- Nov 30, 2005
- 50,231
- 118
- 116
Depends on the day actually or if it is a holiday or not. If it is a holiday or a weekend you may want to call ahead and reserve a seat, otherwise you should be able to walk up no problem.
KT
Depends, if you go to the average girl then no. But if you're going to a club catered to foreigners then you'll have girls there generally looking for foreigners.
well, if it's Japan, here's the saying, "those who climb Mt. Fuji once is a ..something-something courageous whatever. but those who climb Mt. Juji twice is a 'fool' .."
China: not to be pestimistic, but place where tank rolled into protest. Tienaman Square.
good luck 'n enjoy life!
China: not to be pestimistic, but place where tank rolled into protest. Tienaman Square.
good luck 'n enjoy life!
Friend who is teaching there said ace inn in shinjuku http://www.hostelworld.com/ava...nnShinjuku-Tokyo-20457 is a good place close to some entertainment. I just booked two weeks there in April.
little elvis
Senior member
- Sep 8, 2005
- 227
- 0
- 0
Hostels are a great place to meet people. Interesting note, when I was traveling Japan, the majority of people staying at the hostels were Japanese, apparently, hotels are so expensive, most Japanese stay in hostels when the travel within the country.
However, most hostels in Japan have curfews (at least in 2001) which in some cases sucks, especially if you are planning to hit the night club district (Roppongi), check with the hostel regarding curfew before checking in. I had to sleep on a park bench in Sapporo because I missed curfew (too drunk at the time to really care.
- Feb 5, 2006
- 35,787
- 6,198
- 126
OK, in Japan I will be staying 3 nights in a room "business hotel" in Shinjuku, and 3 nights in a hostel in Asakusa, though I will have a single room with my own shower there as well. I will get "Lonely Planet" books from the library for Tokyo, Beijing, and Shanghai tomorrow, and I also got the japanese and mandarin phrase books, so hopefully I will be OK.
I was talking to a nice Japanese girl at Starbucks today, and she suggested I make a trip to Kamakura.
I was talking to a nice Japanese girl at Starbucks today, and she suggested I make a trip to Kamakura.
- Feb 5, 2006
- 35,787
- 6,198
- 126
OK, I am in Japan. So far so good. It is a weird country tho. It's like Times square on every block over here, plus lots of people wearing surgical masks...
So far I've seen Shinjuku, Roppongi, Imperial palace, Ginza, the big fish market, and some other things I can't remember now.
P.S. , Japan Air Lines economy class should be renamed Kunta Kinte Class :| I suppose it goes in line with pretty much everything here when it comes to size.
P.P.S. , Get a Capital One card if you plan on going overseas. They are the only ones I think who waive exchange rate surcharges. Amex charges 2%, and most Visa/MC cards charge 3%. In fact, Capital One actually covers the 1% that Visa and MC charges. Too bad I didn't get one
I should be OK in China, since China construction bank accepts BofA ATMs.
So far I've seen Shinjuku, Roppongi, Imperial palace, Ginza, the big fish market, and some other things I can't remember now.
P.S. , Japan Air Lines economy class should be renamed Kunta Kinte Class :| I suppose it goes in line with pretty much everything here when it comes to size.
P.P.S. , Get a Capital One card if you plan on going overseas. They are the only ones I think who waive exchange rate surcharges. Amex charges 2%, and most Visa/MC cards charge 3%. In fact, Capital One actually covers the 1% that Visa and MC charges. Too bad I didn't get one
I should be OK in China, since China construction bank accepts BofA ATMs.
In Japan and China, I suggest staying in hostels. It's cheap and safe, plus you will meet a lot of other backpackers and people to go clubbing with. You can get lockers for your stuff. In Beijing, I had a great time at Red Lantern House; the building is a beautiful traditional building. In Tokyo, we stayed for 2 weeks at the Tokyo Backpackers hostel, but I can't find it anymore on hostelworld (they have one but it's not the same). Still you can try out on of the capsule hotels for an experience of an lifetime!
In China, remember they target tourists with tours and other crap. When you visit a tourist location, or even in your hostel/hotel, they will try to scam you with cheap tours. For example, we had this crap pulled on us when we booked a taxi (all-day, 120 yuan) through our hostel to go see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an. Instead of taking us directly there, the taxi kept making stops at a way overpriced (1000%) souvenir shops. Only when we made it clear we're not going to buy anything did he take us to the TW. When we complained at the hostel, the front desk sympathized and apologized with us; it's common every in China because everyone gets a cut.
