[Amunet]

Jon and myself just got accepted to an AMAZING study abroad program to Japan (for a month!). We'll be living in Tokyo for about 3 weeks and then the last week, we'll be in Kyoto.

What's really funny is that we'll be leaving May 17th. Yes. The monday after acen.
Funny huh? So we get to fly to acen on thursday, leave sunday and then leave the next day to Japan. Jon said that it's funny that we're going to an anime convention right before going to Japan XD

So then, We were thinking of going to Akita during part of the program, then hitting Hiroshima and Mt. Koya after the program. Could anyone help me with how to do this? The train ticket system is kind of confusing ^^;

I'm so excited ... it's ... oh, so exciting!! Finally I get to go! Which is great cause my major is Asian studies and people always ask if I've been to Asia. Well ... come June, I'll be able to say that

[LADY SAKURA]

oh thats awesome good luck with it all

[TaiyakiOni]

Congrats on going! I wish I had the chance to go, but I never finished my teaching program at school and thus never got around to going ( curses upon myself! ).

I'll go one day, one day...

Until then enjoy it as much as possible for the rest of us! =D

[Neko_master_Luna]

Congrads! I am so happy for you guys! When I am not tipsy & tired I will consult my Fromer's guide for ya. It's all I have since I have never been, but Japan is on my list of places to see before I die.

[GiveUpTheGhost]

Amunet, take the Shinkansen to where you want to go. All of those destinations should be along it. Take your passport in and get one of their "your a tourist, here is a one time fee unlimited bullet train rides for a week and some change." It will save you a ton.

In Hirshomia goto Peace prayer, but while there absolutely 100% make sure you goto Miya-Jima. One of the coolest places in all of Japan peroid. Wild monkeys and deer that come up to you and let you feed and pet them. Plus there is a sea god shrine there.

In Kyoto make sure you got to the Golden palace and a few of the museums. The bus system just requires you being able to read a map. Also ask about the Irish Pub owned by Tydg. Probably the best time we had in Kyoto. Also there is a nice bar at the Hilton that has a solid wall made from book and a classy drink list.

Osaka has a lot of cool sites, though if you decide to visit Universal Studios beware, it is exactly like the one in Orlando, only much crappier. I would reccomend avoiding it.

May should be the beginning of Mount Fuji (Fuji-san) climbing. Go prepared and do not climb it while it is raining. My friend and I almost froze to death climbing it. Also Start early, I cannot stress that enough.

In Tokyo there is a ton to do. Make sure you learn the JR-Yaminote line like the back of your hand. It is the lifeblood of getting around Tokyo. The trains close at 1am and do not open till like 5 am or 6 am. So if you go out drinking plan accordingly. Roppongi sucks, it is mostly broke western buisnessmen trying to pick up loose Japanese women. You will not like it. Akihabara is mostly porn shops with some arcades and maid cafe's mixed in. HaraJuku is nice and it has big park right off the station. Shibuya and Shinjuku are where you should do most of your partying. I would reccomend seeking out the club call "Womb" it's quite an experience. That is in Shibuya, but defintely off the beaten path. You most likely will not find it unless you have a Japanese friend to guide you. Gas-panic is ok if you want to dance, but a ton of dudes will be in there, a mixtures of everyone. It's ok if you want to meet some other foreigners. Make sure you hit up a Korean bbq while in Japan AKA "Yaki-niku".

Other than Tokyo or Osaka, the nightlife will be nothing like the states. Most places are host bars or just Izakaya's. If you want to go out and dance it may be tough in places other than Tokyo or Osaka. Also there is a chance you will not be allowed into an establishment because you are a foreigner. Suck it and just leave, no reason to cause a scene.

I will see if I can think of some more idea's for you.

[Amunet]

Thanks so much guys!

