Japan: Super Traveler's Guide Deluxe

[msn]

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This Guide will give you useful phrases, destination help, transportation, accommodations, shopping, eating, tips, medical help, and more useful phrases, Pronounciation guide.

I）　Useful Pre Phrases

私は旅行者です　～I'm a traveler from Abroad

言葉が通じなくて困つております　～I am having trouble since I dont speak Japanese.

Yes　　　　　　　　　　Hai
No　　　　　　　　　　iie
Thank you　　　　　　　　　　Arigatou
You're welcome 　　　　　　　　　　dou itashimasute
Excuse me 　　　　　　　　　　 Sumimasen
I'm sorry 　　　　　　　　　　 Gomen nasai
Please (offering) 　　　　　　　　　　 douzo
Please (begging) 　　　　　　　　　　 Onegai shimasu
　　　　　　 i.e. Can I have some water? Mizu onegai shimasu
This 　　　　　　　　　　 Kore
It 　　　　　　　　　　 Sore
That 　　　　　　　　　　 Are
Just a moment 　　　　　　　　　　 Chotto matte kudasai
Do you have ___ 　　　　　　　　　　 ___o omochi desuka?
Could you repeat that? 　　　　　　　　　　 Mou ichido itte kudasai
I dont speak Japanese 　　　　　　　　　　 Nihongo ga hanasemasen
I'm not japanese 　　　　　　　　　　 Nihon jin jarimasen
I'm american 　　　　　　　　　　 Amerika jin desu
Give me ___ please 　　　　　　　　　　 ___o kudasai
Show me ___ please 　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　 ___o misete kudasai
How much? 　　　　　　　　　　 ___wa ikura desuka?
Please point to ___ on the map 　　　　　　　　　　 Kono chizu de ___ wa doko desuka?
Where is ___ 　　　　　　　　　　 ___ wa doko desuka?
Can I ask you a question? 　　　　　　　　　　 Otazune *beep* no desuga?

Good Morning 　　　　　　　　　　 Ohayou gozaimasu
Good Afternoon 　　　　　　　　　　 Konnichiwa
Good Evening 　　　　　　　　　　 Konbanwa
Good Night 　　　　　　　　　　 Oyasumi nasai
Good bye 　　　　　　　　　　 Sayonara(Never to see the person again)
Or Mata ne, Ja Mata, Ja ne (see you later)
Greetings 　　　　　　　　　　 Hajime *beep*



２）　Destinations

Public Places:

ATM　　　　　　　　　　　ATM　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ei tii emu
銀行　　　　　　　　　　　BANK　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ginkou
バス停　　　　　　　　　　Bus Stop　　　　　　　　　　　　basu tei
コインロッカー　　　　　Coin Locker　　　　　　　　　　　koin rokkaa
繁華街　　　　　　　　　　Downtown Area　　　　　　　　hanka gai
ホテル　　　　　　　　　　Hotel　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　hoteru
病院　　　　　　　　　　　　Hospital　　　　　　　　　　　　　byouin
宿泊案内　　　　　　　　　Hotel Information　　　　　　shukuhaku annai
コインランドリー　　　　　Laundromat　　　　　　　　　　koin randorii
警察（交番）　　　　　　　Police station (Koban)　　　　keisatsu
郵便局　　　　　　　　　　Post Office 　　　　　　　　　　　yuubin kyoku
公衆電話　　　　　　　　　Public Telephone　　　　　　　koushuu denwa
レンタサイクル　　　　　　Rental Bike place　　　　　　renta saikuru
レンタカー　　　　　　　　Rental Car place　　　　　　　　renta kaa
トイレ　　　　　　　　　　　Restroom　　　　　　　　　　　　 toire
駅　　　　　　　　　　　　　Train Station　　　　　　　　　　eki
観光案内所　　　　　　　Tourist Info center　　　　　　kankou annaijo
旅行会社　　　　　　　　　Travel Agent　　　　　　　　　 ryokou gaisha

Stores:

本屋　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Book　Store　　　　　　　　　　hon ya
キャラクターグッズショップ　　Anime Store　　　　　　　　　　kyarakutaa guzzu shoppu
CDショップ　　　　　　　　　　　　CD　Store　　　　　　　　　　CD shoppu
コンビニエンスストア　　　　　　Ｃｏｎｖｅｎｉｅｎｃｅ　ｓｔｏｒｅ　　　　　　　　　　Konbiniense sutoa
デパート　　　　　　　　　　　　　Ｄｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔ　Ｓｔｏｒｅ　　　　　　　　　　depaato
ディスカウントストア　　　　　　Ｄｉｓｃｏｕｎｔ　Ｓｔｏｒｅ　　　　　　　　　　disukaunto sutoa
薬局　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Ｄｒｕｇ　Ｓｔｏｒｅ　　　　　　　　　　yakkyoku
免税店　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Ｄｕｔｙ　Ｆｒｅｅ　Ｓｔｏｒｅ　　　　　　　　　　menzei ten
電気機器店　　　　　　　　　　　Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｏｎｉｃｓ　Ｓｔｏｒｅ　　　　　　　　　　denkikiki ten
インターネットカフェ　　　　　　Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ　Ｃａｆｅ　　　　　　　　　　intaanetto kafe
カラオケボックス　　　　　　　　Ｋａｒａｏｋｅ　Ｂａｒ　　　　　　　　　　karaoke bokkusu
百円ショップ　　　　　　　　　　１００ＹＥＮ/$.99　Ｓｔｏｒｅ　　　　　　　　　　hyakuen shoppu
スーパー　　　　　　　　　　　　Ｓｕｐｅｒｍａｒｋｅｔ　　　　　　　　　　suupaa
みやげ品店　　　　　　　　　　　Ｓｏｕｖｅｉｎｅｒ　Ｓｈｏｐ　　　　　　　　　　miyagehin ten

Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ：

Ａｍｅｒｉｃａｎ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　　　　アメリカ料理店　　　　　　　　amerikar youriten
Ｂｅｅｒ　Ｐｕｂ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ビアホオール　　　　　　　　　bia hooru
Ｃｈｉｎｅｓｅ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　　　　　中華料理店　　　　　　　　　　chuuka youriten
Ｃｈｉｎｅｓｅ　Ｎｏｏｄｌｅ　Ｓｈｏｐ　　　　　ラーメン屋　　　　　　　　　　　　raamen ya
Ｃｏｆｆｅｅ　Ｓｔｏｒｅ　　　　　　　　　　　　喫茶店　　　　　　　　　　　　　　kissaten
Ｆａｓｔ　Ｆｏｏｄ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　　　ファーアストフード店　　　　　faasuto fuudo ten
Ｆｒｅｎｃｈ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　　　　　フランス料理店　　　　　　　　　furasu youriten
Ｉｔａｌｉａｎ　Ｒｅｓｔｕａｒａｎｔ　　　　　　　　イタリア料理店　　　　　　　　　itaria youriten
Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　Ｐｕｂ　　　　　　　　　　　居酒屋　　　　　　　　　　　　　izakaya
Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　　　日本料理店　　　　　　　　　　　nihon youriten
Ｋｏｒｅａｎ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　　　　　韓国料理店　　　　　　　　　　kankoku youriten
Ｓｕｓｈｉ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　　　　　　寿司屋　　　　　　　　　　　　　　sushi ya
Ｓｏｂａ／Ｕｄｏｎ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　そば・うどん屋　　　　　　　　　soba / udon ya
Ｔｅｍｐｕｒａ　Ｒｅｓｔｕｒａｎｔ　　　　　　　天ぷら屋　　　　　　　　　　　　tempura ya


３）Ｔｒａｎｓｐｏｒｔａｔｉｏｎ
The subway and train system might be confusing at first but it is the most useful way in traveling place to place since taxi are very expensive.

To enter a train first you must either buy a prepaid card (green colored with a penguin on it) Or buy small tickets from the vending machines. Depending on the distance from where you are the price is adjusted accordingly. You have to insert the ticket into the turnstyles which doens't seem to have anyway in stopping you. But it has a motion sensor built in and if you have not inserted anything 2 plastic doors will pop out and stop you... of course this is very low to the ground and you can step over it but that would be illegal. Insert your chit into the machine and it comes out on the other side, take it because you'll need it to leave. If you get off too early and you paid for a longer trip you will be stopped while trying to leave by the turnstyle. report to the Ticket Adjustment machine near the turnstyle to get a refund or pay the differnce in fairs.
Children Under 6 Travel free, 6-12 is half fare.

