Advice for traveling to Japan

[CobaltFire]

I am looking for any advice for traveling to Japan, preferrably from someone who has. I am definately looking into renting a Skyline GT-R for a day if I can find one. I just have to drive it! I will be traveling to Nagakute, which is a suburb of Nagoya. Unfortunately this will be around Christmas, so I will not get to experience the Expo 2005 (my fiancee worked there for 2 weeks while she was at home, and is the star of one of the film festival films). I will also be going to the Toyota Museum, as that is near her home (where we will be staying most of the time). We are also thinking of taking a 1 week trip elsewhere in the country, and I am open to suggestions. She has not traveled much within Japan, so this should be interesting for us both. Travel will be by train, as I have never ridden one before. A bullet train ride is a must for myself as well. We are definately going to be going to an inn somewhere in the mountains that her family has gone to for years that is supposed to have an excellent hotspring and even better food and accomodations, while getting NO SIGNAL from any cell phones. Anyhow, I am asking you guys as I think it is more likely that the average person living in Hawaii will have traveled there than otherwise. TIA for any pointers/advice.

[Astroboy]

I am looking for any advice for traveling to Japan, preferrably from someone who has. I am definately looking into renting a Skyline GT-R for a day if I can find one. I just have to drive it! I will be traveling to Nagakute, which is a suburb of Nagoya. Unfortunately this will be around Christmas, so I will not get to experience the Expo 2005 (my fiancee worked there for 2 weeks while she was at home, and is the star of one of the film festival films). I will also be going to the Toyota Museum, as that is near her home (where we will be staying most of the time). We are also thinking of taking a 1 week trip elsewhere in the country, and I am open to suggestions. She has not traveled much within Japan, so this should be interesting for us both. Travel will be by train, as I have never ridden one before. A bullet train ride is a must for myself as well. We are definately going to be going to an inn somewhere in the mountains that her family has gone to for years that is supposed to have an excellent hotspring and even better food and accomodations, while getting NO SIGNAL from any cell phones. Anyhow, I am asking you guys as I think it is more likely that the average person living in Hawaii will have traveled there than otherwise. TIA for any pointers/advice.

Oh boy, glad you are going in December and not now. Terribly humid right now. Last year we went to Matsumoto and Nagoya. Let me compile some info of the places to see as soon as my walking encyclopedia "wealth of knowledge" wife comes home. You will no doubt love it up there!

Beasty has a tremendous amount of info on Japan also that I am sure he will share with you.
Astro

[The Beastmaster]

I used to spend time in Japan as I still have family in Osaka and Tokyo. Since it is winter, if you can get to the coastal towns, eat lots of the winter crab! The kani is tottemo oishii! I think it was called Echizen crab. Ryokans are great, but usually very pricey due to the cost of the kaiseki ryori. The hot springs are exhilirating especially if it is an outdoors one. Some places even have hot springs right outside your room. Nothing like relaxing in a hot spring overlooking the town or foliage below while surrounded by snow!

[CobaltFire]

Yes, this inn we are going to has them outside. That is a must for me as well, I have always wanted to go to a traditional japanese mountain inn with an outdoor hotspring. As for the crab, all I have to say is OISHII!!! I love crab! I will eat the heck outta crab while I am there. Has anyone else ever tried to rent a Skyline at all? It's not a must do, but I would like to drive one, as I will probably never get to here (unless I pick up an R32... God I want one).

P.S. I don't mean the 4-door, I mean the R34 GT-R... :)

[The Beastmaster]

If you are going to drive there, get used to driving on the wrong side of the road, shifting with your left hand and being pampered when filling up gas. Oh yeah, gas I probably @ $8 a gallon in Japan.

[kaliimc]

Not knowing much else to do in Japan based on my limited experience there I would recommend getting lost in Tokyo for a day and see the lights at night! I too would want to take the train, especially the bullet train up north somewhere.

Well, you are already planning to visit the Toyota manufacturer, why not others? Is Nissan to far out of the way? Check out the skyline on the assembly line.

I really enjoy experiencing the local foods, drinks, etc. so I normally know what kind of dining opportunities I have when I travel to a town or area. Some internet searches would help me in that area. Oh yea, when I go to Thailand, Vietnam and other countries I normally get the address and location of the local city or regional BMW dealership, just to check it out, maybe buy a shirt that says BMW of Thailand (they actually didn't have any shirts at that time...) or some crazy thing like that.

