Going to Tokyo

klp2332 · #1 03-16-2008, 10:56 AM

I am going to Tokyo this April, and I was wondering what guitar-related stuff should I look for.

What's that famous street in Tokyo that sells guitars called again? I got to make sure I go there and see if I can pick up some good deals. What are the other major guitar stores that I can visit?

I'll be sure to take photos of anything guitar related and bring it back for you guys.

**GilkyBear** · #2 03-16-2008, 11:05 AM

The best area is Ochanomizu, followed by Shibuya and Shinjuku. Take the 'JR Yamanote line'. You are going to have an amazingly good time. You have to eat at a "yakiniku' restaurant while you are there. It is Korean BBQ, there is a little gas bbq grill in the center of the table and they will bring you thinly sliced raw meat. Cook it up yourself, dip it in the sauce (put some garlic in there) and wolf it down with rice. For fun, go to Roppongii around 9 or 10 at night and plan on partying until the sun comes up.

kotornut · #3 03-16-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilkyBear

The best area is Ochanomizu, followed by Shibuya and Shinjuku. Take the 'JR Yamanote line'. You are going to have an amazingly good time. You have to eat at a "yakiniku' restaurant while you are there. It is Korean BBQ, there is a little gas bbq grill in the center of the table and they will bring you thinly sliced raw meat. Cook it up yourself, dip it in the sauce (put some garlic in there) and wolf it down with rice. For fun, go to Roppongii around 9 or 10 at night and plan on partying until the sun comes up.

Don't forget Ikebukuro. It has a really big Ikebe. It's really close to Shinjuku so don't worry about the distance or anything. And you should be able to find it on the JR line easily. If you need any help with directions shoot me a PM and I can get you some help.

But, GilkyBear's right you definately need ot go to ochnomizu (tea's water). They have shop uopn shop there. I recommend shabu-shabu. It's meat dipped in soups of different flavors. The meats so thin it boils in the liquid while you dip it and then you eat it immediately. You can get a ton of different soups too. There are a lot of good foods here in Japan.

wilch · #4 03-16-2008, 04:20 PM

I would love to have a holiday in Japan, but fear I would get lost.

The last time I was overseas was when I was 8 years old (20 years ago).

markyperfection · #5 03-16-2008, 04:55 PM

klp, you're lucky! enjoy your trip.

there's been talk of hitting australia and japan this summer on tour; i hope it ends up working out.

if you happen to see an RG1320A in red or purple, nab it for me! i promise i'm good for it

Distantshore · #6 03-17-2008, 07:50 AM

That sounds like a blast! Enjoy!

Mattitude · #7 03-17-2008, 08:34 AM

Tokyo is my favorite city in the world!!! If you've never been there before be prepared to be amazed! The best advice I can give you is to befriend a local as soon as possible as it will make your travel and overall experience much easier and more fulfilling. It's pretty easy to get real lost in Tokyo, but if you are in Hong Kong then you should'nt get stressed by big, busy city life. Even if you are there for a week you won't see close to half what Tokyo has to offer and it is so easy to go bankrupt there as every where you look there is some shop that is packed with cool stuff...even though most shops are about the size of a walk in closet. I lived in northern Japan for 4 years and would go back in a second. You are a lucky bastard

Ibateur · #8 03-17-2008, 08:37 AM

befriend a local of the opposite gender

Agree with all of the above advice. Good luck stretching in the hotel...

kotornut · #9 03-17-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattitude

Tokyo is my favorite city in the world!!! If you've never been there before be prepared to be amazed! The best advice I can give you is to befriend a local as soon as possible as it will make your travel and overall experience much easier and more fulfilling. It's pretty easy to get real lost in Tokyo, but if you are in Hong Kong then you should'nt get stressed by big, busy city life. Even if you are there for a week you won't see close to half what Tokyo has to offer and it is so easy to go bankrupt there as every where you look there is some shop that is packed with cool stuff...even though most shops are about the size of a walk in closet. I lived in northern Japan for 4 years and would go back in a second. You are a lucky bastard

You know it's nice to hear someone sound like me. All my coworkers do is make negative comments about Japan, but I really like living here.

Ibateur · #10 03-17-2008, 09:30 AM

.... and if you can get out of the city, do it. If you're interested in the touristy side of things, Nikko and Kamakura are popular places to visit. Make sure you have the friendly local with you so you don't get lost in translation.

**GilkyBear** · #11 03-17-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotornut

You know it's nice to hear someone sound like me. All my coworkers do is make negative comments about Japan, but I really like living here.

Living in Japan was the best 5 years of my life. We are still considering moving there when I get out of the military. LOVED IT!!

Mattitude · #12 03-17-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilkyBear

Living in Japan was the best 5 years of my life. We are still considering moving there when I get out of the military. LOVED IT!!

As long as you are married to a Japanese national, living in Japan is a possibility...it's getting more difficult/*** to do so, but easier than on a regular work visa. I was married to a Japanese woman from Sapporo...my mistake was not marrying a country girl. Them city girls are EXPENSIVE!! She was all about the Coach bags, Vitton and all of the "in" stuff, which is 3x-8x more expensive there. I couldn't afford to keep her...that and she was a bit nutty to say the least. Kotornut might understand what I am talking about.

Tank · #13 03-17-2008, 10:29 AM

Yeah would love to move to Japan, but decent job is hard to find and work visa is a .... you know what...

But I think I might have to visit some Japan jemsiters sometime in the near future

I feel like a long Japan vacation might be on order soonish.

kotornut · #14 03-17-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tank

Yeah would love to move to Japan, but decent job is hard to find and work visa is a .... you know what...

But I think I might have to visit some Japan jemsiters sometime in the near future

I feel like a long Japan vacation might be on order soonish.

Really, I don't think it's hard to find a decent job, as long as you got a BA. Not an awesome job, but decent is doable.

Work visas are easy as long as you work.

Or do what I did, marry a Japanese girl and get a spousal visa.

I don't have ot worry so much

**GilkyBear** · #15 03-17-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattitude

As long as you are married to a Japanese national, living in Japan is a possibility...it's getting more difficult/*** to do so, but easier than on a regular work visa. I was married to a Japanese woman from Sapporo...my mistake was not marrying a country girl. Them city girls are EXPENSIVE!! She was all about the Coach bags, Vitton and all of the "in" stuff, which is 3x-8x more expensive there. I couldn't afford to keep her...that and she was a bit nutty to say the least. Kotornut might understand what I am talking about.

Yeah, being married to a Japanese citizen makes it easier. Funny thing is my wife was born and raised in Lima, Peru. I have more time in Japan than she does, but she has dual citizenship. Actually, tri-citizenship now haha. Regardless, I would likely work at one of the military bases after I retire from active duty and let the government pick up the cost of housing and whatnot. Now that is a good deal. The things I do to be a little closer to the Fujigen factory haha...