Those of you who've never been to Japan.

[VidelCoolGirl]

I want to go so bad, yet I still have never been. Anyof you who hasnt?

[Shibari]

Yes, I dearly want to go. In fact, I'm putting aside a little money every now and then to finance a trip when I graduate in a couple of years, like a present to myself. I'll probably try to book space on one of the travel group thingies, so I won't end up wandering around lost and alone.

[twilight]

I'd love to visit Japan someday, but I don't think I'll have the money anytime soon.

[LordGdawg]

Yes I would like to visit.It looks like such a beautiful country.I would really like to visit some of the mountain shrines and temples and visit some of the downtown areas, Shinjuku etc.

[VidelCoolGirl]

Osaka would be the place for me. Hanso Tigers go!

[Gejutsuka]

I'd like to go, so would my wife. My niece has already been there, as her best friend got married there and she was her maid of honor. She loved it. She sent me one of those pictures where they take the time to make you up in that very old traditional style. It was very cute. Basically, we'd go for the food, but my wife would like to peruse the musical instruments, and myself, the temple and ancient architecture.

Also to pick up some shokugan as well. Just can't get those great historical samurai pieces without the dreaded auction experience, or paying through the nose to the few that carry them. Need a pipeline, yeah.

[Manga Girl]

I would love to go. WHY AM I SO POOR?

[DarkSamurai]

Going to the Philippines (after I graduate), and Japan in the summer to meet my relatives, my brothers and sisters and to meet some of my friends.

Yokosuka, Misawa, and near Tokyo.

Can't wait to go ;).

[MelonNanasi-san]

^ Do your relatives belong to Navy and Air Force?

[DarkSamurai]

I was born in the Philippines, so a lot of my relatives are there. Mt. Pinatubo blew up and i had to be evacuated. We had to leave them all there :(. My father was in the Navy heh. Now retired.

A lot of my friends have Navy families. Considering I live on a Navy Island. A lot of my friends gets stationed all over the place. I wish I could go to Guam though, since a lot of my friends are there right now.

But I do need to meet a few aunts and uncles in Japan.

[Yoshio]

Yes, I dearly want to go. In fact, I'm putting aside a little money every now and then to finance a trip when I graduate in a couple of years, like a present to myself. I'll probably try to book space on one of the travel group thingies, so I won't end up wandering around lost and alone.
that'll be me this summer, i'm going by myself, and the only lifeline i'll have are my non english speaking relatives

[Hellmaster Inu]

I'd like to visit Japan one day in my life, but I doubt it will ever happen. :(

[Rain]

Only been to Tokyo. The things there are WAY expensive, even fruits. ;o

[VidelCoolGirl]

Even Square watermelon?

[Anun_still here]

I am after I save enough money at my crap job

[Hellmaster Inu]

Even Square watermelon?

Funny that I saw that in a Simpsons episode where Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie all went to Japan. :lol:

[Schuldich]

Haha - even funnier that I've seen that reference a few times in America, yet have never seen one here (or heard of it - my friends just think i'm being funny when I ask about it). Although, watermelon season is just starting, so maybe i'll see some yet...

[Chikyuu Senshi]

I haven't been there yet, but I'm planning on going to Japan in a few years. I want to see all the temples and historical stuff. And, I want to go hiking along Mt. Kurama and some countryside.

[GokuMew2]

*raises hand*
But I will be going this summer for two weeks with friends. X.3 can't wait!!

[ZeroKun]

Maybe after I finish college, but I had plans for china first.

[Jake]

I want to study abroad/intern in Japan in college, and if I like it, I want to do JET or AEON to teach abroad. If I really like it, I'll get a job at a regular public school as a full-time teacher.

[Taichi EX]

I'm going next year, can you name some places that would
be cool to go to?

[VidelCoolGirl]

Funny that I saw that in a Simpsons episode where Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie all went to Japan. :lol:

That wsa funny. Then It turned round and he dropped it. Great. My Japanese teacher said that threre are square watermelon. They grow them hanging from the vine, not in the ground. Then put a box around it I think.

[Kiku]

Haha - even funnier that I've seen that reference a few times in America, yet have never seen one here (or heard of it - my friends just think i'm being funny when I ask about it). Although, watermelon season is just starting, so maybe i'll see some yet...

I've seen them, but I think they're just for novelty.

[kaos]

I've seen them, but I think they're just for novelty.
Check this out...
http://2-d.blogspot.com/2006/07/square-watermelon.html

[Yoshio]

wow, someone brought back a 14 month old thread...

i even found a post i did in this thread, back from before i went to japan, kind of funny the irony, because in the post i implied that i would be wandering around japan "lost and alone", and the funny thing is that it actually did happen, i got lost tons of times, once during a typhoon out in the middle of nowhere

[regus 5000]

i acctually found a link on CNN about these square watermellon.
they even have a picture and i think a video

lol what will they think of next XD
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/06/15/square.watermelon/

[VidelCoolGirl]

Crap, this thread is really old. When did I start this? Over a year ago? Nuts...

