I only have about one more year left to plan thing this since my family who lives there in Tokyo will have to move because of their corporate business. This is really a good opportunity for me because they live right in the middle of Tokyo I think, or thats what they said... (they live in Azabu, Tokyo) and that I can stay there under their roof and stuff for vacation (so I'm cutting down costs for accomodation). How should I go about doing this? It's really more of HOW MUCH SHOULD I BRING so that I can be full of OTAKU GOODNESS (that can be from a literal to a symbolic/POSITIVE meaning) by the time I get home (and no, it doesn't have to be shopping wise. I hate shopping actually)
I duno when I should leave or how long I should stay. Also I'm going to be going alone so I want to at least meet up with a person in Japan by the time I get there! (Maybe someone from Fanime...) My Auntie and Uncle over there might be busy so yea, someone to guide me there would definately help!
Ok I think thats it for now. More info should be available soon once I start working on this throughout the year.
Thanks for your comments.
If you plan to go alone, make sure you have someone who is familiar with Tokyo, or the Japanese language to pick you up at the airport... Trying to find your way to the Narita-Tokyo train line is very complicated... (As if the airport's subway system isn't complicated enough.)
Also it varies what you do... Heck, a hotel room costs about 300 dollars per night, and I"m not talking about high-class hotels...
Food is ridiculous.... I was eating at a small udon shop (I believe it was) at Shinjuku or Yoyogi station, and it costs me about 800 yen.. That's one of the cheapest meals I got...
And the best thing to do, exchange your dollars to yen at the airport, since I found out the hard way that there isn't many currency exchange locations, depending where you are.
hmm thanks for the advice. my auntie and uncle would probably be the ones picking me up. but it would be good to know this just in case, let's say they leave it to me to find out where to go. hmmm... an eight to ten dollar meal is waht i was thinking it would range. if anything, i know i should set aside at least 40 dollars in food for everyday im out. i mean i could eat at their house but that feels embarrassing. 40 dollars for snacks along the day wouldn't seem bad. i think ill avoid drinking coffee since its expensive and im not planning to stay at hotels since i won't go to far from the house. err unless i get too curious and get lost.. lol
just for the info. how small was the udon you ate hmm maybe like in inches or centimeters lol im kinda like used to big eating plates and stuff lol
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on November 04, 2008, 12:12:01 PM
Stuff
How vague...
Please be more specific in what you're asking about. If you don't have a clue how to be more specific...
...
good luck... you'll need it.
I don't know why you would need someone to pick you up really, it's pretty easy to take the express to Shinjuku, which will be your base station since from there you can basically get anywhere in Tokyo. Most of the stations will have romanji so it's not that difficult to get around.
In terms of money... I don't get why everyone says food is expensive in Japan. It's not. You just get slightly smaller portions than you would in the US. In some ways, it's cheaper than the states. You can get a plate of Curry at virtually any curry restaurant for about 800-980yen according to what kind of curry. Compare that with like... Mitsuwa or Curry house where you're paying upwards to 12$. Ramen stands or shops are anywhere from 600-1500yen, again according to which kind, and you can get refills of ramen for like 100-150yen according to shop. In Kyoto I got a hamburger steak, a cream cheese croquette, rice, and soup for 720yen(which was the best thing I had to eat in all of Japan).
The best thing to do, is eat like a local. Don't go to restaurants, go to local places, of "fast food" places. Since fast food is nothing like fast food in the states in any way shape or form. Indian restaurants are good filling places. You'll probably not even finish your food, and it'll never cost over 1000yen.
In terms of everything else... I don't know. What do you want to do, what do you want to see, where do you want to go? Some people can't accomplish close to what they want to do in years, others can accomplish everything they want in a few days to a few weeks. Some people care about sightseeing, others don't.
But before you even talk about stuff like that, make sure you learn about the culture and how to act in public. Ask your family for stuff like that. Even simple things... like say... where to stand while waiting for the train. What side of the escalator/sidewalk/stairs you should be staying on.
Don't act like an idiot... seriously. *I* felt embarrassed when I was walking around and foreigners would act like idiots. Especially teenagers who obviously didn't know anything about Japan except what they know from *LOLANIMU*. People running around and stuff like they do at cons and being loud and obnoxious. Something else to keep in mind... don't assume people don't understand you. Said people would also be rude and stuff right in front of people thinking they couldn't understand. Little did they know, they could, because they would then talk to their friends about it.
You have family... that live in Japan. Why are you asking for advice from a forum, filled with people who mostly HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE.
