I'm Going To Japan

Tu_triky wrote:
Love the shinkansen...so clean, efficient, and SAFE. I remember leaving my Macbook Air at my seat to use the bathroom knowing nobody would mess with my stuff. Wouldn't think of that here!

Looks like that attitude is still alive and well in Japan. Hiroshi Tamaki, Masahiro Takashima, and Mirori Takimoto were at the Tokyo Wangan Station the other day to promote their new drama "Career - Okiteyaburi no Keisatsu Shochou". They were asked to relate any encounters they'd had with the police and Takimoto said this,

Takimoto said her funny encounter was when she went to withdraw 100,000 yen from the ATM and forgot to take the money with her. A few hours later when she went to make a police report, she was surprised and touched to find that the money had been turned in to the police.

Btw, 100,000 yen is about $1,000. If that happened here there's no way she would have ever seen it again.

gaijinmark wrote:

Looks like that attitude is still alive and well in Japan. Hiroshi Tamaki, Masahiro Takashima, and Mirori Takimoto were at the Tokyo Wangan Station the other day to promote their new drama "Career - Okiteyaburi no Keisatsu Shochou". They were asked to relate any encounters they'd had with the police and Takimoto said this,

Takimoto said her funny encounter was when she went to withdraw 100,000 yen from the ATM and forgot to take the money with her. A few hours later when she went to make a police report, she was surprised and touched to find that the money had been turned in to the police.

Btw, 100,000 yen is about $1,000. If that happened here there's no way she would have ever seen it again.

Amazing. Although like you said not at all surprising, given the character of many Japanese people. Something to truly admire.

Never mind Sky Tree or a maid cafe, this is the place to go to:http://wandertokyo.com/tokyo-owl-cafe/

And here's a video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqDksXAWA0s

The only question is, who cleans up after the birds?? :cleanup:

Fly JAL first class from London between now and the end of the year and get a special bonus: http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/12/18/jal-to-re-release-japanese-coats-once-worn-by-the-beatles-for-limited-time/

I'll just wait until they start showing up on EBay.

A friend of mine that lives in Colorado recently used these guys for a ski tour of Hokkaido. It looks like they're based out of Argentina, he lives in Colorado, so how he worked this out I don't know. But if you're a skier looks like it could be just for you: http://casatours.com/package/hokkaido-japow-best-ski-japan/

gaijinmark wrote:Never mind Sky Tree or a maid cafe, this is the place to go to:http://wandertokyo.com/tokyo-owl-cafe/

And here's a video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqDksXAWA0s

The only question is, who cleans up after the birds?? :cleanup:

I actually went to an owl cafe in Akihabara last December on my last visit to Japan. It was a trip for sure.

^ Speaking of cafes, they showed this place on "Japanology Plus" today. A restaurant thats menu is based on what they serve in elementary schools in Japan: http://travel.cnn.com/tokyo/eat/kyushokutoban-school-cafeteria-chic-306212/

Natsukashii!!

gaijinmark wrote:^ Speaking of cafes, they showed this place on "Japanology Plus" today. A restaurant thats menu is based on what they serve in elementary schools in Japan: http://travel.cnn.com/tokyo/eat/kyushokutoban-school-cafeteria-chic-306212/

Natsukashii!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djj0segWsgQ

shin2 wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djj0segWsgQ

That's the place! Was not aware of this YouTube channel, thanks for the heads up!

(But I agree with the guy, Agepan seems like it should be dessert and not the main course.)

Wasabi Kit Kat's? No thanks:http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/nestle-responds-to-high-demand-for-exotic-kit-kats/ar-AAoRGNA

That Osaka Katsu Burger looks oishii!! But then, I've always been more of a Hanshin Tigers fan than a Tokyo Giants fan: http://en.rocketnews24.com/2017/08/08/makku-or-makudo-would-a-burger-by-any-other-name-taste-as-sweet/

TensaiDoushiYouzen wrote:... for vacation with my friends, but also, I'm looking into whether there are japanese universities specially designed for non-Japanese ppl (in other words: immigrants/speak english)? I wonder whether anyone knows a webpage of any of such schools or an address/telephone number?
And about my holiday there: does anyone know any decent hotels, not too pricey but still decent (with shower and all the basic reqs)?

Lucky you :dancing:

I wonder if they factor in for ugliness: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171013_27/

Kind of a follow-up on Catherine Kobayashi moving to New York. Decided to check out the cost of living, Tokyo vs. New York. Wherever she ends up working in New York, hope she got a pay raise: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Japan&city1=Tokyo&country2=United+States&city2=New+York%2C+NY

Just for fun, compared Tokyo with Los Angeles, looks like it might be cheaper to live in Tokyo: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&city1=Los+Angeles%2C+CA&country2=Japan&city2=Tokyo

If you add in that in Los Angeles having a car in an absolute must, while in Tokyo, not so much, it might be even cheaper to live in Tokyo than L.A.

Next time anybody's in Osaka, go to the top of Mt. Kongo, they have a live webcam that takes a picture once an hour, on the hour: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kongo1125

Ashikaga Flower Park has started their illumination:https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/parkdayori/flower.php

It's going to get more expensive to go to Japan. (Actually, it's going to cost more to leave, and it's only about $10, but it's the principle!! :say_argh: )

Diet imposes 1,000 yen departure tax effective 2019

A bill specifying how revenue from a soon-to-be-imposed ¥1,000 departure tax will be used was enacted by the Diet on Tuesday, as the government looks to boost investment in tourism amid a record-breaking number of foreign visitors.

All travelers, both Japanese and non-Japanese, leaving the nation by plane or ship will face the fee as of January 7, 2019, under the first permanent levy to be introduced since the land value tax was established in 1992. Children under 2 years old and transit passengers who depart within 24 hours of arrival will be exempt.

The move comes amid a surge in inbound travelers. The nation attracted a record 28.69 million tourists in 2017, up 19.3 percent from the previous year and reflecting the sixth consecutive yearly increase.

Any baseball fans wanting to go to Japan? There are two options. 1) In the Spring watching Japanese teams vs. MLB teams in exhibition games. 2) In the Fall watching the Japanese teams.

Spring itinerary: https://www.japanballtravel.com/2019-itinerary-mlb/?fbclid=IwAR3Oz7l_-z07zNuONnzum4HgQJZLrMimHVB4Va8TtNUDY29qKUow6FcAVns

Fall: https://www.japanballtravel.com/japanball-september-2019/?fbclid=IwAR1sNzF0RITtJk-Su5ISinnTL7vWAVqE5r0GkxOPQMP9zx5lvFzjNv_G5Jk

You heard it right. A good reason to go to Japan is to check out the pizza: https://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/japan-neapolitan-pizza-2858989/

ANA and JAL adding new routes: https://thepointsguy.com/news/ana-japan-airlines-plan-big-shift-in-u-s-flights-to-tokyo-haneda/?fbclid=IwAR1NvpHjhZO-z3y5kzFzMY0JcTES3adDydHyxZ1O0W0jsMWqWgtTyA1UPjM