Lastly, if you were going by yourself we could start another thread on different places to go as a single person... :eatpop: uh, next time perhaps.

My apologies for not looking at you sooner today on Pearl, I was tired and worn out from dealing with lots of different sites today... just wasn't in the mood to acknowledge someone. Actually saw a car stop next to me and I thought, "hmmm this person wants to cut in.... :evil2 I don't see anybody" thats all.

[kaliimc]

Oh, and if you do drive, its pretty easy because the Nihon-Jin are very organized, courteous, and mostly on the ball out there on the road. Plus you will always have someone in front of you to lead the way, and if you are in the city or in a built up area (most of the flat terrain) you will be in traffic a majority of the time and your speed will be pretty slow. Your S/O is your "guide" right?

[The Beastmaster]

Just say you're from Hawaii and you will be a God! AND if you are wandering around, stay away from those back alleys with the red lanterns hanging.

[CobaltFire]

Cool, thanks for all the advice so far. Kaliimc, don't worry about it, you looked pretty worn out. I actually stopped before I realized it was you, because I was going to compliment whoever it was on their car. After the "DINAN 5" badge and the color (which looks purple through polarized glasses) caught up with me (had just finished a 45 minute game of basketball and a 45 minute run), I realized it was you. Anyhow, I may have to check out the other manufacturers. I will definately stop by the BMW dealer there, hopefully I'll get a BMW shirt or something in japanese... :) My S/O will be my guide, and I think I'll do ok on the other side. I actually learned how to shift with my left hand before my right, as my mom wanted to make sure I had it down before she would let me into the drivers seat (I learned on a manual). Keep the suggestions coming!

[MauiM3Mania]

BM, did you talk with Teruko about Osaka? That's where she's from... not sure if any family is there.

[The Beastmaster]

Didn't talk to her about Osaka. I had no idea she was from the Kansai area. My cousins are in Tokyo or Chiba depending which house they are staying at, but I had a blast drinking with them at the Ginza. My other friends took me drinking there and it was lots of fun.

The only thing bad about Japan is my ex fiance follows me around whenever I am there. She followed me around in Kyoto and Tokyo. :mad

[CobaltFire]

MauiM3Mania, do you by any chance have a Mac? Just curious, because I already have it ripped into my PowerBook.

EDIT: iTunes on a PC would work, too.

[MauiM3Mania]

She's not here now, but as I understand Osaka is where she was born and raised. Her business was based in Kyoto... she bailed after the earthquake, I need to get her in here to correct me. :shifty

Cobalt, I'm on an IBM, but have Itunes. Shoot it my way! :buttrock -Scott


Didn't talk to her about Osaka. I had no idea she was from the Kansai area. My cousins are in Tokyo or Chiba depending which house they are staying at, but I had a blast drinking with them at the Ginza. My other friends took me drinking there and it was lots of fun.

The only thing bad about Japan is my ex fiance follows me around whenever I am there. She followed me around in Kyoto and Tokyo. :mad

[bimbum]

get ready to see more japanese temples, churches and castles than you ever imagined :D in fact get ready to see an army of japanese people and that's just when the light turns to "walk" hee hee. buy the week long train pass, will come in handy. also buy reserved seating on the bullets (shinkansen, hikari, etc.) it's the only way to fly. I went in august and that place was hotter than hawaii! I loved it since not a snow/cold person.

if in shinjuku, visit the keo plaza and eat at the top. or the bottom! see kabuki-cho. hiroshima memorial. shopping in ginza. climb mt. fuji. and of course... all those temples and castles! cool ancient towns too, I think one was named kamakura? nippon wa daisuki desu. so much to see and do. enjoy!

[AlwaysSilver]

How about visiting the Motegi Twin Rings racetrack in Ibaragi-ken? They have an awesome Honda museum there.

Don't think you'll find SkaGTR at a rental car agency - plus rent-a-cars are REALLY costly in Japan. I don't think the rental agencies have older cars like the R32 either.

If you are going to be there for New Year's Eve/New Year then you have to experience hatsu moude (first worship of year). See the thousands of people lining up at midnight at the shrines to wish for good luck in the coming year. Something different for sure!

