Thinking of traveling to Japan, but ....

[Octopod]

Maybe some of this stuff would interest you. If I was going to Tokyo I would visit some of these places. Mostly the music shops.

http://www.hellodamage.com/top/tokyo-tour-guide/

[brokenpavement]

I studied abroad there in the Kansai region and loved it. Super Potato in Den-Den Town, Osaka is phenomenal when it comes to retro gaming; they have a very wide variety and the pricing is pretty amazing (Saturn Bomberman multi-tap for approximately $7, many more examples). I would have to say that Kobe is one of my favorite cities, easily. It being a port city provides a beautiful view, along with great shopping, food, and very nice people. It's all a matter of preference because every place I visited in Japan I truly enjoyed. Okonomiyaki FTW.

[trdbglr]

I read this topic earlier today, but yes I wouldn't be worried about making it in Japan on English alone. It'll be difficult, but you should do fine. I was only in Tokyo for 3 days, but I lived in Korea for a while, and from my pov Japan was much easier than Korea, though I suppose Tokyo would be pretty foreigner friendly. But yea, Tokyo was pretty awesome, its like, um, I'm sure that other parts of Japan are cool, but I'd rather go to Tokyo every time. It's like why is NY the best city in America, barring LA? Cuz it's the biggest ofc. Like most of us, I'm in love with Tokyo (all BoingBoing's fault).

But yea, I'm sure you'll do fine, and as to recommendations... like, not jetset budget... I've got nothing... though, wait, I do recommend Akihabara for games. If you want to buy some sweet retro games, there's um... this place, SuperPotato and it was pretty awesome. Besides that, these cities are really only super awesome if you live there. Though I would check for anyone awesome playing in Tokyo when you go.

By the by, shameless, does anyone have any leads on an ESL or other job in Japan? I just finished a year teaching in Korea, philosophy graduate, American. I'd much appreciate it.

[grittykitty]

http://www.hellodamage.com/top/tokyo-tour-guide/

beat me to the punch

trdbglr (how the hell do you pronounce that?), look into the JET program. it seems to be the most popular way to get to japan (i'm going back to school soon to take that route myself). another friend is currently working for a private tutoring school called berlitz. there's also ecc, and i think aeon might still be around. the private schools have a revolving schedule but lower pay. the JET program might stick you in the countryside, but they generally hook you up with an apartment for cheap and they pay you more than the private schools.

[Upsidedown Fuji]

I also live in Japan and think vising Sendai wouldn't be a bad idea if you were told beforehand what game shops to visit. If that is your intention.

If your intention is to do actual sight seeing you may want to consider a tour group. You can travel Japan with little to no Japanese literacy but it will just cause you a lot more stress and waste more time than you probably would like.

Japanguide.com is a great place to get ideas for travel. You can find hotels, tour packages, and other advertisements there.

I think the places that stand out the most in Japan would be Tokyo (Odaiba, Asakasa, Akihabara), Kyoto (tons of temples and historical tourist traps), Nara (deer park), Osaka (Nanba and Osaka castle). Outside of that you can probably save any other spot for your next trip to Japan.

Good luck on your trip planning. Japan's a cool place to live in/visit. You just got to have a real plan before you go or you'll be wasting a lot of time wandering and getting lost.

[RadarScope1]

Sumo - that's a great idea! Would there be any matches happening in the fall?

When I was in Ireland I really wished I could have gone to a hurling match. I knew nothing of the game before I went (a year ago at this time) but found it pretty interesting. Looks like a great game.

[Breetai]

I live in Sendai, and I chose Sendai over Tokyo after living there for 2 years.
If you aren't all those temples and shrines (Seen one, you have seen them ALL)Sendai has a lot to offer. I mean, jesus, this is the home of Masamune Date. The most badass samurai ever (he is even the star character in BASARA!) Sendai is also one of the 3 Nihon Sankei, but only if you are into touristy stuff. Tohoku is a beatiful place for nature and scenery that you don't see in Kanto. I have driven from Aomori to Kagoshima and I Tohoku is still #1 to see the real beauty of Japan's nature. It's the perfect place for a tourist to just rent a car and get lost on purpose. From the cuisine to the local culture, Sendai and Tohoku have a lot to offer for those looking for more than just a giant Buddha and a couple of restored castles.

I'm not disagreeing here at all, but I don't think the average tourist is going to be renting a car and driving around Tohoku. That's more for someone who's already been to Japan a few times already, or is one a HUGE Japan trip, or for someone who lives here.

To the OP: If you really want to seem castles and shrines, just go to Kyoto if you can. All the other places like Nikko, Kamakura, NAra, Himeji, etc etc is all the same. Just go to Kyoto and have done with it. If you go to all of those places, you will feel like you are wasting time and money when you could be looking at more things. Diversify your trip, and don't waste it all on castles, temples, and shrines. Most of which aren't even the originals since American B29s once flew overheard, if you know what I mean. Modern culture has just as many offerings as the older cultural things.

Mostly agreed, except about Himeji. That castle is original, and if the tourist has a rail pass, it's only an extra hour or so from Osaka at no extra charge. Totally agree with you on Nikko, Kamakura and Nara, though. Kamakura and Nara have the giant Buddha statues, and Nikko has the Tokugawa shrine and some nice scenery, but unless you really need to see those things, Kyoto pretty much covers everything except those high fortress castles. I still say Himeji is worth going to for its castle if you're in Kansai and have a rail pass.

I also recommend staying at an onsen(hot spring) at least once. From Tokyo, Hakone is a good option if you want to see Mt. Fuji.

BTW, there is a sumo tournament in Tokyo in the fall, depending on the date. I don't know about other cities. I'd say it's worth checking out sumo, kabuki and, if you're from North America, a Japanese baseball game.

You don't need to know Japanese. When I came here in 2002, I didn't speak a lick of it and I got around fine...and I didn't do any of the tourist stuff until years later. Don't waste money on tours or tour guides. Just buy a book and use that. Lonely Planet books seem to be the best due to their detail. You can save money by doing it all yourself, and you also learn more that way.

Agree 1000%

[Breetai]

By the by, shameless, does anyone have any leads on an ESL or other job in Japan? I just finished a year teaching in Korea, philosophy graduate, American. I'd much appreciate it.

The market is a joke right now. Companies are laying off people, not hiring people. You might have a shot at one of the larger companies, but most of them are on hiring freezes. Most of the places that are hiring are already set up for September. The best time to find a job is for the beginning of April, when the school-year starts; applying in February-March. Even then, you're competing with people who've been here for years and have valid working visas. You'd fare much better, at least for getting hired somewhere, in Korea.

BTW, nobody here, like in Korea, will care about your major or where you got your degree from.

[hashiriya1]

If you want to buy some sweet retro games, there's um... this place, SuperPotato and it was pretty awesome.

There are many places in Akiba alone that are cheaper than the overpriced goods at Super Potato. LIBERTY is cheaper and has a better selection.

Also, you don't want to teach enlgish in Japan. Not that it's a bad job (Although I have never experienced it), but from what I gather from people I know who do teach English, it is pretty looked-down upon, especially if you just work at an eikaiwa school. I could be way off base, though.

[Breetai]

Also, you don't want to teach enlgish in Japan. Not that it's a bad job (Although I have never experienced it), but from what I gather from people I know who do teach English, it is pretty looked-down upon, especially if you just work at an eikaiwa school. I could be way off base, though.

Not far off base. It's alright if you're fresh out of uni and want to experience Japan for a year or so. After that, I highly recommend getting out. Not that I personally have many regrets, but the vast majority of people are not going to gain anything in their life by being here more than a year. You very well might lose more than you gain.

Do it for a year, then go home.