I'm Going To Japan

Wynter wrote:Yea this is what I'm worried about. I'm not really good at budgeting, because I'm used to just buying on the spot if I like something. Mebbe I shouldn't hold back. After all, who knows when I'll be able to visit Japan again?

Yup.

Though, is there a limit on how much stuff you can bring back? Are there duty fees? :sweat:

i got my omamori's at the various temples in Tokyo. the temple in asakasa (the famous one) for health .. i got a couple of those, the prices varied - around $10 to $15.00 each. every temple/shrine i visited had them ... good luck .... rock on !!!!

Wynter wrote:Yea this is what I'm worried about. I'm not really good at budgeting, because I'm used to just buying on the spot if I like something. Mebbe I shouldn't hold back. After all, who knows when I'll be able to visit Japan again?

That was the point of my PM, go nuts :nut: have a good time :woot: knock yourself out :bonk: [/list:u]

kirasano wrote:i got my omamori's at the various temples in Tokyo. the temple in asakasa (the famous one) for health .. i got a couple of those, the prices varied - around $10 to $15.00 each. every temple/shrine i visited had them ... good luck .... rock on !!!!

Yeah, it's best to get them at a shrine while you're in Japan. If I remember correctly I picked one up on New Year's Day at Meiji Jingu for about 2,000 yen.

2000 Yen sounds about right.
I bought lots of them - basically at every shrine or temple I visited. I even have one for a safe pregnancy :beaten: I always paid around 500 to 2000 Yen.

Concerning shopping:
We will mainly hunt accessories such as wallets, umbrellas, hats, rings etc. Good thing that Ifm tall but unfortunately Ifm skinny enough to wear Japanese L-sized shirts and tops. We will surely stop over at Japanese fashion labels such as Another edition, Tsumori Chisato, Hysteric Glamour c Then therefs RMK, a Japanese cosmetics brand. Great lipsticks! :sweat:

Muji will be another stop as itfs a looooot cheaper than in Europe. I plan also to buy lots of sweets for my colleagues as well as barley tea for myself. :sweat: :sweat:

Wefre not into traditional stuff such as handmade paper, chop sticks, kimonos etc but wefll surely buy one or another oddity in Tokyu Hands, Loft, 100-Yen shops or Cobinis. :sweat: :sweat: :sweat:

One thing is a given, during my eight days in Tokyo, Ifll eat as much as I can: from Baumkuchen in Doutour , Mont Blanc cake at Anniversaire, Omurice in Royal Host, and other beloved dishes (from onigiri to ramen). :sweat: :sweat: :sweat: :beaten:

EstherM wrote:2000 Yen sounds about right.
I bought lots of them - basically at every shrine or temple I visited. I even have one for a safe pregnancy :beaten: I always paid around 500 to 2000 Yen.

$20 (USD) for an omamori??

Seems pricey. :sweat:

It'd better work really well. :beaten:

bmwracer wrote:
$20 (USD) for an omamori??

Seems pricey. :sweat:

It'd better work really well. :beaten:

The most expensive ones are the multi-tasking onamoris -> they bring luck to every aspect of your life :hehe: or so they say

EstherM wrote:The most expensive ones are the multi-tasking onamoris -> they bring luck to every aspect of your life :hehe: or so they say

Multitasking?

Windows XP?? :beaten:

bmwracer wrote:
Multitasking?

Windows XP?? :beaten:

:good: Absolutely! Think of a charm that can fulfil all your wishes at the same time :mrgreen:

EstherM wrote:Think of a charm that can fulfil all your wishes at the same time :mrgreen:

*looks at avatar* :beaten:

bmwracer wrote:
*looks at avatar* :beaten:

There's a difference between "fulfilling your wishes" and "wishful thinking" ;)

bmwracer wrote:
Yup.

Though, is there a limit on how much stuff you can bring back? Are there duty fees? :sweat:

For China I believe it was $750 and from FL it was $600, so I'm thinking something around there.

Most of my spending will be on food I consume in Japan, but I will prolly end up bringing home about $500+ worth of stuff.

kirasano wrote:i got my omamori's at the various temples in Tokyo. the temple in asakasa (the famous one) for health .. i got a couple of those, the prices varied - around $10 to $15.00 each. every temple/shrine i visited had them ... good luck .... rock on !!!!

Thank you! I'll keep my eye out. Are only some amulets found at certain temples? Like, are health amulets found at temples dedicated to one's health?

gaijinmark wrote: That was the point of my PM, go nuts :nut: have a good time :woot: knock yourself out :bonk: [/list:u]

:muack: Apparently there's sake for the knock out part. ;)

EstherM wrote:2000 Yen sounds about right.
I bought lots of them - basically at every shrine or temple I visited. I even have one for a safe pregnancy :beaten: I always paid around 500 to 2000 Yen.

