December 2023

[vocal mesa]

Put me in Covid prison at the airport

[forest marlin]

Pulled up early at the Shinkansen, off to Kinosaki sooooooon

Nah you got a case of the Spice Girls 💀

[arctic sun]

Leaving yufuin today and going back to Tokyo

[vivid meadow]

Hi ! i made a channel for NYE if you want to make plans (since this channel is already flooded)

[desert swallow]

If you’re near a drug store, grab some Lulu attack/ルルアッタク. Recovering right now and it saved me from my symptoms if you’re also cursed with a nasty cough and phlegm!

Also get well soon!!

[simple hamlet]

Thank you! Was it good for sore throat? That’s my worst symptom right now. I’m going to try to grab some medicated lozenges, too.

[desert swallow]

Of course! It has 600mg of ibuprofen in it, should help with pain management once it kicks in. I’ll dm you of what it looks like for visual reference and a translation of the ingredients as it can also be used beyond treating certain symptoms!

[simple hamlet]

Ok cool! Also don’t worry about DMing—I have a reference guide with everything in English that someone posted on the subreddit but thank you!!

[desert swallow]

Ooo okay! I already dm’d KFNEKKDFK. I also shared my cough drops on there but feel free to ask questions if you have any (cant really give medical advice tho but more so from my experience). Also have a safe flight when you do leave ✨

[simple hamlet]

Tysm!

[desert swallow]

yess anytime!!

[tender mantle]

Absolutely spectacular lineup tonight, one of the best of all December, go check it out
https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/Czk8iODSCv7/

I will be there if work lets me off in time

[tropic galleon]

I wish Osaka had a Shimokita equivalent...or Fukuoka

[amber badge]

These next 48 hours before my flight keeps feeling longer and longer

[tender mantle]

A lot of the venues are around Namba and Amemura. Doesn’t feel like Shimo because there’s a lot of other stuff going on in those areas too

Fukuoka has the venue Utero with many great events and artists. idk about any others though

[keen epoch]

yooo

[desert nest]

Anyone in Osaka now? I’m here for 5 days already and usually free from 4pm and all I do is walk to Osaka Namba, eat, watch people and go home 😁 please unstuck me haha, would be nice to talk to human person 🙂

[desert nest]

Hm, is there any howto on how to spot them? Or maybe they have site with announcements?
I also struggling to find resources where you can see events in Osaka and buy tickets for them.. Japanese site is fine as well 🙂

[vocal mesa]

Guess who almost ate shit on the escalator at the train station because she didn't luggage forward her two giant pieces of luggage

Meeeeeeeee 💜

[simple hamlet]

Ending the trip with style and grace ✨

[vocal mesa]

That's meeeee

At least I am safely on the train now and there are luggage carts at the airport

[forest marlin]

Not me clenching bc I am paranoid for my first experience with luggage forwarding - if my stuff isn’t at the inn I’ll be so sad

[forest marlin]

DUDE I BIFFED IT AT SHINAGAWA STATION TODAY LMAO

Was jogging up the stairs and misjudged a step 💀

[copper notch]

Hey there! I'm 25F from California and I'll be in Tokyo from December 10th to 15th, Osaka from the 15th to 19th, and then Kyoto from the 20th to 24th. I'm hoping to meet some people along the way. If there's any meetup group chat, could any kind soul add me? I'm thinking about checking out Disney Sea in Tokyo and Universal Studios in Osaka, but I'm not sure about going solo. Just wondering if anyone here is planning to be there too?

[vocal mesa]

Dude no sweat luggage forwarding is s tier

[vocal mesa]

It's the most embarrassing shit

[tender mantle]

Utero has a website

[tropic galleon]

You should've called out earlier here, we often meet up for dinner/drinks. I just left Osaka this morning unfortunately, but others are still around

The usual spot everyone hung around was Misono Building. Maybe you can ping @timid parrot or @brittle lark to meet for dinner

@desert nest oh, you should be in the Osaka meetup thread! Go look for it

[toxic cosmos]

hello, can you dm me a picture of what it looks like, im going with 5 friends during December/January so one of us might need it when we're there

[brittle lark]

I’m here, also free from around 4PM usually. Hit me up, also you can join Osaka Meetup channel

[weak pelican]

Ummm that’s why I keep on insisting on it, so how much was each leg when you forwarded the bags?

[brittle lark]

Hello, I’m in Osaka until 21th Dec. USJ could be fun

[vocal mesa]

Like 2-2.5k for a big ol suitcase

[weak pelican]

How heavy? That’s prettt decent

[median kraken]

I’m in Osaka from Dec 7-11 and USJ is sounding like a plan

[median kraken]

Touching down tmr at 430pm

[desert swallow]

Done!!

[toxic cosmos]

thanks

[desert swallow]

np

[frosty bridge]

Any thing going on in Tokyo tonight? Just landed last night and knocked out right after, but I’m well rested today and seeing if anyone possibly wanted to grab some food or drinks.

[vocal mesa]

Maybe 23k?

At my gate two hours earlyyyyy

[lone phoenix]

NRT?

[vocal mesa]

Yup

[lone phoenix]

Time to get some more omiyage 😄

Got some KitKat and other things I didn’t have time to get before getting to the airport 😄

[brisk plank]

I’m in Tokyo tonight and in Osaka the next 4 days if anyone wants to go out drinking. So far it’s been a struggle to find people to hang out with

[hot adder]

Depends how I'm feeling had an unexpected meeting come up which has been going on for hours now uuuhg but if I'm going out tonight it's probably around the Shinjuku area

[brisk plank]

Im in Shinjuku so that’s pretty good

[tropic galleon]

Why? Are you posting in the Tokyo meetup threads?

[forest marlin]

Remind me how much longer you’re around for?

[vocal mesa]

Grabbed a few boxes of Tokyo bananas

[hot adder]

13 dec

[forest marlin]

Crud

[tender mantle]

Since the November crew left there just seem to be fewer people about

[lament arrow]

Hi, I'm Steven, 26M from NZ 😊.
Tmrw is my last night here and cbk for dinner/drinks -> Karaoke at Shibuya tomorrow if people are around.

[vocal mesa]

November crew represent

[median coral]

Best gang

[vocal mesa]

B)

[forest marlin]

Get that shit outta the December thread 😂😂

[jagged radish]

December is about Christmas and new year!!!

[vocal mesa]

Never

[jagged radish]

Well, the most exciting part rather

[forest marlin]

📝you just made the list.

[vocal mesa]

Bitch I AM the list

[forest marlin]

https://tenor.com/view/chris-jericho-list-you-just-made-the-list-wrestling-gif-7202534

[brisk plank]

今夜に新宿でだれか飲みますか？

[mystic hull]

I might be down for some drinks tonight. It's my last night also 😪

[tropic galleon]

Hmm oh well. Maybe a new wave will form

[tropic galleon]

How was your searching, dude? If you care to share anyway haha

[trail kayak]

Me and two other guys are going out for udon in shinjuku in about 40 mins, if anyone wants to hang out feel free

[mystic hull]

No luck 😭 meeting Japanese girls is hard

[brisk plank]

😎 lfggggggg

[forest marlin]

Made it to Morizuya in Kinosaki, all checked in. That was a lot of traveling man but it was rather easy haha these trains rock

[hot adder]

Time to relax then

[forest marlin]

You said it brotha

[tropic galleon]

That's why you need to hang out in the Hub 😅

[mystic hull]

Maybe I'll check it out 😅

[simple hamlet]

You have November gang energy, anyway. So I’m still gonna consider you part of the fam 😎

[forest marlin]

December gang til I’m six feet under but I’ll take the badge of honor hahaha

[storm mortar]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pnK5eMBWbonCD7PS7

[simple hamlet]

It IS an honor 😤

[tropic galleon]

Roppongi, the highest gaijin energy

[brisk plank]

Whoa…

[hot adder]

Aaaah finally got out of the meeting first I'll go freshen up and eat something than I'll see if I'm still fit enough to go out

[fervent nacelle]

Anyone in Hiroshima rn?