You'll be there for bonenkai (end of year party) season so get ready to drink like you never have! :redspot

[AlwaysSilver]

The only thing bad about Japan is my ex fiance follows me around whenever I am there. She followed me around in Kyoto and Tokyo. :mad

It's not her that's the problem right? You have problems when her pop's peeps follow you around. (Guys who look like this > :shifty :evil2 :cool )

[The Beastmaster]

It's not her that's the problem right? You have problems when her pop's peeps follow you around. (Guys who look like this > :shifty :evil2 :cool )
That was in Hawaii. In Japan she shows up at the hotel in Kyoto in her AMG S500 or in Tokyo with the S600.

[anyone]

hey I`m in Tokyo, Japan right now and good luck renting a car cause parking here is insane, but there are plenty of skyline`s out on the roads, this place is beautiful and the people are nice and the food`s great, you`re going to love it.

[Hawaiiannights]

Wow I didn't even notice this thread until today and was ready to write a whole bunch of stuff but noticed many people already wrote about some of the things I was going to say. And have left alot of great comments!

I'm from Japan originally but have lived in the US (mostly Hawaii) for the majority of my life so am more americanized (and local eh?) then anything. But I still am fluent in Japanese and visit often and have been married to 2 Japanese women and who knows how many ex-girlfriends. I actually just came back from Tokyo 3 days ago.

The heat was just unbearable this time. I almost passed out from heat stroke. But since your going in December, on the other hand you may need to buy some winter clothes if you don't have any. And there is waaaay too many earthquakes in Japan lately...something is definately wrong. There was 3 just in the 2 weeks I was there. I'm actually from Fukoka which is down South and is more country then city, but I spend most of my time in Tokyo so know Tokyo the best.

I don't know the Nagoya area very well so don't know where to guide you but if you have any questions let me know. Like I said I just came back and have hundreds of friends and relatives that live throughout Japan including one in the Nagoya area.

Never heard of renting a Skyline but I don't see why they wouldn't. You may have a hard time finding a place unless you already did your research. And yes parking is insane. And you have to pay for every bridge, freeway, every anything you drive through. And Gas costs an arm and a leg, and you are not allowed to fill your own gas. An attendant has to do it for you...even though I heard they are starting to pick up on the self serve system. But 99% of Japanese people probably still don't know how to pump their own gas.
Oh an be sure you have an international drivers license. Japans drivers license works and is valid in the US but the US license is not accepted in Japan.

Also I need to ask if you are Asian looking or caucasion looking? because it can make a difference in certain places. Don't get me wrong as I am definately not predjudice, and most everyone in Japan is very nice to everyone, and they have gotten alot better compared to 20 years ago, but they are still somewhat of a predjudice country so will treat people who aren't Japanese or don't talk japanese a little different. ( I mean the regular people on the street and stuff, not people in the hospitality industry, hotels, etc.) Depending on where you go and what it is your doing. Then again there are the people who LOVE the foreigners and can't get enough of them. Just don't take it personal if someone is rude to you...its just how some of them are. And some places have signs that say no foreigners allowed. Oh but yes they love Hawaii, so tell everyone your from Hawaii

Food is awesome! I would say the best in the world but if your not used to it make sure you ask what your about to eat because you may be shocked. For instance a delicacy from where I come from Fukuoka is "Basashi" which is Raw Horse Meat, and "Mentaiko" Spicy Picked Fish Egg Sacks. Which both of them are very good and I love to eat. If you don't know, ask.

The country areas are beautiful and very relaxing and enjoyable if that is what you want to experience.....Temples, Mountains, Hot Springs, etc.
Then the Cities are wild and insane! I love Tokyo...its like New York City or LA but 100 times more crazy, crowded, and fun!! Everyone one is in such a rush even when you ride escalators you have to know which side to stand on. The left side is the side for people who just want to ride the escalator up, and the right side is for the people who are in a rush and will come running up the escalator. If your sticking out on the right and not moving you will either get knocked down or piss someone off big time.

Taking a side trip would be great! Fukuoka or Kumamoto in the South Side is beautiful with great food, mountains, hot springs, etc.
Osaka is close to Nagoya and is much like Tokyo but the people there are crazy!! hahah....my ex girlfriend tried to stab me after we broke up and she was from Osaka. they have a very strong dialect too so even Japanese people can't understand them sometimes...(kansai ben).... Then of couse Tokyo is wonderful, food, shopping, nightlife....a little gentlemen fun? hehe..
Hokkaido is great as well, but will be cold as shit in December.
Oh and the hotsprings are not co-ed, unless you happen to get a small private one. So if your not used to being butt naked in front of a bunch of guys who have their balls hanging out you may feel a little unconfortable. Oh and if you have large tatoos on you body, some hot spring "onsens" have a sign saying tatoos not permited. So in other words if you have a big ass dragon on your back your not getting in. And if you do, everyone will be looking at you and trying to figure out if you are Yakuza or not. And trust me the Yakuza is still around and you don't want to mess with them.

