Mitaman
Loose Lips wroteJapan based OMJ brethren!! Any recommendations for UK websites where I can order my passes for the bullet train?? Just been ordered by the SP to check with you "...because despite the fact they are probably grooming you LL, those OMGayers seem to know what they are talking about."She's still not come round to OMJ at all really. Dunno why like...Cheers ;)
Give JTB Travel (Japanese Company) in London a call, they sorted one for my mother when she last came out
http://www.jtbuk.com/Cheers
smiley
Any OMJ-ers got any top tips for Hakuba? Flying into Haneda then getting the bus - will be there for the snow but no clue what else is there. As you all seem to recommend taking cash I'll be wedged up - if I get mugged we'll be totally fucked.
Mitaman
If you haven't been out here before, here are some touristy suggestions;1. Eat at Gonpachi in Nishi Azabu one night (very close to Roppongi)2. Have a few beers in Roppongi one night (plenty of foreign bars if you happen to want some English food at any stage)3. Go to Shibuya on a Saturday afternoon/ evening (see some bizarre shit)4. If you are so inclined, go to a love hotel with the Missus, couple of hours is about JPY4,500 (loads of them in Shibuya)5. Go to Harajuku on a Sunday and walk around Yoyogi Park (including the Meiji Shrine) (Some bizarre shit)6. Go to Yokohama, it is only 30 minutes by train from Tokyo (get off at Minato-Mirai station)7. Go to China town in Yokohama8. Have a day trip to Hakone, and do an Onsen etc (see Mount Fuji)9. Fish market is a must, get up at 5.00am, and you can get a cab if you are staying in central Tokyo (Do this early in your trip while you are awake at 4.00am with jet lag)10. Shopping in Ginza11. You must go to BIC Camera electrical store in Yurakucho, very close to Ginza12. Electric town (Akihabara) is a must. Try and go to a maid café while you are there (some bizarre shit)13. Go to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku (Bloke from Roundhay used to be GM there, not sure if he still there)where you have great views and where they filmed (lost in translation) Have a beer in the bar late afternoon before the sun sets and get an amazing view of Mount Fuji 14. Go to Shinjuku JR Station, 3.3 million people pass through every day. You can eat and drink very very cheaply if you go into the local Mom and Pop places (called an Izekaya). Don’t be scared if you don’t speak the language, you will have good fun and they will be very welcoming to you.Tokyo is almost 100% safe for foreigners, you can pretty much go anywhere day or night and be totally safe, and you will not get ripped off.If you are going skiing aswell, you will have plenty to do. You can go to Nagano is 2 hours on the bullet. Plenty of skiing there.
Djpekingman
[quote=Mitaman]If you haven't been out here before, here are some touristy suggestions;1. Eat at Gonpachi in Nishi Azabu one night (very close to Roppongi)2. Have a few beers in Roppongi one night (plenty of foreign bars if you happen to want some English food at any stage)3. Go to Shibuya on a Saturday afternoon/ evening ([b]see some bizarre shit)[/b]4. If you are so inclined, go to a love hotel with the Missus, couple of hours is about JPY4,500 (loads of them in Shibuya)5. Go to Harajuku on a Sunday and walk around Yoyogi Park (including the Meiji Shrine) ([b]Some bizarre shit)[/b]6. Go to Yokohama, it is only 30 minutes by train from Tokyo (get off at Minato-Mirai station)7. Go to China town in Yokohama8. Have a day trip to Hakone, and do an Onsen etc (see Mount Fuji)9. Fish market is a must, get up at 5.00am, and you can get a cab if you are staying in central Tokyo (Do this early in your trip while you are awake at 4.00am with jet lag)10. Shopping in Ginza11. You must go to BIC Camera electrical store in Yurakucho, very close to Ginza12. Electric town (Akihabara) is a must. Try and go to a maid café while you are there ([b]some bizarre shit[/b])13. Go to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku (Bloke from Roundhay used to be GM there, not sure if he still there)where you have great views and where they filmed (lost in translation) Have a beer in the bar late afternoon before the sun sets and get an amazing view of Mount Fuji 14. Go to Shinjuku JR Station, 3.3 million people pass through every day. You can eat and drink very very cheaply if you go into the local Mom and Pop places (called an Izekaya). Don’t be scared if you don’t speak the language, you will have good fun and they will be very welcoming to you.Tokyo is almost 100% safe for foreigners, you can pretty much go anywhere day or night and be totally safe, and you will not get ripped off.If you are going skiing aswell, you will have plenty to do. You can go to Nagano is 2 hours on the bullet. Plenty of skiing there.[/quote]Seems to be an awful lot of bizarre shit going off... :o
tongue_tied_danny
