Recommend Me Things I Should Do in Japan

[Dimension]

Hey all,

I'm going to Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Hakone, Toyohashi, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Osaka--yes, I am going to all these places) after Christmas. It's my first time travelling there, so recommend things I should buy and do there.

Starter questions:
*What things must I try--like visit, eat etc.?
* What should I buy to bring home for my family?
*Anything cool/unique I must buy?

Thanks in advance for comments.

[pablonutribar]

If you want lechery at its best, head to roppongi in tokyo. there are some amusing clubs - Gas Panic is/was one of them.

Additionally, the only place besides Kyoto that wasn't bombed flat during the war was Kanazawa, so there might be some good sightseeing to be had there.

The only other thing I could recommend is going to the Brazilian BBQ in Harborland (Kobe) for lunch. It's cheap as hell and all-you-can-eat. I haven't had pork that good even in Brazil! Mmmmmmmm pork!

[lonelydriver]

Kanazawa would be a great place to visit. Old streets with samurai house etc. It's a bit difficult to get to though.

in kyoto, you can get used kimono's for a fraction of the price of new. they're in great shape too. kyoto is know for tofu so try to find a tofu specialty place. try the crab in osaka.

[cauliflower18]

Go to an onsen (spa). And don't wear anything. If you're shy many higher class hotels (usually ryokan) have private ones in your room. I suggest SpaWorld in Osaka. It's glorious and wonderful.

In Osaka eat the takoyaki - it's famous and delicious. You should see it if you hang around the giant crab (just north of Namba along Shinsaibashi). If not just ask and ye shall find.

Shop at Uniqlo. I love uniqlo. It's super cheap and has awesome stuff. They mainly sell clothes.

In Osaka there is a store called "LOFT". It has tons of nice uniquely Japanese things. Go there to buy small gifts for people back home. They have an awesome collection of cellphone accessories (the little cellphone straps)

Kobe beef is famous. I had it once and it was expensive, but really, really good. There is an area in Kobe that has many restaurants that specialise in this.

My favourite food is udon. Unfortunately none of the places you are going to really are famous for it. But just try it and see how different it is over there compared to here.

In Kyoto go to the main touristy places, but there is a zen garden that I went to (in the complex there were about 15-20 gardens), and either because it was rainy or because people were tuckered out from the more famous sites, it was fairly devoid of people. It was one of the best days I spent in Japan, just sitting and enjoying. Don't know if you're into peace and quiet, but I am.

Nara is famous for the deer that live freely in the parks. They're really friendly. Within Nara city, there is not too much to do unfortunately so one day is enough.

Yokohama and Kobe have "chinatowns". Don't bother to go to Kobe's because it is basically one block and very disappointing. Yokohama's is larger and more famous.

For electronics try Sofmap. I LOVE sofmap. And Yodobashi. It is wonderful and full of happiness. In Osaka, at Umeda station they have a Yodobashi. And on the 12th floor (or 10th?) they have a cake restaurant. Yummy cake. Tons to choose from. You will not be disappointed.

A cheap meal is to be had at Yoshinoya. Try the gyudon. I'm starting to get hungry now.

Also in the conbini's (convenience stores) they have good bento boxes that you can buy. For hot ones they'll microwave it for you which is nice.

OH! Try cup noodles. They have cup noodles that just cannot compare to the cup noodles here. My favourite is the "Cup Noodles" brand - just the regular one. And the Udon http://www.konbiniya.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=34&language=en

Alright, that's enough from me. Hope you enjoy your time. Try not to get too lost! It is quite disorienting (especially at the main transportation hubs), so be prepared.

Also if you're taking the train, the trains run on schedule, so plan it out beforehand and you'll be good.

[heymikey]

In regards to food, I LOVE okonomiyaki which is quite different from the raw food that is usually equated with Japanese cuisine.

As for cheap sushi, there is a good kaitenzushi (sushi on a conveyor belt) restaurant in Shibuya called Tsukiji Honten. The price when I was there was about 105 JPY (roughly 90 cents) for a plate containing 2 sushi. 10 plates and you'll be full. There's a catch though: if you consume less than 7 plates, you should be done in 10 minutes. If you consume more than that, you're allowed for 30 minutes so it's not really a good place to take your time like in other restaurants.

For fresh sushi and sashimi, check out Tsukiji fish market although you have to be there early in the morning. This is great if you've just arrived in Tokyo and you have a bad case of jet lag.

For cheap western-style fastfood, check out MosBurger. Yoshinoya is good and cheap as well.

Try checking out a kabuki play (http://www.shochiku.co.jp/play/kabukiza/theater/) while in Tokyo. For the cheapest price, you can get standing admission for a single act. I forgot the price but I'm sure it's under $10.

[lonelydriver]

there's a street in tokyo that's all okonomiyaki restaurants. look for Tsukishima station. you can get some really weird combonations.

there's a cool onsen in odaiba in tokyo. it's themed like old tokyo.

tokyu hands is another cool store to check out. it sells a bit of everything.

go to an izakaiya or yakitori place to eat and drink. neat experience

[mrspuff]

if you are going to nara to visit the nara park which includes the Todaiji Temple , kofukuji tenple , and Kasuga Taisha shrine etc.. it's massive to walk the whole place. i recommend renting a bike for several hours which is located next to the JR nara station. plus it's a fast way to travel around the park and around the city if you only have 1 day in nara. i did that for kyoto as well (bike rental is near the JR kyoto station). it's a great way to cover the city. i was there for 2 weeks visiting about 10 different cities and my poor feet were tired walking 10-12 hours a day until i discovered that most cities have a bike rental place (really cheap about $5-10) next to the main JR stations. have fun