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[miyuru]

Oh jeez just had a crazy pr0n flashback :lol

 

[DCharlie]

*raises eyebrow*

Either i have the worlds smallest cock and no one has been telling me about it or you are all shopping in different condoms shops to me where all the brands are shite!

 

[tetsuoxb]

*raises eyebrow*

Either i have the worlds smallest cock and no one has been telling me about it or you are all shopping in different condoms shops to me where all the brands are shite!

DING DING DING DING DING!! WE HAVE A WEEIIINNNNAAARRRRR!

Actually, there are only 2 real brands of condoms. Okamoto (slightly above crap) and some other even crapier brand. The only place with any sort of variety is condomania or the larger drug stores. Okamoto Big Boys are kinda nice though. The other thing I liked about Japanese condoms was that there is much better heat transfer than American condoms.

 

[DCharlie]

There are approximately 8 brands of condoms in my local drug store - including durex.
I can happily say they are exactly the same as the ones found in the UK.

 

[tetsuoxb]

Really?!? I havent bought condoms in a while, but everytime I flip over the box, they all seem to be made by Okamoto.

Durex = good.

 

[Pachinko]

I fail to see why telling the clerk at a store your penis is awesome and american with huge condoms will actually get the point across.

I went there for 2 incredible weeks last august, Asakusa and harajuku street were cool, keep a lookout for "store my ducks". Kyoto is really a much better place for tourism purposes though, its the old capitol so it has shatloads of old temples and things to see like the gold foil palace and the silver foil palace. 45 minute trainride away from osaka to boot, while in osaka you can see Osaka castle.

Tokyo is a cool city though, hard to really get bored there especially if you have some japanese friends. Very expensive though, I hope you saved alot of money.

 

[Jonnyram]

When you go to a sushi or sashimi restaurant, ask for shirako.

It always pisses me off that it's the exact same kanji as shirasu. Although you don't tend to see shirasu on the menu on its own Yeah, try some shirasu too!

 

[DCharlie]

Shirasu :

as some one who is SHIT SCARED of anything that came out of the sea, with the number one thing that freaks me out being fish, you can imagine my utter joy at being in a darkly lit yakitori after being here for a week or so, tucking into my bowl of "rice" only to discover as i'm shovelling in the last chopstick full that that isn't rice at all....

I nearly puked....

 

[Space Age Playboy]

What are shirako and shirasu?

 

[Space Age Playboy]

IN SOVIET RUSSIA, TOILET PEES ON YOU!

I want to nominate this for greatest post ever. :lol

 

[borghe]

we're only there for a week, and decided to forego on the rail pass (it was kind of spontaneous and we aren't made of money). So we'll probably be staying mostly in tokyo (how much is the rail to osaka, kyoto, etc?).

I am interested in trying nattou. wtf, not like I will ever have another opportunity to try it. shirasu and shirako.. ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.. probably not. that is kind of fucked up.. though if it really tastes like rice (shriasu)) I would think about it (or not even realize it).

 

[DCharlie]

Shirasu = Tiny baby fish...

 

[Hournda]

The best thing about Japan really is the people. I mean how much gay touristy shit can you go to? All temples and castles are alike. Same with museums, cultural centers, tourist traps, theme parks, electronic stores, etc. If you`ve been to one you`ve been to them all. So spend 1 day going to all the stereotypical touristy garbage then the rest meeting Japanese people and doing real Japanese stuff. Onsens are cool. Japanese food rocks the casbah. If you speak Japanese go into a Japanese bar with no other foreigners and you`ll meet Japanese people pretty easily. It`s tough to get the real Japanese experience by being there for only a week but basically try to go where most foreigners don`t go and you`ll have a much more interesting time.

 

[darscot]

If you want to travel cheap just hook up with the english teacher crowd. Those guys have the whole system wired, you can catch the bullet from Toyko to Osaka for a couple of bucks. It's all about platform passes and and using a little Gaijen mind tick when you on the train. I couldn't believe how cheap those bastards were.