Still haven't gotten to Japan though...

[White hell]

Once I join the navy I plan on going there.

[kiyomi]

Videl..stick with me hun..I'll get you there.

[KuroiKenshi]

im goinggggg

but its not my first time so oh well

[fujyoshi]

I haven't been yet. I'd like to go though.

[sailornyanko]

Hahaha, another ancient thread revival!

The only countries I've been to are the US, Canada and of course Mexico. And of Canada I barely saw anything the only trip I can actually remember of that place because we were only a bit over the Minnesota border when I was a kid for a few hours.

I'd love to visit many countries whenever I get the money. I'm not much of a shopper, I'm more of a saver so I guess I'll easily have the money to go to Japan. I'm also very surprised how cheap plane tickets to there are. I'd probably go to Tokyo because that's where Shinjuku is. I don't think I'd have the energy to go all over the country in one trip unless it was a very long vacation. I'd like to go with my best friend so that we could speak in spanish out loud and creep people out. That would rule.

[Chef Wun]

I stopped once in Hakone on a flight to Singapore but i was only 3, But me and my best friend are going in our gap year when we graduate

My Auntie went on a walking tour up mount Fuji though said it was incredible

[LostCause]

I travelled quite a bit, been on every continent, save for africa and antarctica.
Been to Japan too. Toyama(sp?) , Gamagori, and that Tokio suburb where the airport is(forgot the name,Naruta maybe?). If any of you make it to Japan, do yourself a favour and visit 'bathhouse' (don't know the proper japanise word, sorry). The one I've been to, left a lasting impression. There were like 10 different pools, dry sauna, steam room, courtyard with cherry blossoms, massage, dinner etc. A little piece of heaven!

[DazzleKitty]

I'd love to go, but probably won't be able to for several years. There is this kid at my school who is so lucky. He is only 15 and said he was gonna go sometime over summer break. Dang brat.

[Japhyl]

I've never been to Japan. I wouldn't really want to go, though. I think I would be too nervous to go to a country I haven't been to.

[Haro!]

the last time I went to Japan for a few days during the 2002 world cup but i dont count it because I still wasn't able to appreciate the culture or any of the touristy places like i would have wanted too (I was too concerned with football!). Before that was when I was 4 or 5, to visit family and pick up my bro who stayed there for a bit, and I again didnt have the appreciation for the culture or anything like that.

[Yoshio]

I've never been to Japan. I wouldn't really want to go, though. I think I would be too nervous to go to a country I haven't been to.
not to be mean, but what you just said makes no sense, unless you really meant that you would be too nervous to ever travel abroad

[SDAnimeFan]

I would love to go someday.

[Japhyl]

not to be mean, but what you just said makes no sense, unless you really meant that you would be too nervous to ever travel abroad

That is what I meant. I don't like traveling.

[Yoshio]

That is what I meant. I don't like traveling.
i think you should give it a chance someday, it's exciting to see new and amazing things that you would never be able to see where you are now, after visiting japan i now want to travel more of the world (it's an addictive feeling)

[Japhyl]

I know, if I had a chance to go, I would think about it. Sometimes I get nervous when I go to new places, but if I go, I end up liking it.

[Magami No ER]

I'll be going in two in a half weeks.
A bit nervous to be honest, never been abroad before.

[SakuraDreamer]

I've been there and im goin again this winter :) you should go but if you do, go to Miyazaki and Kagoshima. they're awesome.

[sailornyanko]

Don't be scared of vitising Mexico City Chained Heart (that is if you ever DARE come here! ^^').

Most people won't lynch you for being an american who doesn't know how to speak spanish. Just as long as you're respectful and don't go parading around you luv Bush OMG LOLZ. A lot of people speak some english but you should bring common sense with you cuse people like to joke a lot.

I heard a hilarious story from my best friend who was going to his school on the subway as always and he saw this cute American girl that was named Lindsay who was travelling with her little brother and her brother's friend who were dead lost. She managed to speak to him in simple spanish cuse she took a course in the US (though my friend understands english very well so she didn't even have to speak to him in spanish anyways). Boy, poor girl. They were on their last day on their trip and they go to the subway for tickets. The lady tells them the subway can take them to Los Angeles and they dumb girl thought it was true and returned their hotel key one day too soon and now they were stuck. :lol: I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that story, seems too dumb to be true. I wished the subway could get as north of the city as to my neighborhood and my university so that I wouldn't have to put up with bus drivers, but all the way to the US? O_o' Kids.
My friend had to get off in a few stations anyways, but he told her to phone her family in the US to send her some money to stay in any random hotel for the last night and gave her his cellphone number just in case she needed anything.