Quote from: PyronIkari on November 04, 2008, 07:19:16 PM
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on November 04, 2008, 12:12:01 PM
Stuff
How vague...
Please be more specific in what you're asking about. If you don't have a clue how to be more specific...
...
good luck... you'll need it.
I don't know why you would need someone to pick you up really, it's pretty easy to take the express to Shinjuku, which will be your base station since from there you can basically get anywhere in Tokyo. Most of the stations will have romanji so it's not that difficult to get around.
In terms of money... I don't get why everyone says food is expensive in Japan. It's not. You just get slightly smaller portions than you would in the US. In some ways, it's cheaper than the states. You can get a plate of Curry at virtually any curry restaurant for about 800-980yen according to what kind of curry. Compare that with like... Mitsuwa or Curry house where you're paying upwards to 12$. Ramen stands or shops are anywhere from 600-1500yen, again according to which kind, and you can get refills of ramen for like 100-150yen according to shop. In Kyoto I got a hamburger steak, a cream cheese croquette, rice, and soup for 720yen(which was the best thing I had to eat in all of Japan).
The best thing to do, is eat like a local. Don't go to restaurants, go to local places, of "fast food" places. Since fast food is nothing like fast food in the states in any way shape or form. Indian restaurants are good filling places. You'll probably not even finish your food, and it'll never cost over 1000yen.
In terms of everything else... I don't know. What do you want to do, what do you want to see, where do you want to go? Some people can't accomplish close to what they want to do in years, others can accomplish everything they want in a few days to a few weeks. Some people care about sightseeing, others don't.
But before you even talk about stuff like that, make sure you learn about the culture and how to act in public. Ask your family for stuff like that. Even simple things... like say... where to stand while waiting for the train. What side of the escalator/sidewalk/stairs you should be staying on.
Don't act like an idiot... seriously. *I* felt embarrassed when I was walking around and foreigners would act like idiots. Especially teenagers who obviously didn't know anything about Japan except what they know from *LOLANIMU*. People running around and stuff like they do at cons and being loud and obnoxious. Something else to keep in mind... don't assume people don't understand you. Said people would also be rude and stuff right in front of people thinking they couldn't understand. Little did they know, they could, because they would then talk to their friends about it.
You have family... that live in Japan. Why are you asking for advice from a forum, filled with people who mostly HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE.
hmm true... i am asking somewhere where maybe not alot of people have been to but for the people that do know... thank you for the advice. ohh and i was just wondering on how small a bowl of food in japan looks like. cause when i meant about the eating part... i tend to put "stuff" on the end of my sentences cause yea its like the "um.."
i write like i think so yes bear with me :(
Well, can't you get like a temp work visa so you could enjoy Japan and earn some money to go do things and help out your Auntie?
O_o
It's really not that hard to get one...and it'd be an great experience for you. You'd get to know how to get around as well as be emersed in their way of life.
Quote from: XpHoBiaX on November 04, 2008, 07:30:09 PM
Well, can't you get like a temp work visa so you could enjoy Japan and earn some money to go do things and help out your Auntie?
O_o
It's really not that hard to get one...and it'd be an great experience for you. You'd get to know how to get around as well as be emersed in their way of life.
hmm yes i heard about those... hmm where would I apply for one physically ... i'll look through my books, nah... too lazy to read xD
Well, you have to apply in person for your passport. I believe you can do all that at a post office.
If you really want to go through with this, you'll need to get all the info you need way in advance. Cuz it can take a month or too. o_o You def wouldn't want to do this last minute.
found the site I read through...at least I think it was this site
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html)
:0 I found a website with things that suggest things to bring.
(http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+19195)
Quote from: XpHoBiaX on November 04, 2008, 07:30:09 PM
Well, can't you get like a temp work visa so you could enjoy Japan and earn some money to go do things and help out your Auntie?
O_o
It's really not that hard to get one...and it'd be an great experience for you. You'd get to know how to get around as well as be emersed in their way of life.
Are you nuts? It's incredibly hard to get a work Visa. First off, you have to have a company back you. And you have to provide quite a lot of information stating how you're qualified to work there. A part time job? You don't qualify for a work-visa for a "part time job". No one is going to hire her and give her a work visa. Even if her Aunt fictates things and she qualifies, that's a federal crime. Seeing that you have to go through a lot of other stuff as well.
It's not that easy, and I really suggest people not "throw out ideas" that they don't really know about.
