traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

[valru]

so i got a oppertunity to go with my school to asia this spring. Whats some basic info i should know when exploring these citys?

[Bricklayer]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

In Taiwan, they describe China as a place with "lots of people". Beijing is no exception. You'll find that it's very crowded. This means that public transportation will involve very close quarters. Still, you can get a taxi for a reasonable price. I would recommend seeing the Great Wall and the Forbidden Palace, even if they are a bit dilapidated and touristy. I've heard the Summer Palace is better (wasn't able to get there when I went). You can take a bus to the Great Wall (BaDaLing Section), or you can hire a driver.

Spring weather should be better than the summer, looks like it might even be pretty cold (see February). I'd bring some warm clothes. When I was there, I think the hardest things to get used to were the smoke smell (smoking is rampant in China) and the pollution. Don't let it get in the way of a fun trip, though!

Finally, you may enjoy shopping in Beijing, which is a different experience from one you'd get in most Western countries. If you're going to buy anything from a street vendor, definitely offer them a price about 1/5-1/4 of what they offer. Also, if you don't have a problem with less-than-full-version DVD's, you can get most recent titles for about CAD$1. Watch out for the region codes, though.

I'll post more if I can think of anything, or if you have other more specific questions.

[bside]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

First of all, many people seem to misunderstand this, but Tokyo is NOT the name of a city, but it's a prefecture, within which there are 23 special wards, 26 cities, 5 towns, and 8 villages, including those on outlying islands. (Officially, Tokyo isn't a prefecture, or "ken," but when thiniking of how the government is built and run, it's safe to say it's one of the 47 "prefectures" in Japan. It's like aruguing whether D.C. is a state or not; we know it's not officially a state, but we know it's separated from other states when looking at the map, has its own government, etc.)

When most people outside of Japan refer to "Tokyo," however, they're refering to the 23 special wards within. There are many downtowns in 23 wards, w/ the famous and largest ones being Shinjuku (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is here), Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ginza, and Akihabara. There are other large downtown areas, too, but most of them including those listed above are more "compressed" than, say, Manhattan; It's like having smaller size of Manhattans located close to each other.


Shinjuku and Akihabara would probably be the most "English-speaking tourist friendly" cities within 23 wards, but don't expect many people around you to speak English fruently. As you might have heard, the rate of Japanese people who speak English fruently is very low, and whenever you need assistance in English, you really need to wish a good luck. Some police officers in those downtown areas do speak English, but don't expect many of them do, either. (Some of the security people wear very similar uniforms as police officers, but you can distinguish by whether they carry guns on the right-hand side of their waist; no civilians in Japan are allowed to carry any sort of firearms, with very few exceptions that are not seen in downtowns.)


As for where to go/what to look, besides shopping, this site would be helpful (it's in English);
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/


For shopping, it really depends on what you want. If you want everything Anime, go to Akihabara. Other than that, any downtowns should have variety of shops you can find what you need at. As for the method of payments, cash sales still compose a great percentage of all sales made in Japan, and some stores, if not many, don't take credit cards especially those rather small stores. If they do accept them, the most accepted card is JCB (Japan Credit Bureau), and VISA and Mastercard are almost equally accepted. American Express comes next, and Diners Club the last. However, due to the f**cked up Japanese credit card system that works very bad for Mastercards, some of the POS machines can't recognize them correctly, especially if they are issued outside of Japan. Although there's a "trick" to make such cards work, telling this to the sales clerks in Japanese must take a lot of hustles for you, so it's better to bring VISA.

Nevertheless, it's best to carry cash, not travellars' checks, as many stores don't know how to handle them. If you choose to bring travellers' checks, you can cash them at banks, and also the hotel you'll stay at may do it as well (unlike credit card, it doesn't matter who issues them; VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, or Citicorp, it doesn't matter). Unlike US, we do normally carry cash of large denominations; 10,000YEN (roughly US$115) and 5,000YEN, and you can easily use them even at the automated train ticket sale machines for maybe 130YEN worth of ticket.


