Visiting Japan

[Sapphire]

This thread is for those of us who are interested in visiting Japan one day, already have, or are there right now.

If you've been to Japan, what was your experience like there? This is a great place to discuss how you were treated, what you liked the most and disliked the most, where you went, your preferred method of transportation, etc.

I've never been there but I'm going to Tokyo this summer. Anyone have any tips on what the newcomer should do, how they should compose themselves (because I know many of them inwardly hate foreiners) etc?

[Psyke]

I love Japan. Been going there for holidays every year for the last 3 years. It's a good way to measure how much I've leveled up in my spoken Japanese, though I usually get disappointed because I'm still a long way off. There are a few staple destinations in Tokyo I'd visit, such as Akihabara (for all the anime freaks), Odaiba for the shopping districts and also Asakusa, which my wife says got her prayers answered every year.

The Japanese have been really friendly and polite, but maybe that's because I'm asian and look like one of them, so I can't comment on their so called "hate" towards gaijin or foreigners.

Anyway, here's a video of my trip to Tokyo last year, in case you haven't seen it already.

[Board of Command]

Anyway, here's a video of my trip to Tokyo last year, in case you haven't seen it already.

Nice video How long did you stay?

[Psyke]

Nice video How long did you stay?

I stayed for 5 days, free and easy. Visited quite a lot of places, mostly by the subway trains. Stayed in a cheap hotel instead of a traditional inn, because my wife preferred not to share the bathroom.

[Sapphire]

How fluent do you have to be to survive in Japan?

[Board of Command]

How fluent do you have to be to survive in Japan?

You're probably good to go after a few years of anime, assuming you've made a conscious effort to learn the language while watching instead of mindlessly reading the subtitles.

[Junior]

OMG I was just reminded I gotta start learning Japanese again. I bought that damn programme so I might as well use it. (Cost me 500 bucks too...)

Anyway, I've always wanted to visit Japan. Mainly because I'd be able to dress normally and not have people look at me funny. I've seen all kinds of different and unique fashion come from Japan. They seem very...accepting there.

That and I wanna go to Akihabara. *-*

[Board of Command]

What do you mean dress "normally"? What kind of stuff do you normally wear?

[DB_Hunter]

In a few years Japan shall be known as the land of the old.

[Junior]

I just dress...weirdly. My parents are always on my case saying I turn everything into a fashion show or I get too dressed up. When it's actually...my normal wear.

I think it's because I just watch too much anime and play too many video games. People should learn not to implement anime fashion into the real world.

;_;

[Board of Command]

I just dress...weirdly. My parents are always on my case saying I turn everything into a fashion show or I get too dressed up. When it's actually...my normal wear.

I think it's because I just watch too much anime and play too many video games. People should learn not to implement anime fashion into the real world.

;_;

Useless without pics. Google'd pics are fine too, just to get an idea of what you're talking about.

[Junior]

Except. I wear more colorful outfits sometimes. It's sometimes goth, sometimes punk, sometimes Disney-themed... whatever the hell I feel like. It's just weird here because everyone here dresses like a chav.

[Sapphire]

You're probably good to go after a few years of anime, assuming you've made a conscious effort to learn the language while watching instead of mindlessly reading the subtitles.

This made me laugh so hard for some reason. I don't really know why.

I took Japanese 1 a few years ago... if I kept learning at the same pace I would be so good by now *cries*

Lolita rules. (the fashion) But I heard most teens only dress like that on the weekends, or in certain districts.

[Junior]

>.> If I had continued learning after those 3 days I might've been able to say a sentence now. D:

Yeah, it depends a lot. I get dressed on weekends. During the week, I come home and wear pjs. >.>; But I'm too old to be a teenager anyway

Hey, are the people in Japan friendly towards tourists?

[Animeniax]

Though I look down on foreigners visiting Japan, I suppose you'll go anyway, so I might as well help. I look Japanese but don't speak it fluently or read/write it well, so my experience in Japan will be different from your's and even Psyke's.

You'll want to ride the train around Tokyo on the JR Yamanote line to see each of the distinct areas of Tokyo. I imagine you'll be staying with your brother, but if not, keep in mind that hotels fill up quick on Saturdays, around holidays, and for special events. Definitely visit Asakusa, Shibuya, Harajuku, Ueno station, Tokyo station, Ikebukuro, and Akihabara. If you like shopping for expensive name brand stuff, visit Ginza or Roppongi Hills, or pretty much anywhere in Tokyo.

You'll be perplexed that a lot of touristy places don't have many English speaking guides or information centers. Your best bet is to look for other foreigners and ask them for help, though I stopped doing that since I wanted to be more immersed in the people and culture.

You should learn this one sentence: "eigo, dekimasu ka?" which translates to "Do you speak English". They'll usually either reply "yes" or "dekimasen" (I am not skilled [at English]).

Junior, please keep on topic. You can start another thread about your fashion sense, which will probably get more replies than this thread, especially if you include pictures. Thanks!

[Junior]

Sorry Ani. ^^; It's all BOC's fault. ><

That would make my trip to Japan complicated...I suppose it's definitely best to learn the language so I could always ask people there what the signs say or something.

Or...bring someone along who reads Japanese.


I take it you've been to Japan? o.o

[Sapphire]

There's books out there that have pictures of all the common signs in Japan and translations, so I'm not -too- worried about that. Not that I'd drive, ahah

[Animeniax]

I've been three times, for a total of 6 weeks. You can get by without speaking or reading Japanese, but then you're just another tourist and you'll be sort of relegated to the touristy activities. You can check for guides, usually free or for a small fee, to help you see the sights or just get around. Don't bother getting a car, especially if you're only going to be in Tokyo. Trains and subways will get you pretty much everywhere you'd want to go.

Forget what you learned in anime. Do not use 'yo' at the end of sentences unless you're mad. Pretty much stick a "kudasai" or "onegaishimasu" after everything you say, which means "please" or is just being polite. You'll definitely want to learn "sumimasen" which means "excuse me" to get someone's attention or to excuse yourself for being a dumb tourist or for inconveniencing someone.

[Board of Command]

Sorry Ani. ^^; It's all BOC's fault. ><

Please don't scapegoat me.

[DB_Hunter]

It's just weird here because everyone here dresses like a chav.

Chav...? Now where did you pick up that word from I wonder.