So I'm going to Japan...

MIJ Fenders

 

There is a man there named Maki. Avoid at all costs.


Your life depends on it.

 

I was about to say find maki and get a drink with him...

Can you get some pics of the tokyo skyline at night? I was there last summer, but I lost those pics.

 

you mean like this:

 

EXACTLY like that. I was in the Tokyo dome hotel near the giants stadium, so thats a better picture than I got. Hey hella, everything is fairly expensive over there, so be warned. The average for every meal, even fast food, is about ten bucks. Sit down restaurants are even more.

 

DAMN!! that sucks you better get what your paying for

 

Oh yeah, if you are doing cash at all, exchange your money here in the states, you'll get some ridiculous fees if you don't.

 

Last time I was there I remember thinking food was about the same price as in the US. I guess it depends on where in the US you are comparing it to. DC is probably more expensive than Colorado Springs. The exchange rate also makes a difference. The dollar is weak right now. Also, remember that you don't tip in Japan, so even if the price on the menu is a little more in Japan the total cost when all is said and done may be less.

The food in Tokyo is the best.

 

A-frickin'-men. I'm a fat bastard every time I come back from Tokyo. My palate gets its world rocked over there.

 

Why do you not tip?

 

You're too young to do Maki-type stuff.

So no maid cafes.

 

Just walking around Tokyo, especially at night, is a trip. The city is just so massive and dense and it goes on for miles and miles. One day I rode the subway around, getting off at random stops and checking out whatever was there. I never got bored, that's for sure.
If you can get away for a day, take the train to Kamikura (about an hour away) and check out all the amazing shrines.
As for money, best of luck getting by on $2K for four weeks. I was there for 12 days in 1996 and spent around $2,500. Some of that was train fare to various places and a couple of hotel rooms for overnight stays, but drinking and eating can get pretty expensive. In fact, I started drinking scotch in Tokyo because it was cheaper than Rolling Rock beer. But, as others have said, the food is amazing, so eat a lot.
There are some cool music stores, too. Lots of great basses, as I remember.

 

it's not a cultural thing... "service" is supposed to be first and foremost for a guest in Japanese culture... as opposed to tipping in the US (at least) was an incentive for the server to give good service, thus a sub-standard wage + tips was the payment. In Japan they have a "minimum wage" and no tipping... and depending on the place, service can reflect that fact

Hella - if you are staying central Tokyo, head for Ochanomizu and enjoy the walk down the main street, it still has the largest concentration of music shops all with in strolling distance.

 

+1... I love Kamakura. If you go to the big Buddha shrine, and then head down the street in front of it, about a block down on the left (you'll be walking downhill), there is a tiny restaurant that will serve you some of the best noodles you've ever had in your life.

The wildest cab ride I ever had was in Kamakura...

 

Asakusa is pretty cool. Senso-ji is there.

 

Buy yourself a nice bass !

 

Bacchus, if you were me I'd be hording on my nerdness with gadgets and little anime collectibles.