Poll of the Day > Visiting Japan for the first time

(+) Yeah! (+)

Hello !

I will be visiting Japan on March 24th for the first time, and I am very excited! I am currently planning my trip and was wondering if anyone on here has any suggestions or tips for my upcoming trip :) . Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!
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Oh nice, bring me back some used panties.

I love collecting foreign currency.

which part?
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black scorpian restaurant for beef
mountain bike path where people drive ae86's
just little alleyway places for food
nothing else really besides some fancy castles and snow
probably a retro gaming paradise tho
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Don't record yourself coming across a dead body and then upload it to the internet.
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When I go, I'm renting a GT86 and taking it around the three mountains of Jomo.
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HANGtheDJ_86 posted...

Oh nice, bring me back some used panties.

I love collecting foreign currency.

lol! I'll try to bring back some used panties :-p
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VeeVees posted...

which part?

Mostly Tokyo, but I plan to visit Kyoto and Osaka, any other you suggest? I'll be there for 9 days
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RoboXgp89 posted...

black scorpian restaurant for beef
mountain bike path where people drive ae86's
just little alleyway places for food
nothing else really besides some fancy castles and snow
probably a retro gaming paradise tho

I want to visit this retro gaming paradise >_> where is it!!!

Thanks for the suggestions!
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

When I go, I'm renting a GT86 and taking it around the three mountains of Jomo.

Yikes, I will be too terrified to do that

Mario_VS_DK posted...

Don't record yourself coming across a dead body and then upload it to the internet.

I have zero plans to do so, shame on that dude!
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This entire channel is dedicated to people like you:
https://www.youtube.com/user/cmbroad44/videos

dioxxys posted...

This entire channel is dedicated to people like you:
https://www.youtube.com/user/cmbroad44/videos

Thank you!! Currently watching the videos :)
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If you're planning on taking the shinkansen more than a few times, look into getting a Japan Rail Pass. That'll save you some cash on transportation (and you can even use it for reserved seating).

Also, for many schools, the school year ends around mid-March, so be aware that places like Disney Sea will be packed (well, more than usual).
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https://nextshark.com/shinji-nohara-tokyo-fixer/

Summary: This guy can get you into Michelin star restaurants easily and knows about all the amazing places. He probably knows better than any of us
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Sarcasthma posted...

If you're planning on taking the shinkansen more than a few times, look into getting a Japan Rail Pass. That'll save you some cash on transportation (and you can even use it for reserved seating).

Also, for many schools, the school year ends around mid-March, so be aware that places like Disney Sea will be packed (well, more than usual).

Yes I plan to buy the 7 day pass in the next couple of weeks!

Did not know about the school year ending in March, Thank you!!
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papery0shi2 posted...

Sarcasthma posted...

If you're planning on taking the shinkansen more than a few times, look into getting a Japan Rail Pass. That'll save you some cash on transportation (and you can even use it for reserved seating).

Also, for many schools, the school year ends around mid-March, so be aware that places like Disney Sea will be packed (well, more than usual).

Yes I plan to buy the 7 day pass in the next couple of weeks!

Did not know about the school year ending in March, Thank you!!

No worries. You should get that pass sooner than later because it can sometime take several weeks for them to send it to you.

Assuming I remember, Ill post some recommendations for places to go in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka after work today.
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JOExHIGASHI posted...

https://nextshark.com/shinji-nohara-tokyo-fixer/

Summary: This guy can get you into Michelin star restaurants easily and knows about all the amazing places. He probably knows better than any of us

Thank you but " Pricing starts at $780 per day depending on the clients needs and thats not including travel and accommodations if Nohara travels with you."

I cannot afford that :-(
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Sarcasthma posted...

papery0shi2 posted...

Sarcasthma posted...

If you're planning on taking the shinkansen more than a few times, look into getting a Japan Rail Pass. That'll save you some cash on transportation (and you can even use it for reserved seating).

Also, for many schools, the school year ends around mid-March, so be aware that places like Disney Sea will be packed (well, more than usual).

Yes I plan to buy the 7 day pass in the next couple of weeks!

Did not know about the school year ending in March, Thank you!!

No worries. You should get that pass sooner than later because it can sometime take several weeks for them to send it to you.

