I have 9 days in Japan in October, flying in and out of Tokyo. I'll probably try to keep my budget under $1,000 while I'm there. I've got nothing but the tickets so far and it's my first time traveling internationally. I like drinking and partying but I'll be by myself so I'd rather focus more heavily on cultural sites, museums, shopping, and experiences that are good for solo I guess. I'm using some app to learn a little Japanese before I go so hopefully its serviceable but we'll see. Anybody who's spent a lot of time traveling to Japan, what are some tips, stuff I should do, and other general advice?
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Perfectly acceptable to go out drinking by yourself I think, I've never done a club alone, you won't know enough Japanese unless you study 8 hours a day. Maybe we could do a Line group or something, I am going alone in November and in the same boat.
I am hoping I can meet a nice english speaking Japanese girl on tinder, maybe group tours could be good as well.
All those things should help, don't be afraid to meet 4chinners as well
just from this board or another?
This board
Come meet with me. We can coom inside a Japanese girl together. It'll be special.
I spent 64 days solo in Japan over the summer. traveling solo isn't really all that different from being in a group, it just allows you to be more flexible.
By the way, I found onsens terribly overrated and only did a few my entire stay. So maybe consider using that time for something else.
>I am hoping I can meet a nice english speaking Japanese girl on tinder
You and everyone else lol. Unless you luck out I wouldn't count on it given how short your stay is. Just don't get roped into anything by the nigerians and be wary of old women trying to recruit you into a buddhist cult (these aren't a joke).
You got that backwards.
>it's almost impossible to find milk in Japan
Literally ever convenience store sells milk and milk with coffee can be bought from the vast majority of vending machines.
really? I only ever went to clubs/bars in Shibuya. What's in Shinjuku?
airbnb seems cheaper. I got 133800 yen for 7 days at this Dormy Inn. Does that sound right?
yeah, I spent 109,079.96 yen for 12 days in 2020 in a very clean new airbnb right by naka itabashi station
I personally think Onsens are the best part in Japan. Maximum comfy and relaxation. Only thing better than Finnish Sauna. To each their own.
>I am hoping I can meet a nice english speaking Japanese girl on tinder, maybe group tours could be good as well.
>Hey baby. I don't speak your language at all, I'm only here for a few days, I've got no friends to vouch for me, and my budget is very limited. Please by my sex friend/translator/tour guide, OK?
goddamn sex tourists
I recommend going to otaku bars and clubs if you feel your lack of Japanese lowers your confidence in going to normal bars and clubs. This website lists every active otaku bar and club in Japan but unfortunately, the website is all in Japanese.
https://otaku-bar.com/
https://twitter.com/ajotakubar
Appreciate the suggestion but I don’t think I will. There really isn’t a problem with not knowing Japanese. Most people are very understanding and helpful. Plus, I don’t think I want to hang around otakus.
Sleep in capsule hotel/manga cafe overnight and bathe at sento/onsen
Disagree, everyone wants to keep to themselves at mango cafe and no one wants to chat or friends, including the homeless that live in them
What is there to agree or disagree with?
Don't drink by yourself, that's crazy. Actually, don't drink alcohol at all. Try to enjoy yourself without it, you're in another country, give it a shot! Er...not the best way to put it, but try it anyway.
You are right
Why do a budget trip? Spend some more and enjoy it properly.
I wouldn't worry so much about language, you probably won't learn anything meaningful in a short amount of time and honestly it won't matter if you stick to the beaten path (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) as most people there speak a little English at least and even outside it just you can use Google translate if you're floundering.
9 days is short but decent to see maybe 2 cities/areas in imo. You can rush 3 cities but it might be hectic. I've done 2 trips about your length and yeah always found it a bit hectic moving around.
If you're trying to keep accomodations under a tight budget hostels & manga/internet cafes (especially if you find one with a bed/couch booth) might be your best bets. You could also check out capsule hotels but idk anything about them
Pack light, carrying shit around sucks and if you want to be super transient then yeah lighter is better. Re-wear things and wash them.
I haven't been myself but Nikko is said to be beautiful in fall (Japan fall colors in general supposed to be great) and is a short distance from Tokyo. Cultural site + beautiful scenery could be nice as a solo traveler. They have some hotels & onsen near there I think, maybe good as a single overnight trip.
Most food and drink is surprisingly cheap and even more so right now with the weak Yen.