Buses also by distance or flat rate, in which you will again recieve a ticket or pay on merit (you can cheat the fare)

Taxi Drivers Do not speak english just like NY. It is best to hand them a written destination and they input it on their computer which using GPS technology will plot the quickest path. The doors on the taxi open automatically so you get full service treatment hense more expensive.

Useful Phrases while traveling:

Where can I buy a 1 day ticket (unlimited use)
ichinichi joushaken wa doko de kaemasuka?
一日乗車券わどこで買えますか？

I dont know how to buy a ticket!
kippu no kaikata ga wakarimasen
切符の買い方がわかりません。

How much is the fare to ___ Station?
___ eki e ikuniwa doko de norikaemasuka?
___ 駅まで、料金輪いくらですか？

I would like a subway map
Chikatetsu no rosenzu o kudasai
地下鉄の路線図億打歳。

Where do I have to change to get to ___ station?
___ eki e ikuniwa doko de norikaemasuka?
___ 駅へ行くにわどこで乗り換えますか？

Can you tell me where ___ station is?
___ eki wa doko desuka?
___ 駅わどこですか？

Could you write it down on paper for me?
Kami ni kaite kudasai
紙に書いてください。

What time is the next bus/train?
Tsugi no basu(bus)/densha(train) wa nanji desuka?
次のバス／電車は何時ですか？

Does this Bus/Train stop at ___?
kono basu/densha wa ___ ni tomarimasuka?
このバス／電車は＿＿に止まりますか？

I lost my ticket
kippu o *beep*
切符をなくしました。

[after giving your address to taximan] Go to this address please
koko e itte kudasai
ここへいってください。

Is there someone who can speak english?
eigo no dekiru hito wa imasuka?
英語のできる人わいますか？

which station do i have to goto to get to the ____
____ ewa dono eki ni ikeba yoidesuka?
____ へはどの駅に行けばよいですか？


Useful words to know while traveling:

Entrance
iriguchi
入口

Exit
deguchi
出口

Information
annai
案内

Reservation
yoyaku
予約

Arrival
touchaku
到着

Departure
shuppatsu
出発

Ticket Barrier
kaisatsu guchi
改札口

Ticket Office
kippu uriba
切符売り場

Ticket Machine
kenbaiki
券売機

４） Accommodations

Internation Class hotels- Fancy 4 to 5 star hotels, well equipped facilities and great services. Usually runs 200-300 US dollars

Business Hotels (bijinesu hoteru) Hotels that are located close to train stations intended for businessmen of japan. No frills but clean rooms usually runs 50-100 US dollars

Japanese sytle inns (ryokan)
Great scenery and lodging, wonderful experience but a tad pricey 150-500 US dollars. Traditional style inn, traditionally dressed staff serving traditional foods. Each room provides an unique atmosphere that you dont get from a regular room. This includes Room, dinner, breakfast.

Minshuku
Family owned lodging, guest houses range from 50-100 dollars but you get a warmer reception and services as apposed to the business hotel. These guest houses are located all over japan except urban areas. Country side scenic views with or without food, humble, homely feeling.

Speaking of dollars:Money-
The conversion is strangly close to the american dollar, say $1.00 US well just remove the decimal and you get the Yen ammount 100yen. $100.00 USD is 10,000 Yen (approx). The money are as followed, 10,000 yen bill, 5,000 yen bill, 2,000 yen bill 1,000 yen bill (rare 500 200 100 yen bills) 500 coin (shiney brass like coin, looks like a game token) 100 yen coin, 50, 10, 5, 1 (copper) the 5 and 50 coins have a hole in the center.
The 500 yen coin and 2000 yen bill are fairly new (issued in 2000) might not be accepted in some vending machines (old machines)

Some of the inns and hotels do not take credit cards so beware and have cash on hand or ask in advance.
Unlike the US Tipping in japan is not neccessary, so you dont have to worry about the doorman getting mad at you.