Quotehmm true... i am asking somewhere where maybe not alot of people have been to but for the people that do know... thank you for the advice. ohh and i was just wondering on how small a bowl of food in japan looks like. cause when i meant about the eating part... i tend to put "stuff" on the end of my sentences cause yea its like the "um.."
i write like i think so yes bear with me Sad
Huh? Somewhere where maybe not alot of people have been to but for the people that do know?
What does that mean?
Portions aren't tiny. Your average person will be fine with most portions, they won't have left-overs but it will be enough.
QuoteAre you nuts? It's incredibly hard to get a work Visa. First off, you have to have a company back you. And you have to provide quite a lot of information stating how you're qualified to work there. A part time job? You don't qualify for a work-visa for a "part time job". No one is going to hire her and give her a work visa. Even if her Aunt fictates things and she qualifies, that's a federal crime. Seeing that you have to go through a lot of other stuff as well.
It's not that easy, and I really suggest people not "throw out ideas" that they don't really know about
Actually, I do know something about this. Becuase I have one. It's not incredibly hard if you're punctual and actually commit to something. You can get a 3-6 month work Visa, depending on your stay. So you have to do paper work, and have an address that you will be staying at, a letter or recomendation isn't necessary. Nor is going through the ebassy.
It's only hard if you are lazy and impatient.
Of course, mine has gone to waste becuase I can't afford the plane ticket. >:/
Quote from: XpHoBiaX on November 04, 2008, 09:37:13 PM
Actually, I do know something about this. Becuase I have one. It's not incredibly hard if you're punctual and actually commit to something. You can get a 3-6 month work Visa, depending on your stay. So you have to do paper work, and have an address that you will be staying at, a letter or recomendation isn't necessary. Nor is going through the ebassy.
It's only hard if you are lazy and impatient.
You have a Japanese work visa? Japan will not give you a visa unless you can prove you already have been accepted for a Job. Japan != every other country you can get a work visa at. I know multiple people that have work visas in Japan(as they work there right now). The embassy refused them until they could prove that they had ALREADY gotten the job, and it can't be just "any job" either. Japan is incredibly strict with visas.
Oh I forgot to add this in.
Who the hell would hire them? Getting a part-time job in Japan, when you don't speak the language fluently? When they can hire a local? Not gonna happen.
I just re-read up on the one for Japan. (hence the slow ass reply)
I never stated that I had a Japanese work Visa. I just said "I have one." XD
I have an Australian one. Waste of time+money. >:/ (I was gonna move to Aus, then from there to Sweden, if anyone paid attention to my sporadic posts about that)
It was also a waste of money for a passport. >:/
Quote from: XpHoBiaX on November 04, 2008, 09:52:12 PM
I just re-read up on the one for Japan. (hence the slow ass reply)
I never stated that I had a Japanese work Visa. I just said "I have one." XD
I have an Australian one. Waste of time+money. >:/ (I was gonna move to Aus, then from there to Sweden, if anyone paid attention to my sporadic posts about that)
It was also a waste of money for a passport. >:/
Then I will repeat,
"It's not that easy, and I really suggest people not "throw out ideas" that they don't really know about. "
Don't assume that it's the same for other countries.
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on November 04, 2008, 12:12:01 PM
I only have about one more year left to plan thing this since my family who lives there in Tokyo will have to move because of their corporate business. This is really a good opportunity for me because they live right in the middle of Tokyo I think, or thats what they said... (they live in Azabu, Tokyo) and that I can stay there under their roof and stuff for vacation (so I'm cutting down costs for accomodation). How should I go about doing this? It's really more of HOW MUCH SHOULD I BRING so that I can be full of OTAKU GOODNESS (that can be from a literal to a symbolic/POSITIVE meaning) by the time I get home (and no, it doesn't have to be shopping wise. I hate shopping actually)
Sorry, system lost my post and I have to edit and repost.
Anyways, Mikey (Pyron, one of my best buddies, who also comes to visit me once in a while) recommended that I post here.
I live in the Azabu Area, so I can tell you quite a bit about it. It's one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Tokyo, and rather than your traditional Japanese families, you're going to see more upper class expats (foreigners), Japanese celebrities and other people of "elite" status here in Japan. Stores in the area are more high end and pricey, but there are buses and trains to various places, as this is fairly central. However, it's not very close to the center of fandom.
I do not recommend working on a tourist visa, and as Mikey pointed out, it is not easy to receive a working visa in Japan. However, there are plenty of volunteer organizations in the area that you can volunteer your time to if you would be interested in meeting locals and helping out the community.
