Famicom World

Misc. => Off-Topic Chat => Topic started by: manuel on September 12, 2007, 01:28:00 am

Title: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on September 12, 2007, 01:28:00 am
This thread will be about Japan, as announced in the "food section".  ;)
I will post general information about Japan and how to go and survive there. You could also buy travel guides (what I recommend), but I will describe most points from the POV of a gamer.  8)
If you have questions, feel free to ask whatever you like.

Let's start with the flight.
Choose a company of your confidence. I can't give too many good tips on the flight itself. From Europe the prices are reasonable.
My last flight I paid for myself was under 900$.
The prices depend on the season. Cheapest is around March or September. (This is for Europe, I don't know how America is...)

Staying in Japan:
The probably cheapest way to stay in Japan are youth hostels. Prices are from 1500 up to 5000Yen (15-50$)for a night. Hotels are more expensive.
And don't fear hostels, they are better than their reputation.
Japan Youth Hostels Inc. have an English homepage where you can even place your reservation.
One hint: You should NOT be afraid of cockroaches or big jumping spiders when you go to Japan.   ;)
If you want to stay longer, you should look for so-called weekly or monthly rooms, where you get discount for staying longer.

I hope we can discuss a lot here.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Har the cat on September 12, 2007, 08:18:00 am
Cool thread manuel. Im very interested in this country. I want  go to a street so called akihabar(or something) correct me if im wrong.
Do you have there also vegetarian food, or only fish dishes? Maybe a stupid question but i dont know much about japan.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on September 12, 2007, 09:10:58 am
Wow that's some great info Manuel. I'll certainly need all of this info when I travel next year. I think it's low season right here in the States because I have seen some mad cheap tickets to different countries. For example, for my home country Peru I found a ticket for 180bucks!!! both ways!! That's really cheap. Right now it's a great time to buy tickets for the upcoming holiday season.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on September 12, 2007, 10:24:27 am
Quote from: Har the cat on September 12, 2007, 08:18:00 am
Cool thread manuel. Im very interested in this country. I want  go to a street so called akihabar(or something) correct me if im wrong.
Do you have there also vegetarian food, or only fish dishes? Maybe a stupid question but i dont know much about japan.


Akihabara is a part of Tokyo with lots and lots of electronics shops. I guess we all would like to go there.
And fret not, Japan also has vegetarian food. The best stuff is with fish or meat, though.  :P
You'll definitely find something you like. There's also vegetarian sushi. Tofu dishes are good, too.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on September 12, 2007, 07:50:04 pm
Awesome thread idea...as I start making some decisions about trippin' to Japan I'll probably make good use of this thread.

As for the flights, I haven't looked into it at all yet, but my brother traveled to Taiwan a few months ago and paid about $900 for the flight, so I suspect it'd be about the same for Japan. I'm not looking forward to the 15 hours or so it's gonna take over the Pacific.

And I hope I don't have to pay for a place to stay, if my friend in Japan is still there and kind enough to provide me with a pillow. Thing is, space is tight and he's got roommates, plus a shit load of Famicom stuff stacked up everywhere. :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on September 19, 2007, 09:43:54 pm
What's the weather like in March?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on September 19, 2007, 11:53:42 pm
For my standards the weather in May is already quite warm.
Of course that also depends on the region you're visiting.
If you're in Southern regions you may see the beautiful cherry blossoms. ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on September 21, 2007, 09:24:11 pm
Wait...May?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on September 22, 2007, 07:25:19 am
Sorry.  :-[ I meant to write March. (The description is for March)

May is already quite warm and the cherry blossoms have basically all fallen down already.

March is a very good month to visit Japan in my opinion. Flights should be cheap, too.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on September 22, 2007, 11:28:59 am
Ah...sounds nice. I was under the impression that there was a longer cold season in Japan than what I'm used to (November to February). But it's cool that spring is upon most of Japan by March.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on September 22, 2007, 01:25:14 pm
The farther you go south the warmer the weather is all year.
My experiences of March in Japan were very warm, I mostly walked around in T-shirts and shorts. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 01, 2007, 03:40:26 am
Personal manuel update:

I have thought a lot these days and talked with my wife and her family in Japan (international phone calls FTW).
Finally I have come to the conclusion that I don't want to live....  :o .... in Germany  ;)  any more.
My plans for now is that I'll try to save up as much money as possible until next year.
After our son is born we'll wait for about 4-6 months and then we will most likely (probability >90%) move to Japan. This will be better for both me and my wife.
Best thing: we have already a house there with all the needed furniture supplied. Rent is cheap and it's near my wife's grandpa's house and temple. Very nice.
I only have to find a job there. I will try to earn money as a (freelance) translator and maybe I'll guide tours through the city for foreigners if the demand is there,

What do you think of my plans?
Any kind, encouraging words would be nice. :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on October 01, 2007, 09:17:48 am
Are you able to get a longterm visa via your wife, or will that depend on your job?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 01, 2007, 09:48:47 am
As far as I could research I think I will get a permanent visa very quickly because of my wife.
And as I already have a guaranteed place to live, and my wife's family can act as guarantors, I see no problem there. ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on October 01, 2007, 10:35:47 am
Cool  :D

From what I've read (gaijin blogs, mostly), dealing with bureaucratic processes in a foreign country can become a total nightmare.  I hope the process goes as quickly and smoothly as planned!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 01, 2007, 11:29:18 am
I have to add my family knows a lot of people, also in some offices, so I think there should be no problem. ::)
It's also a matter of mentality. I suspect that a lot of "gaijin" who experience problems with bureaucracy just come off a bit arrogant and/or ignorant (e.g. they expect that everything goes the same way as in their home country and don't respect local habits), which is not liked by Japanese at all, especially in said offices. When you show them respect and if you're nice to them, most of them are also nice to you, which is my personal experience. I got a lot of stuff in Japan without any problems at all. Maybe that's one reason why I like that country and its people so much. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on October 01, 2007, 12:32:44 pm
You're probably right about that.  Most people are jerks  ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 01, 2007, 01:15:42 pm
In case I really move to Japan I also plan to dig up a lot of Famicom stuff and sell it to you guys, so start saving the $.  ;D ;)
I'd also take requests, but that all must wait until I'm actually there.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on October 01, 2007, 07:37:11 pm
Awesome! :D Neat that you're gonna do it! It's always such a big decision to move somewhere new, but you seem to know the culture enough to fit right in...plus, you know the language, which ain't gonna hurt one bit. Although, I hear Germany is really nice. Never been, but a friend of mine visited for a month a while back and loved it.

It'll be nice to have another friend in Japan I can visit, assuming I travel there. I've had a lot on my mind lately, and a lot to do... :-\
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 02, 2007, 01:53:50 am
Yes, it's a very big step. But if I don't make this first step nothing will change.

I have researched prices for my flight already.  ;D For me, my wife and our child the price would be around 1200 Euros with Emirates Airlines. That's very cheap I think.
Did you also know the fact that one-way tickets were always ridiculously more expensive than round trip tickets? Totally weird, but it was that way, right?
Yesterday I checked at Emirates' homepage and now the one way tickets are actually cheaper than round trips. I think that's a wink in my direction. I HAVE to go to Japan next year. Round trip tickets would cost 1500, but one way will be 1200 Euros. Very nice.

QuoteAlthough, I hear Germany is really nice.

I don't know where your friend has been, but I'm sure he was here for travel, right?
If you go sightseeing, Germany is really nice I'm sure. There's a lot of places to visit.
But the thing is, there are a lot of changes lately. The education system is vastly deteriorating, thus children seem to become dumber every minute. I want my child to receive proper education.
Also I don't like the German mentality of nagging at everything. People here can't be content with what they have. They always have to complain and be jealous of others.
Many store clerks are rude to customers, something that really bothers me. You'll never ever see that in Japan. Another thing about stores is that they can't open 24/7. All stores must close at 8 p.m. No chance for shopping at 9 or 10 in the night.

Japan is the country I wanted to be in for about 10 years now. And finally the chance has come.
In Japan I have my favourite dishes, I can visit used game and book stores (which are rare in Germany ), I can buy cheap games (I can easily buy 2 new games in Japan for the price of 1 in Germany), I can take a bath every day, which I grew accustomed to when I lived there. I couldn't afford to do that in Germany.

