Support NeoGAF

[radioheadrule83]

I was talking to a guy in work about it today. I really wanna go on holiday this year... either somewhere nice or somewhere unusual. So whether it's somewhere hot like Spain or whatever, or whether I visit European cities I've been wanting to see: Rome, Prague, etc I really wanna go somewhere this year, for whatever amount of time I can, and enjoy myself. Hell, if anyones got some recommendations on obscure locations they've enjoyed -- I'm all ears.

This fella was telling me about his time in Japan though. This has to be on my 'must do before I die' list. I've always found the idea of going quite attractive. I can't think of anyone better informed than some of the people on these boards.

Can anyone point me in the direction of good flight deals? Some idea of costs - accomodation / food etc? Maybe even someone who specialises in packages for the area? What are the best places to try and get to? What is the language barrier like (can I enjoy a trip without much knowledge)? Anyone who has been who comes from the UK here?

I'll save through the year and go next year if I have to. The way I spend money, I'd probably have to. I just really want to know that I'm going to go somewhere or do something.

I feel like I'm working for nothing lately Except buying food, so I can live, so I can work some more that is.

Thom

 

[speedpop]

My first suggestion is if you have zero knowledge of the language, definitely look into going around with a tour guide. But make sure you're there for like.. I dunno, 2-3 days after the tour so you can go explore yourself AFTER you have essentially been shown around places so you'll know where the hell you are.

I'm heading over there with my girlfriend and her father next year or so, we both have basic knowledge but her father is fluent in it so we aren't going to bother with a tour guide at all.. unless of course we want to head up into the mountains for awhile.

 

[AntoneM]

Italy is totally awesome! Florence was my favorite, it's the birthplace of the renaisance(sp?) and it's just a beautiful city. Rome of course has most of the Major attractions, and don't forget Venice. I want to live in Florence some day, and I just might considering that I'm learning Italian in college

 

[cloudwalking]

if it's any help, i just went to japan at the beginning of the month. i paid $768 US for my ticket out of minneapolis-st. paul (pretty much in the middle of america.) flights to japan are generally cheap this time of year.

oh yeah, and if you don't know the language at all, make sure you get a handle on at least the basic stuff, or find someone who knows it to show you around. i don't know any japanese and i was amazed at how lost i would have been if i hadn't been with friends who live there and know the language.

 

[Miburou]

Try to get one of those Lonely Planet guidebooks. Not only does it have a list of the best places to check out (complete with opening hours and entry fees), but it even has maps and a metro map in English, which is probably the most useful thing to have.

As for food, when I was in Osaka last summer, I would pay only 350-400 Yen (less than $4) for lunch, at those places where salarymen would got to eat. It also helps that there's no tipping in Japan, and tax is only 5%. I actually ended up spending less on food, transportation and lodging than I usually do in Canada!

 

[Nester]

if it's any help, i just went to japan at the beginning of the month. i paid $768 US for my ticket out of minneapolis-st. paul (pretty much in the middle of america.) flights to japan are generally cheap this time of year.

oh yeah, and if you don't know the language at all, make sure you get a handle on at least the basic stuff, or find someone who knows it to show you around. i don't know any japanese and i was amazed at how lost i would have been if i hadn't been with friends who live there and know the language.

Thanks, that gives me a good idea for when I go out, seeing as I live in St. Paul myself as well.

 

[Miburou]

As for the language barrier, you should at least be able to order food, ask for directions, and ask if the shop has obscure Famicom game x.

As for places to stay, I stayed in a so-called "gaijin house". It cost me less than $500 for one months (but that was in Osaka, Tokyo is around 25% more expensive). It's basically a tiny room with a TV, with bathrooms being shared. It's a great way to hook up with other gaijins and raid all the popular clubs for cute Japanese girls.

 

[DCharlie]

i managed to do 3 weeks in Japan with pretty much zero Japanese skills. Tourist info centres usually have english speakers who will sort out hotels and stuff for you, the rest is fairly easy to bumble through.

It's possible to do with out a guide, and (dare i say it) infinitely more fun/adventure-esque?

 

[Suerte]

I looked into it last year, expedia.co.uk seemed like a good place to book everything from (you save money apparently if you book a flight and hotel together), I really want to go but it's just saving the money up for it that's proving difficult (being a student and all) I'd probably try my best to go off-season too since you can save A LOT then.

 

[MetatronM]

Japan was on my "things to do before I die" list too. Got to x that one off last year.

Language barriers aren't really a huge problem if you're in, say, Tokyo or some similar metropolis since a lot of stuff is marked in English there (such as signs in trains stations and whatnot). But a basic knowledge of katakana and hiragana would be highly recommended and make things a lot easier. A little pocket dictionary and a week or so of studying the alphabets does wonders. The more you learn in advance, the easier and easier it is.

 

[cvxfreak]

Language barriers weren't too bad when I was there. It was a bit difficult getting the local Yoshinoya to do a "take out" though. Just know where you want to go, and perhaps have a friend (such as a Japan GAFer) show you around if you really need help.

 

[HAOHMARU]

You don't need to know Japanese...just get a tour guide book. I lived there for 2 years and got by with my Fromers Tokyo guide, and my DK Japan guide.

Though it helps to know a few phrases to be polite.

 

[Triumph]

Just know, there is no land where Nintendo is popular anymore. If that's why you're going.

 

[fennec fox]

By the way, can Canadians still get a, like, 6-month work visa in Japan just like that? Back when I was studying at university there (1998-99) there were tons of random Canadian people in their 20s selling artwork on the sidewalk.

You totally should stay at a gaijin house (slang term for a really cheap and decrepit youth hostel) at least once while you're there. You meet awesome people, from depressed JETs on vacation to depressed freeters smoking cigarettes and trying their NOVA English on you while you're trying to eat breakfast. I did it for two weeks in Kyoto over spring break.

 

[Miburou]

By the way, can Canadians still get a, like, 6-month work visa in Japan just like that? Back when I was studying at university there (1998-99) there were tons of random Canadian people in their 20s selling artwork on the sidewalk.

You totally should stay at a gaijin house (slang term for a really cheap and decrepit youth hostel) at least once while you're there. You meet awesome people, from depressed JETs on vacation to depressed freeters smoking cigarettes and trying their NOVA English on you while you're trying to eat breakfast. I did it for two weeks in Kyoto over spring break.

Yeah, working holiday visa for Canadians is still in effect. I went there last summer, and met a ton of Canadians just hanging out there, working in gaijin bars or trying to get jobs as English teachers.

 

[Kola]

The cheapest flights from Europe are usually by the Russian airline "Aeroflot". Just check your travel agency if they offer any flights from that airline. You can save a huge amount of money that way. (paid 550 euros including tax and all)