Going to Tokyo
polycounter lvl 18
Next week I'm going to Japan, most of the time in Tokyo, but also Kyoto and Osaka. I'll be there for about 2 and a half weeks on a inspiration sorta trip getting ready for my final project in Design school.
Anyone know anything gaming related worth checking out? Toy stores, comic stores and the likes would also be interesting.
So far I'm planning to see the nintendo museum in Osaka and just go to toys R us, so anything beyond that is appreciated.
Anyone know anything gaming related worth checking out? Toy stores, comic stores and the likes would also be interesting.
So far I'm planning to see the nintendo museum in Osaka and just go to toys R us, so anything beyond that is appreciated.
Replies
Buy this . Well if you are single.
IIRC, my dad and I took about 1200 photos while there, have fun man !
Well some people have it nice! *goes back to bitterly chewing his 25c noodles*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihabara
Visit Super Potato, you won't be sorry.
http://www.superpotato.com/
Most of the collector toys and stuff have been moved from there to the new location called The Broadway or something like that. Very dusty 5 story building with bad ventilation but has lots of kewl stuff to see and buy.
@Vahl: thanks man! I have to upgrade my camera then cause it only holds around 900 photos. I'm not much into modern architecture, but maybe I'll develop a sense for it there. I'll be sure to check out some out while there so thanks for the tips. The main reason we're going to Kyoto is the temples and gardens and that's something I'm really looking forward to.
The ghibli museum is a definite if I can get reservations. I didn't know there was one so thanks to all who suggested it.
Akihabara and superpotato sounds like places I need to go.
@JO420: Tak! Girlfriend application T-shirt. I have to think about that. I don't want to cause a riot.
Go to Nakano instead. Go to the Nakano Broadway and you'll find tons of toy shops at the very end for great prices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakano,_Tokyo
Visit Shibuya at night for great electric eye candy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya,_Tokyo
The Ueno prefecture is also very nice to visit for tourists. Lots of museums, a zoo, and lots of vegetation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ueno,_Tokyo
Also, visit Kamakura in the Kanagawa prefecture just southwest of Tokyo. I believe they have the most temples in Japan, and the largest outdoor buddah statue in the world.
http://www.kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/english/area/index.html
If you like skiing and general debauchery in the snow, the Iwate prefecture has TONS of festivals, and winter is awesome there. Just outside of Tamayama (incorperated into Morioka last year) there is a snow festival. Giant snow sculptures and such. Also the countryside has tons of outdoor onsens. But if you go north, you'll see more volcanic springs. If you don't mind the smell of sulfer and being buck naked to the world, hop on in. Oh and bring a towel.
If you ever go to a public onsen here are some rules: Wash your ass before you get in the onsen. There's little showers all along the walls, sit there and get clean. If you don't you'll notice all the people just get up and leave slowly... seen it happen many times. It's really just like taking a deep soak. If you step into one in Ropongii and lots of old dudes with tats are in there, back up and find another. Usually the person at the desk knows who's in what, and would set you up in a non Yakuza occupied onsen. Also, if you want a co-ed onsen, pay up... the girls usually aren't that hot.
Learn to count, learn the money system, basics... and learn to party. If you stick in Toyko the chances of someone speaking English are great in the night hot-spots. Going to the backwoods, the chances of someone speaking English is like .1%. If you can't hold your booze, stick to beer, they have tons of multi-colored drinks, and Calpis might be in 60% of them. Never go back to your hotel room, go to a love hotel (2hr, 6hr and overnight options).
If you like to drive (like drive drive, not put around in an econo-box), there is a place in Aomori that would take you for a ride in an STi or some Evo (like a 4) and they will let you get behind the wheel if you can do it. Doing 60~70mph through mountain passes is awesome.
And try not to look like a tourist. Have fun and take pictures.
If not, how was it?
osc
Ha!
Mine are only 15c =P
@Lamont: Thanks a lot especially for the washing tip, however not looking like a tourist will be difficult.
@skankerzero: Thanks!
Im here for 3 months. I stay in Akasaka Mitsuke.
my japanese phonemail is xxxxxxx@softbank.ne.jp
mail me. who are you here with?
First i was here for a month with Hellobuddy, cubic and another artist from the mirrors edge team.
now ive been here alone for one and a half month.
If youve not been yet, you need to go to the retro game bar 16shots in shinjuku.
http://16shots.jp/i/
All gamedevs from japan seems to visit there. not many speaks english though so i hope your japanese is good.
mail me!
oscar
To get into the Ghibli museum you can book a ticket from any convenience store.
I live in Shibuya, it's a constant costume party.
heh
where are you from originally?
I had the luck of getting one of those stuck in a ski mask I bought (coincidentally it was a mask with a skull on the front and back).
Eat food from street vendors!! That stuff is good! Baked sweet potato's in the winter!! Whooo!!
i went there the day before yesterday. They hade 3 huge killer whales and a baby killer whale.. awesome
honourable sir, I say herro over KTAI PM to you
Will do Gauss!
Never been to 16shots - is it that game-related bar?:)
http://www.gaspanic.co.jp/
yes. the counter if filled with portable consoles of all kinds and the have a NES jukebox that is pretty cool. also the table is a horizontal arcademachine. I went there the summer 2007 with the producer of shadow of the colossus and he played through all his games from his time at Taito projected on the wall. Its worth a visit, the toilet is also filled with buisness cards from hundreds of developers.
And I agree with Hawken about gaspanic.
My school's trying to get a "study abroad" type deal going, but we can only manage smaller trips (1 week to 1 month) and they'd be about 5K USD, so it's far beyond my reach atm
Take some awesome pictures!
Although, I agree it's not really a place to meet good girls.
I had lots of success just going to the local European style pubs too.
Seems like they play games and sell stuff as well.
Its 3500yen, but could be sold out. im trying to contact a swedish band performing there.
looks interesting for sure.
http://www.fami-mode.com/
Hawken, Oscar I'm still up for a meeting at 16shots or some other place this weekend. I'm in Kyoto now, but I'll be back thursday. Oscar you think you can sneak away from your parents one night?
Sumo!
thursday sounds best at this point, but no promises made.
i went down to one of the gaspanics in shibuya the other day, curious of how bad it really was.
and it was baad, i was up on the street again after only a few minutes followed by this italian guy
who was cursing himself over and over for going there.
ja ne