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Japan

Veritas

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Hey I'm stationed at MCAS Iwakuni which is about 45 minutes from Hiroshima. Obviously, I am on Mainland, but I've also been around Okinawa. The places I've been on Mainland are Hiro, Fukuoka, and Tokyo, but I generally stay in my room and write or play music...suprise suprise. What is the general area or areas in which you will be heading? The scenery is definately beautiful and the cultural explorations are intriguing most of the time. I'm also a quarter Japanese (My Obachan is from Tokonoshima off of Okinawa) so if you'd like any more info let me know and I'll see what i can do.
 

Beat Mango

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Hey Veritas well I'm not sure whereabouts I'm heading, still yet to book the trip actually. We'll head to Tokyo for sure, I'm pretty keen to check out the bustling urban centre, but in terms of scenery etc and like you say cultural exploration I really don't know much about anything, but definitely something I'd like to explore there.
 

Artifice Orisit

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Shibuya (part of Tokyo), they have the best tech stores there.

Then there's the stores that make you go :eek: then :o and walk out feeling embarrassed.
 

Veritas

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Sweet. From Tokyo you can get to any of the major cities by the bullet train within an hour to four hours, so that opens up many options. Osaka is a big tourist area, though mostly for partying, as is Kyoto, however, Kyoto has many of the historical shrines and temples. Hiroshima has a huge shopping area, and then the Peace Park Memorial in memory of the bomb and the people who were lost or affected. Mt. Fuji is generally an all day event if you choose to climb it...that is a great experience if you're into photography and the overall atmospheric scenery. The mountains within and bordering the island are always beautiful along with the sunset/sunrise. The people are generally friendly...I was at a rest stop last week with a convoy and a random elderly japanese guy had set up a telescope and was letting everyone look through it to see Jupiter(that definitely brightened my entire week! Astronomy, the good nature of one man to spread joy to many people, etc.) Hmm some of the smaller towns and obscure locations are always good to hit up too...you never know what you will find there, and they're slightly less affected my modern culture. Anything else specific you'd like to know?
 

Zero

The Fiend
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I've visited Japan. I was in Tokyo and Kyoto. I spent most of my time in Akihabara (my bro was with me). I'm currently studying Japanese and Japan, but I haven't been there in two years.

Do you know how to use a Japanese style toilet, bath and the general mannerism already? Might want to take a phrase book if you don't speak Japanese fluently.
 

Beat Mango

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Sweet. From Tokyo you can get to any of the major cities by the bullet train within an hour to four hours, so that opens up many options. Osaka is a big tourist area, though mostly for partying, as is Kyoto, however, Kyoto has many of the historical shrines and temples. Hiroshima has a huge shopping area, and then the Peace Park Memorial in memory of the bomb and the people who were lost or affected. Mt. Fuji is generally an all day event if you choose to climb it...that is a great experience if you're into photography and the overall atmospheric scenery. The mountains within and bordering the island are always beautiful along with the sunset/sunrise. The people are generally friendly...I was at a rest stop last week with a convoy and a random elderly japanese guy had set up a telescope and was letting everyone look through it to see Jupiter(that definitely brightened my entire week! Astronomy, the good nature of one man to spread joy to many people, etc.) Hmm some of the smaller towns and obscure locations are always good to hit up too...you never know what you will find there, and they're slightly less affected my modern culture. Anything else specific you'd like to know?

Yeah I think hitting an obscure town is a good idea... Kyoto sounds like a must see if it's got the shrines and temples, and I'll have to go to Mt Fuji for sure. I guess one thing I'm curious about is accommodation - what am I looking at paying per night? At Tokyo that is. I'm trying to convince my friend to stay at a hostel so it'll be cheaper, but are there any particularly bad places or areas to avoid?
 

Death

..still alive
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Bolehland! also known as Malaysia.
I never been to Japan,or planning to in the nearest future but I heard this place called Akibahara,you might want go there if you're into geek stuff or porn video games.
 

Veritas

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You want to avoid any place where the Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) are known to hang out...though they generally leave Americans alone. As for hotel rates...eh Tokyo's fairly expensive. I stayed at the New Sanno which is exceptionally cheap in comparison, but it's a military catered hotel, and i'm not sure what the deal is for reserving rooms. If you know someone or have family with a military background that would be your best bet. I'm not sure about the hostels; best to google that one.
 

sotired34

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No telling...
I thought I was unique, and here comes Veritas from Iwakuni, Japan. I was stationed there for two years. One of the most awesome experiences of my life. You really can't grasp the size of Tokyo, without going up in the tower. It really is a "WOW" experience. I've been through New York, Chicago, LA, but Tokyo seemingly dwarfs them all. Mt Fuji hike is cool too. You get a walking stick at the bottom, and they burn kanji symbols into it at several stations on the way up.
 

Toad

True King of Mushroomland!!!
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Awesome trip dude! Japan is the best! I love the food and the atmosphere. It's kind of crowded, but people are so polite. You HAVE to try eating the raw horse meat. Food is definitely one of their biggest attractions. Try everything!

(hookers are cheap too..)
 

Cameron

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Is this trip still something happening in the future, or have you already gone and come back?
 

Da Blob

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EDIT: the below is off topic, the mention of a trip to Thailand reminded me of a friend heading off in that direction... sorry

BTW - if anyone is ever interested in a trip to Nepal, I have a friend from college who organizes treks there twice a year. He is a 'top-shelf" person who is a semi-retired attorney. His wife, Alicia Rasley is also cool, she ended up being one of the better "Romance" novelists around... LOL

Anyway details at http://jeffreyrasley.com/

photos of treks
http://picasaweb.google.com/jeffrasley/KangelBasaKhmujungTrekOct2009#
 
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