[pearl dove]

I’m heading to Shibuya for some ramen and then I’ll probably go to the Hub (Shibuya). If anyone’s interested to join, let me know.

[mystic hull]

I might be down for that

[pearl dove]

DM’d you.

[buoyant gale]

Give the Hiroshima thread a try, there were a couple of people around when I was there 2 days ago

[weak pelican]

More like came from there because it’s burnt bread now right ? Right ?

[south vine]

https://tenor.com/view/toasty-mortalkombat-gif-20698988

[vocal mesa]

Thank you, friend, I'm about 20 min from landing rn

[toxic cosmos]

I am I’ll probably go downtown tonight or tomorrow night.

[weak pelican]

Have you landed yet

Just wave to the runway

[vocal mesa]

Yup

[weak pelican]

I’m about to take off

[vocal mesa]

Whaaaaaat

[weak pelican]

Ok wave to window

[vocal mesa]

Dude I just missed you!

I'm in the line for immigration rn

[weak pelican]

I can’t send a video of me waving

[toxic cosmos]

How long are you in Hiroshima?

[vocal mesa]

I'm still in Japan mode I keep answering people in limited Japanese

[weak pelican]

Oh hey please be careful when it’s night time and beware of violent crime (still lower than 90s) and the ungodly number of homeless folks everywhere in the cities (not their fault)

Welcome to America!!!

[vocal mesa]

🤷‍♂️

Feels like home to me!

Bringing some Japanese bronchitis state side to share with my fellow citizens

[weak pelican]

Patient 0, it begins!

[vocal mesa]

I'm ready to not even LOOK at closed toe shoes for like 3 months min

[weak pelican]

Crocs

[vocal mesa]

Rainbows

I am a man of class

[fervent nacelle]

Tomorrow is my last day here

*In Hiroshima

[wide thunder]

I will be in Japan from Dec 14th to Jan 12th!

Would love to meet up with folks. I will be solo traveling

[tender mantle]

Welcome, please come join me on your first night
#1180770208126861332

[agile pebble]

Hey i’m safwat im a 23M bangladeshi american and i’m solo traveling for the first time in japan. would love to grab dinner/drinks in Shinjuku area on Dec 8 or Dec 9 with anyone who’s around. lmk!

[hot adder]

Today I'm doing some shopping in Akihabara so if anybody is in the neighborhood maybe we can meetup

[wide thunder]

Thank you for the welcome!!!

I would love to join

Sorry I'm trying to figure out how this server works... so many threads and hidden channels

Not a discord novice, theres just so much to digest hahah I wish I wouldve found this months ago when I booked my trip

Is there a good channel here for advice. Like any type of advice in terms of itinerary, places to check out, etc or is more of just connecting with others and other people sharing their itinerarys and trip expereinces

[weak pelican]

Don’t worry take your time

[tender mantle]

Itinerary advice #planning-and-itineraries
Recommendations of things to see and do #attractions
Eat #food

[weak pelican]

Just post according to the category - #planning-and-itineraries for in depth stuff

#general-chat for small general stuff or when you are in japan and need help ASAP
And there are sub threads

[tender mantle]

Places to stay #accommodations
How to get around #transportation

[honest wedge]

What time are you in Akihabara? I'm walking around here rn

[hot adder]

I'll be there around 11 ish

[wide thunder]

I love you

thank you very much

I know it seems like such a simple question but I found all the hidden threads for different activites and times and wanted to make sure to navigate to the proper category/channel

https://tenor.com/view/thank-you-thanks-dog-happy-gif-22660096

[weak pelican]

It’s all good man. As long as you read #1097566689006194789 then you are more than fine

[tender mantle]

You can also make your own thread if you want to gather people to talk about one thing eg plan a meetup

[tender mantle]

No prob, just come on the 14th and I’ll be happy 😊

[wide thunder]

I will do this for sure! I only have one week left until departure I need all the resources and friends I can get

[weak pelican]

@wide thunder no joke you gotta show up to habos events and some random events here. It’s all fun

[wide thunder]

and count on it!! Will just depend when I land

Im estimated to touchdown at 1400 tokyo time

[weak pelican]

And if you want comedy please read #1088386794355183666

I’m actually super judgmental for YouTubers but habo gets a pass

[wide thunder]

hahahah let me go check this out, I love the title of the thread

[hot adder]

Should be there in about 5 min

[honest wedge]

Ok I will wait over at the electric north town exit

I am also holding a dr pepper bottle lol

[forest marlin]

@here need some help, guys. I accidentally booked at the “wrong” Kusatsu. It’s the one in Gunma when I thought it was the one near Osaka. That being the case, it’s a 16 hour travel day from Kinosaki to Kusatsu, and doesn’t make sense for me to try to do that for a 2 night stay. December 10-12.

Would anybody be interested in taking this three bedroom (six futon beds) villa off my hands? It has its own hot spring, 2152 square feet, and looks friggin immaculate, but my dumb planning is making it so I likely cannot make it.

Would anybody want this place? If you were coming from Shibuya it’s about a 4:30-5hr trip.

[tender mantle]

Drop it in #1056119213082808400

[tender mantle]

FYI journey can be 4 hours if you start early
https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?p=0&xpd=1&from=Kinosakionsen&date=12%2F07%2F2023&time=07%3A00&ft=0&ic=0&us=0&up=0&ut=0&nzm=0&sub_lang=ja&to=S-E90000368&to_name=Kusatsu+Big+Bath%2C+Kusatsu+Now+Resort+Hotel

Google Maps is bad for long journeys, we stan Jorudan

Wait it’s 24 + 4 hours nvm lol

[forest marlin]

HMM

Lmao

I was in my head like “it took 7 hours to get from Shinagawa to Kinosaki, HOW” 💀😂

[weak pelican]

Saint slappy

Living saint slappy

CHORRATIL is dead

[tender mantle]

You can get as far as Ueda in Nagano in 7 hours and can look up bus/car/taxi options from there

Still better than the 16 Gmaps suggested

Hmm maybe I should take the Gunma hotel lol

[forest marlin]

That still, I don’t know man, here’s my issue -

December 6-10: Kinosaki
December 10-12: Kusatsu
December 12-15: Osaka
15-22: Tokyo

If I take the lodging I’m gonna be spending so much time traveling there and back from accommodations im gonna basically lose an entire day

And I don’t trust myself to navigate that 8-hour route and not make a mistake honestly lol

[tender mantle]

Oh right back to Osaka 💀

[forest marlin]

Exactly

So it makes sense for me to just stick to western Japan

[forest marlin]

It ain’t even the hotel it’s its own villa

I upgraded for like 1,100 yen bc it was so cheap

[tender mantle]

You might not be able to pass it off to other people if there’s check-in involved. Name must match that on the booking

[forest marlin]

It appears I can change the name though

[simple hamlet]

@forest marlin what’s their cancellation policy? Some places will let you cancel for free up to 24 hours before the check-in date. Might be worth checking.

[forest marlin]

Booking says no cancellation allowed, I messaged them to ask.

[simple hamlet]

Aw man. That sucks.