I'm not clear what type of answers you actually want, but please let me know if you have any specific questions.
Quote from: GirlfromIpanema on November 04, 2008, 10:12:37 PM
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on November 04, 2008, 12:12:01 PM
I only have about one more year left to plan thing this since my family who lives there in Tokyo will have to move because of their corporate business. This is really a good opportunity for me because they live right in the middle of Tokyo I think, or thats what they said... (they live in Azabu, Tokyo) and that I can stay there under their roof and stuff for vacation (so I'm cutting down costs for accomodation). How should I go about doing this? It's really more of HOW MUCH SHOULD I BRING so that I can be full of OTAKU GOODNESS (that can be from a literal to a symbolic/POSITIVE meaning) by the time I get home (and no, it doesn't have to be shopping wise. I hate shopping actually)
I duno when I should leave or how long I should stay. Also I'm going to be going alone so I want to at least meet up with a person in Japan by the time I get there! (Maybe someone from Fanime...) My Auntie and Uncle over there might be busy so yea, someone to guide me there would definately help!
Ok I think thats it for now. More info should be available soon once I start working on this throughout the year.
Thanks for your comments.
??
What the ffffff are you even worrying about. Just eat OATS for the rest of your life. OMG I love OATZ. You can eat them while doing SQUATS. Put peanut butter in that ish, makes it taste like peanuts. OATS. :o
Anyways on a serious note... so THIS was what you were talking about at yummy sushi today. Dylan never mentioned this. Seems kinda big.
Quote from: PyronIkari on November 04, 2008, 07:19:16 PM
But before you even talk about stuff like that, make sure you learn about the culture and how to act in public. Ask your family for stuff like that. Even simple things... like say... where to stand while waiting for the train. What side of the escalator/sidewalk/stairs you should be staying on.
I agree with this point.
It would seem obvious that you would be polite and stuff in public, but there are little rules that you need to pay attention to.
I believe you stand on the left side and walk on the right side of the escalators in Tokyo, while it's inverted in Osaka... Or the other way around.
And I'm told not to tip there.
Public manners are more strict than it is here. =\
Quote from: PyronIkari on November 04, 2008, 09:43:52 PM
Japan != every other country you can get a work visa at.
Except the US. Working visa is impossible to get now, even if you're working for a major company such as cisco, ibm, intel, etc. They can cough up the 6 grand for the paperwork/fees a year, but theres no guarantee that you'll get the visa. Based upon a lottery. So, 6 grand a year with no guarantee for anything.
Graduate college? OPT time. Sure, you can work legally, but only for one year. If you can't somehow manage to get a working visa within the year, you have to head back to wherever you came from.
Sponsors only cough up the money now, but it is in no way a guarantee on being able to work here.
Only other way is to marry an american, but even then you have a 3+month waiting period and also no sure guarantee on getting a working visa AND it costs 3 grand. Beyond that, internships you have to pay for, what a joke eh?
Though, I am not disagreeing with you- japan is hard to get working rights but it is easier than getting working rights here in the US.
Can't even count how many of my japanese friends went back to japan because its impossible. Students, co-workers, college graduates, and the likes.
-the4ork
whoa... i think my question has gone too far off topic now... hm.. ok! ;D lets forget about those visas and stuff because its causing too much drama and i mean, its nice infomation to know about them, but i think i just want to vacation there for now. :D
i think ill be fine with the cultural aspect of this now. thank guys for the smaller details. im taking classes now in preparation for the talking aspect. also, ill go with you guys' advices and just ask my relatives. ::)
now that ive probably got the culture aspect out of the way. the true problem i have now is basically the BREAKDOWN of money and HOW MUCH SHOULD I BRING. thanks Pyron and friend (GirlfromIpanema) again for your advice and sorrie i keep making you mad Pyron. > . <
hmm... so i was thinking that airfare itself should be around 1000 dollars or less and that I should save enough for my personal things hm.. about another 1000. all in total the MIMIMUM i have to bring is 2000. does anyone think thats a reasonable amount? the most i might stay is three weeks. two would be fine for me. one is not enough.
i did the math to about 40/50 dollars a day times 21 days (3 weeks). i can cut down on food and housing; its just transportation and extra spending cash that im worried about. im not too much of a person that needs to eat three meals a day. i can probably eat once and still be happy. i don't like shopping. if anything id rather just take pictures and video of myself just enjoying where i am. if i get a fandom urge to buy anything, the most i might spend on it is about 100 dollars.
