raishuu, Nihon ni ikimasu (Going to Japan next week)

[panegryst]

Next week, July 16 to be exact, I will leave my home town of Detroit, MI to spend three weeks (three whole weeks! yay) in Toyota City, Japan on a student exchange program. I will stay with a host family, nihon no ryouri wo tabemasu {eat Japanese food}, nihon no mono wo kaimasu {buy Japanese stuff}, and, ichiban taisetsu {most important}, nihongo no benkyou wo shimasuyo {study Japanese}! Unfortuneately, it is unlikely I will be able to attend church...

Has anyone else here ever been to Japan? if so, tell me what you thought and give me some helpful tips! arigatou gozaimasu!

[Aka-chan]

Way cool! You'll have so much fun! I've stayed in Japan (though not Toyota City), and I found that, though my family wasn't interested in religion at all, they were more than willing to help me find the nearest church and take me once a week. Just talk to them, and hopefully it won't be too much of a problem. (I can't guarantee how much you'll understand of the service, but it's a really neat experience in itself.)

On a less serious note, try flying fish egg sac if you get the chance; the texture is just too weird. Also, buy lots of manga, as it's so much cheaper there than the translated stuff here (unless you really need the English). ^__^

Feel free to ask any other questions here or pm me!

[TwilightApostle]

HEY! I'm in Japan right now! Takadanobaba, to be exact. There are actually a few churches (my friend is staying with the family of a Japanese pastor). They're kinda out of the way, though. Almost inconspicuous. I wish I could describe the kanji for you so you'd be able to spot them quickly. Just look for Kirisuto katakana (the name you can trust .

But anyways, if you get the chance, go to Shibuya. That place is seriously packed with music stores. Also, no matter what you do, DON'T WANDER AROUND SHINJUKU. There are more strip clubs than people on the side streets. And don't eat natto. Seriously. I think it used to be an ancient Japanese torture food. But DO eat as much curry as possible. The stuff is addictive. But in a good way.

Just out of curiosity, do you know how far away Toyota City is from Shinjuku/Takadanobaba? I'm always interested in meeting new people, and I'll be here until the 26.




Twilight Apostle
-Seriously, Japan r0x0rs. And other leet words.-

[ClosetOtaku]

I've traveled to Tokyo twice, spending a week there each time, on my own as a tourist. I really liked the transportation system (although it can be a little confusing!), I found the people friendly and ready to help, and the shopping was great!

Do you have an itinerary, or things you would like to see?

I agree you should try to get to Shibuya (in Tokyo); I think Shinjuku is OK so long as you know where you are going, but I would agree, don't wander; I would avoid Roppongi (*much* worse than Shinjuku, in my book); the best sushi I found to be in Ginza. If you are doing anime shopping, try Animate, they are pretty clean (one in Ikebukuro). If you are a serious collector, you can't miss Mandarake (the series of stores in Nakano, although there's one in Shibuya too), but beware they have their adult doujinshi alongside their regular stuff.

Enjoy, and congrats!!

[panegryst]

Toyota City is about 150 miles east of Tokyo. Yes, I do have my itinerary; the other students from America and I will be visting lots of temples and castles 'n' such, as well as meeting government officials and seeing government buildings.

thanks for the shopping suggestions. I've heard good things about 'Book Off!' is it a good store?

[ClosetOtaku]

I went to one "Book Off!" a stop or two west of Ebisu; it was mostly used books and manga, with some new stuff thrown in. However, it is quite a large chain, and that one I went to simply because it was closest to the hotel I was at. Other stores may be better.

The most impressive regular bookstore I was at was Kinokuniya in Shinjuku -- I forget how many floors of books; right behind it was the "Comic and DVD Forest" store, where you can find quite a variety of manga, artbooks, DVDs, etc.

[TwilightApostle]

Yeah, there are a lot of good places. Book Off! is sweet, but for some reason the one closest to me has a very poor selection.
It's weird; everyone says that Roppongi is bad, but I didn't have too bad of an experience wandering around there. Maybe I just got lucky. The worst I found was an abundance of fake hipsters and people trying way too hard to be cool.
You know what's really awesome in Japan? The television. I haven't had too much of an opportunity to watch (dorm life sucks), but one night I saw Yu-Gi-Oh!, Tennis no Ojisama, and some Gundam show. And the Japanese guy who was watchign with me said that was a slow night!





Twilight Apostle
-We seriously don't have enough anime being shown during primetime in America. Also, we need more midget wrestling.-

[Aka-chan]

I agree. Definitely check out Book Off and whatever's on TV. Even the kiddie stuff in the daytime can be oddly entertaining.

[Jasdero]

oh my gosh! you're going to have oodles of fun. pictures!!! take pictures!!! pictures are wonderful memories! ^_^
TwilightApostle knows a lot of Japan. so cool.
Well, both of you have fun while you're at Japan. go and come back safely.

[shooraijin]

I'm jealous. But, isn't it 日本へ行きます ? *curious why you used に *

[panegryst]

I'm jealous. But, isn't it 日]へ[/b]行きます ? *curious why you used に *

へ is used to indicate direction, usually (as in うちへ行きます, 'I'm going [towards] home.') に in this context indicates destination. So, I could have used either.

[panegryst]

um, I came back.

expect photos, trip summary, etc soon.



cool stuff in Japan note: Right now in Japan, NHK is showing a UNSTOPPABLE Shinsengumi drama. (oh yeah. shinsengumi. google them.) so lots of しんせんぐみ stuff is being sold. I got a blue and white happi (see RK: Trust & Betrayal to see the kind I got), a wallscroll that reads "Sinsengumi for nation A.D. 1867", and I made a bowl with 誠 (official しんせんぐみ symbol/motto) in the middle.

[Swordguy]

oo ect i will ve looking for for ect