As long as you don't do that mistake, you'll probably be fine. Oh, and don't you ever dare visit Tepito after dark if you don't want to get mugged. It's okay to visit it during the day, you can buy anything illegal for amazing prices from what I've heard. I've been to the ouskirts of Tepito several times, but never inside of it formally. My friend has told me hilarious stories about his experiences shopping in dangerous neighborhoods. If you're nice to the dealer, he can arrange free "protection". Hahaha, hilarious.

Oh, if you're ever here, be careful with your purse and cellphone, there's a lot of pickpockets here. I've been careful and I've never been mugged. Heck, the last time I got something stolen was when I left a pair of shoes under a bush for 40 minutes at a waterpark. Note to self: Remember not to do this ever again, put the shoes next to the bodyguard out in the open and pray they won't get mugged.

But for the rest, I think the only thing I'd get serious worried about in this city are the drivers, they drive like rabid animals. People are impressed at how I've never been runned over even though I usually cross streets carelessly with my face stuck in a comic book.

[EternityOfPain]

Yup, and i bet its not a reason why most want to for as well. I have always been interested in Japanese culture and customs, I would love to visit Kyoto if I ever get the chance.

[MIKE123]

I went to Japan during Spring Break this year, and I can tell you all here who haven't it is definately worth the trip! Obviously, Kyoto is the biggest spot for country sight seeing, all the temples there are freakin' sweet. And Tokyo if your a big city person. Both are amazing. The internet will help you to find anything you'd want to visit on your trip.
If you do go, please work on your Japanese a lot, or get an English touring guide, OR find a Japanese friend(s) lol. Otherwise, you will be very lost. Some people can speak English a little bit, but most just want to stick to their native language. You need to know how to read signs for where you're going and how to ask people for things, anything basic should help you. Because for me, the biggest problem was the language barrier, since my Japanese skills are not fluent enough for day to day talk.
Japan is the most unique country I've been to. Awesome food, vending machines on every block, crazy toilets(they heat lol), the most amazing temples and museums to see, and the pretty girls(whoever said Japanese girls are ugly are the worst! lol).
Go and enjoy everything Japan has to offer, it is the most amazing country I have ever been to.

[Richi]

personaly, I do not want to go, thing is I have no choice but to go. I am in a hurry to go just to get over it and just learn the language, that's the main reason why I have to go. I am minoring in japanes language, and my school requires that both students who are minoring and majoring in any language have to go to the place where they speak that language. Anywho, do not want to go but have to go. Oh well, but I am sure that it will be fun.

as for liking their culture, F that. The culture is a little strange and boring, I just want to learn the language, true you have to learn the culture in order to learn the language well, but love the japanese culture? there's not even a lot of japanese people who love "their own culture". I love my own culture better than theirs. Anywho, I will be honest, I am not learning the language due to liking their culture, I am learning it to fix something my great grandmother kind of didn't teach my grandfather...japanese language.

[Ninja337]

I'm not in too much of a rush to live in Japan. I like anime and I like it in America. I would like to take a trip there one day though. Maybe to go see the temples and stuff. I'd like to visit some Bhuddist and Shinto shrines.

[Ageha]

I'm not in too much of a rush to live in Japan. I like anime and I like it in America. I would like to take a trip there one day though. Maybe to go see the temples and stuff. I'd like to visit some Bhuddist and Shinto shrines.

Just for future reference/usage..."tera" are temples (and anything that also ends in "in"....or "ji" for that matter...Kiyomizudera, Byoudoin, Tenryuuji...though admittedly I'm not sure what-if any-the real difference is) and Buddhist, while "jinja" (or jingu/~gu Heian Jingu...the somewhat famous shrine here in Kagawa, Kotohiragu etc.) are shrines and Shinto. :)

[*koji]

I flew over Japan on the way to Korea. Does that count? :P

[Ninja337]

Just for future reference/usage..."tera" are temples (and anything that also ends in "in"....or "ji" for that matter...Kiyomizudera, Byoudoin, Tenryuuji...though admittedly I'm not sure what-if any-the real difference is) and Buddhist, while "jinja" (or jingu/~gu Heian Jingu...the somewhat famous shrine here in Kagawa, Kotohiragu etc.) are shrines and Shinto. :)
Umm... Or I could just say temples and shrines...?

[Ageha]

Umm... Or I could just say temples and shrines...?

I was simply trying to clarify that they're different. Shrines go with Shinto and temples with Buddhism...and threw in a little more info because..well, I thought someone might find it interesting. Duly noted that it was apparently unwelcome in this case.

[kiyomi]

Yeah..freaked me out when I actually visited the Kiyomizudera Temple..

