Yup, I'm taking a trip to Japan here in the next few months (sometime before May I believe, still figuring out the details on my timeline)

Basically I've been saving up and have a friend in the Navy over there who I will be visiting.

I won't be doing anything excessively nerdy, such as pack only costumes to wear or anything like that (tempting as it is, I wanna actually enjoy the entirety of this trip as an honest to god tourist)

I just wanted to see if anyone has any tips, or hear any experiences if any of you have ever traveled to Japan, or traveled to a different country in general, as this will be my first out-of-America trip.

I've already memorized a Frommers Guide to Japan book, and am practically fluent in Japanese (From actual courses, not just anime you guys)

My only real concern is not being to keen on reading Japanese, but I figure I can speak enough to at least ask someone helpful "Hey, what does that sign say?"

Also, I'm accepting donations (worth a shot) to help make my trip more enjoyable...if you donate I promise to send you a neat Japanese knick-knack upon return.

Currently Have: $1150.00USD saved up. $250.00USD of that is donated.

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Don't be a faggot and try and think you understand japanese culture because you watch cartoons like oh so many anime kids I know

lol I've talked to vivi in japanese before, he knows it ponuh-tard

VIVI TAKE ME WITH YOU :_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_::_:_:_:_:

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No sig because 3 sigs in a row people make me change my sig and I refuse to have a pony sig!

Somebody needs some "Americone Dream" ice cream...

I'm happy for you Viviti, enjoy your trip, only advice I can give is beware the fugu.

lol oh god, have fun, haha

Basically if I have any tips for just traveling in general:

1. Use a jacket or make sure that passports/money/debit cards--whatever are in a place inside a pocket lining inside the jacket, or on some sort of (nerd alert) fanny pack or secured pocket. Just anything that makes it harder to steal, but still gives you easy access. Wherever you're going in Japan I imagine it'll probably be very crowded and in every crowded city I know they're pick pockets.

2. If you do lose a debit/credit card always have a back up. Traveler's checks, a back up credit/debit card, a wad of cash you can keep in the hotel room--anything. Don't rely one just one method of getting money abroad, because if you lose it you are royally fucked, haha

3. If that happens or, god forbid, you lose your passport, make sure you know where local police stations are or (even better) the American Embassy is. If you're staying in Tokyo the American Embassy might be your best bet, however, with a little research I think they're consulates in Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Naha. Your hotel could also help you out, I'm sure, if something happens. For more details on the American embassy check out http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/ for more information.

4. About packing... pack light. I don't know how long you're staying, but don't pack your kendo crap or whatever, haha Make sure you can get around a city easily with all your luggage, and keep at least one change of clothes in your carry on so you're not stuck in the same pair of clothes if your luggage gets lost because that shit does happen all the time. Pack your toiletries in your carry on too.

5. You probably have in mind what you want to do, but keep a schedule. Going by the seat of your pants is fun and all, but if your playing a shit ton of cash on a vacation you should make sure to make the most of it. Get up early, go to bed early, keep your eating habits as best as you can.

6. Since you're going to Japan your going to be Jet-fucked, not Jet-lagged, Jet-fucked. You will get off that plane probably feeling like the living dead, haha Try and sleep on the plane though as best as you can and invest in a neck pillow or something. You may be tempted to just collapse the first day, but honestly if you're arriving in Japan early in the morning try and explore whatever part of the city it is your in and just see sights and keep yourself occupied the first day. Because when it comes to sleep, you will sleep hard, and it'll be easier to get on schedule if you don't collapse in the hotel room as soon as you arrive (unless it's like 7-9PM).

7. Don't look like a tourist. I don't know the Japanese mentality regarding American visitors, but generally it's better to not have a camera hanging around your neck, pocket map in hand, fanny pack at the ready, "Looking for a Japanese girlfriend" T-shirt donned, and generally sticking out like a giant, sore, shaggy haired thumb. Wear baggy clothes and conceal all your more valuable belongings.

Finally I know Japan is like Mecca for nerds, but try and contain yourself and just have fun man. Don't be afraid to mingle with the locals either. I'm sure you'll have a blast though, haha

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Retired 8/21/06
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omg vivi, tell me if you see my hero ;-;

DOMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HARDO GAY DESUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

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No sig because 3 sigs in a row people make me change my sig and I refuse to have a pony sig!

Thanks guys, especially Cad, that was very helpful.

And yeah, don't worry about packing the 'nerdy' things and kendo gear and whatever else. I know you guys all know I'm the "Alpha Nerd" and whatnot, but I'm taking this trip very seriously, I plan on taking in as much of the Japanese culture as I can.
I want this trip to have as little to do with anime, video games and similar things as possible, thats all stuff I can experience from my own home, but I cant experience the cherry blossoms, or the mountains of Hokkaido, or the ancient temples and the museums from home.

And for fagg- i mean "people" like ponuh....again, I know I'm the "Alpha Nerd" but I've actually taken *GASP* Courses in Japanese language, I'm going on my 2nd Year at St. Edwards University here in Austin, and our teacher is really cool and explains alot of the Japanese culture to us along with the language.



And Madi - There's no more Hard Gay....he stopped doing that bit and actually got married. To a girl.

I know, it breaks your heart T_T

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Have a good time

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Some stories can't be told with words, some legends are meant to die

I was merely saying don't go in expecting to be able to assimilate into their culture just because you may or may not be knowledgable about it. There are quite a few accounts on the internet of Americans making complete asses of themselves in japan (and it's gotten to the point where a lot of japanese businesses won't let foreigners in without japanese friends)

lol I knew he wasn't actually gay, if he was gay it wouldn't have been as funny lol. Like how margret cho stopped being funny after she told people she was bisexual lol

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No sig because 3 sigs in a row people make me change my sig and I refuse to have a pony sig!

Then you should have said it that way.

Instead of

I'm not expecting to assimilate, and I'm not expecting to go unnoticed, just the fact of being a foreigner is gonna strip any chance I might have of that right off the bat, but don't make is sound like you're assuming I'm your average 12 year old Adult Swim watching "I LOVE JAPAN KAWAII DESU NE" school girl.

In fact, The majority of places that are going to turn away gaijin at the door are going to do just that: Turn them away.

They wont wait and see how much of the culture I know, I have friends who have LIVED in Japan for over 4 years and they still wouldn't be allowed into alot of places, despite being completely immersed in the culture.

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That's just lame, haha

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Retired 8/21/06
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I'm a

anyways, have fun. i'd like to donate money, but i kinda can't on account of not having any :x

i hope you have fun and bring back some good stories for us.

Have fun there! I'm jealous. I've been wanting to go there for a while. Who knows if it will ever happen!

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Aren't you like 6'8" or something kluya? lol
You have to go, and take many many pictures of yourself towering over the locals like a colossus. lol

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Some stories can't be told with words, some legends are meant to die

have you seen Lost in Translation? That's one of my favorite movies ever.

If I had your phone number TS we would seriously have a long conversation about how much I hated this movie lol, I hated my g/f for dragging me to it. I can't even remember what I even thought was good about it. Please someone tell me why this was a good movie, because to me, it felt like it was a 2 hour movie about nothing.

First of all, I love Bill Murray. Almost every scene he is in, he is doing something funny. Sometimes it's subtle and sometimes it's just plain laugh-out-loud. I also love the style of the film. I feel like each scene gives me something interesting to look at. Really much of the movie is told through images, not dialogue. I love it when films show emotions and feelings through images and not just two characters talking. I think it's much more effective than having to spell things out for the audience.

Let's see, I love the music and the way it fits into each scene (remember the "sucking on my titties..." strip-bar scene? lol). I could go over every scene and tell you what I like about it but that would take too long. Lost in Translation is about two unhappy people who find comfort in one another, all the while appearing literally lost within the strange city of Tokyo, and figuratively lost because they cannot find direction in their lives. I think you have to be in the right mood to watch it. Everything needs to be quiet, the lights need to be low. It's a movie you need to pay attention to.

I can understand how some people wouldn't like the style of the film. It's pretty different from most other films, and if you were expecting something else going into it, you might get frustrated with the movie. I had no idea what to expect seeing it the first time, but I came away loving it. It's rare when I view a movie as a true work of art, but that's how I view LiT.

Agreed. It's a subtle but very powerful humor if you understand it. I think it takes a certain degree of empathy with the situation to really get that movie for what it's worth.

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Retired 8/21/06
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You should realize by now that that's my style

6'5"...I wouldn't blend in at all lol. I still wanna go! I don't know shit about their culture lol but I don't care. I hear people in Japan are generally friendly to Americans who visit. I heard the opposite about Europe, though people were friendly when I went there. I think us Americans are assholes if anything lol.

My sister lives in Manhatton, NY with a girl from Japan (dorm roommates). They are becoming really good friends. I imagine we may travel there with her sometime.

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Vivi you better take lots of over the top stupid pictures and post them here.

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COBRA KAI DOJO NEVER DIES
RIP Shiloh

I've been to Canada, Mexico, England, and Holland. I go to Mexico several times a year, and I've been to many different cities there. I am sometimes too careless in Mexico, but I've never had a bad experience there. I know many people who have (and will never go back). It's easy to get yourself into trouble in Mexico. If you ever plan to travel there I can give you tips lol.

When I was in London and Amsterdam, I did what Cad said (his post is all good useful info). I always carried my passport, money, etc in a fanny pack. I had a slim one that tucked into my pants and didn't show. I kept it in the front, so I had easy access to it . It was annoying at first but I got used to it fast. I took out cash and left my debit card, wallet, and a copy of my passport in the hotel rooms.

I was exceptionally paranoid in Amsterdam because I read they have lots of pickpockets there. I also heard to keep your backpack on at all times (and never leave your passport in it) because people will steal it from you in front of your eyes and run off. I went there very paranoid...and visiting the coffee shops didn't help lol. We didn't have a single problem there. Practically everybody in Amsterdam spoke English and the girls were hot and flirty! It was actually a ton of fun and I want to go back. We had no trouble in London either. I made friends everywhere I went in London. People at bars there were much more friendly and social than in America, that's for sure. I just couldn't understand most of them!

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My grandparents have traveled all over the world and they say that Italy is the worst in terms of pickpocketers

That and Spain. Rome is bad I've heard, but Barcelona is pretty awful too.. guy I was traveling with had some of his stuff in his book bag. When it got crowded on the subway a guy just unzipped it, rummaged through, and stole a bunch of shit right when we were walking in a crowd.

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Retired 8/21/06
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