Assuming I remember, Ill post some recommendations for places to go in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka after work today.

Oh wow, I thought you get it immediately, so I will be purchasing it by the end of the week when I get paid.

That would be awesome! This is my first solo trip to a foreign country so I am a bit nervous.
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What do fat people do when they visit Japan? I can't imagine they can do a lot of stuff where size might be an issue like amusement parks.
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Smarkil posted...

What do fat people do when they visit Japan? I can't imagine they can do a lot of stuff where size might be an issue like amusement parks.

Eat. You can eat like a slob and just look like you're enjoying their food.
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Smarkil posted...

What do fat people do when they visit Japan? I can't imagine they can do a lot of stuff where size might be an issue like amusement parks.

Im like 220lbs and I havent had any issues at Disney Sea and Fuji-Q.

Activities that involve dressing up (like for festivals) can be difficult, though.
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Go eat weird food at their weird McDonalds and weird Burger King

Also weird KFC
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go to a temple and challenge their fighters that western boxing is superior.
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I recommend trying grilled hormone (innards, brains, genitals, etc.). It's better than it sounds and you probably won't find it in NA.
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I always wanted to visit that park where the deer aren't afraid of humans and they just come up to you and you can feed them crackers.

Sand_Flare posted...

I always wanted to visit that park where the deer aren't afraid of humans and they just come up to you and you can feed them crackers.

They suck. Some of them are really impatient and theyll try to bite you if you dont feed them immediately.
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9 days only??? I'd spend a good 2 weeks there.

I'd totally hang out with Jeff sensei for at least a day if I went. Whether he wanted to or not. D:

It's a shame you can't visit Soapland.
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dragon504 posted...

I'd totally hang out with Jeff sensei for at least a day if I went. Whether he wanted to or not. D:

It's a shame you can't visit Soapland.

Hey man, youre welcome to visit anytime! Ill be here for a few more years, at least.
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AC_Dragonfire posted...

9 days only??? I'd spend a good 2 weeks there.

I may do 2 weeks next year, depending how everything goes this year

dragon504 posted...

I'd totally hang out with Jeff sensei for at least a day if I went. Whether he wanted to or not. D:

It's a shame you can't visit Soapland.

Jeff Sensei? Who's that O.o

VeeVees posted...

I recommend trying grilled hormone (innards, brains, genitals, etc.). It's better than it sounds and you probably won't find it in NA.

Hmm..... I'll be ok, I wouldn't be able to :(
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papery0shi2 posted...

VeeVees posted...

which part?

Mostly Tokyo, but I plan to visit Kyoto and Osaka, any other you suggest? I'll be there for 9 days

Those will probably be plenty for a first visit, especially given your timeline. They're also all pretty touristy - again, that's usually good if it's your first time.

How's your Japanese? Workable? Fluent? Non-existent?

Okinawa is a beautiful place to go, albeit not particularly close to the areas you're visiting. If you're in the mood for a more tropical visit, it might be worth visiting. Naha is pretty tourist-friendly, thanks to the fact that the American military base is in the area. It's also quite different from the rest of Japan.

Related question: what's your interest in Japan? Video games and anime? Martial arts? Japanese arts and culture? Depending on what you're going for, certain areas will be more appealing than others.
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Have fun! That's one of the places I need to visit at some point in my life!
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Sarcasthma posted...

Sand_Flare posted...

I always wanted to visit that park where the deer aren't afraid of humans and they just come up to you and you can feed them crackers.

They suck. Some of them are really impatient and theyll try to bite you if you dont feed them immediately.

I can confirm this personally

a_doyle_42 posted...

Have fun! That's one of the places I need to visit at some point in my life!

This has been a dream of mine for a long time and it's finally becoming a reality!!

darkknight109 posted...

papery0shi2 posted...

VeeVees posted...

which part?

Mostly Tokyo, but I plan to visit Kyoto and Osaka, any other you suggest? I'll be there for 9 days

Those will probably be plenty for a first visit, especially given your timeline. They're also all pretty touristy - again, that's usually good if it's your first time.

How's your Japanese? Workable? Fluent? Non-existent?

