|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
|
Tokyo. Anyone been?
Wife and I know zero Japanese. Are we screwed? Spending a long time with in laws in Taipei Taiwan and on a whim bought a flight into Tokyo. For a week. The dollar exchange seemed okay and giving the inlaws a break from me seemed like a good idea. We almost flipped a coin on Korea vs Japan. A flight from here was easy. We walked to the airport.
We whipped up a quick itinerary. Japan looks like blast. I'll barely have enough warm clothing. Not my best planning Kung fu, but the adventure seemed like a good idea. Tips?
__________________
poof! gone |
||
12-14-2014, 09:35 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,363
|
Expensive, prices are nothing like Taiwan. That was 16 years ago, I am sure its more now. You will like Tokyo i ts a fun place, but I like Kyoto much better. The train ride from Tokyo was pretty fun as well. Osaka is near by with plenty to do. Gotta to see the Osaka Castle.
|
||
|
12-14-2014, 09:54 PM
|
|
|
Almost Banned Once
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Adelaide South Australia
Posts: 38,340
|
I was there 23 years ago... It was expensive then so I can't imagine anything has changed.
BUT It is one of the most fantastic places on the planet. You'll have a great time by default and a lot of Japanese people speak English. You shouldn't have any real issues although obviously being Asian they may assume you're Japanese. The cops can be a bit funny. Just be polite if you have contact with them (don't ask). Actually, be polite with anybody you have contact with.
__________________
- Peter |
||
|
12-14-2014, 10:11 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston (The Vintage), Texas
Posts: 4,523
|
Picked a perfect time to go as far as exchange rate goes!
__________________
-Tom '73 911T MFI - in process of being restored '73 911T MFI - bare bones '87 924S - Keep's the Porsche DNA in my system while the 911 is down. aka "Wolf boy" |
||
|
12-14-2014, 10:15 PM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Been there 3 X in the last 10 years.
Within the central city area of Tokyo you don't need to speak Japanese. |
||
|
12-14-2014, 10:35 PM
|
|
|
You do not have permissi
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 39,848
|
Tokyo - City Guide
I still haven't been to Tokyo, ridden the shinkansen(bullet train), or stayed in a capsule motel. I do love those kaiten sushi places though. The only japanese you probably need to know on the street: "Sumimasen" (small bow) = excuse me --Place-- "Doko Desu ka?" = where is? "Domo Arigato" = thank you mr roboto |
||
|
12-14-2014, 10:45 PM
|
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mid-life crisis, could be anywhere
Posts: 10,382
|
I was just there a few weeks ago. Awesome city! Not too expensive at all, if you do a little legwork. Not speaking Japanese is not a problem. People are extraordinarily polite and respectful. Make sure to visit all the various "districts": freak, geek, red light, etc. Visit the temples. You'll have a great time.
__________________
'95 993 C4 Cabriolet Bunch of motorcycles |
||
|
12-15-2014, 01:49 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mid-life crisis, could be anywhere
Posts: 10,382
|
And go to the Robot Restaurant!
__________________
'95 993 C4 Cabriolet Bunch of motorcycles |
||
|
12-15-2014, 04:19 AM
|
|
|
Bandwidth AbUser
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 29,522
|
Yeah, that looks like fun.
__________________
Jim R. |
||
|
12-15-2014, 04:23 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Okayama, Japan
Posts: 1,342
|
I moved to Okayama (western Japan with my wife four years ago) Tokyo is like another country in comparison. It's much more international and English friendly. The exchange rate is great for the dollar right now. Eating out is pretty reasonable. Shopping is nothing special but the experience is great. Check out Tokyo station and Kitte shopping mall in a nearby converted post office.
Ghibli museum if you're into anime is super fun. You will love it. Skytree is the new tallest tower but it's a long wait you can get good views from other places. 20 million people. Avoid rush hour! Cosplay in harajuku. |
||
|
12-15-2014, 04:32 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Tokyo. Anyone been?
Quote:
On the list! Just stumbled into a noodle joint. Pointed at what I wanted and the guy spoke English. Cool dude. He helped me memorize some good phrases. Beer is expensive. Wife hit it out of the park as far as hotels. We are in the middle of it for sure. Thanks!
__________________
poof! gone Last edited by vash; 12-15-2014 at 05:23 AM.. |
||
|
12-15-2014, 05:20 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Effen freezing here!
__________________
poof! gone |
||
|
12-15-2014, 05:24 AM
|
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mid-life crisis, could be anywhere
Posts: 10,382
|
What part of town is your hotel? Beer pretty much everywhere in the world is $5 a bottle or more these days. Sucks, but it is what it is.
__________________
'95 993 C4 Cabriolet Bunch of motorcycles |
||
|
12-15-2014, 05:32 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mid-life crisis, could be anywhere
Posts: 10,382
|
And don't forget Shibuya Crossing and Tsukiji fish market.
__________________
'95 993 C4 Cabriolet Bunch of motorcycles |
||
|
12-15-2014, 05:33 AM
|
|
|
FUSHIGI
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: somewhere between here and there
Posts: 10,735
|
been trying to get some reception on that place for decades!!
|
||
|
12-15-2014, 05:36 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Quote:
Gonna sign up fr a cycling tour. Joes crash has me second guessing it. This place is ridicules. Hitting the. Red light tomorrow night. Get my karaoke on!
__________________
poof! gone |
||
|
12-15-2014, 05:41 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
I found if needed help the best option was to ask a young woman. They really want to speak English. I made the mistake of asking a young guy for directions and got totally lost. Then I asked a young woman and she stopped what she was going and walked with me to the bus station 20 minutes away and helped me buy my ticket. Super nice seems to fall short of describing the Japanese.
__________________
2014 Cayman S (track rat w/GT4 suspension) 1979 930 (475 rwhp at 0.95 bar) |
||
|
12-15-2014, 06:49 AM
|
|
|
You do not have permissi
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 39,848
|
Quote:
Some of those bars are owned by the tatooed types. The dinner tab will show $200 beers and be collected by muscular gentlemen who skipped breakfast. A couple japanese people I was with did not want to get near them. |
||
|
12-15-2014, 08:31 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Quote:
 If you run across some Hitachino Nest beer, try it out. It's awesome!
__________________
Mike 1976 Euro 911 3.2 w/10.3 compression & SSIs 22/29 torsions, 22/22 adjustable sways, Carrera brakes |
||
|
12-15-2014, 08:38 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Quote:
Well. Now I need to put my eyes on a diet. Fun show! And apparently, I look. like I need love. Every person asked if I needed a Japanese hooker.
__________________
poof! gone |
||
|
12-16-2014, 05:51 AM
|
|
1988 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet
1988 911 Carrera Coupe
1998 BMW 2.8 Z3 ROADSTER
300ZX 2+0 Slicktop, Twin Turbo, Stick Shift
1987 PORSCHE 946 / 924S
1979 Porsche 930 3.4
1976 Porsche 911
