Tokyo Pros

[Taylor]

My wife and I are planning a trip to Tokyo in September for our 5th anniversary. Any pro tips?

We're going to have enough credit card points to cover all our hotels, but we'll likely pay out of pocket for flights. We're also going to spend a couple days at Tokyo Disney (apparently, Tokyo Disney Sea is the best theme park in the world).

[AngelsLakersFan]

Eat as much sushi as you can

[gotbeer]

You can take the train everywhere.  They make the city pretty English friendly.  Really depends on what you want to do.  

But I recommend taking the bullet train south, and visiting Hiroshima.  It is a surreal place that really hits you.  This is almost a must visit. 

On my family side, Kamakura city about an hour outside of Tokyo.  It's pretty famous for it's temples, and you could do a hike exploring many of them.  

Also small provinces have guest hostels for foreigners that is really affordable.  Usually in very rural areas for you to explore.  

 

[St1ck]

I'm big in Japan 

[gotbeer]

Just now, sht1ckboy said:

I'm big in Japan 

Nate isn't.

[Tank]

54 minutes ago, sht1ckboy said:

I'm big in Japan 

like frank Stallone big?

[ten ocho recon scout]

10 hours ago, gotbeer said:

You can take the train everywhere.  They make the city pretty English friendly.  Really depends on what you want to do.  

But I recommend taking the bullet train south, and visiting Hiroshima.  It is a surreal place that really hits you.  This is almost a must visit. 

On my family side, Kamakura city about an hour outside of Tokyo.  It's pretty famous for it's temples, and you could do a hike exploring many of them.  

Also small provinces have guest hostels for foreigners that is really affordable.  Usually in very rural areas for you to explore.  

 

Kamakura is rad.

Taylor, a few points. 

The japanese are weird as hell, but probably the nicest people on earth (aside from the 30s and 40s). Be sure to get menus in english..... i cant stress that enough.

Try to catch a baseball game. The crowd is fun as hell. (Remember the weird thing).

And dont think there are strippers everywhere. The asian chicks literally dress like asian schoolgirls there.

[gotbeer]

48 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

 

Try to catch a baseball game. The crowd is fun as hell. (Remember the weird thing).

 

Yeah, their baseball games are a surreal experience.  Although, if you really want the full experience.  Go to a college game.  Especially if you can catch a rivalry game.  

[T.G.]

Maybe you can stay with Ohtani's parents.

[Tank]

29 minutes ago, True Grich said:

Maybe you can stay with Ohtani's parents.

i can call them and see if they have room for you.

just know that if they let you stay in shohei's old room, there are posters of margaret cho and brenda song all over his room.

[Taylor]

13 hours ago, gotbeer said:

You can take the train everywhere.  They make the city pretty English friendly.  Really depends on what you want to do.  

But I recommend taking the bullet train south, and visiting Hiroshima.  It is a surreal place that really hits you.  This is almost a must visit. 

On my family side, Kamakura city about an hour outside of Tokyo.  It's pretty famous for it's temples, and you could do a hike exploring many of them.  

Also small provinces have guest hostels for foreigners that is really affordable.  Usually in very rural areas for you to explore.  

Thanks, @gotbeer! We definitely want to explore some temples, so perhaps Kamakura City is where we'll go. I'll talk to my wife about Hiroshima, to see if that's something we want to experience on this trip.

Any tips for flying there? Are economy seats unbearable for the long flight?

[Taylor]

15 hours ago, AngelsLakersFan said:

Eat as much sushi as you can

I don't like sushi. My wife loves it. So we'll likely compromise and find a couple good sushi spots.

[Taylor]

3 hours ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

The japanese are weird as hell, but probably the nicest people on earth (aside from the 30s and 40s). Be sure to get menus in english..... i cant stress that enough.

Do most restaurants offer menus in English?

[gotbeer]

3 minutes ago, Taylor said:

Thanks, @gotbeer! We definitely want to explore some temples, so perhaps Kamakura City is where we'll go. I'll talk to my wife about Hiroshima, to see if that's something we want to experience on this trip.

Any tips for flying there? Are economy seats unbearable for the long flight?

When I went, I was a kid, and when I was in college.  So I could have sat on a milk crate and it would have been fine.  I think it's something like an 11 hour flight.  So that's your call.  But I say spend more and be comfortable.  

[St1ck]

Only been to the Tokyo airport for a layover, so I'm not an expert. I would suggest getting some ramen though. 

[m0nkey]

I'm not big on sushi either but it's obviously a must try when you're in Japan.  I thought it was great, and the prices are much more reasonable (for me) vs here in the states.  You can easily get away with English only in the big tourist cities (though I've only done Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara).

[gotbeer]

Oh, and if you go to Kamakura.  There is a department store next to the train station.  I think on one of the first floors they sell these dove cookies.  Yeah, get me some.  lol.  

https://japandeluxetours.com/experiences/kanagawa-japanese-food-drink-hatosabure 

[ten ocho recon scout]

23 minutes ago, Taylor said:

Do most restaurants offer menus in English?

Gonna depend on how big they are, and where theyre at (touristy area vs locals).

But i cant stress enough... be sure what youre eating....

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

13 hours ago, Tank said:

like frank Stallone big?

When we were in Europe back in September I saw a poster that Herbie Hancock was performing.  Frank Stallone must have been busy.

Haven't been to Japan yet but a few co-workers who went to Tokyo in the last year stopped in at the ramen musem.  There's actually a bunch of different stands you can go to in order to try the different types.  As others said public transportation is supposed to be easy as the last co-worker who went a few months back didn't even need to use an app because she said there were subways/trains coming every few minutes.  If for any reason you need an app I'd try moovit which has worked great for us in other parts of the world.  

 

[AngelsLakersFan]

3 hours ago, Taylor said:

I don't like sushi. My wife loves it. So we'll likely compromise and find a couple good sushi spots.

Then why even go to Japan?! lol

[St1ck]

2 minutes ago, AngelsLakersFan said:

Then why even go to Japan?! lol

He doesn't want to tell you, but he is super into Hello Kitty. 

[Tank]

go to dunkin' donuts and get a klurrel. it's rife-changing.

[Taylor]

41 minutes ago, sht1ckboy said:

He doesn't want to tell you, but he is super into Hello Kitty. 

Dangit, I've been outed.

[Tank]

46 minutes ago, sht1ckboy said:

He doesn't want to tell you, but he is super into Hello Kitty. 

oh, then he must know my neighbor.

 

my 60 year old grandmother neighbor.

[St1ck]

3 minutes ago, Tank said:

oh, then he must know my neighbor.

 

my 60 year old grandmother neighbor.

Well, I'm familiar with her trash receptacles.