kool kool, sounds exciting. now i have to study for my damn exams!

hello,
me and friend are going to Tokyo next week for about 2 weeks.
we were wondering if there are any particular places ("must-not-miss!!") members recommend in such a time, as we haveTokyo Game Show and Ghibli museum planned, and yasukuni shrine/Imperial Palace and various parks and gardens. Also might do a day trip to Yokohama, and taking the water bus to the FujiTV building.

Of course most stops around the Yamanote line, such as shibuya, akiba, shinjuku, and harajuku we'll probably travel and stop by randomly, but it's best if we have some solid places to go alongside the shopping�`
I had found such places as Tokyo Tower,.. but how good is it really, or is it such a touristy place..
but, i've read asakusa area has more traditional activities there, maybe even geisha tiptoeing around^__^

I also wouldn't mind some pointers to shop/bookstore that sells lots of artwork books, (there is on specific book: O�����W�X�{�W�i).
I would like to buy some clothing and trainer over there, as they should have more my sizes. Which places are recommended, for clothes, not as uniform as UNIQLO, but slightly more individual (none of that super brand, HERMES, GUCCI either^__^), more like jeans, t-shirts, thin tops type.


As for food, recommend us some places, traditional, fastfood, but Japanese things or equivalents

my friend is also vegatarian, so only vegatable and fish,
also maybe i should start learning some name (and look) of food, as we won't necessarily know which places have english menus or not.. (might be hit and miss>__<)

what we don't want to do is slip into mcdonalds/kfc/pizza every time we're remotely even hungry, just because it'll be so simple and know exactly what we'll be getting^ ^* that'd be missing the point. however, to try some Japanese only fast food such as Mos Burger would be acceptable limits^__^

also what are the standard procedures of ordering food.. it's gonna be tricky with very limited Japanese.. any specific examples(??)(how to order, ask for the bill etc)


how does post office work, how do u know which ones will ship internationally(which brands..and such), and what is the procedure,.. do u buy boxes/packet bags at the place or get them somewhere else, also explanations of the paperwork would be nice,.. i've never done it before, so even posting a postcard leaves me clueless..


one final thing, whether we need to fill out embarkation card, and how to do that, confused everybody as hell, the last time, the instructions were so formal and such.


thanks very much to everyone who read this and i hope someone can help me~


.vic
(vic camera not bic camera..)

Hi,

i have been to Tokyo twice before, and i can answer some of your questions. I will re-read over your post and think about it and try to reply back in more detail. Please check out my 'www' link at the bottom of my page and visit my weblog of my recent japan trip pix.

@bmw, and other mod's: there is a Going to Japan Thread also, can we merge it?, just wondering....
thanks.

I will try to respond to some of the points. And yes this really belongs in the "Going to Japan" thread.

bikutaa wrote:

I had found such places as Tokyo Tower,.. but how good is it really, or is it such a touristy place..

I actually went there, but regret not going up the tower to get a view of Tokyo. I have heard that on a clear day, you can actually see Mt. Fuji from the observation deck.

bikutaa wrote:

I would like to buy some clothing and trainer over there, as they should have more my sizes. Which places are recommended, for clothes, not as uniform as UNIQLO, but slightly more individual (none of that super brand, HERMES, GUCCI either^__^), more like jeans, t-shirts, thin tops type.

I'm sure qilver can verify this, but I would think that Shibuya would be the place to go.

bikutaa wrote:

my friend is also vegatarian, so only vegatable and fish, also maybe i should start learning some name (and look) of food, as we won't necessarily know which places have english menus or not.. (might be hit and miss>__<)

You shouldn't really have a problem with that in Tokyo. Most of the places I went to had an English menu.

bikutaa wrote:

what we don't want to do is slip into mcdonalds/kfc/pizza every time we're remotely even hungry, just because it'll be so simple and know exactly what we'll be getting^ ^* that'd be missing the point. however, to try some Japanese only fast food such as Mos Burger would be acceptable limits^__^

If you do end up at a McDonalds, don't order anything that you could order in your home country. They do have Teriyaki burgers and other regional choices. And by all means, try Mos burger and Yoshinoya.

bikutaa wrote:

also what are the standard procedures of ordering food.. it's gonna be tricky with very limited Japanese.. any specific examples(??)(how to order, ask for the bill etc)

Many places offer picture menus, or have the plastic foods in the window. That way you could simply point to what you want. If you knew what you wanted and how to say it, you could say "______ o kudasai" (I would like ______).

bikutaa wrote:

one final thing, whether we need to fill out embarkation card, and how to do that, confused everybody as hell, the last time, the instructions were so formal and such.

I'm saying this as a US citizen, but I'm sure the process is the same for other countries. You normally would fill out a disembarkation/embarkation card on the airplane prior to landing in Japan. When you reach the immigration station, they staple the embarkation portion inside your passport when they stamp it for entry.

qilver wrote:

Hi, i have been to Tokyo twice before, and i can answer some of your questions. I will re-read over your post and think about it and try to reply back in more detail. Please check out my 'www' link at the bottom of my page and visit my weblog of my recent japan trip pix. @bmw, and other mod's: there is a Going to Japan Thread also, can we merge it?, just wondering.... thanks.

qilver u got some nice pictures there, those temples, nature, are exactly what i neglected to visit the last time there^__^ (along with trying a variety of the local foods..)

i tried the search function (don't they all say that^ ^*), and it commented on the network having attack problems, and my laptop been infected with software.. but it's probably good idea to combine, keeping it easier to navigate~

bikutaa wrote:

i tried the search function (don't they all say that^ ^*), and it commented on the network having attack problems, and my laptop been infected with software.. but it's probably good idea to combine, keeping it easier to navigate~

That is a known problem with using the Google search. I would try to use the other section field towards the bottom, but even that has some limitations.

dochira wrote:

I will try to respond to some of the points. And yes this really belongs in the "Going to Japan" thread. I'm saying this as a US citizen, but I'm sure the process is the same for other countries. You normally would fill out a disembarkation/embarkation card on the airplane prior to landing in Japan. When you reach the immigration station, they staple the embarkation portion inside your passport when they stamp it for entry.

i have actually found some recommendations for the Tokyo Metropolitan building in Shinjuku, it also being free.

As for Shibuya, i loved that place!! and i also love Akihabara!!
after seeing densha otoko, i realise i'm such an akiba-chan 0__o*
would buying clothing in Harajuku be easier for me^0^

yeh, i think we do have to fill in the embarkation card, i just wasn't so sure.. 'cos there didn't seem to be any acknowledgement when they are checking ur passport, just silence^ ^* very calm.
some of those terms on the form very, how shall i say, technical, hurting brain after a 12hour flight

thnx for ur help so far guys~!! m(__)m

dochira wrote:

That is a known problem with using the Google search. I would try to use the other section field towards the bottom, but even that has some limitations.

aa~ i see now >__<


.vic

bikutaa wrote:

i have actually found some recommendations for the Tokyo Metropolitan building in Shinjuku, it also being free. As for Shibuya, i loved that place!! and i also love Akihabara!! after seeing densha otoko, i realise i'm such an akiba-chan 0__o* would buying clothing in Harajuku be easier for me^0^ yeh, i think we do have to fill in the embarkation card, i just wasn't so sure.. 'cos there didn't seem to be any acknowledgement when they are checking ur passport, just silence^ ^* very calm. some of those terms on the form very, how shall i say, technical, hurting brain after a 12hour flight thnx for ur help so far guys~!! m(__)m

ok, i am also an Otaku, and have been to Akiba(Akihabara) during my last visit. I have some info, and have to look through some stuff to advise what you should see. I am not sure what you are interest in getting in Akiba, i am more into anime figurines, and anything else that has to do with anime. I will post up shortly with some more info.

Yea, love the series Densha Otoko, can't wait to complete the series.

I'm not too sure if you know or not, so I'll let you know, just in case

You said you had 'planned' to go to the Ghibli museum, but just so you don't miss out, you have to purchase your tickets in advance. You are not able to just go there and enter, as far as I know.

Just something to keep in mind.

Oh yeah, don't forget to try the CONBINI bentos. SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOD!! I want one now

HTH,

������
_________________

Mod time.


http://jdorama.com/viewtopic.6540.htm

bmwracer wrote:

Mod time. http://jdorama.com/viewtopic.6540.htm

probably going to be merged with the other .....Going to Japan thread, eh?

qilver wrote:

ok, i am also an Otaku, and have been to Akiba(Akihabara) during my last visit. I have some info, and have to look through some stuff to advise what you should see. I am not sure what you are interest in getting in Akiba, i am more into anime figurines, and anything else that has to do with anime. I will post up shortly with some more info. Yea, love the series Densha Otoko, can't wait to complete the series.

there's only one specific, specific place i've heard about in Akiba. Ages ago i came across weblog(??) describing 'lockers', or more like see-through plastic box lock-ups, where otaku put their things, so then everyone can see what they have on 'display'. I wonder how widespread they are or if it just attracts fellow otakus~.~

kokuou wrote:

I'm not too sure if you know or not, so I'll let you know, just in case You said you had 'planned' to go to the Ghibli museum, but just so you don't miss out, you have to purchase your tickets in advance. You are not able to just go there and enter, as far as I know. Just something to keep in mind. Oh yeah, don't forget to try the CONBINI bentos. SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOD!! I want one now HTH, ������

oh yeh, i got the Ghibli Museum thing sorted out earlier, thnx anyways~
any "flavours" of bento i should try the most, might make a affordable lunch(es)^__^


.vic

waiii~!!! sugoi desu!!!
take me with you !! i have never been there ...that 's my dream

i hope you have LOADS of fun !!! and go to disney land!!!

qilver wrote:

probably going to be merged with the other .....Going to Japan thread, eh?

Yes.

bikutaa wrote:

oh yeh, i got the Ghibli Museum thing sorted out earlier, thnx anyways~ any "flavours" of bento i should try the most, might make a affordable lunch(es)^__^ .vic

yes, i remember the lockers. In this one store i went to, they had tons of lockers that you can view other peoples goods that are for sale. But i heard that you have to fill out lots of paper work to purchase anything, plus as a foreigner, it will be even tougher, but still they had some good stuff and it was like a museum there, so much anime goodies/j-idol stuff, it was an Otaku's paradise. I took some pix, will try to post some of it, not much though, will have to look through some pix first...

ok, here are some pix from AKIBA,
this is a view of the downtown main area of AKIBA, Otaku's paradise...

ok, look for these two buildings, the one with the anime girl on it, and ANIMATE store, i went briefly in these two, and they have some good stuff. There is just so much to see in AKIBA.

if you get a chance, you have to visit this building, near the akihabara train station, closer than the other ones i showed above. You will have to ask for directions specifying the other buildings location, but K-BOOKS is near by the trainstation, i walked by it a few times until i realized where it was at. This building has a lot of stuff, all things anime, manga, figurines, dolls, robots, j-idol stuff, i could spend all day long, seriously, in this building alone. Probably one week in Akihabara would be nice.

Hey! I live in Tokyo! I live in Senkawa, which is two stations away from Ikebukuro. Ikebukuro omoshiroi you! ippai omise ga aru! and also...sunshine, big shopping place and Harajuku is a must!
_________________