Concerning shopping:
We will mainly hunt accessories such as wallets, umbrellas, hats, rings etc. Good thing that Ifm tall but unfortunately Ifm skinny enough to wear Japanese L-sized shirts and tops. We will surely stop over at Japanese fashion labels such as Another edition, Tsumori Chisato, Hysteric Glamour c Then therefs RMK, a Japanese cosmetics brand. Great lipsticks! :sweat:

Muji will be another stop as itfs a looooot cheaper than in Europe. I plan also to buy lots of sweets for my colleagues as well as barley tea for myself. :sweat: :sweat:

Wefre not into traditional stuff such as handmade paper, chop sticks, kimonos etc but wefll surely buy one or another oddity in Tokyu Hands, Loft, 100-Yen shops or Cobinis. :sweat: :sweat: :sweat:

One thing is a given, during my eight days in Tokyo, Ifll eat as much as I can: from Baumkuchen in Doutour , Mont Blanc cake at Anniversaire, Omurice in Royal Host, and other beloved dishes (from onigiri to ramen). :sweat: :sweat: :sweat: :beaten:

>>takes notes<<

Anime Dad wrote:There's a difference between "fulfilling your wishes" and "wishful thinking" ;)

Semantics. :beaten:

For those interested in this year's Sakura forecast

http://tenki.jp/sakura/expectation

[image]

Which means Tokyo/Kyoto bloom will start around 25 March!

Genma wrote:For those interested in this year's Sakura forecast

http://tenki.jp/sakura/expectation

[image]

Which means Tokyo/Kyoto bloom will start around 25 March!

Awwwww I just miss it! :doh:

Today I went shopping for clothes to take to Japan, since the chances of clothes fitting me in Japan is quite slim. (was that a pun? :beaten: )

I also bought really good walking shoes that are sneakers... but I got to thinking. Do females in Japan do the sneaker thing? I haven't noticed any wearing any in the dramas I've seen.

Just in case I'll pack some flats as well.

Wynter wrote:
Today I went shopping for clothes to take to Japan, since the chances of clothes fitting me in Japan is quite slim. (was that a pun? :beaten: )

I also bought really good walking shoes that are sneakers... but I got to thinking. Do females in Japan do the sneaker thing? I haven't noticed any wearing any in the dramas I've seen.

Just in case I'll pack some flats as well.

Right now is what I call "boot season" for the ladies. Yes, they do wear sneakers but you'll notice majority of Japanese females (under 40) are quite fashionable. You'll be asking yourself "how the hell they can walk around in heels all day?" Great that you bought a pair of walking shoes. You'll be happy you did. Oh yeah, when you return home weigh yourself. More than likely you'll shed around 4 pounds from walking, climbing stairs, and eating traditional Japanese foods.

That's what I was thinking: You're there to enjoy the country, not look good (although no doubt you will anyway). Just wear your sneakers and be comfortable :)

Wynter wrote:
I also bought really good walking shoes that are sneakers... but I got to thinking. Do females in Japan do the sneaker thing?

[/list:u][image][/list:u] Do they ever! As this picture attests and you will learn first-hand when you get there, Japanese women have the strangest fashion sense on the planet. I think you could walk around with a snowshoe and a roller skate and nobody would look twice.

Takoyama wrote:

Right now is what I call "boot season" for the ladies. Yes, they do wear sneakers but you'll notice majority of Japanese females (under 40) are quite fashionable. You'll be asking yourself "how the hell they can walk around in heels all day?" Great that you bought a pair of walking shoes. You'll be happy you did. Oh yeah, when you return home weigh yourself. More than likely you'll shed around 4 pounds from walking, climbing stairs, and eating traditional Japanese foods.

Heeled boots?! I wondered that very thing when I was Europe: "How the heck are these women able to walk?!"

I am NOT a heel person. I wear flats and sneakers. Ah well, AD is right. I'd rather be comfortable, especially since we're visiting a lot of temples... and some of these temples have some serious stairs.

gaijinmark wrote:[/list:u][image][/list:u] Do they ever! As this picture attests and you will learn first-hand when you get there, Japanese women have the strangest fashion sense on the planet. I think you could walk around with a snowshoe and a roller skate and nobody would look twice.

But the thing is, there is a very distinct style difference in highschool girls, and in working women. Right now, I dress like that high school girl. But I'm a sensei... so I'm wondering if the tour guide will expect more "class" from her. Which I clearly don't have.

Eh. I'll just wear the normal for me.

.

Wynter wrote:
Eh. I'll just wear the normal for me.

:victory: thatLs the right way to go :mrgreen: I wonLt wear heels neither, I would be just too tall in Japan :mrgreen: .

Most Japanese women shouldnLt wear heels anyway cause they can so not properly walk on them. But I am happy they do because itLs a great source of entertainment.