Which brings me to the subject of the "mens" nightlife. If you are planning on getting away from the fiance, and you are in to that kind of thing...you will be very pleased. But of course we won't get in to that here. If you want to know I can fill you in on alot of info, but you'll have to find the places yourself unless its in Tokyo. But don't just go in to anywhere. They have places that are made to sucker you in and rip you off. Even myself that can speak fluently got sucked into a bar in Tokyo once in Kabukicho. I got in the place and they confused me so much I had no idea how to get out, they also took away my shoes and told me I have to pay approx $700 to be in this place but once I pay I can get "full service" and all you can drink. I said forget it, and tried to get out of it then many guys showed up and they made it very clear to me I wasn't getting out unless I paid. But they don't use direct words but make the point clear. Your already in there so need to pay for the services of the place. Don't trust someone on the street that says he can take you to a good place for a small fee or if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Oh and trains. I love them! But if you've never riden one, you might not be used to them and may get motion sickness. I still do once in a while but my body adapts in a few days. The new bullet train has just been released and is suppose to be unreal fast! Superexpress I think? You'll see there is about 3 differnt types and different looking bullet trains...the more futureistic they look the newer they are probably. Oh and they aint cheap. Almost the same as buying a plane ticket. if you plan to ride alot of trains on the JR lines (which the shinkansen bullet train is) you should definately obtain a JR Rail Pass....its expensive but worth while. You can only purchase it while you are in the US and its only for non-japan residents.

Oh and watch out for the Japanese toilets! If you don't know how to use one don't even try. Personally I hate them and refuse to use them. And almost anyplace will have both Western Toilets and Japanes toilets. EXCEPT in the case you go somewhere thats real country then you most definately will have to learn to use a Japanese Style toilet! Or sometimes all the western stalls are taken and you need to take a dump now! and the only available open stall is the Jap toilet.....then.....gambatte.....hehe

Oh most public restrooms don't have papertowels or even soap. You need to carry a handkerchief (spelling?) or small hand towel with you at all times.

Oh and all Japanese are fricken drunks and love to drink...haha.....my grandma used to pour me beer when I was 12 and yelled at me when I said I can't drink. Be prepared to drink even if your not a drinker. If you are a drinker then have fun...but people will make you drink more then you every have before....people actually die in Japan from drinking too much and drowning in alcohol.

Thats what I can think of off the top of my head. Let me know if you have more questions. Didn't know so many people on this forum have been to Japan or know about Japan....wow.......

Jya ne...

[CobaltFire]

Cool, thanks Hawaiinnights. As for the prejudices, I am very aware of them, don't worry about it. For the nightlife, that won't be an issue. I am most definately not a partyer. The rail pass is already on the to-do list as well. I am very used to seeing naked guys (I'm in the Navy), and I am a bit scared of getting a tattoo. The toilets worry me a little, but oh well, I'll survive. Thanks for the long write up!

[808Cardinal87]

I am very used to seeing naked guys (I'm in the Navy), :confused

[kaliimc]

I am confused also, this may be because I joined the Army and am unable to relate to the way the Navy "does" things. :D Can anyone tell me why the nametag goes on the right rear pants pocket?! Kinda reminds me of dogs when they sniff each other back there to find out more about each other... :D

Any explanations Tom? :devillook

[AlwaysSilver]

Food is awesome! I would say the best in the world but if your not used to it make sure you ask what your about to eat because you may be shocked. For instance a delicacy from where I come from Fukuoka is "Basashi" which is Raw Horse Meat, and "Mentaiko" Spicy Picked Fish Egg Sacks. Which both of them are very good and I love to eat. If you don't know, ask.

I thought basashi was more of a Kumamoto area delicacy. My Mom is also from Fukuoka so I have family all over Kyushu. Mentaiko definitely rocks! :buttrock The stuff you can get here locally isn't that good though - Fukuya can't be touched! We always bring it in and my freezer (as my folks) is full of it.