Useful Phrases:

Do you have any cheaper rooms?
motto yasui heya wa arimasenka?
もっと安い部屋はありませんか？

Can I see the room?
Heya o misete kudasai?
部屋を見セて下さい？

Can you look after this for me? [Bags, luggage while your out]
kono nimotsu o azukatte kudasai?
この荷物を預かってください？

I left my key in my room.
kagi wo heya ni *beep*
鍵を部屋に忘れました。

Can I pay with this credit card?
kono kurejitto kaado de shiharai ga dekimasuka?
このクレジットかードで支払いができますか？

I want to send this.
kore wo okuritai no desuga
これを送りたいのですが。

Could you call me a taxi?
Takushii wo yonde kudasai
タクシーを呼んでください？

5) Shopping:

Alot of places Do not accept credit cards to my surprise while in big department stores. Beware of shops by the street because those prices are fixed. The same camera at the non credit card taking place giant department store in Ueno was 235 USD and its 400 on the stores by the streets. Those stores target tourists and the prices can be bargained down but it was still cheaper at the department store. The one that i went to in Ueno is in a purple building, About 8 stories of electronics. Plus they have a translator working there on some of the days. I got a very helpful british guy. So shop around and try to haggle.
-When shopping at a supermarket or grocery store, Food and drinks are not to be sampled or consumed until purchased.
-Shopkeepers might take offense if you enter with food or are not properly cleansed when handling merchandise

Useful Phrases:

Is this made in Japan?
Kore wa nihon sei desuka?
これは日本製ですか？

Can I try this on?
Kore wo shichaku dekimasuka
これを試着できますか？

I dont want that
Sore wa irimasen
それはいりません

Could you change this for me?
Torikaete kuremasuka?
取り替えてくれますか？

It's alittle expensive, could you give me a discount on this?
Chotto takai desu, yasuku *beep* kudasai?
ちょっと高いです、安くしてください？　If not start crying

Can I buy this duty free?
Menzei de kaemasuka?
免税で買えますか？

Things that can be purchased:

Books　　　　　　　　　　hon
Magazine　　　　　　　　　　zasshi
Anime goods　　　　　　　　　　kyarakutaa guzzu
Clothes　　　　　　　　　　irui
Cosmetics　　　　　　　　　　keshou hin
Medicine　　　　　　　　　　yakuhin
Women Cycle Pads　　　　　　　　　　seiri youhin
Electrical Appliances　　　　　　　　　　denkaseihin
Calling Cards　　　　　　　　　　kokusaidenwayou tereka
Jewelry　　　　　　　　　　houshoku hin
Kitchenware　　　　　　　　　　kicchin youhin
Kimono / Yukata　　　　　　　　　　Kimono / Yukata
Postcards　　　　　　　　　　e hagaki
Stamps　　　　　　　　　　kitte
Stationery　　　　　　　　　　bunbougu
Traditional Craftwork　　　　　　　　　　dentoukougeihin
Folk craft　　　　　　　　　　mingehin
Travel goods　　　　　　　　　　ryokou youhin

6) Eating

While walking around you might notice food on a table outside of the resurant or in the window. These are life like sample dishes for display. The bill is normally paid at the cashier near the entrance and not from your table.

Useful Phrases:

Do you have an english Menu?
eigo no menyuu wa arimasuka?
英語のメニュウワありますか？

__ people will join us later.
Atokara __ nin kimasu
あとから__人来ます

I'll have what s/he's having.
ano hito to onajimono o kudasai
あの人と同じものを下さい

Can i have a Spoon, fork, knife, chopsticks
supuun / fooku / naifu / ohasi o kudasai
スプウン　・　フォーク　・　ナイフ　・　お箸　を下さい

Japanese Grace saying before eating
itadakimas
いただきます

Japanese Grace after eating
gochisousama *beep*
ご馳走様でした

Seafood:

mackerel 　　　　　　　　　　 Aji / Saba
eel 　　　　　　　　　　 Anago
Yellowtail 　　　　　　　　　　 Hamachi
Sardine 　　　　　　　　　　 Iwashi
Bonito 　　　　　　　　　　 Katsuo
Tuna 　　　　　　　　　　 Maguro
Salmon 　　　　　　　　　　 Sake
Sea bream 　　　　　　　　　　 Tai

Round clam 　　　　　　　　　　 Aoyagi
Ark shell 　　　　　　　　　　 Akagai
Abalone 　　　　　　　　　　 Awabi
Scallop 　　　　　　　　　　 Hotate
Suf Clam 　　　　　　　　　　 Mirugai
*beep* 　　　　　　　　　　 Torigai

