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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
We've just come back from our trip to Japan and what a trip it was! DH and I found a great price for a flight to Japan from Australia so we took advantage of this rate. It was such a busy trip and I think we might have tried to fit too much in so we are a bit exhausted. But all in all it was a great experience and such a great look at the Japanese culture.
We landed in Osaka after a 9 hour flight from Sydney at around 10pm with a Japanese phrase book (I highly suggest this in Japan) with no idea how to get to our hotel. Since taxis are the price of your first born child in Japan this was not an option. This was our first experience with asking for directions...
Addresses are different in Japan, so much that the Japanese often need to carry their own maps (this is what our Japanese friend told us). So asking for directions can take about 10 minutes, depending on the person you ask. Finally after about a half hour of looking, someone was kind enough to walk us to oour "business hotel". We must have walked all over downtown Osaka... Business hotels can be the size of a shoebox and this was no exception! We were on a bit of a budget, b/c we heard that everything is expensive in Japan (it really wasnt and some things like food are cheaper than in Australia) so for half our trip we booked cheap hotels. Our business hotel in Osaka was small, but very clean. It was here we first learned about Japanese toilets. They warm the seat for you and have all these controls. Quite interesting. We then went out and had our first Japanese meal, which is a bit of a feat if the menu is in Japanese and they dont speak English. With our trusty phrase book we had a wonderful meal.
The next day we met up with our friend Sachiko that we met when DH and I were studying in Germany. It was really helpful to have a Japanese friend to explain things to us, even if it was in German and my spoken German was quite rusty. She showed us some local Osaka stuff and we had a lunch of some octopus ball thingys.
Later that afternoon we took the shinkhasen (bullet train) to exciting Tokyo and went to another business hotel . This hotel was worse than the other, with less space (if that was even possible) and a wonderful view of two buildings. No light got into our room and we wound up sleeping until 12 pm one day.
That night we went out to see my favourite DJ and dance the night away. The next day we had a bit of a lie in and did some light sightseeing to Asakusa and had a great tempura lunch.
Message edited 6/12/2007 7:05:40 AM.
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Posted 6/12/07 6:00 AM  |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
That night we met up with some friends from NY and went a bit crazy in the Roppongi section in Tokyo. We went for a drink in the same hotel "Lost in Translation" was filmed, had a sushi dinner and did Karaoke (a lot of fun since you had your own room) and a bar after. Time went by soooo fast and the next thing you know it was 5 AM. DH and I kept talking about how you have no concept of time in Tokyo and a few days later we stumbled upon a sign that explained it all to us:
Japan runs on a 27 hour clock!
On the topic of signs, Japan has a lot of spelling and grammar errors in English. They always confuse their /r/ and /l/ and being an ESL teacher I was always on the look out for some good signs. By far my favourite was while CD shopping and looking in the electronica section they confused the /r/ and /l/....
There are a few more funny signs. Fair enough, English (or EngRish over there) is a hard language, but the mistakes can be funny.
Tokyo was just a crazy city and a great city for people watching. It is like a completely different world over there. Some more Tokyo pics and food:
Yakatori (awesome Japanese pub food)
Shibuya (so many people and like the Times square of NY)
For relaxing times make it Suntory time...
Shabu Shabu, where you cook your own meat.
Dh relaxing in one of many Japanese gardens..
Plastic food
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| Posted 6/12/07 6:14 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Awesome! I love it!!!
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| Posted 6/12/07 6:26 AM |
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Geraldine
Lovin Life........
Member since 5/07 2388 total posts
Name:
Geraldine
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
nice pics............ glad you had fun
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| Posted 6/12/07 7:30 AM |
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dandj
Love of my life....
Member since 5/05 3687 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Wow...what a great trip!!
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| Posted 6/12/07 8:08 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
We went to somewhere by Tokyo called Hakkone where there were sulfur springs and people eat the eggs, that turn black after being cooked in this water...
Next it was on to Kyoto. The train ride was great with some views of rice paddys on the way.
Kyoto was just great! Such a difference from Tokyo and so much history. We did get a bit temple and garden -ed out...
One highlight was asking Japanese school children for directions. They must have had some English Homework to do b/c they wanted to ask us questions and have us write something and then take a picture with us. It was nice to me b/c I teach ESL so it was heart warming.
We had an awesome tempura tasting, a bit pricey, but it was our "nice meal" and it was so worth it! The women prepared each piece in front of you. You got 12 pieces of tempura and some miso, rice and tea. Incred-edible!