[forest marlin]

I was really looking forward to it too. Private onsen, multiple floors, it’s own washing machine haha

[simple hamlet]

Ahhhh I’m so sorry.

[forest marlin]

But oh well. Maybe this is the world telling me to stay longer in Osaka which I am totally okay with

[simple hamlet]

That’s such a huge bummer 😭

[forest marlin]

Eh. I was sweating and panicking about it but honestly, it’s fine. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of onsen and ryokan experience in here at Kinosaki. In truth it’s kind of boring with nobody to hang out with.

[tender mantle]

Can you cancel Osaka 🤔

[simple hamlet]

I getcha. Kusatsu is cool, but there isn’t much to do and it’s a bit of a pain to get to. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it if I hadn’t been with @next basin, just because the trip is rather long and annoying, and it’s much more fun to share the experience with a friend.

I’m SO glad I went, but I wouldn’t do it alone. That’s just me, tho.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do another ryokan/onsen stay alone. It was great my first two trips, but now that I know what it’s like to do it with a friend, I can’t go back lol. I enjoyed my time in Hakone this week, but I got sooooooo bored. And it was only one night.

[weak pelican]

Did you guys take a bus

[weak pelican]

Yeah only weirdos go to onsens alone , unless they are the super solitary kind of people

[forest marlin]

Yeah I’m in a ryokan right now just like napping lol - it’s comfy but it looks like all there is to do is walk around. And I didn’t mind walking around in the Yukata last night but I don’t really want to do it all day. Let alone in those uncomfortable wooden sandals lol

[weak pelican]

If only I had a solitary onsen stay to clean up my discord drafts and threads

#1182154965662302289 welcome Saint slappy 🫡

[forest marlin]

Between the experiences, adventure, food, etc that Osaka offers compared to Kusatsu, I’d rather do Osaka at this point. Now that I know what ryokan/hot springs/onsen town are like, and will have two more days here, I am totally okay extending Osaka and dropping Kusatsu. Other way around is a mehhhhh for me. Like Woomy said it’s better with others.

Place responded and say friends can stay there if I can’t make it.

I could turn this into a Kyoto stay perhaps

[simple hamlet]

We did Shinkansen part of the way, then taxi from Karuizawa to Kusatsu. The bus would have taken 2 hours vs 1 hour.

[forest marlin]

They let me cancel for free. Fucking BLESS THE JAPANESE

[potent crescent]

Bless

[forest marlin]

Now to book for… do we go Kyoto, Kobe or Osaka? 👀

[tender mantle]

#accommodations , don’t forget this channel is mainly for meet-ups

[forest marlin]

Oh you’re right thank you

[fervent cloud]

hey everyone!!

17th is my last full day here, i'm trying to go to nikko before time runs out!

if anyone is interested please let me know

i'm trying to go for a day trip

[weak pelican]

Sorry you aren’t a saint anymore, downgraded to regular person

[next basin]

I am pleased to hear I have ruined solo onsens for you haha

[tender mantle]

Two absolutely stellar shows on in Shimokitazawa tomorrow night, if you go out to do anything else in Tokyo between the hours of 7 and 10 you are a fool
https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/C0LxWIlSYBD/
https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/Cza2OmQSHft/

[rain geyser]

@tender mantle are you going?

[tender mantle]

I am in the process of cancelling stuff so I can go to the first one

Bakyun the Everyday is my favourite band in Japan and that’s saying something

The second show has a bit more variety though and is likely a better introduction to the scene if it’s your first time

You can hear clips of all the performers in those Instagram posts. Have a listen and see which ones you prefer

[lone wedge]

Thanks, I'm deciding which I go

[tender mantle]

Don’t forget to reserve a ticket in advance because you get money off if you do

[buoyant gale]

you going bro

[buoyant gale]

if you go let us know, maybe we can get a small group going

[scarlet glen]

I'm registered for Careless

[fluid cedar]

Anyone in Osaka, we’re hitting up some bars tonight at this address:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/diLTmLBz5BczwY1h9?g_st=ii

Everyone in the area is welcome to join. We’re meeting our front at 830pm

[toxic cosmos]

What time do you leave?

[rain geyser]

Looking at our options either way we’re drinking

[buoyant gale]

could start there and move on to somewhere else

[fervent nacelle]

Prolly 2pm ish?

Hoping on train towards Tokyo

[rain geyser]

Have another friend who’s coming as well

We could just golden gai

[lone wedge]

Going

[agile pebble]

i’m also interested. registered for Careless

[lone wedge]

X3

[calm tusk]

For those in Shibuya, we’re having dinner at a Izakaya spot tonight, then grabbing a few cold beverages afterwards. Pretty casual one.

Drop a message anytime tonight if you wanna drop by.

[rain geyser]

Looks like careless is the play

[hot adder]

Somebody up for some drinks in Shinjuku tonight?

[sour tangle]

@fluid cedar how bigs ur group ?

[sour tangle]

In response to this ^

[fluid cedar]

Like to be determined since people I haven’t met are joining but I got like 4 people I know meeting me there

[sour tangle]

Im not sure if i should go, my throats been so sore the past few days but i wanna have a few drinks 🥹

[buoyant gale]

do what you do then

[weak pelican]

Everyone’s getting sick left and right 🫠 time to mask up in public

[buoyant gale]

Can't do tonight but tomorrow is in play

[hot adder]

Hit me up tomorrow when you're going

[tropic galleon]

Is anyone still in Hiroshima? I'm on a local train into town tonight, could do lunch/museum tomorrow, or go to Miyajima

[marble delta]

Still in Shibuya? I'm here and don't know what to get up to

[calm tusk]

Yea, moving between bars

[marble delta]

Will DM

[tropic galleon]

Thinking about Tokyo bars, they definitely seem less intimate than Osaka ones. Uptightttt

[marble delta]

I understand when I'm not wanted 😭😂

[weak pelican]

Why aren’t you wanted silly

Maybe people are little busy and didn’t check their phones , it’s a tad late

[potent crescent]

Ah, I missed this and it’s too late now

Hope y’all had fun/are having fun

[potent crescent]

Agreed, Tokyo has an “I just got off a 60 hour shift, leave me alone” vibe compared to Osaka’s party animal vibes

[marble delta]

People at a meetup last night told me Osaka people are annoying 😅😅

[potent crescent]

Probably because the party animal vibe is taken to 11 because “oooh a foreigner! Time to try out my English or befriend them for fun stories”

[weak pelican]

See for yourself and there’s lots of people 🫡

[marble delta]

They were Japanese

[weak pelican]

But have your group of foreigner bubble going out is a good way to protect yourself. See #1172466576310681671

[potent crescent]

This changes nothing

Oh wait, you meant the person saying they were annoying was Japanese

[marble delta]

Yeah

[potent crescent]

That’s my theory out the window

[weak pelican]

Tokyo folks sometimes have their heads up their asses tbh. Yeah Osaka is different and dirtier, But it’s also cheaper than Tokyo. Tokyo is pricey

[marble delta]

They were from all over, the ones saying it

[weak pelican]

The ever kanto / kansai debate but for us tourists or visitors it’s meh

[marble delta]

Fukuoka, Tokyo, Kobe, they all agreed Osaka people were annoying 😅😅

I don't know, I've never been out on town there, I just thought of staying there instead of Tokyo next time

[weak pelican]

Go for it

There’s also Kyoto too

Nearby and check out the pictures in #1164688631672340610

[tropic galleon]

That's weird. Kobe is like, next to Osaka

[marble delta]

Kobe person was just agreeing, but yeah, I dunno, it's what they said

[tropic galleon]

What Japanese word did they use for annoying?

