Welcome to Gaia! ::

So uh. Next month my family and I are going to this thinger here for about five days. And now my dad is badgering me to find out more information about Tokyo, like what are the taxi fares, what're the best places to eat, learn some basic Japanese like "Help! I'm lost", "Where is the bathroom?" and "ARGH MY TONSILS ARE ON FIRE!" So uh, can somebody point me to a website or something? 8D;;

Also, would anybody know the basic do's and don'ts I should be aware of? sweatdrop

Important thing to know about taxis; when you're going to leave to go somewhere by taxi, which is the best way to go, have the front desk guy at your hotel draw out a map of where you want to go because Tokyo is a ******** maze.

Tokyo? Awesome.

-Shinkuku is one of the most expensive part of Japan. Ginza is.
-Yokohama is one of the best shopping places, with Ginza, Roppongi, etc
- Go to the shrines. Kyomi demands you. Coolest places ever.
- Kyomi also demands you to go to the aquariums. She missed it and wants photos , if possible.
-learn basic Japanese. Watch more anime. Kyomi got by living in Japan because she watched Shaman King and learned "Mizu" meant water. (Funny story, that. First night in Japan, mom wanted water, but the guy didn't know Eng, so I said "mizu" withought even thinking, and he gave us water. n_n)
-People near Yokohama's Chinatown know Cantonese. Most likely they know English, too.
-Join tours. They're cheap, informative, and pretty cool.

How big is the box?

I've been there twice. First time I went for two weeks, second time I went for a month.

Some words of advice from t3h guru:

1) Things are hella expensive. If you buy anything, make sure it works on your DVD player/ps2 or whatever, because I got conned into buying a game that didn't work. >_<

2) Yes, go to shrines. They own your soul. They're very awesome and have great hiking routes sometimes to enjoy the scenery.

3) Take the train all around just for the hell of it. Their rail card rocks because it charges you based on the stop you get out on, not your duration or per ride fare. For example, you can enter at Shinjuku, ride all the way to the end and back to one or two stops past Shinjuku and get off only paying a couple bucks. That way you can take in the sights.

4) Go to Hiroshima. I went there and saw the memorials and stuff...poignant but awesome anyways. See hollowed out buildings and remnants of the destruction.

5) the term Doko-wa means "Where is". Generally if you start your sentence with that they'll get the idea, and a surprising amount of Japanese speak enough english to help you out, not to mention the trains have english translations for stops and stuff on them. Very convenient.

6)It's HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT out there most of the time. Like, mostly muggy. Wear sleeveless and shorts if you can. At the same time, they get monsoons sometimes, so in a matter of seconds it can be pouring buckets of rain. Be ready for any weather.

Finally, GO TO A BATH HOUSE!!!!

It's a bit weird, yes. You get nekkid and join in the public bath with other women (but there are no co-ed ones that I found...trust me I looked hard lol) But it's so relaxing. Some of the higher end bath houses are outside and have nice views and stuff...in any case it's a must on any trip. You'll love it.

That's all for now.

As someone who's been to Japan--hope you have a fantastic time! xd I can't give you much Tokyo-specific advice (I was there two days), but here's my list of tidbits.

I totally agree about jumping on the train and riding around (did that--it's fun!).

I know this should go without staying with a little research, but respect the no-shoes thing. It's amazing how easy it is to forget.

Japanese baths are the greatest things ever. If you don't make it to an onsen (bathhouse), at least take the time to use the public bath in the hotel. I miss that experience a LOT.

You might be approached by a Japanese on the street who wants to practice English. They're just trying to be friendly and polite, and they're excited about the chance to try their mad English skillz. Be nice and patient to them.

Eat green tea ice cream. Good stuff.

As far as good shrines in Tokyo... hit up the Meiji Jingu, if possible. VERY beautiful place.

"Where is the toilet?" is "Otoire wa doko desu ka?" wink

Bring some back for me? whee

(because, you know, THAT'LL totally work)

Okay, I amend: Eat green tea ice cream IF YOU LIKE GREEN TEA. 3nodding

I love green tea ice cream. heart