You dip it in the salt. This was the only tempura that we had that we didnt dip in a sauce and diakon. Maybe it is a Kyoto thing.
Message edited 6/12/2007 9:51:47 AM.
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| Posted 6/12/07 8:20 AM |
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cazhley
I ♥ cheesiness.
Member since 1/07 1429 total posts
Name:
Cassie
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Loved your review. Looks like great fun!
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| Posted 6/12/07 8:40 AM |
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2PreciousBlessings
The Perfect Pair
Member since 5/06 19861 total posts
Name:
Best Wife & Mommy
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Beautiful pics!!
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| Posted 6/12/07 8:42 AM |
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mtnmama
Member since 5/06 4794 total posts
Name:
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Message edited 7/6/2009 11:55:19 AM.
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| Posted 6/12/07 8:50 AM |
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Kissy331
My two miracles!
Member since 5/06 17826 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
what an amazing trip....
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| Posted 6/12/07 8:52 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
What a great review!  
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| Posted 6/12/07 9:12 AM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Awesome!!!
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| Posted 6/12/07 9:24 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
WOW...what a GREAT review and looks like a fantastic trip!!
Makes me want to go! 
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| Posted 6/12/07 9:27 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
For a day trip from Kyoto we went to Nara, where there is a HUGE Buddha and some resident deer live b/c I forget the exact reason why, but they have been there for a long time.
It looks like he could be saying "talk to the hand"...
The big buddha was made to stave off small pox that had been in Japan at the time. I think it is from the 700s, but it had been recasted a few times since then.
Back to Kyoto for a few more pics:
Traditional Ryokan where we slept on mats that were on tatami mats.
More Kyoto pics:
If you have read this far, Thank you so much, I've just realised how carried away I have got with this  . I am just really happy about the whole trip. Sorry for it being so long winded...
One more thing. Dh and I noticed so many celebrity ads that you would never see anywhere else. From what I understand they do ads over in Japan. Go figure. A few I took pics of:
Leonardo Dicaprio advertising who knows what:
Cameron Diaz (I think) doing an ad for soft bank a cell phone company:
I forget his name (tommy lee jones?) for a drink, found this on one of the many vending machines:
and SJP:
Anyway that's it and thanks for reading my review!
Message edited 6/12/2007 9:57:20 AM.
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| Posted 6/12/07 9:38 AM |
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july06bride
I'm a mom!
Member since 5/05 3966 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Fabulous Review! What an amazing trip! It was so exciting to read!
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| Posted 6/12/07 9:59 AM |
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
wow looks like such a great experience... wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing
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| Posted 6/12/07 11:18 AM |
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danielleandscott
My new 71 Super Beetle
Member since 5/05 13476 total posts
Name:
Scott
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
WOW amazing
So how was it sleeping on the floor on those matts?
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| Posted 6/12/07 11:26 AM |
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JTK
my 4 boys!
Member since 6/06 7396 total posts
Name:
Kristi
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
that looks amazing!!!
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| Posted 6/12/07 12:13 PM |
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Jenziba
?
Member since 5/05 6265 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Awesome pics!
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| Posted 6/12/07 12:16 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Great review! I went to so many of those places and I freaking can't wait until I can go back...(one day when the kids are older) Glad you had a good time!!!
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| Posted 6/12/07 3:41 PM |
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CaMacho
Sisters :)
Member since 7/06 15112 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Wow looks amazing!!!! I would love to go there!
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| Posted 6/12/07 3:45 PM |
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mrswask
Pookie Love
Member since 5/05 20229 total posts
Name:
Michal
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing those pictures and your stories - what an experience!
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| Posted 6/12/07 6:16 PM |
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HarleyGirlFLA
Come on in
Member since 5/05 9674 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
wow looks like fun. My co-worker is working on a Japan trip for a client and helped get some of the itinrary together which involved doing some research on line and it all looked amazing.
It definately is one of the places I would love to visit
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| Posted 6/12/07 7:09 PM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
What an amazing trip! Thanks so much for sharing. DH wants to go to Japan more than anything, so I can't wait to show him your posts!
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| Posted 6/12/07 9:04 PM |
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Nicole728
My Happy Girl
Member since 7/06 8198 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Our trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
What an amazing trip to take! Thanks for sharing your pics!
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| Posted 6/12/07 9:19 PM |
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