Tokyo and such...

Japan's an amazing country. I went there a couple years back and was filled with such weird emotions. Half of it was "oh, it's like this in the states" and the other half was, "What?! Wow, that's crazy different!"
I just wanted to share my trip to Japan when i went. Maybe some others can share what they remember.
It was a couple years ago and I don't remember as much as I wish, but it was so different and interesting. First of all, strange strange weather. it was hot, humid...and raining! this was...late July I believe.

You must get some yakiniku (sp?). It's japanese style Korean BBQ.

I went to two baseball games and it's worth checking out just to see how different the crowd is compared to US baseball. Also to see some weird batting stances and pitching wind-ups.

Checked out a sony center which was awesome, checking out new gadgets that are probably 3 years ahead of it's time for us in the states. (some things I still haven't seen yet)

Went down to Mia, which is apparently very rural and got stared and snubbed by the locals there. That was fun!

Getting around tokyo takes forever. Really it was always planning one thing in the afternoon, then one thing at night. That got tiring.

I did a lot of work with the people I was staying with, so I didn't do as much tourist things as most probably do, but it was enjoyable, it more like living in Japan, than visiting.

Had a lot of great food, but I can't remember any of the names of places, nor would I know the location.

that's all I can really say about it.

[d360]

Hey Cliff,

Great to hear your story! I thought these virtual tours might bring back some memories. I spent a week there last year and had a great time. Though the language barrier was a problem most of the time people were very helpful and many menus had photos so it made ordering very easy. Lots of people walking everwhere.Tokyo at night, Roppongi Hills Shopping
this was a beautiful cityscape. Everything is so clean and modern.Hibiya Park the postcard view of Japan.

For all you visitors that haven't been I'd add this to you list to see. But keep in mind its not for the budget minded people it is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Happy Travels,
Dan

[joe]

Thanks for the thoughts, Cliff. The electronics in Japan are very intriguing to me. Both the obsession and the implementation in daily life. I thought we were fascinated by them here in the States, but compared to them sometimes I think we might look like the Amish or something.

And watching Japanese baseball highlights always provides me with good entertainment, so I can imagine catching a game in person was a good time.

[everyann]

Originally Posted by joe

Thanks for the thoughts, Cliff. The electronics in Japan are very intriguing to me. Both the obsession and the implementation in daily life. I thought we were fascinated by them here in the States, but compared to them sometimes I think we might look like the Amish or something.

I thought the same thing when I lived there. I was so fascinated with ALL of their stuff! Even if it was just a mechanical pencil and pen in one that lit up or changed color when you gripped it (it was like when your mood ring changed colors)! I remember personal CD players and CDs becoming mainstream in Japan. When I went back to visit in the states people were still on cassette tapes like I was the weird one. The big bonus was getting cool gadgets pretty cheap!

[d360]

Buying cameras in Tokyo is more expensive than in the US though.