Seems like you ran into a bunch of generalisers

[marble delta]

We spoke English

[tropic galleon]

Then I wonder if they were using the right English word. Okay, will ask a Japanese person the next chance I get

[marble delta]

They were pretty fluent

I don't think they meant the opposite😅

[tropic galleon]

What was this meetup lol

Reminds that I haven't gone to any language exchange meetups this trip. I should look for one in Hiroshima tomorrow

[marble delta]

A language one I like to go to

[tropic galleon]

Sounds like you've gone to a few

Found on Meetup.com or elsewhere?

[marble delta]

Yeah

[marble delta]

I like going when I'm in Tokyo cus it's one of the few sober meetups I've found, haha

[tropic galleon]

I forgot to go this time, but I've gone in Tokyo before

Sober, uh haha

But people mostly weren't too strong at English except a few who'd lived overseas

[marble delta]

Yeah, I don't drink, so it's nice

[tropic galleon]

Maybe I don't understand, but people can just order non-alcoholic drinks anyway? Or do you mean they get rowdy from being drunk

[marble delta]

Yeah, that's what I mean

[tropic galleon]

The language meetups I've been to have never gotten rowdy despite having alcohol available...odd

[marble delta]

I just prefer less alcohol around due to bad experiences with it 😅 I don't mean alcohol has to cause rowdiness

[tropic galleon]

Japan has alcohol everywhere so it can't be avoided tho. But people generally don't cause problems for others when drinking

[weak pelican]

As a alcohol drinker sorry 😞 but I’m a super light weight and rowdy person by nature

[marble delta]

Nooo I don't mind people drinking alcohol at all, people do what they want, I just think it's nice to have the occasional sober option when I don't feel like being around it

[weak pelican]

My friends wife stopped drinking in her life full stop. And it made her life better

Or people just have 2 drinks a year, booze is a poison tbh (albeit tasty)

[marble delta]

This is what I did two years ago

[weak pelican]

Pour one , not drink one

[native cave]

T-minus 3 hours before I board my flight to Narita. 2nd time I'm going, 1st time going solo. A little anxious, but excited

[tropic galleon]

Hiroshima: this nightlife district I'm in seems to have an extra-high amount of Chinese restaurants. Wonder if it's a Chinatown

[random bluff]

Yuh

[simple hamlet]

Ugh. Finally made it to MSP. One more flight to go and I can cannonball into my own bed 🥲

[weak pelican]

How many transfers geeze

[simple hamlet]

Just one connection. Tokyo to MSP, then MSP to CVG

But I got a little bit before boarding. Like an hour and a half, so I’m eating something and taking more meds

[weak pelican]

That’s not too bad how much was airfare?

It was cheaper for me to fly to LAX and then to Florida on another leg, which caused extra jet lag

[simple hamlet]

It was like $2k+ round trip. But I upgraded all of my seats to get a little extra space.

[weak pelican]

Premium Econ?

United to LAX was like 700 bucks to Asia

[simple hamlet]

Premium Select on Delta. Except for this last leg home, I sprung for first class because fuck it

[weak pelican]

https://tenor.com/view/p-diddy-money-dollars-cash-rich-gif-3555043

[simple hamlet]

Oh oops I thought we were in the general chat 👀 my b

[civic geode]

You’re a native Cincinnatian? My route home is tyo to atl to CVG

I’m actually flying out after Christmas and coming back on the 15th

[hardy goblet]

A lot of sick people 😵‍💫. Trying to not get infected like a zombie apocalypse

[civic geode]

Where is that? I’ll want to avoid for sure.

[hardy goblet]

Oh I was stating in general. The airport in the states, the 10 hour ride, the train rides to my hotel.

Just seem like people are getting sick and I don’t want to before the holidays 🥲

[civic geode]

Ya may want to pack a few masks.

I don’t want to get sick after the holidays

[simple hamlet]

Not native. I just live here. I’m from Canada.

[civic geode]

Ahh too funny either way. CVG is a small airport that doesn’t get a lot of love

It’s fun just to see the airport pop up

[simple hamlet]

It’s great lol. Usually pretty clean and not crowded at all

Plus spacious

It feels nice and wide

[civic geode]

Yep. I’m over on the Kentucky side about 10 miles from the airport. It’s definitely convenient for sure.

Would definitely like to hear about your trip

[simple hamlet]

It was great, except I got super sick at the end. I’m still sick.

I’ll try to do a trip report at some point

[civic geode]

Eww yay trying really not to get sick t-minus 19 days for my trip

[cunning kettle]

That was me for my trip too. I work at a university so I was taking no chances 😷

[hardy goblet]

Yes I successfully dodged the sickness in the states but now I’m here and I’m trying to enjoy my trip

Hopefully it stays that way

[cunning kettle]

Nice! Where are you starting your trip (:?

[hardy goblet]

Chiyoda! Got to my hotel like super late and super surprised the trains were packed. I’m trying to figure out where I want to go first.

Made something’s to do list for each neighborhood so I don’t have a strict itinerary

[cunning kettle]

Dude, the trains in Tokyo are always jam packed lol. When I went outside of Tokyo I felt so relieved to have space for luggage 😅
Oh nice! You’re super close to akihabara and Shinjuku and everywhere else haah! Good spot (:

[weak pelican]

Which station , don’t use city names 😦 it’s too spread out

[civic geode]

I’m currently unemployed but got laid off so isolation has been pretty easy to be isolated to try and stay healthy

[hardy goblet]

Hahaha rookie mistake! Making a few them along the way. I made a few transfers but my train hit a lot of the major neighborhoods from what I can tell.

[honest wedge]

Gonna be in Osaka for a late lunch tomorrow, anyone wanna meet up?

[buoyant gale]

anyone checking out shibuya sky this afternoon

[tender mantle]

@agile pebble @rain geyser @scarlet glen I sorted my stuff out, I will be at Careless tonight

For anyone else who wants to join us: https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/C0LxWIlSYBD/

[tropic galleon]

Give live house in Hiroshima rargh

[lone wedge]

This is the place. Right?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KMNekWejgWtKfEG5A

[tender mantle]

Yep

[lone wedge]

Do you know if it's only cash or CC also?

[tropic galleon]

@digital grail look around this thread and any others that look relevant

[tender mantle]

Venues are pretty much all cash-only on the door but you can buy drinks by card at the bar

[tender mantle]

Had a look at where artists I follow usually play. Seems CAVE-BE is the place to be

and SECOND CRUTCH

[buoyant gale]

anyone going out for dinner tonight in tokyo

[rain geyser]

@buoyant gale down

[hot adder]

Also down

[rain geyser]

@buoyant gale did you get tickets for careless i still gotta do that

[buoyant gale]

Not yet but can do

[buoyant gale]

Any ideas on where

[hot adder]

not really down for anything maybe a izakaya or something

Now realizing you meant what area I'm based in Shinjuku but can go anywhere really

[buoyant gale]

Yeah I'd be down for an izakaya

[robust needle]

@hot adder @buoyant gale not sure if y’all like drinking but if ur heading to an izakaya would y’all be down to try 飲み放題 (nomihodai)? no pressure of course

[tropic galleon]

Saved both, thanks! Will have to look for any gigs

[hot adder]

I'm down

[tender mantle]

Do it asap because the deadline is at the organiser's discretion so could be any time today

[open steeple]

http://utero.jp/2023/12/08/songs-without-equal-122/ you familiar with them?

