X3 nice have fun over there

Thanks! :D

x3 no problem

Holy crap congrats! Have fun.

Thank you! Will do haha

OOOH YAY! So glad you're going there!!
If you love cats there's for sure a specific cat cafe that was really good! (I just can't quite remember). I've heard many other animal cafes aren't ethical in Japan, however, so gotta have the research done.
I loved my time there! Tho I loved it the most when I was away from my family and just walking around exploring. I honestly didn't quite care for the big touristy places. Instead, going into the malls and random cafes and ramen shops and just wandering around was the best.

But also you should visit one of the Pokemon Centers! It most likely will be packed, but it's still a good time! The best thing I got in there was a Pokemon wallet. It became my favorite thing!

oh and look up if there's any festivals during that time!! I went to the new years one but it was raining so it wasn't that good. v_v

I know they have something called autumn illumination in some of the parks, so I'll probably check that out! Luckily it doesnt seem like it'll be raining much there at the time other than the last two days.

I could try checking it out! But yeah I'm not a fan of most animal cafes cause of the ethical issues with em :'D (cat ones are usually okay since they're so domestic haha).
But yeah other than just visiting some of the "must see at least once" places, I'm actually gonna do something similar where I'm just walking around and seeing stuff xD Theres so much going on in the city i figure I'll just run into something lmao. Its less stressful not having to follow a schedule.

Definitely! I'm hoping I can finally grab a sleeping Espeon plush without having to pay scalper prices haha xD

Same, but unfortunately not for fun this time around :'(

Hope you have a fantastic time and make sure to pack some three to two pin AC plug adapters, a lot of Japanese outlets don't have ground pins

Also pick up a wallet or little pouch for holding coins. I ended up using cash fairly regularly last time, but I also wasn't anywhere super touristy

Good to know! I have plenty of straps for that xD

Ah business trip? :'D

Yeah I'll remember to get those! I heard the japanese outlets can still take the two pronged US plugs though?

I generally enjoy the travel until I remember Japan is one of the only countries to have a specific term for overworking yourself to death 💀 Mandatory overtime while taking a break from my ADHD meds suuuucked, but luckily I swapped to one that's fully legal this time

Yes the plug is the same, minus the ground pin a lot of the time, and slightly different voltage and frequency in Tokyo that largely shouldn't affect of your devices with power bricks, but it doesn't hurt to double check

Which side of Tokyo are you staying on? Been there many times and can give some options 🙂

A bit further down near the Shinagawa area, so south I believe!

Closet spot to Shinagawa would be Odaiba. Quite a few shopping centers there if that's your thing. Otherwise, recommend visiting the "Statue of Libery" https://maps.app.goo.gl/nzZfkbK3fHS8y9jc9 at night. It's a great view of Rainbow Bridge and the Tokyo skyline.

If you want something that is more outdoorsy, do a day trip out to Mt. Takao https://maps.app.goo.gl/kkxSZZjzRd1vP7Qb9. The train lines end right at the base where you can take a cable car up and walk to the shrine at the top of the mountain.

I'm assuming you're going to Asakusa / Sensou-ji since that's a big touristy spot. Skytree is okay, but expensive for what it is IMO. It's definitely taller than Tokyo Tower, but it's a ways out. Tokyo Tower gives you a nice view of central Tokyo metroplex from above. If you're lucky, Mr. Fuji may be visible too. Otherwise, shrine wise, Meiji Jingu is my favorite there.

Akihabara isn't the same as it was before Covid. A lot of stores were hit hard and closed. But there's still a fair amount of anime and electronics shops there. Ikebukuro's south east side also has a bunch of similar stuff. The big Pokémon store is there if like that. The one in Tokyo Station is a lot smaller, but each does have some exclusives. Tokyo train station itself is huge. You can easily get lost in there but lots of stores.

Let me know if you're looking for something in particular. I may know a place haha!

Have fun and safe travels :)

Oh yeah, I wanted to see that! And I could consider the mountain if we dont have time to do Hakone.

Yeah theres a couple of places I wanted to visit at the Skytree, so I'll probably stop over there haha. And yeah Meiji Jingu was also a place I listed too :>

I planned to visit both towns haha, thats kind of our designated "shopping day" lol.

I'm actually a big thrifter and I love bargain hunting, so if you know any good places for secondhand goods, do let me know! xD

Thank you for the recs!

YESSSSSS! THE TIME HAS COME.

Also made me realize I forget to message you back, I'll do that this weekend!

HAHA YESS I'll get back to ya too, I've been pretty busy and forgor to reply lol xD

Have fun <3

Thanks! ^^

Well, it's hard to get into the Ghibli Museum, but when I was I went to a small anime museum. Was right between two stations, so it was about a 1k walk, but it was a nice walk. It was the Tokyo Polytechnic University Suginami Animation Museum, it was a nice visit.

I actually found out the Ghibli museum is gonna be closed the entire week I'll be there, but yeah I've heard haha. But that one seems interesting! I'm hoping i can just run into things like that while walking around xD

There's a lot of fun stuff you can stumble into. Another fun museum (if it's something you're interesting in) is the Tokyo Metro Museum, which is right next to a station, so easy to get too (and in fact is built under the elevated line). Though like most smaller Museums, it wasn't completely multi-lingual, so a way to read Japanese would be helpful.

I had the pleasure of going last year around Halloween (Kyoto - Nagoya - Hakone - Tokyo) and had a blast! Hope you have a great trip!

Oh nice! I wanted to try going to Kyoto, but it might eat up a bit too much time with our schedule. If i have the chance to go again, I might just do Osaka/Kyoto only haha.

For Tokyo, I went to the Lost Bar in Shibuya which is run by Chris Broad of "Abroad in Japan". Plenty of claw game centers and the pokemon center in Shibuya. Lots to do across Tokyo though so pace yourself

Have fun duderino!!!!! We went to Tokyo earlier this year and we highly recommend headphones/earplugs if you have sensory issues. A bunch of places like train stations and malls have sonic pest repellants that don't bother most people, but we're not most people >.<

Thanks! That might be a good idea honestly xD I have mild tinnitus so I'm sensitive to high pitched sounds, and I can imagine the stations being a bit noisy haha.

oh my gosh yeah!! the sound is HORRIBLE.

Hope you have a wonderful time! I bet its lovely this time of the year!

Thank you! Yeah luckily the weather seems to be pretty favorable during that time. November is considered kinda "off season" but its probably still crowded af over there haha

Cool, enjoy all the real ramen, teas, Sake, sushi and treats you can eat and please be safe out there, fellow artist

Haha will do, thanks! ^^

yw

Have fun!! I definitely need to put aside time to go to Japan too lol

Thank you! Its simultaneously a good time to go cause of the currency conversion, but also bad cause of overtourism ahah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGy9uomagO4

Weebs be like

Enjoy! I'd love to go myself, although I'm just nervous about traveling right now despite recently getting a passport.

Thanks! Yeah the stupid gov shutdown really screwed up a lot of things. But I figured since planes are still flying in and out constantly anyway, as long as we eventually get to our destination, it'll probably be fine. (hoping things can resolve by the time i go :'D)

Well there's that too, I don't know how smooth international travel is these days but I've just been nervous about doing it with all the stories I hear about people running into trouble coming back although there's no reason to think that would happen, but...

Ah, depends where you go honestly, but I can understand that. :'D Last time I flew internationally was to Singapore/Malaysia but we also had family there, so going to a place where you dont know/cant talk to anyone can be kinda nerve wracking. But Japan is still a relatively safe country with a lot of resources for tourists so most people dont really run into any trouble (plus i wont be traveling alone, so should be fine i think :'D)

I'd definitely like to go, but my fears are less about the places I'd visit and more about coming back.

Japan is a beautiful and fun country to visit, I hope your trip is fun!

Words of advice/might help, I lived in japan for about 2 years and took notice to some.. differences to day to day life so this could impact your trip.
Japan is very much a cash society, in most cases you wont/shouldn't expect to use your card.
That said, Try not to do currency exchange in the airport. I'd recommend checking to see if your used bank/credit union allowed currency ordering in advance (you usually can get different types of currency online or when requested.)
7/11 atm's are your friend (JP Bank ones), you can take out 300 some dollars out of them with little to no currency exchange fee's. But be aware, ATM's unlike here in the USA usually close between 6pm-8pm depending. Even convenience stores sometimes have their ATM's closed late at night, so please plan accordingly.

The Japanese people have something known as "lone island syndrome" in most cases if you're lost, you may have to approach a person because in most cases they WILL NOT help unless you ask. Despite taking English classes most can't speak it (its like most who take Spanish in highschool. Who remembers it?), so small efforts to use Japanese goes a long way. Counter to this though, if you look Western you might experience people approaching with no explanation, try to speak to you in broken english and than walk off. It CAN happen but doesn't always.

Google can help with most train lines, and most larger train stations have wi-fi, usually there are signs on pillars and walls about it. Buuuuuut, it could benefit looking into getting a wi-fi sim card for the trip.

Most ATM's, Ticket booths and most machines have an English option, usually it lists "English" but if not look for "英語".

I can bring up more but this is getting long haha!
TLDR: Keep cash, ATM's have hours and use the atm's at convenience stores for less fees (JP Bank is the one of choice.) Wi-fi simcard can be helpful unless your phone has special international access/wifi.

To add onto this about cash, best to have a bag/coin purse cuz you'll get a lot of coins!

I wish to go there to commune with some of the Easter yokai, as I myself am a Western yokai! (Lamb is actually... THE JERSEY DEVIL!!! >:} It's always the ones you least suspect!)

Even when in the deep forests of Japan idk about running into any YoKai, the most I ever saw was in Tottoris-ken Gegege road.

Even when staring up at the Sanbutsuji temple and hiking to the tops of Mt.Daiso they dont really appear.

I doubt they show themselves to foreigners.

It's a different story with fellow ghouls and such. We all visit each other's domains from time to time.

It's all explained in "Hozuki's Coolheadedness". ;3

OH another important detail, if you take medications of any kind, make sure they are approved within Japan. If you walk in with drugs of any kid and its NOT approved you'll be pulled off to the side and they will be seized. (If caught) Japan is very strict about prescriptions and drugs.

Most information on this topic can be found here:
https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/i.....ng-medication/

Buuut idk about true specifics on the subject since I've never been there needing any prescriptions.

Ah okay gotcha! I think I'm only taking painkillers and allergy meds (non-prescription), but I'll double check to see if they're okay :'D

Ah all good stuff to know! I wasnt sure how heavy cash use was in Japan. I did want to try getting a bit of yen from my bank before i go, just so i at least have something on me when i get there in case xD But yeah im mostly gonna just use ATMs to get money out.

Unfortunately im pretty obviously foreign lol. I do know a few phrases in Japanese, but not enough to conversate with xD But I'm probably not gonna end up talking to locals much other than like cashiers/service workers. If anything, i can just shoot my translator app at Japanese signs haha. And yeah! I prepaid for a sim for pickup at the airport. I usually dont trust pulbic wi-fi much haha.

If theres anything else, feel free to share! Anything helps :>

Even in airports most still can't speak english, but luckily most signs in the heart of Tokyo has english equivalents. If you're using the train stations always write down the japanese character names. It'll help in the long run because smaller stations don't always have the english characters.

The effort is what counts, if you try to use japanese the people around you are more willing to assist.

Yeah any and all preparations helps a lot too. The fact you got the prepaid sim means you are wiser than myself when going haha!

If you lose items, you can always report it to one of the police boxes, but be prepared with your plans for the trip, like what hotels you are going to be staying at. Because people usually turn stuff in later on, in many cases they sent the lost items to where you're staying.

