Trip to Tokyo- Where should I go?

[Shidash]

Hey,
I am a young otaku going to Tokyo in November with my parents. I have never been there before and I am not sure where I should go. I am in the process of learning Japanese so I should at least be able to handle the spoken part enough to communicate a little while there, my dad knows the basics and my mom knows a few words (but only things like greetings, no knowledge of honorifics or other things.) I am interested in pretty much everything Japanese.

In addition of where to go, I kind of have a food issue. I am a rather picky eater. The only animals I eat are chickens and cows. I am not sure if I could get by this way, is this possible? I really don't want to have to eat fish. Thanks

[MMM]

You'll be fine in the food department. And every Otaku will want to visit Akihabara. How old are you?

[SaginumaEki]

Like MMM said, if you're an otaku, you want to go to Akihabara. WOrd of advice, otaku actually has a negative connotation in Japan. Also, Akihabara is not appropriate to visit with parents. Many MANY hentai and porn shops aimed at foreign geeks. Also, it's hard to get around. If you're in Shibuya, you can just take the JR line all the way to Akihabara. Actually, JR is probably the best line to get around Tokyo.

I'd recommend Ginza also. The Sony tower is pretty cool. In all honesty, there's not much for you to do with parents in Tokyo.

Also, in terms of food, I feel like a big part of understanding the culture is eating the food. I strongly recommend you try it. Not only to feel Japanese culture,but also for yourself. Maybe you'll end up liking fish? Your best bet is probably going into a McDonalds with all the other tourist. Also, Roppongi Hills has a lot of foreigners and foreign food. They have the Tokyo Hardrock Cafe. Not very Japanese, but pretty cool. Anyways, good luck on your trip!

[Shidash]

Unfortunately I am only 13. No luck with losing my parents unless I get someone to come with us. I know two people, younger adults that work for my parents that have the potential to come and would be totally fine with all of the Hentai stuff in Akihabara as long as I ignore it. One would probably like it... ROFL.

I am okay with eating the food and I could stomach some fish as long as it was cooked but preferably not, I have traveled a lot and I have ended up trying some weird things and liking them. So I might like some things with fish in them but like I said, I just can't eat things raw, at least not now. I have visited some Japanese resturants in the US (the food is Americanized, but still closer to the real thing) and I have found I can get by. I love the rice but I have a strange habit of eating it with salt, but I still like it without salt. I am still working on chopstick mastery, for now I am using the connected type to practice (I have some motor skill problems, I will get it down sometime.)

[Housetek]

this has been answered like a billion times...

your only 13 so... not much you can do about night life...

at best you can play around in arcades and look at anime shops.

you said you traveled alot and tried weird things but you wont eat raw fish?

u need more traveling! ive eaten monkey brains out of a monkey skull in vietnam lol

and rice with salt?! .... try soy sauce =P

in akihabara there are alot of video game shops and electronics.

I personally think its WAAAAAAY over rated, every ones like its Electric Town! so much cool stuff bla bla bla..

most of the stores jus have the same stuff, usualy video games, hentai, maid cafe, arcades, cameras, computers.

its nice.. but its not all its cracked up to be.

your best bet is prolly just sight seeing around at temples and junk.

[Shidash]

About the food, I don't eat most animals because I like them when they are alive so I refuse to eat them. I really don't want to eat fish because of that and the thing is that I have sensory problems so I can't always eat things that are a certain texture please stop flaming me. I may leave because so many people on this forum are flaming me for my opinions that manga can come from countries other than Japan, the fact that the only animals I eat are chickens and cows, my age, my limitations and practically everything else I say. So far, I must say that this feels like an unwelcoming community and I am considering giving up my dreams of becoming a game programmer, learning Japanese and becoming a manga author. I came here wanting to find people with the same interests but so far I have, but they don't welcome me.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Shidash

About the food, I don't eat most animals because I like them when they are alive so I refuse to eat them. I really don't want to eat fish because of that and the thing is that I have sensory problems so I can't always eat things that are a certain texture please stop flaming me. I may leave because so many people on this forum are flaming me for my opinions that manga can come from countries other than Japan, the fact that the only animals I eat are chickens and cows, my age, my limitations and practically everything else I say. So far, I must say that this feels like an unwelcoming community and I am considering giving up my dreams of becoming a game programmer, learning Japanese and becoming a manga author. I came here wanting to find people with the same interests but so far I have, but they don't welcome me.

Anyone interested in Japan and Japanese culture is welcome here in my book. If you are getting flamed, you should report it in the flame/spam sticky in the General Discussion.

(But if you consider Housetek's comments "flaming", I think you need to reread them.)

edit: Shidash, looking back at your posts, no one is flaming you. You probably think it's me, and feel free to complain, but giving a different opinion isn't flaming.

[Shidash]

Okay, flame isn't the right word. Giving different opinions are fine but I just felt like I was being... I don't know. Nevermind.

[Haggis]

There are many good stops to visit on the Hibiya subway line. (most of these were mentioned by SaginumaEki)

We spent the morning in Roppongi, went for lunch in Ginza, headed up to Ueno to spend the afternoon, and then went to Akihabara in the evening. Good day out for the whole family I think. (as long as you're careful where you go in Akihabara).

If you want good nightlife that the whole family can enjoy check out Shibuya.

Oh and if you don't want to be adventurous with the food, you can just get a pizza at any of these places.

[Housetek]

you asked a question and i answered it.

This question really has been answered many times before if you take a few seconds to search for the Topic.

As far as your age and limitations... look man thats the raw truth.
I cant really Suggest any nightlife spots cuz i know you wont be able to get in and also your parents will be with you th entire time.

Also hey you may not like fish okay w/e but your missing out on the best sushi in the world, and if your eating rice here, you wont be finding salt sitting on the table.

Its gonna be soy sauce.

You talked bout Akihabara, and i basicly told you the truth about it.
its a big tourist trap

and honestly if your gona be with your parents, your gona end up just sight seeing at temples and maybe shopping and goin to a few arcades.

if your looking for amusement parts to go to

then i guess Tokyo Dome in Kasuga, or disney... but i dont recommend disney
its not very japanese.

i dunno how fit you are but i recommend you start waking a lot.

the first time i came here my legs were puddy, be prepared to walk a lot.

read my etiquette post

and jus hit up some anime shops and buy some stuff

not sure how much your parents are willing to give you but Tokyo is extremely expensive.

and about the entire food thing
sorry i grew up in a country were they were is no such thing as "picky eaters"

just hungry people

if you feel like your being "flamed" or "not welcomed"

just realized that

1. you are on a forum called Japan Forums....
you have to understand that you are definitely not the first person whos asked this question.

2. Japan isnt all bout fish and sushi
plenty of other foods out there, so no biggie.
if your parents know your eating habits then they're not gona be taking you to eat sushi and places that serve only fish.

3. no one is flaming your because of your age
the fact of the matter is, you are limited to the places you can go due to the fact that you must be unaccompanied by a adult and also the amount of money you can spend is defendant on them also.

i dont know any 13 yr old who could survive in Tokyo with out a boat load of cash from their parents

unless they already live here and know the ropes.


so i dunno how many forums you post on, but every one has a opinion and not every ones gonna sugar coat things for you.

Every one who replied gave you valid and good information and input.

so instead of complaining that it wasn't in the context that may be to your liking.

you should be thanking people for replying to a over answered question, instead of threatening to leave the forum.

Open your mind and try every thing japan has to offer.
you have a opportunity that many would kill to have

and i agree with SaginumaEki, i wouldnt go around saying your otaku there..