I will write more later. I'll have to take care of my cat now who is meowing like crazy before my door and waiting for some petting. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: superfamiking on October 02, 2007, 07:36:49 am
I have been to japan 8 times (was there in June this year for 10 days!)
Here are a couple of pics I took in arcades etc (Akihabara)..................if you want to see more, let me know

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/spikester75/2007TOKYO230.jpg)
I know this is a Nintendo site, but the Sega arcades are cool places!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/spikester75/2007TOKYO356.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/spikester75/2007TOKYO471.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/spikester75/2007TOKYOPART2001156.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/spikester75/2007TOKYOPART2001325.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/spikester75/2007TOKYOPART2001333.jpg)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 02, 2007, 08:19:15 am
Nice pics, superfamiking!
If you have more, please post more. ;D

Wow, 8 times. I've been to Japan only 3 times, for 14 months all together. :D
I see you like Super Famicom. We should get along well as the Super Famicom is also my favourite console. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: superfamiking on October 02, 2007, 08:35:39 am
I lived in Japan (Minato, Tokyo) for nearly 2 years back in the 90's!
I have also been back many times since as I still have friends who live there!
(also Manuel, just had a look around your website!..........nice!!!)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 02, 2007, 09:23:22 am
Cool.  8)
May I ask how old you are?
You were in Japan in the 90s, a time I could only dream of Japan yet. :)
Did you study there? University or exchange student or something like that?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: superfamiking on October 02, 2007, 10:08:31 am
I worked there from September 93 until October 95 with BP the petrol company (I am now 31 years old)
I was there from when I was 17-19 years old (was a 3 year deal but after 2 years they moved me back to London.

I have been back 8 times since then, was there last October for 3 weeks and was there for 10 days at the beginning of June this year!
I stay with my friend (he lives in Yokahama), so all I have is travel cost and spending money..........accommodation is free ;D

Although we are from the UK, my wife and I spend a lot of our time in our house in Barbados now, so moving back to Japan isn't really an option for us................................so holidays are the only time I get in Japan now.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 02, 2007, 11:54:41 am
Barbados. That seems nice and warm, too.

I have never been to Yokohama or Tokyo yet, but that will be my first destination once I have a job and saved up some money. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: 133MHz on October 02, 2007, 02:00:50 pm
Hey manuel, since you have a cat and I imagine you may take it with you to Japan, does it have the microchip implanted under its skin? the one used to recognize them if they're lost. It may be needed for getting it into another country (customs will scan it), and I've heard stories of incompatible chip standards between countries (kind of like NTSC vs. PAL), so make sure to research that before you travel ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on October 02, 2007, 02:02:55 pm
Your PAL cat will still work in NTSC Japan, it'll just be a bit faster  ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 02, 2007, 02:52:32 pm
Quote from: UglyJoe on October 02, 2007, 02:02:55 pm
Your PAL cat will still work in NTSC Japan, it'll just be a bit faster  ;)


That comment almost made me spit water on the screen.  ;D
Very nice.

Unfortunately I won't take my cat with me, it will stay here at my parents' place.
But the town I plan to move to has lots and lots of cats, so I won't be cat-less in Japan. ;)

BTW, is anyone interested in some of my cat pics? (Japanese and German cats)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: 133MHz on October 02, 2007, 02:59:54 pm
Quote from: UglyJoe on October 02, 2007, 02:02:55 pm
Your PAL cat will still work in NTSC Japan, it'll just be a bit faster  ;)


But if it was a colored cat, it'll now be a black and white one, and it will be rolling around incessantly :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on October 02, 2007, 07:32:31 pm
Quote from: manuel on October 02, 2007, 01:53:50 am
I don't know where your friend has been, but I'm sure he was here for travel, right?


Yes...travel...he was visiting a friend's family. Stayed mostly in their small town. The name isn't coming to me right now. Anyway, maybe his comments about Germany say more about his opinions of the US than his impressions of Germany. Certainly anyone would have a better impression being there their entire life or for several years.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: superfamiking on October 03, 2007, 05:48:55 am
Agree with the above. I went to Frankfurt years ago for a weeks vacation and really liked it (even if it was freezing!!!) BUT staying there for a week doesn't give a fair reflection of actually living in a country for a long period of time!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 04, 2007, 11:17:00 am
Some days before I wrote that I'll go to Japan with a probability of over 90%.
Make that 98% now.  8)
If I don't run into a very good job opportunity accidentally here in Germany I'll go to Japan in mid-June 2008.
It's all destiny!
Today my boss asked my if I'd work more hours (41 instead of 20 per week) from now on.
What a coincidence. I wanted to ask for more hours in order to save up money for my new life in Japan. And the best thing is that he'll give me a pay-rise (per hour).  :)
Maybe I can save around 1400$ per month this way. That's pretty much and a good start for living in Japan I guess. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on October 04, 2007, 08:06:28 pm
Cool, man. It's neat how things work out like that. :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 07, 2007, 12:46:08 pm
Who of you guys will visit me when I live in Japan? :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on October 07, 2007, 04:34:58 pm
You'll be there too late for me... :'( But maybe I'll like it enough to visit again.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on October 07, 2007, 05:40:21 pm
Quote from: manuel on October 07, 2007, 12:46:08 pm
Who of you guys will visit me when I live in Japan? :D


I WILL!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 14, 2007, 05:47:44 am
Cool, FamicomFreak, then let's go Famicom hunting together. :)

From today on it's highly official!
My wife's grandpa sent us an email stating that we can live there in his vacant house FREE OF CHARGE.  ;D ... ;D :D (http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4140/yahoojt6.gif)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: 133MHz on October 14, 2007, 11:23:03 am
Congrats!!! ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on October 14, 2007, 11:25:09 am
I grandpa using email is cool enough, but one that'll give you a place to live while you're trying to get on your feet is even cooler.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 14, 2007, 12:07:46 pm
You say it!
He's indeed very cool. He's a Buddhist priest, (about?) 84 years old and has always the latest computer equipment.  :o Last month he even changed his internet connection from ISDN to "hikari fiber" (="optical fiber"), i.e. very high speed.  ;D Needless to say I can use his connection when living there. (WLAN FTW!)
I'm so happy right now I don't know if I can sleep. And I have to get up at 6a.m. tomorrow for work.  ;)

Here's a pic of granpa with the newest Fujitsu Media Center edition model, taken almost 4 years ago (2003/12/31).
(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7083/0027di4.jpg)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 28, 2007, 11:17:46 am
(http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10732;405/st/20080615/e/we+move+to+Japan/dt/5/k/27d0/event.png)

Still over 7 months to go, but we have already almost finalized our plans. As for now we'll fly on June 15.
I can't wait!

On a side note, I found out that there indeed are sprays that kill those big spiders I hate so much. (click HERE (http://images.google.com/images?q=%E3%82%A2%E3%82%B7%E3%83%80%E3%82%AB%E3%82%B0%E3%83%A2) to have a look at some)
Tick poison seems to work for spiders, too. Muhahahahaha... (http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2848/evillaughno0.gif)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: kite200 on October 29, 2007, 04:13:40 pm
ojichan there is my hero

that pic is beyond epic

loving the hat
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 30, 2007, 12:14:00 pm
 ;D
Thanks for the comment. I also love that pic.
He always has the hat on that way. :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: corisco on November 23, 2007, 02:47:19 am
Quote from: manuel on October 07, 2007, 12:46:08 pm
Who of you guys will visit me when I live in Japan? :D


Hey Manuel, when you come to Japan, I can visit you ;).
If ur coming to live in Kanto area, I can show you some very cool retrogame shops ;)

It's funny, you love Japan, and you're saying you wanna live here. Im living here for 14 years and my dream is live in Europe!
My wife is japanese but she really dont like this contry(I dont like a lot of things here, too) If I find a way to go to Europe...specially Portugal, that pretty small country.
Somebody wanna trade with me? ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 23, 2007, 03:40:54 am
That's really funny.  :D
But isn't it always that way? People are seldom in the place they'd like to be.
If I were you, I'd just take the risk and move to Portugal, if you like that country. If you have work in Japan, you certainly will find work there, too. The earlier the better. Taking a little risk is better that regretting afterwards.  ;)

I will be living in the Bingo area (that's in the east of Hiroshima prefecture, directly at the Seto inland sea), the town's called Onomichi.
You're invited to visit of course. :)

When I travel to Kanto and you're still there, I'll try to come to your neighborhood.  :D

How are everybody other's plans? JC, you visit Japan in March, right?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: corisco on November 23, 2007, 05:02:31 am
You right, manuel, I have to take the risk but... I just don't know how to start! My wife don't speak portuguese, just 日本語 and english, so I think it's hard to her to find a job over there.  As you like Japan, I like Portugal and all that culture(specially about Middle Ages and anything about the Crusades).
Anyway, when you come to Kanto, let's dig some retrogame shops ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 23, 2007, 09:03:46 am
Quote from: corisco on November 23, 2007, 05:02:31 am
Anyway, when you come to Kanto, let's dig some retrogame shops ;)

;D ;D ;D
I'll have to start some savings for that. Because when I start retrogame shopping I can't stop. :D
Do you live in the Tokyo area?
And if you don't mind to answer... what do you do for work?
How did you come to live in Japan?
Sorry for the load of questions. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: corisco on November 23, 2007, 06:18:15 pm
Quote from: manuel on November 23, 2007, 09:03:46 am
Quote from: corisco on November 23, 2007, 05:02:31 am
Anyway, when you come to Kanto, let's dig some retrogame shops ;)

;D ;D ;D
I'll have to start some savings for that. Because when I start retrogame shopping I can't stop. :D
Do you live in the Tokyo area?
And if you don't mind to answer... what do you do for work?
How did you come to live in Japan?
Sorry for the load of questions. :)


Don't worry about questions ;)
I live in Chiba, Tokyo Bay area and I'm working for a Japanese/british glass company Pilkington. I came to Japan when I was 20 years because I like to travel and when I came here I decided to work for some months and... still living here 'till today :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 23, 2007, 07:47:32 pm
Quote from: manuel on November 23, 2007, 03:40:54 am
JC, you visit Japan in March, right?