[tender mantle]

Nope sorry

[digital grail]

@tender mantle lemme know if anything cool is happening Saturday or next week we should hang

[tender mantle]

Events today and tomorrow

#events message

Sunday I'll be here https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/Cz1J-vayII_/

[digital grail]

Oooo

[tropic galleon]

Yokatta naa disc-kun

[amber badge]

See you all soon 🫣

[hot adder]

@robust needle @buoyant gale what's the plan?

[robust needle]

If y’all are down Yakitori Marukin in Shinjuku opens for dinner but I’m not sure if it’s good. I THINK nomihodai is 300 yen per half hr.

[hot adder]

Never been there but sounds good

[robust needle]

Cool, down to meet around 5:15ish? I gotta drop by my hotel first

[hot adder]

I would be there around 5:30 but yeah sounds good to mee

[rain geyser]

Do we buy them at the door?

[tender mantle]

Yes. But if you send an email in time, you get the discounted ‘advance’ price which is ¥600 off

[buoyant gale]

How does it work

They'll reply to the email then you show that at the door?

[buoyant gale]

I'll come down but will probably be closer to 6

[tender mantle]

Nah you get put on a list that will be at the door

When you sent the email there was an auto-reply with a link to the FAQ that explains all this 😰

[rain geyser]

Ill also be there for 6

[hot adder]

Actually looks like I'm also going to be there closer to 6

[buoyant gale]

Should we just make that the meeting time

[buoyant gale]

Just sent my email. So who's going to that? @lone wedge @agile pebble ?

[tender mantle]

@scarlet glen I think

[tender mantle]

Doors open at 6:30 so be ready to explore Shimokitazawa for a while as you wait

[robust needle]

Sounds good!

[hot adder]

@robust needle Btw this is the one right? https://maps.app.goo.gl/YDC7uz5s2gXn2MK4A

[robust needle]

Yessir!

[lone wedge]

I going to be there around 7 I guess I didn't check im an hour away

[agile pebble]

yes i’m going!

are we planning to meet somewhere nearby first?

[rain geyser]

Im gunna be late

[buoyant gale]

I think the plan is to go to that izakaya linked above first

[agile pebble]

ah okay i’m 12 mins away from that

what time?

or looks like the time to meet was 5:30 lol

[buoyant gale]

6

[robust needle]

Gonna be like 10ish mins late

[buoyant gale]

All good

[hot adder]

I'm waiting out front

[robust needle]

Appreciate the punctuality! Unlike myself lol

[hot adder]

You're just fashionably Late

[agile pebble]

walking there rn 😬

[tender mantle]

You won’t make it in time if you do

Not much point gathering in Shinjuku only to rush to Shimokitazawa

[buoyant gale]

Who do I look for

[agile pebble]

5 mins away

[digital grail]

Turns out I have free time, when's that show?

Oh dang that's soon

[visual parcel]

I arrived at my hotel in San Francisco about nine hours ago. There were definitely a ton of people in the airport at SFO coughing I was glad I had my mask.

[visual parcel]

Yo, how did the other night at GG end up going?

[tender mantle]

The best act is on at 19:45 so you still have time

[digital grail]

Hmmm

Who is that

[lone wedge]

At what time is marmalade?

[tender mantle]

idk they haven’t released a timetable

Only Bakyun said when they’re on

[lone wedge]

Thanks 😸

If they before 7'30 can someone tell me so I don't bother to going fast

Hahaha

[tender mantle]

I am in ERA ✌🏻

[tender mantle]

YKCM is on first

[robust needle]

Sup Will, I’m with him right now, said the love of alcohol happened

[visual parcel]

😂 👍

[rain geyser]

@tender mantle are you the promoter

[tender mantle]

No

Just a big fan (of the whole scene)

I go to lots of shows and like having more people to enjoy them with

[lone wedge]

Here too

In red, half pony tail.. curly

[tender mantle]

I’m wearing a green parka with a red hoodie

[buoyant gale]

We're coming now

[rain geyser]

Should we still come

[tender mantle]

If you’re in Shimokitazawa already you can still catch the last act

If you’re in Shinjuku then sorry you missed it 😭

[rain geyser]

Golden gai for after party we got a group

[next basin]

Back to old haunts I see

[robust needle]

lol I guess so

[lone wedge]

@tender mantle once again thank you. So great

[main yacht]

Anyone around akihabara fancy a beer or karaoke tonight?

Or anywhere else

[buoyant gale]

Thanks for coming out and the more experienced guys for leading the way

[rain geyser]

Damn too late unless?

[buoyant gale]

Damn some dude sleeping all over me on the train

[robust needle]

@next basin if I recall correctly your last full day was today? Have a safe flight!

[digital grail]

Sorry I couldn't make it tonight, myfeet hort

[tender mantle]

Y’all missed out 😭

[digital grail]

That looks sick

Sunday should be fun tho

We gon boogy

[umbral kestrel]

Anyone up around tokyo station ?

[rain geyser]

Sunday I’m down

[digital grail]

I drank at a narrow bar in nishiogikubo with some locals, it was fun, like Golden Gai without the annoying gaijin guy that shouts enthusiastically about everything

@rain geyser ah I see you are Canadian too

I'm more of a transplant but still

Except I'm from more of the "can I buy a smoke" side of Canada

[tropic galleon]

Ogikubo huh, that's sibui

[umbral kestrel]

Or anywhere in tokyo

[digital grail]

Damn I can't avoid that ever can I?

Everytime I like something it's 渋い makes me feel like I have ossan tastes

Maybe I do

こころもおっさんになってる

[tropic galleon]

Hey nothing wrong with being sibui mang

[digital grail]

I guess so but I'd like to be able to follow along with what young people are into even if I find it tacky and contrived

Actually I want to genuinely like oshi no ko of whatever

Wait sorry that was kind of a diss I am p drunk rn

Ugh why am I like this

Actually I see a lot of ossan in tsutaya

This is the meetup thread anyway right??? I'll see you dundayyyy

*sunday

[tender mantle]

Yep come join us on Sunday to boogie on down
https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/Cz1J-vayII_/

[visual parcel]

Ya'll went back?!

[amber hill]

@rapid vortex

[native cave]

Heading to Tokyo Comic-Con in the morning

Going mostly to meet Christopher Lloyd from "Back to the Future". Also, it's impossible to get SDCC tickets nowadays, so this is my consolation prize lol

[visual parcel]

Please LMK how it goes and what else you got to see there. 🙂

[native cave]

Will do! I'm not sure if I'll stay the whole time, depends on how I'm feeling (just got in yesterday).

[visual parcel]

If you can't, don't feel bad. I skipped the entire second day of TGS back in Sept. 😆 😅

[native cave]

Hey man, I get it. I'm too old to do all the days of a con now. I used to go to SDCC all 4 days. But the last few years when I've gone, I end up just giving 1 or 2 days away to my friends. And that's without flying internationally lol

[visual parcel]

HEY!!! Who you calling old??? 😡

j/k

[native cave]

Ahhh, the days of my 20s where I could do five straight days of a con, and not feel anything afterwards. The good ol' days 😅

[visual parcel]

R U a cosplayer by any chance?

[native cave]

But that's super cool you got to go to TGS. I'm trying to bully my friends into it next year

[native cave]

Nah, not yet anyways. One of these days I will, once I drop the extra baggage 😂 I have nothing but respect for cosplayers. I've seen so many talented people pull off insane stuff. I'm sure I'll see some really good ones today

[visual parcel]

👍

[lone wedge]

Once a very sleepy guy hold my hand hahahahaha was so funny 🤣 I wish I can sleep that way

[weak pelican]

I work in SDCC, if you got half a brain and an outgoing personality dm me if you want vendor tickets

But you gotta work selling merch

[next basin]

Yup, on the skyliner now headed for Narita 🙂 Thanks, hope the rest of your trip is a blast and you find Jiji for your sis!