Oh and watch out for the Japanese toilets! If you don't know how to use one don't even try. Personally I hate them and refuse to use them. And almost anyplace will have both Western Toilets and Japanes toilets. EXCEPT in the case you go somewhere thats real country then you most definately will have to learn to use a Japanese Style toilet! Or sometimes all the western stalls are taken and you need to take a dump now! and the only available open stall is the Jap toilet.....then.....gambatte.....hehe

When I use to visit my Grandma in Hakata, she would put comic magazines (same thickness as phonebook here) on each side to I could "do my thing". Still can't use Japanese toilets! :eyecrazy



Oh most public restrooms don't have papertowels or even soap. You need to carry a handkerchief (spelling?) or small hand towel with you at all times.

This is an awesome tip! Good one. It'd be a good idea to buy a bunch of individual packet WetOnes before going to Japan. No soap so yeah maybe small bottle of hand sanitizer too. Hankie is a must (take a few)!



Oh and all Japanese are fricken drunks and love to drink...haha.....my grandma used to pour me beer when I was 12 and yelled at me when I said I can't drink. Be prepared to drink even if your not a drinker. If you are a drinker then have fun...but people will make you drink more then you every have before....people actually die in Japan from drinking too much and drowning in alcohol.

When I use to take Engineers from Ford/Motorola/GM/etc. to Japan I'd try to warn them but they'd always say they were not worried because the were college-style drinkers........little did they know. Every and ALL these guys were ralphing and most could not get up the next morning (which was a few hours after we finished drinking!).

[Astroboy]

Several places that we visited that I would recommend:

• The Nagoya Aquarium. First class operation. They have this HUGE tank that sports dolphins and a killer whale. People sit in a small stadium like seating and watch the show from above water or below water. Several television cameras film the show and broadcast it onto this huge “jumbo-tron” type screen so you can see close-up what happens. They also have a few beluga whales there that had just given birth when we visited. Many, many exhibits on several floors - aquariums with fish, poisonous frogs, poisonous everything, all sorts of creatures from around the world. Next door to the aquarium is a retired ice-breaker ship that ventured to the south (?) pole. It was suppose to have been one of the first or something like that. In any event, the aquarium is quite reasonably priced at approx $12.00 per person and can consume at least several hours of your time. Well worth it.
• The Science and Technology museum is also very worth your while. It is a concrete building, much like an office building here that has approximately, (hmmm) 7+ floors full of hands-on exhibits. Each floor has different theme, full of hands on exhibits and each very interesting. This place also can EASILY consume several hours to half a day of your time. The admission was approximately $6.00 or so. I am still baffled at how low the admission cost for these places were. Well worth the price.
• The Nagoya Zoo is also well worth your time. Great set up, many different animals that you would not normally see in this country. I can’t remember the price but think it was somewhere around $12-$15 or so.

Nagoya has this great quasi Yokan-Mochi snack. You will see it in many of the food sections of the stores there. It is sold in a rectangular bar size, a little narrower than a gold bar but longer. It comes in made with different ingredients and as a result comes in different colors. Great eating and you can easily get hooked on it.

We didn’t stay long enough to purchase a rail pass, but that would be the way to go if you are staying a while. We purchased individual passes as needed. Hawaiiannights pretty much nailed everything. I would have to agree that oddly enough, sometimes when you ride the train, nothing happens and it is smooth sailing, but sometimes it rocks from side to side depending on the terrain it covers and it did give me motion sickness on one ride. Other than that, it was great fun to see the scenery from the train window. Unless you don’t mind cigarette smoke, I would highly recommend the non-smoking car and even reserved car rather than paying slightly less for a smoking non reserved car. Once the headache comes on, it is hard to shake.

Interestingly enough, the Japanese men have the same concerns and inhibitions that Americans do. When you enter the onsens or ofuros, you normally have a washcloth size towel sort of subtly covering your area. Once in water, the cloth can be used to cover the top of your head or whatever.
I have pics if you want to see the aquarium as well as the science and tech exhibits. As you can see, we did mostly kid-oriented stuff. Red light districts were off limits for me as was alcohol.

Oh, almost forgot to comment about the toilets. Word of caution, if you have to use the japanese style of toilets, just make sure your pens, coins, pager, cell phone, wallet are secure before you squat. I lost a pen that way.... :lol
Have fun!
Astro

P.S. I'll probably be in Kyoto sometime in Dec....I think :D

[CobaltFire]

I do fine with the drinking, but I am a social drinker now, as I used to drink a bit too much (250ml of hard stuff with a 6 pack or so every night...). It just doesn't interest me as much anymore. I'll try new stuff, and I do like chuhai's (sp?). As for the naked guys in the Navy stuff, when you are on a little friggin tube under water, there isn't any such thing as privacy, so you get used to it. I also have to shower in the gym everyday, so there is that as well (work out every day there before work).

[CobaltFire]

Astroboy: Kyoto is where we are looking at going other than Nagoya, so maybe we could get together for dinner or somesuch. Thanks for the pointers, I am getting really excited about this trip, I just hope my job doesn't get in the way.

[Astroboy]

We are definately going to be going to an inn somewhere in the mountains that her family has gone to for years that is supposed to have an excellent hotspring and even better food and accomodations, while getting NO SIGNAL from any cell phones. Anyhow, I am asking you guys as I think it is more likely that the average person living in Hawaii will have traveled there than otherwise. TIA for any pointers/advice.

We stayed at youth hostels. Japan seems to have a network of youth hostels. Very reasonable rates. Some have family rooms where you are not sleeping with other strangers (the option we utilized), common showers, restrooms, but for the most part a good deal if you are on a budget and rather spend your money on other things (like mods :D ).

[Astroboy]

Astroboy: Kyoto is where we are looking at going other than Nagoya, so maybe we could get together for dinner or somesuch. Thanks for the pointers, I am getting really excited about this trip, I just hope my job doesn't get in the way.

Shoots...we can probably do a casual hibachi thing. What I wrote down was my version of it (the male - I forgot half of what I did when I was there version). My wife will go on-and-on about Japan, if given the opportunity....But mind you, we did the "family-oriented" version of it. Everything was kid-oriented.
Astro

[gsn794]

if you're serious about driving in Japan, make sure you go to AAA and get an international driver's license. Cost is pretty minimal. And of course the most important rule to remember when visiting Japan: take LOTS of money because damn near everything is expensive. Also beware of the rates when you check for hotels. Virtually all of the rates are per head, not per room. That makes sense at a ryokan because what you're really paying for are the elaborate meals, but at a normal hotel it can really suck. It's not like theyre doing anything extra to accomodate two people instead of one. If you stay at a western style hotel, a lot of them have rates that include breakfast, which can sometimes be a good deal overall. :cool

[The Beastmaster]

Astroboy: Kyoto is where we are looking at going other than Nagoya, so maybe we could get together for dinner or somesuch. Thanks for the pointers, I am getting really excited about this trip, I just hope my job doesn't get in the way.
Kyoto! Have fun looking at temples, temples, temples and more temples. :D

Oh yeah, 250ml of hards won't cut it in Japan. These guys put away a full bottle, catch the train home, get up early and are back at work the next day. :eek: Just ask Always Silver about that!

I didn't know you were a submariner. One of my friends was a weapons officer on a sub and it really changed the way he lives. To this day he still sleeps with his arms crossed in front of him. This used to freak out his gf, now wife, and she used to tell me about it. I hope you don't sleep that way!

[AlwaysSilver]

Oh yeah, 250ml of hards won't cut it in Japan. These guys put away a full bottle, catch the train home, get up early and are back at work the next day. :eek: Just ask Always Silver about that!


Yeah that's sanjikai/yojikai level, AFTER you been drinking all night at the first two (or three) places (beer/sake/shochu/wine/etc.)! :eek:

I think if you are traveling with your fiance you are safe unless she has a dad/brother/uncle/friends that want to see how you act all jacked-up. :stickoutt Don't forget two important rules : 1) Always kanpai with your glass lower than someone you respect and/or is your senior, and 2) If someone pours you one, you GOTTA drink it ALL. (Edit : oh yeah, NEVER pour backhanded - that's how you pour to the dead.....kind of batchi especially with the older folks).

[The Beastmaster]

I think if you are traveling with your fiance you are safe unless she has a dad/brother/uncle/friends that want to see how you act all jacked-up. :stickoutt Don't forget two important rules : 1) Always kanpai with your glass lower than someone you respect and/or is your senior, and 2) If someone pours you one, you GOTTA drink it ALL. (Edit : oh yeah, NEVER pour backhanded - that's how you pour to the dead.....kind of batchi especially with the older folks).
Well, he might not be safe as the family will probably want to feel him out and test him.