That's the plan, but I have to wait to see if a couple things happen: I'm looking into buying a home and considering public office. If one or both happens, I may have to delay the trip.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 24, 2007, 12:21:50 am
If you delay the trip long enough, you can come to visit me. ;)

Good luck with your plans. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 13, 2008, 08:01:19 am
Bringing this back to page 1...

It's 2008 now, so I can say "I move to Japan THIS year."  ;D
Last year I had to say "next year".  ;)

(http://tickers.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10747;405/st/20080615/e/we+move+to+Japan/dt/5/k/cdc1/event.png)

With about 5 months left I'll have to start preparations for the move.
First thing is applying for a spouse visa. I'd like to phone the consulate in Munich about it, but they have very short office hours and I have to work when they are there.  >:(
I'll try a mail first maybe.

I'm still wondering how I should get my whole game collection from Germany to Japan. Maybe at first I'll only take my favourite stuff and have the rest sent to me in the following months/years.
And then there are my DVDs and books...  (http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/157/sobingny6.gif)
I think I have to sell some stuff to earn the shipping for the rest. ???
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: 133MHz on January 13, 2008, 06:17:13 pm
Maybe you could send them by ship. It takes a lot of time but it's very cheap. I know some friends whose parents sent their whole house furniture and appliances from the USA down here to Chile.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: kite200 on January 13, 2008, 11:22:09 pm
Lol seto inland sea is where battle royale takes place.
great book, have you read it manuel?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 14, 2008, 10:28:41 am
Well... I saw the movie.  :-[
Does that replace reading the book? :D

I quite like that movie. It's fun.

I have the book for Battle Royale II in Japanese, but have not yet read that.

@133MHz: Yeah, I guess that's what I'll do. Ship everything box by box. Not all at once, though. One packet of 20kg costs 82 Euros (121US$) to ship.  :o
Depending on my earnings in Japan I might have my parents send me one 20kg box per month. In a year or two everything should be in Japan. I hope I don't have to pay expensive customs fees.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: kite200 on January 14, 2008, 05:31:22 pm
book>movie
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 19, 2008, 05:43:46 am
Maybe I'll try to find the book when I'm in Japan.

I'm a bit disgruntled now because the rate between the Euro and Japanese Yen dived from 166 Yen per Euro to 156Yen per Euro. My current savings lost the worth of a PS3 with 2 games in a period of 2 weeks.  >:( I'm pissed. Stupid Yen and Euro...
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: kite200 on January 19, 2008, 03:11:23 pm
I'm a bit disgruntled because 1 US dollar a while ago was 120 yen but now it's 107
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Josh on January 19, 2008, 05:37:49 pm
Quote from: kite200 on January 19, 2008, 03:11:23 pm
I'm a bit disgruntled because 1 US dollar a while ago was 120 yen but now it's 107


Hear, hear.

Economy sucks.   :P
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 20, 2008, 03:46:30 am
I really hope the Yen gets a bit weaker again. It was so nice buying cheap stuff from Japan. ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Har the cat on January 21, 2008, 12:28:16 pm
i wanna go to japan... :'(

watch the neo geo café

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=dRMUclPn2mI (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=dRMUclPn2mI)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 03, 2008, 04:02:42 am
I couldn't resist and wrote up a countdown into my daily pad calender.
133 days left until we move to Japan.
Somehow 133 days sounds not so long as

(http://tickers.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10747;405/st/20080615/e/we+move+to+Japan/dt/5/k/cdc1/event.png)

;D

Furthermore I calculated that I'll have to go to work for a maximum of 80 days. ;) If I take some days off work, that number shrinks of course. Woot! (That's now an official English word, right?)

I also contacted the Japanese consulate in Munich and they sent me all the application forms I need to fill in for a spouse visa. Apparently it takes only about a week, so I can wait until May to apply for it.

In a nutshell: I CAN'T WAIT!   :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Har the cat on February 03, 2008, 05:33:31 am
bless you... :D


I must wait over 4 years. when i have finished my study. :( japan is cool..
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 03, 2008, 06:01:21 am
What do you study btw?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on February 03, 2008, 11:33:13 am
Since this is the Japan thread...HERE (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/02/decotora.html). So cool.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Har the cat on February 03, 2008, 11:40:55 am
Quote from: manuel on February 03, 2008, 06:01:21 am
What do you study btw?


I am learning for to become a school teacher 8)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 03, 2008, 11:51:41 am
Quote from: JC on February 03, 2008, 11:33:13 am
Since this is the Japan thread...HERE (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/02/decotora.html). So cool.


Yeah, I saw some of those trucks when I was over there. They are f***ing awesome. ;D
Unfortunately I didn't have the chance to see them at night, but even in daylight they're cool.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Milky B on February 03, 2008, 04:07:17 pm
When I was in the navy we stopped in japan a couple times.  Once in Sasebo for a bit over a week, which is on Kyushu.  That was cool.  I stood security watches with japanese security guards and worked them over for japanese vocabulary.  :)  We also pulled into Yokosuka which is the really big US Navy base on Tokyo Bay but I had to leave the next day so I didn't get to see much.

I would really like to visit japan again and go to tokyo because I never got a chance to go there.  and all this famicom talk around here just makes me want to go more and get some sweet bargains on some fami swag.  At some point I would like to move abroad as well but I haven't made my mind up between japan, finland or france yet.   :D

Quote from: JC on February 03, 2008, 11:33:13 am
Since this is the Japan thread...HERE (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/02/decotora.html). So cool.


Have you seen pictures of the trucks in India?  They're also exceptionally decorated.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Milky B on February 03, 2008, 04:14:38 pm
also, I wanted to add, today I read in the paper how japans economy is on a steady downward slide.  in 1993, 15 years ago, it was the 3rd strongest in the world and now it's 20th.

the US economy is'nt doin so hot either....
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 09, 2008, 05:06:10 am
Again an update!

(http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10747;405/st/20080517/e/we+move+to+Japan/dt/6/k/e936/event.png)

We decided to move to Japan a month eralier.  ;D
The reason is a sad one. My wife's one grandpa has liver cancer and it's unpredictable when he will pass away. If possible my wife (and also myself) wants to see him at least once again. And we want to take photos with him and our son of course.
So we'll move to Japan in May.

Still, we're very happy to return to Japan now in under 100 days.  :D
I hope everything will be fine until then.

Need to get that spouse visa fast...
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 28, 2008, 01:33:53 pm
Yesterday I sent off my visa application. When I phoned in at the consulate they told me my visa should be ready by next week's Wednesday. I hope to go to Munich and pick it up on next Friday. *yay!*

After I have my visa I'll finally book that flight.
Our plan now is to leave Germany on May 17th. I can't wait!!  ;D (Damn leap year! 1 day longer to wait! >:( )

edit/update: On Friday afternoon I got an email stating that my visa will be ready by Monday. Woohoo! (http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0064.gif)
I'll be going to Munich on Tuesday or Wednesday to pick my passport with the visa up. (http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0044.gif)


So... anyone else heading to Japan this year? How are your plans, JC? Any news or changes?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on March 01, 2008, 04:27:16 pm
I had to kick things back a bit. I got tied up for this month, which is when I hoped to go. I'll try for June/July now. I should have 2-3 weeks off around then, if all goes well. I'll expect that cake.

Glad to hear things are going great for you. The next couple of months will pass fast. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on March 01, 2008, 11:24:08 pm
June/July is nice, too. Depending on the place it's the rainy season, but it's not as bad as it sounds. ;)
Please post your plans here when you know more.

Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on March 07, 2008, 01:58:18 pm
Hehe, here it is!
I finally have my visa for Japan.

(http://aycu07.webshots.com/image/45526/2000164741933625225_rs.jpg)

I booked the flight already. May 16 is the day.  ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on March 07, 2008, 03:44:00 pm
Congrats!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on March 07, 2008, 04:07:09 pm
Awesome, dude! Before you know it...I didn't realize you were a '70s baby.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Doc on March 07, 2008, 10:28:45 pm
AWESOME dude! :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on March 08, 2008, 02:26:15 am
Quote from: JC on March 07, 2008, 04:07:09 pm
Awesome, dude! Before you know it...I didn't realize you were a '70s baby.


