demagogue on 12/5/2007 at 16:10
No problem.
Quote Posted by shadows
I've also heard that in Japan they have some toilets that don't use toilet paper but shoots a jet of water to clean you off.
Japanese toilets are dreamy. The seats are heated, padded, and very comfortable; the bidet is gentle, massaging, warm, and oscillates in a relaxing fashion (they use toilet paper as well, of course; the bidet is an added bonus); and there is a small console at one's side to control all said aspects to one's custom preferences. And when you flush, a gentle stream of water comes out of a faucet into a little "sink" at the top to assist you in washing your hands, which sink is often decorated to look like a little Japanese garden with a refreshing, peaceful waterfall trickling down. I couldn't wait to cr*p because I knew I'd get to spend quality time on the toilet. :D
This enthusiasm sometimes backfired, though, when I'd run excitedly to the restroom only to discover that that building only has cold, ceramic holes in the ground for toilets that I had to squat over. :(
A nation of extremes, to put it mildly.
Shug on 12/5/2007 at 17:26
Quote Posted by Matthew
Completely butting in here to ask random drivel, but would one still say "Moshi moshi" to start a telephone call?
To answer a call, yes
demagogue on 12/5/2007 at 18:39
You would also say "moshi moshi" if, for example, your friend is on the phone with X-san, who wants to talk to you, so your friend hands the phone over to you. When you get it, you'd say moshi-moshi to let X-san know you're on. It's sort of like a general "here I am, go ahead" sort of phrase.
Thelink on 12/5/2007 at 21:55
I originally came in here to make a light-hearted comment about being a "japanese forum admin" ( :devil: ) but then I saw Demagogue's Japanese and was highly impressed. I'm jealous of both of you. Have a good trip man. :thumb:
Briareos H on 12/5/2007 at 22:42
Most of what's to be said has been covered already. Kyoto is a very interesting place to study architecture considering the 12-story restriction for building construction (so as not to cast too big a shadow on the countless temples of the area). It's an awesome city anyway, you'll have plenty of things to do. It wasn't mentioned here, so don't forget to go to the Fushimi-Inari shrine in the south of Kyoto, it's a great walk among the thousands of shinto gates. People often forget about this one.
Another thing, don't worry too much about shocking Japanese people or seeming rude. You are a stranger anyway, they'll take pleasure in forgiving you . Some even may expect you to be arrogant... If you are not, have an open mind, stay respectful and interested, they'll be really impressed and glad to help you.
The Lonely Planet guide is indeed excellent, I wouldn't advise anything else. Once you arrive, you should go to the Kyoto Tourist Information Center, inside the Kyoto Prefectural International Center hidden somewhere in the impressive train station/shopping center (not the tourist office which is much easier to find - ask if you don't find, 9F if I remember well). There, you'll be able to get free maps of the city, especially a very useful hand drawn map of downtown Kyoto.
Travelling is indeed expensive, but you'll have to use shinkansen unless you want to spend 8 hours in a train for Kyoto - Hiroshima (guess who did - and loved it...). Use (
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi) this or (
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/) that to plan your trips by train easily.
Finally, you have to go to the Gael (ex-Tadg's) and Pig & Whistle pubs, they are a great meeting place for foreigners in Kyoto. Also try to find the "A Bar"... bottled beer is really cheap there and the atmosphere is great if you go with friends. Don't hesitate to PM me if you have more specific questions about the city and living there.
Digital Nightfall on 26/5/2007 at 06:29
Thanks for everyone for their help. It's been a very busy month!
Firefreak: I'll keep 'Okonomiyaki' in mind!
demagogue: I need to print that list out and remember it. Some of those "don't do this" items seem like things I'd do without even thinking. Since we're "sight seers" not pointing is going to be hard.
Tonamel: We're going to be spending alot of time at that train station. Our assignment is to redesign it, actually. (Not remodel, but level it and build something totally new.) I guess my professor doesn't like it how it is.
Firefreak again: I don't smoke (or chew gum) so that's not an issue. On the other hand, my stupid nose sneezes at anything, so the need to clean it is always a clear and present danger.
Navyhacker006: The irony is that, of my whole family, I am maybe the least obsessed with asian culture ... yet I am the one going to Japan. (none of them have ever been, except my father, who went when he was very young.)
driver: I hate mcdonalds, don't worry. And an an American college student, raman is a constant part of my diet. The odd thing is, I actually really like the stuff, and happily will eat it even when there's better food in the fridge. On the other hand, of all Asian food, I find Japanese the most palatable (note: the stuff they serve in Chinese takeout places is rarely real Chinese food) so I am really looking forward to it.
