Takoyama wrote:

Final weekend for Obon. This was for Tokyo Bay Fireworks.

awesome! nice pix!

I do miss a lot of things about Japan, but not the rain, humidity.
But many other things I do wish they had here in the states.

YOU's dream place is Japan. He told me about that yesterday. It is not because of technological advancement but he is after the mountains and Japanese culture, and the food but of course.

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I could never remember when the yen goes up/down if it's good for people going from America to Japan, or good for Japanese coming to America, but right now the rate is about 85 yen to a dollar which is the lowest it's been in about 15 years.

gaijinmark wrote:

I could never remember when the yen goes up/down if it's good for people going from America to Japan, or good for Japanese coming to America, but right now the rate is about 85 yen to a dollar which is the lowest it's been in about 15 years.

That is horrible for American tourists traveling to Japan. When I went last October to Osaka it was around 92 yen to the dollar; when I went 5 years ago to Tokyo it was around 105 to the dollar.

looks like my friends and I are all set for a japan trip this october - we'll be hitting tokyo, kyoto and an afternoon trip to nara. getting really excited...

Has anyone been to the kyoto studio park (toei)? How was it?
how bout the Ghibli museum? is it geared more for kids?
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arnel98 wrote:

looks like my friends and I are all set for a japan trip this october - we'll be hitting tokyo, kyoto and an afternoon trip to nara. getting really excited... Has anyone been to the kyoto studio park (toei)? How was it? how bout the Ghibli museum? is it geared more for kids?

I've been to Ghibli...it's geared toward younger kids (lots of playgrounds and visually stimulating exhibits) but if you are a fan of Miyazaki I think you'll enjoy the museum nonetheless. If you're visiting the museum from overseas I believe you have to secure your attendance online before you enter the country. If I remember correctly.

I haven't been to Kyoto studio park but I did go to the Kyoto International Manga Museum which was a nice diversion for a couple of hours. I really like the grass field at the museum where you can just chill and read comics leisurely. It's like an oasis in the middle of Kyoto. My pictures of the place are below:

http://www.kyotomm.jp/english/

Tu_triky wrote:

That is horrible for American tourists traveling to Japan. When I went last October to Osaka it was around 92 yen to the dollar; when I went 5 years ago to Tokyo it was around 105 to the dollar.

Thanks for the clarification. My economic skills begin and end at balancing my checkbook.

Tu_triky wrote:

I've been to Ghibli...it's geared toward younger kids (lots of playgrounds and visually stimulating exhibits) but if you are a fan of Miyazaki I think you'll enjoy the museum nonetheless. If you're visiting the museum from overseas I believe you have to secure your attendance online before you enter the country. If I remember correctly. I haven't been to Kyoto studio park but I did go to the Kyoto International Manga Museum which was a nice diversion for a couple of hours. I really like the grass field at the museum where you can just chill and read comics leisurely. It's like an oasis in the middle of Kyoto. My pictures of the place are below:

thanks for the input!!!
yeah, i got the manga museum on our itenerary, hehe
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arnel98 wrote:

thanks for the input!!! yeah, i got the manga museum on our itenerary, hehe

My pleasure. I'm sure you'll have a blast at the Ghibli Museum and all the other places on your itinerary for that matter. Your anticipation and excitement regarding your upcoming trip is easy to appreciate.

Yeah the Ghibli Museum is a very whimsical place geared at young children but it's definitely worth a visit just to take it all in.

gaijinmark wrote:

Thanks for the clarification.

No worries.

Quote:

My economic skills begin and end at balancing my checkbook.

Hehe. I am sure you are being a modest young man.

Thanks for chiming in about the exchange rate it. I hadn't realized that the value of the dollar had fallen even further vis-a-vis the yen.

ugh, the exchange rate is going to hurt...
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arnel98 wrote:

ugh, the exchange rate is going to hurt...

Yeah it's tough. If you haven't already done so I strongly suggest you shop around while still in the States to try to get your Yen so you have it in hand with you before you land in Japan. If you wait to do it at the airport or possibly your hotel you will get screwed, I can guarantee it. REMEMBER the rate quoted by gaijinmark is the bank rate...you will not get that rate as a traveler...it will be worse...meaning less favorable to you AND they will charge you service charges and/or commissions on your forex order.

I strongly recommend you try this place in L.A. and see if they will mail you Yen because they have no service charge or commission and they offer the best rates that I've seen and I've traveled quite a bit overseas...Japan, Europe, and Africa.

Here's the website:

http://www.foreigncurrencyexpress.com/


I can go here in person because I live in L.A. but they might be able to complete your forex order via US Mail.

One other bit of advice...although in MOST cases you will only be able to use cash in Japan, if and when you can use your credit card for BIG purchases such as your hotel stay, etc...use your credit card because then and ONLY then will you get the bank rate for foreign exchange...your credit card will probably charge you a nominal foreign exchange transaction fee but it's still worth it to do so.

Fortunately, there's plenty of places to eat on the cheap if you're on a budget.

Takoyama wrote:

Fortunately, there's plenty of places to eat on the cheap if you're on a budget.

Or you can beg people for food and tea milk.

Takoyama wrote:

Fortunately, there's plenty of places to eat on the cheap if you're on a budget.

Yeah you could always kick it with the bums...they only require you to procure a botttle of 50 yr old Glenfiddich!

thanks guys!

we were planning on getting yen there at the airport but we'll try and see if we can
gonna try that and see if we can get better deal here in states

we'll, when we get desparate, we'll ask where the best spot to bum some food and drinks, lol
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arnel98 wrote:

thanks guys! we were planning on getting yen there at the airport but we'll try and see if we can gonna try that and see if we can get better deal here in states

Don't do it! Hehe. In any case even if you get your foreign exchange at the airport it will obviously not be the end of the world but as I suggested you will not get the best rate...and given the already crappy exchange rate you have to contend with I am just trying to save you as much money as possible for your trip.

Quote:

we'll, when we get desperate, we'll ask where the best spot to bum some food and drinks, lol

You will live...and live well, even on a budget...everything will be an "adventure" for you so it will be fun, I daresay.

arnel98 wrote:

we'll, when we get desparate, we'll ask where the best spot to bum some food and drinks, lol

LOL, Takoyama can give you directions where that bum hit him up for some liquid refreshment.

Check out this vinyl decal.

Tu_triky wrote:

Check out this vinyl decal.

^ LOL!

You sure it's a decal and not someone who's been steamrolled?

(Instead of Flat Stanley, it's Flat Hiroshi...)