Japan

[Huckleberry3911948]

my sumie class wants to visit tokyo on an art trip but the 5,000 dollar package is too high for most.
why so much?

[eskercurve]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

It doesnt hurt at all, and you still use paper. It makes you much much cleaner then just using paper, trust me. I think it's gross people still rely on just their hand and paper and somehow think that they are clean.

Anyways what do you like to do...? There are tons of things to do, isnt your wife Japanese? I'm sure she will know the city youre staying in better then us and me. I only know alot about Wakayama and Osaka (and other kansai cities to a certain extent, and almost nothing about tokyo).

My wife is Japanese, but she's from Odawara and has only really explored her home town and parts of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. We were actually weighing going to Osaka or to Sapporo.

Come to think of it, I have a friend in Osaka right now and I could ask her what to do, and she might let us stay at her place, we'll see. Thanks for reminding me ... if you have ideas, by all means, fire away.

We like learning the local area specialties for cuisine, we also like traveling t he countryside and learning the local history. We also don't mind going into little divey places and meeting the locals.

And to Huckleberry ...

And about the $5000 bill to go to Japan, that has something to do with the exchange rate (relative weakness of the dollar to the yen) ... that's something that probably increased by 25% from only two years ago. Then remember Japan is modern and has a first world cost of living index. It ain't like SE Asia or even China, where it's $6 / RMB. It also isn't surprising if you're going to Tokyo, which is one of the most expensive places on earth to go and live. If you stay in a hotel for a week with just a small room, bed, and small shower / toilet stall, it's about $250 a night at the cheapest places. If you're used to larger beds, larger rooms, etc, be prepared to pay a premium.

[Colddiamond102]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

First of all, you dont need to press any buttons since the flush is the same so that shouldn't be an issue at all... Also I dont know how to put this but water is simply a cleaner way then only hand and paper. You take a shower not rub yourself with paper to get clean :P.

lol
I guess that when I tried the bidet, I accidentally had it up full-power and didnt know it. The temperature (I also didnt know this at the time) was set to cold. So when I tried it, I got sprayed unexpectedly hard in a usually warm area with cold water at 4.a.m. So I might be a little biased...

Jumped up really quick though...lol

What is Kyoto like? We are planning to go there our next trip.

[NihonKitty]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

My wife is Japanese, but she's from Odawara and has only really explored her home town and parts of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. We were actually weighing going to Osaka or to Sapporo.

Come to think of it, I have a friend in Osaka right now and I could ask her what to do, and she might let us stay at her place, we'll see. Thanks for reminding me ... if you have ideas, by all means, fire away.

We like learning the local area specialties for cuisine, we also like traveling t he countryside and learning the local history. We also don't mind going into little divey places and meeting the locals.

Kansai is probably the best area of Japan..though I am biased . I honestly think at least west Japan is better than Tokyo. Tokyo is great to visit one time (and you need a few weeks to see it all), but after that west Japan just has much more culture the people are friendlier. Osaka I think you will enjoy, you dont need to worry about offending people just by talking to them like in Tokyo. I reccomend seeing Namba, and Osaka tower to see skyline view. Also definately see Osaka castle. That is probably one of my favorite castles in Japan, and you can go to the top and the skyline as well. A better castle is himeji but that is a different city in Kansai so it's not that far. And if youre in Osaka if you havent been to Kyoto then go there too. Definately try Osaka okonimiyaki.

As for more country stuff, take a trip to wakayama (near osaka again) and visit Koyasan/mount Koya. Check it out on google it's a very nice place and I reccomend going there if you like that.

Originally Posted by Colddiamond102

lol
I guess that when I tried the bidet, I accidentally had it up full-power and didnt know it. The temperature (I also didnt know this at the time) was set to cold. So when I tried it, I got sprayed unexpectedly hard in a usually warm area with cold water at 4.a.m. So I might be a little biased...

Jumped up really quick though...lol

What is Kyoto like? We are planning to go there our next trip.

Well then that's probably why, next time try it lower and warmer and you will notice..it's simply more hygenic.

Kyoto used to be the imperial capital of japan (as opposed to the shogun which was in edo or modern day tokyo) for thousand years. There are alot of historical sites there. Here is a video I made of kyoto.

