Japan

[Toranaga]

Hey, I'm going to be visiting Japan this summer for 9 days, and will be staying in Tokyo and Kyoto. I was wondering if there was anything in particular I should see.

Thanks,
Andrew

[cphilip]

Gee its been so long I not sure or even remember some of the stuff. Its overwelming realy whats in Tokyo itself. Visit any Shinto shrines you can find outside the city. And go to a Silk farm if you can. Where they raise the Moths and coccoons for the Silk worm moth. Normaly parts of a Tea farm. The moth feeds on the leaves of the Tea plant. See if you can get to a small village and wander through the places like that. Any Pagoda or Garden you can get into. Maybe even see if you can get up to Mt Fugi. The center of all Japanese life. Its their mother figure. Hard to understand Japanese life without understanding the reverance they place on Mt Fugi. It centers them all as one people. They all can relate to it. It can be seen from about anywhere but see if you can get up close to it as much as possible. Notice the public transportation and the local art as much as possible. It varies greatly from Tokyo to the rural areas. Tokyo is more neon lights and high paced rat race. Its not all of what Japan is about. It slows down into neat tidy rice paddys and beautiful fertile fields outside of there. So much to do and so little time.

Take lots of money and try and do your conversions before you go at best rate. Or better yet credit card so you can get the best rate. The Yen is fairly high against the Dollar these days.

[Toranaga]

Thanks, but what are Pagodas?

Any other tips?

[darklord]

Man, you're in for a good time. If you're into videogames, check out Akihabara in Tokyo. Awesome place. Also check out Sega's headquarters. Sony's headquarters wasn't so great when I went... Sega's was good though.

Depending on when you go, you should try to check out the subway during rush hour. There are guys with white gloves who pack people in the cars if it gets too crowded. I tried to see them in action when I went a while ago, but apparently it wasn't the right time of year

Man I forget many of the places I went to when I went. There's a lot to see in Kyoto though if you're into more "traditional" stuff. I recall going to a temple of some sort, which was fun. I got really tan because I was outside so much, haha...

Tokyo has a lot to offer... you can use a tourist guide or something to help you, but man, it's a GREAT city. I'm sure you'll have a great time. Don't forget to take lots of pictures!

[cphilip]

Thanks, but what are Pagoda

Its a Buddhist related structure. There are many of them there in unique forms.

http://www.myanmars.net/belief/pagoda.htm

[Toranaga]

Thanks for all the great info. And darklord, i will be there July 15 - 23. Ya it looks like it is going to be a lot of fun, I can't wait (I have wanted to go to Japan for many years).

Thanks again

[Xas]

My favorite location was place named akihabara (electronics town) it's just outside of tokyo, like 15 min by train. Imagine 200 large electronics stores in one location. Best place to buy anything tech related. When i was there I bought a 75% off "discontinued" digital camera before it was even released in North America. Cool to just walk around and see all the neat gadgets

[Jeffy-CanCon]

Here's an article on what to see and do in Tokyo:

touring tokyo

[dwab3000]

sweet, im not alone on AO

im going to owkinowa or however its spelt to visit my pops (hes a navy chief)

i may see you but theres a paintball place down the street from his house...and ill be trying to pick up some geishas ...so my shedule is full

[Toranaga]

LOL, well, if you end up in Tokyo, pm me so we can meet up

[dwab3000]

good...ill bring you down to play with the navy guys...
we will probably be stuck using rentals...but atleast they use something other than a 98 for a rental
if i can bring my mag, i will and it will make your head explode its so awsome

[Toranaga]

Fun, what do they use as rentals?

Also, what do you have on your mag that will make my head explode (Karta body PLZ)