[quote=Djpekingman][quote=Mitaman]If you haven't been out here before, here are some touristy suggestions;1. Eat at Gonpachi in Nishi Azabu one night (very close to Roppongi)2. Have a few beers in Roppongi one night (plenty of foreign bars if you happen to want some English food at any stage)3. Go to Shibuya on a Saturday afternoon/ evening ([b]see some bizarre shit)[/b]4. If you are so inclined, go to a love hotel with the Missus, couple of hours is about JPY4,500 (loads of them in Shibuya)5. Go to Harajuku on a Sunday and walk around Yoyogi Park (including the Meiji Shrine) ([b]Some bizarre shit)[/b]6. Go to Yokohama, it is only 30 minutes by train from Tokyo (get off at Minato-Mirai station)7. Go to China town in Yokohama8. Have a day trip to Hakone, and do an Onsen etc (see Mount Fuji)9. Fish market is a must, get up at 5.00am, and you can get a cab if you are staying in central Tokyo (Do this early in your trip while you are awake at 4.00am with jet lag)10. Shopping in Ginza11. You must go to BIC Camera electrical store in Yurakucho, very close to Ginza12. Electric town (Akihabara) is a must. Try and go to a maid café while you are there ([b]some bizarre shit[/b])13. Go to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku (Bloke from Roundhay used to be GM there, not sure if he still there)where you have great views and where they filmed (lost in translation) Have a beer in the bar late afternoon before the sun sets and get an amazing view of Mount Fuji 14. Go to Shinjuku JR Station, 3.3 million people pass through every day. You can eat and drink very very cheaply if you go into the local Mom and Pop places (called an Izekaya). Don’t be scared if you don’t speak the language, you will have good fun and they will be very welcoming to you.Tokyo is almost 100% safe for foreigners, you can pretty much go anywhere day or night and be totally safe, and you will not get ripped off.If you are going skiing aswell, you will have plenty to do. You can go to Nagano is 2 hours on the bullet. Plenty of skiing there.[/quote]Seems to be an awful lot of bizarre shit going off... :o[/quote]I spent an afternoon in Akihabara and visited a cafe called Maidreaming. It was all pink and cutesy inside and the waitresses were wearing these OTT french maid outfits. If you pay extra you can get "cheki and dreamtime". Sounds good so I went for it. When my meal was ready, all these disco lights started flashing, one of the maids dragged me into the middle of the floor and I had to sit on a small stool. A karaoke machine was produced and the maids all started singing to me, my meal was then presented to me as if it was a birthday present. There was a group of American birds laughing their heads off, I just felt humiliated by this. I was talking to some jap birds in Harajuku later and they looked disgusted with me when I told them I'd been to a maid cafe. The whole thing was pretty bizarre and just a little creepy. Akihabara seems to have been set aside for geeks and perverts, there are computer shops, arcades, and porn shops galore. I also went to Kamakura, which is about and hour on the train from Tokyo. There's a large shinto shrine at one end of the town and a large buddha at the other. It's quite a pretty little place with traditional wooden buildings and cherry trees.
Mitaman
[quote=Djpekingman][quote=Mitaman]If you haven't been out here before, here are some touristy suggestions;1. Eat at Gonpachi in Nishi Azabu one night (very close to Roppongi)2. Have a few beers in Roppongi one night (plenty of foreign bars if you happen to want some English food at any stage)3. Go to Shibuya on a Saturday afternoon/ evening ([b]see some bizarre shit)[/b]4. If you are so inclined, go to a love hotel with the Missus, couple of hours is about JPY4,500 (loads of them in Shibuya)5. Go to Harajuku on a Sunday and walk around Yoyogi Park (including the Meiji Shrine) ([b]Some bizarre shit)[/b]6. Go to Yokohama, it is only 30 minutes by train from Tokyo (get off at Minato-Mirai station)7. Go to China town in Yokohama8. Have a day trip to Hakone, and do an Onsen etc (see Mount Fuji)9. Fish market is a must, get up at 5.00am, and you can get a cab if you are staying in central Tokyo (Do this early in your trip while you are awake at 4.00am with jet lag)10. Shopping in Ginza11. You must go to BIC Camera electrical store in Yurakucho, very close to Ginza12. Electric town (Akihabara) is a must. Try and go to a maid café while you are there ([b]some bizarre shit[/b])13. Go to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku (Bloke from Roundhay used to be GM there, not sure if he still there)where you have great views and where they filmed (lost in translation) Have a beer in the bar late afternoon before the sun sets and get an amazing view of Mount Fuji 14. Go to Shinjuku JR Station, 3.3 million people pass through every day. You can eat and drink very very cheaply if you go into the local Mom and Pop places (called an Izekaya). Don’t be scared if you don’t speak the language, you will have good fun and they will be very welcoming to you.Tokyo is almost 100% safe for foreigners, you can pretty much go anywhere day or night and be totally safe, and you will not get ripped off.If you are going skiing aswell, you will have plenty to do. You can go to Nagano is 2 hours on the bullet. Plenty of skiing there.[/quote]Seems to be an awful lot of bizarre shit going off... :o[/quote]Correct, there is.
