Japan bound.

[Rakesh]

Finally!
Because of a series of unexpected events (my bro getting married and whatnot) I'm finally going to be able to go to Japan, a dream I've been having since I was 8 waay back in the day.

And I need your help people.

I'm gonna be arriving at Osaka and making my way to Hachinoe for the wedding, visiting in the way (hopefully) Kyoto , Nara, Kamakura and Tokyo. And I have a couple of questions I love to run through you guys.


First, since I'm an iaido practitioner I was thinking of getting a katana to bring back with me, will that be A-ok with the airport controls or are they gonna shove a gloved hand up my bum?

Also, I've heard mount Fuji is not that long of a climb and the sunrise views are breathtaking, considering I'll be climbing (or walking, for what I've seen) in early november is it a good idea oram I gonna freeze myself to death? If it is a good idea, what's the best time to set up from tokio to do the night climb?

Since I'm gonna be around Hachinoe, I figured I might just go and visit mount Osore, since you don't get many chances to say "well, yesterday as a was walking through the mountain of dread" unless you're an evil overlord, wich I'm not, I do have a snake, but no white cats or underground bases, unfortunately. Anyhow, I've heard the temple stays open till the 31th of october, I'm arriving on the 30th and I've seen some of the lodgings about are shukubo, wich as far as I could make out are temples, if I'm not mistaken. Is there any kind of protocol I should know about?


And that's the first part of the trip, right up to the wedding of my bro.

Now comes the part I'm looking forward to. After the wedding the whole party is leaving and I'm staying one more week around Japan all alone.

And I sure wanna make those seven days count.

So, what do you people suggest considering I'm leaving from Osaka?
Aso, I'm gonna try and stay in Tokio at least 2 or 3 of those days, and I'm a little bit of a party animal, where's the Tokio nightlife? Oh, and is it leagel or illegal to drink in the streets?

I've also heard in some of the more traditional parts of japan they're weary of foreingers, and I think I'm a dead giveaway there (black, 190cm). I've heard for example that foreingers are not allowed in some onsens and hostels and whatnot, is there any sort of sign I should look for or any place I should steer clear to avoid uncorfortable situations?



And well, as you can see I'm REALLY looking forward to this trip and I'm plaged with questions,sorry for the long rant and thank you in advance.

p.d. By the way, I've heard there's a Miyazaki museum somewhere, where is it? There's NO WAY in hell I'm leaving japan without hugging a giant Totoro.

 

[nice gaijin]

First of all, congratulations to your brother on his marriage. As for your questions...

Katana and other weapons should be alright in your check-in luggage, but you should check the specific rules of the airlines and customs you'll be going through; you'll probably have to make some sort of special declaration, and if your sword won't fit into your bag, you'll have to package it seperately as oversized luggage.

Mt Fuji is an 8-hour grueling walk, as I'd like to describe it. It's not exactly mountain climbing, but it's definitely challenging, cold and the ground can be hard to clamber over. I'm not sure if the mountain is open in november, but it will surely be too cold to climb by then. As I heard it put, anyone who climbs Fuji after October is either a professional or a fool.

Tokyo is full of night life, and there are many areas with bars and night clubs. There are far better resources than I (I'm not much of a party animal), so I'll just leave it at that.

I wouldn't worry about discrimination too much. If you don't speak Japanese, that will be a larger barrier than the color of your skin.

The Ghibli museum is located near Inokashira park in Mitaka, Tokyo. Just do a google search for more info (on everything, for that matter)

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[Rakesh]

Ok, thanks for the info!

As for the mount fuji, I've done some rock climbing and quite a bit of treks and hikes (although it's been a while and I'm a little out of shape), but I'm quite familiar with unfriendly paths. The question is, are they as unfriendly to the point of needing to bring any gear? Or will a walking cane do the trick? Also, how cold does it get up there?

 

[Uchite]

I have never been to Osaka other than stopping there on the Shinkansen, so I can't tell you much about it.

There is so much to do in Japan, that there is no way you can do it all in one trip. Plan on making a few trips.

I would not try to climb Mount Fuji. That is for professionals and people who have much mountain climbing experience. Maybe another time.

I think you will be okay. Just remember you are in Japan and do things they way they do and you should be fine.


Have fun!

 

[bakaKanadajin]

Hello,

Congratulations on being able to visit Japan and do something you've been wanting to do since you were 8 years old. Definitely a very exciting thing!

I can help answer a couple of your questions.