 

[borghe]

If you speak Japanese go into a Japanese bar with no other foreigners and you`ll meet Japanese people pretty easily. It`s tough to get the real Japanese experience by being there for only a week but basically try to go where most foreigners don`t go and you`ll have a much more interesting time.

now this is kind of what I am looking for.. at least for part of the time... so what if I speak virtually no japanese..? I mean how much will I pick up in a week?

note I know (pretty much only)
doko wa eki
doko wa chikatetsu
yoroshiku onegaishimasu
konnichiwa
sayonara
hai
iie
eigo
arigatoa
ikura
toire
watashi wa desu
biiru
bakayaro
aishiteiru
-chan,-kun,-san,-sama
onii, onee, tomodachi
numbers (though I still get them a little confused)
and then lots of food (ramen, yakitori, miso, etc)
might be some other stuff also... that is all off the top of my head.

 

[darscot]

One thing to remember in Japan. If you ask someone if the speak or understand english 95% of the people will say no. If you just speak very slowly chances are the person will just help you. This is especially true for simple things like train, bus, taxi. Also if you bring a pad and pencil and write things down basically all of the younger generation can read and write english, but there not comfortable speaking.

 

[Manabanana]

now this is kind of what I am looking for.. at least for part of the time... so what if I speak virtually no japanese..? I mean how much will I pick up in a week?

note I know (pretty much only)
doko wa eki
doko wa chikatetsu
yoroshiku onegaishimasu
konnichiwa
sayonara
hai
iie
eigo
arigatoa
ikura
toire
watashi wa desu
biiru
bakayaro
aishiteiru
-chan,-kun,-san,-sama
onii, onee, tomodachi
numbers (though I still get them a little confused)
and then lots of food (ramen, yakitori, miso, etc)
might be some other stuff also... that is all off the top of my head.

Oh no! Grab a phrase book, man. You need some help, fast.

 

[Blackace]

The school that I work at full time doesn't have a single western toilet. It's that or nothing.

And personally I think the most annoying thing about Japan isn't even the lack of toilets but the idea that there should be NO PUBLIC TRASH CANS. Having to carry trash with you because there's no where to throw it away and you're too nice to just litter on the ground is ----- annoying.

Dear Japan,
you pay people for standing in front of a pot hole and wave their arms all days. I'm sure you can afford to have the people assigned to useless public jobs become the A-team of trash collecting, so please start making public trash cans.

Signed,
Annoyed man with trash.

haha the funny thing is they have no trash cans to create jobs...true story... more trash cans = less jobs for guys to pick up trash in parks and what not... wacky

 

[DCharlie]

borghe - drop me a PM and a few of us can meet up and show you some sites/some japanese places/some exotic toilets...

 

[BugCatcher]

haha the funny thing is they have no trash cans to create jobs...true story... more trash cans = less jobs for guys to pick up trash in parks and what not... wacky

So does this mean I can litter with abandon whilst simultaneously stimulating the Japanese economy?

 

[kumanoki]

Pack lots of deodorant. Trust me.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

You people scare me I'm just about to cancel my trip for next year

 

[Jonnyram]

You people scare me I'm just about to cancel my trip for next year

Don't! I fell in love with the place when I came here on holiday. Chances are you won't see half of the bad things we mention here. Anyone who has the chance to visit Japan should definitely jump at it. The only negative thing is the price.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

Money is a major issue... I love a lot about Japan even though I have never been there.
I have until the end of the year to find out if I can pull it off.

 

[DCharlie]

"Pack lots of deodorant. Trust me."

yeah, that's the best tip of the thread. You might as well suck a mint and blow on your armpits for all the good Japanese deo does.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

yeah, that's the best tip of the thread. You might as well suck a mint and blow on your armpits for all the good Japanese deo does.

Wassup with that? Is B.O. a huge problem in Japan?

 

[darscot]

The deo thing always made me laugh. Guys would get packages from home and be totally stoked when they got pit stick. But untill your scraping the flesh off your armpit trying to get the last drop off that stick you can't appreciate the humor. Those care packages from Mom always have the same shit in them Deoderant, condoms video tape of sporting event. The only thing that changes is the sport. The HNIC double header tapes were a pretty hot comodidty.