Saw my name blazed on the post out front and I literally said.."WTF?!"

It was a really nice temple too.

[Ageha]

Yeah..freaked me out when I actually visited the Kiyomizudera Temple..

Saw my name blazed on the post out front and I literally said.."WTF?!"

It was a really nice temple too.

Heh! That WOULD be a bit weird! When my sister and I were in Nagasaki we were poking about the international cemetary there and found a headstone with our family name...we were both morbidly delighted and at the same time creeped out. :3 It's one thing to see it back home, but to see it here in Japan? Never expected it. ;p

[sailornyanko]

I found the temple/shrine difference interesting. Though I kinda already knew about Shinto shrines thanks to Sailor Moon (ya know with Rei living in a Shintoist shrine and all).

EDIT from my last post: I can't believe it, but yesterday I was downtown and while looking for cheap Jelly Roller pens in the Historic Center thinking I would eventually bump into the Pino Suárez subway station, me and my best friend both kinda.. fell into Tepito which is one of the most dangerous places in the entire city and got out of it unharmed. Heck, I bought my pens there! 50 US cents, only in Tepito. :lol: It was quite a strange experience cuse we didn't even know we were in Tepito until we saw a huge sign on the top that says so. :lol: I am rather angry at myself for dropping the cover of my umbrella over there. ¬¬

[drgenestarwind]

i would love to visit osaka and the less populated areas. i've just discovered the joys of travel; yesterday i got back from Ecuador which was amazing, im ready to start traveling everywhere.

[Stelok]

I've been to Japan many times but only at airports. I only went there for refueling of the plane. Japan is usually the refueling route of Northwest Airlines from Manila to U.S. and from U.S. to Manila, that my family preferred.

Fifteen years ago, We've stayed overnight at a hotel in a city (I can't remember which one) since if I recall correctly, we couldn't fly away due to weather problems. I've never got the chance to explore the city.

[Yoshio]

i would love to visit osaka and the less populated areas. i've just discovered the joys of travel; yesterday i got back from Ecuador which was amazing, im ready to start traveling everywhere.
that's exactly how i felt after i got back from japan last year ^_^

[Tidusauron12]

-_-; It's hard to travel the country if you don't know fluet Japanese...

[drgenestarwind]

Japan would certainly be nice, I want to go for a couple weeks, make it a good window for the cherry blossoms. however i'm comitted to make it to Europe, and possibly Ecuador again, before i go other places.

[Ageha]

-_-; It's hard to travel the country if you don't know fluet Japanese...

Not true. If you do your research ahead of time and learn a few phrases, you can get by with just a little Japanese. I have many ALT friends who speak barely any Japanese who seem to get around the country just fine.

[desikner]

What would be the best place to go in japan if I like downtown neon iluminated urban regions but also like trditional japaneese housing with the paper walls and stuff?

I also want to go to comiket where the hell is that?

I will be going there soon and I want to buy lots of amnga and anime, do you get english anime and manga in Japan?

[Tidusauron12]

Not true. If you do your research ahead of time and learn a few phrases, you can get by with just a little Japanese. I have many ALT friends who speak barely any Japanese who seem to get around the country just fine.

Where do they go?

[Ageha]

Where do they go?

Eh? Everywhere.....

[Tidusauron12]

Eh? Everywhere.....

Anywhere? You sure about that?

Oh well... WINDSCAR!!!

I don't agree!!!

WINDSCAR!!!

With you!!

WINDSCAR!!!

[grgspunk]

I'd love to go back to my hometown of Misawa, myself. I would also like to visit Kyoto and revisit Hiroshima. I know a couple of relatives there that can show me around. :)

[jordica]

I've never been! My mother had been plenty of times when I was younger because my step-dad had worked in Tokyo (he was later relocated to Saudi Arabia, unfortunately). I also have an old acquiantance who at some point made his way out there. I'd love to go, but for a few months. Traveling to another country in itself is already so expensive and by just being in a location for a short amount of time you only get a taste of what it's like rather than being able to immerse yourself in the whole culture. If possible, it'd be idealistic to work out there on a project of some sort that allows a bit of travel time to go to other parts of japan.

[President Rich]

Maybe I will go during my college years, and bring a big group of my Otaku friends ^_^

Going to Japan is my greatest dream.

[MeStinkBAD]

Back in my Junior year in High School (was taking Japanese at the time)... there was a class trip planned for that summer to Japan for three or four weeks. All I had to do was say "yes" and I would have gone. But I just wasn't interested at the time. So I didn't go. Looking back, I realize I probably should have gone. But even now, I have little desire to visit Japan. I don't know why but it doesn't interest me like it once did. Few years ago though I was telling someone this... they asked what changed my mind about visiting... I couldn't think of any reason really... so I blurted out "the Bath houses..." we found it amusing. :)