Minor details: (Might not be relevant but it was something I wish I knew before haha)
-Gacha's in the pokemon centers have a cap, some outside it also do, so keep an eye out for signs. Last I recall you can use one gacha 3 times, before you might need to migrate. Some people who flock to them also are up for trading, so if there is something you're dead set on, you can always try to ask around if they want to trade. It is not uncommon.
-Claw machine game centers. Ask for help, in japan its a part of UFO catcher culture. Many places give pity to we foreigners, use it to your advantage (I mean don't pester them constantly but sometimes if it looks like it needs to be reset, reach out). Also if it looks like someone has been using one and runs off. You can watch but don't jump into take, chances are they just ran out of coins. Goes back to polite japanese culture. The reason why these games aren't as much fun here is because there is because the Customer service in the USA for them isn't the same.
-If you use a taxi, have an address and/or phone number. If you cant find it, locate the closest school, police box or pachinko bar. Sounds silly but a large amount of their clients frequent the pachinko bars and the drivers usually know where they are.
-Denny's is different. Completely, japanese bacon is not at all the same as here.
-McDonalds is better in japan, fite me

Yeah thats a good idea! Hopefully we dont lose anything xD
I'm not too big on the arcade/gambling type games just cause i used to lose a bunch of money on them in the past xD I might do a gacha or two though lol
I think we're mostly just gonna be using the trains/buses, not sure about taxis yet, but good to know! :)
Lol i believe you xD

If you ever got questions on things feel free to reach out, I might comment again if something big comes to mind, but I think I commented on most small details I could think on...

I get it with the ufo catcher games, I was horribly addicted to them. I had so many plushies, but it made it difficult when coming back xD, taken that was 2 years of playing them.

Either way I hope you have a fun trip! Just be sure to bring either knock out pills for the flight. Good entertainment or even study materials for the flight. If you got the 9-11 hour flight. You'll need it. If its split I hope your layover goes smoothly~

Sure thing! Haha I usually just draw on my ipad on long trips, its a nice way to pass time :'D

You need to go wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy deep in the mountains to find the temple of the Tengu! But beware of the various wicked yokai lurking around! You might end up in hell, tormented by the remorseless oni, Hozuki!

Also be on the lookout for an unassuming old man who wants to slip into your room for tea... it could be the supreme commander of the yokai, Nurarihyon! Many say he's not such a powerful yokai.... but consider that his aura is so powerful, he warps human perception such that he can enter your home AND YOU DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THAT!!! It's a power equivalent to the FORCE!!! He's like.... a yokai Jedi master or something! He strolls on in and waves his hand, "I am not the yokai you're looking for... now give me tea." SUPREME COMMANDER, like I said!!

What weapons should i take to defend myself lol?

I just realized Nurarihyon also kinda looks like Yoda.. hmmmmm...

Anyway, for weapons, use SAKE!! Many yokai love getting absolutely smashed, and you can then escape! ;D

By the way, I take it the sake tip saved you from being devoured by yokai.

UGH!!! JEALOUS!!!

That was me seeing everyone go to Japan previously haha

Ohhhh!!!!
Wishing you lots and lots of fun there!

Ahh thank you! :D

Sounds exciting! Have fun :3

Thank you! ^^

A well deserved vacation! Have a good time and may your travels be safe and fulfilling

Ah thank you! :D

Have the most wonderful trip and come back safe! If anybody deserves a break and a chance to roam, it's you :) <3

Aw thanks haha ^^

I remember you dreaming of Japan since the Creampuff days and in the long ago before times in DA journals, so glad you finally get to experience it. And you have to make a stop at weeb capital Akihabra. lol
Hopefully this will be be a most excellent vacation for you

Omg even I don't remember that haha. But yeah will do! I heard Ikebukuro is similar as well xD Thanks!

it was a mention when when you graduated from art school in full as a future dream, and visit an animation studio like Ghibli etc.
also a maid café is still a maid café regardless of what prefecture it is in