Shrimp 　　　　　　　　　　 Ebi
Cuttlefish 　　　　　　　　　　 Ika
Salmon eggs 　　　　　　　　　　 Ikura
Crab 　　　　　　　　　　 Kani
Herring eggs 　　　　　　　　　　 Kazunoko
Octopus 　　　　　　　　　　 Tako
Sea Urchin 　　　　　　　　　　 Uni

Side dishes:
Egg 　　　　　　　　　　 Tamago
Gourd Shavings 　　　　　　　　　　 Kampyo Maki
Cucumber 　　　　　　　　　　 Kappa Maki
White radish 　　　　　　　　　　 Takuan Maki
Plum 　　　　　　　　　　 Ume Maki
Tuna pieces 　　　　　　　　　　 Tekka Maki

Others:

Water 　　　　　　　　　　 Mizu
Mineral Water 　　　　　　　　　　 Mineraru uoutaa
salt 　　　　　　　　　　 Shio
pepper 　　　　　　　　　　 Koshou
Sugar 　　　　　　　　　　 Satou
Milk 　　　　　　　　　　 Miruku
Coffee　　　　　　　　　　Cohee

7) Emergency

I feel dizzy 　　　　　　　　　　 Memai shimasu
I keep Vomitting 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 *beep* imasu
I have the chills 　　　　　　　　　　 Samuke ga shimasu
I feel nauseous 　　　　　　　　　　 Hakike ga shimasu
I'm pregnant 　　　　　　　　　　 Atashi ninshin *beep* no
I have a headache 　　　　　　　　　　 zutsuu ga shimasu
I have tummy ache 　　　　　　　　　　 *beep* ga shimasu
I have Stomach Pains 　　　　　　　　　　 Itsuu ga shimasu
I have diarrhea 　　　　　　　　　　 Geri o *beep* imasu
I have a cold 　　　　　　　　　　 Kaze o hiite imasu
I have a fever 　　　　　　　　　　 Netsu ga arimasu
I have a cough 　　　　　　　　　　 Seki ga demasu
I dont have any appetite 　　　　　　　　　　 Shokuyoku ga arimasen
my ___ hurts 　　　　　　　　　　 ___ ga itai desu
My ___ is itchy 　　　　　　　　　　 ___ ga kayuidesu
I burned my ___ 　　　　　　　　　　 ___ni yakedo o *beep*
I am allergic to ___ 　　　　　　　　　　 ___ni arerugii ga arimasu
　　　　　　　　　　


Pharmacy / Medicines:
Cold 　　　　　　　　　　 Kaze gusuri
Diarrhea 　　　　　　　　　　 Geri dome
Constipation 　　　　　　　　　　 Benpi yaku
Stomachache 　　　　　　　　　　 Itsuu yaku
Fever 　　　　　　　　　　 Genetsuzai
Headache 　　　　　　　　　　 Zutsuu yaku
PMS pain 　　　　　　　　　　 Seiritsuu yaku
Fatigue 　　　　　　　　　　 Hirokaifuku yaku
Insect bite 　　　　　　　　　　 Mushisasare Yaku
Disinfecting 　　　　　　　　　　 shoudoku Yaku

*Note* In an emergeny 911 doesn't work, Here are the Japanese emergency numbers:
Police 110
Police for english speakers 03 3501 0110 (Doesn't seem too easy...)
Ambulance / Fire 119

8 ) Pronounciation:

　　　　
あ　い　う　え　お　Hiragana
ア　イ　ウ　エ　オ　Katakana
a　i　u　e　o　Romanji


か　き　く　け　こ　きゃ　きゅ　きょ
カ　キ　ク　ケ　コ　きゃ　きゅ　きょ
ka　ki　ku　ke　ko　kya　kyu　kyo

さ　し　す　せ　そ　しゃ　しゅ　しょ
サ　シ　ス　セ　ソ　シャ　シュ　ショ
sa　shi　su　se　so　sha　shu　sho

た　ち　つ　て　と　ちゃ　ちゅ　ちょ
タ　チ　ツ　テ　ト　チャ　チュ　チョ
ta　chi　tsu　te　to　cha　chu　cho

な　に　ぬ　ね　の　にゃ　にゅ　にょ
ナ　二　ヌ　ネ　ノ　ニャ　ニュ　ニョ
na　ni　nu　ne　no　nya　nyu　nyo

は　ひ　ふ　へ　ほ　ひゃ　ひゅ　ひょ
ハ　ヒ　フ　ヘ　ホ　ヒャ　ヒュ　ヒョ
ha　hi　fu　he　ho　hya　hyu　hyo

ま　み　む　め　も　みゃ　みゅ　みょ
マ　ミ　ム　メ　モ　ミャ　ミュ　ミョ
ma　mi　mu　me　mo　mya　myu　myo

ら　り　る　れ　ろ　りゃ　りゅ　りょ
ラ　リ　ル　レ　ロ　リャ　リュ　リョ
ra　ri　ru　re　ro　rya　ryu　ryo

や　　ゆ　　よ
ャ　　ユ　　ヨ
ya　　yu　　yo

わ　　　　を
ワ　　　　ヲ
wa　　　　wo

ん
ン
ng

が　ぎ　ぐ　げ　ご　ぎゃ　ぎゅ　ぎょ
ガ　ギ　グ　ゲ　ゴ　ギャ　ギュ　ギョ
ga　gi　gu　ge　go　gya　gyu　gyo

ざ　じ　ず　ぜ　ぞ　じゃ　じゅ　じょ
ザ　ジ　ズ　ゼ　ゾ　ジャ　ジュ　ジョ
za　ji　zu　ze　zo　ja　ju　jo

だ　ぢ　づ　で　ど　ぢゃ　ぢゅ　ぢょ
ダ　ヂ　ヅ　デ　ド　ヂャ　ヂュ　ヂョ
da　di　du　de　do　dya　dyu　dyo

ば　び　ぶ　べ　ぼ　びゃ　びゅ　びょ
バ　ビ　ブ　ベ　ボ　ビャ　ビュ　ビョ
ba　bi　bu　be　bo　bya　byu　byo

ぱ　ぴ　ぷ　ぺ　ぽ　ぴゃ　ぴゅ　ぴょ
パ　ピ　プ　ペ　ポ　ピャ　ピュ　ピョ
pa　pi　pu　pe　po　pya　pyu　pyo　　　　　　




I hope I've inspired you to visit　Japan
Yokoso

[msn]

Points of intrests and places I recommend:

TOKYO:Hotels: I've been to:

1) Need just a place to put your stuff or cheap no frills hotel and still clean and hospitable? Try the Hotel New Azuma with rates of 25-30 dollars a night you cant lose! Commune showers/baths, internet of 10 cents a minute.
While your there say Hi to my friend and Owner Ichiro Kimura, tell him Harold sends his best reguards ^_^. He is very nice and looks like that guy from the karate kid (no joke) mr miyagi. (If he cant remember me then tell him That I was there with Daniel, and Arnold) Thanks
Address: 38-3, 2 chome, Kiyokawa Taito Ku tokyo, Japan 111-0022
Tele: (03) 6802-0715
To get there take the JR or Tokyo metro to stop Minami Senju, and its 1 block away from the 7-11 shop.

2) Ueno First Hotel.
A perfect example of a business hotel, roughly 100 dollars a night including breakfast. Very close to the train station(s) But I got lost since it was my first night wandering around from the airport. It too is 1 block from a 7-11 or Lawsons convience store. Private tub and shower, availible in japanese and western style (bed / fulton)
Address: ? Cant remember
Tele: (03) 3831 8215
To get there take the JR yamanote line to Ueno or Okachimachi





Traveling, I highly Recommend Obtaining one of these as it will let you ride on the JR (JR only) trains for free which includes bullet trains. A weeks pass is about 260 USD.
As you can see I used my pass to death (blue)
The Voucher which you purchase in the US before travel is the Black one, you must exchange it for the pass.
And the orange stub is the ticket for trains, Keep on to these as they are your ticket out of the subway.
Speaking of subway heres the MAP:

_________________
Harold W, Asia Moderator & Campus Ambassador

[msn]

TOKYO GUIDE


Tokyo can be assessed by Tokyo Metro Ｓｕｂｗａｙ　as well as ＪＲ　Ｔｒａｉｎｓ．

0) From the Airport:
Narita (Tyoko internation) Airport terminal 1and2. From there you can take 2 type of trains, JR or Tyoko metro. The Tyoko metro is called the Keisei Line it is a blue colour stripe train. It is about 10USD from there to Tyoko. It goes from the airport to Nippori and Keisei Ueno. (Fastest)
Or you can take the JR Narita Line which goes to Chiba -> Funabashi -> Kinshicho [Transfer] (Sobu Line)-> Akihabara (electric town) or [Not Transfer] -> Tyoko -> Shinagawa [Spits] -> Shibuya,Shinjuki,ikebukuro,omiya [or] -> yokohama (chinatown) ->ofuna
This might look confusing now but pick up a train map (which is more confusing at first) {I will post a picture soon}