i won't be going that far away from my relatives place. ill stay in tokyo for the entire time and like what pryon's friend said, azabu is fairly central, even if its not close to any fandom. if thats the case then ill probably just take transportation from azabu to wherever i want to go within tokyo. if anything, the tower is probably the only site i want to see that could be far away from me. (i was thinking that a shrine and maybe that fish market might be too far too)
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on November 06, 2008, 11:43:40 AM
hmm... so i was thinking that airfare itself should be around 1000 dollars or less and that I should save enough for my personal things hm.. about another 1000. all in total the MIMIMUM i have to bring is 2000. does anyone think thats a reasonable amount? the most i might stay is three weeks. two would be fine for me. one is not enough.
i did the math to about 40/50 dollars a day times 21 days (3 weeks). i can cut down on food and housing; its just transportation and extra spending cash that im worried about. im not too much of a person that needs to eat three meals a day. i can probably eat once and still be happy. i don't like shopping. if anything id rather just take pictures and video of myself just enjoying where i am. if i get a fandom urge to buy anything, the most i might spend on it is about 100 dollars.
i won't be going that far away from my relatives place. ill stay in tokyo for the entire time and like what pryon's friend said, azabu is fairly central, even if its not close to any fandom. if thats the case then ill probably just take transportation from azabu to wherever i want to go within tokyo. if anything, the tower is probably the only site i want to see that could be far away from me. (i was thinking that a shrine and maybe that fish market might be too far too)
Hi,
Actually, depends on what shrine you want to go to. If a small one is good enough for you, you can walk to one. Otherwise, you can take the train for 210 yen from Azabu Juuban to Yoyogi, which has a very large one (Meiji Jingu). The fish market is only 4 stops away from Azabu Juuban, only 170 yen for the train fare. Tokyo Tower is only two train stops away for 170 yen. (Tokyo Tower in addition has an entrance fee which I can't remember the amount of.) Buses cost 200 yen per ride. Fandom at Akihabara is farther away (about 30 minutes), but that train ride is also only 190 yen from Roppongi from what I recall.
If you really don't spend any money and eat cheaply, you probably can live three weeks for $1000. Average wages for new grads out of college here is about $2000 a month, and many of them have rent to pay as well. However, you may want to carry extra for things you want to pick up, but that's up to you. Last I checked though, airfare was more than $1000, due to gas prices.
Let me know if you need anything else.
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on November 06, 2008, 11:43:40 AM
whoa... i think my question has gone too far off topic now... hm.. ok! ;D lets forget about those visas and stuff because its causing too much drama and i mean, its nice infomation to know about them, but i think i just want to vacation there for now. :D
i think ill be fine with the cultural aspect of this now. thank guys for the smaller details. im taking classes now in preparation for the talking aspect. also, ill go with you guys' advices and just ask my relatives. ::)
now that ive probably got the culture aspect out of the way. the true problem i have now is basically the BREAKDOWN of money and HOW MUCH SHOULD I BRING. thanks Pyron and friend (GirlfromIpanema) again for your advice and sorrie i keep making you mad Pyron. > . <
hmm... so i was thinking that airfare itself should be around 1000 dollars or less and that I should save enough for my personal things hm.. about another 1000. all in total the MIMIMUM i have to bring is 2000. does anyone think thats a reasonable amount? the most i might stay is three weeks. two would be fine for me. one is not enough.
i did the math to about 40/50 dollars a day times 21 days (3 weeks). i can cut down on food and housing; its just transportation and extra spending cash that im worried about. im not too much of a person that needs to eat three meals a day. i can probably eat once and still be happy. i don't like shopping. if anything id rather just take pictures and video of myself just enjoying where i am. if i get a fandom urge to buy anything, the most i might spend on it is about 100 dollars.
i won't be going that far away from my relatives place. ill stay in tokyo for the entire time and like what pryon's friend said, azabu is fairly central, even if its not close to any fandom. if thats the case then ill probably just take transportation from azabu to wherever i want to go within tokyo. if anything, the tower is probably the only site i want to see that could be far away from me. (i was thinking that a shrine and maybe that fish market might be too far too)
I was there for two weeks and I spent about 800$. About 40$ of that was on crane games and Street Fighter though. I didn't have to pay for room except for when I was in Kyoto. Also, I cheat, and didn't have to pay for food everyday, because GirlfromIpanema was nice enough to cook for me.
