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[tunnie]

Looking for advice from people who have gone, going to be there 6-16th of September. Plan so far is to fly into Tokyo, have 4 or 5 days there, then maybe rent a car, or take train some ware else.

Going with some mates, found this hotel:

http://www.sakura-hotel-ikebukuro.com/hotel_rates.php

Rates look very competitive for Tokyo, works out at £41 each per night.

Got list of things building for Tokyo itself, but not sure what parts outside the city to visit  :-/

I like the idea of maybe driving across parts of it, tend to see more of the scenery, people, towns rather than being in a train. But then again, can cover much laster distances with ease, and bullet train is tempting.

Ideas / suggestions welcome 

[jerry]

mate of mine went (hes currently travelling round Thailand/Microasia-lucky git!). Spent a few days in Tokyo -even sleeping on the streets in safety :-/-then, as he is the sort of bloke who not only seems to pull all manner of hot girls but also tends to land on his feet whatever he does, stayed with a friend of a friend at a fishing village near mt fuji (Suruga Bay?). This was the best bit he reckons as it wasnt too touristy, a bit more like traditional rural Japan and the locals were all exceptionally welcoming so he got to do a bit of surfing as well as enjoy local hospitality.

[cem_devecioglu]

had a roommate who speaks japanese.. and stayed there for long time.. seen his notes :-? and writings..

its no more different than living on another planet with alien languages.. and signs in other languages is a problem as far as I know..

[Debs.]

I have quite a few dear-Japanese friends in Osaka/Kobe area, having sent working sheepdog puppies (from my Tegwen`s litters) there; they are a wonderfully cultured, gentle, open and welcoming society; not at all the type we 'crass' westerners are told they are.
I so-envy you going, Tunnie.....visiting the 'real' Japan is very near the top of my life`s 'to-do' list.
Go with an open heart and mind (do a bit of research into culture and social graces) and enjoy wonderful 'Nippon' and it`s people.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Bullet train between cities....fantastic.

In a few days you can nip (sorry the pun) around most of the island that way.

And dont have to much of the raw fish or your ass will end up looking like the national flag

[cem_devecioglu]

Bullet train between cities....fantastic.

In a few days you can nip (sorry the pun) around most of the island that way.

And dont have to much of the raw fish or your ass will end up looking like the national flag

 

[tunnie]

looking at some of the meals is scary, there is a common theme of dunking cooked food in pots of raw egg before eating  :-? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyaki

[steve_daly]

looking at some of the meals is scary, there is a common theme of dunking cooked food in pots of raw egg before eating  :-? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyaki

Not to mention the ones that still move while you eat them...

[Marks DTM Calib]

looking at some of the meals is scary, there is a common theme of dunking cooked food in pots of raw egg before eating  :-? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyaki

Raw eggs fine (contary to what we are told lol), it was the baby fish that was scarey...it was like rice with eyes!

[kev2b4]

Am off to somewhere 2 hours by train from Narita on monday -- then back to proper food after 5 days ( i.e. cooked) - but last time was there found an Indian where the only stuff not ccoked was the salad stuff

[geoffr70]

Try hostelworld.com for cheap accommodation. I managed to get for about £11 a night. Didn't go in the end due t cancelled flights, but I can imagine you would've been crammed in like sardines, but you only need a bed to sleep on!

[steve_daly]

Here's a side of japan I'm sure the tourist board wouldn't want you to see

http://www.thecovemovie.com/

Not sure if it has been touched on before, so appologies if it has, but seems relevant considering you want to visit.

[cem_devecioglu]

Here's a side of japan I'm sure the tourist board wouldn't want you to see

http://www.thecovemovie.com/

Not sure if it has been touched on before, so appologies if it has, but seems relevant considering you want to visit.

yep..watched a detailed one on NTV about that subject..
and must confess my positive ideas about japanese has changed radically.. a govt permitting this slaughter for a group of people to earn more money and people buying this meat has no excuse..

http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=14933

http://planetsave.com/blog/blog/2009/01/19/the-cove-sundance-film-exposes-japanese-dolphin-slaughter-in-grisly-footage/

http://www.theecologist.org/reviews/films/344225/the_cove_dolphin_slaughter_and_toxic_meat.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cove_(film)

[Sixstring]

You MUST try the capsule hotels............they are sooooooooooocool! Most have tv/dvd aircon, and superb orthapaedic bed.
A couple of my friends went last year, hired a motorcycle, and stayed almost exclusively in them cos it was so much fun, and cheap too.

see:    info@capsuleinn.com

[doog]

Here's a side of japan I'm sure the tourist board wouldn't want you to see

http://www.thecovemovie.com/

Not sure if it has been touched on before, so appologies if it has, but seems relevant considering you want to visit.

I have not saeen the cove but i have seen the trailer for it  and it seemed abit lightweight about getting its point across   a more brutally shocking video can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnzXcXOXpo4 but be warned it is quite horrific viewing