*)MyFavorite is the JR trains due to the fact that you can ride on it for free once you've obtained a JR PASS which you get before going to japan. Favorite Train on the JR Line is the Yamanote which runs in a circle around all the hot spots in tokyo, except one.

1) Asakusa
From the Asakusa Train station walk until you reach a red gate with a giant red latern, This is the Kaminarimon Gate. Walk straight into that and you will see little shops / booths (especially on holidays). Enjoy the atmosphere, shop eat, take pictures, then at the end of this long street is another gate this one has 2 giant hay slippers stapled to the wall. Hozomon gate. Enter and you can see a Pagoda to your left. And a temple straight ahead (Asakusa temple) and a shrine is behind that temple. After viewing, walk past the pagoda for a nice park and if the weather is right there is also an amusement park. There are about 5 theathers, bowling alley and museum also.

2) Imperal Palace
Once a year on new years you are allowed inside but other than that you have to just walk around it. The place is moatted in with bridges connecting it. Assessible best from Nijubashi mae station or Takebashi station. Beautiful moat full of green water and carp. Most places are not accessible due to security reasons, but it is a scenic place. Like a giant garden. There is a Science museum, museum of modern art around kitanomaru park. There is a historical bridge, the Nijubashi bridge as well as Chidorigafuchi

3) Meiji Shrine
An old temple lost in a forest in a big city. None buddist shrine.
Assessible from Harajuku Station, it is just around the corner but a walk up to the shrine. While walking notice the archs made of giant wood, imported from china (i herd stolen when they invaded china). Sake barrels and greens. There is also a garden inside but that has an admissions price. Afterwards check out the Yoyogi park then walk back towards the train station, *beep* street (dori) is full of expensive shops if you want to splurge on some designer stuff. There are many shops in this area including a giant 99 cent store where i bought caligraphy stuff. There is also a museum (Ota Memorial art museum), and if you go down Omotesando Street theres an institue of fine art as well as okamoto taro kinenkan gallery. As well as Shibuya and Jingu baseball stadium in walking distance.

4) Ueno park


[Under construction]
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Harold W, Asia Moderator & Campus Ambassador

[msn]

OSAKA GUIDE

Osaka is the 2nd biggest city in japan and thus it has alot of neat stuff to do and see. Considered the City of the sea.


1) Osaka Castle
Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuoku Osaka City
This Castle has been transformed into a museum full of beauties and wonders. Opened 9am -5pm Everyday except for holidays, admission is 6 dollars US.

First Floor: Entrance, There is also a Theater room with a brief history of the castle and restoration, subtitles are available in English, chinese, and japanese. Museum gift shop
Second Floor: More information on the history of this castle are available here, LCD pannel full of info, Display of roof tiles.
Third and Forth Floor: Hideyoshi Toyotomi and his time period. Golden tea room, how the castle looked like in that period (edo), historical artifacts, castle reconstruction.
Fifth Floor (combined 6th): Summer war of Osaka. The great battle of Sanada VS Matudaira are recreated in minitures.
Seventh Floor: Hideyoshi Toyotomi's Life
Eighth Floor: Observation Deck, enjoy the view.


2) Floating Garden Observatory

Kuchu Teien Tenbodai Floating Garden Observatory, this garden is literally floating because it is balanced on top of 2 sky scrapers. Spectacular View
Open everyday 10am - 10pm admission is 7 USD.

This place have cafes, shops and galleries. The rooftop can only be described as a roman colusium style opening. At night they turn on a lightshow on top of the tower as well. You even get a view going up since you'll be traveling in a glass elevator and see thru escalators.
And the bottom of the garden is Shin Umeda City which is a very nice metro area.