Okinawa is a beautiful place to go, albeit not particularly close to the areas you're visiting. If you're in the mood for a more tropical visit, it might be worth visiting. Naha is pretty tourist-friendly, thanks to the fact that the American military base is in the area. It's also quite different from the rest of Japan.

Related question: what's your interest in Japan? Video games and anime? Martial arts? Japanese arts and culture? Depending on what you're going for, certain areas will be more appealing than others.

Workable, basic knowledge, I also bought a book to learn some basic words.

Okinawa does look beautiful from what I've seen in pictures but I will plan to go there some other time

My interest is mainly being in love with the Japanese culture, the food, the people, I am very much into their games and anime.
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papery0shi2 posted...

This has been a dream of mine for a long time and it's finally becoming a reality!!

Congratulations then! Japan is a wonderful place to visit and I was pretty much in the same boat as you during my first trip (with the additional caveat that I've studied Japanese martial arts since I was six, so that aspect was a major focus of my trip as well). I'm actually going to be visiting Okinawa in March and I'm planning out a much larger trip for next year: Okinawa again for a martial arts event, then a spell on the mainland, since it's been a long time since I visited there - I'm aiming for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Aomori (speaking of, Aomori is another absolutely incredible place to visit if you get a chance - it's a few hours by bullet train from Tokyo, so you could potentially make a quick two-day hop out there if you wanted).

papery0shi2 posted...

Workable, basic knowledge, I also bought a book to learn some basic words.

Yeah, probably best to stay on the beaten path then (unless you have someone with you who can act as a translator). In the touristy areas there's pretty good knowledge of English, but that drops off quickly when you head out of the big cities. Japan actually has the lowest level of second-language fluency of any developed nation, so as soon as you get away from spots used to catering to tourists, English-speakers are few and far between.

papery0shi2 posted...

My interest is mainly being in love with the Japanese culture, the food, the people, I am very much into their games and anime.

Akibahara in Tokyo is definitely a must-see then. The Ghibli Museum too, if you enjoy their works. Beyond that, there's lots of stuff in all three cities you mentioned to go see. Kyoto tends to be more flavoured towards "classic" Japanese culture (and, in my experience, the level of English knowledge is noticeably lower than Osaka or Tokyo, but I freely admit I haven't spent much time in the city, so don't take that as gospel) while Tokyo and Osaka tend to be more modern.

Personally, I'd also recommend going and visiting an outdoor onsen, since some of those are absolutely incredible (Aomori has some jaw-dropping ones - I've heard some of Hokkaido's are pretty amazing too, though I've never been).
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papery0shi2 posted...

Jeff Sensei? Who's that O.o

Sarcasthma. He teaches English over there.
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Not sure if you're interested in stuff like this, but this is something you might want to check this out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZQ51u6463k

I would sink all my money on the DBZ ones, it looks great.
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Sarcasthma posted...

Sand_Flare posted...

I always wanted to visit that park where the deer aren't afraid of humans and they just come up to you and you can feed them crackers.

They suck. Some of them are really impatient and theyll try to bite you if you dont feed them immediately.

God, I hate those deers at Nara. They fucking mugged my girlfriend. We ran out of crackers so one of them just grabbed her backpack and ran.
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Yeah, fuck those deer.

Since Okinawas too far away to visit, you could always check out Izu in Shizuoka. Shimoda (at the tip of the peninsula) has a pretty tropical atmosphere to it. Still a bit of a detour, but not nearly as far removed as Okinawa is. Fewer tourists, too.
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i request a box of japanese goodies from your trip
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Can you speak or read any Japanese? I can't. Which is why, even if I could afford to go, I'd be scared to.
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WarGreymon77 posted...

Can you speak or read any Japanese? I can't. Which is why, even if I could afford to go, I'd be scared to.

Get Google Translate on your phone, it can translate what your camera sees.
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Try kobe beef and tell us how it is
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WarGreymon77 posted...

Can you speak or read any Japanese? I can't. Which is why, even if I could afford to go, I'd be scared to.

Japan is actually a surprisingly affordable vacation, especially these days (the yen is low and there's been a tourist boom over the last few years). I saw a round-trip flight from Vancouver to Osaka for ~$600 a few months ago, and you can stay in hostels or capsule hotels for <$35 a night.

