Current Events > Do you plan on visiting Japan?

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I'd go for the USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS WORD vending machines, where you can buy used/worn USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS WORD

BucketCat posted...

I'd go for the USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS WORD vending machines, where you can buy used/worn USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS WORD

intereresting

Don't they not have those anymore?

This is quite cool

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

Been there, done that, would return (or move there in a dream world).

I enjoyed it for reasons that cant be tangibly explained. I simply felt more at peace there than ever before, and I believe its largely due to an introverted culture that helped me feel less anxious than I normally do.

As for things I suggesteat! Lots. Small portions, and try new things everywhere you go. If youre full you may miss the chance for something truly different, and if youre hesitant to try it you may miss out on something delicious. Also Kyoto was definitely my favorite prefecture. Its beautiful and has such a wide range of foods and markets.

Also, the vending machines never contained the real article (pun intended), it was just a gimmick.

Damn_Underscore posted...

intereresting

Don't they not have those anymore?

They only ever existed inside a sex shop and there might be a sex shop that still sells them like that (they definitely sell used underwear).

Already went a few years ago, and would like to go again

I was just there all of March and made some amazing friends. Will definitely be going back and would love to move there.

I hope so, at least once before I die.

I will likely be visiting South Korea if things work out. If so I would also like to see Japan one day. Who wouldn't?

I have posted numerous times that I will not travel to a location where I do not speak the common tongue. So, it would be unlikely for me to ever to travel to Japan for leisure or recreation.

i lived in okinawa for 12 years but only been to the mainland a few diff times. maybe 2 months in total. saw the most snow ever in my life up north in Misawa around new years 2013

revisiting okinawa sounds appealing to me but only if i still have friends that live over there. i don't really care about the mainland all the much tbh

If you'd asked me 15 years ago, I'd have absolutely wanted to go to Japan, but I'd really just feel disrespectful going to Japan at this point, cuz I don't know shit for Japanese and they really don't have a ton of latitude for that.

Like, I COULD absolutely still go to Japan, but I'd feel bad about it.

nekrodev posted...

If you'd asked me 15 years ago, I'd have absolutely wanted to go to Japan, but I'd really just feel disrespectful going to Japan at this point, cuz I don't know shit for Japanese and they really don't have a ton of latitude for that.

Like, I COULD absolutely still go to Japan, but I'd feel bad about it.

You could use Google Translate to say basic sentences

nekrodev posted...

If you'd asked me 15 years ago, I'd have absolutely wanted to go to Japan, but I'd really just feel disrespectful going to Japan at this point, cuz I don't know shit for Japanese and they really don't have a ton of latitude for that.

Like, I COULD absolutely still go to Japan, but I'd feel bad about it.

You can get around fairly well in Japan without knowing Japanese. I met people who lived there for years and never learned an ounce of the language because they didn't care enough.

MangaBroski posted...

I have posted numerous times that I will not travel to a location where I do not speak the common tongue. So, it would be unlikely for me to ever to travel to Japan for leisure or recreation.

And I have told you several times that thats foolish.

Ive been to Japan twice in the last year and I know less than 20 words of Japanese. Its fine.

I just went last August

Yeah, if you're going to a city, there's English everywhere. It's very easy to get around.

No, I don't have enough ammo yet.

Damn_Underscore posted...

You could use Google Translate to say basic sentences

This doesn't work for like, transport signs and stuff. I don't blame them for this - it's entirely on me for giving up like halfway into my Japanese lessons.

nekrodev posted...

This doesn't work for like, transport signs and stuff. I don't blame them for this - it's entirely on me for giving up like halfway into my Japanese lessons.

Why do you need to translate signs?

nekrodev posted...

If you'd asked me 15 years ago, I'd have absolutely wanted to go to Japan, but I'd really just feel disrespectful going to Japan at this point, cuz I don't know shit for Japanese and they really don't have a ton of latitude for that.

Like, I COULD absolutely still go to Japan, but I'd feel bad about it.

This is a strange thought process to have. Most western tourists don't know a lick of Japanese. If you travel to the cities, you will be fine. I didn't need a translator. Some people (service industry) spoke English in the cities, But there's apps for that now. if you visit the country/non touristy areas, you'll probably need Google translate.

I went to Japan for work 6 years ago for 2 weeks ago. I actually bought a hardware device for language translations, but I never used it. Total waste of money. it's crazy that in 6 years time we have real time translating.

Knowing some Japanese helps, but you can get by as a tourist. If you intend on living in Japan, then you absolutely need to know Japanese.

Glob posted...

Why do you need to translate signs?

So they know where they are going. You can ask someone though.

Maybe someday but not anytime soon.

Glob posted...

Why do you need to translate signs?

because public transport is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than it is where I live in the US.

Arcanine2009 posted...

This is a strange thought process to have. Most western tourists don't know a lick of Japanese. If you travel to the cities, you will be fine. I didn't need a translator. Some people (service industry) spoke English in the cities, But there's apps for that now. if you visit the country/non touristy areas, you'll probably need Google translate.

I went to Japan for work 6 years ago for 2 weeks ago. I actually bought a hardware device for language translations, but I never used it. Total waste of money. it's crazy that in 6 years time we have real time translating.

Knowing some Japanese helps, but you can get by as a tourist. If you intend on living in Japan, then you absolutely need to know Japanese.

Maybe you're in a larger city where this type of shit is more common - but I literally have ZERO EXPERIENCE with public transit, let alone in other language - and this is probably the majority of America.

nekrodev posted...

