Japan

[satan665]

Hey folks! Here's the deal...I'm going to Japan next summer for two weeks, most likely Tokyo and Kyoto. I was hoping that I could get some suggestions for places to visit while I'm there. Has anyone been to Japan before or possibly is from Japan? I would love to hear about it from people who have been there or if you've just heard about something cool to visit. I really want to see the Bandai museum, which has crazy stuff in it like a full scale gundam torso. I also think I'm going to go to the hot springs in the north where the monkeys hang out in the water.

What do you think?:mrt:

[James]

[color=#707875]If you're truly interested in Japanese culture, go to Gion Kobu, within Kyoto. And visit an Ochiya (at least I think that's what they are called...I forget). In other words, visit a Tea House and have afternoon tea with a Geisha.

That's an experience you'll be able to talk to your grandchildren about; but it's very expensive, so be careful.

Oh and, while you're in Kyoto...you have to take a photo of yourself standing in front of Nintendo's headquarters. You know, because it's cool and stuff.[/color]

[Kwai]

Hmm... I'm Japanese... well... Kyoto is definitely a good place for a vacation. You can see the ancient Japanese culture face to face, while you can do the same for modern Japanese culture in Tokyo.

Try visiting the Sekitei(Rock Garden). I'm not sure which temple in Kyoto it was, but there is a garden composed entirely of pebbles and rocks, where people meditate. Depending on how you look at it, many things can be seen. So if you're going to try to delve into yourself, its a good place.

As James said, a Geisha is a good idea. But they are VERY expensive. If you're in Kyoto, go to a Ryotei(A classic Japanese Restaurant), and ask for the season's full course. Of course, this is also expensive as hell, but a full course of food, in succession is served, and they use the best ingredients of the season, so its delicious.

What else... oh yeah, if you're in Tokyo, try visiting the Nikkou Toushougun. Its the grave of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who started the 300 yr. dynasty which lasted until the Meiji Era. Its a beautiful place, but you have to climb up an endless stairway on a mountain to get there. Besides that.... I haven't gone to Japan for a while so I don't know much else.

Oh yeah, make sure you go to the Hot Springs. Very soothing.

[EdtheHackerGirl]

You can go to the Ghibli museum, I heard from a friend it's a great place to go to.
:angel:

[WW2]

Well in Kyoto there are alot of cool Shrines to go see. Be sure to check out the Kinkakuji Shrine, better known as the Golden Pavilion.
You also might wanna take the philosipher's trail to the Ginkakuji.

Oh and don't forget the old Nijo Castle that's there in Kyoto. Its really cool looking.

If you have alot of money, you could go to the Gion District and maybe take in a show or something.

If ya feel like it, stop by Mibu and pay homage to the Shinsengumi. I believe their old HQ is still standing.
:D

[lea]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by James [/i]
[B][color=#707875]If you're truly interested in Japanese culture, go to Gion Kobu, within Kyoto. And visit an Ochiya (at least I think that's what they are called...I forget). In other words, visit a Tea House and have afternoon tea with a Geisha.

That's an experience you'll be able to talk to your grandchildren about; but it's very expensive, so be careful.

[/color] [/B][/QUOTE]

why are geisha's expensive just to drink tea with?

[James]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by lea2385 [/i]
[B]why are geisha's expensive just to drink tea with? [/B][/QUOTE]

[color=#707875]Well, there are lots of reasons. But to make sure that I don't blabber on too much...Geisha are expensive because they are experts in their craft.

Geisha are extremely intelligent; informed on world events, political issues, art, music and culture. Geisha usually speak more than one language too -- it's not uncommon to find that a Geisha will speak four or five languages and be completely fluent in each one.

Geisha also train for most of their lives. They train in the delivery of the Tea Ceremony, they learn how to walk and move, they learn various social mannerisms, they learn various traditional dances...and they often learn how to play multiple musical instruments.

So, that's a quick overview. Geisha do tend to be expensive, but if you can afford to spend a few minutes drinking tea with one, I think you'll find that you will enjoy it...and it will be a very traditional Japanese experience. ~_^[/color]

[Fate]

[color=teal]Just don't call anyone "baka."

I wish I was going to Japan.[/color]

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Fate [/i]
[B]Just don't call anyone "baka."
[/B][/QUOTE]

Now there's some great advice. I can't remember how many times in Japan I was tempted to just call people "baka" for absolutely no reason. I mean the situation just arises SO OFTEN and all.

Actually, I don't really have any advice. Just make sure to visit some smaller towns too - not just tourist cities like Kyoto and Tokyo. For example, I was in Wakayama for awhile, and it was really great. You get lots of people who stare, point, laugh, and wave at you. Some of the littler kids will even come up to you to give you a warm "hallo". I never got any of that in the bigger cities with lots of non-natives, so I think you're kind of missing out on the whole gaijin experience there.

Oh, and don't be afraid to just talk to people if it seems like they've noticed you. Even if you don't know Japanese, they are more than ready to give you some basic English. All of them, even if they say they aren't good. I only ran into one person while in Japan who just couldn't speak any... so they're rare.

But anyway, you can get in some fun conversations with these type of people. It's really a great way to enjoy the country.

One last thing, make sure to drive down the one lane, two way country roads. Hah.

[satan665]

Hey thanks guys, keep the info coming if you've got it. I can speak a little japanese, I might actually take a class in it before I go so I can do a little better with my katakana and whatnot. I definitely want to see some of the smaller town stuff too. There's these japanese "bed and breakfast" style places you can stay at (I forget the real name for them right now) which are actually pretty cheap and sound really cool. My plan for touristy stuff is to bring back a sack full of toys and those gashopon (maybe spelled right) figures that come in the vending machines. I'm a bit of an action figure nerd though. There's only so many shrines you can see. This is great though, like 5000 peoples worth of ideas and experience on this message board.