AS for the safety, Tokyo is fairly a safe place, but be extremely cautioned for pocket pickings in public transportations. Whenever possible, try to avoid the rush hours (mostly 7-8 AM and 5-6 PM); you'd be amazed how "packed" trains are, and you won't be able to move. Ununiformed police officers make frequent patrols onboard the trains, but you should protect your own stuff.


Last of all, all non-Japanese citizens are required by law to carry their passports or alien registration cards at all times. Although very few, there have been arrests made for failing to carry them. I know it's unfair, and there indeed are arguments on this matter, but the law is a law. Make sure you carry your passport w/ you.

[Aeni]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

I'll be in Japan next summer. Bside, any recommendations on any new attractions? I heard Akihabara is getting a face lift, but let's face it, it gets old after a while and I didn't fly all the way to Japan just to gawk at mp3 players.

[bside]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

I'll be in Japan next summer. Bside, any recommendations on any new attractions? I heard Akihabara is getting a face lift, but let's face it, it gets old after a while and I didn't fly all the way to Japan just to gawk at mp3 players.

Hmm, new attractions? Honestly, I can't think of anything particular that's fairly new and attracting. But Tokyo is running for 2016 Olympic games, so by the time you come here, there might be somthing. Besides, "Maid Cafe" in Akihabara might be new to you depending on when your last visit was. (If you don't know what it is, look here.) Also, Roppongi Hills and Omotesando Hills are good for shopping, and are still new.

That's about it that comes to my head now, really. But I'll let you know if anything comes up.

[DakAttack]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

Remember, there's no crime in China.

[Bricklayer]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

Remember, there's no crime in China.

{Hmmm.}

That is the most profound thing I've heard this weekend.

[Maju]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

Hmm, new attractions? Honestly, I can't think of anything particular that's fairly new and attracting. But Tokyo is running for 2016 Olympic games, so by the time you come here, there might be somthing. Besides, "Maid Cafe" in Akihabara might be new to you depending on when your last visit was. (If you don't know what it is, look here.) Also, Roppongi Hills and Omotesando Hills are good for shopping, and are still new.

That's about it that comes to my head now, really. But I'll let you know if anything comes up.

Do those maid cafes also serve in English? I was under the impression that their customer base is almost entirely made of Japanese otaku so they would be quite unlikely tourist attractions.

[bside]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

Do those maid cafes also serve in English? I was under the impression that their customer base is almost entirely made of Japanese otaku so they would be quite unlikely tourist attractions.

As far as I know (I've never personally gone to any of them), they don't serve in English, but some of the "maids" there might. Nevertheless, I've never seen any cafes claiming to be English-speaking as a whole.

On the other hand, their customer base has changed drastically that people of all "categories" now go there, while like you said, it used to be all otakus back when they originally started. Like mentioned in the liked video I put, tourists indeed do go there.


The bottom line is, maid cafes are to enjoy the "environment," and not to be judged by what sort of people go there. And if you meant anything non-English is not tourist friendly, you should only go to English-speaking countries in the first place.

[Maju]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

The bottom line is, maid cafes are to enjoy the "environment," and not to be judged by what sort of people go there. And if you meant anything non-English is not tourist friendly, you should only go to English-speaking countries in the first place.

What I meant is that if nobody in there speaks English you can't really buy their services.

[Murphie]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

There's a difference between saying that something non-english isn't Tourist friendly and it isn't Tourist interesting. Most tourists don't really try and exert themselves too much language-wise.

[tazirai]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

I used to live in Yokohama, around the Sakuragi line, If you plan to visit Osaka, You will be okay, Osakans mainly this Generation tend to speak English alot more than the average Japanese. The same in Okinawa, Primarily because of the Military.

Depending on your age Osaka clubs are mainly hip hop and R&B style affairs, The girls there and in Yokohama really like Gaijin. Sometimes to the detriment of their own guys. SO be careful of that.

I agree with what B-side said also about taking money in cash form, Large amounts of currency doesnt attract much criminal attention because everyone does it.
If you want to stay somewhere where they speak english alot try here.
Sakura Hostel, I stay there when I'm no tin yokohama or Osaka.
http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/
Its pretty cheap the rooms are small, but hell who cares.