This doesn't work for like, transport signs and stuff. I don't blame them for this - it's entirely on me for giving up like halfway into my Japanese lessons.

Yes it does. Google translate has a camera function where you point the camera at text and it translates it for you. You should use DeepL instead though because GT sucks.

Holy_Cloud105 posted...

Yes it does. Google translate has a camera function where you point the camera at text and it translates it for you. You should use DeepL instead though because GT sucks.

This is also a relatively recent thing. Many of my plans for trips would've been many years ago.

nekrodev posted...

because public transport is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than it is where I live in the US.

The stations in Japan have signs in English, the platform announcements are in English, translation apps have camera functions now, and google maps literally spells everything out for you when you need to take public transportation.

Im too poor tbh

nekrodev posted...

If you'd asked me 15 years ago, I'd have absolutely wanted to go to Japan, but I'd really just feel disrespectful going to Japan at this point, cuz I don't know shit for Japanese and they really don't have a ton of latitude for that.

Like, I COULD absolutely still go to Japan, but I'd feel bad about it.

I know a ton of people who have loved here for years and don't know Japanese. Those people don't have and excuse? But a tourist? That's almost all tourists.

Glob posted...

And I have told you several times that thats foolish.

Ive been to Japan twice in the last year and I know less than 20 words of Japanese. Its fine.

I am not going to try and have someone explain an ingredient list to me in English nor am I going to trust a translation device on that.
Idk how Id even engage in anything around me without any way to communicate with anyone and no way to read whats written.

MangaBroski posted...

I am not going to try and have someone explain an ingredient list to me in English nor am I going to trust a translation device on that.
Idk how Id even engage in anything around me without any way to communicate with anyone and no way to read whats written.

Touristy places have all of that available in English.

ssjevot posted...

I know a ton of people who have lived here for years and don't know Japanese. Those people don't have and excuse. But a tourist? That's almost all tourists.

I mean, I've seen a ton of youtubers like this and it doesn't encourage me, it makes me sad that people are going to japan / other countries w/ zero knowledge of the language or culture and are just super entitled.

nekrodev posted...

I mean, I've seen a ton of youtubers like this and it doesn't encourage me, it makes me sad that people are going to japan / other countries w/ zero knowledge of the language or culture and are just super entitled.

The Japanese government wants them to come. Tourism is important. That's why they put out all the English/Chinese/Korean information.

ssjevot posted...

Touristy places have all of that available in English.

Touristy stuff sounds like boring moneysink stuff.

The interpreter function on current smart phones is the coolest thing ever.

Face to face you can speak to anyone with it and them to you.

As much as I'd love to go game shopping and take in the sights, I fucking hate being a tourist, especially in a foreign country where I don't know the language.

MangaBroski posted...

Touristy stuff sounds like boring moneysink stuff.

I mean that stuff is why most people go to Japan in the first place though. I've seen so many people say something this and then spend their entire trip in Akihabara or whatever.

I just came back from a 2.5 week solo trip to Japan. I'm from America and have used public transit maybe 3 times in my life, I wrote down (but did not study) 5 Japanese words, and I put Google translate on the front page of my phone's home screen.

I never got on a wrong train, I used 1 of my 5 words and that one was optional, I never used Google translate for conversation, and only used the camera translate on things I was curious about, but it was not nessisary.

Japan is extremely easy to navigate and function in without knowing the language. As long as your in the cities and not in a middle of no where town, all signs have English subtitles, all machines have English, and Google maps tells you everything you need. For food you can get very far with pointing. At a resturant (sit down or fast food, as they always have menus on the table at the register), just point at what you want.

Already been there. Nice place.

If I could teleport I'd go but I have no interest in being on a plane for that long when I already have back pain.

nekrodev posted...

I mean, I've seen a ton of youtubers like this and it doesn't encourage me, it makes me sad that people are going to japan / other countries w/ zero knowledge of the language or culture and are just super entitled.

Expecting people to know languages to travel somewhere is ridiculous. Am I just supposed to learn 30 odd languages? Nobody does that.

MangaBroski posted...

I am not going to try and have someone explain an ingredient list to me in English nor am I going to trust a translation device on that.
Idk how Id even engage in anything around me without any way to communicate with anyone and no way to read whats written.

Loads of places have menus in English if thats your worry. Theres plenty written in English and you keep saying that youd have no way to communicate and its simply not true.

I love Japan. Looking forward to next time. I would look for more Famicom and Super Famicom games (got Dragon Quest 3 and 5, Mega Man 7, and a few others). Want to try Luida's Cafe.

Will also likely do Disney and Universal.

Tourists can get a JR rail pass (must be purchased before leaving your home). Only get it if you are traveling between major cities though... it's a waste of money if you are only staying in one city.

I went to Japan 3x already (2013, 2015 and 2018).
I'll definitely visit it a 4th and maybe a 5th time someday.

Yep, after Croatia that's my next destination

I really want to, but like many others, the language barrier is what worries me. I don't want to end up like Big Bird who missed his tour bus and got stuck there. But I guess technology has progressed to the point where that's not such a huge issue anymore.

VideoboysaysCube posted...

I really want to, but like many others, the language barrier is what worries me. I don't want to end up like Big Bird who missed his tour bus and got stuck there. But I guess technology has progressed to the point where that's not such a huge issue anymore.

Its a non-issue.

Currently on my way to Kyoto, will be in Japan for about a month

No plans, but I'd be interested.

I have been to Japan a few times, climbed Fuji, visited Tokyo Disney, wish I saw more while I was there but it was still a really fascinating time.