. Look out for the hand impressions of different sumo wrestlers.

REALLY?! Awesome! Wait, hand impressions? Like in the sidewalk?

Wynter wrote:
REALLY?! Awesome! Wait, hand impressions? Like in the sidewalk?

It's been a while since I went to that area, but I thought there were some at the street corners. They could have been at the sumo stadium (Ryogoku Kokugikan).

Here's a tour of the area: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3022.html

dochira wrote:
It's been a while since I went to that area, but I thought there were some at the street corners. They could have been at the sumo stadium (Ryogoku Kokugikan).

Here's a tour of the area: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3022.html

Sweeeeeet. Dang, that arena is packed, man.

I have finally made up my mind and we'll be staying in Shinjuku - unfortunately not at the Park Hyatt :shamefulcry:

If I'm feeling really generous though I might invite my sister for brunch at the New York Grill. :victory:

We'll be staying at the Sunroute Hotel Shinjuku, next to exit A1 of Shinjuku station. I wanted to stay in a busy area, close to public transport at lowest cost possible.

Litte question. I never went to Narita, but I remember from my Nagoya days that the trains from Nagoya airport had to be booked in advance. I guess it's the same for the Narita Express but can you book it from abroad?

EstherM wrote:
Litte question. I never went to Narita, but I remember from my Nagoya days that the trains from Nagoya airport had to be booked in advance. I guess it's the same for the Narita Express but can you book it from abroad?

There's a link at the bottom of the page for seat reservations:http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/index.html Hope this helps. [/list:u]

Wynter wrote:Hey, G, we might overlap. lol

I'm staying at the following hotels:

Tokyo
Hotel Bellegrande
Sumidaku Ryokoku2-19-1
Tokyo 130-0026
Japan
www.hotelbellegrande.co.jp

Hakone
Hotel Sunmi Club
Wadahama minamicho 5-8
Atamishi
Shizuokaken 413-0023
Japan
www.sunmi.co.jp

Kyoto
Holiday Inn Kyoto
36 Nishikiraki-cho, Takano
Sakyo-ku
Kyoto 606-8103
Japan
www.hikyoto.co.jp

Osaka
Best Western Joytel Osaka
9th floor
Suminoe-ku Shinkitajima 1-2-1
Osaka-shi, Osakafu 559-0024
Japan
www.joytel.co.jp/bwjoytelosaka

I have no idea what they're like, but they're all within budget. I'll sleep in a trash can if it means spending time in Japan!

25 more days! :woot:

Wow, how long are you going to be out there? :sweat:

EstherM wrote:
Litte question. I never went to Narita, but I remember from my Nagoya days that the trains from Nagoya airport had to be booked in advance. I guess it's the same for the Narita Express but can you book it from abroad?

You can with the link from GMark, but I never had to reserve a seat before I arrived in Japan. I was always able to get one at the airport station.

gaijinmark wrote: There's a link at the bottom of the page for seat reservations:http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/index.html Hope this helps. [/list:u]

Thanks - bookings can be made starting one month prior travel :victory:

dochira wrote:
You can with the link from GMark, but I never had to reserve a seat before I arrived in Japan. I was always able to get one at the airport station.

I reckon ILm a bit paranoid since I almost missed a plane because all seats at 3, 4 Express trains in a row to Nagoya airport were fully booked. :sweat:

Damn, that's 3 of you going now... i'm envious :(

EstherM wrote:
I reckon ILm a bit paranoid since I almost missed a plane because all seats at 3, 4 Express trains in a row to Nagoya airport were fully booked. :sweat:

Leaving the airport on the NEX is fine. You should be able to get a seat at the airport.

But for the return trip to the airport, I would make a reservation ahead of time at the Midori no Madoguchi, especially if you know which departure time you want. I made a reservation about 2 days in advance at Shinagawa station.

bmwracer wrote:
Wow, how long are you going to be out there? :sweat:

10 days. :beaten:

Other than the first and last hotel, the others are for one night only. Which isn't a problem, because I have no probs living out of a suitcase.

Wynter wrote:I have no probs living out of a suitcase.

That's about the size of the rooms in some places. :beaten:

I could live out of a suitcase too. You got room in one for me? :fingerscrossed:

bmwracer wrote:
That's about the size of the rooms in some places. :beaten:

At least half my body will enjoy some luxury. :beaten:

Anime Dad wrote:I could live out of a suitcase too. You got room in one for me? :fingerscrossed:

As long as you don't mind sharing space with my panties, it's all good.

Wynter wrote:

As long as you don't mind sharing space with my panties, it's all good.

I could always sell some to the salarymen for some extra cash :hehe:

Anime Dad wrote:

I could always sell some to the salarymen for some extra cash :hehe:

Don't they prefer them used? :beaten: :bleh:

Wynter wrote:

Don't they prefer them used? :beaten: :bleh:

You're asking the wrong person, but hey, if it gets me more cash... i'll split it 50/50, then you can buy more ;)

Anime Dad wrote:

You're asking the wrong person, but hey, if it gets me more cash... i'll split it 50/50, then you can buy more ;)

EW! :doh: :beaten:

dochira wrote:
Leaving the airport on the NEX is fine. You should be able to get a seat at the airport.

But for the return trip to the airport, I would make a reservation ahead of time at the Midori no Madoguchi, especially if you know which departure time you want. I made a reservation about 2 days in advance at Shinagawa station.

during my 2005 trip, i believe i took the NrX, direct from the bottom level of Terminal 2, Narita airport. It is also free with your exchanged voucher, 7, 14, or 21 JR Rail pass, this assuming you have chosen to activate it, when you exchange it. You can also state what particular day you want to start your 7, 14, or 21 day pass. This time i got a 14 day rail pass, and i will choose to activate it a few days later, but i can set the dates when i arrive and exchange my voucher.

I usually opt'd to go with a Limo-bus and pay the 3100Y, unless the price went up recently. I go with this way because it takes me directly to my hotel, usually a handful of Tokyo known hotels.

dochira wrote:
You can with the link from GMark, but I never had to reserve a seat before I arrived in Japan. I was always able to get one at the airport station.

right...i got my reservation at the info desk terminal 2. I never heard about reserving ahead of time before arriving in Japan. There are tons of maps, brochures that you all might want to pick up before you head out from the Narita airport. I wouldn't recommend staying over night in Narita, there isn't much, the hotel prices might be lower, but i usually opt'd on taking the limo-bus out to Tokyo, to my hotel and then starting from there. There isn't much in Narita other than the airport, and some hotels.