[Kwai]

A little random help. If you're going to Japan(or indeed any country), have a little note book with you, and in that note book, write down basic things like left, right, north, south, etc. You might also want to write down the names of the places you'll be visiting. If you need help and you can' understand what the heck they are saying and vice versa, you can pull out your note book, point to the word/words that are appropriate, and let sign language take care of the rest.

Do this ONLY to women from age 30 ~ 50 that seem to live in the local area. Many teens tend to lie/give you wrong information, and the men are usually too busy with work or stuff to answer. The best possible choice will be a mini-police station called a Kouban, where about 2 or 3 officers are around. Koubans are there for little things, like giving people directions, helping senior citizens, etc. Make use of them.

[Transtic Nerve]

Make sure to run around saying you're an Ameican and if they don't treat you to some food and sex you'll bomb them again.... that'll surely work :p

Geisha girls are expensive and no one really knows what they do... and yeah.... it's a secret society of women. As far as I know, they "perform" which could either mean some sort of ritual dance or well, yeah...

Oh and don't forget to go up to every japanese person and yell "GAKUTO" really loud and show them pictures... they love that.

[craig8429]

I'm not sure if this was suggested yet but tokyo tower. I hear it has a wonderful view.

[lea]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i]
[B]
Oh and don't forget to go up to every japanese person and yell "GAKUTO" really loud and show them pictures... they love that. [/B][/QUOTE]
what does gakuto mean?

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by lea2385 [/i]
[B]what does gakuto mean? [/B][/QUOTE]

It's not a word, it's a celebrity.

He was being sarcastic (or at least I hope...)

[lea]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Fate [/i]
[B][color=teal]Just don't call anyone "baka."
color] [/B][/QUOTE]
hmm...then, what does baka mean?
i heard that japan has a super super low rate of sexual assult....is that true?

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by lea2385 [/i]
[B]hmm...then, what does baka mean?
i heard that japan has a super super low rate of sexual assult....is that true? [/B][/QUOTE]

It's kind of hard to translate "baka"... but it's kind of like a name you'd call someone to insult their intelligence. Some people like to translate it as "idiot", but even children use that word freely. "baka" is stronger than "idiot" I think.

I'd think Japan would have kind of a high rate to be honest. They even separate trains for women because they'd so often be groped on crowded trains. Heck, I've even heard of vending machines for panties... plus numerous cases of people who steal women's undergarments.

I could understand "low rate of [i]reported[/i] sexual assault" though.

[Kwai]

America's sexual hunger/incidents are private, while Japan's are... public... not only do they have vending machines for panties, but for literally everything... including AV videos, magazines, etc. So watch it to all the women going to Japan. Sexual harassment is quite common.

[Zen]

hey, there are much worse sex perverts in America. The japanese have a rep for being polite and hospitabal to all, just as being freindly. You should try to brush up on simple fraises before leaving though. Maybe read a book on it on the air plane. Know what i'm sayin'?

[lea]

how is japanese culture different from america's? do japanese place values on different things than we do? my friend from japan said that they still take off their shoes when they enter any home...
someday, i want to live there (america scares me... X_+ )

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by lea2385 [/i]
[B]my friend from japan said that they still take off their shoes when they enter any home...
someday, i want to live there (america scares me... X_+ ) [/B][/QUOTE]

Um yeah, the shoe thing is still big over there. It's not just some thing from history, lol, it's still very prevelant in Japanese society. They are very particular on the whole shoe deal. Don't try wearing sneakers in the hotel, oh no, that's a punishable offense. You have to wear the way-too-small sandals provided in your room.

Anyway, I don't know why you'd want to live in Japan, the economy's really going down in recent years.

[craig8429]

Really I think more places should have the shoe idea, it keeps the floors alot cleaner.

Just out of respect people should take their shoes off in anyone elses home.

[Drix D'Zanth]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Double_B_Daigo [/i]
[B]hey, there are much worse sex perverts in America. The japanese have a rep for being polite and hospitabal to all, just as being freindly. You should try to brush up on simple fraises before leaving though. Maybe read a book on it on the air plane. Know what i'm sayin'? [/B][/QUOTE]

You can look up words if you don't know how to spell them. Sometimes it helps getting your idea across if people don't know what you mean, to be able to spell accurately, that is.

As for "worse" sex perverts. Well, no.. it's all about the same. Japanese are like the English, I've found. If you piss them off, they'll avoid you, they aren't as "in your face" as Americans are. So the culture is very exclusive. Wrist cutter speaks the truth, Japan has far more sexual assault.

We're talking about a culture that until ohhh '85, i think , nudity was legal except for pubic hair? What did pornography companies do? They used early and pre-pubescents instead of their normal 'actresses'. Japanese culture really only founds it's morality on the utilitarian *shrug*. Ever read the Rape of Nanking? Good read, opens eyes.

I guess I could go into more detail.. but I think the point's taken.

[Heartless Me]

Actually it's not GAKUTO It's Gackt(it's pronounced gakuto) and it's not just a celebrity it's a very popular J-Rock band. ^_^

[Genkai]

Gackt isn't a band. He is a member of a band. Who also has solo albums.

Anyway, nudit, but no pubic hair? So they just..shaved? Sorry.. Anyway, lots oe perverts, and they're much more focused on younger, 11-16 aged girls. Yeah...

Yeah, but I've heard not to be loud.. Like, don't talk, and don't take up..room.. or something.. According to my friend, they'll jus tshrink back when you come on to a train or whatever, and when you talk they'll cover their ears. An you smeel like meat, you mety meaty american. Yeah, they dont' like westerners' smell..