I just realized, about 150$ of that 800$ was towards alcohol too. Man, I really didn't spend that much money while I was there.
Airfare varies according to time. I'm going in December, it's costing 1400 round trip. I can go in May, for about 750 round trip.
Akiba isn't that far, it's just a train ride away.
Man, you guys talking about going to Japan makes me wanna go. @_@
*jealous*
Quote from: GirlfromIpanema on November 06, 2008, 04:13:54 PM
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on November 06, 2008, 11:43:40 AM
hmm... so i was thinking that airfare itself should be around 1000 dollars or less and that I should save enough for my personal things hm.. about another 1000. all in total the MIMIMUM i have to bring is 2000. does anyone think thats a reasonable amount? the most i might stay is three weeks. two would be fine for me. one is not enough.
i did the math to about 40/50 dollars a day times 21 days (3 weeks). i can cut down on food and housing; its just transportation and extra spending cash that im worried about. im not too much of a person that needs to eat three meals a day. i can probably eat once and still be happy. i don't like shopping. if anything id rather just take pictures and video of myself just enjoying where i am. if i get a fandom urge to buy anything, the most i might spend on it is about 100 dollars.
i won't be going that far away from my relatives place. ill stay in tokyo for the entire time and like what pryon's friend said, azabu is fairly central, even if its not close to any fandom. if thats the case then ill probably just take transportation from azabu to wherever i want to go within tokyo. if anything, the tower is probably the only site i want to see that could be far away from me. (i was thinking that a shrine and maybe that fish market might be too far too)
Hi,
Actually, depends on what shrine you want to go to. If a small one is good enough for you, you can walk to one. Otherwise, you can take the train for 210 yen from Azabu Juuban to Yoyogi, which has a very large one (Meiji Jingu). The fish market is only 4 stops away from Azabu Juuban, only 170 yen for the train fare. Tokyo Tower is only two train stops away for 170 yen. (Tokyo Tower in addition has an entrance fee which I can't remember the amount of.) Buses cost 200 yen per ride. Fandom at Akihabara is farther away (about 30 minutes), but that train ride is also only 190 yen from Roppongi from what I recall.
If you really don't spend any money and eat cheaply, you probably can live three weeks for $1000. Average wages for new grads out of college here is about $2000 a month, and many of them have rent to pay as well. However, you may want to carry extra for things you want to pick up, but that's up to you. Last I checked though, airfare was more than $1000, due to gas prices.
Let me know if you need anything else.
thank you guys again for the info.
wait so the bus fare costs more than the trainfare? and when you mean trainfare... is it like those subway kind of trains (or aboveground kind of trains)?
i think i want to leave about late march to the beginning of april or sometime in between the month of april. i want to get there at just about the right time the cherry blossoms bloom. also i need to get back before fanime happens. ::)
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on November 08, 2008, 02:00:58 PM
wait so the bus fare costs more than the trainfare? and when you mean trainfare... is it like those subway kind of trains (or aboveground kind of trains)?
i think i want to leave about late march to the beginning of april or sometime in between the month of april. i want to get there at just about the right time the cherry blossoms bloom. also i need to get back before fanime happens. ::)
In Azabu, we only have subways. You have your choice of three lines in the area though. (Namboku, Ooedo and Hibiya.) And yes, the bus costs more. Less people ride the bus and there are less buses per hour, as opposed to millions of people riding the train system everyday. The bus however is more convenient for certain stops. For example, there is no direct train to shibuya, and rather than change trains, you can just take the Shibuya direct train from Roppongi Hills and be at Shibuya in about 10 minutes.
There is an area in Roppongi Hills where the entire street is a row of cherry blossoms. The ones here bloom at the end of March. Due to global warming, the cherry blossoms have been blooming earlier and earlier, they say. There are more popular areas to see cherry blossoms, but many people literally camp out for spots for their cherry blossom viewing (hanami) parties at these parks.
sorrie i had to bring this back from the dead... but now my question is... (for anyone that would have any info on this)
HOW CAN I GET INTO A TOKYO GAMESHOW? ;D
and where is Keneda? i dunno (friend can't spell, and i don't know the city but its something like that)
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on December 04, 2008, 09:42:29 PM
sorrie i had to bring this back from the dead... but now my question is... (for anyone that would have any info on this)
HOW CAN I GET INTO A TOKYO GAMESHOW? ;D
and where is Keneda? i dunno (friend can't spell, and i don't know the city but its something like that)
Tokyo game show is open to the public... you go there, you register, you pay them money, you get a badge, you walk in.
To be honest, if you're not press/industry, they'll frown upon you being there though. TGS is a professional game show where they are pushing their products for business reasons. It's not for people to run around and act stupid and play games. This is the reason why E3 no longer has a show floor, and is restricted to show rooms now.
Learn how to spell the city before you ask where it is... ... ...
I don't think they mean TGS.....
Quote from: otakuapprentice on December 04, 2008, 10:13:22 PM
I don't think they mean TGS.....
uhr I reread it...
...
...
Now... that's just even stupider.
this thread it still here?
LOL looking for airfare under 1000 that isnt really possible try 1200 and up close to 2000 since Dec till May is peak season so prices are up up up if Im correct.
Good luck especially for someone who wants to NOT spend on stuff people get temptations and 100 dollars will be more than that
someone needs more money
Quote from: otakuapprentice on December 04, 2008, 10:13:22 PM
I don't think they mean TGS.....
yea sorrie i meant, any kind of tokyo/japanese game show. i don't care what kind, i just want to get into one at least free or even with payment. something opened to the public...
Quote from: PyronIkari on December 04, 2008, 10:18:52 PM
Quote from: otakuapprentice on December 04, 2008, 10:13:22 PM
I don't think they mean TGS.....
uhr I reread it...
...
...
Now... that's just even stupider.
sorrie for the confusion pyron :'(
Quote from: Kazuko on December 05, 2008, 12:48:34 AM
LOL looking for airfare under 1000 that isnt really possible try 1200 and up close to 2000 since Dec till May is peak season so prices are up up up if Im correct.
Good luck especially for someone who wants to NOT spend on stuff people get temptations and 100 dollars will be more than that
someone needs more money
yea i saw airfare for 600 on this website and that was back and forth, ill keep researching stuff tho. thanks for the heads up. ;D
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on December 05, 2008, 09:32:02 AM
yea i saw airfare for 600 on this website and that was back and forth, ill keep researching stuff tho. thanks for the heads up. ;D
A lot of websites list fares BEFORE gas surcharges and taxes. Gas surcharges are currently about $800, meaning that fare is probably closer to $1500 in reality. A $600 fare isn't possible right now.
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on December 05, 2008, 09:32:02 AM
yea sorrie i meant, any kind of tokyo/japanese game show. i don't care what kind, i just want to get into one at least free or even with payment. something opened to the public... Quote from: PyronIkari on December 04, 2008, 10:18:52 PM
yea i saw airfare for 600 on this website and that was back and forth, ill keep researching stuff tho. thanks for the heads up. ;D
600$? Where and when? In May you can get tickets for about 850. In Summer a 1000. Winter is 1200-1400 if you're lucky. More realistically it'll be about 1560 or so.
I got an EXTREMELY GOOD deal on my tickets, and they were 1300 for Dec. 15th.
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on December 05, 2008, 09:32:02 AM
yea sorrie i meant, any kind of tokyo/japanese game show. i don't care what kind, i just want to get into one at least free or even with payment. something opened to the public...
yea i saw airfare for 600 on this website and that was back and forth, ill keep researching stuff tho. thanks for the heads up. ;D
600$? Where and when? In May you can get tickets for about 850. In Summer a 1000. Winter is 1200-1400 if you're lucky. More realistically it'll be about 1560 or so.
I got an EXTREMELY GOOD deal on my tickets, and they were 1300 for Dec. 15th.
Quote from: PyronIkari on December 05, 2008, 10:53:12 PM
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on December 05, 2008, 09:32:02 AM
yea sorrie i meant, any kind of tokyo/japanese game show. i don't care what kind, i just want to get into one at least free or even with payment. something opened to the public...
yea i saw airfare for 600 on this website and that was back and forth, ill keep researching stuff tho. thanks for the heads up. ;D
600$? Where and when? In May you can get tickets for about 850. In Summer a 1000. Winter is 1200-1400 if you're lucky. More realistically it'll be about 1560 or so.
I got an EXTREMELY GOOD deal on my tickets, and they were 1300 for Dec. 15th.
ok i think i got a link. i duno if it would should show the most recent information that i got today but here goes.
http://www.cheapflights.com/flights-to-japan/oakland/
maybe umm its cause im leaving from oakland airport?
