Well afetr the delights of Qatar last year, and spending most of this year so far in lovely (I jest) Lichfield, I'm being sent to Tokyo for most of whats left of this year.

Head off on Sunday for a week, then back to London for a few weeks and then back out till October.

Anyone have any knowledge of the place?

'fraid not slip - gotta be more exciting than Lichfield though!:nerd:

What will you be doing there?

Wow Slipper, I'm envious. I reckon you'll love Tokyo!

I wouldn't say I have a great deal of knowledge of it, but I was there for 4 days with work a couple of years ago. Some places that I saw that are worth a visit are:

The imperial Palace. You can't actually get into the Palace, but you do get to see the Imperial Gardens which are gorgeous and the Yasakuni Shrine, which is the Japanese War Memorial.
Asakusa Kannon Shrine. There is a little market with stalls in the walkway up to it, which is a bit touristy but worth a stroll through.
Shinjuku. This is the main shopping district and it is what you expect to see in Tokyo. Huge buildings, lots of neon lights, and millions of people. It wasn't my favourite place in Tokyo, but it's a "must see".
Harajuku and the Meiji Shrine. Again, it's another shrine and they all merge into one after a while, but this one has a lovely walk through Yoyogi Park, and when I went there (on a Saturday), there was a Japanese Wedding wedding taking place which I managed to see some of. I was quite lucky to see that sight though.

That's all I managed in four days, but there are heaps of other things to see in and around Tokyo. I'd love to have seen to Sumo Stadium for example, and maybe gone to a Sumo match there, and I've heard the Tokyo Museum is worth a visit. There is also a man-made Island which is supposed to be good. Can't remember what it's called though, but I'm sure you can find it in a Google search.

In terms of advice, I can offer the following:

- Avoid using taxi's as the cost is astounding. Use the underground trains and buses instead. All good, all efficient and all reasonably priced. You can get a tube map in English from the front desk of most hotels.

- Most people in Tokyo don't speak good English. If you want directions etc. use hotel staff, or stop someone who looks like a student as most of them seem to have some sort of grasp of English.

- Etiquette is a minefield. If you are in a business environment, it would be wise to get yourself some information about the correct way to behave in certain situations. The Japanese will not necessarily expect you to be fluent in all their customs but they will appreciate any effort you make to be aware of them.

It's a fascinating place though and I'm pretty sure you will get a lot out of your time there. I'd love to go back and see more of the place.

I've been to Tokyo a few times.

It's big, very big. High rise concrete for miles. I think it's probably the biggest conurbation I've ever seen.

As Figs mentioned, do not get a taxi from the airport, it will cost about $250 to the center of Tokyo. Get the Narita Express, it's much cheaper and much quicker.

The Japanese aren't terribly friendly in my experience, very much head down, get on with their own business.

Nightlife is very "interesting", although can get quite expensive.

If you like Japanese food, you'll love it.

Cheers for that. I'm actually working in Shinjuku but I'm not sure where my apartment will be yet - find all that stuff out next week.

As for etiquette, not too much of a problem as I worked for a Japanese company for about 20mths and lived in Honkers for a year (similar in professional and eating environs). Having done that and working for an major American company I know the work ethic. (although I may not have it!! LOL)

A young collegue/friend from Qatar is going out there with me so we should have some interesting nights out. I gather the Nekid Sushi is not all it's cracked up to be so to speak.

Not a great fan of Japanese food. All a bit fussy for me but I do like the soups & noodles etc. Anyway, I'm sure I'll get used to it.

As it's a business trip costs won't really be all that important. More a case of time/speed for this first trip.


I'll let you know more once I'm there/back


God I hate my job!

lived in Honkers for a year

One thing I would say is that Tokyo is very different to Hong Kong.

It's possible to get lost in Tokyo and not be able to find anyone who speaks English and not be able to make any sense of road signs and metro maps.

None of the taxi drivers speak English and if they dont like the look of you, they wont pick you up.

None of the taxi drivers speak English and if they dont like the look of you, they wont pick you up.

So if I like them can I pick them up?? :wink2:

One thing I would say is that Tokyo is very different to Hong Kong.