[weak pelican]

Get your Tokyo campellas before you leave

[median coral]

Safe flight!

[next basin]

Tis very pretty...I shall hunt for it

[uncut salmon]

i went yesterday - it's pretty small imo

the space used for autos/photos is almost as large as the exhibition floor

[amber badge]

I got to Osaka early and have to kill 3.5 hours before I check in lol

Anyone in the Shinsaibashi/Dotonbori area?

[visual parcel]

“In SDCC”? Did U mean to write “for”?

[weak pelican]

I work in comic con in one of the booth vendors, not for comic con

[honest wedge]

I'm probably going to be in the area in around an hour if I don't get lost lol

[amber badge]

I’m chilling in Daimaru for now haha

[honest wedge]

I'll keep you updated then, on the Shinkansen at Kyoto atm

[amber badge]

Ah haha I was just on it an hour ago 😂

[native cave]

Omg I just saw Ewan McGregor

[visual parcel]

Oh 👌

[honest wedge]

Train was a lot faster than I expected lol. I'll DM!

[tropic galleon]

Wtf where

[native cave]

Tokyo Comic-Con

[robust needle]

Have a safe flight and YUP I FOUND IT!

[rain geyser]

Oh comic con, Hello there

[native cave]

Omg Tom Hiddleston too

[gentle lotus]

The line for the autographs is insane.

[tropic galleon]

Woah it's happening now? I need to go to a big fest/event the next time I'm in Japan

[civic geode]

Anyone heading up to niseko before new years.

[vocal mesa]

Somehow I managed to lose weight while on vacation

[vocal mesa]

Obviously I just need to keep going on vacation so I can be a skinny legend

[weak pelican]

You end up giving your food to everyone else all the time, so we get fat

[vocal mesa]

i was really throwing back tomago sandos towarsd the end ther

[marble delta]

Is smog bad in Tokyo today or is it just me? Maybe I'm just not used to it at all 😅

[potent crescent]

Smog’s not too bad in Akiba at least

[civic geode]

Is air quality an issue in Japan during the late fall early winter?

[marble delta]

There's just no smog at all where I live, so maybe I'm just very aware of it, it seems to only be medium today 😩

[storm mortar]

Not really, no

[civic geode]

Ok, I was just a little concerned after hearing the stuff in chat, but I’ll ignore it for now

[storm mortar]

Smog is more of an issue during summer tbh

[civic geode]

Ok good to know

[tropic galleon]

@dire garnet the Miyajima cheese curry bread was really rich! I would have loved it if I'd been hungrier.

Overall a really pleasant island, though the view from the Mt Misen peak was actually more impressive than the torii gate at low tide (obvs)

[dire garnet]

Right??? They're sooooo good haha

Glad you had a good trip!

[tropic galleon]

Yep yep will end off with fried oysters heh! You have a good trip to Iz too!

[honest wedge]

Y'all doing anything tonight? Gonna be back in Tokyo later

[calm tusk]

I could imagine, I was actually gonna go and see Pom Klementieff, but didn’t end up .

[dire garnet]

Anyone in Okayama? I'll be here til Dec 12 😁

[jagged radish]

i just booked my comiket tickets, hopefully nothing goes wrong

[forest marlin]

The baths here in kinosaki have scales in the locker rooms - I’ve lost 10 pounds since I got to Japan last Friday which idk how that’s possible

[brisk plank]

Big poops

[dire rune]

5 days ago I was 71.5kg now im 73kg what do yall mean 🥲

[lone phoenix]

Water retention? :3

[south vine]

built muscle?

my weight did not go down considerably after 3 weeks in japan but my body fat percentage did

[dire rune]

I would hope so hahaha

Might also be cause I did a food rallye yesterday and didn't poo yet

[simple hamlet]

SAME. Even though most of what I ate wound up being egg sandos and desserts 👀 and peach jelly cups. Man, I’m already missing those.

[brisk snow]

What’s everyone up to tonight in shinjuku ?

[umbral kestrel]

Anyone out in Shinjuku ?

[umbral kestrel]

Lmao, we on the same vibe

[timid parrot]

I’m back in Shinjuku til 12th wassup

[umbral kestrel]

I might join you a bit later

Keep me up on what’s going on

[pearl dove]

What are your plans in Shinjuku tonight? @umbral kestrel @brisk snow @timid parrot

I’m in Shinjuku now. I was considering going to Shibuya but might be able to join you guys.

[brisk snow]

Currently in omoide tokocho! So busy here

[umbral kestrel]

I can’t go out immediately, but willing to join a bit later

[tender mantle]

Really good DJ party happening at SPACE in Shinjuku right now if you want to be one of Tokyo's cool kids
https://maps.app.goo.gl/udAYprW32ow79Aec6

[pearl dove]

Clubbing and dancing isn’t really my thing but if you guys want to go to a bar in Shibuya, I’ll be there, let me know.

[pearl dove]

Have fun though!

[tender mantle]

I'll make you a cool kid yet

[hardy goblet]

Do you know anything about sel octagon? Also is the dj party thing popular with locals or tourist?

[tender mantle]

Don't know Sel Octagon. No way tourists know about this party

[hardy goblet]

Let me see how far it’s away from my place. A friend wanted to go to sel and also wanted to go out tonight

[tender mantle]

This one's probably only until midnight so hot-foot it

[languid steeple]

ooof If only I was in Tokyo city this weekend D:

[tender mantle]

Name a date and I've got more

[languid steeple]

I'll be back Monday til Saturday lol. I technically can come into the city tmmrw evening but I just can't stay out too late

[tender mantle]

Another good one from midnight tonight in Shimokitazawa https://www.instagram.com/p/C0k5aEryEC1/

Way more interesting than your basic club night

[hardy goblet]

Do you know if the clubs out here are strict on dress code? I only brought sneakers tbh 🤣

[tender mantle]

Tuesday https://www.instagram.com/p/CzCprVYy6wj/
Wednesday https://www.instagram.com/p/CzlAz5QSLF3/
Thursday (literally unmissable, don't even think about going anywhere else) https://www.instagram.com/p/CyQogj2yLN5/

[tender mantle]

No tattoos, maybe no shorts or sandals

That's why clubs here mostly suck. so many expectations and rules. Especially if they have different entry prices for men and women

[tropic galleon]

The Chinese restaurant chef introduced me to the madam of the hostess club upstairs...oops, Chinese network activated

[languid steeple]

@hardy goblet just make a nice fit WITH the sneakers 🙂

[umbral kestrel]

Can meet up in 45-60mins @pearl dove @timid parrot

@brisk snow you still there ?

[brisk snow]

We are in golden gai now !!

[umbral kestrel]

How crowded is it over there ? 😅

[brisk snow]

We are at a one upstairs that’s bigger than normal and it’s packed !!!

[umbral kestrel]

@brisk snow can join in 20 minutes, still there ?

[pearl dove]

I’m in Shibuya still if anyone wants to join.

Sorry, didn’t see the messages.

I was at the Public Stand, now I’m going to the Hub in Shibuya.

[brisk snow]

Sorry yes I’m still here !!

[umbral kestrel]

What’s the bar name ?

[brisk snow]

We just left and might go to karaoke

Where are it at

[umbral kestrel]

Oh, ok 😅 actually I’m good on karaoke, so enjoy your time without me !