If you want to do anything that's extremely popular like Ghibli Museum you need tickets booked like exactly 1.5 months in advance when they go on sale. Otherwise most places that aren't extremely popular you are probably fine without pre-reserving.
Go to a Don Quixote store at least once for essentially Japanese Walmart on crack. Great place to pick up a souvenir or any essential you might need.
There's a club in Shibuya called Womb which I heard is a nice place for EDM. I think it's fairly accessible to foreigners too so if you want a night of music and drinks maybe check it out.
I have about 15k to spend that I was looking to make it last for as long as possible in SEA/India. Can I spend a week in Tokyo without spending way more than I would in those other places?
Do not bother with normal hotels. Instead, save money by staying at business hotel chains like Dormy Inn. Some even offer free breakfast and midnight ramen while others offer rooms with a kitchen for longer stays.
https://www.hotespa.net/dormyinn/english/
https://www.hotespa.net/hotels/panf/pdf/pamphlet_english.pdf
I tried Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya Jingumae: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecqk40lpZCE
I stayed at Dormy Inn Premium Tokyo Kodenmacho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrm_Dsgf1p4
i'm also traveling solo to japan next year and got a few questions.
1. My plan while in Tokyo is to walk around all day and then take the subway to the part of the city my hotel is in and do stuff around there most nights. With that in mind, what's the best place to stay at? Shinjuku?
2. Is the Ghibli museum all that special? I do love the films but every image of the museum on google looks like shit, is it really worth the hype if you're not into stuff like Universal to begin with?
3. I hear there are japanese people that will approach foreigners in bars and stuff and talk to them for english practice. This sounds like a hilarious experience to me, how do i maximize my odds of having that happen?
4. I'll be doing Tokyo > Osaka/Kyoto > Hiroshima > Back to Tokyo to catch my flight home. I'll definitely be flying from Hiroshima to Tokyo, as it's way cheaper than the train, but i'm on the fence about whether i should take the train or fly from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto. I think trains are cool but i'm not super autistic about them, so is there any reason to take the train?
Shibuya for nightlife. Shinjuku seemed like it was better during the day when I went, but im not a seasoned Tokyo traveller
I met a japanese guy in melbourne once (i live there) who came up to me in a park to practice his english. he was a PE teacher named kengo. it was a nice experience. i taught him the difference between 'th' and 'f' sound when he pronounced 'health' like 'healf'.
you should go to london and teach them the difference too
Is this some elaborate troll? Health is pronounced healf
1. Yeah Shinjuku is nice. Shibuya is also good, also on the West side of the city.
2. It's a just a museum containing Ghibli content. It's like walking through a big art installation. You can see an exclusive short film while there. I went once and am going back when I go again. There are no rides or anything but I found it was enjoyable enough
3. No idea never happened to me. Sometimes kids would say hello though if you're tall and/or blonde
4. Train is just more comfortable and convenient, imo. Takes a little longer though
I found the ghibli musuem to be more of an animation museum using ghibli stuff as a frame of reference/theming.
i thought it was fascinating because i love animation but i could see some people seeing the exhibits on old animation techniques and technology and not being interested at all
also the porco rosso beer or whatever was legitimately the most vile thing i've ever had in my entire life. do not drink it whatsoever.
i always recommend people stay in shinsekai because it's like the perfect insight of degeneracy/what it's like to be an average guy/salaryman in japan.
you've got cheap izakaya, the brothels/tobita nearby, tons of pachinko, sento/spa world, denden town and maid cafes in walking distance.
you can just be an absolutely disgusting piece of human garbage for 24 hours.
it's fantastic.
osaka/shinsekai genuinely feels like a city that never sleeps- tokyo not at all
As someone who lives here and hates tourists, my advice is to just be a 100% completely unashamed tourist. Speak English to people who may not understand it, but be respectful. Gaijin smash your way through situations that may cause you anxiety, but understand that you may cause anxiety to locals as well. Everyone Japanese is insecure about their language ability, so remember to make them feel good about the interaction. Being appreciative will go a long ways. Everyone wants to feel they helped a tourist and did their bit to contribute to the perception that Japanese is a hospitable country, so thanking people for their help, even if it was a struggle to understand what they meant, will contribute to the overall pleasantness of this country.
