Going to Japan

Read 'til there.

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Japan is very very xenophobic. If you really want to go, expect to get some hateful looks from the older generations.

I think Neko-Chan could give some advice. She went to Japan herself.

Think hostels, if you're tight on money. The food is addicting, but don't eat too much. Depending on stay, I'd say bring around $1000.



She lives in Japan.

Thats on the low side...But it all depends on where you go. I have been there several times, but I doubt you want to hear about business area's.

My bad. =P

Thats much too fucking low. 1000 USD will last you less than a week unless your super jew on money.

Hostels are the way to go, but if you don't look remotely anything asian or speak the language quite well, your gunna get some looks indeed.

That said, you should've planned around March or April, when you can have the sakura viewing.

Unless your heading out to the shinto shrines and praying for luck, or staying long enough to be in Winter CK (which by no doubt I would hate and envy you).

Go visit the 1/1 scale gundam in Odaiba. You'd hafta take a monorail though that goes through the rainbow bridge.
Akihabara is a must. DO NOT SKIP IT.
Sakura Hostel in Asakusa is internaionally friendly and cheap too. But ya gotta book in advance (just in case it becomes overcrowded)and theres a 1k yen deposit (dont worry you actually get it back).

Another advice? Whatever you do, don't go partying with anyone african or black in Roppongi, Shibuya, or Shinjuku.
While it sounds like I'm being racist, I'm not. Blacks in those areas tend to make you drunk and make you pay everything on the tab.

super "jew" on money eh? Nice...

Oh, you've said much worse.

OT: Have fun in Japan. I would agree with the plan for March/April since everyone talks about how beautiful the sakura trees are.

pot calling the kettle a racist.

Dye your hair black and go watch the Jackson Five Four perform in Tokyo.

Tokyo is expensive to stay, but it has a shit load of stuff to do so it depends on what you want to do. There a tourist plan for anime fans that was 799$ for a week in japan that hit the anime hot spots with a tour around kanto region. You can take a train around edo and go to other places like kobe, osaka, and kyoto. Pretty up to what you want to do. Invest in a speaking translator device or learn japanese for that region.

That all really depends on why you want to go and what you want to do. There are dozens of festivals in Japan throughout the year, however, depending on when you visit, one of these festivals may not be going on at the time. Also, if you are trying to go to a convention of some sort, that also is specific to cities and certain times.

Temples, palaces, and monuments are also things that you may want to see. Also, Japan has hiking trails and waterfalls in the mountains. You should check which of these you would like to visit.

I can tell you When NOT to go. That would be between April 28th and May 6th. Golden week last between those two dates, and there will be tons of holidays and festivals - the most important of which (in my opinion at least) is children's day. Everyone will be using the airport, subways, trains, and buses to go visit family. Unless you want to specifically experience Golden Week, don't visit during that time.



Cherry Blossom festivals are not yet set dates. Each year the Japan Weather Association forcast when the cherry blossoms will bloom. When cherry blossoms bloom can vary from location to location by up to a month. However, you can maybe guess the week they will bloom in a particular city by looking at when they have bloomed in the past.

There may be a way to plan for your trip without worrying about this though, and I'll explain that in a bit.



The northern cities - like where I live - will still be in the mid 60Fs and lower 70Fs. You should bring a light jacket if you are going to the north of Honshu Island (the main big island that looks like a "J") as it can get chilly at night - also it may be rain season. Places like Sapporo may actually still have snow, but the capital and other southern Prefectures will be spring like and warm.


My advice is to use Japanese Youth Hostels. Not only are they inexpensive at around 3,000 Yen for an overnight stay, but you can meet other travelers - including Japanese youths who are also traveling the country. Each one serves breakfast and dinner and is generally a cheap way to lodge during your travel. Nicer ones provide private baths for an extra fee.

Also, I also pointed out that there was a way to see cherry blossoms no matter when they bloom. Using the savings from Youth Hostels, you can travel to whatever area of the country to view whatever festival you want to see. Once you get there, check in with that area's Youth Hostel.

You may not of considered traveling around Japan, but Youth Hostels could give you that option. Perhaps the most convenient thing about these places is that most people there (Japanese or foreigner) can speak english.[/quote]



Those are tricky questions. Where to go and what to see is the fun of planning your trip. Do you want to see the history and culture of Japan? Or are you looking for popculture and otaku themed areas? You also have the beaches, mountains, lakes and historic sites. What you are most interested in should determine what you see obviously, but also considering what area you will be in is something to consider. For specific places, I'll let other users share their opinions.

As for money: Generally, whatever amount of money you bring should be equivalent to whatever amount of money you would usually bring to go on vacation in the USA. Roughly, 100 yen equals $1. Basically 1 yen is 1 penny. (Although technically the yen rate is actually much stronger right now, this is a good reference). Food is more expensive in Japan, although not by very much (McDonalds combo meals are about $1 more expensive than American counter parts). All in all, attractions, train fares, and any expenses are basically the same price as they are in America. If you eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 2,500 yen should do.

Anything else is just spending money.



What? I'm sorry there must be a glitch or something - I couldn't read that...



There are a lot of ways to meet people who want to go to Japan with you. However, just wanted to point out that if you stay in a Hostel, you can meet travelers both foreign and native.



Just one final thing: Some people point out how Japanese are Xenophobic, and I myself have been discriminated against while living here. However, the Japanese people as a whole are some of the nicest people on the planet. They are all respectful and very polite. Also, something many people do not know is that a large amount of Japanese can speak fluent English, especially in larger cities. Do not be afraid to converse with a local, even if the conversation does not progress very far you'll still feel the warmth hospitality of the Japanese people.

It may be true that some will view you as an outsider, but that doesn't mean they think you should be treated unkindly or with any less respect. Also, Japanese youths love to make friends with American youths.

I dunno what it is, but we seem to be unhealthily obsessed with each other's cultures....

What a coincidence Im going to Japan at march 28 (Its my bday) as well with my dad (apparently he wants to know why I want to go to japan so much). Im not to sure on what to do though once Im there, Im still in the process of making an itinerary.

My brother's friend went to japan
*thinks back to what he said*
Got no idea, but say "love hotel" to girls. i hear that 50% of the time, it works every time

You know what you have to do.

I'm talkin bout taiyou-con~! Uhuh we got it, talkin bout taiyou con~! It's just like, It's just like a mini japan. Hai hai

It's the weeaboo anthem.



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