 

[DCharlie]

"Wassup with that? Is B.O. a huge problem in Japan?"

the japanese don't tend to sweat - so they don't really need deo.

In the midst of summer, i can walk literally 10 paces, and my shirt will be soaked - it gets that humid and sticky.

Without lynx or something like that, your gonna smell like ass.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

They don't sweat wtf does it not get really hot during the summer?

By the way what is the best 6 month period weather-wise to visit japan.
I'm talking about not too hot and not too cold. I rather have the cold

 

[Blackace]

So does this mean I can litter with abandon whilst simultaneously stimulating the Japanese economy?

they seem to think so...

 

[Jonnyram]

the japanese don't tend to sweat - so they don't really need deo.

I don't think this is true
Most Japanese people have showers everyday and they're a bit more accustomed to the heat than us westerners. But catch one that hasn't had a shower, in a train, in rush hour, and you are in trouble. They stink just as much as stinky foreigners.

 

[darscot]

I don't think this is true
Most Japanese people have showers everyday and they're a bit more accustomed to the heat than us westerners. But catch one that hasn't had a shower, in a train, in rush hour, and you are in trouble. They stink just as much as stinky foreigners.

I would have to disagree with this one. They really just don't stink the same way we do. You have to consider how packed that train is and how frickin hot is and bascially no one is wearing deoderant. Try that same experiment in North America and I think you would probable choke to death from the stink. Yes in Japan you run into the odd person that stinks but it's nothing like here.

It's an ongoing joke with the Japanese girls they love us westeners but we stink.

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

I think Asians just don't smell as bad as white guys do. I sweat a ton, but even then, it's rather odorless. There's a faint odor, but I don't need deodorant and it's not as gut-wrenching as what you guys smell like. OMG.

 

[Blackace]

I think Asians just don't smell as bad as white guys do. I sweat a ton, but even then, it's rather odorless. There's a faint odor, but I don't need deodorant and it's not as gut-wrenching as what you guys smell like. OMG.

ok this is getting retarded... DC... you need to remember Akihabara.... :lol

 

[sasimirobot]

Also in houses, toilets and baths not being together = smart!

Dont agree. The SE asian style toilet/bath/drain combo is a dream come true. Miss the can? Just take a shower and it cleans the whole room. The bathroom is contantly wet (kinda dangerous I guess...) but easy to keep clean.

My tips:

1. Never, ever, turn down tissue paper! (they like to pass them out in front of train stations)

2. Try new foods. Point to the plastic in the window if you have to, but dont be scared to try new stuff. Why travel to Japan to complain about how small the hamburgers are?

3. Dont go to Akihabara on the first day. You will be broke after.

4. Roppongi sucks

5. Try a capsule hotel if you can find one just for the experience

 

[Blackace]

Dont agree. The SE asian style toilet/bath/drain combo is a dream come true. Miss the can? Just take a shower and it cleans the whole room. The bathroom is contantly wet (kinda dangerous I guess...) but easy to keep clean.

But when the GF is taking a bath I can take a shit... plus when I take a shit and want to take a bath, the tub doesn't smell like poop...

 

[darscot]

Roppongi Sucks?!!! Are you utterly mad. The place is a riot. No it's not cultural or classy but it's a frickin riot. The Japanese night life is some of the best in the world. The ability to walk into a bar in the dead of night then walk out pissed drunk into 40 degree heat in the middle of the afternoon with a million people moving in every direction is an experience not to be skipped. Most of us westeners are used to coming out of the bar in the dead of night and crawling home.

 

[DCharlie]

"ok this is getting retarded... DC... you need to remember Akihabara...."

christ - how can i forget that!?

I've actually walked out of stores because the smell has been so bad...

but people in Akihabara... they aren't... real... people... per se...

I mean, it looks like most of them are using chip pan fat as a cheap substitute for hair wax.

