going to japan whenever i want...questions

[Epstein]

i was thinking about going during new years with my gf..is this a good time to go? does it snow alot? we will be in tokyo.

I am coming from baltimore maryland USA, staying in japan for about 7-10 days...with hotel i've seen it be about 4000$ for 2 people..does this sound about right? I have been using expedia.com

I also have a disablity and use a walker to walk, how accesiable is tokyo? the sub way etc?

also any good record stores that sell punk, avant, rock stuff?

[Gibb]

I cant answer most of your questions, but the hotel bill seems quite high. I'm going to Japan for 10 days as well in late October. I have various hotels/ryokans booked throughout Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo. My total US cost for hotels is only around $1000, and that's for 3 person rooms at each place. You might want to look into some Ryokans. They're basically the Japanese equivalent of Bed and Breakfast hotels. They have futons and tatami mats usually, and are family owned and operated.

However, cheaper hotels/ryokans may not necessarily be in the middle of Tokyo, and with your condition that might not be the best idea in the world. Just a suggestion tho.

[Suiko Eiji]

^If he's using Expedia, then the total bill is probably for hotels and flight. If that's the case, then I think the OP's pricing may jive close to your pricing, Gibb.

[Gibb]

^If he's using Expedia, then the total bill is probably for hotels and flight. If that's the case, then I think the OP's pricing may jive close to your pricing, Gibb.

Ah yes, I didnt think about flight cost being included in that.

[Suiko Eiji]

I also have a disablity and use a walker to walk, how accesiable is tokyo? the sub way etc?

also any good record stores that sell punk, avant, rock stuff?

From a lot of what I have seen on TV, seen from friends photos and such (and a TV Drama :lol: ), is your disability bad enough that stairs or escalators are a problem? Can you handle a lot of walking on crowded sidewalks and small stores? If none of this will be a probelm, I am sure it's only slightly more problematic than here in the US.

If you're looking for vinyls, you'd probably have to check specialty stores and such like here; my first and only guess would be to look in the suburbs of Shibuya, maybe Roppongi.

[Epstein]

yeah stairs are a problem, i can walk up and down but as long as there is a railing

[KuroiKenshi]

4000 for two people at new years? sounds pretty good to me. new years is one of the busiest travelling times for japanese people, so prices will undoubtedly rise (at least for air tickets).

as for coming at new years... many japanese people go home for new years, and for the most part traditionally its not exactly like the new years celebrations in the US, although im sure if youre looking for a party youll be able to find one in tokyo.

getting around can sometimes be a problem I think. many train stations dont have escalators or elevators, although they will have railings. you may find people in tokyo exceedingly rude despite your disability, especially during rush hour however. also many restaurants require you to take a step up. its generally only one step, but it can be as high as a foot or two and without a railing, so beware of that. however, most new buildings are designed with the handicapped in mind, so for the most part i think youll be ok.

someone with more tokyo experience than me should fill in.

[cris]

I'm not sure how much tickets costs from Baltimore, but a round trip during New Years in Los Angeles rougly about 1000 dollars using a foreign airline, JaL or ANA is probably a bit more...1200 to 1400 I would assume (don't quote me on this).

New Years is Japan's biggest holiday that is celebrated, the way they celebrate is not the same compared to America because to Japanese, New Years is a time = forget about the bad stuff from last year (or more) and start a new future kind of idea. Althought we do make New Year's Resolutions and stuff in the states, Japanese take it more seriously.

Ad for 12-28 to around 1-3, you may find many of the smaller stores to be closed and big stores would probably close earlier than usual on 12-31 and 1-1, so keep that in mind if you plan to shop around.

As for handicap, there are much more "handicap" designated areas than in the states, at least compared to Los Angeles. Most train stations only have a solid stairs, but I think they all have railings as a standard, however, you may want to avoid using the trainds during rush hour unless if you really have too. During rush hours, people are in a hurry, so people rush rush rush, and since it's crowded, they might bump into you and justwalk away, making it harder for a handicap people to keep balance. In terms of care, I think Japanese are more kind and helps more often compared to here. Just try avoid rush hours cause people are only thinking about getting to work ASAP.

As for the hotels for 10 days, if you're getting a decent one, you'll probaby need at least 20,000 yen, but if you want something like a Marriot/Hilton Class, be prepaid to pay at "minimal" 2.5 times that. I'm not sure (can't remember) if Japan paid by rooms or number of people staying.

[Epstein]

good call, i'll be buying my tickets the next week coming up

[dw2k6]

i was thinking about going during new years with my gf..is this a good time to go? does it snow alot? we will be in tokyo.

I am coming from baltimore maryland USA, staying in japan for about 7-10 days...with hotel i've seen it be about 4000$ for 2 people..does this sound about right? I have been using expedia.com

I also have a disablity and use a walker to walk, how accesiable is tokyo? the sub way etc?

also any good record stores that sell punk, avant, rock stuff?

are you talking about japanese underground music? just try very good/or specialist music stores there.