AND I never knew about the level of the glasses thing. :eek:

[808Cardinal87]

AND I never knew about the level of the glasses thing. :eek:Me neither, I always thought the drunkest person always yelled the loudest and raised the highest.

[808Cardinal87]

As for the naked guys in the Navy stuff, when you are on a little friggin tube under water, there isn't any such thing as privacy, so you get used to it.You know what they say.....

On submarines, 150 men go down and 75 couples come up!!!




J/K I used to be on submarines also. That's why I'm a bit out of whack. :offwall

[Hawaiiannights]

Awesome additions everyone! Wow....everyone really knows there Japan huh? Impressive.....

Alwayssilver:
Yea the Basashi thing is more Kumamoto which is where my first wife was from so I was kinda mixing the 2, oh and hell yea Fukuya rocks! Try explain bringing back 15 boxes of their mentaiko to customs at the honolulu airport and telling them um....its seasoned fish eggs?..... Well Fukuoka and Kumamoto are practically neighbors....My ex had a Log Cabin on Aso Mountain it was the bomb! Beautiful mornings and passionate nights! Haha...I won't go there.

The comic books on the Japanese Toilet cracked me up big time! And yes its very easy to drop stuff when your squating...and if I may be gross....you can also easily shit on yourself if you stuff flys...eeewww.....

And always pour the drinks of others before your own. Especially the elders and family members...if you don't want to drink any more just keep you glass full. It may help but then again they may still try to pour when its full so that means you have to drink the contents so they can pour more.

Cobaltfire:
Thanks for clearing up the Navy and Showering thing...I think we all got a little confused there...haha.... But cool your in a Sub! Must be the shit.

You can buy the JR Rail pass at R&C Tours on Kalakaua the Green Building with the Statue of Liberty in the front. They sell it for a reasonable price. I used to work there so know them well. But some other places may sell it for a little cheaper but only by a few bucks.

Chuhi's are awesome and they come in so many flavors. If you like Shochu which I love, try find some "Tantakatan" its a Hokkaido Shochu made from Shiso. its the shit. You can just drink it straight with Ice.... They don't sell it in Hawaii so I always bring some back with me. Well I know this one Japanese Hostess bar in Waikiki has it but they sell it for $160 a bottle when it actually only costs about $8.00 in the supermarkets in Japan.

gsn794:
Yeea AAA on Alamoana by Ward (are they stil there?) can make one for you for about $10 I think, last time I checked but it only last a year I think. Its real simple you can just go there, pay, and get it. So might as well. I drove from Fukuoaka to Kumamoto without a international license and was paranoid the whole time!! That and every time I tried to change lanes and signal, i'd turn on the wipers and look like an idiot!! haha.... my ex kept telling me what the fck am I doing?



This thread is cool.....it should be a How-To sticky for Japan! haha....we should write a book eh?

Oh and Dayum...since this still is a BMW forum...they had some sweet looking Bimmers in Tokyo when I went. Just weird seeing the handles on the Right side on some of them, then left on others....like WTF? But they have some neat accessories for them that they don't have over here. I figure Germany is closer to Japan than the US? Or wait is the US closer? hell I dunno.... but German cars are definately a status symbol in Japan.

Don't forget to check out Autobacs or YellowHat if you see one. For cool car accessories, etc..... have fun! and let us know how it went! Pics will help be good too!

[AlwaysSilver]

... oh and hell yea Fukuya rocks! Try explain bringing back 15 boxes of their mentaiko to customs at the honolulu airport and telling them um....its seasoned fish eggs?.....
Yeah we deal with the same thing too - it's too hard to hide 'cause gotta keep 'em cold yeah?



And always pour the drinks of others before your own. Especially the elders and family members...if you don't want to drink any more just keep you glass full. It may help but then again they may still try to pour when its full so that means you have to drink the contents so they can pour more.
Yeah, can't just pour your own and drink. Kind of a humbug ritual but shows respect, and also can be fun when the pouree is dying!



This thread is cool.....it should be a How-To sticky for Japan! haha....we should write a book eh?
How about listing the no-no's in Japan? Like sticking hashi into rice, or passing food utensil-to-utensil.



Don't forget to check out Autobacs or YellowHat if you see one. For cool car accessories, etc..... have fun! and let us know how it went! Pics will help be good too!
Oh yeah, gotta check out the auto parts stores!!!!!!

[The Beastmaster]

Check out the nightclubs! I used to have a blast at those!