[eskercurve]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

Kansai is probably the best area of Japan..though I am biased . I honestly think at least west Japan is better than Tokyo. Tokyo is great to visit one time (and you need a few weeks to see it all), but after that west Japan just has much more culture the people are friendlier. Osaka I think you will enjoy, you dont need to worry about offending people just by talking to them like in Tokyo. I reccomend seeing Namba, and Osaka tower to see skyline view. Also definately see Osaka castle. That is probably one of my favorite castles in Japan, and you can go to the top and the skyline as well. A better castle is himeji but that is a different city in Kansai so it's not that far. And if youre in Osaka if you havent been to Kyoto then go there too. Definately try Osaka okonimiyaki.

Thanks for the suggestions! Our Osaka friend said that we can stay at her place anytime . It's also great to know that we can talk to the locals and not be in fear of being ignored outright or dismissed like in Tokyo. We actually were thinking of going to see Himeji too. I can't wait to try the Osaka okonomiyaki, our friend recommended it too and my wife said it was great.

We may go to Kansai too because my wife also has friends from there. She wants to go there and help a friend rearrange their house and in return she'll treat us to the famous Kansai jokers and comedians ... that I gotta see after hearing my wife proclaim that a lot of comedians come from Kansai.

LOL who knows, we may just run into each other on the street.

As for more country stuff, take a trip to wakayama (near osaka again) and visit Koyasan/mount Koya. Check it out on google it's a very nice place and I reccomend going there if you like that.

Well then that's probably why, next time try it lower and warmer and you will notice..it's simply more hygenic.

Kyoto used to be the imperial capital of japan (as opposed to the shogun which was in edo or modern day tokyo) for thousand years. There are alot of historical sites there. Here is a video I made of kyoto.

Nice video! And cute cat and mouse at the end! I can vouch for Kyoto being absolutely stunning as a city. There's the modern part and I showed a coworker who's from Kyoto some of the pictures and he's like "ah, the memories, 懐かしい!" And the fact that many of these shrines and places are older than the USA is truly humbling and inspiring. It's also a major tourist spot so tourists who know only a basic level of Japanese like myself can still get by, the people aren't rude. Just don't go walking around with HUGE backpacks and hiking boots like you're going on a survival trip and don't get in everybody's way

[NihonKitty]

Osaka and himeji are in kansai I'll send you a PM with a few pics of Osaka. Ill send colddiamond one of kyoto.

[Colddiamond102]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

Osaka and himeji are in kansai I'll send you a PM with a few pics of Osaka. Ill send colddiamond one of kyoto.

Thanks!

I recognize a few of those places! We've been to Shibuya, and we took pictures with Hachiko. Remember that train station, and one of those temples close to Shibuya with all the people in costumes. Also recognized Ahkibara (I cant spell that for the life of me).. and the 5 story sex shop...biggest one Ive ever seen in my life.

Feel stupid because I got excited...I knew what to do with those basins in front of temples! lol Easily amused...

[eskercurve]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

Osaka and himeji are in kansai I'll send you a PM with a few pics of Osaka. Ill send colddiamond one of kyoto.

Thanks NihonKitty!

[5chevin5]

I have lived in Tokyo for the past 4 years, and really except for finding new bars to occasionally (okay way too much) to drink in, really it has been pretty one dimensional. Dont get me wrong, Tokyo is a blast, but I did enjoy Osaka quite a bit when I was there. I think if I wasn't moving to Okinawa next week (for work at Hotel) I would consider Osaka/Kobe or Kyoto. I agree with NihonKitty a better example of the really great parts of Japan and a better example of people with unique style and culture from Tokyo. Just my opinion....

And the Osaka castle (and the grounds it's on...takoyaki yum!) is cool...I have never seen the castle in Himeji.

5

[NihonKitty]

Traditionally Osaka has better food since it was known as Japans kitchen but I have to concede this to Tokyo. Tokyo has more places to eat I think (top place that is but I guess this is also more expensive). I think all in all eating in Japan is much more enjoyable than in the USA.. Except maybe NYC. But even then Tokyo is ranked #1 by michelin guide for eating