Yeah, the 70s rocked.  ;) I don't remember much of the 70s, though.  ;D

Now that I have my visa, going to work in the morning is a pain in the a***. I just don't want to any more.  :P But I'll have to wait until May. Another 9 weeks and 6 days.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on March 29, 2008, 12:26:33 pm
I started moving to Japan yesterday.
That means, I sent off 2 big boxes of 20kg each with clothes and gaming stuff to my new address in Japan by surface mail. I hope they arrive about the same time we do. :D
Another 4 boxes (for the time being) will follow in the next weeks.


(http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10747;405/st/20080516/e/we+move+to+Japan/dt/6/k/3bea/event.png)
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)

The date is getting closer and closer. ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on March 29, 2008, 04:06:12 pm
Awesome, dude. :) Must be neat. I've moved across the US, but never into another country.

Best of luck to your boxes! With surface, I hope you packed them securely. My brother moved from New York to the western US recently, and a couple of his boxes popped open in route. All the stuff inside was lost! Not securely packing the boxes cut his music collection in half; scattered on a mailroom floor somewhere. :(
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on March 30, 2008, 01:28:30 am
I've never had a problem between Germany and Japan.
Maybe that is why I'm called the "packing master"... by myself. ;D  ::)

I pack my stuff very securely. I always put a plastic rope around the boxes so people can carry them around easier. Plus it seems to prevent customs clerks to open the package. Really. Every packet I put a rope around wasn't opened. I think they're just too lazy to open and pack it up again afterwards.  :D

Of course every time I send stuff I hope and pray that everything arrives without damage.
And if it was damaged I'd have them pay.  ;) Every packet is insured for 800$ innately.

The next 2 packets waiting to be sent off will contain most of my gaming collection. If those get damaged I might consider killing somebody. (http://tools.digeratimarketing.co.uk/content/lb/smile/mad/mad0003.gif)

Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on April 18, 2008, 01:06:19 pm
Update!
2 boxes of 20kgs each filled with video games reached their destination safely. At least according to DHL's tracking service.  :D I'll have the family abroad check that of course. I assume they'll send me an email.
But man, that was fast. 7 days with surface shipping. I don't think airmail would have been faster, only twice as expensive. :o

Exactly 4 weeks remaining now.
Today I almost forgot to check the mailbox, but when I looked into I found these!
(http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8733/ticketsph4.jpg)
Yay, got my tickets today.

Yesterday I picked up our son's passport. It's like a real passport, only cuter. ;) My wife posted pics of it on her blog:
http://dillinger.blog13.fc2.com/blog-entry-360.html (http://dillinger.blog13.fc2.com/blog-entry-360.html)

... I can't wait!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on May 13, 2008, 04:05:24 pm
Oh man oh man oh man. Only 2 days left. :o

(http://tickers.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10747;405/st/20080516/e/we+move+to+Japan/dt/6/k/3bea/event.png)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on May 13, 2008, 05:39:30 pm
Holy shit...wow! :D That came fast. I expect regular updates...if you're not too busy settling in.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nurd on May 13, 2008, 07:04:24 pm
Yeah.

Take a picture of the bathroom.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on May 14, 2008, 12:15:45 am
I hope to post regular updates. Maybe not the first days. We'll be busy with administrative stuff.

And especially for nurd I'll post a pic of the bathroom.  :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Kuvio on May 14, 2008, 05:48:06 am
Wowza, I wish I could live in Japan for awhile. I wouldn't be able to right now though. This is my last year of high school, so I gotta get ready for college. I hope I will be able to do an exchange program with another university in Nippon. I mean, I do want to major in East Asian Studies.

Good Luck with everything manuel. That is a big leap, but you seem comfortable in how you are handling it.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on May 14, 2008, 10:56:31 am
You should definitely try to study a year abroad in Japan. It's a great experience.
I can recommend you the JTW program. I took part 5 years ago:

www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/jtw/ (http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/jtw/)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on May 14, 2008, 11:39:19 am
Manuel I want to see a lot of photos of your home and Japan itself!! Man you are lucky to be moving there. How are you able to go live there? I heard it's hard.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on May 14, 2008, 12:22:40 pm
Depends on who said it's hard.  ;)
I don't think it's that difficult.

Pics: here in a few days.  8)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on May 14, 2008, 12:23:46 pm
I see well that's my dream! I will make it there in a raft boat if I have to!! WAAAAAAAAA!~
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on May 14, 2008, 01:45:30 pm
I recommend a big airplane. ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nurd on May 14, 2008, 01:46:15 pm
If you make a raft, you can go to and from Cuba.  :P
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on May 14, 2008, 01:53:21 pm
Quote from: nurd on May 14, 2008, 01:46:15 pm
If you make a raft, you can go to and from Cuba.  :P


hell yeah from keywest it's only 90 miles away! You can actually see the island!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nurd on May 14, 2008, 01:58:49 pm
Lol, Reminds me of something on George Lopez.

His wife's family are Cuban born, in cuba.

She is trying to help them get money  or something,  so she tried to sell candles.

George said someting like "Oh, that's just what people want to smell. Black Beans and poverty."
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on May 14, 2008, 02:01:57 pm
LOL!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Kuvio on May 14, 2008, 11:13:25 pm
Quote from: manuel on May 14, 2008, 10:56:31 am
You should definitely try to study a year abroad in Japan. It's a great experience.
I can recommend you the JTW program. I took part 5 years ago:

www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/jtw/ (http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/jtw/)


Wow, that sounds fantastic. I will definitely have to do that. I can't go at the time being because I have other things to attend to first. Although, I will try to go sometime in the near future. Thanks for the info. 8)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on May 15, 2008, 04:32:25 am
Good luck with that.
And remember: year abroad = easily earned credits
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on May 15, 2008, 10:32:50 pm
So...
finally the big day has come. In the afternoon we'll take the plane to Dubai and from there to Osaka.

I hope to be online again soon.

CU later guys. ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: djdac on May 16, 2008, 12:28:26 am
Must be exciting man, good luck!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on May 16, 2008, 09:10:51 am
Hope your flight goes well.  Enjoy your trip...into the future...by a few hours.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Raditz on May 16, 2008, 12:00:31 pm
Good luck, and don't forget to tell us about when you get there!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on May 16, 2008, 12:51:49 pm
Quote from: manuel on May 15, 2008, 10:32:50 pm
So...
finally the big day has come. In the afternoon we'll take the plane to Dubai and from there to Osaka.

I hope to be online again soon.

CU later guys. ;D


Take care hope all goes well!!!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Paul-FC on May 16, 2008, 12:53:27 pm
Quote from: manuel on May 15, 2008, 10:32:50 pm
So...
finally the big day has come. In the afternoon we'll take the plane to Dubai and from there to Osaka.

I hope to be online again soon.

CU later guys. ;D

Bye manuel
Take Care!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Kuvio on May 16, 2008, 02:03:21 pm
manuel、気をつけてね。 ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on May 18, 2008, 05:31:34 pm
Hi guys!
Thanks for the kind words.
The flights and train rides all went well without problems.  :D

We'll now go shopping for some mosquito repellant, so I don't have time to write more now, but I'll post more soon. ;D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: 133MHz on May 18, 2008, 06:43:02 pm
Awesome!!! ;D ;D ;D Glad you got there without any complications! How's the jet lag?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on May 18, 2008, 07:18:58 pm
Blood-sucking insects...sucks. We've got a bunch around here, too. Cool that you're there!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nurd on May 18, 2008, 07:23:58 pm
Do those electric mosquito repellers work? It isn't really mosquito time in Wisconsin.  :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on May 18, 2008, 08:28:02 pm
Congrats on your arrival!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on June 09, 2008, 08:23:50 pm
Give us an update...what are your impressions?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Kuvio on June 11, 2008, 09:19:24 am
Yeah, what region did you move to? You don't have to say exactly what prefecture or anything of course, but in general where did you move? I think I am going to be going to Kyoto in about a year or so.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on June 11, 2008, 05:14:20 pm
Sorry I can't post so often. But always when I sit down to do something there is something else to do, like searching the pacifier my son loves to throw around or killing some spiders.  :o

I moved to a little town called Onomichi, facing the Seto inland sea in the east of Hiroshima prefecture.
Look it up on google maps (http://tinyurl.com/6lc7cq)

This is the homepage of the Buddhist temple I live:
http://shounenji.fc2web.com/ (http://shounenji.fc2web.com/)
At the bottom you can even see my name. And yes, the site needs to be cleaned up and updated.  ;)

I'll post pics, too, when I find the time to do so. :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nurd on June 11, 2008, 06:09:15 pm
Tie a ribbon on the handle of the pacifier, so It's easier to find. :P or tie the other end of the ribbon to something.