Alchemist: I am not entirely convinced that Miami is actually part of Planet Earth.
Philky: I've got the lonely planet guidebooks, and a 14 rail pass for the whole country. I'm ready to go!
MrDuck: No
Morte: If you're in Japan, we have to meet up! And don't worry, there's no big black guys in the group, just big south american guys.
Shadow Creepr: I very much expect that many members of our group will indeed be <i>doing it</i> in Japan. Half the group has already paired off into couples with the hotel room reservations anyway. (I've got a single room, all to myself.)
demagogue: I shall indeed seek out these majestic toilets of delight
I'm going to post my travel schedule to this thread. We've got it pretty tightly booked, with so many places to hit, with so much area to cover. Thankfully the professor lived in Japan for 14 years, so I think we'll be in good hands.
I'll be leaving in one week now. Tomorrow I plan to go buy a new digital camera - the one I have is a few years old, weighs too much, is five times bigger than it needs to be, and the batteries only last a few hours. It's great for the tripod - horrible for trips. What's hot in the area of digital cameras right now?
Like I said above, I've already ordered my rail pass, which I will be using for the last two weeks of the trip after our hotel reservations expire. At that point the group will be "on our own" to travel the country and camp out wherever and however we want - we just need to get back to the University here in Florida in time for classes to resume! Suggestions on free travel?
One tough bit however is the fact that our hotel, the palace side hotel, does not have wifi nor does it have internet hookups in the room. So I either need to find an old school modem for my laptop and find an ISP in Japan, or live off 'net cafe's and such. I will have my laptop with me of course, so while my visits to the internets will probably be fairly frequent, they will also of course be fairly brief. On the other hand, I am sure I could use a break from it. Anyone have any advice in this realm?
I'm planning to get a cell phone once I get to Japan for communicating with my classmates and professor. Again, does anyone have any advice in this area? For calling home, I'll rely on the internet - ventrillo will do just fine I believe.
Hurm, what else. I don't know. Anything else? :)
sparkle_motion on 31/5/2007 at 14:02
My sister has been living in Osaka for about two years and I visited her last summer....
My advice is simply to leave a day free, go outside, walk and don't stop walking. You see so many interesting things...
If you're in a city make sure you go into a pachinko place. The noise is deafaning!!
Oh and karaoke is a must. You pay a price for the hour, get unlimited drinks, and you're taken to a small room with about 10 books the size of yellow pages with songs in. And the sound speakers are awesome- the best fun I've ever had. :)
And don't you dare eat any western food. Ever.
Oh, and 'kiddieland' is the best store in the world. I bought so much junk there. Oh and in a 100yen shop (about 50p) I got a spiderman apron, my best possession!
Also, if you can find some kimono night, do it, its great fun:
Inline Image:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p314/sparkle_motion87/DSCN4638.jpgDigital Nightfall on 31/5/2007 at 17:36
:o I am not exactly sure what it is you're asking me to do, or what the photo has to do with it.
demagogue on 31/5/2007 at 17:42
I just remembered something.
Somewhere on one of the main strips in Kyoto, a Japanese-American guy sets up his own makeshift bar between two buildings, basically some plastic tables & chairs and a cooler of beers. And then he puts up some of his graffiti-inspired artwork around the "place".
I'm curious if he's still around. We used to enjoy sitting around there when we'd go ... no cover, usually pretty international crowd, and the whole idea that a guy just brings a cooler and some chairs and calls it a "bar", surrounded by all these exclusive member clubs. Anyway, if you can find him, I recommend it ... At least, tell me if you see him.
Digital Nightfall on 31/5/2007 at 17:52
I will keep my eyes open!
I have the schedule for my trip, now. <a href=http://www.digital-nightfall.com/sched1.jpg>page 1</a> <a href=http://www.digital-nightfall.com/sched2.jpg>page 2</a>
It looks like a pretty busy schedule, and there is the disturbing traces of elements which seem like work inserted here and there into it. I hope it's just an optical illusion.
I am looking forward to the Homestay maybe the most. I am supposed to bring my host family a gift, however. Any suggestions on that? :erm:
