Thanks for all the comments everyone! much appriciated! Love toxic phantoms trip outline! You should be running tour guides by the sound of it!
Tokyu Hands. Edit: Whoops...ya already been corrected. Oh, and while I agree try specialties in certain areas (ie. tempura or tendon in Asakusa), some of the funnest bits are trying fast foods you can't get other places. Lotteria is terrible, though.
It's weird eating fast food in Japan... the food actually ends up looking the way they do in pictures - unlike the slapped together messes we get here.
The book just arrived- it looks awesome, really helpful stuff, Im getting really excited looking at the photos, it looks crazy! Also has anyone been to Hong Kong? I will be over there for a little while also- anything worth recommending there?
Ah, I'm no food snob! I've puked up enough local cuisine from all over the world that I'm the last person to blather on about how you should eat authentic, regional, etc. Really, who gives a shit?! Not sure why, but the every McD's, Wendy's, and such in Tokyo has always made me sick. I do make an exception for the Egg McMuffins at a specific McDs in Shibuya which are sublime. Hot. Fresh. Yum As for the Japanese burgers- all the ones I've had seem to have a meatloaf sorta texture to them. Kinda squishy and wet. Eww Oh and Shakey's Pizza? Some of the worst food ever! When it's super hot, I'm starving and I don't want to spend a lot of money, I pretty much stick to the various rice balls and salads from Excelsior, Sunkus(sp) and AM/PM. And sushi. The underground grocery store tip is a good one- also, the sushi sellers put the remaining stuff on sale when they're ready to close, so that's another way to have a nice meal and save a little $$$. As for why the fuck would I want to go to Shibuya? Huh? Mandarake Project 1/6 Tokyu Hands Tower (the upstairs Import book section is amazing) HMV (depending on new releases) Don Quixote Parco and a bunch of others. And, you can easily walk over to Harajuku.
I second the rec for Shimokitazawa. One of the coolest areas to walk around, even if you don't buy anything.
The new Mandarake in Akihabara just opened a couple of months ago, and the vinyl section (particularly "core" kaiju stuff like Godzilla/Gamera) is solid. Prices are a little higher than Shibuya, though. Shibuya Mandarake is still definitely the best place to hit for vinyl, even though it's hit-or-miss depending on the day. Definitely seconding the Ichibanboshi mention, that's a must-see. The toy store Hillsy (I think) mentioned in Ueno is Yamashiroya, and it's awesome for buying semi-cheap, weird stuff for souvenirs (blind box figures of girls butts (just the butts, nothing from the knees down or the bellybutton up), stickers based on old comics, weird keychains, etc). There's also a life-size whale statue in Ueno, but the spider-thing at Roppongi Hills easily beats it. And to answer the question about what they normally sell at the RxH shop, from my very limited experience it's usually figures that came out in larger runs and are still hanging around. When I was up there they had some Bero-Beros, Shinto-sans, and Jinjas. But it's MORE than worth the trip just to talk to Mori!
Has a cool little toyshop there too. Predominantly vintage toys, but with lots of records, film posters etc. It's called Om Rice. I don't know if it's in the S7 Tokyo guide? Doesnt have a webpage.
Yeah it would be silly not to visit while im out there- who knows I might get lucky and go on a day when there is a big release dropping! Where abouts is it? does anyone have the address written in English? Im not too worried about the food- I reckon growing up eating South London Donor kebabs has giving me an Iron Stomach- I may be wrong though.... Im just excited about hitting a McDonalds and getting somthing that looks like it does in the pics!
Also- looking through the Tokyo underground book, which places have moved or closed down, just so I can avoid a wasted trip to there.
Yo guys! Just in a beautiful log cabin in Siberia at the moment, great stuff after 4 days on a train! Getting closer to Japan- cant wait! Seems I missed a lot of serious drops on here though! oh well you cant have it all!
Samba - if you are here over the 19-21 3-day weekend, you should definitely plan to hit World Character Convention and the Star Wars celebration.
Yep, and if you see me there, give me a holler. I'll be at SWJ on the 19th and WCC on the 20th - crazy event weekend!
Hey guys- Thanks that would be awesome! Errr- the dates you mention though- is that this coming weekend? I am not in Tokyo until August. The dates I am in Tokyo are 14th - 20th of august, im hoping there is a fest or con then! I know part of it does fall on a weekend so maybe were in luck? Cant wait! My internet connection may be a bit patchy though from now on- I am gonna be in Beijing from friday and from what I understand they are quite strict on internet censorship and what not, so Skullbrain may be a no go- The great Firewall of China and all that! If not ill be sure to check back as soon as I can- and im not in China until the end of the week though anyways.
Ultraman Festival in Ikebukuro, usually fun. 2 years ago ruled (40th anniversary and all), last year wasn't too bad - lots of Ultraseven. Not sure what this year is going to be like. Thats about it while you're here. Wonderfestival is the 3rd. But there is always plenty to do - tons of stores too hit!
Hellz yeah- tell me about it, I have read the Tokyo underground guide cover to cover now and am hyped! Cant wait, im gonna hit them all! Could go to the Ultraman fest but maybe my time would be better spent shopping! there seems to be a lot to get through! P.S- and save me one of those mini sets and T-Shirt!
I am in Tokyo now working on the next version of the book. A few notes for you: Gargamel Thrashout shop is still open, but just for toy releases which usually happen on the weekends, The person who oversaw the shop section had to return home to help his ailing father, so they have no one to run the shop now. Forest Gangu in sugamo is closed. you can still find them on yahoo auctions. Secret Base has moved just next door and upstairs from Bounty Hunter. Pook et Koop has been torn down. Hobbit Shinjuku is supposedly gone, but I have not confirmed this. Akihabara mandarake has moved. I am going to get the new location today probably. RealXHead shop is now open. thanks to everyone for keeping updates on the thread. If you have anything else, please post it! -brian
