OT:. Japan

[SeaOfRed75]

As I mentioned in the GBR everywhere thread, family and I have a trip to Japan coming up once school is out.

As this board has impressed me with the number of world travelers I guess I'd ask for people that have been to give ideas of must do, waste of time, overrated, underrated, etc.

Will be in Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima (including Miyajima).

 

[ADV1]

Sounds funny but you owe it to yourself to hit up the "Cup Noodle" factory & museum in Tokyo... can make your own mix of ingredients and call it your own...

Also Check out electric city in Tokyo... basically a huge area downtown with department stores

If you can score a dinner cruise those are always fun

Hit up the Shinkansen... can't go to Japan and not ride that thing

The Japanese love to take people to the various temples... these are typically beautiful places and interesting to visit

Finally, if you don't buy warm canned coffee every morning you're missing out on life

 

[WHCSC]

Try Cat Island if that's your kind of thing

 

[putemintheaisles]

I would highly recommend taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. Kyoto is absolutely beautiful. I've been quite a few places around the world, and I really want to go back to Japan.

In our 14 days, I was only able to see Tokyo, Kyoto, and Takyama.

Watch the movie Lost In Translation before you go, it is so spot on. Japan is almost like another world.

 

[mgbreis]

I've never been, but if I ever do I'll try to take in a Japanese pro baseball game. It looks pretty crazy from a fan perspective!

 

[schuele]

I've never been, but if I ever do I'll try to take in a Japanese pro baseball game. It looks pretty crazy from a fan perspective!

And fans are allowed to yell again this year!

During COVID they had to wear masks and could only clap. Seriously.

 

[nwualum]

Been in all 50 states and 41 countries. Kyoto is one of my favorite cities in the world. One thing you will find is that very few people speak english, even young adults. I personally would book some local tours so they will take you to the best sites to see. Go to the Dotonbori area of Osaka and walk around. They also have hop on hop off bus tours that take you to all the local sites. Food is very good and reasonable. People are friendly but polite and quiet. You will notice the complete lack of diversity there. Not saying its good or bad- just noticeable.

If you happen to be there during Cherry Blossom season it will blow you away. I can't wait to go back.

 

[schuele]

You'll get a lot of food recommendations, but find someplace that serves excellent tonkatsu.

And before you say, "Hey man, I can have deep-fried pork loin at home..."

Not like they serve in Tokyo. Not even close.

 

[SeaOfRed75]

I've never been, but if I ever do I'll try to take in a Japanese pro baseball game. It looks pretty crazy from a fan perspective!

Sounds funny but you owe it to yourself to hit up the "Cup Noodle" factory & museum in Tokyo... can make your own mix of ingredients and call it your own...

Also Check out electric city in Tokyo... basically a huge area downtown with department stores

If you can score a dinner cruise those are always fun

Hit up the Shinkansen... can't go to Japan and not ride that thing

The Japanese love to take people to the various temples... these are typically beautiful places and interesting to visit

Finally, if you don't buy warm canned coffee every morning you're missing out on life

I would highly recommend taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. Kyoto is absolutely beautiful. I've been quite a few places around the world, and I really want to go back to Japan.

In our 14 days, I was only able to see Tokyo, Kyoto, and Takyama.

Watch the movie Lost In Translation before you go, it is so spot on. Japan is almost like another world.

Will be riding the Shinkansen plenty. Will get the JR pass to make getting around on JR lines easier and cheaper in the end. Expensive but should pay for itself just in the cost of Hiroshima back to Tokyo.

And mgbreis, plan on going to a Hanshin Tigers game outside Osaka at Koshien stadium, the Fenway of Japan. Rather that than the Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Dome. Too much like the Yankees of Japan. And **** the Yankees.

 

[SeaOfRed75]

Been in all 50 states and 41 countries. Kyoto is one of my favorite cities in the world. One thing you will find is that very few people speak english, even young adults. I personally would book some local tours so they will take you to the best sites to see. Go to the Dotonbori area of Osaka and walk around. They also have hop on hop off bus tours that take you to all the local sites. Food is very good and reasonable. People are friendly but polite and quiet. You will notice the complete lack of diversity there. Not saying its good or bad- just noticeable.

If you happen to be there during Cherry Blossom season it will blow you away. I can't wait to go back.

Very much looking forward to the food around Dotonbori. Okonomiyaki and Kushi katsu at the top of that list.

And Sakura season will be over by the time we are there. Kinda bummed to miss it and kind of not as the business of that season can be a mad house I've heard.

 

[SeaOfRed75]

You'll get a lot of food recommendations, but find someplace that serves excellent tonkatsu.

And before you say, "Hey man, I can have deep-fried pork loin at home..."

Not like they serve in Tokyo. Not even close.

Really want to try this. Recommend any place in particular? Coco Curry for example?

 

[SeaOfRed75]

Try Cat Island if that's your kind of thing

Heard of that and bunny island too. Not my thing. There are many deer on Miyajima though that are "sacred" and walk around town. So will see those.