GUTG ~ Thanks a lot, that's really helpful. I read that I need to get the 'ride all you want' pass before I get to Japan though. That's a part I'm rather confused on.
Also, we don't drink alcohol, so that should make things easier As for nightlife ... well ... it is a study abroad program with a rather rigorous plan for homework and assignments. The only real time we'd get to go out is on the weekends (if there are no field trips). I mean, we're going to get 6 credit in one month ... we gotta work for it ^^;
And is it so bad that I really do want to go see maid cafes?

Oh, did you experience this or anything: I heard that some bath houses don't let people with tattoos in ... did you experience this (if you have one) at all? Cause I have one on my left shoulderblade ... can't see unless I have a thin strapped tanktop on (or no top at all ).

[Voxx]

Your sooo lucky!!! Take LOTS of pictures!!!

I have yet to go to Japan...I've always wanted to but my college has terrible exchange programs.

[Amunet]

Ska_Toranpetta, on Feb 2 2010, 01:39 PM, said:

Your sooo lucky!!! Take LOTS of pictures!!!

I have yet to go to Japan...I've always wanted to but my college has terrible exchange programs.

Lol we're not going with our university, they don't have a summer study abroad to Japan. So we're going through a university in Ohio XD

[sentinel28a]

ARGH! I wish I could go too!

From what I understand, you could spend a week in Kyoto and not see it all. I think GUTG (who's actually been there; I haven't) has hit all the major points, but I'd add Kamakura--the Great Buddha, as well as the site where the Hojo clan bought the farm en masse.

I'm so very jealous...

Ben Da Mad Irishman

[Amunet]

I wish we could take all of you with! Lol that'd be a really interesting cruise .... XD

Ooooh yes, the great buddha ... I think we might be hitting it ... I'll have to check. I mean, if anyone is interested I could just type up the tentative syllabus of places we're going.

[GiveUpTheGhost]

Amunet, on Feb 2 2010, 04:27 PM, said:

Thanks so much guys!

GUTG ~ Thanks a lot, that's really helpful. I read that I need to get the 'ride all you want' pass before I get to Japan though. That's a part I'm rather confused on.
Also, we don't drink alcohol, so that should make things easier As for nightlife ... well ... it is a study abroad program with a rather rigorous plan for homework and assignments. The only real time we'd get to go out is on the weekends (if there are no field trips). I mean, we're going to get 6 credit in one month ... we gotta work for it ^^;
And is it so bad that I really do want to go see maid cafes?

Oh, did you experience this or anything: I heard that some bath houses don't let people with tattoos in ... did you experience this (if you have one) at all? Cause I have one on my left shoulderblade ... can't see unless I have a thin strapped tanktop on (or no top at all ).

That tatoo issue only applies to Japanese people that go.... Generally. I could see them keeping you out if you had a ton of tacky tatoo's, but I have a large octopus on my back and that never kept me out. The bath houses are pretty close to the same thing as a spa in the states, except you are naked around the members of the same sex.

Oh Amunet, the ride the shinkansen pass is purchased at a JR Shinkansen kiosk in any of the train stations. Just ask one of the workers about how you get it(make sure you have your passport on you)

The tatoo issue was because they use to be heavily Yakuza related in Japan.



Ben I missed a few things, but I saw the Golden shrine, the emporer's castle and a lot of the pagoda's and what not aroud the town. This was just in one day, though my friend and I are great at reading maps. My knowledge of Okinawa is even greater than my knowledge of the mainland.

[sentinel28a]

GiveUpTheGhost, on Feb 3 2010, 04:22 AM, said:

Ben I missed a few things, but I saw the Golden shrine, the emporer's castle and a lot of the pagoda's and what not aroud the town. This was just in one day, though my friend and I are great at reading maps. My knowledge of Okinawa is even greater than my knowledge of the mainland.

SATA ANDAGI!

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"Try, just try to get this out of your brain"

[Amunet]

sentinel28a, on Feb 2 2010, 10:22 PM, said:

SATA ANDAGI!