As a city maybe but elements of the Far Eastern cultural things exist (see contents of brackets...)


:ranting:

None of the taxi drivers speak English and if they dont like the look of you, they wont pick you up.

Ahhhh the voice of experience hey Groucho :devil: :wink_kiss

A friend of mine has just got back from Japan after working there as a tour guide for 2 years, I will be seeing him later in the week so will ask if he has anything he can add to what Figaro has said Slipper :thumbsup:

Well here for a few days now.

I've already moved into my apartment in Nishi-Shinjuku so just a 5min stroll to the office and 10mins to the neon chaos that is Shinjuku proper.

I've even got a hot water heater girl who talks to me when I have a shower.... I have no idea what she is saying but it's different and gives me a reason to get out of bed and into the shower!!!

I'm only here for the week as there is a holiday which shuts the place down next week. Also I'm needing to negotiate the return visit which will be for a few months as I could do with staying in the UK for a bit longer

The view from my balcony is pretty spectacular but I can't post pics here I don't think so sozz

aw - I'd love a fotie. When you go back there will you have the same apartment? - sounds like a great location.

did you get a taxi or the train from the airport?

aw - I'd love a fotie. When you go back there will you have the same apartment? - sounds like a great location.

did you get a taxi or the train from the airport?


Yep, flats mine till end of September

Got the airport bus...

already got a bunch of stories but I'll save them for the fireside..:good:

OK, so as an update,

That last post was back in April when I was first in Tokyo.

Since then I went back to London for a while then went to Venice for a few days.

I came back out around the 18th May and stayed for two weeks.

I flew back for the weekend just gone for Oph's birthday celebrations and am now back here in Tokyo again...... (fly out of Tok Friday, fly out of Lon Monday WTF)

I think I've got about 5-6 straight weeks here now.

Looks like Panama for most of August and September!

Good huh?

7 dead in Tokoyo knife attack (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7442327.stm)

A man armed with a knife has killed seven people and injured 10 others in central Tokyo, Japanese media say.

The incident occurred in the Akihabara district, a busy shopping area known as Electric Town that is popular with young people and tourists.

A suspect, said to be 25-year-old Tomohiro Kato, has been arrested.

Police spokesman Jiro Akaogi told reporters: "The suspect said he came to Akihabara to kill people. He said he was tired of life".

The dead include six men, ranging in age from 19 to 74, and a 21-year-old woman, Kyodo News said.

Reports say the suspect drove a rented truck into a crowd in the early afternoon and then began stabbing people at random.



Well I was there! Ok just about an hour afterwards. Roads sealed off, the van was there, Police everywhere including the air, global news agencies etc etc...

The bodies had gone and the whole area was marked out for forensic detailing so all quite exciting

But I'm OK and still at the slog!



Thanks for asking!!

I SAID..............THANKS FOR ASKING


Pah!

Are you ok Slips?

Are you ok Slips?

:applause:

Yep, I'm safe and sound....thanks for asking!

:wink2:

The incident occurred in the Akihabara district, a busy shopping area known as Electric Town that is popular with young people You were there? http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/FenellaFinkelstein/smiley/raisedeyebrow.gif

AND TOURISTS.....

Selective quoting again Fee?

It's popular with the young people for the Manga Porn and tourists for the supposidly cheap electrical goods but the prices are almost the same as UK


And re the Manga Porn, I really don't understand.... I means that all about??

Thanks For Asking ??

:angry::angry::angry:

EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7454599.stm)

HELLO (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7455202.stm)


It's not often you are on a train and the delays are due to Earthquakes now is it?

Are you still ok Slips?

You've brought them alot of good luck since you arrived, haven't you? :ninja:

Thanks For Asking ??

:angry::angry::angry:

EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7454599.stm)

HELLO (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7455202.stm)


It's not often you are on a train and the delays are due to Earthquakes now is it?

What's an earthquake between friends. Mind you that's the second one I've felt this year!

This one and the one in Hull/Derby

:sad:

Oh and yes, I'm fine, thanks for asking

ya'ok slip?:bag:





how was mount fuji? any foties?

Blimey, that Manga porn must be powerful.