And if you don't speak Japanese but still want to go, I'd recommend either going on a planned tour (there are tonnes of these) or, if you can spare the cash, hiring a guide.
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JOExHIGASHI posted...

Try kobe beef and tell us how it is

I am going to eat so much, I'll probably gain 20 lbs xD

Kyuubi4269 posted...

WarGreymon77 posted...

Can you speak or read any Japanese? I can't. Which is why, even if I could afford to go, I'd be scared to.

Get Google Translate on your phone, it can translate what your camera sees.

That's cool! I will do that, but I am staying in mostly touristy area's so I should be able to get by.

darkknight109 posted...

WarGreymon77 posted...

Can you speak or read any Japanese? I can't. Which is why, even if I could afford to go, I'd be scared to.

Japan is actually a surprisingly affordable vacation, especially these days (the yen is low and there's been a tourist boom over the last few years). I saw a round-trip flight from Vancouver to Osaka for ~$600 a few months ago, and you can stay in hostels or capsule hotels for <$35 a night.

And if you don't speak Japanese but still want to go, I'd recommend either going on a planned tour (there are tonnes of these) or, if you can spare the cash, hiring a guide.

I bought round trip tickets for $550, I'm flying from NJ. I plan to stay at either capsules or hostiles. You may be able to find something as little as 18 bucks a day
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darkknight109 posted...

papery0shi2 posted...

This has been a dream of mine for a long time and it's finally becoming a reality!!

Congratulations then! Japan is a wonderful place to visit and I was pretty much in the same boat as you during my first trip (with the additional caveat that I've studied Japanese martial arts since I was six, so that aspect was a major focus of my trip as well). I'm actually going to be visiting Okinawa in March and I'm planning out a much larger trip for next year: Okinawa again for a martial arts event, then a spell on the mainland, since it's been a long time since I visited there - I'm aiming for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Aomori (speaking of, Aomori is another absolutely incredible place to visit if you get a chance - it's a few hours by bullet train from Tokyo, so you could potentially make a quick two-day hop out there if you wanted).

papery0shi2 posted...

Workable, basic knowledge, I also bought a book to learn some basic words.

Yeah, probably best to stay on the beaten path then (unless you have someone with you who can act as a translator). In the touristy areas there's pretty good knowledge of English, but that drops off quickly when you head out of the big cities. Japan actually has the lowest level of second-language fluency of any developed nation, so as soon as you get away from spots used to catering to tourists, English-speakers are few and far between.

papery0shi2 posted...

My interest is mainly being in love with the Japanese culture, the food, the people, I am very much into their games and anime.

Akibahara in Tokyo is definitely a must-see then. The Ghibli Museum too, if you enjoy their works. Beyond that, there's lots of stuff in all three cities you mentioned to go see. Kyoto tends to be more flavoured towards "classic" Japanese culture (and, in my experience, the level of English knowledge is noticeably lower than Osaka or Tokyo, but I freely admit I haven't spent much time in the city, so don't take that as gospel) while Tokyo and Osaka tend to be more modern.

Personally, I'd also recommend going and visiting an outdoor onsen, since some of those are absolutely incredible (Aomori has some jaw-dropping ones - I've heard some of Hokkaido's are pretty amazing too, though I've never been).

Thank you so much!! I will look into Aomori, so far I'm planning to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and I have time for one more stop and I think Aomori might be it :)
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lol, I'm way too claustrophobic to stay in a capsule.
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WarGreymon77 posted...

lol, I'm way too claustrophobic to stay in a capsule.

Capsules aren't as bad as you might think. A lot of people picture a coffin-sized space when they hear the word capsule; in reality, most typically ~4-5 feet tall (though you will find some that are shorter), and are big enough that you can comfortably sit up and watch TV in them.
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papery0shi2 posted...

Hello !

I will be visiting Japan on March 24th for the first time, and I am very excited! I am currently planning my trip and was wondering if anyone on here has any suggestions or tips for my upcoming trip :) . Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!

I wish i were you. I'm studying Japanese 2 right now at college. I'm dead broke

There won't be enough students for Japanese 3 so my university is discontinuing Japanese. So I would love to study abroad. My gofundme isn't helping either.
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visit a Shinto Shrine at least once. it's something you can only see in Japan.