Visiting Japan

[shinta|hikari]

If you do manage to go to Osaka, get Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki at specialty establishments. Osaka has great food.

It really is hard to find a unisex onsen. Believe me, I tried.

[Animeniax]

Also remember to walk on the left side of the sidewalk in Osaka.

[Buffalobiian]

I'm looking for another recommendation, this time about spots in Akihabara. Our group isn't anime orientated, if that comes into considerations. Has anyone been to anywhere worthwhile there?

Or anywhere that should be avoided?




edit: during my browsing I came to this wiki that talks about things to do:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Akihabara

Is it just me, or was Get out easily misread as Get laid?

[shinta|hikari]

Tenya, the tempura place, is pretty good. I always ate there when I visited Akihabara. Aside from that, it is mainly an electronics and computer Mecca. Even if you are not anime oriented, it may still be worthwhile to check out the maid cafes just to experience it. There are also gaming centers, if you like arcade games.

The stair comment in that Wiki page is true. The harder to access (and seedier) the place is, the better the prices. Anime goods are really a must buy there. Gundam models are dirt cheap too.

[Buffalobiian]

Tenya, the tempura place, is pretty good. I always ate there when I visited Akihabara. Aside from that, it is mainly an electronics and computer Mecca. Even if you are not anime oriented, it may still be worthwhile to check out the maid cafes just to experience it. There are also gaming centers, if you like arcade games.

The stair comment in that Wiki page is true. The harder to access (and seedier) the place is, the better the prices. Anime goods are really a must buy there. Gundam models are dirt cheap too.

Cool, thanks.

I'll have to do a look around the nearby area for places to go just in case we (as in everybody but I) don't feel like staying there for the whole day.

[Buffalobiian]

Okay. I've just had a toilet wash my ass for the first time. It's kinda ticklish.

[David75]

Okay. I've just had a toilet wash my ass for the first time. It's kinda ticklish.

There's a showroom I've been visiting in Paris, where you can actually try some models... of course in an other private part of the showroom
I admitt that when the very beautiful lady proposed that I try one of the models, I somehow felt that would not be possible

I've been looking for such toilets, then realised at home you can always have a shower... and when you're out, you're screwed since no one has those toilets so you get to use other solutions.

I admitt that should those toilets be everywhere, that would be a nice thing.

[Animeniax]

Those washlets are awesome. Weird at first and weirder if you ponder about it, but still a clean and refreshing experience each time you use it.

I checked into getting one stateside and they range in price from $700 for the base model up to more than $1800 for the more advanced ones.

[Buffalobiian]

Visited the Tsukiji market yesterday, the ghibli museum, and had an evening stroll in Akihabara. (The crowd lining up for Nanoha 1st's Nov 26th BD release - dunno why it was selling today, reminded me of just how much catch-up I have to do. Surprisingly, I'm in no hurry to do so.)

Fish market was a pretty nice place to do something different, and have chance to eat fresh sushi and sashimi. While my tongue can taste the difference between fair and bad sushi, I think I have some difficulty appreciating excellent sushi to the max - a little bit of it is lost on me, but it was still very good.

Ghibli was pretty cool. They had exclusive short films airing and each person was only allowed to watch ONE once.

I only had a quick look at Akihabara, but I can't really do it comfortably with 4 other people. I think tomorrow I can have the day off until dinner (at the very least, half a day off), and I plan on going back there to freestyle around the place. Don't expect dirt cheap electronics or anything, since tourism changed just about everything, You'll really need to make time to explore so you can bump into those ones that are of interest.

[Animeniax]

We all know you want to visit those H- shops and maid cafes in Akihabara, you perv.

Just kidding, hope you're having a great time. Have you had real J-ramen with gyouza yet? Those plus a J-beer are the best meal outside of a Kobe steak dinner.

[Buffalobiian]

We all know you want to visit those H- shops and maid cafes in Akihabara, you perv.

Just kidding, hope you're having a great time. Have you had real J-ramen with gyouza yet? Those plus a J-beer are the best meal outside of a Kobe steak dinner.

Haha. Yeah, I've had J-ramen. I'll comment on that with photos when I get them later.

Regarding the H-shops, I do admit I enjoy the option of being able to walk into one of them without being accused of stuff.

I ended up walking through entire levels of shops without the pressure of leading the group, keeping them together, having a destination and seeing if everyone's bored.

I pretty much ditched the map and wandered until it was time to go. Good times.