Mitaman
[quote=smiley]Any OMJ-ers got any top tips for Hakuba? Flying into Haneda then getting the bus - will be there for the snow but no clue what else is there. As you all seem to recommend taking cash I'll be wedged up - if I get mugged we'll be totally fucked.[/quote]Skiing is Japan is very different from Europe/ the rest of the World. Unless you pick very specific resorts, there is little or no après ski environment. The Japanese tend to drink in their rooms, enjoy the Onsen and the hotel food and then collapse asleep at about 8.30pm. A few foreigners have tried to create a drinking/ après ski culture, Niseko being one such example, and as mentioned by KOS, Snowdek at Naeba. Hakuba is arguably the best skiing/ boarding in Japan because of the length/ variety of runs (also the Olympic host resort), it does not get the levels of powder that Niseko does, but it still gets far more snow than anywhere in Europe. Having skied extensively in Europe and North America, the snow is far superior in Japan than just about any other recognised resort I have been to. I met some Canadians last year who came from Whistler, just for the powder here.So in short, the runs are not as long or varied as Europe, the snow is a lot better and the après ski can be non-existent in most places. BUT, you will have a great time. Onsens after skiing are incredible, one of life’s truly great experiences. There are about 10 resorts from memory in Hakuba, give them all a go. Do try to visit Nozawa Onsen, beautiful village with steaming sulphur water coming from under the roads.
Djpekingman
[quote=tongue_tied_danny][quote=Djpekingman][quote=Mitaman]If you haven't been out here before, here are some touristy suggestions;1. Eat at Gonpachi in Nishi Azabu one night (very close to Roppongi)2. Have a few beers in Roppongi one night (plenty of foreign bars if you happen to want some English food at any stage)3. Go to Shibuya on a Saturday afternoon/ evening ([b]see some bizarre shit)[/b]4. If you are so inclined, go to a love hotel with the Missus, couple of hours is about JPY4,500 (loads of them in Shibuya)5. Go to Harajuku on a Sunday and walk around Yoyogi Park (including the Meiji Shrine) ([b]Some bizarre shit)[/b]6. Go to Yokohama, it is only 30 minutes by train from Tokyo (get off at Minato-Mirai station)7. Go to China town in Yokohama8. Have a day trip to Hakone, and do an Onsen etc (see Mount Fuji)9. Fish market is a must, get up at 5.00am, and you can get a cab if you are staying in central Tokyo (Do this early in your trip while you are awake at 4.00am with jet lag)10. Shopping in Ginza11. You must go to BIC Camera electrical store in Yurakucho, very close to Ginza12. Electric town (Akihabara) is a must. Try and go to a maid café while you are there ([b]some bizarre shit[/b])13. Go to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku (Bloke from Roundhay used to be GM there, not sure if he still there)where you have great views and where they filmed (lost in translation) Have a beer in the bar late afternoon before the sun sets and get an amazing view of Mount Fuji 14. Go to Shinjuku JR Station, 3.3 million people pass through every day. You can eat and drink very very cheaply if you go into the local Mom and Pop places (called an Izekaya). Don’t be scared if you don’t speak the language, you will have good fun and they will be very welcoming to you.Tokyo is almost 100% safe for foreigners, you can pretty much go anywhere day or night and be totally safe, and you will not get ripped off.If you are going skiing aswell, you will have plenty to do. You can go to Nagano is 2 hours on the bullet. Plenty of skiing there.[/quote]Seems to be an awful lot of bizarre shit going off... :o[/quote]I spent an afternoon in Akihabara and visited a cafe called Maidreaming. It was all pink and cutesy inside and the waitresses were wearing these OTT french maid outfits. If you pay extra you can get "cheki and dreamtime". Sounds good so I went for it. When my meal was ready, all these disco lights started flashing, one of the maids dragged me into the middle of the floor and I had to sit on a small stool. A karaoke machine was produced and the maids all started singing to me, my meal was then presented to me as if it was a birthday present. There was a group of American birds laughing their heads off, I just felt humiliated by this. I was talking to some jap birds in Harajuku later and they looked disgusted with me when I told them I'd been to a maid cafe. The whole thing was pretty bizarre and just a little creepy. Akihabara seems to have been set aside for geeks and perverts, there are computer shops, arcades, and porn shops galore. I also went to Kamakura, which is about and hour on the train from Tokyo. There's a large shinto shrine at one end of the town and a large buddha at the other. It's quite a pretty little place with traditional wooden buildings and cherry trees.[/quote]Sounds like a really bad acid trip....
