100% Japan!

[Nihoxdria]

Specially created for our big dreamer Yuna who needs to know everything she can about Nippon! We gotta help her kick up her Japan know-how if she's going to survive in the land of the rising sun! ^_~ but it's no fun doing it by myself so let's make this a team effort! Questions and all the answers right here on all things Japan!

[Fusu]

I too would one day like to go to Japan, so here are my questions.

What typical food is there to eat?

Best places to see/scenery?

Entertainment?

[Nihoxdria]

I'm so happy you asked!
Beacon on Omotesando in Minato is the my FAVORTIE place to eat!
http://www.bento.com/rp/500/500-omote-beacon4.jpg

They serve up the BEST fish and urban seafood dishes you could ever hope for. Like most of the pubs and resturants here, you'll find the common dishes are going to be a mixture of western and asian or European style dishes. Angus steak and fried salmon or blackened yellowtail on fried rice. Beacon like almost all other service areas is going to offer a GREAT wines. most of which are going to be imported. Beacon has wines from New York for example!

ok! so let's look at the location and neighborhood. This of course is going to be Tokyo in Minato first since that's what we're talking about.

Now this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Omotemall.jpg is the Omotesando hills mall! Architecture is always going to be grand because Tokyo happens to be what's called the "architect's Paradise" this is where most artists come to experiment with their visions and ideas. The mall is fairly new and is PACKED with western and asian shops for every style.

Nothing here is going to be overly different from what you might find in state. except our cities are cleaner and greener. There are multiple movie theaters that show everything from Anime to the godfather marathons! Food is found in vendors in most districts and also side shops. ^_^ Getting lost IS a problem for most visitors, but never be afraid to ask for help!

[Nihoxdria]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/26/Omotemall.jpg sorry I can't edit posts so this is the pic that didn't show up.

[Sakura]

I have a question too! where in Japan is the best place to visit without the "tourist" destinations... Also, where's the best shopping?

[Nihoxdria]

Wow Tough questions! Best place to visit without tourist overload....well anywhere in the mainland is going to have an overload of tourists. so we'll have to get to that a little later. Focusing on what i know hardcore:
Fukuoka!!!!! Fuku and Shinjuku are the BEST places to shop! Flags in Shinju is right next to the station and is a 10 story facorty of shopping heaven! not to mention the food is awesome.

As far as your secret place...I'd have to tell you to stick to the shrines. Though they are tourists stops, you'll find that they're often overlooked at "boring" ^_~ What most people DON'T know is that the shrines host annual local festivals during the spring and winter that few tourists stop in on and end up missing pure Japanese culture at its best.
Also, the cherry blossom festivals attract lots of people on the mainland. But if you slip over to Tsuyama Castle you'll have the best site in the world to watch! the ruins host over 5,000 trees and going at night means you get to see the entire place alight in candlelight glow when they hang the lanterns. Sakura, it's BEAUTIFUL everything lights up and the blossoms look like glitters of soft white snow in the dark. ^^ you'd love it!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2391407492_ddce8fb70a.jpg?v=0

[Sakura]

sounds like alot of fun! ill keep it all in mind, thanks Nih!

[Nihoxdria]

No Problem! Is there anyone who's coming to visit soon?

[Hefin]

I'd love to. It's in the top five places to visit for me at the moment.

[Yuna]

Thank you for making this thread, Nih. :D

I will be visiting Japan in either 2009 or 2010, so I am trying rather hard to brush up on both the language and the customs.

I don't have any questions at the MOMENT but I know I will soon >.>

<3 Yuna

[Nihoxdria]

Wow that's really soon...DON'T COME IN THE WINTER! lol unless you like to freeze. The islands get pretty stiff and although the winter means awsome seaonal dishes available just to warm the traveler's stomach...>_< It's not enough to make you want to walk around in 60lbs of sweaters!

[Yuna]

I've been told that during the winter, Japan is just as cold as where I live. :frozen2:

I'm a little nervous... I don't know many people in Japan, only two people, and I'm not sure what I can do. I'm afraid that I won't know enough Japanese to get around sufficiently. I also haven't had the chance to practice my Japanese, as I don't have anyone to speak it with... :pcrying:

...anyone willing to help me practice? 勉強をしたいですよ。。。:u-u-n:

[Nihoxdria]

Japanese is my third language. I'd be more than happy to supply you with the same tools that helped me learn as well. However ^_^ For the true experience you'll just have to come here and immerse yourself in the culture. This country is a social net that never allows someone willing to learn to slip through and even a stranger on the street will be willing to translate or teach you something about the language if you display a true eagerness to learn.