680 is like one way but you gotta pick the returning flight as well so add both 680 for leaving and returning flights plus add the super awesome taxes and you get usually something arround 1200 to 1500 sometimes 2000 Round Trip depending on what airline you are using and airport you will be departing from
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on December 06, 2008, 01:47:29 PM
ok i think i got a link. i duno if it would should show the most recent information that i got today but here goes.
http://www.cheapflights.com/flights-to-japan/oakland/
maybe umm its cause im leaving from oakland airport?
You've got your logic mixed up somehow, I've flown on many airlines, and I believe most of them do not fly to Oakland, it's either Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles in the west coast. This means you would have to take a flight (or drive) to the other major international airports such as the ones in San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Or perhaps you may of checked fares from another country. To my knowledge, prices of the tickets change according to where you bought your ticket, and it's highly not possible that you could buy them for that price.
The three major airlines that I'm most familiar that fly non-stop to the west coast is Thai, All Nippon Air, and Japan Airlines. I know Thai only flies into LA via Japan, and the other two flies to both destinations, and all of the fares for these are over $1000 for economy class, discount price. I got my fares for rather cheap because I bought them outside the country. There is no way you could get a ticket for $600, not even on China Air. >.>;
Edit: When did you check the fares? I believe it was during some time in the summer, prices on all airlines soared way up, some airlines that I checked raised their prices by up to 500 dollars..
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on December 06, 2008, 01:47:29 PM
ok i think i got a link. i duno if it would should show the most recent information that i got today but here goes.
http://www.cheapflights.com/flights-to-japan/oakland/
maybe umm its cause im leaving from oakland airport?
There are no direct flights from Oakland airport. They're probably including a few transfers in there, likely through LA or Seattle, or sometimes worse, farther than you started. If you haven't noticed, all of the cheap flights on this page say "EXCLUDING TAX." The gas surchages and taxes will make them match the more expensive fares on the page. This is why you absolutely have to look at the fare AFTER taxes.
Quote from: GirlfromIpanema on December 06, 2008, 06:46:33 PM
Quote from: Hakaru_chan on December 06, 2008, 01:47:29 PM
ok i think i got a link. i duno if it would should show the most recent information that i got today but here goes.
http://www.cheapflights.com/flights-to-japan/oakland/
maybe umm its cause im leaving from oakland airport?
There are no direct flights from Oakland airport. They're probably including a few transfers in there, likely through LA or Seattle, or sometimes worse, farther than you started. If you haven't noticed, all of the cheap flights on this page say "EXCLUDING TAX." The gas surchages and taxes will make them match the more expensive fares on the page. This is why you absolutely have to look at the fare AFTER taxes.
Still, 600 before tax........ Is not possible to Japan.
Quote from: Rei-Rei on December 07, 2008, 01:03:42 AM
Still, 600 before tax........ Is not possible to Japan.
Yes, they are. Why is this so hard to understand? "Taxes" here are NOT the same as sales tax. It includes the gas surcharges.
The base airfare is actually not that much and does not itself change drastically each year (though it does change between seasons). If you look at the page she linked, there definitely were flights to Japan that were under $700 pre-tax. (BASE FARE) The fact is gas surcharges and other taxes (this is what we mean by taxes) are MORE than the base price of the ticket. Once you clicked on her link and went all the way to where they calculate the rates, the rates are the same as the other sites which calculate the taxes in for you. This does not mean that the ticket was not under $700 before taxes. It was . . the reality is that the price before taxes is MEANINGLESS.
There are flights from Japan to LA that are under $200, before taxes. Gas surcharges and other charges bring the flights up over $1000. It doesn't mean that the ticket itself wasn't $200 to begin with. This is why, as I said, check the prices POST-TAXES.
ALL agencies here in Japan advertise the fares pre-taxes, so I'm not as unfamiliar as you with the concept of base ticket price. Agencies in the US seem to do it only to be misleading . . . and it seems people here fall for it.
You go girl!
Haha.
Yes, you are correct many airlines and many travel agencies do advertise prices of their flights pre-tax (But advertise it in a way that implies everything included) and many Americans do not understand that the pre-tax rate is a lot lower without the surcharges they add on (especially since many airlines are cutting the free services and making you pay for what use to be free in addition).
Eh... Probably because I usually take off at different airports. I had my ticket... Which was over 1000 dollars. I think that was all the taxes included, EXCEPT the airport tax, which was a bitch... Almost 100 USD equivalent for airport tax... >.>;
Narita's airport tax got repealed back in the 90s. Even then, it was only 3000円. Annoying, because you had to change money to yen before you got there so you didn't get raped at the ONE pre-immigration currency window.