Could use some help with my trip. (June '08)
 

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Plan on spending more than 10 dollars a day on the train to safely budget.

Ueno is a nice, central location. ata reasonable price. Think about what you might lose in train fare and time if you are further out (I am not familiar enough with Asakusa to be able to tell you it is better or worse).

Get a travel guide. 19, a month by yourself, away from your family...this will be a mental journey, as well as a physical one. I did something similar when I was 16, but I was staying with a Japanese friend and his family, but my first trip to Japan was abot 3 weeks, and I felt like I was in the deep end of a pool and forgot how to swim a couple weeks into it. Prepare yourself mentally for that possibility. I have seen it happen to people much older than you. I guess that is culture shock.

Why do you think you need a phone? If you want to call home, use phone cards and pay phones. I can't remember if you can call collect, though...

Finally, get a travel guide...or three. Tokyo is a BIG city with tons of secrets you have PLENTY of time to discover, but you aren't going to find them without a little help. Imagine, you are on a treasure island. Do you want the map to the treasure, or not? You are NEVER going to find it without the map, so might as well invest 20 bucks in a couple travel guides to help you find some cool and interesting (and delicious...and necessary) things.

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remember this is not being alone in your city or your country, it is a totally different place.

i went to china for my first experience and i was with friends who showed me around, i was 19 at the time. no i spent the majority of my time with chinese (chinese born, not australian born) and had been studying some chinese also. i felt so out of place and uncomfortable that i thought i would never travel again. i have however gone back to china 2 times since then and also studied and worked in Japan. so obviously i changed my mind.

i did a course on culture shock at university while studying in Japan under a professor who is regularly hired by Sony and other big corporations to train their staff to be ready for what awaits them with culture shock. i can tell you from everything he taught me, you are bound to find difficulties, especially if you are not being kept busy. having a bit of a hectic schedule can be a good thing because it keeps your mind from wandering off.

i highly recommend you have some contact in the area to help you out, find places to go etc. You will miss out on so much if you don't. even just a company that can tell you where all the good spots are. this is a pretty decent challenge you are setting yourself for your first travel alone and no mater how prepared you think you are, the answer is you are not prepared.

there are many penpal sites around and many Japanese who frequent them that would love the opportunity to speak english with a native. if you start now you can probably build up a nice friendship with some people who live near where you want to stay and they can help you out when you are there when you need it. i really recommend you at least try that, it will make a big difference.

i have never been to kantou region so im not sure on the transport system but if as you say you are not planing on moving around too much then i think your US$10 a day is plenty. however if you plan to travel a bit, even if it is just a few stations to here, a few stations to there and back again, it quickly will go to US$10

i take it the place you are staying is providing furniture and cooking utensils, is that right? because if you are going to be eating out for every meal and not wanting to eat every meal at places like sukiya and ramenya then it would be best to budget a little more. there are so many wonderful things you can eat in Japan so i would suggest budgeting a bit more just to cover that. lets not forget if you find you have not spent as much as you budgeted you can always go on a spending spree in the last few days.. haha if you are able to cook for yourself then i was able to do so and eat well on about ¥7000-¥10000 a week depending on how much beef i ate.. haha.

i really do hope you have a great time and i'm sure it will be a wonderful learning experience for you.

as for a phone, are you on a plan based phone at the moment? have you checked to see if your phone has global roaming and more importantly roaming support in Japan? it might be an expensive way of doing things but it looks like you don't have many other options.

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You can eat fairly well for about $6-7, less if you just want some ramen or yakisoba. And that's not junk food, it's still fresh and healthy.

I don't think you'll encounter much open hostility from Japanese people. In my 2 years there, I never once did. Generally, Japanese who don't like foreigners will ignore you or give you the cold shoulder, not yell at you or anything. I'm sure it's possible, but I never encountered it. If I did, honestly, I'd try to find out why they are angry and dispel some of that hostility, but then, I love a good political debate, and acting as a mini-ambassador!

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i would argue that they are unhealthy. they are not junk food, sure but ramen and yakisoba have plenty in them that are not good for you either.

as for hostilities, i never felt any except for at university. however from japanese i talked to about this they just believe the guys at university were jealous of me. if that is true i don't know but while there were people who had something against me (even though i never talked to them once) they never did anything to me, called me names or anything. children loved me though.. haha. so i strongly believe you have nothing to worry about in that regard.

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I was thinking about going to Japan during the summer for a month as well but decided against it for now. I wasn't sure which month to go during the summer because it either rains a lot during that time or is very humid. The plane tickets are also more expensive during summer. I may just go during the winter.

for the love of....
christ...

okay check out the Houseteks guides to Tokyo

goes over price, budges, and all that good stuff you mentioned.

as for phone i also have a full page on phones and stuff...

Also for further help check out the link in my signature for my youtube videos.

it also has a Video on traveling around and stuff and a Video specifically on Cell phones bc people are to lazy to rest the guides.

any specific questions feel free to ask.

dosome searching =D

-htk

also if you privately wana chat contact me thru pm and ill walk u thru the proces s of what you need to do.

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In regards to a cell phone...if you are going to spend several hundred dollars so your mother can reach you 24/7, (and trust me, it won't be in the middle of the night for HER) I think you need to rethink it. If there IS an emergency, what are you going to do from 6000 miles away to help?

Give her your email and stop by an manga/internet cafe daily to check your email. They are cheap and most require membership, which is free.

I may be reading more into it than I should, but this sounds as much like a "vacation away" as a "vacation to".

Here is another example.

Many of the American troops in Iraq have daily access to email and video-phones. I have seen generals who have been in several wars say that this "connectivity" to home is actually worse for morale. The troops aren't able to seperate themselves from home, as their wives get on the Internet to aske them if they should paint the kitchen egg or off-white. They don't appreciate what the soldiers are trying to do.

A little seperation isn't a bad thing. It might make your trip better.

If I have assumed too much, I apologize, but I think getting a phone so people at home can reach you might not be the best idea. Let's see if they can go a month without you. I also think it is better for you mentally to "immerse" yourself, which may be a better mental health path if you really can cut ties, on a temporary basis, from home.

Part of it is that you are going to be going on a personal journey only you can understand. The phone calls from home I had the first 6 months or so I lived in Japan were very frustrating, as I couldn't explain my experiences in any capacity they could understand. That was frustrating on a certain level, as I was neck deep in something very exciting, but was reminded that the experience was my own and my own alone. Things eventually worked out (it wasn't as big a deal as I am making it sound), but you have a chance to be a whole new you for a month...(and you certainly will be a new you by the end)...and I think that might be easier if you can say "See you in four weeks!" and do it.

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If you can get a phone for 130 dollars, that isn't so bad.

But at nineteen needing to talk to your mother every day?

Everyone has their own thing. But my suspicions were right it seems, so the question is, how deep down the rabbit hole do you want to go?

What's the point of throwing yourself into a personal challenge, a walkabout, a rite of passage, if your "Escape Free" button is sitting in your pocket, 24-7.

If you want to go to Japan for a month...GO TO JAPAN FOR A MONTH.

I only say it in this direct way because, since my suspiscions were correct, my guess is that, indeed, your vacation will be cut short.

I have a friend who married a woman from California several years ago and now they live where I do in the Northwest. She has several siblings, but her "exodus" to a different state was almost seen as a betrayal. To put it briefly, her mother has been "on her death-bed" at least a half dozen times in the last couple years, requiring quick trips home or extended Christmas trips that go into the middle of January because mom "can't bear to see you go".

Imagine this. Imagine you COULD get a phone for 130 dollars. And you could talk to your mom every day. You might be eating breakfast or going to a club or visiting a temple or whatever. Phone rings. Phone rings. Phone rings.

Now imagine NOT having that phone. Imagine having the freedom of visiting Tokyo without knowing the phone could ring at any moment calling you back home.

I am not saying you don't or shouldn't love your mother...I would never be so crude... but you are 95% on the way to a life and mind-expanding experience. Save 130 dollars and take yourself to 100%.

when i travelled to china i used this insurance:
Travel Insurance - Columbus Direct (Australia)

but unfortunately it is of little benefit to you as it doesn't appear to operate in the US.. but it does in UK, NZ and AUST.

I think if you are prepared to spend $100+ on your mothers well being by having a phone, you should consider spending the cost of insurance for your own well being. while, as with all things like warranties etc you are very unlikely to need it, if the price is not too bad is it not a bad idea incase something does go wrong. especially if you get sick over there and it is a bit serious the costs can add up very quickly. If your luggage is lost, etc.. these are things insurance can cover.

i worked shorty in the insurance department of my university in australia for staff and students going overseas on university related trips. looking at all the files of things that went wrong and the extreme costs when they did, i think it is not a bad idea to have. once again though it is very unlikely and you probably have more chance winning some money in the casino than having a problem occur.

with what MMM said, you should definitely do that. i did not have much contact with my family while in Japan, none while in China the first 2 times (2.5 months worth) and that made the experience richer. so much so that i was converted to the east's way of living and in one way or another i will spend the rest of my days there.

It's a hard thing to explain, and I appreciate the support anrakushi. It's kind of like "trust us on this one", because if I say too much more, it might sound personal, and it that's the last thing I want to do.

well the guide is a basis, for the most part it holds true, just the shopping is my personal preference, if its not yours then just take that out of the equation.

you finding 1000 ticket is common... but search again in a few months

and it'll be 2000 Tickets change from season, and depending on what day.

Also i DID mention that you CAN get tickets for as low as 600 (w/o taxes) and can cost upwards to 2000.


Furthermore in other cellphone posts people ask me the same thing, due to some new law people outside of the country cant get phones with out a alien registration card or what ever.


I got mine new prepaid phone from Soft bank in March of 2007. all i needed was my Passport and the address of where i was currently staying.


Also the phone that i show in my video is your basic Prepaid phone.

7,000 Yen roughly 67 bucks or something.

Comes with decent features. Camera, text, email, Infrared so you can scan those lil menus outside of restraunts and some stores also it has a slot for a micro sd memory card to store things.

I went to the Shop in roppongi to get my phone.

This is how it all went down.

I knew from the website that with the new law i needed passport and a address of where i was living.

I brought my reciept from Sakura house just in case (but they didnt ask for it)

they just needed an adress.

I came in, and asked for a English speakin sales person.

I asked for a prepaid phone with 3k yen of call time on it and i wanted the 7k yen basic phone.

She took my passport, scanned it gave it back to me, i filled out a quick form and signed it. (was in english)

After that they set me up with a new email that can be sent to my phone and taught me how to add minutes to my phone using the prepaid phone card.

within 30 minutes i was out, and 30 mins after my phone was activated, it was up and working.

They say wait an 30 mins to a few hours toget it running.

But usually it works in 30 mins.

I was there for 3 months on my own and using my phone method and just textin people to call me. I only used 2 prepaid phone cards in the span of 3 months.

Which cost around 55 dollars or so.

some people are different and will use more or what ever but i just had people call me back instead of me calling them cuz out going calls can be costly.

my parents and my friends were able to call me at any time they wanted 2.

and in case of emergencies where i needed to call my parents i sent up a skype out account to My parents house in America.

it all worked out perfectly cuz i was in japan for 3 months and skype in/out numbers only cost 12 dollars for 3 months.

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Nao, I think you got my drift, and I appreciate your reply. I caught hints to things I have seen around me, but it sounds like that doesn't quite apply to you, which makes me happy.

I dunno...you sound ready to have a mind-scrambling experience to me! Enjoy it.

There are manga-internet cafes all around Tokyo. Keep us updated with what you are up to (maybe start a "Nao's Trip Diary" thread), and we can give advice and cool places to go while you are there.

the softbank is really good for people who come back often,

that company sounds okay.

a lot cheaper then the airports phones.

i like softbank cuz i can keep the phone, and every time i come back i just recharge the phone.

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Depending on where you go, it's only a few dollars an hour. A lot of places supply free (non-alcoholic) drinks, too. If you were there for only a few days, I wouldn't bring it up, but for a month, you'll want internet, I am sure.

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i recommend goin in the spring!

If you like cultural stuff and like to party at the same time, then the spring is best!

Spring-Summer has the most Festivals on the streets!

and you have to see the cherry blossoms bloom at least, once its breath taking.

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for phone, if you really want to get one get the softbank pre-paid phones. You only need a passport and the address of the place where you stay.. its actually just for formality. The prepaid phones is not that strict, cause it targetted for travellers. Phone can be converted to english. Prices range from 7000yen - 10,000yen. Then you can load it with a 2000yen worth of calls ( good for 3 months I think ).

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I also carry my personal "mylo" around.

its like a internet phone that works off wifi.

Theres ALOT of places i can snag wifi connections and make phone calls.

My apartment thru Sakura house had free wifi in every room so i just ended up using that as my House phone once i got my Prepaid.

the internet cafes run around 4 dollars an hour.

but they are very nice.

the place i go to "Bagus" has like showers, lockers, lil private cubicals with computers, Food, video games, movies, magazines, manga, Free coffee and tea, and Dvds.

Just pull them off the self and bring it to the counter and then they check it and you can bring it back to your cubical and watch.

be sure to be quiet in those places tho. they are very strict about that.

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Bagus is a VERY popular chain of lan centers/pool halls/ darts/ and some what of a mini hotel. its pretty cool

they have one in almost every major place.

one time i locked my self out of my apartment, cuz i gave my friends my keys.

he already was home by the time i figured this out. so i just stayed over night at the Lan center. was pretty nice. for like 25 bucks for the entire night lol

Those places are very valuable for travelers.

in case emergencies come up, you can stay there with out a passport or use the net to call home.

i remember one time i got to drunk in Roppongi and needed to sobber up. i just paid 8 dolllars and stayed there for 2hours. layin in the cubical drinking Free iced tea.

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Nao, you can work a few hours at the hostel and they will provide you with a free room for the night. $25 a night for a month will add up to $750 and that's money that can be saved and used for other things. Just throwing the idea out there.

Right now I'm thinking that I should take the trip to Japan during the summer. I was planning on taking the trip during the winter because airline tickets seem to be a bit cheaper during this time but life is too short and I want to experience Japan while I'm young for as much as I can. I've already waited too long and there's no point on postponing it any longer. I can always take the trip during summer and winter if I desire.

I'm just not sure which month to go during the summer. During June it rains a lot and I want to be outside a lot and take pictures and maybe some video so this is a disadvantage. During July and August it gets really hot and humid but at least it doesn't rain much and I can be outside taking pictures and video so this is definitely an advantage. I've asked this question before on here but I'm still not sure. I want to experience Tokyo and other cities when everyone is outside and not dodging the rain. I live in Northern California and it can get really hot and humid during the summer so I'm used to that. In fact, it doesn't really bother me much and I enjoy the heat and sweating a bit. However, I don't know how close the weather here where I live is compared to Tokyo. What to do?

I'm thinking about going in late-May and staying until early-July. I don't want my camera to get wet in the rain since it should rain during this time. Does the rain last throughout the day usually? I know this can be hard to recall for some people but try your best to remember.

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I had a strong feeling you'd say that. That's why I said "just throwing it out there." So you'll be staying an entire month at a hotel? Or do you have other means of accomodation? Shoul be pretty pricey staying at a hotel for an entire month but it's your money.

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Hi

I read through your post quick and notice you wanted to stay at sakura house? I can't really recommend this place and the reason for that is because I've only heard neqative respons from people who stayed their. My recommendation is Khaosan Guest House in Asakusa. I've stayed their my self and enjoyed every moment. Friendly stuff and really good price. Close to locations like Akihabara and Asakusa has some famous places one should visit like the old temple Sensoji!

You should buy the Lonely Planet travel book for Tokyo. It's highly recommended and easy to have with you when discovering Tokyo :)

Also if you have time and money you should try to go to Kabuki theater in Ginza. I did and it rocked!