[pearl dove]

Where are you guys going for karaoke?

[brisk snow]

Karaoke land !

[pearl dove]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/RzgTfyBGbMWS6yeP8?g_st=ic

This one?

[open steeple]

last... 15hrs? shit.

I'm all packed up and going 3/4 degen on strong zero and kakepi. Fukuoka's real nice, NGL

[solemn quiver]

yo we talking about nye here or in the january group?

[visual parcel]

Probably here.

[tropic galleon]

Just arrived in Fukuoka. Last day, wow

[weak pelican]

You made the bus ride

lol what

Someone’s becoming a salary man

[tropic galleon]

The Chinese chef...

[pliant briar]

i'll be in niseko 19-23rd

will be staying at kutchan

[civic geode]

Sadly my time won’t overlap km arriving on the 28th.

[open steeple]

https://media.tenor.com/1MlN0VBLfe4AAAAM/doctor-who.gif

[tropic galleon]

Any Fukuoka spots you really liked? I'm in town for a few hours

[rain geyser]

@tender mantle is that concert today?

[open steeple]

Anything you're looking for?

[tender mantle]

This one is https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/Cz1J-vayII_/

Come on down

[open steeple]

https://fukuokaeats.com/eats/ropponmatsu if you can only check out one place, I'd say go for Ropponmatsu. Get lunch, coffee and pastry for dessert, then another coffee and a sandwich for a small picnic at nearby Ohori park. Once you've had your fill, cross over to Maizuru park, check out the ruins and the view deck on top. Good plane watching site too. After that, take the subway back to the airport

[hardy goblet]

Are you going to be there?

[tender mantle]

Yes

[tender mantle]

Another reminder to be HERE in Shibuya on Thursday, I will hear no excuses
#1180770208126861332

[tropic galleon]

Oh, I went there last year and to Ohori Park. Maybe I'll go again then!

[jagged radish]

https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/s/9ihYd3B6oB

[digital grail]

Holy shit I'm tired today but I hope to get to Shibuya

Tonight

[tender mantle]

Party tonight is in Shinjuku

[digital grail]

Oh right oop

Was trying to invite someone on bumble to come, hes in NishiShinjuku, but he's very shy

[hot adder]

Are reservations still open?

[tender mantle]

Yes

[hot adder]

Cool just made a reservation

[rain geyser]

@digital grail are you going too?

[languid steeple]

I’ll be down to go but I need a bit to see if I can make it to shinjuku tonight

Any birthday perks? Haha

[digital grail]

I am on the fence actually I'm wiped from last night, barely got two hours of sleep

So I'll nap, rest up and see

[digital grail]

Its before my check in time so I literally just crashed on the reception floor

[weak pelican]

Don’t do it, fight jet lag

Slam red bull

[digital grail]

No I overcame jetlag

I am trying to overcome spending a whole night drinking in nishiogikubo

And barely sleeping

My head feels like it weighs 50 pounds

[weak pelican]

Boss coffe

Sugar

Keep on trucking.

Easy day at museum

[rain geyser]

@tender mantle whats the link

For the show

[tender mantle]

https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/Cz1J-vayII_/

[forest marlin]

Odd question, and I’ve already got an idea for a possible solution but does anybody know where I could watch the Monday Night Football game in Kyoto? The Packers are playing and I would like to watch it - I see Pig & Whistle is a sort of tourist sports bar but they open at 5pm, the game would start at about 10AM Tuesday morning Japan time, anybody got any ideas?

[random bluff]

What time does the venue not accept tickets

What time does box office close

[tender mantle]

It’s ¥2000 even if you pay on the door

No worries

You can drop your name in here though and it helps the organiser know numbers https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gs81kV6KuhyO1dvx1C8-q4U5dL_PfIdUsVV7vEF6PAM/viewform?fbclid=PAAaZ1T1nhXIztBrmomcEgf2Ua2OM3IsavrzMxlkOt5w6l5r0-LR17yLl5RiA_aem_AU0g3aAJ1L3hB5PxIwQtmtqJjz44Mm-Qxx26dihszQJkhtbBMTS-ZZNKjudZGI07Ixw&edit_requested=true

I’m at the venue a bit early and wow they have gone all out on decoration

Going to be quite special

[hardy goblet]

Can i show up late? Currently eating

[tender mantle]

Yes

Party goes until 11pm

Apparently they’re expecting loads of people

[languid steeple]

Anyone swinging by? I’m heading over now

[hardy goblet]

No not yet

[languid steeple]

I’m like a few mins away I think but yea

[tender mantle]

I stepped out for food but I’ll be back in a sec

[hot adder]

I'm waiting out front

[hardy goblet]

Any folks lined up?

[random bluff]

Word

I spent all day in Shinjuku. I’m gonna get some r&r at the telly first

[tender mantle]

I’m easy to spot because I bleached my hair yesterday

[lone wedge]

Just saw this

[rain geyser]

Ill be late habo are you gunna be inside

[hot adder]

We're inside yeah

[lone wedge]

How is it I'm just arriving to my place to eat .. but maybe can make it

[tropic galleon]

Taking off from Fukuoka shortly. Been a long 25/26 days in Japan. Thanks to everyone I met for being great fellow travelers! (you know who you are, especially November crew)

See y'all next year!

[timid parrot]

Planning on dropping by a bit later. My quick nap turned into 8 hours last night sorry @umbral kestrel

[hot adder]

Still early going for some food and then going back

[lone wedge]

Thanks I'm super hungry

[hardy goblet]

Heading there

[tender mantle]

Highlight will be the headliners QPLO at 20:40 so just make sure you don’t miss that

[digital grail]

I smell like cigs

Sorry I left without saying hello, I got hungry

[rain geyser]

Bro where are you

[digital grail]

And I don't think I vibe with Shinjuku

I left I was the doofus chatting with the wild Australian girl and the handsome Italian boy

For some reason I'm in kabukichou, got any recs? Starving

[tender mantle]

My recommendation is to leave Kabukicho lol

Only bad service there

West side of the station, around the Yodobashi Camera, is much better for number and variety of restaurants

[digital grail]

True this place is a wreck

[weak pelican]

Una tetsu but it’s about to close

[digital grail]

I WALKED into a kushizashi spot

It's not bad, the piman with katsuodashi is delicious

Wait wtf

Lmao

No one saw right?

[marble delta]

Off to Okinawa tomorrow!

[buoyant gale]

I'm back at home now, but I just wanted to say a quick thank you to the people of this server. Whether it was itinerary ideas, food/shopping recs, interesting stories or (most importantly) the meetups, it all helped to add a lot of enjoyment to my trip. It was fun meeting the people I did and exploring Japan together - hope we can do it again someday!

[median coral]

Really nice meeting you!!!

[fluid cedar]

Hope to see you again!

Hey my friends and I want to do some bar hopping in Omoide Yokocho tomorrow night (the 12th) at around 10pm. From there we’d figure out what to do next, like clubbing or Karaoke. Anyone would be welcome to join, already met a ton of amazing people with this app and stuff so it’d be sick to meet some more before I leave Japan. Also I made a group for this plan.

[tender mantle]

(resists the urge to recommend you go anywhere but omoide yokocho)

For anyone here on Christmas Day, my favourite venue Shimokitazawa THREE will be hosting a bar event with CHRISTMAS KFC 🍗🍗🍗

[fluid cedar]

Wait wait wait

[fluid cedar]

Is the Omoide Yokocho not a good destination?

