Essential viewing in Tokyo/Kyoto and a question about tattoo's

Any recommendations of "must see/do's" in/around the above areas?

I am intending on visiting a lot of historical/picturesque stuff, because I am sad like that, so doesn't have to be techy/game-y.

Also, I really want to visit a couple of ryokan/bath houses and soak in a few different onsen, but I have some rather prominent tattoo's in places I can't really hide. I know the "no tattoo" thing is meant to keep Yakuza/gang types out, but would it also apply to a gaijin with a big roll of notes and no idea what he is paying for? I would be pretty devastated at not being able to get into any onsen...

*edit*

Oh and would it apply to things like massage parlours... not *that* type, the legit type.

 

Hmm tattoos, I'm not exactly sure. I'm going it with some japanese guys tonight - I'll ask them then.

Personally I think you will be ok, you will just be stared at, and some guys might have a joke. I doubt it will be a big deal. In my experience most japanese people are not offended, just think it is a bit odd. I had a friend with a big tattoo on her shoulder and she got in to one no trouble, but some ladies did talk to her about it in the baths. Not in a bad way, just that it is a little odd. By the time you are in the bath, they can't kick you out! I'll see what my chums have to say.

So stuff you might not have thought of - for tokyo there is a good merchandise place in nakano if you are interested. Have lunch in a maid kisaten. The rest of the gaming stuff I bet you already know.

Nice culture stuff that I like - sword museum ten mins on a train from shinjuku. A truly awesome museum if you like your swords.

Kyoto - kiyomizu-dera, get there early in the morning, it is just great. Then climb the mountain to the smaller shrines nearer the top. Absolutely beautiful.

Nijo castle. I love this one - one of the sections of the gardens in particular are just wonderful.

The silver temple (not golden), again wonderful gardens (avoid the rush hours). You might want to walk the canal to get there. Again lovely.

The kyoto museum of modern art is a nice museum of low level japanese modern art. If you like your modern art as I do - it is worth a look.

For kyoto, I did a great day of heading to kiyumizu dera, walking from there into the woodlands, then walking back though gion to the city center, lunch, a little shopping, then hit a relaxing garden at a temple before making my way to my hotel via the backstreets. It was a beautiful day and I had a very memorable day.

I could go on... BTW - in kyoto you are VERY close to osaka...

 

I am 6' 2" so I fully expect to be stared/joked at anyway!

Sword museum sounds interesting, not sure what the guy I might be going with (I might end up going on my own) feels about historical type stuff, he might just want to hit Akiba and similar places.

I don't mind Osaka, we will be landing there anyway, so I intend to have a good nose around while I am there.

 

You're going in summer, right? Only been to Kyoto once, so can't really comment. As for Tokyo:

Meiji Shrine
Harajuku Freak Show on Sundays (this is right outside Meiji Shrine gates -- 2 birds w/ 1 rock)
Harajuku: Takeshita Doori (well, three birds then)
Asakusa (it's complete crap, but everyone goes there)
Shinjuku Gyoen (amazing)
Roppongi on a Saturday night (you will never see more white morons in one place outside of an English speaking country -- most are American servicemen. Mind the "massage girls".)

 

Seems it will be November now, so got the Maple tree viewing, the full moon viewing, stuff like that to look forward to.

Not too bothered about the massaji girls, unless I do end up alone in Japan for 8 days... *cough* but then I would rather make some concerted effort with some cheap kogal... or could just not bother lol! I aint going to Japan to get laid, I got a Mrs and a baby...

 

November is nice... a bit chilly, but I'm sure way better than the weather in Wales. Most of the flora in Shinjuku Gyoen will be withering by this time though, which is a shame. The fact that there's such a beautiful piece of nature quite literally in perhaps the most urban section of the world has always baffled me.

 

Wales is just wet and miserable most of the time, strangely though except for the rural areas, people just seemed to build all the towns and cities in the wet, shitty bits.

The cold doesn't bother me, I would rather go when it's cooler as I am not a great fan of the heat.

*sigh*

Gotta start saving now, which means no non essential purchases, ie games stuff...

 

Hmmm, if I would go to Japan .. would I be looked at with my little tribal tatoo on my right arm ? just above the hand ?

 

Probably not as much as me having "ghost" in Kanji tattoo'd on my stomach (I was 17 and drunk, don't ask)

 

http://outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher97.html

Kind of unfortunate that your tattoo is in Kanji, I guess.

 

I have a tat on my right ankle, which is easily hidden. Nobody has ever tried to eject me from anywhere -- bath, pool, gym, etc.

 

Would bandages help in this situation? I could cover the one on my gut (which I think I will get tattoo'd over before I go) with my arm while getting in there, but my near whole left arm would need to be covered.

 

Where are you planning on going? In November, an onsen is about the only place you'd go and be naked. Generally though, that rule is there to keep the yaks out... it's not always enforced either. Toshimaen, a water park in the North part of Tokyo has a big ass sign in English and Japanese saying no Tatoos. Everytime I've gone I've seen at least one person covered head to toe in them.

 

Yeah it's just the onsen thing I am worrying about, it would be gutting if I had to dress up like Boris freaking Karloff just to get into one. I guess if I go to a ryokan out of the way I could reserve the onsen for me and the other chap (if he actually comes) and no have to suffer being stared at. Don't have to see no wrinkly guy's todger as well then

Is Toshimaen that big indoor beach resort thing?

 

If you get a chance, visit the Sony Building in Ginza. There is a underground tunnel from the Ginza subway station. Perfect for a rainy day. All their latest tech and prototypes are available for you to play with. I saw a Blu-Ray demonstration there in April 2004 as well as managing to break some of those Aibo dogs.

 

Toshimaen is an outdoor park. Only open a couple of months a year. I have no idea how they stay open.

 

He's not out in the sticks -- he'll be in the cities. (Right?) The chances of rejection at these places is much lower than being in the countryside. Of course, if they get a glimpse of the tattoo that might change. Just find a place that does not have a sign that says "Japanese Only". If it doesn't, you'll be fine.... at least getting in the door. It's also not like they have someone checking you when you disrobe, either. Be subtle, try not to face anyone, and try to get in the water quickly (which will be very hard as a whiteboy -- that shit is HOT).

 

Yeah will just be sticking to/around Kyoto/Tokyo. I am half tempted to spend most of it in Kyoto as the gaming bit is secondary to the trip, I want to explore and see the sights.

Thats why I want to do an onsen, I will be staying in a 4* hotel as it's part of the package, so want to see and experience some of the more "classical" Japanese stuff. I don't care if it's cliched or not, this is my first time abroad in 22 years, so I am going to do what I feel like.

 

Don't forget though... Tokyo is a stunning city, unlike any other out there. There is plenty to do that will blow your mind that has absolutely nothing to do w/ games. On the contrary, Kyoto is pretty famous for... well... temples. I'm all for a mixed diet.

For one of your Tokyo days, I would highly recommend a day excursion over to Kamakura. It is like "little Kyoto", and only an hour and change away by train. You could easily spend an entire day from dawn until dusk walking around, looking at different temples. Hakone is another day trip (maybe half a day), about halfway between Tokyo and Shizuoka. You get a nice, clear shot of Mt Fuji, and there's a museum and some other sight-seeing to do. This was a check-point back in the day, when the shogun required the diamyo to come to Tokyo (and leave their families).

I have never been to Nikko, but I hear it's pretty wicked. Watch out for the monkies though.