Tokyo Trip

Discussion in 'Whatever' started by CopASquatToys, Oct 23, 2018.

  1. CopASquatToys

    CopASquatToys Comment King

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    My wife and I are going to be in Tokyo Nov. 11-21. My wife and I have both been so busy this year with the new business we truly haven't had a ton of time to plan any "things to do" and now that it's right around the corner I'm somewhat freaking out that we don't have more of a plan. Hit me with some things that we shouldn't miss. It doesn't have to be toy related just want some open opinions on what we shouldn't leave without seeing. We're staying in Shibuya.
     
  2. Michael Beverage

    Michael Beverage Line of Credit

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  3. ---NT---

    ---NT--- Prototype

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    We didn't have much of a "plan" when we went to Japan, with a few exceptions (MARIKart - which I believe is no longer running, or is close to being shut down). Instead we just pinned everything we were interested in on a Google Map, and would just check out whatever we happened to be near. It's the first time we traveled with such an open itinerary and it worked out great.

    I also found Time Out to be a good resource for finding stuff - I pulled a lot of restaurant recommendations from here.
    https://www.timeout.com/tokyo
     
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  4. 3wing

    3wing Addicted

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    go to the imperial garden. Sushi by the subway.
    coco's curry. and find a puddin' doughnut.
     
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  5. TattooDougHardy

    TattooDougHardy Comment King

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    Carry handkerchiefs; lots of bathrooms don't have paper towels for drying your hands. Have a ziplock baggie on you for when you get a snack or drink while walking around so you can put your garbage into it as there are NO public waste bins to speak of; it makes it easier to dump it at your place later. Get a pocket wifi unit (I get mine from japanwifibuddy.com ) so you can use your smartphones on airplane mode and not rack up huge cell charges. Having a fast network so you can use google/apple maps makes things much easier.
     
  6. ---NT---

    ---NT--- Prototype

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    All of this is great advice. I always carry handkerchiefs with me anyways, but it definitely came in handy while in Japan.
    I was very surprised by the lack of garbage cans.
     
  7. andy

    andy Mini Boss

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    Subway/Metro/Train stations/Convenience stores are where us locals drop off small bits of day trash and recyclables. Sometimes you have to carry your trash around for a couple of hours before finding a spot. There is zero acceptance for litter in Japan, so even gum wrappers should be kept in your pocket until you can find a receptacle.

    Even the awful (and environmentally destructive) habit of tossing used cigarette butts onto the ground is frowned on, so many people either carry a little container for such things or hang out in a designated smoking area where there are trays.

    The good news is (perhaps in part to gear up for the Olympics) Japan is finally tackling public smoking, which is now illegal on many public walkways. There are signs everywhere in Tokyo, but I've never seen a fine enforced. Anyway, anyone who traveled in Japan 10 years ago knows how bad it was. The dark days are over, and a strong anti-smoking culture has emerged in the last few years.
     
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  8. mondocoyote

    mondocoyote Comment King

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    Are you doing Design Festa? It's on the 11th/ 12th. Usually a bunch of toy makers on the Saturday at least.
     
  9. andy

    andy Mini Boss

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    I'm not attending, but it's a fun event for those who haven't been.
     
  10. CopASquatToys

    CopASquatToys Comment King

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    I won't be attending either, I'll actually be in Beijing on the 11th. We won't be in Tokyo until sometime on the 12th.
     
  11. JoeMan

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    Another fun quick stop I don't think has been mentioned on the board before is the Japanese Sword Museum. Believe it's in or near Shinjuku, if I recall correctly. Still stands out from my trip, more so than any of the toy stops.
     
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  12. TattooDougHardy

    TattooDougHardy Comment King

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    ...until you go into a restaurant and somebody is smoking right next to you at the sushi bar. Ugh.
     
  13. xSuicide Squadx

    xSuicide Squadx Super Deformed

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    If you happen to stumble upon, or be so inclined as to search for, Streamer Coffee Company, definitely stop in. Amazing cold brew.

    Kind of jumpin’ on the back of the handkerchief suggestion, buy paper soap as well. A lot of public restrooms also didn’t have soap dispensers, but a lot also do.

    Uoebi Sushi in Shibuya was a really awesome, simple, fun and cheap sushi joint.
     
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  14. andy

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    Yep there are still spots where you're going to get hit, but the number is shrinking. Kind of hard to imagine Tokyo doing a city wide smoking ban in all public places, but who knows down the line. Anyway ,the city is a lot better than it used to be, and we can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
     
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  15. IronPaw

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    Check out Team Lab Borderless or Team Lab Planets. I did Borderless and it was amazing. Hard to describe what it’s all about, checking it out online would explain it better. But I was in awe most of the time plus felt calm and serene. Definitely get your tickets beforehand online, they were sold out when we arrived around 11 am. I recommend going as soon as they open, there was a long line but it moved quick, tons of people inside. We spent about 3 hours in there and that wasn’t long enough for me. If your as huge as I am, 6’5” 220 lbs, dress light, I couldn’t stop sweating inside. Only thing that irks me being in Tokyo, everyone has a jacket on. As soon as I wear one of my favorite long sleeve tee or light sweater, it’s drenched.
     
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  16. CopASquatToys

    CopASquatToys Comment King

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    :shock: This is going on the list for sure, it looks amazing!!!
     
  17. Mark K

    Mark K Addicted

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    If you get to Shinjuku check out the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. It has a great observation deck and is free and open late. Wonderful views after dark. There is also a shop that has lots of the latest toys and bunches of Bandai Ultraman and Godzilla series vinyls. Be sure to check out Yodobashi Camera. You can find almost all the souvenirs you've seen during your visit there at way better prices including complete boxed sets of most gachapon series. Have fun!
     
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  18. ---NT---

    ---NT--- Prototype

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    This reminded me of stumbling upon Reiyukai Shakaden Temple. I had no idea what it was when we happened upon it, but it's a very impressive building - very Blade Runner - and near Tokyo Tower if you happen to be in the area.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2018
  19. IronPaw

    IronPaw Side Dealer

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    Just got out of this tattoo friendly onsen,


    https://soranews24.com/2016/07/19/g...ce-a-japanese-hot-spring-its-no-problem-here/


    Amazing, there were some other locals with tattoos as well. I got some glances but not much and I was the youngest there by at least 30 years. Was not able to see Mt. Fuji, but when the weather is right you are supposed to be able to.

    The link is for a website that covers cool stuff in Japan other nationalities would find interesting. Link to the actual website is near the bottom. You’d have to double check but they are closed around some holidays and specific Mondays of the month.
     
  20. CopASquatToys

    CopASquatToys Comment King

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    Awesome, thanks for the info. My wife had mentioned visiting an onsen but I know there are some issues with tattoos and as we have a lot I was a little concerned.

    We leave Saturday and have a crazy layover in Beijing then off to Tokyo. Absolutely can’t wait!!!
     
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  21. TattooDougHardy

    TattooDougHardy Comment King

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    Woah I am seriously bookmarking that spot for a future trip. Thanks for pointing it out!
     
  22. ---NT---

    ---NT--- Prototype

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    If anyone is looking for a ryokan / onsen that's accepting of tattoos, we went to Takaragawa Onsen and loved it. The rooms and food were just okay, but the setting was out of this world amazing! It's a bit of a trip from Tokyo (hour by train + hour by shuttle), but well worth it. We were there on a beautiful sunny fall day, but I'd also love to go there when there's snow.

    https://selected-ryokan.com/ryokan/takaragawa-onsen-osenkaku_minakami_gunma_tokyo-suburbs.html

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

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