As far as bringing a sword back with you, I was under the impression it wasn't a problem because many souvenir shops have signs that say 'OK to take home' and 'Ok at airport', etc. However the webpages below beg to differ:

【老品牌】信誉平台
http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-221.html

It appears that it depends on what kind of sword you're buying. There are different kinds, levels of authenticty, etc. Some require paperwork, some don't. I'd probably figure out what kind of sword is most easily transported and then make sure you buy one of those.

As for climbing Mt. Fuji, I have to disagree with the above poster about it being for professionals only. Many people, Japanese and foreign, young and old, make the trip every day. I went with 5 friends in August which is perfect climbing weather. If you're going later in the year it may be impassible due to snow and ice; the above poster may be referring to that. I know that past a certain time of year the guided tours and 'tourist' element dies off and hardcore climbers are left on their own. That's all I know off the top of my head, you'll have to research it more. But if the weather is fine, the trip is definitely worth it, it took my friends and I six hours and the sunrise was WELL worth the trip. Bring food, water and layers of clothing, it's cold at the top and you grow hungry quickly. To get there take the bus from Shinjuku station, it takes about 1.5hrs and puts you at the 5th station where the climb begins. Cost is 2000en round trip I believe. The bus loads on the street near a large camera store, so you'll have to exit the station and look for the ticket office. But its quite a famous attraction so you won't have much trouble finding it.

Regarding your extra sight-seeing days, I always recommend Kobe to those who are near the Osaka area. I personally found Kobe to be a very nice portside area. The earthquake museum is a definite must-see, a lot of hard work and effort went into creating an information center for one of Japan's worst earthquakes ever. You can get there by bus from Sannomiya station, Kobe's main station, which is a 40min train ride from Osaka. The city itself, having been largely rebuilt in the last decade and a half, is quite modern looking (in my humble opinion) but has a nice mix of tradition and tourist interests. I recommend a boat cruise around the harbour area if you like to see big ships up close.

In Osaka, there is also an aquarium and of course Universal Studios Japan if you're into that. That's something I'd recommend doing only if you've got money and time to burn, the aquarium however I highly recommend. I always forget the name of the station, but I believe it's at Osakasa station or something to that effect. Also in Osaka, check out the Namba area. Lots of interesting restaurants and shops there, quite a lively strip with lots to see and do. The eye candy is especially good in the evenings when everything is lit up.

The Miyazaki museum is, if I remember correctly, in the Kichijoji area which is at the end of the Keio/Inokashira line. That line connects Shibuya and Kichijoji, passing through Shimokitazwa/Odakyu line, in Tokyo. If you're spending time in Tokyo I recommend stopping at Shimokitazawa and checking out the area, it may be gone in the next few years due to redevelopment and there is a plethora of interesting shops and restaurants there.

Re: the museum, there's a way to get there from Shinjku too but I always went the Keio route. That's kind of the long way though. You have to walk through a large park to get there. Here's an article I found on it, the routes they recommend are probably better if you're not feeling adventurous with directions:

Japan

As it states, you cannot just go there the day-of, you must buy your tickets in advance from a Lawson's convenience stores. Many event and show ticket purchases are dealt with through convenience store kiosks in Japan. Therefore, unless you're able to secure tickets before arriving, your time frame may not alllow you to reserve tickets if its busy. I know mine and my gf's at the time took a couple of weeks.

Regarding your concerns of 'ethnicity' in Japan, in general I do not think any of the places you've mentioned will give you trouble. In more traditional areas especially, the rural lifestyle and surroundings lend themselves to less foreign visitors and some residents prefer to keep it that way. There are many differeing opinions on this forum as to just how discriminatory or not discriminatory Japan really is towards gaijin, but overall your standard tourist route shouldn't pose any issues. Carry a phrase book, make an honest attempt to be humble and low-profile (as is the Japanese way), and you'll fit in well. Keep in mind that foreigners get a rough ride in any country and try not to let anything spoil your trip if it does happen. That was my key to enjoying myself there.

Tokyo nightlife.. there are lots of clubs in Shibuya but many of them require I.D., and you won't have an alien registration card so you may not get in. I had trouble getting in without mine. (I forgot my wallet one night, I had some ID but it wasn't Japanese). If you want night life I'd head to Roppongi, this is an area with tons of foreigners and so the industry is fairly foreigner-friendly. The flipside of that is that it's not very 'traditional' and there are less Japanese people in the club! But entry will be easier. Drinking in the streets is somewhat acceptible. You won't be hassled by the police but out of courtesy I believe the Japanese prefer that you brownbag anything stronger than a normal can of beer.

Sorry, don't know anything about that mountain you mentioned I have never had the experience. Maybe someone else can chime in there.

Hope that helps, please check out Jref's resources if you haven't already. (top of the page, click 'Practical', 'Society', 'Culture', etc..)