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"Try, just try to get this out of your brain"

O.o what does that have to do with anything?

Anywho o.O

I really appreciate the tips. I know the tattoo thing was due to a gang and whatnot, I just didn't know if it pertained to foreigners or not. And I had no idea about your back tat o.o Sweet

[Neko_master_Luna]

I wouldn't wory about the tattoo unless it's of a spider & don't ask me how I know, I just do, k!

[nukiuchi]

Congrats on your acceptance! Go nuts.

I'm curious, did you mean Akiba, or really Akita? Cuz that's way up north...

Mt. Koya is a beautiful hike. Kinda surreal, with all the lanterns and graves. But if you're in the country for a limited time, I'd really recommend Kyoto and the rest of central Kansai over Koya-san. There's great hiking west and north of the city.

Btw, and since you're going right after acen, try to hold off on buying all your goodies in the dealer's hall. You'll eat your socks once you see how cheap anime merchandise is in Japan.

[sentinel28a]

Amunet, on Feb 3 2010, 07:37 AM, said:

O.o what does that have to do with anything?

1) I wanted to see how good GUTG's knowledge of Okinawa really is. (I've actually had sata andagi, and it's AWESOME.)
2) I wanted to torment GUTG, because that's how I roll.
3) Absolutely nothing. It was totally random.

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"Mmm...Okinawan donuts"

[Amunet]

nukiuchi, on Feb 3 2010, 10:49 AM, said:

Congrats on your acceptance! Go nuts.

I'm curious, did you mean Akiba, or really Akita? Cuz that's way up north...

Mt. Koya is a beautiful hike. Kinda surreal, with all the lanterns and graves. But if you're in the country for a limited time, I'd really recommend Kyoto and the rest of central Kansai over Koya-san. There's great hiking west and north of the city.

Btw, and since you're going right after acen, try to hold off on buying all your goodies in the dealer's hall. You'll eat your socks once you see how cheap anime merchandise is in Japan.

Thank you!

Nope, we mean Akita And yes, we want to see stuff that isn't exactly in the tourist handbooks, plus, we found a really cute Minshuku there

Not sure if we're gonna hike it o.o But I suppose we'll see when we get there lol. I'm more of a walking type And we will be in Kyoto for a week (the last week of the program). We weren't planning on buying anything, we'll be staffing this year

Sentinel ~ It was annoying o.o AND are donuts there different from here?

[GiveUpTheGhost]

sentinel28a, on Feb 3 2010, 08:44 PM, said:

1) I wanted to see how good GUTG's knowledge of Okinawa really is. (I've actually had sata andagi, and it's AWESOME.)
2) I wanted to torment GUTG, because that's how I roll.
3) Absolutely nothing. It was totally random.

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"Mmm...Okinawan donuts"

I cannot watch youtube at work, so now that you mention the donuts yes I have had them. Goya which an Okinawa thing is absolutely horrid

[firegirl26]

Amunet, on Feb 2 2010, 01:00 AM, said:

Jon and myself just got accepted to an AMAZING study abroad program to Japan (for a month!). We'll be living in Tokyo for about 3 weeks and then the last week, we'll be in Kyoto.

What's really funny is that we'll be leaving May 17th. Yes. The monday after acen.
Funny huh? So we get to fly to acen on thursday, leave sunday and then leave the next day to Japan. Jon said that it's funny that we're going to an anime convention right before going to Japan XD

So then, We were thinking of going to Akita during part of the program, then hitting Hiroshima and Mt. Koya after the program. Could anyone help me with how to do this? The train ticket system is kind of confusing ^^;

I'm so excited ... it's ... oh, so exciting!! Finally I get to go! Which is great cause my major is Asian studies and people always ask if I've been to Asia. Well ... come June, I'll be able to say that

HAVE FUN BE SAFE

there are places to and people to meet and exotic cat i want to get

[klange]

Not to hijack this thread our anything, but I'll be in Hiroshima from May 28th-July 9th for a study abroad program. Can't wait to leave

[sentinel28a]

klange, on Feb 9 2010, 10:12 PM, said:

Not to hijack this thread our anything, but I'll be in Hiroshima from May 28th-July 9th for a study abroad program. Can't wait to leave

DAMMIT. Everyone's going to Japan except for me.