3) Sight seeing Ferry - Osaka Aqua Liner
4) Theater, Bunraku Puppet show
5) Temples and shrines: *beep* noji temple, ikuta shrine,
6a) Universal Studios Osaka
6b) Universal City Walk
7) Osaka Aquarium -Kaiyukan
8) Kobe Port, Tempozan Harbor Village(View of the amusement park)
9) Himeji Castle
10) Osamu tezuka Anime and Manga Museum
11) Osaka Business Park
12) Hep Five amusement Park and Suntory Museum
13) Central Public Hall
14) Bridges: Akashi Kaikyo, Oebashi,
15) Underground Shopping mall: The Diamor Osaka
16) Osaka Maritime Museum and WTC - ATC world / asia trade center
17) Maishima Sports island
18) Osaka Business Park OBP

Some places I have not been to so I cannot write much for them, gomen gomen
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Harold W, Asia Moderator & Campus Ambassador

[USMCsteve]

this is good stuff, keep it comin! whenever you get a chance that is )
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[valerie]

another great place to visit is inokashira park in kichijoji. kichijoji is on the chuo (orange) JR line and also the keio inokashira line. take the "inokashira kouen" exit and keeps walking straight away from the station. about a block behind the marui department store is the park. it's definitely one of the best places to see the cherry blossoms bloom in tokyo (along with ueno park)

[valerie]

just thoguht of something else: SEISHUN JUU-HACHI KIPPU. hands down the best deal on train travel in japan. 5 days of unlimited travel on JR local/rapid/some limited express trains for about US$100. shinkansen is not included, but on this ticket i made it from tokyo to nagoya, kyoto, nara, kobe, osaka, hiroshima, and shimonoseki. long train rides, but not bad at all. the catch is that this ticket is only offered a few times a year (to coincide with school breaks). google for "seishun kippu" and you'll find some info about times it's available. anyone can purchase it at any jr ticket window in japan.

[kevans]

This is very good! I have some stuff to add!

other good places in tokyo to go are akihabara (definitely go if you love electronics and anime) and shibuya for some good shopping and big screen tvs on the buildings. harajuku was mentioned as the place to visit the Meiji Shrine (which is a Shinto shrine) but also go across that bridge as you leave the shrine and check out the harajuku girls (gothic-lolita, punk, etc. girls, not hip-hop like in gwen stefani's videos) that are posing for foreigners to take thier picture plus harajuku has great shops and restaurants.

japan is really amazing...it's both traditionally beautiful and modernized at the same time. lol it's kind of overexaggerating to say white people are adored by japanese (heh heh, saw this in the other topic ) people b/c they also like black people and 'hafu' (people that are half japanese) and other foreigners but in different ways...like hip hop culture in japan is on the rise and hafus are REALLY seen as exotic esp. in the fashion and idol media(but i have heard stories of the difficulties some hafu children face while growning up).

although, since japan is still very much a homogeneous country they definitely stereotype foreigners. Like on japanese tv they like puting foreigners on tv doing silly things(ex. trying out strange japanese foods) and some stereotypical stuff. it's not meant to be mean or anything but i have talked to some that have gotten irritated at such things but of course Japan isn't the only place in the world guilty of stereotyping. It also depends on where you are in Japan how ppl may react to foreigners. Like in big cities like tokyo or osaka ppl are use to seeing foreigners but in more rural places like Togane (a place i studied at for the first time in japan) ppl might be VERY surprised to see you but most likely they'll be nice to you !

[msn]

Due to the language filter some of the words shows up as beeps, these words are usually shi_te. Hopefully this will be corrected in the future
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Harold W, Asia Moderator & Campus Ambassador

[vincent760720]

very helpful information! thank you!

[xenax]

hey guys,
i visited japan last winter from dec. 24th until jan 3rd. i'm sure japan is a beautiful place to go during summertime but going during christmas and new years was a breathtaking experience. tokyo had the best light decorations all over the city , 1000X better than new york city. if you visit, you must really not miss Hakone which is an area outside of tokyo and has various tourist attractions all over (although it was so peaceful at each stop- i never felt like places were crowded or too touristy at all). you can go to the coolest museums. my personal favorites were The Glass Museum and The Little prince Museum another place to visit in Hakone is the hills with the black eggs ( i have no idea what it is called) and the natural hot springs. my other favorite place was Yokohama which has this beautiful Russian building by the port that is a very upscale shopping center. the other place to visit is Kamakura which is were alot of the temples are and it looks like a very old and historic little town.