Loose_Lips
Right. The moment is upon me. As long as we can get out of Manchester on time so we don't fuck our connecting flight in Amsterdam - KOTS - may be meeting you for a pint if that happens after all ;) then it's a merry oriental christmas to you all, OMJ.Missing four matches, two at home so any match reports will be gratefully received!
fulmine
Quiet Life's alright.
king_of_the_slums
Enjoy the no pants shabu shabu :D
CBIT
fulmine wroteQuiet Life's alright.
I second that emotion
gorefidel
CBDS wrotefulmine wroteQuiet Life's alright.
I second that emotion
Watch the nightporter
fulmine
gorefidel wroteCBDS wrotefulmine wroteQuiet Life's alright.
I second that emotion
Watch the nightporter
Gentlemen, take polaroids.(Lordy, Japan truly were fucking rotten)
Loose_Lips
Japan OMJ`ers?i need a really good japanese restaurant for tonight any thoughts? Any favourite places i need to try out? Cheers.
Mitaman
Start with Gonpachi at Nishi Azabu Crossing (you can walk down from roppongi Hills tower). It is not expensive, but lively and fun, your Missus will love it.If you want a really good one, and money is no issue, try `hishinuma` over the road from the hobgoblin in Roppongi. There is a cafe with an orange canape called `Cafe Va tout` in the same building.Get your card out, it ain`t cheap at night. He has 2 michelin stars (my next door neighbour)Right - I`m off in hunt of some stuffing, there must be one goddam shop in this town that sells it....
Loose_Lips
Mitaman wroteStart with Gonpachi at Nishi Azabu Crossing (you can walk down from roppongi Hills tower). It is not expensive, but lively and fun, your Missus will love it.If you want a really good one, and money is no issue, try `hishinuma` over the road from the hobgoblin in Roppongi. There is a cafe with an orange canape called `Cafe Va tout` in the same building.Get your card out, it ain`t cheap at night. He has 2 michelin stars (my next door neighbour)Right - I`m off in hunt of some stuffing, there must be one goddam shop in this town that sells it....
cheers mitaman.had gonpachi booked?anyway - took your advice and booked hishimuna for tonight.
king_of_the_slums
Loose_Lips
I'm back. So in no certain order here be the things I love about Japan...Shinkansen, Shibuya Crossing, Pinchenko, Sashimi, Yakitori - especially the belly pork, Asahi, Kirin, Suntory Malt Beer, Wagyu- yes, fuck me - lots of Wagyu, that Black Kobe stuff, the general fucked up wackyness of Harajuku, the cigar bar in the Grand Prince Takanawa, ace bars in Ebisu on the first night when it was all a bit too much, that drinking district in Hiroshima (with more Yakitori), The Screen hotel if you ever stay in Kyoto, more Wagyu, everyone looking sharp as fuck in Red Wings and Cabourne-esque duffle coats, electric town - that was bizarre, everyone in uniform - even the taxi drivers and the way they pop the left hand door for you to get in, that FM synth tune they play on the train when you arrive at a station on the bullet train, Hakubu and surviving three days skiing with my missus, playing the Ski Sunday theme tune to the aussies in the hotel on new years eve - odd looks for that one, onsen, onsen and shitloads more onsen - I could live in those hot baths and the Ryokan for the last two nights in Hakkone - cheers to KOTS for the tip - and the no pants shabu shabu (still a bit confused on that one) plus ta to Mitaman for the Hishinuma tip - glad I took me credit card :o :D.I'd go back tomorrow. Felt I've only seen a fraction of it.Horse meat sashimi - get on it. It's the new tuna.
DigitalBob
I'd give it a miss at the minute if I'm honest.