>#3
Japanese people truly can't understand why foreigners come to their country, because they're largely too terrified to travel abroad themselves. They find tourists brave for coming here. Boost their egos a bit and let them know why Japan is so great/interesting/peaceful, and they'll eat it up. You might get bored of being asked the same shallow questions again and again if you're here for years, but it's a good icebreaker when you're new to the country and looking to socialize. Japanese are awkward at small talk, but they always want to practice a few phrases they remember from school, and learn about culture differences. So don't be afraid to blow their ego, and also play up the possibly exotic bits of your own culture without putting it down (Japs don't really get Western sarcasm or dark humor, and avoid heavy topics, so it's safe to play to the stereotypes).
>Gaijin smash your way through situations that may cause you anxiety
This is what I did. I even gestured them towards my phone so Google Translate could pick up what they were saying. At the end I would thank them and do the bow thing they did to me.
Take a train to Osaka and visit the mint and the castle. My buddy is studying in Japan and he said Osaka is one of the best places he's been to so far.
I haven't gone to Japan myself. but I heard Japan is very accommodating to English speakers. It has signs and instructions in English everywhere.
I've only been once but I'll try to sum up some tips to help you out.
The most important tip I can give you is that if you're wandering around you will be approached by people telling you to come there club, bar, etc DO NOT DO THIS. 100% likely this will be a scam bar which charge ridiculous entry fees, will have a woman sit with you and order stuff and/or drug your drink. Not joking this is really common in Japan. The big giveaway will always be if it's Nigerians doing the touting because they're English speaking.
Aside from that finding a place to eat in Japan is harder than you think outside of the really touristy places like central Kyoto or Roppongi. Japanese buildings are all 7 floor office buildings and most of the places will be tiny and hard to spot on the top floor. If you want to go to a place then either research it yourself or ask hotel staff for suggestions.
For traveling around I suggest you buy a pasmo card which is just a cash card for paying for metro trains making it easy just to hop on any of them without having to think about tickets. Get a Japanese travel SIM so you can have unlimited Internet connection and use google maps.
If you're really interested in shopping then Shibuya obviously but central Osaka is good too, the train station is which is called like the Grand Front or something is pretty crazy.
If you like milk with anything you're going to be out of luck, it's almost impossible to find milk in Japan and they serve some sort of weird sugary syrup with coffee/tea.
I just got back from my two week trip, but I went with friends. If you like culture, I would allocate more time in Kyoto. There's enough to do to fill up four solid days but you'll be fatigued with that pace, guaranteed. I would also strongly suggest making the trip to Himeji Castle and the Koko-en gardens which are right next to the castle. They sell a bundle deal that is barely more expensive than the standalone attractions at the castle gate.
If I were you, I wouldn't go with the goal of seeing everything possible within 9 days. Take it slow, and go with the idea that you'll be back for another trip, because you will.
I'll be there for 10 days in october too, never travel abroad and will do solo, pretty sure I'll be making tons of mistakes. But I just have to do it. I will try to rush Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka following this guide:
why you using the brazil pic? are you brasileiro?
sim, vou na cara e na coragem. só se vive uma vez, anão.
bullshit, just checked Dormy inn on booking.com, 3x the price that the one I booked ( also with a nice score ).
What that anon said is not necessarily incorrect. Business hotels like Dormy Inn, LiveMax, and Alpha One usually have pretty decent price if the single bedroom is not already booked up. The ones near station can price in around midrange if there isn't capsule hotel or decent guest houses nearby to drive their price down.
anyone been to teamlabs? either planets or borderless
Yeah its about as good as you think it is. Be warned its busy as frick so you basically are part of a huge crowd the whole time. Also barefoot if that turns you off (or turns you on ;))
The outdoor one in Osaka is legit way better because its more spread out and less crowded.
it sucks pretty hard but the feet action is unreal, plus some the floors are made up of mirrors so you can look up skirts :^)
I've been to teamlabs borderless. Fun visual light focused exhibit. Kinda like a park attraction. You'll spend at least an hour but more if you take in the sights with a partner. Pics usually don't do it justice.
Is it like teamlabs planets? I thought it was massively overrated. plenty of Instagram kids holding up the fricking line for their selfies and an overwhelming smell foot odor everywhere. definition of a tourist trap, I genuinely don't think I saw a single jap there.
Borderless is like Planets, only 10x better.
>teamlabs
How to spot tasteless plebeians with smartphone -induced brainrot.
It's so lame how most art exhibitions are unapologetically date-bait in Japan.