Wait...I'm a college professor. I should be able to make up some crazy story about needing to do research or something...

"Say, I need a research grant, so...um...I can go to Japan and...uh...visit samurai battlesites and...ah...do some research on Japanese culture for my dissertation."

"Professor Donnelly, your dissertation is on the American Civil War."

"Part of it was fought in Japan!* Haven't you seen The Last Samurai?"

"You're just doing this because you teach a class on anime and you want to buy cheap hentai manga for your students. And because you want to see if Tokyo girls really do end all their sentences with 'EHHH?'"

"Well...yeah, pretty much."

"Okay. Grant approved."

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"That's how it happened in my dream, anyway"

*Somewhat true. The US Navy fought Satsuma samurai in 1864, at the same time the Civil War was going on. So technically...

[Amunet]

klange, on Feb 9 2010, 02:12 PM, said:

Not to hijack this thread our anything, but I'll be in Hiroshima from May 28th-July 9th for a study abroad program. Can't wait to leave

GASP! Hijacker! Jon and I are actually going to go to Hiroshima after the program is over We plan to be there June 19-21st

What's your program on and with whome?


Sentinel ~ Hahahaha That's hilarious XD I totally saw that scenerio in my head too. Ahhh amusing You could always use the excuse of comparing our war with that of the many different wars in Japan and how tactics/weapons were dis/similar along with ways of thinking for both sides in that time ... see if anything of the past gave inspiration or insight to how our Civil war came out with the results that it did

[klange]

Amunet, on Feb 9 2010, 05:46 PM, said:

GASP! Hijacker! Jon and I are actually going to go to Hiroshima after the program is over We plan to be there June 19-21st

What's your program on and with whome?

It's a cultural / language study, it's run by IPENG (International Programs in ENGineering) at UIUC; host school is Hiroshima Institute of Technology.

[GiveUpTheGhost]

klange, on Feb 9 2010, 09:12 PM, said:

Not to hijack this thread our anything, but I'll be in Hiroshima from May 28th-July 9th for a study abroad program. Can't wait to leave

Make 100% sure that you goto Miya-jima. Possibly the coolest place in Japan!

Also you will be there during the Mount Fuji Climbing season.

[jsieczkar]

The last time I was in Japan I bought a Japan Rail Pass which lets you ride all trains (minus Nozomi) and most local trains as well as some buses and ferries for one price. I had a Standard Car 14 day pass and I think it coast me a bit under $400, it was really nice you never had to worry about buying tickets or how much money you had on your Suica card.

[GiveUpTheGhost]

jsieczkar, on Feb 10 2010, 04:33 AM, said:

The last time I was in Japan I bought a Japan Rail Pass which lets you ride all trains (minus Nozomi) and most local trains as well as some buses and ferries for one price. I had a Standard Car 14 day pass and I think it coast be a bit under $400, it was really nice you never had to worry about buying tickets or how much money you had on your Suica card.

JS hit the nail on the head with what I was talking about.

[jsieczkar]

And an important note on the passes is that they are not available in Japan you MUST buy them out of the country they are for tourists. In Chicago it is really easy in that you can buy the voucher at O'hare at either the JAL or ANA ticket counters.

[GiveUpTheGhost]

JS with another good tip

[jackspicer]

Awesome, I hope to make a trip there to before i die

[Amunet]

I'm trying to figure out how to get a JR Pass where I am x.x I live in Logan, UT ... only thing up here is my school and nazi cops.

Should I order one via online/phone with an agency that sells them?