Wait. That's not safe.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Kuvio on June 13, 2008, 10:14:29 am
Wow, those are some nice photos of the place. It looks lovely. I admire your willingness to hop from one country to another because of your wanting to. Is that why you went to Japan, because that's where you wanted to live? Or was there some alternative motive? Either way, that is still a big leap. The main reason I would like to go to Japan is to learn more of the language. I'm sure you learn it a lot faster when you have to, right?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: son_ov_hades on June 13, 2008, 12:26:58 pm
Manuel if you don't mind me asking, why did you leave Deutschland? I'm American born and raised, but I wouldn't rule out living there at some point.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: corisco on June 20, 2008, 08:45:15 pm
Quote from: manuel on June 11, 2008, 05:14:20 pm
Sorry I can't post so often. But always when I sit down to do something there is something else to do, like searching the pacifier my son loves to throw around or killing some spiders.  :o

I moved to a little town called Onomichi, facing the Seto inland sea in the east of Hiroshima prefecture.
Look it up on google maps (http://tinyurl.com/6lc7cq)

This is the homepage of the Buddhist temple I live:
http://shounenji.fc2web.com/ (http://shounenji.fc2web.com/)
At the bottom you can even see my name. And yes, the site needs to be cleaned up and updated.  ;)

I'll post pics, too, when I find the time to do so. :D


Hey Manuel! I didn't know you came to Japan! If you are planning to come to Tokyo area someday, just let me know, I can show you some great retrogamming shop I use to go (no, not super potato, lol)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on June 21, 2008, 04:53:59 am
Thanks for the offer.  ;D I'll drop you a pm should I travel to Tokyo. :D
My wife and I plan to go and visit a friend there, but our son is still too young for it. Maybe next year. (And I need to save up some money...  :-[ Don't want to go to cool stores without some serious cash.  ;) )
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on September 19, 2008, 01:37:18 pm
Hmm...what happened to manuel?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: 133MHz on September 19, 2008, 02:25:38 pm
Quoting a PM he sent me a while ago (unimportant stuff removed):

Quote from: manuel
I'm quite busy right now with our son, looking for work and the preparations for the next happening here at the Buddhist temple I live.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on September 19, 2008, 02:48:49 pm
Ah, so life struck him. Seems to happen. People always disappear from forums and I'm always curious to know what happened to them. The most curious disappearance is FamicomJL. :-\
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on October 10, 2008, 04:29:33 am
Thanks guys for asking for me.  :D

I have not abandoned FW. I WILL BE BACK.  ;D It just might take some more time.

What happened the last few weeks?

Our son grows and grows. He is so active and lively (good thing, basically), that both my wife and I have spare all of our free time to play with him. After a hard day I always just don't find the time to check here.

When I have some free time I now don't feel like hanging around on the internet, but actually playing Famicom and Super Famicom for a change. I played Rockman 5 and 6, Don Doko Don 2, Chuugoku Senseijutsu, Sutte Hakkun, Seiken Densetsu 2 and many more...

After the last big festivals I felt quite exhausted ad took some days off. Needed to edit my video footage and make some slideshows from the photos.

When our son caught a little cold we took him to the doctor, who said that it was nothing to worry. The next day I had a fever and was in bed for a week. Those damn coughing kids at the doctor's.  >:(
After that ended I somehow had headaches every day from the morning till the night for 2 weeks, so I went to see a doctor and he gave me some pills. That was 4 days ago. I hope it's better now.

Oh yeah, and my old laptop screen went AWOL. The backlight slowly died over a span of 4 days. We were lucky that a new big electronics store opened in the neighbour city and they sold an 1800$ Toshiba laptop for half the price. I stood in line for 2 hours to get one of the ten discounted machines. Yay. ;D
It's the Qosmio F40/86FBL with Intel Core 2 Duo processor at 2.1GHz, 2GB RAM, 200GB HDD, Label Flash Super Multi DVD drive, built in Digital TV tuner... and it has harman/kardon speakers! Those tiny things sound awesome! ;D
http://dynabook.com/pc/catalog/qosmio/080417f4/index_j.htm (http://dynabook.com/pc/catalog/qosmio/080417f4/index_j.htm)

I still mostly live on savings. Didn't have much time or energy for looking for translating work.
If anybody knows people who need some Japanese translations (and are willing to pay  ;) ), please refer them to me.


That was my update for now.
Thanks guys for caring.

I'll be back in a few days/weeks, can't say for sure. Please do wait for me.  ;)

Bye then,

manuel
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on October 12, 2008, 08:44:16 pm
Glad to hear things are OK, despite the illness. Have a good one. Hope you get a chance to check in once in a while.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 13, 2008, 10:31:18 pm
So, JC, do you plan to go to Japan in Fabruary?
Any plans already?
What type of sights (for sightseeing  ;) ) are you interested in?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 13, 2008, 11:26:52 pm
Ah, I see you've moved the conversation... ;)

Yes, I'm planning to visit Japan, Korea and Taiwan in February. It's not final, but very likely. I've spent the last few days looking at flights and I've got a friend getting out a college in December who plans to join me. I'm looking at spending about a week in JP, and then dividing up a week and a half (may turn into two weeks) in Korea and Taiwan. I know I won't get out to East Asia much, so I'm gonna hit a few countries, with plenty of time in each. Plus, being unemployed, I don't have to worry about taking leave from a job.

You know, I'm the type of traveler who doesn't make too many plans. I just go...preferring to explore, see what I run into (sometimes problems, but usually "off-the-beaten-path" kinds of stuff). But that doesn't mean I won't hear out your tips. I know very little about Japan, what's a must see or must do. I read a news article recently on the proper etiquette for hot springs.

BTW...I'll expect my cake. (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=714.msg20935#msg20935)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 14, 2008, 02:13:21 am
If you come to my place on your birthday, you'll get a nice piece of cake. Promised.  :)


There are a lot of must-sees and must-dos.
For a starter, as you are a gamer, you'll have to explore used-game shops in the big cities, like Tokyo (not necessarily Alihabara) or Osaka. You'll find plenty of Famicom stuff. And by plenty I mean a lot.  ;)

For non-gaming attractions, there's the famous "Three Views of Japan", which are Matsushima, Amanohashidate and Itsukushima Shrine. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Views_of_Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Views_of_Japan))
And Mount Fuji of course. Also interesting are the Gion district in Kyoto (Geishas and Maikos), Nagasaki, Matsue (Izumo Shrine), Ise (Ise Shrine),... Maybe it's best to get a recent guidebook and pick the places you'd most like to go.

If you plan to travel by train a lot, you should definitely get the japan Rail Pass.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html (http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html)

Apart from sightseeing you have to try as much Japanese food as possible. Just look for small restaurants and ask for locla specialties. And if you have the time, a visit to some hot springs is very nice, too.

I have so many recommendations, you'd probably need a year to do it all.  ;)
If you have more specific questions, you know who to ask.  ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 14, 2008, 10:54:06 pm
Damn, I'll likely be in Japan a week or so after my birthday. So no cake, I guess. :P

And thanks for the info, especially about the train. I have no clue how I'll travel once in-country, but it's nice to know that option. I may have more questions soon, but I've just been focused on dates and the flight. Not cheap to fly these days, it seems. Once I get my flight, I'll have an idea about what's left for food, rooms, misc. travel, etc.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 14, 2008, 11:03:35 pm
Train is best for traveling. It adds up pretty quickly, so you'll definitely make a good deal with the Rail pass.

Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 18, 2008, 10:43:47 pm
Ah, the frustration of small towns...I had my flights ready to purchase...hit purchase, and my debit card was rejected. I have my money stashed away in a small local bank and it seems they don't allow purchases over $1,000 without special authorization. Damn it. >:( I'll be making some phone calls in the morning. Same thing happened when I bought my laptop. I really ought to find a new bank. >:(
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 18, 2008, 11:09:22 pm
That sucks.

So for when did you plan/book your flight?
Just because i'm curious, what airline do you plan to use?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 18, 2008, 11:24:56 pm
Well, assuming everything (price, time) remains the same tomorrow as today, I'd be flying Korean Air. I'll be heading out of the US on Feb. 2, arriving in Tokyo on Feb. 3, staying in Japan until Feb. 10, when I fly to Seoul, stay there until Feb. 15, then head to Taipei until Feb. 22. Gonna be awesome!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 19, 2008, 12:35:39 am
That sounds awesome indeed. I'm already jealous. :D

Korean Air is quite good. My wife flew with them once.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 19, 2008, 08:33:28 am
Yikes! I had a dream last night that I was flying out of some big airport and the jetliner I was in didn't get high enough in the air, so it hit an embankment, crashed and rolled over...everyone was safe. Doesn't beat a dream I had a few years ago where a jetliner came in for a crash landing next to my house, plowing through my neighbor's house and bursting into flames...wreckage was strewn everywhere, and just about everyone died. I took pictures.

I don't have a fear of flying, but Korean Air better be good.

EDIT: Just got my flight! :D Same as I said...
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: ericj on November 19, 2008, 09:54:22 am
Sounds like an awesome trip!  :)
You'll have to post some pics upon your return.
Are you traveling with anyone or going alone?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on November 19, 2008, 10:00:55 am
FamicomFreak is going in JC suitcase wekekekkekekeke
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 19, 2008, 10:23:31 am
Quote from: ericj on November 19, 2008, 09:54:22 am
Are you traveling with anyone or going alone?