 

[kenasto]

bakaKanadajin, your post about Mt. Fuji is somewhat ambigous. Please let me point out that depending on the time of the year and the actual weather, climbing Mt. Fuji can indeed be extremely dangerous. Even experienced alpinists die there every year. In November there are still a few busses but just to see the 5th station, not the regular tour busses for the summit climb. Their arrival and departure times make it impossible to climb Mt. Fuji with a typical schedule. All huts are closed, there is no shelter to warm up or anything. Most likely the top of the mountain will be covered by snow and ice in November.

 

[Glenski]

Climbing Fuji: The Weather and Climate in Japan
Official season runs to mid-September, but if you want to pay $300 you can go on a 2-day camping tour as late as 30 November. Go by yourself, and I'd say it's too late in the year right now, as off-season periods are discouraged due to climate.

As for bringing home any sword, contact your airline for their specific regulations. You will likely not be able to bring it into the cabin. Look here for more advice.
Help! Can this be checked on airplane? - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

 

[Rakesh]

Make that the 29th of october - 5th of november more or less. I've been cheking and I've gotten some pretty ambiguous results on the huts (some say they're still open, some say they're firmly shut)

But anyways, thanks a lot for all the info pals!

Mooore, tell me mooore!
For instance, any good pubs I should check out considering I like almost all musical styles and I'll love to see both sides of the coin? (The most traditional part in the temples and whatnot and the most up-to-date nightlife)

The drinking in the streets it's because at least around these parts in Spain, it's pretty common for friends to gather and do "Botellón", wich is mainly getting tanked on different booth and then go clubbing.

I know it's been branded illegal here and in some parts of europe, I was wondering if I might import such costume to Japan with all it's tradition and drinking games and songs beore it dissapears.

You've convince me about kobe by the way, bakanadajin, I'll give that one a try.
I just hope my bro stays in Japan, pretty nifty excuse to vist over at least once a year, innit?

 

[kenasto]

>I've been cheking and I've gotten some pretty ambiguous results on the huts

The huts at the 5th station are open (during regular business hours), all huts above that are closed.

 

[nice gaijin]

that late in the year, I would strongly advise against trying to climb fuji. I went within the first week or two of it being opened in mid-july, and it was still very cold. without the huts around the 7th and 8th station, I would have froze. There's plenty to do without climbing Fuji, don't try to shoehorn it in.

 

[Shibuyaexpat]

Ditto what nice gaijin writes about Mt. Fuji that late in the year. I did the climb in mid August and near the top, it was FREEZING!!! Additionally, keep in mind that you're basically climbing a volcano and the vegetation (or the lack thereof) plus the random garbage strewn about the hillside make the climb very dreary and in some spots downright depressing.

For traditional, you can't go wrong with Kyoto. Visit any online site and they have volumes written on this subject.

As for modern clubbing, I lived in Tokyo (Shibuya) and there are many there, but two that stood out for me was Vanilla (in Roppongi) and Ageha (in Shinkiba). I don't know if you read Japanese, but this site was my weekly planner for clubs: http://www.cyberjapan.tv/clubguide

 

[nice gaijin]

Vanilla was shut down earlier this year. I believe Ageha is still in business, though it's a bit out of the way.

 

[Shibuyaexpat]

Vanilla was shut down earlier this year. I believe Ageha is still in business, though it's a bit out of the way.

WHAT??!!! I really liked that place. So sad...
100% agree on Ageha's distance from the city center, but there's a free shuttle bus that went there from Shibuya.

 

[bakaKanadajin]

WHAT??!!! I really liked that place. So sad...
100% agree on Ageha's distance from the city center, but there's a free shuttle bus that went there from Shibuya.

Yea me too, sad to know I'll never get a chance to go back. That was one of the less shady clubs in the area, whenever I went there the crowd was much more Japanese and the people seemed friendlier than places like Lexington Queen or Gas Panic or something.

 

[Chris K]

As for modern clubbing, I lived in Tokyo (Shibuya) and there are many there, but two that stood out for me was Vanilla (in Roppongi) and Ageha (in Shinkiba). I don't know if you read Japanese, but this site was my weekly planner for clubs: http://www.cyberjapan.tv/clubguide

I swear that site used to be in english. Shame really that was a really good site, seemed to be written by clubbers and not desperately clueless travel journos

 

[James Knott]

Go to Okinawa

I was there for a month and had a great time. There is a lot of cool places to go out around Kokusai-Dori in Naha.

I'm making some videos about Okinawa from all the footage I shot while I was there. You should check them out (although I'm not to the part of the videos that cover Naha)

agilehDOTcomSLASHokinawaDOThtml (you can find the link in my profile)