nihongo fun!

I really couldn't be more jealous of you guys right now. But since I can't go myself right now, I guess I can share the love;)

Lemme think...

I haven't read through all of the previous posts so if I repeat something already said, I apologize.


Tips I learned from my travels:


1. Exchange your money in the airport. Exchanging your money elsewhere will usually cost more and won't be nearly as convenient. As you probably already know, credit cards aren't used nearly as often as here, so carry lots and lots of cash. Luckily, it's Japan so you shouldn't get mugged;)


2. Use Japanese! Especially you Matt F. But all of you should even if you don't know any. Learn some key phrases on the plane and use them the whole time. You can generally get around alright using English in Tokyo, but people will be a lot friendlier and a lot more apt to help you if you need it. People like to know that you're trying. Some of my favorite memories from traveling there were all of the different people I met either while in bars, on the streets getting lost, or through friends. They're amazing. But they can be very standoffish if you don't try! Start speaking it, and if they can tell your accent, or that you just can't speak it, they will automatically switch over to English (if they know it--don't assume everyone speaks it though.). They love practicing!


3. Ask directions! Learn those phrases especially, because that's how I got around everywhere! I changed hostels or locations anyway, about 8 times last time I went, and that helped a ton!






4. Convenience stores are the cheapest places to buy food! Definitely try to go to restaurants for all your major meals, but for snacks and maybe breakfast, "conbini" are really handy. And they are EVERYWHERE. Feels like every block (Lawson, Family Mart, Circle K, 7-11 and i holdings...). But I found that the best places to eat were Izakayas (in the photo). They're basically bars that serve food. But they are so cheap and the food it AMAZING. All local food and lots of yummy drinks:) Possibly downside is that they are usually smaller restaurants so everything is generally in Japanese. Definitely worth several trips--they are everywhere.


Places to check out:


Tokyo is amazing! The wonderful thing is that everything is easily accessible by train. Most of the main areas that are fun to visit on the green circle "yamanote" line.
Harajuku is always a sight--though, at least the last time I was there, the "harajuku girls" weren't very prominent! I wonder if that was a passing fad? Lots of cheap shopping if you guys were interested in getting any clothes..haha...I don't know if you're into that, but there are lots of cool hats Warren;) But it really is the cheapest place I found for shopping at anytime. Keep in mind, I've never been to Japan during the winter! I don't know what these places will be like now--when I was there it was 100 degrees, super humid and unbelievably crowded. I'm wondering if it's a little more calm now? Near Harajuku (really really near) is a giant park with a giant tori gate that's fun to walk around. It also has a temple at the end. Maybe it will be too cold to do this, but it's nice if you want to see a little nature in the city.


I'm assuming you will really like akihabara (I saw it was mentioned in a previous post). Good recommendation. It's the electronics district with tons and tons of shops dedicated to solely that. The main attraction is the 12 or however many floor department store full of only electronics. It's crazy. Me personally got a little tired of looking around there for awhile, possibly because I was having a personal feud with the phone companies there, but I'm guessing it's a place that guys could get lost in for hours. Not horrible prices either--very comparable to here.



Shibuya is the busiest ward in Tokyo. I was watching some TV show while I was there (Japanese TV is awesome btw) and they did a time lapse video of the main intersection with the giant crosswalk for 24 hours, and there was only 3 seconds at around 3:30 in the morning where there wasn't a person or car on the screen. It has tons of department stores and video arcades, but I couldn't find a ton to do there. I suppose I was kind of over shopping at that point. It might be worth just checking out the department store 1010 (ichimaru) while you're there, especially on the weekend, to have the wonderful experience of having tons of shopgirls shouting "irashaimase" in horribly nasally voices at you every few seconds. Again, maybe not as hectic in the winter; no idea. But during weekends in the summer it was soooo crowded with teenage girls...couldn't handle it.


My very favorite place, though not on the yamanote line, is Asakusa. There is such an amazing temple there with blocks of Japanese goods and food, kind of market style, leading up to it. It has really friendly people and lots of good places to buy gifts and stuff. And great for photos.


That Ghibli Museum is a really great place to go, but it's true that it's really hard to get in. A lot of the time it's booked out weeks ahead. But worth a try if you're into Miyazaki films! That museum is right near Kichijoji, a place that's also very worth checking out. (That's where one of my friends live) Again lots of shopping (common theme in Japan?) and food! And if you need a suit, you should get one there. You can get really nice suits for a couple hundred bucks. Little side note...:)





Kabukicho, in Shinjuku, is the "entertainment district". Lots of different types of...entertaining...there! Just stay clear of the super sketchy foreign guys that stand outside these clubs. This is the only place that I know of anyway, that you should probably take care and keep an eye on your belongings and yourself. But it's kind of fun, lots of bars, arcades, clubs and tacky bright flashing lights. And sooo much redlight action. I stayed in a hotel in Shinjuku and it was a really great place for photos, but not all that much to do. Kabukicho was probably the most entertaining area to check out in that area. WORST train station to be in bar far. I got lost soooo many times in the station. Toooo many people and waaay to big. Couldn't stand it. But, of course, it connects to the most places so you'll probably be there at least a couple times.


If you don't mind going a little out of the way, Kamakura, outside Tokyo, is home to that giiiant Buddha statue. It's fun to check out. And you can go inside it!


I don't know how long you'll be staying, but it's definitely worth checking out areas outside Tokyo, or even other cities if you can. Shinkansens are super fun! But expensive...I've been to most of the big cities, so let me know if you're going on an adventure somewhere else!

Notes:

Hostels are fun. So much better than hotels:)

CC Lemon is so good.

Stores called "Condomania" are everywhere! Haha...hilarious

Oh, and "HUB the English Pub" is pretty good if you want a weird Japanese version of a pub and more recognizable drinks.


Okay, this is ridiculous. So I'll stop here! Hope this helps some. You guys will have an amazing time! Take lots of photos!

Have fun! And have a safe trip:)