Things to do in Japan?

[fatharris]

As mentioned in my project thread, I'm away with work for the majority of the year. We're coming up to the next stop which is the big one - Japan.

I've been absolutely snowed under with work to begin to plan anything for the small window of time off I'll have in the Tokyo area (Lets say it's about a week), but I was wondering if anyone had been here before and had any particular recommendations? I'd watch youtube etc, for inspiration but the internet speeds here don't really allow it!

I am meeting my friend who lives in Tokyo so he'll be able to help me get about and keep out of trouble. I ran out of time to get my international driving permit so unfortunately I can't do any driving stuff.

So far, I know I'm planning to attend the Honda collection hall in Motegi, and check out the Daikoku Futo parking area meet, as well as Up Garage and a local scrapyard to pick up some bits for the Beat.

Any advice and experience welcomed!

Cheers

[chatsharris]

There's a motor museum there which is pretty banging. Toyota world I think?

Also, places that you need to check out:

- Kabuchiko is peak Japan, every sense gets assaulted. If you find a bar called Shigety's, get yourself in there. It's in a building that looks like an office block. Avoid hostess bars, not worth the risk.
- Shinjuku has the Final Fantasy shop which includes a crystal room which is cool as fuck.
- Golden Gai! This is ace, it's a neighborhood of tiny bars. It's extremely cramped and intimate but it was also a great time. The Not Suspicious bar was a highlight.
- I want to say Asakusa had a temple and marketplace that was really nice?
- Ramen shops are all nice. A lot of them have machines at the front, they are your menu. Put your cash in (Japan is still mostly cash based), press the picture of the meal that is what you want and hand it to the desk. Super easy.

I got a few more bits once i can remember but you can just WhatsApp me the rest.

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[Rightnider]

Lovely!

I went to Japan with RN Jr. in 2018, a wonderful country to travel. 
 

Asakusa is a nice area in Tokyo, don’t miss the temple as @chatsharris said. 
 

If you’re into Japanese food, go to Tsukiji fish market, many good restaurants around there. 
 

And, you have to try Shinkansen, the bullet train. It’s so unbelievably efficient, it just has to be experienced. 

[Schaefft]

Go to the Hard on off stores!

[chatsharris]

Lovely!
I went to Japan with RN Jr. in 2018, a wonderful country to travel. 
 
Asakusa is a nice area in Tokyo, don’t miss the temple as [mention=20001]chatsharris[/mention] said. 
 
If you’re into Japanese food, go to Tsukiji fish market, many good restaurants around there. 
 
And, you have to try Shinkansen, the bullet train. It’s so unbelievably efficient, it just has to be experienced. 

Just a note on that @fatharris, you won't be able to get the cheap JR Travel pass due to having no tourist visa. So it'll be a bit spenny.

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[fatharris]

21 minutes ago, Schaefft said:

Go to the Hard on off stores!

Oooh, please elaborate

[angle]

13 minutes ago, chatsharris said:

Just a note on that @fatharris, you won't be able to get the cheap JR Travel pass due to having no tourist visa. So it'll be a bit spenny.

Sent from my Pixel 9a using Tapatalk
 

The JR Pass has gone up in price a lot in the last couple of years, so tbh if you're only making a couple of trips outside of Tokyo its probably not worth it anyway. 

The Toyota museum is great, but its in Nagoya which is 90 minutes away from Tokyo on the bullet train (and then you have to get the Linimo Maglev train out to it, its on the edge of the city). Yokohama has the Mooneyes shop and the Nissan engine museum, if there's a slot available at the Nissan Heritage Collection its meant to be great. 

Some random Toyota museum exhibits:

 

[Schaefft]

14 minutes ago, fatharris said:

Oooh, please elaborate

Huge second hand electronics store, so potentially a gold mine for obscure Japanese tech, particularly gaming.

The same goes for car parts in the much more common Up Garage chain of stores. Even if you don't really need anything it's a little bit of paradise.

[Three Speed]

https://www.automotiveworld.jp/autumn/en-gb.html

This would be interesting to go to if you are in Tokyo in September. At the Makuhari exhibition centre.

Of course you should think about going up the Tokyo Tower. But make sure it’s a clear day.

Or go to an Onsen. Hot springs. https://hakone-japan.com/information/

If you do the baths there is an order in which you go round them. Dirty to clean. If you get in the clean one first and work backwards it gets very awkward. 

[chatsharris]

https://www.automotiveworld.jp/autumn/en-gb.html
This would be interesting to go to if you are in Tokyo in September. At the Makuhari exhibition centre.
Of course you should think about going up the Tokyo Tower. But make sure it’s a clear day.
Or go to an Onsen. Hot springs. https://hakone-japan.com/information/
If you do the baths there is an order in which you go round them. Dirty to clean. If you get in the clean one first and work backwards it gets very awkward. 

Also cover your tattoos, they get weird about them.

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[EspenO]

I went to Japan earlier this summer. Fantastic country, will visit again!

A lot of the good stuff has already been mentioned, I’ll second a visit to the Daikoku Parking Area on a weekend afternoon. Known hangout for car enthusiasts, some amazing cars there when I went. It’s on the motorway  with no public transport, so getting there by car is best (I used a minibus service found on Tripadvisor. I see they offer a stop at the Nismo hq now as well, it’s nearby).

Hard off stores are fun! If you like rc/model cars maybe visit the Tamiya Plamodel Store (there’s a smaller one across the road as well).

General tips; Could be (far) cheaper to get a pocket wifi or eSim for calls or 4g/5g. I used a pocket wifi from a company called Sakura Mobile, pre-ordered and picked up/dropped off at the airport.

Cash: I barely withdrew any, cards accepted pretty much anywhere (except at the temples in Nara). Get an IC card like Suica (physical, but you can download ito your iPhone wallet if you’re an Apple user) . Works like an Oyster card on trains, buses and subways, but also on drinks vending machines and in chain convenience stores. 

[angle]

But if you do need cash, some Japanese ATMs won't accept foreign cards - ones in 7-11s or post offices will though.