Burt Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I'm slated to visit Tokyo this summer. I'm pretty excited, but a clueless American. Anybody been to Japan and/or have tips/advice/humorous anecdotes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Mathison Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I've been there about a dozen times now. What questions you got? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavonis Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Congrats! I'm sure you'll have a good time, Burt. I've been to Japan - Tokyo and Kyoto specifically. No interesting anecdotes that I'm willing to share here, though. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Mathison Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 It's really one of the world's great cities. One of the few places I can keep going back to and it never gets old. Where'd you stay pavonis? I assume Shinjuku? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerina Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I have an inherent irrational fear of Japan. Come back with good pictures and stories for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driver Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 My gf went and it was like going to the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 I'm presenting at a conference, so hard to say how much free time I will have. I was bummed to learn I may not get to see the "Times Square" area. I assume it's first world and I don't need vaccinations? Any foods to avoid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuskenRaider Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I didn't get any vaccinations and I was perfectly fine. In my experience everybody there was ridiculously helpful, so even if you're afraid of maybe getting lost or not understanding something I suspect you will be able to find 10 people willing to help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Mathison Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I assume it's first world and I don't need vaccinations? Any foods to avoid? Um....? Japan is the world's 3rd largest economy, one the world's great powers, and the 10th highest country by HDI (quality of life) in the world, higher than almost any other country outside of the US and some Nordic countries and Switzerland. It is one of the richest countries in the world and Tokyo is more advanced than any other US city. Are you seriously asking this? You're not going to freaking Bangladesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Spam Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 They totally have weird obsessions though in Japan. some technology that will mess with your picture of the world is their toilets! And their transpotation system. It factors into my purchasing my car, because a country that can make toilets as awesome as they do and trains that arrive on time can build reliable cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Mathison Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Oh also- what do you mean by "Times Square?" Do you mean Shibuya crossing? Or the central crossing in Ginza? Tokyo has probably around 5 or 6 major intersections that could classify as a Times Square. But either way- all are very easily accessible by public transport. One thing you'll find about Tokyo (if you get some time to explore) is that the subway goes everywhere and is very comprehensive- very different from a US city, except for NY. I'm not asking these questions to be annoying. I've been to Tokyo so many times, I could be a personal tour guide. Ask what you want and I'd be happy to explain the best ways to get somewhere. Where will you be? Shinjuku? Minato or Roppongi? Shinjuku hopefully, because there's a huge train station there and you get pretty much anywhere in Tokyo within 20 min. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Spam Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 My guess is Shibuya. Because of the shopping and entertainment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Mathison Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 You been to Tokyo, spam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Spam Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I was a miltary brat so I was in the tow of my parents. I haven't been yet on my own. I just remember the stupid things a kid remembers. I love how clean it is. In the summer it doesn't smell like urine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavonis Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 It's really one of the world's great cities. One of the few places I can keep going back to and it never gets old. Where'd you stay pavonis? I assume Shinjuku?Didn't stay in Shinjuku, just passed through regularly. It was a college trip with friends, so stayed with friends' parents. Memories are rather hazy on the exact location now. It's been 15 years and there's a general intoxication fog over the bulk of the trip. I've some friends there that I owe a visit, so should return again. Can call it a research/consulting trip, too, if I swing by their labs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Mathison Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I was a miltary brat so I was in the tow of my parents. I haven't been yet on my own. I just remember the stupid things a kid remembers. I love how clean it is. In the summer it doesn't smell like urine! Heh. Can't say the same about NYC, that's for sure. You oughta go back some time. Great city. It's really one of the world's great cities. One of the few places I can keep going back to and it never gets old. Where'd you stay pavonis? I assume Shinjuku?Didn't stay in Shinjuku, just passed through regularly. It was a college trip with friends, so stayed with friends' parents. Memories are rather hazy on the exact location now. It's been 15 years and there's a general intoxication fog over the bulk of the trip. I've some friends there that I owe a visit, so should return again. Can call it a research/consulting trip, too, if I swing by their labs. Do it. Also tell me when you do it, and we'll grab a drink. I haven't been back in over a year and I'm looking for an excuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavonis Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I'd like that. Do you drink sake? Burt - Tokyo's totally third world. You'll need vaccinations, bottled water, and a machete to survive there. Oh, wait, no - that's Chicago. Tokyo's fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Are you seriously asking this? You're not going to freaking Bangladesh. I was saying that a little tongue in cheek. The "Times Square-y" part of Tokyo to me is what is shown in Lost in Translation. I really know next to nothing about Tokyo. I don't travel to see big cities typically, I'm more interested in the natural places in the area. I spent most of my trip in Las Vegas bird-watching and hiking in the surrounding desert and mountains. At some point, I will go to Oko Nikko and Watarase-yusuichi. Both are Ramsar wetland sites, so we will poke around and see what we can see there. I think they're a little north of Tokyo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metropolis Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Curious. What is so great about their toilets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Spam Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 they are very clean people so toilets are like throwns that can do so many things. My Dad still tells people the story about how my brother and I kept messing with the toilets in the hotel we stayed in. Public toilets are a little different than the ones in home. Public ones are actually better than the ones you use regularly back at home. They're squat types, which is actually good for pooping because it won't cause hernias. It's the reason people in third world countries don't have bowel colon issues. The in home one is a combination of bidet and toilet with very nice extras. Very efficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 & 6 years to go... Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Shower? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Spam Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Yup! It's more than a bidet! Also notice the heated seats and the ability to control the rate of spray! They even have wireless ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 So, Tokyo. Wow. Really great place. I was impressed at how they always took that one extra step for so many things. Examples 1) Humidity settings on thermostat for better skin 2) Cubby under the table for purses, backpacks, etc. at restaraunt 3) Heated mirror in bathroom so it doesn't fog 4) Amazingly intricate and customizable shower settings 5) and so on... However, HUGE bathtubs and TINY toilet seats. What gives? Why is this backwards in America? Stayed in Ikebukuro. Visited Meiji Shrine, Oisi beach, Nikko, National Museum, and a few other stops. Met a lot of really great people, I wish I had taken the time to learn more Japanese prior to going there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odine Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Probably got to do with the average size of the posteriors of each population. That and Japanese people love a good bath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts