Japan

[KingBison]

So... In two days i will be in Japan. Im wondering if the poop shoot had any advice for this first time internation flier. Can any of you also tell me good spots to check out in tokyo. Ill make sure to post pics and stuff for everyone to see my crazy ass in Tokyo. I will be drunk most of the time. I have crazy friends in Japan. Anyway all the help is appreciated.

[karmattack]

Hopefully someone here can confirm or deny this for you. I've heard there are certain bar/restaurant type places that provide a woman for company. No, not "company," but just someone to sit and talk with you. BUT her services aren't free. I was talking to a guy who got stuck with a hefty bill because he thought a woman in the restaurant was being polite.
If you don't know how to read Japanese, make sure to bring plenty of guides to translate signs and that type of thing. I've heard that can be a difficulty.

[JIM]

Have fun over there Bison!
I'm still saving up for a trip over there.
Everyone I know tells Me to check out the Akibara district for all of those great electronics.

Some tips relayed to Me:

Watch out for the fugu(blowfish). It could kill You.

Don't cause a scene on the mass transit systems. They're not crazy about us gaijin's as it is. Don't make it worse.

Rumors about the Yakuza are true. Don't Fu*k with them. Watch yourself in those arcades and pachinko parlors.

Don't pick up any hookers, You might wake up on a ship bound for some secret forced-labor camp in the south seas.

Watch Your budget, I've had many a friend who ended up calling home to have money wired to them. It's damn expensive in Japan. Unless the exchange rate got better.

Oh, one more thing...when giant lizards and moths start attacking... run AWAY from them, not TO them.
Pointing at them and yelling out their name does'nt help either. It just pisses them off.
Besides that, I'm sure You'll have lots of fun!
/forums/images/icons/grin.gif

Edit: Karma, it is true. Good of You to bring that up.
There are places that offer other "services" too. That's where the Yak's can also show up and cause one some trouble.

[KingBison]

Thanks, Ill make sure to watch out for the resturants. Its a dam shame about the hookers. I was really looking forward to taking advantage of there lenient prostitution laws.

[Mighty_Wingman]

The labor camps aren't that bad. You get four hours off,everyday, and they usually pay you in fruit, so it's a great way to take off a few pounds.

Just be as respectful and polite as you can, bow when someone bows to you , but remember, " look eye, always look eye."

[AskewView00]

What ever you do, don't go to Okinawa. My friend in the marines was stationd there for 2 years, and he said it's only cow fields and military. he hated it.

[BAMSS04]

I honestly don't know if this is true but at any rate I've heard that you can buy a lot of things there and sell them here for like triple the value. Not sure if its true though.

[Omaru]

Watch out for the supposed perverted gropers in subways. Though you're male so I think that one can be overlooked.

[Ryall]

I can't think of anything specific to recommend, but I loved Tokyo. It was like nowhere I'd been before--Times Square has nothing on it.

Lost in Translation really works after you've been there, too, because a lot of the experiences I had there were echoed in that movie (minus meeting a dissatisfied 19-year-old and touching her foot).

Be prepared to see a lot of young, blonde Japanese girls in huge tennis shoes, drunken businessmen staggering home at night and adults of all ages reading manga in stores. Oh, and watch out for the fish markets--most of the fish and crab they had wrapped in cellophane for sale were still alive, which was odd to see. Same with the little fish they put on a bowl of oatmeal I had, too.

if you get time, head south to the old capital, where all the big temples are--it's pretty amazing to see.

And try to get a ride in a Nissan Skyline while you're there--that car kicks amazing amounts of ass.

Also, be prepared to pay upwards of $300 for a dinner of sushi off a naked woman, too. Although it becomes more worth it with every bite.

[karmattack]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Also, be prepared to pay upwards of $300 for a dinner of sushi off a naked woman, too.

[/ QUOTE ] [drools] Toooooookyo.......suuuuuuuuushi......BOOOOOOOOOOBI ES.

[DarthMaulRat]

I don't know if the US has done anything recently to piss off Japan, but right now most of the world hates us, so don't expect any friendly welcomes. My friend just went to Europe and almost every country he visited was full of people that were tired of Americans and did everything they could to make his trip hell. He was ignored by waiters, shoved by pedestrians, and so on.

[Efexeye]

Crass American or not, international relations or not, I don't go around shoving people just because they aren't Americans. If you get shoved, and it's on purpose, represent- punch that punk in his grill!

[Razorback]

The rest of the world hated Americans long before Bush came into power. In fact, the last time I was in Europe (about 10 years ago) I saw a Canadian beat up simply for sounding American. So make sure you announce yourself as being Canadian everywhere you go. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

RB

[DarthMaulRat]

From the way my friend was telling me the story, I'm sure he left out a few facts. He wasn't shoved around for no reason, but his overall experience was rudeness nonetheless.

[JIM]

When I last visited Europe in the summer of '99, My then girlfriend and I had a good experience for the most part. There was some B.S., but not too much.
What did piss Me off though were the bitch-ass Canadians I encountered. Among other things, When I asked why I saw so many with little Canadian flags on their backpacks, they said it was because they did'nt want to be confused with Americans.

Fuck them. Fuck them in their stu- Oops. almost went to far there.

Anyhoo...Most of the people I encountered in Amsterdam were nice. England was a close second. Finland's citizens were cool too.
However, the French nationals I came upon...should have been stuffed in a sack and drowned in the sienne as children.
/forums/images/icons/grin.gif

[jjcourtright]

I had some friends go to Europe in, I think, the summer of 2001. They said that everybody there was quite hospitable, except for the guy that mugged one of my friends. After that, another one of my buddies carried a sword around everywhere that they went. Fear of a swording may have kept others' manners in check.

[JIM]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
After that, another one of my buddies carried a sword around everywhere that they went. Fear of a swording may have kept others manners in check.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like Your friend with the sword!
Was this in Toledo by any chance? Just wondering.

[jjcourtright]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Was this in Toledo by any chance?

[/ QUOTE ] Wha?

[JIM]

They make a lot of swords and knives there.
Just wondering if He picked it up there while visiting and carried it around Europe.

[jjcourtright]

Gotcha. Yes, he did pick it up while there, but I don't know what city.

[Sheriff]

I just returned from Japan a month ago after a trip for 10 days. My thoughts:

-They are the most polite society you can imagine.

-Watch 'Lost in Translation' before and after you go

-Saki is like Beer to them, it encompasses the majority of the drinkers and each Saki has a different taste, most Americans appreciate the 'light' and 'dry' versions (very much like how you describe wine). If you want to be liked in Japan always compliment any Saki you are given. Also only certain types of Saki are served hot, get the cold served ones, they are damn good.

-The girls you speak of - the ones that hang out with you for money are the famous Japanese Geisha's. Another misconception in America is that this means whore, they do not sleep with you, they 'accompany' you and make sure you have a good time. Geisha's usually only sleep with certian men that are very close to them and are very stable with supporting them. Also make sure to check out the way women's lib never really happened in Japan.

- It costs a lot to eat in Japan, the food is wonderfull, I spent around 30 dollars for lunch and 50 for dinner every day (Mcdonalds is around the corner so use it wisely). Have your friend change your money he will get almost 1/3 more in exchange rate than you will. Practice those chop-sticks. Specifically ask for Fugu, yes it can kill you but only if it is cut in an improper way (specific cheif's are trained to do this), when else are you going to be able to eat something like this (very good).

-Visit some temples, most are really cool.

-Try Shabu-Shabu, like in 'Lost'.

Some other random thoughts, look at all the advertisements none of the people in them are looking at you (downcast eyes, very polite). Also you will stick out like a sore thumb, you think more people would look at you, if you want to see people staring at you turn really quick and look at a group and you will see them staring for a second before they realise you are looking at them.

Have fun

[jjcourtright]

Did you ever tell me what you were doing in Japan? Either I forgot that you told me, or you never told me...So, what were you doing in Japan?

[KingBison]

Im back, what can I say...

1. Lost in Translation is definately on the money with japan. Bravo to that movie.

2. I didnt have sushi at all. But I had assloads of pork with salad and rice, and miso pork ramen. I also ate at this place called mitsuya which is japanese fast food. Good stuff

3. I got offered sex in a place called Roppongii. I passed cause the pimp wanted 140 dollars, which i found out was a deal, especially for gajin.

4. Arcades rule in japan. I spent most of my time playing high level competition at all my favorite fighting games. especially Virtua fighter, which is [censored] huge there

5. Japan has added something to there life styles, Right next to rice and miso, almost near samurai and electronics, you have Cell phones. Everyone has one. I even say a guy on a bike with an umbrella in one hand and his cell phone in the other not paying any attention to the traffic in front of him.

6. Shoving in the subway is not rude, they do it, so I did it and it was [censored] fun. But dont get carried away. The cops dont fuckin play.


All in all I would never give my expericence away for anything. One of the best times of my life.

[JIM]

It's good to hear that You had fun!
Post, or link some pics!
/forums/images/icons/grin.gif

[KingBison]

umm the pics are huge.

Go here Japan Trip '04 (http://stealy.homeunix.com/Japan/)

My server got hammered last night with all my friends and internet friends looking at the pics so they download kinda slow right now cause they put a 10k limit on me. So be patient.