EPTAny suggestions for hostels or guest share housing? Budget is going to be limited. I'll try to keep this updated as the time goes on and the date nears.
Cheers and thanks!
Japan Vacation
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
Any suggestions for hostels or guest share housing? Budget is going to be limited. I'll try to keep this updated as the time goes on and the date nears. Cheers and thanks! | ||
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hellokitty[hk]
United States1309 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
Since I study architecture, I want to try to visit firms. Tokyo Sky Tree and the site of the 2020 Olympics are a must for me. | ||
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coverpunch
United States2093 Posts
The Akasaka area is also pretty cool to see office buildings and Japanese government buildings (which are uninspired and boring, if we're honest). There are a few of the emperor's palaces around there as well. Depending on your interest in eating, Tsukiji is cool to see sushi in action and a Japanese street market. Japan in general is really cool because it is very rangy - you can eat 100 yen rice balls or corn dogs from convenience stores or you can pay the moon at Michelin-starred restaurants and it's all really good. You might also check out rice cookers for a similar ranginess - you can buy a cheapo one for 1000 yen or you can see the ones they're selling for outrageous prices, made by people who have thought more about how to boil grains in water than you could ever imagine. Japan is lifting the law against late night dancing so you might want to check that out, as it will still be relatively new and probably quite popular. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
On June 01 2016 22:24 coverpunch wrote: If you like architecture, you might also want to check out Tokyo Station and Nihonbashi. Tokyo Station is the beating heart of the Japanese rail system. Every major train line in Japan goes through there. Nihonbashi has special significance in Japanese history as a mercantile center, which is reflected in Mitsukoshi as a huge shopping mall and the Bank of Japan is nearby. Those are all pretty good examples of Japan's unique position as adopting lots of Western ideas but maintaining the Japanese soul. The Akasaka area is also pretty cool to see office buildings and Japanese government buildings (which are uninspired and boring, if we're honest). There are a few of the emperor's palaces around there as well. Depending on your interest in eating, Tsukiji is cool to see sushi in action and a Japanese street market. Japan in general is really cool because it is very rangy - you can eat 100 yen rice balls or corn dogs from convenience stores or you can pay the moon at Michelin-starred restaurants and it's all really good. You might also check out rice cookers for a similar ranginess - you can buy a cheapo one for 1000 yen or you can see the ones they're selling for outrageous prices, made by people who have thought more about how to boil grains in water than you could ever imagine. Japan is lifting the law against late night dancing so you might want to check that out, as it will still be relatively new and probably quite popular. When I visited Osaka in 2012, they had late night dancing. I remember dancing until 7am on a Sunday. They also had it in Okinawa where the clubs closed at 2am and the bars stayed open until 7am. I loved it. I'll definitely reference this thread when I finally make my trip. Architecture can be very boring, but there's that one little detail that just blows you away. I hope to see that. I'm also really into the art of Japanese joinery, so I want to see some while I'm there if possible. I can only imagine the thought that goes into boiling grains. They've perfected cooking rice and which grains are the right ones for every meal. Blows my mind at the immense variety of what you can buy if you go to the Japanese market here in San Diego. Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna go all touristy and be in awe of everything all over again. | ||
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parkufarku
882 Posts
has english version also. will save your ass for japanese metro. use this to get around everyone in japan. you'll thank me for this. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
On June 02 2016 13:34 parkufarku wrote: www.hyperdia.com has english version also. will save your ass for japanese metro. use this to get around everyone in japan. you'll thank me for this. Bookmarked. Thanks a ton! Checking it now to see how much it'll cost. I'm sure the cost will fluctuate in the next few months. But this will be very useful. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
So I've been talking with my Japanese classmate and good friend and he's been recommending some things to me. I'm onyl staying 2 weeks so I can't do Sakura House (sakura-house.com. I found this one instead: Hostel World. Has anyone used something similar and have suggestions for rates and when to book? September is that kind of perfect storm time to take a vacation. We've also established that seeing the CyberJapan Dancers is also on the docket when I visit. And to make it to Yokohama for late night partying. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
www.hostelworld.com Would it be better to stay at a hostel in another city other than Tokyo if the price is better or would the cost of taking the metro make it counter? I'll be out most of the day and only need to store my luggage. I doubt I sleep much the first 4 nights, if at all. Still can't believe I got a ticket round trip for $575. That's an incredible deal if I may say so. Might have to go again in winter or for spring break! | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
Trains are freaking awesome here and the city is super safe. So you can book in the outer areas and it won't be dangerous. The problem is that trains stop at 12am and if you miss it... You better and up sleeping in the street that paying for a taxi 😆. If you plan on going out until late I suggest booking near the Yamanote line (green) or Sobu line (yellow). Those work until 12.30 ~ 1.00ish. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
On August 07 2016 02:04 Silvana wrote: Hi! I'm in Tokyo right now. I arrived a week ago and didn't really do an extensive search, but one thing I learned is that the sooner you book the better. Prices will only go up for any date as it gets closer, not because they rise it but because the cheapest options get booked and you end up left with the mid or high range options. Trains are freaking awesome here and the city is super safe. So you can book in the outer areas and it won't be dangerous. The problem is that trains stop at 12am and if you miss it... You better and up sleeping in the street that paying for a taxi 😆. If you plan on going out until late I suggest booking near the Yamanote line (green) or Sobu line (yellow). Those work until 12.30 ~ 1.00ish. Thanks Silvana, I was debating on if I should. I'll see what those sites I mentioned above have. I really just don't want to spend $600 for 2 weeks when it'll be primarily luggage storage. | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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Silvana
3713 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
EDIT: Just looked it up. Damn. That is way too expensive. I'd rather walk everywhere than drop $500 USD for a 14 day vacation just for transportation. | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
Keep in mind the most cheap fare for train/subway is 170 yen (~1.7 USD). It adds up very quickly. Tokyo is huge and not centralized, I mean you won't take a single train ride to one location and walk from there to all other places. But if you don't plan on going to other cities, it's not worth it at all. Speaking about transportation, you beter get the subway/trains prepaid card. It won't save you money but it will save you lots of time that otherwise you'd spend using the ticket machine and figuring out the right fare for every trip. Finally, it's good that you are willing to walk a lot. I think the best way to experience Tokyo is exploring the small streets, improvising routes and ultimately getting lost here  | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
I'm not leaving Tokyo since I only have 2 weeks. It would be better getting to understand that city and when I return, see everything else. I won't go past Fuji, so the JRP won't serve me at all. I'll look into the subway/train pass. I'm on a $1000 budget, so everything has to be budgeted. Except food. I love Japanese cuisine. | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
I also had a friend of a friend help me prepare and he broke it down for me. It was impressive how he had it all laid out. So with everyone's advice here and his thorough instructions, I think I'll survive these 2 weeks on a shoestring budget and still be able to make some memorable moments happen. ^_^ | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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Silvana
3713 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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Silvana
3713 Posts
So far I'm loving this place so much... So glad I made the decision to come here. I'm amazed with everything, like a kid in Disney World ^.^ | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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parkufarku
882 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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parkufarku
882 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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Silvana
3713 Posts
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Cauld
United States350 Posts
Nice pictures Silvana I think the best pictures are quirkyy things that ppl find interesting, not the same landmarks over and over again. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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Silvana
3713 Posts
On August 11 2016 09:31 Cauld wrote: Hope you're OK Zerocool, and hope you can still go to Japan. Nice pictures Silvana I think the best pictures are quirkyy things that ppl find interesting, not the same landmarks over and over again. Exactly! After all, I have the precious views in my head. As for my friends... They can just google "tokyo landscapes" and will find better quality photos than mine ^.^ That being said, I'd still love to take a photography course. One day... | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
Yeah, you can Google everything and see the pictures, but you don't want to have to do that every time there's a story be told with the picture. That's why I'm taking photos regardless of the professional quality. Besides, as time passes and I look back on old photos, I can vividly remember what was going on at that moment. Memories fail. I don't want that to happen. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
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Silvana
3713 Posts
I've read it's hard to find a place. Remember, few people here speak English. But give it a try! Maybe you get lucky | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
How were the people you met? Were they all foreign or were there students out and about as well? | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
I don't wanna be a downer but imo making Japanese friends will be very difficult. Or Asian friends in general. Which sucks because 95% of the people in hostels are Asian. I hope I'm wrong tho and you have an easier time than me...So don't be an idiot like me and be brave and talk to people to increase your chances!!! :D | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
From what I've seen in Okinawa and Osaka (to a lesser extent) is that they are docile and not out going unless you're with a Japanese person, go to a club/bar, or are looking really lost. They are completely immersed in American culture, but they still don't have that outgoing attitude that a majority I think have. I'll see when I get there. It'll be school time and probably won't have the same luxury of meeting people if I went during the summer or something. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
I found someone who is willing to let me couchsurf for a week possibly. That saves me a ton of money on hostel fees. I literally cannot wait to go. I'm sitting in the room designing furniture and stuff trying to keep myself busy and the excitement down. When I get back I'm gonna have a ton of work waiting for me but I don't care. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8986 Posts
I am alive and well in Tokyo! I got in on Friday and have been walking and wandering about ever since. Stayed in a hostel for a few nights to recover from the heat and the walking. I've put in about 15 miles a day so far. Maybe more. The first night I went to Shibuya and had a couple drinks and met some good people. I stayed out all night and then I happened upon some more random people and we had a good time walking up and down Shinjuku, Harajuku, and other places. Japan has a lot of really friendly people. I saw some architecture by some really famous architects and some obscure buildings as well. Omotesando was a nice place (a little expensive for me, but it was nicely laid out). I've visited a couple of the major temples here. Went to Tokyo Sky Tree but didn't go up to the observation deck. I don't know if I want to be that high lol. Maybe on my last day I'll go up there. It's really awesome. I got some good pictures from the ground when the clouds and rain hit. The tower was lit up and looked pretty amazing. I can't wait to get back and start designing again. I wanted to see if it was possible to talk with some firms here while I was wandering around, but of course confidentiality won't allow them to. I'll just have to apply to work for them next summer. If I can get a job here for a bit, that would be the best. I have so many designs I want to build. Plus, when I get back, I got permission to use all of the glass and metal scraps I can handle. So it's best for me to keep observing and sketching. | ||
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