I'm going with an old buddy of mine from high school. He's graduating from college in December...
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 22, 2008, 12:08:33 am
If you plan to visit southern Japan (Hiroshima prefecture to be precise), you could put in a little break in my town. If I have time I can show you around. One afternoon would be enough to look at the most interesting sights.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 22, 2008, 10:53:07 am
What town do you live in?

EDIT: How long is the trip from Tokyo to, well, other notable places? By train? Car?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 23, 2008, 09:19:27 pm
I live in a town called Onomichi. It's right between Okayama and Hiroshima.

If you use the Shinkansen you can get to Osaka or Kyoto within 2 hours.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on November 23, 2008, 09:25:30 pm
Nice. That's how I've been putting things into perspective, by comparing the distance (in hours) with what I'm used to in New Mexico. Seems like all of these countries -- Japan, Korea, Taiwan -- are tiny (or, at least, no bigger than my home state). For instance, Taiwan is 10 times smaller than NM. We've got 2 million people, whereas Taiwan has 22 million.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on November 24, 2008, 12:04:48 am
Japan is not very big, but long streched. If you want to go from North to South you can travel far over 1000 miles.

Try this page for train research:

http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi (http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi)

There you can see the time it takes.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on December 12, 2008, 09:35:40 am
Hey, manuel, let me know if you hear of anything cool going on in Japan from Feb. 3 to Feb. 10...events, festivals, museum exhibits...
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on December 22, 2008, 06:13:53 am
Oh, I didn't notice you posted here again.

Well, around that time is "Setsubun" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsubun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsubun)). That's a nation-wide event.

There are bound to be regional festivities somewhere, too, but I don't know all those.

Did you get a recent guidebook already? That's what I really recommend.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on December 22, 2008, 11:02:23 am
Hmm...why get a guidebook when you have a manuel?! But, really, I'll need to think about that. I'd like to do more than just gaze at structures and flora.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: ericj on December 22, 2008, 04:01:51 pm
From my traveling experience, a guidebook is essential so you can find out cool places to visit, festivals & holidays, where and what to eat, good clubs/bars and local 'special' drinks, and also learn some history along the way.  :P I'd also recommend checking out tourist websites for each city you'll visit to get another perspective besides that offered by the guidebook. ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on December 22, 2008, 06:24:22 pm
eric is right.

A book helps you find interesting stuff.

What you could do is climb Mount Fuji. I want to do that some time in the future.

And be sure to visit some hot springs.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on January 13, 2009, 09:44:29 pm
One site says there's a high risk of avalanches this time of year. :P Trying to kill me?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 14, 2009, 02:39:53 am
*whistling*... ;D

Never heard of avalanches, better watch the weather report beforehand.  ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on January 15, 2009, 12:02:03 am
I spent the day sprawled out on bookstore floors looking through guidebooks. It was fun, but I ended up not buying any. I just need to find me a few really good maps. (While sprawled, I got most excited about the possibility of visiting the DMZ...nerd?)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nurd on January 15, 2009, 09:22:37 am
is that Demilitarized Zone?

...Department of Motor..Zehicles.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: turbo D on January 15, 2009, 02:47:45 pm
lol, I tried googling that too! Not really sure why he'd visit a demilitarized zone though. heh.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on January 15, 2009, 03:58:07 pm
You visit this one little South Korean village at the border. And while war is serious, the zone itself has elements of bravado hilarity.

For instance, did you know that the North Koreans blasts audio propaganda across the border? Did you know that North Korea has a mega-gigantic flag that flies on their side and is intentionally slightly bigger than the South Koreans' flag? Did you know they have a little conference room that's got a line drawn through the middle and when the South Koreans unlock the door to let the North Koreans in for discussion, the soldier who unlocks the door is held onto by his fellow soldiers so he doesn't get pulled into North Korea?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 15, 2009, 05:12:58 pm
Quote from: JC on January 15, 2009, 03:58:07 pmDid you know they have a little conference room that's got a line drawn through the middle and when the South Koreans unlock the door to let the North Koreans in for discussion, the soldier who unlocks the door is held onto by his fellow soldiers so he doesn't get pulled into North Korea?


That one I didn't know!  ;D  That's one loud WTF!! from me.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: turbo D on January 15, 2009, 05:21:00 pm
Sounds quite entertaining. Just promise me that you won't let North Korea pull you through the door! I heard that in North Korea there are only 5 arcades machines (in the whole country!) or so that have been hacked to be propaganda machines!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: 133MHz on January 15, 2009, 06:26:22 pm
My wireless router has a DMZ ::). Guess I've been too much time in front of the computer :P.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on January 19, 2009, 01:32:48 pm
manuel, are you sure it'd be less expensive to get the jp rail pass than to just pay for each trip? We're planning to go to S. JP by train, but don't know how many stops, etc., we might make. Just wanted to check because the pass is $$$ and we have to get it before we leave the States.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 19, 2009, 05:24:51 pm
You'll need to check how far you'll go by train, but I'm very much pretty damn sure you'll be cheaper with the rail pass.

It's 28300 Yen (312$) for 7 days. You stay exatly 7 days, right? That's an omen.  ;)

A one-way train ride from Tokyo to Fukuoka on Kyushu costs you 21210Yen (234$) on the Shinkansen (you can use all Shinkansen trains except the Nozomi... doesn't matter. Hikari Railstar is better anyways  :D ). I think you shouldn't use the normal slow trains, because you don't want to throw away precious time I guess. The normal one way fare from Tokyo to Fukuoka would be around 14000 Yen (155$). Even then you would already be good with the rail pass, which you can use on a lot of buses, too.
I really recommend the rail pass if you plan to visit more than 2 or 3 cities or places. You surely won't regret it.

Tell me where you'd like to go in a nutshell (city or place names) and I'll check train prices for you as a special service.  :D
From where do you fly to Korea? I guess Osaka?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on January 19, 2009, 07:34:00 pm
I plan to call the Rail Pass outlets tomorrow to see what they've got to say. Sounds reasonable enough, I guess, considering the prices for those one-ways. I was under the impression that the Rail Pass wouldn't work for the express trains. I'll have to look at the site again, or just ask the peeps I call tomorrow.

We plan to stay in Tokyo for a couple of days and then head down to southern Japan. I'm sure we'll hit a few places along the route...I'd love to stop near you for an afternoon or whatever, taking you up on that offer to how us around. We don't have specific plans, just kinda making them as we go.

I fly into Narita and out of Haneda, both in Tokyo I presume, with Narita a bit more distant from the city center, from what I've read.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 19, 2009, 09:01:12 pm
Also check the official site:

http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html (http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html)

QuoteThe JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid for the railways, buses, and ferry boats shown in Table 1.

Railways: All JR Group Railways-Shinkansen"bullet trains" (except any reserved or non-reserved seat on "NOZOMI" trains), limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains. (With some exceptions)
Buses: Local lines of JR bus companies (JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus) and some of JR highway bus services*.
* Sapporo-Otaru; Morioka-Hirosaki; Tokyo-Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka,Tsukuba Center; Nagoya-Kyoto, Osaka; Osaka-Tsuyama, Kasai Flower Center
Ferry: Only the JR Miyajima ferry is covered.


It would be nice if you stopped in my town. I would surely try to open up an afternoon for you. Until then my wife and son should be back to normal health, too.
I'd show you the most important temples and shrines of my town. If weather is nice and you like climbing on hills, I could also show you a very beautiful sight of the bay and the islands around.

I would only ask for an advance notice. Let's say about 2 days before you plan to visit.  ;)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on January 28, 2009, 09:57:12 pm
Got the rail pass. Expensive bitches, but it should be worth it -- we'll see as we start using it. What's with that NOZOMI train?

And how's the evening of Thurs. the 5th or Fri. the 6th? I figure we'll spend a day and a half in Tokyo, shoot south, then work our way back to Tokyo. Your town easy to get to by train?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 29, 2009, 11:42:40 pm
5th or 6th sounds nice to me.


My town is called "Onomichi".
You'd have to get off the Shinkansen in "Fukuyama" (maybe look around a bit) and then take the slow train (about 15min) to Onomichi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sany%C5%8D_Main_Line#From_Himeji_to_Itozaki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sany%C5%8D_Main_Line#From_Himeji_to_Itozaki)

If I know the date and time I could meet you at the station.

If you're interested, pm me and I can give you my cell phone mail address and/or phone number.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Lorfarius on January 30, 2009, 07:22:26 am
I'm staying in Tokyo for 2 weeks later this year and just wondering if Kyoto is close enough to visit for a day?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on January 30, 2009, 07:28:44 am
It takes about 2 and a half hours from Tokyo station to Kyoto station by Sinkansen.
It's possible to visit Kyoto in a day, but I recommend staying a night there. Kyoto is very nice to explore.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on February 10, 2009, 03:11:45 pm
BUMP
When is JC coming back?  I've lost track of how long he's been in Japan
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 10, 2009, 04:26:32 pm
He left Japan on the 10th.
He'll be back in about 2 weeks from now.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on February 10, 2009, 04:36:35 pm
Wow, so he's been there for over a month :o
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 10, 2009, 05:33:16 pm
???