However, we did have a great time with the Red Lantern House's Great Wall tours; they have their own van that takes you to 3 different sections (Mutianyu is the best) of the Great Wall, no BS included. They drop you off and pick you back up in 4 hours (which is more than enough, you'll be tired of walking then). Oh yeah, the taxis in Japan are great, never had any problems, except they are pretty expensive compared to the subway. The subway takes you everywhere, but closes at midnight.
In Asia, remember no tips. The bellman wouldn't even accept tips at the Hilton Conrad in Tokyo. Imagine that. Also, in China, everything is negotiable. Everything. We saw a cool tabletop decoration (tea piggies) at a tea stop, we bought the set they used and had them hand deliver another set the same day. The store didn't even sell them, they had to go to the suburbs to get them. If you are not Chinese, your quoted prices are probably 500% overpriced. Negotiate. Cut them down, and walk away if you think they are still high. Sellers will pull you back and settle. You'll still probably overpay, but at least you don't look like a total dumbass.
Have fun, be safe (beware of pick picketers in China). PM me if you need help in China or Japan with shopping or tourist locations.
In China, remember they target tourists with tours and other crap. When you visit a tourist location, or even in your hostel/hotel, they will try to scam you with cheap tours. For example, we had this crap pulled on us when we booked a taxi (all-day, 120 yuan) through our hostel to go see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an. Instead of taking us directly there, the taxi kept making stops at a way overpriced (1000%) souvenir shops. Only when we made it clear we're not going to buy anything did he take us to the TW. When we complained at the hostel, the front desk sympathized and apologized with us; it's common every in China because everyone gets a cut.
However, we did have a great time with the Red Lantern House's Great Wall tours; they have their own van that takes you to 3 different sections (Mutianyu is the best) of the Great Wall, no BS included. They drop you off and pick you back up in 4 hours (which is more than enough, you'll be tired of walking then). Oh yeah, the taxis in Japan are great, never had any problems, except they are pretty expensive compared to the subway. The subway takes you everywhere, but closes at midnight.
In Asia, remember no tips. The bellman wouldn't even accept tips at the Hilton Conrad in Tokyo. Imagine that. Also, in China, everything is negotiable. Everything. We saw a cool tabletop decoration (tea piggies) at a tea stop, we bought the set they used and had them hand deliver another set the same day. The store didn't even sell them, they had to go to the suburbs to get them. If you are not Chinese, your quoted prices are probably 500% overpriced. Negotiate. Cut them down, and walk away if you think they are still high. Sellers will pull you back and settle. You'll still probably overpay, but at least you don't look like a total dumbass.
Have fun, be safe (beware of pick picketers in China). PM me if you need help in China or Japan with shopping or tourist locations.
Originally posted by: senseamp
OK, I am in Japan. So far so good. It is a weird country tho. It's like Times square on every block over here, plus lots of people wearing surgical masks...
So far I've seen Shinjuku, Roppongi, Imperial palace, Ginza, the big fish market, and some other things I can't remember now.
P.S. , Japan Air Lines economy class should be renamed Kunta Kinte Class :| I suppose it goes in line with pretty much everything here when it comes to size.
P.P.S. , Get a Capital One card if you plan on going overseas. They are the only ones I think who waive exchange rate surcharges. Amex charges 2%, and most Visa/MC cards charge 3%. In fact, Capital One actually covers the 1% that Visa and MC charges. Too bad I didn't get one
I should be OK in China, since China construction bank accepts BofA ATMs.
Get a Pen Fed Cash Back CC. 1% Visa (good exchange rate) Exchange Fee, but 1.25% cash back every month on all purchases. Now 5% for gas.
- Feb 5, 2006
- 35,787
- 6,198
- 126
I am in Beijing now. It's cold as hell here, but thankfully also very dry. Seen most of the local stuff, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, a bunch of parks, a couple Hutong, Summer palace, old summer palace destroyed by whitey, etc.