[CobaltFire]

I already know most of the no-no's for etiquette, as my fincee will tell me "that's how my dad does it" and I'll know it's wrong... I guess he likes to drive their mom up the wall. Like pulling dishes towards you with chopsticks... As for everyone else, thanks a bunch for all the help here!

:smiliecap

About the submarine stuff: No, it is NOT cool, it screws you up for life. :nutz: :crazynoel :3some

[808Cardinal87]

Check out the nightclubs! I used to have a blast at those!Rappongi :stickoutt

[gsn794]

one more thing about the railpass. A lot of people don't realize this, but JR operates highway buses and ferries in addition to trains, and the passes are good for those as well. http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en03.html If you use the Shinkansen and don't go for the green car (first class), try and get yourself on the one they call the Rail Star. All of the cars in that one have 2 and 2 seating while the other trains have 2 and 3 in coach. And don't forget to ask for non-smoking if you're not a smoker. Japanese people who smoke regard the world as their ashtray. Please, no flames - I'm half Japanese myself. :D I turned down a job at Fujitsu because I couldn't handle working with a bunch of people who insisted on smoking in the office.

[HawaiiBimmer]

My entire family is from japan and I'm fluent as well. I go about twice a year.


Oh and Dayum...since this still is a BMW forum...they had some sweet looking Bimmers in Tokyo when I went. Just weird seeing the handles on the Right side on some of them, then left on others....like WTF? But they have some neat accessories for them that they don't have over here. I figure Germany is closer to Japan than the US? Or wait is the US closer? hell I dunno.... but German cars are definately a status symbol in Japan.

Don't forget to check out Autobacs or YellowHat if you see one. For cool car accessories, etc..... have fun! and let us know how it went! Pics will help be good too!
In japan bmw's are really expensive over there. A 330i is almost $80k there.

About Renting a GT-R: Before they did used to have rentals such as Evo's and what not, but because many people kept crashing them and having accidents, they stopped. I had my uncle try and find some kind of sporty rental, but he could only find a G35(But with a slower model engine?) and automatic version of RX8's. When i went with my friends we rented a car from Nissan Rent-A-Car. It was this during this Japanese holiday where they go on vacations (near the end of summer, so now) so all the good rental cars were gone. The only car left was a Nissan March. I think it only has like 100hp. We went crazy in it! From Shinagawa to Yokohama usually takes about One Hour, but we were flooring it the whole way going like 90-100mph and got there in 25min. Japan doesn't have cops gunning or driving around like we do here in America, but they do have CAMERA'S all over that take pics. We didn't know this, and passsed about 15 of them. Never got any tickets, but i think thats because we're tourists? not sure. but it was scary to find out that thats what it was, radar cameras.

hmm what else, oh and our radar/laser jammers won't work there cuz frequencys and such are different. Their detectors can even detect when a cop car is close because it can pick up signals from their radios.

[Hawaiiannights]

one more thing about the railpass. A lot of people don't realize this, but JR operates highway buses and ferries in addition to trains, and the passes are good for those as well. http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en03.html If you use the Shinkansen and don't go for the green car (first class), try and get yourself on the one they call the Rail Star. All of the cars in that one have 2 and 2 seating while the other trains have 2 and 3 in coach. And don't forget to ask for non-smoking if you're not a smoker. Japanese people who smoke regard the world as their ashtray. Please, no flames - I'm half Japanese myself. :D I turned down a job at Fujitsu because I couldn't handle working with a bunch of people who insisted on smoking in the office.

I am a smoker and can't handle the smoking trains...your eyes start to hurt after a while. But Japan's gotten alot better. They have streets that you can't smoke on anymore either and most train station platforms are no smoking.

[thrlls]

My only advice is, take a lot of :cashwalle you'll run out of it fast!
If you have a chance, check out the Toyota MegaWeb too!

[vapor]

I am in Tokyo....let me know if you have questions!

Nagoya is known for its chicken!! There was a great wing restaurant that we would go to, when we visited a client in downtown Nagoya...

You are going to be hard up finding a place to rent a Skyline...but you can test drive cars!

Nissan headquarters are in Ginza, and they give test drives in the showroom.

There is also a Nissan dealership in Makuhari, that has a mini test drive course...I got a 350Z vert up to 100KM before the first turn....speed limit was supposed to be 40km!! My friend (client) drove a Skyline...but he didn't punch it too much!

vapor