Anybody here been to Japan?

[- Q -]

I will be heading out to Japan shortly for a few weeks. Wondering if anyone has some insights into any interesting places to visit, activities to do, shows to watch, places to eat, day trips, etc.

Specifically in and about the surrounding areas of Tokyo, Kyoto/Osaka, Okayama and Okinawa.

 

[Killer Angel]

Never been there, however it would be helpful to know your interests: would you look more for "relics" of the feudal japan, recent history, pop culture, ...?

 

[- Q -]

however it would be helpful to know your interests: would you look more for "relics" of the feudal japan, recent history, pop culture, ...?

I wanted to leave it somewhat open. To catch some ideas that I might not otherwise have thought of. In general I'm not really into WWII stuff all that much. I'm looking to experience things that are uniquely Japanese and have a bit of a 'wow' factor.

I have lots of great ideas already, but if someone has been there (or better yet, lives there), they will have insights that I would likely have missed through my internet research.

I've already got a jam-packed itinerary, filled with competing options all vying for precious trip days, but more info never hurts.

 

[The Red Devil]

It's been a few years since I visited Tokyo (before covid), but what I still remember is (in no specific order).

Akihabara (electronic store district)
Tokyo Tower
Samurai Museum

I'm not sure where this was exactly, but I also visited a few hobby stores that had a lot of modelling equipment and items that are not common here in Europe.

These are the ones that come to mind when I give it a quick thought. If you have time, I would also have considered a trip to Mt. Fuji. I was unable to get there due to a typhoon that hit while we were in Tokyo.

In addition, I recommend going to a higher-cost restaurant and getting a wagyu taste menu. This is undobtly what I remember best from the trip.

Also, navigating the Tokyo tube can be challenging due to the lack of English information, but it's manageable and a cheaper and faster way to get around Tokyo. With the new translation apps that are available today, I would strongly recommend one that can translate Japanese text from images to make life simpler if you want to take the tube.

 

[- Q -]

It's been a few years since I visited Tokyo (before covid), but what I still remember is (in no specific order).

Akihabara (electronic store district)
Tokyo Tower
Samurai Museum

I'm not sure where this was exactly, but I also visited a few hobby stores that had a lot of modelling equipment and items that are not common here in Europe.

These are the ones that come to mind when I give it a quick thought. If you have time, I would also have considered a trip to Mt. Fuji. I was unable to get there due to a typhoon that hit while we were in Tokyo.

In addition, I recommend going to a higher-cost restaurant and getting a wagyu taste menu. This is undobtly what I remember best from the trip.

Also, navigating the Tokyo tube can be challenging due to the lack of English information, but it's manageable and a cheaper and faster way to get around Tokyo. With the new translation apps that are available today, I would strongly recommend one that can translate Japanese text from images to make life simpler if you want to take the tube.

Thank you for the great insights @The Red Devil ! I'm excited for the trip. Not too long to wait now.

I'm not sure where this was exactly, but I also visited a few hobby stores that had a lot of modelling equipment and items that are not common here in Europe.

That sounds neat, what kind of hobby supplies? I will keep a look out while in Tokyo.

 

[The Red Devil]

That sounds neat, what kind of hobby supplies?

I mainly bought different Tamiya products that are at least difficult to purchase in Norway, like different viscosities in their plastic cement (thinner, thicker, etc. versions), their putty, and also "masking tapes" in different widths from 1mm to 10mm, and some quality tools for model building (different angle cutters, files, and saws).

The stores had dedicated sections for the different types of modeling, from building scenery, RC, planes, trains, plastic models, etc.

 

[- Q -]

I mainly bought different Tamiya products that are at least difficult to purchase in Norway, like different viscosities in their plastic cement (thinner, thicker, etc. versions), their putty, and also "masking tapes" in different widths from 1mm to 10mm, and some quality tools for model building (different angle cutters, files, and saws).

I'll keep an eye out on my travels. Hopefully I'll run into some hobby stores while in Tokyo.

I will be heading out soon. Exciting! Thank you for your help.

 

[ASSASSIN_NR_1]

If not too late:

I was in Japan just last month, so have a couple of suggestions:

Nikko Toshogu - very nice shrine complex

If you are into amusement parks then there is Universal Park

Teamlab Borderless is worth a visit

Mount Takao was nice as well, but be prepared for a good walk

 

[- Q -]

If not too late:

Just in time, heading out on Sunday. THANK YOU for the advice!

Teamlab Borderless is worth a visit

That looks cool. Booked it!

Nikko Toshogu - very nice shrine complex

I am not sure we'll have the time to make it out to Nikko, but that is very tempting.

If you are into amusement parks then there is Universal Park

This is on the list.

Mount Takao was nice as well, but be prepared for a good walk

Not too far out of Tokyo, if we have the time, this looks great.

 

[Killer Angel]

Share pictures.
Lots of them

 

[- Q -]

Share pictures.
Lots of them

A couple of days to go!

 

[Killer Angel]

A couple of days to go!

good

 

[Tk'ya'pyk]

I have not, but my sister and a high school friend of mine both did a study abroad program for a few semesters over there. My advice to you: don't go to the used bookstores for cheap Manga that will cause you to spend more to ship them home than they cost you to buy... like my sister did... with three boxes of Manga...

 

[- Q -]

Hello from Tokyo.

I came across this during some random exploration. I figured that @Imrahil would appreciate it:

 

[Imrahil]

Ooow very nice! look at you doing some "random exploring"

Have a great and fun trip over there

Grrr, !mrahil

 

[Killer Angel]

I'm not into pokemon, but i definitely love this kind of things!

 

[- Q -]

Ooow very nice! look at you doing some "random exploring"

Have a great and fun trip over there

Grrr, !mrahil

It was quite random. We were at Shibuya scramble crossing and started exploring random side streets that looked interesting. At one point my wife looked at her Google maps to get our bearings, and the Nintendo store showed up on it. We were a few minutes away. The Pokemon store was on the same floor. There was also Sega, One Piece, Capcom, Godzilla and some others.

Today we ran across some more in a different area.

 

[- Q -]

This one however was not a random find, purely by design and intent.

 

[- Q -]

Here is the cafe menu. Sorry for the glare.

 

[Killer Angel]

Here is the cafe menu.

I guess they renew it every 3 years, with each new edition