Visiting Japan in July. Need some advice.

I'm finally going to Japan this year!
Any game related event in July? I would LOVE to go to a video game music concert

 

Depends where you're going. Tokyo I assume?

 

I will spend more time in Tokyo, but I will visit other cities too.

 

My first advice would be to come in the latter half of July when the rainy season is over.

Also check the event calendar at Makuhari Messe: https://www.m-messe.co.jp/en/ (nothing has been posted for July yet)

 

Well... tickets already bought for the first half of july :-/
Thanks for the Makuhari Messe link. I will keep an eye on it.

 

Why? They're crap?

 

I'm confused. You can get some great deals in those bins. You can also find the likes of 3 for 200 yen.

 

I think that's just a warning to first-time visitors. You're overwhelmed by the low price, end up buying loads of common or crap titles and then realize you don't have enough space in your luggage left for items that would actually be worth bringing home. I'm not saying that you can't find good deals in there but, well, just think before you buy.

 

Yeah, early July might be a hot, wet time if you are in central Japan.

As for shows, I know there is going to be the Dragon Quest 30th Anniversary Live show this summer. Not sure if you are going to be around long enough, but it starts in July.

 

The fact that on my first trip to Japan I returned home with multiple paper bags full of ¥50 ps1 and Dreamcast games that I then had to squeeze into the overhead bins on 3 flights proves that this is entirely accurate.

 

Yeah, why not? I've found Megaman Famicom games in those bins at Trader 3 before, it's definitely worth looking through every time.

 

A few places to visit in Tokyo:

• Nakano Broadway. It's basically nerd heaven. Toys and electronics galore. Walk to the end of the shopping mall just off the Nakano stop and you'll see a secondary shopping mall called "Nakano Broadway." Most of the stalls open around 11am I think. Spent a whole day here last time I was in Tokyo.
• Meiji Temple. It's a beautiful temple in the center of a forest. Get off at the Harajuku train station and you'll be right next to the entrance. If you go on a weekend you're likely to encounter a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony at the temple, which is cool to see.
• Akihabara. Commonly called "Akiba," this is the high-tech district of Tokyo. A great place to grab some cool electronics or check out arcades. Consider checking out Super Potato, a famous retro gaming store (great inventory, but they can be a little pricey--shop around if you can): https://www.google.com/maps/@35.6993704,139.7706889,45m

A couple places to visit in Kyoto:

• Sanjusangendo. It's a temple famous for its hallway of 1000+ Buddhist statues. It's an awe-inspiring sight, really. Definitely check it out.
• Fushimi Inari. A fox shrine located in the foothills of Kyoto. Famous for the thousands of torii gates that arch over its many forested pathways. Just when you think there couldn't be any more shrine to explore... there's more!! Very incredible sight.
• Nintendo. If you're a Nintendo fan and plan on going to Fushimi Inari, might as well stop by their headquarters just one trainstop north of Fushimi Inari. Their pre-2000s headquarters is here: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9746432,135.7695755,161m their pre-2014 headquarters is here: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9697314,135.7561755,231m and their current headquarters is around the corner here: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9720943,135.7547899,231m If that's not enough for you, take the train back North and check out their original headquarters right here: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9917459,135.7662838,71m

Tokyo is modern and fast-paced, full of life and electricity. Kyoto is kind of sleepy in comparison, but has a wonderful ancient and natural beauty. Both cities are beautiful and thrilling in their own ways. Just talking about it makes me want to go back!

Other tips:

• Japan is heavily cash-based, so get cash at the airport ATM or from international ATMs at post offices in Japan. You know your budget better than I do, but taking out about 20,000 yen (About $200) or so at a time might be a good idea so you don't find yourself short on cash when you need it.
• Pace yourself when it comes to toys and electronics. If you're like me at all, the desire to blow a bunch of cash on the first crane games and gachapon machines you see is going to be strong! But unlike elsewhere in the world, these things are everywhere in Japan, and you will have plenty of opportunities to get cool swag.

 

Thanks Kao!
I can rent one of the "mobile wifi" at the airport when I arrive?

Also, you say about visiting Nintendo. What's there to see? They are open to visitors?
How about Sega? I would love to go there.

 

You can rent a local sim card at the airport on arrival. Special free Wi-Fi services are also available to visting foreigners in some parts of the country.

You cannot enter the Nintendo or Sega offices without an invite (e.g. for a job interview). They are not open to the public.

 

Take pictures of peacocks and send it to me.

 

Got some time to hunto for retrogames in Osaka today.
Super potato is pricey as hell!
Mandrake only have famicom games and a few others. Pricey too.

Anyone going to Bit Summit tomorrow in Kyoto?

 

I was in that Super Potato yesterday too! It was pretty pricey, but at least it was better than the Akihabara Super Potato. It had a more interesting range too, I was surprised to see 3DO games.

 

All of those places cost way too much because they know tourists go there. I've never bought a thing from Super Potato. They're a joke when it comes to prices. See if you can find a Bic Camera store as it should have a Softmap inside that sells new and used games.

 

There was one store with good prices. I think it's called "a-too". It's near the old (now closed) super potato.
I regret not buying the saturn bomberman controller I saw there. Hope to find one in Tokyo.