How do you get a month?  ::)

He said his trip would take 3 weeks.
1 week for each country visited.
The first week in Japan ended yesterday.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on February 10, 2009, 05:55:07 pm
Ooooh, I thought you said he came to Japan on the 10th..and then I thought you meant January.. :-[
Then I realized it's the 11th in Japan :P
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on February 24, 2009, 02:48:33 pm
Here are my pics of "Famicom" in Japan. While there were video game stores just about everywhere I went, either they had nothing I wanted (since I own most of the common stuff) or the stuff I wanted was too expensive. I left Japan without a single Famicom cart. I didn't take pics of Famicom stuff in Korea 'cause there really wasn't any. I didn't take a pic of the cart stand I found in a Taiwanese market because a sign over the stand said "No Photo."

This is Akihabara. My friend and I learned very quickly that the Japanese (and Koreans, somewhat) don't open their stores early. Most places, like Akihabara have nightlife scenes. We found a donut place open, ate a bit and left, coming back later that day:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp01.jpg)

Akihabara -- and other places -- have huge five- or six-storied arcades. You can see the Taito arcade in the pic below. Adults and kids loved 'em. They were crazy about their comics, too. It came off as a little strange seeing gray-haired dudes reading them, but whatever:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp02.jpg)

If you're unfamiliar with Akihabara or don't have much time, you won't find much. There's only one retro game store I saw on the main strip. The others were in back alleys and streets, kinda like this:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp03.jpg)

Here's a bit of the nightlife. Pachinko was the popular game and you could hear the bells and whistles (and smell the smoke) when the doors of a Pachinko place slid open:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp04.jpg)

Crane machines are just about everywhere and people popped a lot of money into them:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp05.jpg)

Here's inside one of the massive arcades. It was fun hearing all the button-pounding and sound effects:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp06.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp07.jpg)

Here's what the Famicom stuff looks like in some stores, including Super Potato. The behind-the-glass stuff was the coolest, of course:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp08.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp09.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp10.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp11.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp12.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp13.jpg)

Here's a pic of a FamicomBox without the original controllers. It's rigged for free play. I played a bit of SMB and so did my friend:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp14.jpg)

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp15.jpg)

And finally, here's my friend playing Tetris in manuel's guesthouse. manuel's really good at Rockman, and I suck at it. So, we spent a few hours playing Arkanoid II and Tetris:

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/jerahcordova/Famicom%20Oddities/jp16.jpg)

As for the rest of the trip: manuel's cool and his grandpa's pad is amazing; Miyajima -- while tourist-friendly -- is the place to go to see the beautiful, spiritual side of Japan; a lot of Japanese speak English but are very, very shy about it; you place your order for cooked meals using vending machines at some restaurants; and you'll never see more people than the ones who cross that huge pedestrian intersection in Toyko's Shibuya fashion district.

I spent 7 days in Japan and could've easily spent 14. There's a lot to do; everything's accessible. I know now, though, that I could never live there -- there's too much cultural preservation, in behaviors/mannerism, that were great for a tourist but could be a downer for a resident trying to assimilate. So, I've scrapped wanting to teach English in Japan. Taiwan, however... :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on February 24, 2009, 02:54:28 pm
WOW :o
In Super Potato..I saw Gold Punch-Out among other gold carts..how much were they?

Also, did you see any G&Ws in Super Potato?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 24, 2009, 05:54:19 pm
Nice photos.  :D

And indirectly JC solved the riddle. He has his friend in the photo, so you know know who JC is when you look at my photos.


I'm happy that you liked Japan as a tourist. But living here is totally different.
But it's not as "bad" as you may think. Japanese are very friendly to English teachers. Most of those don't adapt to Japanese manners at all, too. Foreigners aren't expected to do so.

I'd like to hear more about Taiwan, too. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on February 24, 2009, 07:11:12 pm
I believed JC at one point when he said you just took photos of random people :-[
But now at least I know what he looks like ;D
And even though the mystery is solved... "Where's JC" is still waiting to be published :P
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on February 24, 2009, 10:02:07 pm
I tried to produce that, but Paint Shop Pro crashed twice when I tried. Maybe I used the wrong Waldo photo (I found a nice very big one on the net, but my pc had problems with it .   :-\
Maybe I'll look for another one.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on February 25, 2009, 08:27:43 am
Quote from: nintendodork on February 24, 2009, 02:54:28 pm
I saw Gold Punch-Out among other gold carts..how much were they? Also, did you see any G&Ws in Super Potato?


Most of the prices tacked on an extra 10-20% over Japan auction prices, it seemed. Somehow these stores survive, so they must not be expensive for some people. I didn't see any G&W's, but I wasn't looking. Most of the stores also didn't have much FDS stock.

Quote from: manuel on February 24, 2009, 05:54:19 pm
Most of those don't adapt to Japanese manners at all, too. Foreigners aren't expected to do so.


The problem might not necessarily be an inability to assimilate personally -- I think I could in time -- but the problem would be how uncomfortable I'd feel about it. Those preserved behaviors and mannerisms themselves seem too restricting and very different from the United States, where we accept and tolerate more than I think the Japanese do. Being an American, I guess I just prefer a more bombastic, blunt culture. But that's my impression from only 7 days in Japan. :P

Quote from: manuel on February 24, 2009, 05:54:19 pm
I'd like to hear more about Taiwan, too. :)


Korea sucked -- it smelled bad, it looked bad and the spoken language was a little ugly to listen to (no offense, I hope). The written language was more beautiful than Japanese and Chinese, imo. The Koreans were very loose about their culture -- very Americanized, so much so that they had Christianity everywhere and drunks college students and businessmen stumbling about the area I stayed in.

So, I found Taiwan to be a happy medium, not as uptight as Japan and not as loose as Korea. Taiwan had just enough of a unique culture to make it interesting for someone wanting a cultural experience, but had enough of American culture to make it comfortable. For instance, everyday the culture surprised me in some way, whether it was the $70k parking spot my friend's parents' had to buy for their car or the millions of scooters shooting around the streets -- small and compact, since there are few parking spaces; or, it was the foods, eating some of the weirdest stuff I've ever seen, including the 1,000-year-old egg or watching people drink snake blood.

Taiwan was green and its structures looked a little gritty, so a mix of beautiful and real at the same time. Japan was too beautiful and Korea was too real. (Big question: Why is "real" the opposite of "beautiful"?) I enjoyed Taiwan's mix, because it reminded me of America, where you have very beautiful areas and dumpy ones near each other. For instance, Taiwan's east coast towns were rundown and seemed somewhat vacant, but just steps from the towns were the mountains and forests, waterfalls and monkeys. The west coast was sprawling metropolis. In Japan, most everything seemed closed and quiet, even some of the marketplaces; in Taiwan, most everything seemed bustling and lively.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: shoggoth80 on February 25, 2009, 02:30:32 pm
Hmmm....
I have heard of Super Potato, can't remember where though. The pics looked awesome. That looks a lot like a bit of a gamer haven.
I think that working as a translator/tour guide of any kind is pretty sweet.

I'll have to read through the thread more thoroughly. While I have no designs to travel to Japan any time in the near future, I DO like to travel, though haven't for many years... I miss the experience dearly. Japan would be a neat place to hit at least ONCE in my lifetime.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: son_ov_hades on February 25, 2009, 03:41:25 pm
The trip sounds awesome. I too am looking into teaching English abroad, but not until I graduate from college. My top three choices are Germany, Israel, and Japan with Chile coming in distant fourth.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Drakon on March 20, 2009, 09:04:17 pm
I'm wondering how many of the people who go around saying "japan rocks!" have actually been to japan...
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on March 20, 2009, 09:07:44 pm
I don't think they're saying they've actually been to Japan...they're just saying it rocks :P
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on March 20, 2009, 09:19:39 pm
Er, I think that's his point -- how can they know it rocks if they've never been there? I've been there...it doesn't rock, but it doesn't suck. A happy medium.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Drakon on March 20, 2009, 09:23:20 pm
Quote from: JC on March 20, 2009, 09:19:39 pm
Er, I think that's his point -- how can they know it rocks if they've never been there? I've been there...it doesn't rock, but it doesn't suck. A happy medium.


correct.  It sounds a bit dumb to say something rocks when you've never experienced it.  Me personally I'm a bit frightened by japan.  But I do agree some pretty sweet games and cartoons come out of there.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: shoggoth80 on March 27, 2009, 06:06:42 pm
As long as the opinion of Japan is not slanted BECAUSE of the cartoons and video games. :P
It is some place that I would like to visit sometime before I kick the bucket. BUT I grew up in a military family... travel was an accepted way of life. Kinda get a taste for it. However, I hold no illusions that it is the magic land of anime, games, and ninjas. I have seen MANY fanfreaks (this encompasses BOTH fangirls, and fanboys) that seemed to have this opinion. I do believe it would be an interesting experience, interacting with a very different culture... though from what I have seen/read, it is VERY urban, and when dealing with public transit, you MUST pay close attention, since different companies own various transit lines.