Borderless moved and is closed until q1 2024
Language isn't a barrier at all. Every time I went, starting at 16, I knew 0 Japanese and easily managed to navigate and do everything I wanted to do, including communicate. Lots of body language and just getting it. Try to understand subtleties and attempt to listen/understand rather rather than talk. I even went to underground punk and goth shows in later years, met some local friends and lit off fireworks in the park. Later on Google translate made it even easier to say anything and understand. Police are super friendly and understanding so long as you’re not violent and are level headed. Still don’t know Japanese.
Also people are more reserved and side eye during the day but are very friendly/let loose at night when the after work drinking starts
>I had Konbini food and hung out in Akibabara
Irrelevant question in the grand scheme of things, but I'm going back to Tokyo after a month for a 12 hour layover at HND. Is my temporary visitor stamp thing still good in my passport or will they give me another 90 day sticker?
Currently soloing in Japan. I’ve been to a number of bars but not in Tokyo. Half the time, someone will be curious enough to try and have a conversation with me. I’ve had people invite me to drink in their circle even though I do not speak any Japanese. I’ve been pretty lucky with the bar scene but it is still a hit and miss sometimes. I tend to go to quieter bars though and many bar masters are kind enough to keep you companied with conversation when they see that you’re solo.
Gonna be alone in japan for the later half of December. Should I spend 25, 26 and 27 in Tokyo checking out the streets and 28, 29, 30 in Hakone relaxing in nature at onsens, or the other way around? I know it might seem like a dumb question, but I'm asking because I know the Christmas period might show me a different side of the city and I'm not sure if it's going to be something worth checking out, or something that I should avoid.
On a slightly related note, is it worth staying overnight at ryokans in Hakone as a single person? I hear they charge for 2 people minimum usually, would it be better to make daily trips between Tokyo - Hakone and spend the nights in Tokyo instead?
I personally do not stay at ryokans when I solo because it is way too expensive for me. Ironically, I am posting this while in a “ryokan”. But it really is just a beat up old japanese house in the countryside that got renovated to look somewhat like a ryokan.
Yeah, figures, guess I'll skip ryokans for now, thanks. Do onsens need to be booked in advance like hotels or can I just show up, pay a fee and bathe?
I’ve been skipping out on all onsen town so far so take it with a grain of salt. From what I know public onsen do not require reservations. If I remember correctly, the more popular ones like kinosaki even show availability of their major public onsen on their website. Private baths are likely to be by reservation.
I'm heading to Japan next Thursday for a 12 day trip. I'm mainly sticking to Tokyo with some excursions to the countryside and jaunts to Yokohama. Anyone got any suggestions for some things I should check out? I'm mainly gonna be checking out musuems, weeb shit and doing some cycling. But I do wanna check out a bathhouse during my time there.
Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road/Lake Kasumigaura Circuit Course:
>The second largest lake in Japan, Lake Kasumigaura is situated about 60 km northeast of Tokyo, not far inland and close to the hiking trails of Mount Tsukuba. There are cycling courses for all skill levels here, with excellent views of both the mountain and the lake. The shortest ride around the lake is around 41 km, while the longest is about 125 km. Mount Tsukuba has a relatively flat 40 km course as well as a much tougher “Hill Climb Course” that’s around 25 km. If you want to take in both areas, the full course is around 180 km. Tsuchiura Station is also home to Ring Ring Square, which has a bike shop, lockers, and everything you’ll need to start your journey.
>It takes around 9 hours for an experienced cyclist to complete all 180km of Ring Ring Road. However, there are plenty of places to visit along the Ring Ring Road so a two-day one-night trip is recommended!
https://www.ringringroad.com/english/
Ring Ring Square: https://www.ringringroad.com/english/square/
Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road 2018 English version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFp3fRvgdbQ
To Ibaraki on a whim (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nKfjrNYrWs
Don't follow the touts anywhere for any reason. Even the ones just inviting you to sit down for a drink in a restaurant.
I am going to Japan in November and I will sexo a milf.
how can I go about that ? where should I be to get this type of action ?
search age range 30-45, look for round faces
Maybe a nice hike?
What's the best way to spend my nights solo in Tokyo?
Anyone done Hachijojima? want to do it but slowboat over, would need to give up 2 days etc etc
>just want to browse weeb stores and electronic stores in osaka
>girls in cute clothes in the streets shilling their overpriced 'cafes'
Why cant they leave me alone anons? I know they wont put out and just blue ball me