"Roppongi Sucks?!!! Are you utterly mad."

well, i loved it when i got here/when i was single... but christ... it's like running the "Fun" gauntlet, and that DOES get old eventually...

"no , i don't want to come to your bar"
"no... i don't want to two free drinks"
"no... i f*cking HATE 911!"
"no... i don't want to touch that... um... or those... or stroke that...
...
..
.
Okay, i'll be back here at about 2 am ...."

 

[darscot]

Roppongi is nowhere to live of go regularly but it must be experienced. Jerking off probable gets old too but that doesn't mean you never do it.

 

[sasimirobot]

Roppongi is so fucking played out.

The whole GI/english teacher/anime nerd who cant get laid anywhere else and the ex-kogaru girls who love them area. Add in shady Columbian/Nigerians, rip off dance clubs *cough* GASPANIC *cough* and just overall "not coolness" and Roppongi is just crap. Good for a few beers I guess just to take it all in, but not even really Japan in my eyes...

So many better areas. Shibuya, Harajuku, Aoyama, Omotesando, Daikanyama, Shinjuku all have much better night life and overall better people, especially fashionable and interesting women.

 

[Blackace]

Roppongi is nowhere to live of go regularly but it must be experienced. Jerking off probable gets old too but that doesn't mean you never do it.

I have done the Roppongi thing a few times and don't it is any better than going to a bar all night in Yokohama, or Shinjuku.. or anywhere else where there are women... :lol

 

[darscot]

I guess that's true just the variety of bars you can stumble into in Japan is insane. You can go from fetish clubs to dance clubs to lounges to down right seedy Yak bars to a knock off of every bar from ever fricken country. It all just becomes a blur of drunken debauchery. And it's fun as hell. That is the one thing I loved about Japan you can end up in the darkest pit of the darkest ally and you never really have to worry. You never look around a bar in Japan and think shit we better get out of here.

 

[sasimirobot]

Very true.

I could see somebody getting their ass kicked in Kabuki-cho if they are total dumbshit though...

 

[Blackace]

well there is a "new" Yakuzu group in Yokohama starting shit right now,making bouncing no fun...

 

[darscot]

I would never want to bounce Yak's that's for damn sure but drinking with them was never a problem. The biggest problem with those guys is the way they treat women. There always throwing them at you and if you say no thanks they get mad at the girl.

 

[Pachinko]

Aside from teh nightlife for a second, you may want to rush off to akihabara to buy cheap games and such but Shin Ureyasu has much cheaper 'used too' shops, unfortunatly for you I dont' think you have a japanese freind that grew up there and knows where they all are.

The price differences are really quite astounding, typical used game prices in akihabara ran 500 to 1000 yen more then similar stores in Ureyasu. Ureyasu also has tokyo disney land.. which was probally the most underwhelming portion of my trip. Might have been fun when I was 10 years old but at the age of 21 last year, it was really dull.

Here is a picture of me there pretending to have fun.

 

[borghe]

I just went to Disney World with the family in february.. we actually had a great time, and after five days I could have probably stayed for five more days.. but I will not be hitting tokyo disney world.. if I was there for 2-3 weeks maybe, but not a week.

well, I'll send some PMs off to some of you in a little bit.. definitely hit some bars/clubs together.. actually that is pretty much most of what we will probably be doing (aside from sites/POI).. don't really plan on doing a whole lot of shopping aside from maybe some cheap GBA/DS/PSP games (Mr. Driller DS would be nice) and maybe if I come across a nice special edition manga volume or anime DVD set that I'm interested in.

 

[MrSingh]

4. Roppongi sucks

Walk a little further down to Roppongi Hills, it's a whole lot better.

Either i have the worlds smallest cock and no one has been telling me about it or you are all shopping in different condoms shops to me where all the brands are shite!

I can vouch for his thing, it's a good size!

 

[sasimirobot]

Walk a little further down to Roppongi Hills, it's a whole lot better.

I can vouch for his thing, it's a good size!

Where do I get one of these joke account thingies?

 

[norinrad21]