I guess I like Japan more, even though it's much more expensive. I guess I like to let my guard down on vacation, and you can't do that in China. I wouldn't trust the people here further than I can throw them. Chinese sales people always harass and try to rip you off, usually their asking price is 10x what they will take, so you gotta go through the whole theater performance just to buy some cheap junk like $3 souvenir chopstics or $10 fake Breitling. It is cheap at the end though, but the whole bargaining ritual gets old after a while. It's same wash, rinse, repeat. They try to rip you off, you try to lowball them, you try to leave, etc. So it takes a lot more time to buy stuff, but it is cheap. But even if you are paying maybe 1/5th of what you would in Japan, you feel more ripped off for some reason. Weird.
Also, cabbies here don't speak a word of English even though they are supposedly learning for the Olympics. I don't think they can read latin script either, because I write down where I am going, and they just stare. Plus, they don't know how to drive for sh!t here and they sure do go in circles. I guess at 35 cents a km it's no big deal. I try to take subway more just because it's dirt cheap (35 cents to go anywhere in the system) and fairly convenient, and you see more real people. I did go to a club (Mix or Vics, I forgot, it was next to the stadium) here which pretty much had western prices because it caters to expats and rich Chinese, there were more white people and fewer chinese than 1015 Folsom in SF. The other clubs around here are pretty shady, but this one was pretty good.
Anyways, I go to Great Wall tomorrow, then go back to Silk Street Market and buy more fake junk. I think maybe get a fake Rolex and Omega for souvenirs. They are still automatic movement and look nice. Then I gotta get some Peking duck. I've been eating a lot of KFC and McD so far, but I went to a few restaurants too.
I guess I like Japan more, even though it's much more expensive. I guess I like to let my guard down on vacation, and you can't do that in China. I wouldn't trust the people here further than I can throw them. Chinese sales people always harass and try to rip you off, usually their asking price is 10x what they will take, so you gotta go through the whole theater performance just to buy some cheap junk like $3 souvenir chopstics or $10 fake Breitling. It is cheap at the end though, but the whole bargaining ritual gets old after a while. It's same wash, rinse, repeat. They try to rip you off, you try to lowball them, you try to leave, etc. So it takes a lot more time to buy stuff, but it is cheap. But even if you are paying maybe 1/5th of what you would in Japan, you feel more ripped off for some reason. Weird.
Also, cabbies here don't speak a word of English even though they are supposedly learning for the Olympics. I don't think they can read latin script either, because I write down where I am going, and they just stare. Plus, they don't know how to drive for sh!t here and they sure do go in circles. I guess at 35 cents a km it's no big deal. I try to take subway more just because it's dirt cheap (35 cents to go anywhere in the system) and fairly convenient, and you see more real people. I did go to a club (Mix or Vics, I forgot, it was next to the stadium) here which pretty much had western prices because it caters to expats and rich Chinese, there were more white people and fewer chinese than 1015 Folsom in SF.
The other clubs around here are pretty shady, but this one was pretty good.Anyways, I go to Great Wall tomorrow, then go back to Silk Street Market and buy more fake junk. I think maybe get a fake Rolex and Omega for souvenirs. They are still automatic movement and look nice.
Then I gotta get some Peking duck. I've been eating a lot of KFC and McD so far, but I went to a few restaurants too.:Q I love Peking duck and most of my friends who have tried it do as well. Maybe the one you had wasn't prepared that well? There is an immensely popular place in Berkeley called "Great China" that is famous for its Peking duck. Something like $35 but its an awesome treat
I'm not too sure about watches, but bootleg DVDs and software is a definite no-no. Customs in the US picks out people randomly and searches their bags. If you have some bootlegs on you, you're in for a nasty fine.
Not sure about watches, though. I don't imagine it to be a problem since there is no way they can tell whether the watches are fake or not.
Also try some "Shanghai dumplings" while you're in Shanghai. This is one of the essential local foods, but popular throughout the world. In case you're not in the know, these dumplings aren't your average dumplings. They will come fresh in a bamboo steamer of sorts, and if made well, have very tender and delicate skin. DO NOT rip the skin of the dumplings when you eat them. Pick them up very slowly and very carefully and eat the entire dumpling all at once. What makes the dumplings special is the juice that is inside. If you rip the skin, then the whole essence of the food is lost.
Also check out the super brand mall (along with the 100x others) in Pudong, Nanjing road on the bund, and xintiandi.
Also check out the super brand mall (along with the 100x others) in Pudong, Nanjing road on the bund, and xintiandi.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 24K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter