Job Discussion Forums

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Our return is still a year or so away but it has a kind of immediacy to it that makes me wonder if I've done all that I wanted to do here and there isn't anything that I would regret not having done while I was here, once I do go home.

So I've made a list of "must-do" Japan experiences that I think that are unique to the country and that are somewhat required to have 'done' the Japan thing. Of course some things are unique to the place you are living in but I think there are a number of things that are universal.

The list is by no means comprehensive so please feel free to add your own in fact it will help me plan the rest of my year.

1. Kyoto for the sakura
2. Obon dancing in Gujo Hachiman
3. Onsen
4. Love Hotels
5. Tsukiji Fish market
6. Shirakawa-go (UNESCO village)
7. fugu sashimi
8. Sushi train
9. Calligraphy lessons
10. Any major shrine / temple for New Year
11. isakaya
12. nomi hodai (sp?)
13. Hiroshima Peace park
14. Himeiji castle
15. Fuji Rock festival/Summer sonic etc
16. climbing Fuji
17. Ryoan-ji zen garden
18. Kenrokuen garden (Kanazawa) in winter
19. Sumo tournament

That's just off the top of my head so please feel free to add.

uticsperkins2004 · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Moriya, Ibaraki-ken

Ushiku Daibutsu Arcadia in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture

(it's the tallest free standing statue in the world, and in the Guiness Book of World Records)

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

I think Kamakura and Hokkaido should be on there.

What the heck is a sushi train?? Confused

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Venti · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 171 Location: Kanto, Japan

I think making one or more solid Japanese friends is important, but that's just me.

6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

Hey, while not directed at Markle specifically and while slightly tongue in cheek, here are my comments on the selection. Any omissions meet my approval (which is not worth much). As you might notice, I'm not a real fan of tourism.

1. Kyoto for the sakura
eh? Probably more fun and less crowded if you go see sakura in your own neighborhood.

3. Onsen
You haven't already been? Good grief, what have you been doing in this country?! Go anywhere, they're all about the same anyway. Hot water piped in to totally artificial environments.

4. Love Hotel
To say you did it? Kind of tame really. I would suggest a shag in public, or on a train as preferable...

5. Tsukiji Fish market
Why do tour guides and guide books recommend this place? Think about it. It's a fish market.

8. Sushi train
Because they don't have kaiten sushi in the west, right?

10. Any major shrine / temple for New Year
See - 1. Kyoto for the sakura. Same deal, go to a local shrine where you live or where some friends live. Much more fun, and much better nostalgia material.

11. isakaya
As in a Japanese pub, right? Like, wow...

12. nomi hodai (sp?)
All you can drink on teachers' night. Yahoo. Not.

15. Fuji Rock festival/Summer sonic etc
I include this one only because I've never been and am bitter about it... But, since I am writing cynically... Crowds, sweat, a million miles from the stage, cramped sleeping environment... Just go and buy a ticket separately for the bands you want to see on the tour circuit. Probably work out for the same price. Nosalgia value... not as good... (wish I could go to Fuji rock, or that metal concert... ふん。。。)

16. climbing Fuji
No. Man, how generic can you be??? Skateboard/longboard down fuji.

19. Sumo tournament
Hell yes!

And here's one for your list

23. Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea!!! Rolling Eyes

*I wish they had that cool "puking" smiley on Dave's...

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

1. Baseball game, but will have to wait until next year.

2. Boat tour/cruise of a big harbour. i did this for Kobe and you see it in a completely new light.

3. Local festivals

4. Go out to a smaller island. i went to Naoshima las week (in the Inland Sea). Very beautiful with amazing architectual designs and museums, I forgot I was in Japan.

5. Kiyumizudera in Kyoto

wildfire · Joined: 01 Oct 2005 Posts: 37

dont miss it
and bring your eeeee event hand book i mean...

no sleep required

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

no, I'm just not fooled by smoke and mirrors.

that said, there are a handful of ace ones, but the rest are hardly what you might call natural...

Eva Pilot · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:06 am Post subject:

About the Shrine at New Year, I am so sorted.

Izumo Taisha is less than 20 minutes away.

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

Hahah 6810 you are the most jaded SOB I have seen in a while Wink

Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

There's a communal hotspring in Sakurajima that may make you change your opinion.

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826