I think that anyplace that you can visit on this planet has its high points. Anywhere will also have places that you will not want to go if you are a tourist. Hate to say it, but sight seers are not appreciated everywhere in a given country. Though, if you are going to do the tourist thing, I would recommend sticking to the tourist hotspots, at least as a first trip through. As a general rule, you will have an easier time getting by, and being understood in those areas than you would in a non-tourist locale.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on March 28, 2009, 01:29:07 am
No country itsself rocks or sucks. It's the people.
And it always matters when and where you go.

Everybody interested in Japan should - if possible - visit Japan once. Have a look at the stores and stuff. Don't stay in the big cities, explore the country outside of Tokyo.
There may be things you don't like, there may be stuff you love.
But I agree it's a bit weird to praise something without having experienced it first hand.


I know several people who always were like "woohoo, Japan is great, I wanna live there". Some of those went there and didn't get along.
Then I know one guy who said he probably won't like Japan, because there's too many people, life there would be too much of a rush. Now that guy lives in Japan and loves it.

The moral is: Experience it yourself and THEN have an opinion about it.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: son_ov_hades on March 28, 2009, 08:12:57 am
All I have to say is AMERICA FUCK YEAH!
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: FamicomFreak on March 30, 2009, 09:24:03 am
You know I've been to japan because my cousin lives there so that shows how much you people know about me....the trip was long ago but I had real fond memories about it. I have also studied their history and such. The anime and games is the least I think about. I hope this shut some of you up.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: shoggoth80 on March 30, 2009, 05:00:19 pm
Well, good for you Famicom Freak. Then at least you ARE speaking from experience, and that matters most. I have seen plenty of people in my general area who have that "fanboy/fangirl" mentality (including people older, and younger than myself)... who would make such a remark without ANY experience at all to back it up.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on March 31, 2009, 05:37:45 am
Quote from: FamicomFreak on March 30, 2009, 09:24:03 am
You know I've been to japan because my cousin lives there so that shows how much you people know about me....the trip was long ago but I had real fond memories about it. I have also studied their history and such. The anime and games is the least I think about. I hope this shut some of you up.


Yay!
Ever plan to visit again?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: japanfreak on April 01, 2009, 08:33:49 am
LOL, isnt this the 'Introduce yourself' topic? Anyway, I think Japan is just to expensive to go to. My father said he would bring me to New York when I was 12, but he never brought me XD
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on April 01, 2009, 10:00:02 am
Quote from: japanfreak on April 01, 2009, 08:33:49 am
LOL, isnt this the 'Introduce yourself' topic?


Not anymore.

And yeah, it's an expensive plane ticket, but the rest wasn't too bad -- stayed in a nice Tokyo hotel for about $96 a night and there was inexpensive food just about everywhere.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on April 01, 2009, 09:26:54 pm
JC's right.
The only thing really expensive is the plane ticket. But that's also relative. You have to take into account how far you're travelling, and then it's actually quite cheap, especially when you see it on a per-mile basis.  ;)

Accommodation and food can be found easily for relatively cheap money.
Japan isn't as unaffordable as many people still think.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Drakon on April 04, 2009, 06:37:29 am
people thinking japan is like their anime and video games is probably the same thing as some people thinking all of canada is cold and full of igloos.  Just have to come out to the country and spend some time to form an opinion
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: son_ov_hades on April 04, 2009, 11:20:22 am
Quote from: Drakon on April 04, 2009, 06:37:29 am
people thinking japan is like their anime and video games is probably the same thing as some people thinking all of canada is cold and full of igloos.  Just have to come out to the country and spend some time to form an opinion


Canada is all hockey and maple syrup right?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: JC on April 04, 2009, 12:23:55 pm
And mounties. :D
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on April 04, 2009, 05:09:40 pm
Yeah, maple syrup and mounties. That's my personal view of Canada.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Drakon on April 05, 2009, 10:25:54 am
and the moose is our national animal.  Next to the beaver
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on April 19, 2009, 06:15:12 pm
BUMP
Quote from: manuel on April 19, 2009, 05:38:26 pm
Quote from: Blue Protoman on April 18, 2009, 12:24:24 pm
I wish I knew Japanese.


As Rogles said, learn it.
You're still young and should be able to learn quite fast. It's not as difficult as many might make you believe.

Quote from: LocalToast on April 19, 2009, 05:54:31 pm
Yeah, I really want to learn it too. I mean, mostly so I can read games/websites or anything else I can't run through a web translator. ;)
How many characters are in the Japanese language?  The smiley face one (I have no idea how to pronounce it) has like, 4 variations....
And there's Katakana, Hiragana, and Romanji....you could completely turn a written conversation around just by writing a different phrase that looked similar to what you meant to write.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: manuel on April 19, 2009, 06:35:29 pm
Romaji are our roman letters, and they aren't used for Japanese words.

Hiragana and katakana are, if you want to say so, alphabets. It's just not letters, but syllables. Both consist of 50 characters. You can easily learn them in a few days.

Kanji characters... well, there are a lot. But you don't need all of them.
You can get pretty far if you can recognize about 1000 of them and know how to read them.
With 2000 kanji you can already read almost everything. Newspapers, books, videogames should all be no problem.
If you want to know how much I know by now, I'd say somewhere between 2000 and 2500.
If you want to pass the kanji test called "kanken", you will have to be able to read AND write around 6000 kanji and know ALL their readings. Only about 100 people a year pass that test, though.

The biggest problem with Japanese and their style of writing is, that you can never be sure how to read stuff. There's the "chinese" and "japanese" reading. Some may have heard of it.

... I got a phone call... I will post more later. Stay tuned.  :D

Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Rogles on April 19, 2009, 06:39:49 pm
The smiley face one is "shi" or "tsu", depending on the location of the "eyes". But I was able to learn just enough to read and write simple sentences in like... 6 months(?), studying at my own leisure. It really helps when trying to identify Famicom games, if you know katakana.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on April 19, 2009, 06:54:38 pm
Quote from: manuel on April 19, 2009, 06:35:29 pm
Both consist of 50 characters. You can easily learn them in a few days.

Kanji characters... well, there are a lot. But you don't need all of them.
You can get pretty far if you can recognize about 1000 of them and know how to read them.
With 2000 kanji you can already read almost everything. Newspapers, books, videogames should all be no problem.
The biggest problem with Japanese and their style of writing is, that you can never be sure how to read stuff. There's the "chinese" and "japanese" reading. Some may have heard of it

Quote from: Rogles on April 19, 2009, 06:39:49 pm
The smiley face one is "shi" or "tsu", depending on the location of the "eyes". But I was able to learn just enough to read and write simple sentences in like... 6 months(?), studying at my own leisure. It really helps when trying to identify Famicom games, if you know katakana.




With 26 letters in the English alphabet, you can read everything.. :-\  I'd like to learn simple Japanese to identify Famicom games a little easier...and so I can understand Pokemon Green :S


EDIT: Why won't my reply come out of the quote...?
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Rogles on April 19, 2009, 07:28:12 pm
There's no kanji in the RBYG Pokemon games, so you would only need to learn kana. But I can understand wanting to play and understand right away. you might want to read a book on it, like a Japanese learning book with exercises in it. It really helped me.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: nintendodork on April 19, 2009, 07:43:51 pm
The good thing about Pokemon Green is that I already know the storyline, so it's a little easier to know what's going on.  If I know what levels they learn certain moves at, I won't have too many problems...the only trouble I would see myself having is navigating through the items list.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: LocalToast on April 19, 2009, 08:25:00 pm
Quote from: Rogles on April 19, 2009, 07:28:12 pm
you might want to read a book on it, like a Japanese learning book with exercises in it. It really helped me.


I'm open to recommendations. :)
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Rogles on April 22, 2009, 04:59:28 pm
(link) (http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Demystified-Eriko-Sato/dp/0071477268)

This is the one I used. As for bookstores to get it at, sorry, I got it as a christmas present.

Edit- well, I already knew most if not all of the kana before starting on that book. It assumes you know all the kana, but the lessons also use romaji.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: LocalToast on April 22, 2009, 06:31:20 pm
Wow, that has got to be one of the ugliest covers I have ever laid my eyes on. :-X

Still, I'll take your word for it and keep it in mind if I ever decide to get a book on the language.
Title: Re: Ye Olde Japan Thread
Post by: Rogles on April 24, 2009, 12:11:48 pm
Haha, yeah. :P But it is a great guide.