For hang out spots you can go to my other forum for info
http://www.blacktokyo.com/cgi-bin/en.../ikonboard.cgi

Lastly If you take Medicine Make sure you bring MORE than what you will need. and Also make sure to have ALL documentation for those meds and your Doctors number just in case.
Also carry your Registration ID with you at ALL TIMES.

See ya and Have fun La, Shinjuku on sundays.. REMEMBER IT!!!^^

[Thrasher]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

But what about the newest trend in otaku culture. *note I did not write this it was emailed to me, plus I have never been overseas anyways.

The newest boom in otaku culture seems to be "tsundere" (TSOON-deh-reh), a word that describes girls who are cranky and quick to anger (in Japanese, tsun-tsun) on the surface, yet loving and vulnerable when it suits them (known as "dere-dere," pronounced deh-reh deh-reh).

A staple in anime and PC dating-sim games, some famous tsundere characters include
Asuka from Evangelion, Akane from Ranma 1/2, and if you ponder it long enough, Princess Leia from Empire. Like cat girls, waitress uniforms and French Maid costumes, tsundere is closely tied to the Cult of Akihabara and "moe" (mo-EH) culture that has become such a big part of modern Japanese life.

Now instead of passively watching your favorite rough-around-the-edges character in anime, you can experience her in the flesh at a
new "Tsun-Cafe" which features beautiful waitresses who insult customers,
acting frustrated when they take too long to order and yelling things like,
"Here's your coffee. Drink it quickly and get out of here, will you?" But when
it's time to leave, the girls look sad, and say, "Oniichan, I'm sorry I said
those awful things to you. You will come again, right?"
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Also a little thing to remember you should be able to use your atm card at ATM's, but make sure you remember your pin number by numbers not by letters. That might of sounded stupid but I know some people like to remember there pin number by entering a word on the keypad.

[Aeni]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

I used to live in Yokohama, around the Sakuragi line.

I have a relative that live somewhere in Ginza So I'm sure I can leech off a night or two. However, I wanted to hit up Yokohama and see if a friend still lives there. Any recommendations for a good hotel? I actually don't care if they serve or cater to english or not. That's the least of my worries and I can speak a little in any case. I just need a bargain (AND NO, I DON'T MEAN THE GRUDGE OR RING HAUNTED BARGAIN PLACES FREAKY FREAKY FREAKY NO THANKS)

I also plan to head out to Tokyo Disneyland which is more closer to Chiba than central Tokyo from what I understand.

Sorry, Osaka, not this time. I'll keep your suggestions in mind Next stop would be Kyoto and then Hokkaido before Osaka, although I do want to go there eventually.

I didn't get to go with relatives to Okinawa last summer - still pissed about it. Chartered bus for all of two weeks and island hopping adventures was what I missed out on. *weeps* Oh well, at least I got a black slimline PS2 in exchange /comfortmyself


Thanks Bside! I'll check those out later and maybe if it's in the area I'm hitting up, I'll definitely check it out.

[tazirai]

Re: traveling to beijing and osaka/tokyo this spring break

I have a relative that live somewhere in Ginza So I'm sure I can leech off a night or two. However, I wanted to hit up Yokohama and see if a friend still lives there. Any recommendations for a good hotel? I actually don't care if they serve or cater to english or not. That's the least of my worries and I can speak a little in any case. I just need a bargain (AND NO, I DON'T MEAN THE GRUDGE OR RING HAUNTED BARGAIN PLACES FREAKY FREAKY FREAKY NO THANKS)

Hmm We had a small apato in Yokohama, as far as hotels there.. I'm pretty sure I can get some info, My ex-girlfriend still lives there, So I can give her a holla and have her look around. since you have sometime. She an dI still get alogn and I stay with her or friends when Me and my Daughter go back. Japan to far for a relationship haha, Hell 100 miles to far. There are some freaky hostels in tokyo, and Akihabara.
I'll get back to ya.. gotta love emails ^^