 

[SeaOfRed75]

Sounds funny but you owe it to yourself to hit up the "Cup Noodle" factory & museum in Tokyo... can make your own mix of ingredients and call it your own...

Also Check out electric city in Tokyo... basically a huge area downtown with department stores

If you can score a dinner cruise those are always fun

Hit up the Shinkansen... can't go to Japan and not ride that thing

The Japanese love to take people to the various temples... these are typically beautiful places and interesting to visit

Finally, if you don't buy warm canned coffee every morning you're missing out on life

Not sure will have time for cup of noodle. Think there are multiple in Japan too.

Electric town I think is Akihabara, which we will try to hit up.

Plan on the vending machine coffee. Boss brand is one I've seen in videos I think.

 

[BigRedTed]

Never been to Japan so I'm not much help... but it's near the top of my list of countries I want to visit. Interested to hear how your trip goes. Enjoy

 

[Sinomatic]

Try Murasaki ice cream while you're there. And grilled marinated squid, good gravy. I ate at this old guy's restaurant on Okinawa and it was so good I had to go shake his hand afterwards.

Try the little mom and pop restaurants and street foods.

Already mentioned was CoCo Curry. It's pretty good.

I'm a sucker for beach fronts so I would recommend a beach visit if it's warm. Beautiful country.

 

[ADV1]

Will be riding the Shinkansen plenty. Will get the JR pass to make getting around on JR lines easier and cheaper in the end. Expensive but should pay for itself just in the cost of Hiroshima back to Tokyo.

And mgbreis, plan on going to a Hanshin Tigers game outside Osaka at Koshien stadium, the Fenway of Japan. Rather that than the Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Dome. Too much like the Yankees of Japan. And **** the Yankees.

Just be aware that the Japanese don't play when it comes to loading & unloading that thing... Important thing is to get on in a expedited fashion, ensure everyone that needs on gets in an then you can put bags away and adjust your seat... Punctuality is 100% key for them

 

[mgbreis]

And mgbreis, plan on going to a Hanshin Tigers game outside Osaka at Koshien stadium, the Fenway of Japan. Rather that than the Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Dome. Too much like the Yankees of Japan. And **** the Yankees.

That would be awesome! And... I'm with ya on the Yankees!

 

[nwualum]

And do not tip your server! It is an insult to them. Had a friend do that, and we walked out of the restaurant. The hostess chased him down and give him his money back. True story.

 

[Charlie Marlow]

Korean baseball is a blast. I would post a few videos from my phone if I knew how.

 

[NikkiSixx]

Japan is super organized and orderly.. i liked that quite a lot during my short stay. The best part I found was not just the Bidet style toilet, but the fact that it also had a heater built in, where it warmed up the water, before spraying your behind, super thoughtful.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Sports board! You’re all reported!

 

[Tahoe78]

As I mentioned in the GBR everywhere thread, family and I have a trip to Japan coming up once school is out.

As this board has impressed me with the number of world travelers I guess I'd ask for people that have been to give ideas of must do, waste of time, overrated, underrated, etc.

Will be in Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima (including Miyajima).

I was home ported in Japan from Jan 70 to May 73... any info that I have is probably outdated. My all time favorite was hiking up Mt. Fuji, which I did twice. Did a lot of skiing in the Japanese Alps NW of Tokyo.. Don't go out drinking sake with the Japanese they will bury you.. Love Northern Japan. Loved the people, loved the food. Loved it....

 

[dsmalls3]

As I mentioned in the GBR everywhere thread, family and I have a trip to Japan coming up once school is out.

As this board has impressed me with the number of world travelers I guess I'd ask for people that have been to give ideas of must do, waste of time, overrated, underrated, etc.

Will be in Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima (including Miyajima).

Sumo wrestling is fun experience.

Have to go to Shibyu in Tokyo.

We did a tour of Hakushu liquor distillery, was super cool.

Ginza in Tokyo. Massive sort of outdoor mall in the city. So massive it’s a bit overwhelming, but pretty awesome experience. Jira Dreams of Sushi sushi spot is underground subway station if you can find it, a fun adventure trying to locate it. You won’t get in, but cool to take a photo outside of it. It’s considered one of the best sushi spots in the world.

Japanese bath house, quite the experience. You’ll shower naked in your own small stall with a bunch of other dudes in the bath house, then jump in a big hot tub after you shower. Drink green tea when you walk in. Sobers you right up after a big night out. Japanese love to party and do karaoke.

Enjoy the food! It’s unreal and my favorite part of the experience. You could live in Tokyo for years and never eat at the same place twice. Ask around for the best spots. If you are into sushi, splurge and spend the $100/plate to go to a proper sushi joint. The one where they bring you out a single piece of Nigiri at a time like in Jira Dreams of Sushi.

Enjoy, Japan is incredible!

 

[dsmalls3]

You'll get a lot of food recommendations, but find someplace that serves excellent tonkatsu.

And before you say, "Hey man, I can have deep-fried pork loin at home..."

Not like they serve in Tokyo. Not even close.

Food in Japan is on a whole new level it’s unreal. They aim for perfection.