I know it’s very touristy

[tender mantle]

Food is not great, atmosphere looks nice in photos but it's not that great because it's all tourists, no reason to go there when there's a whole host of interesting backalley izakaya districts all over the city

Sankaku Chitai in Sangenjaya, Harmonica Yokocho in Kichijoji, Ebisu Yokocho in Ebisu, Akabane Yokocho in Akabane

Shinjuku has the central location and transport links going for it, but Omoide Yokocho isn't the place to make particularly unique or special travel memories. Do what works best for you and your group though

[fluid cedar]

Would happily take other recommendations in Shinjuku, that’s most likely where we’ll be meeting 🙂

[honest wedge]

🍟

[tepid oriole]

I loved this place in shinjuku https://maps.app.goo.gl/d242mW1Kvo7qn9aF7?g_st=ic

[fluid cedar]

Thanks for the suggestion! That place looks fancy!

[hardy goblet]

I may be down, but im curious, how do folks usually get home after the trains stop? Do they walk?

[tender mantle]

They don't. They stay until 5am

or taxi (💸)

or walk if they are close obvs.

but it's pretty normal to stay until 5am

[hardy goblet]

I mean that would make for a good workout

[tender mantle]

Can sleep in a karaoke box, manga cafe, love hotel etc. if you really need to

[tropic galleon]

yo man, Omoide is pretty narrow and smoky iirc (think there were lots of yakitori places?), i didn't like going through all the smoke personally. you might as well go to Golden if you're going to stick to Shinjuku, at least there it's just bars

would be cool to just pick a cooler yokocho elsewhere and hang there then move to karaoke until 5am
but i know that's harder to arrange

[west wind]

I mean at least look it up on street view first.

[weak pelican]

The biggest crime is the food in shinjuki omoide don’t even taste good, at all

It’s cooked by random part timers

Or student immigrants who don’t stick around for long

[west wind]

Like Torikizoku

[tropic galleon]

Oh I see, so just like much of Singapore (they use Malaysians and Chinese immigrants)

[marble delta]

Anyone else in Okinawa this week?

[wicked tide]

thanks for telling me, was planning to go during the last week of dec

now i have to find some other areas to go to xD

@jagged radish thanks for the help on comiket ticket, able to receive the email confirmation to collect the tickets from akihabara animate store

now i know u can use forwarding service's warehouse address for creating account in animate website xD

[tender mantle]

I already made a list #1153349897576255519 message

[tepid oriole]

Was super delicious and “comfortable”

[wicked tide]

what is that bottom right dish?

[tepid oriole]

Just ice cream mochi!

The middle left was the most delicious item - some type of pumpkin salad.

[weak pelican]

What’s the damage

[tepid oriole]

Plus a couple of beers, 2 people ¥10k

I have reasonably high standards (5th trip to japan) and felt this was great value

[weak pelican]

5k per person?

That’s like zanmai pricing and for that setting cheap as fuck

Uni is a tad sus but whatever man at that prices

[wicked nexus]

Where was that? 😄

Ah Hibi one you linked above

If they’re open after New years aI might swing by 😅

[tepid oriole]

Scroll up but hibi hare bare in shinkuku. Kind of near golden gai

[wicked nexus]

Did you have to reserve or walk-in was ok?

[tepid oriole]

Place is not large - we walked in but waited like 5 min

Uni was so so - it was uni cream in an uni shell with a tiny piece of uni on top. Everyone there was ordering it so we tried one

We had most of the time no idea what we were ordering - ordering is through a qr code online menu

“This picture looks promising, lets order it”

I also ate at a zanmai - ah 4.2K¥ so yeah!

I ate so much uni in hokkaido - this is a famous hakodate uni restaurant. Uni don with uni cream dish, uni tamago, and i have no idea

[weak pelican]

Verdict on hakkodate? Good value right?

[dusky siren]

anyone wanna go drinking on the 16th?

[storm mortar]

It is. Especially if you're planning on eating a lot of fresh shellfish, like snow crabs, sea urchin, scallops, etc

[fluid cedar]

I walked my first night and it was long LOL

[burnt smelt]

Walking through shinjuku station was Soo confusing. Glad made it out lol

[storm mortar]

Yeah, it's why I don't recommend folks to stay near Shinjuku or Kabukicho for their first time. Too confusing to navigate

[burnt smelt]

Yea, was coming from 15 hour flight too. Was rough 😅

[tender mantle]

Two days to go, please join me on Thursday
#1180770208126861332

[weak pelican]

You made it congrats. Have drink, enjoy japan

[steel latch]

Tokyo 13-21
Kyoto 22-26
Hokkaido/Niseko 28-31

Probably Osaka 26-28

[weak pelican]

Go ski in hakuba, easier than niseko

You can take a train from Kyoto to hakuba, not as bad as flying

[steel latch]

what do you mean by easier than niseko? do you mean difficulty of slopes?

or do you mean the transit from kyoto

I see

park hyatt niseko bucket listen item so

fly i guess

we aren't sure if we should fly out of HND/NRT or KIX

[weak pelican]

ITM

[steel latch]

any reason why?

[weak pelican]

If you guys are in Kyoto, it’s closer to go from ITM to Sapporo

Instead of crossing all of kansai and through Osaka into KIX?

[steel latch]

ITM->CTS right

[weak pelican]

Going from Kyoto to take a train to HND and then flying to Sapporo is 🤡 territory. Park Hyatt ain’t that great when the focus is skiing

When you could be going to better and cheaper mountains in hakuba

Will you guys rent a car and hit other slopes like rusutsu?

[steel latch]

we are hoping to rent a car in hokkaido

but not sure where to rent from and how hard driving will be

we are a group of 3 21 year old guys

[jagged radish]

No problem, I forwarded mine from toranoja

Apparently my tickets have reached

[wicked tide]

Nice

[tropic galleon]

uhh you need an international driving permit issued in your home country

should've done some research first

[pliant briar]

you still gon be in niseko during those days by chance?

[tepid oriole]

Small town, hotels mostly near the jr station near mt hakodate. Lots of local seafood but as far as i could tell same as in sapporo and in tokyo lots of hokkaido seafood. I guess a bit cheaper. Ate lots of seafood. Hakodate was not crowded in october, didnt see many western tourists except a cruiseliner docked for one day/night. There is a cool fort, nice view from mountaintop, big seafood food area, tram system makes getting around pretty convenient. Lots of uni, scallops, and (expensive) crabs

[steel latch]

Got that done

[civic geode]

heh this person is complaining of 15 hours, my round trip is 28 hours each way.

[tropic galleon]

ok cool then just head to jalan.net or rakuten.com and click on rent-a-car
you'll probably want to add the NOC insurance fee in your search options

[uncut salmon]

are jalan / rakuten like comparison sites for the different rental companies?

if so - i'll take note of those for the future

[tropic galleon]

They're travel search engines for Japan, covering hotels, flights, cars, etc. so yes they both offer car rental searching

[uncut salmon]

sweet, i'll bookmark that then

i've always just looked directly at the company like times/toyota etc

[tropic galleon]

I just go with whatever's cheapest on searches. Also helps for finding suitable pickup locations

Times, Toyota, Budget, Orix, used em all iirc

Really helps to have a USB port and/or usable car navigator though, for finding the final gas station before returning

[uncut salmon]

yeah - having carplay or the android one is also really useful for getting your native language maps up

[tropic galleon]

Haven't used that, but no doubt

[uncut salmon]

i just wish google maps gave you an idea on toll charges like it does for public transport

[tropic galleon]

Oh, and always rent the the ETC card reader, saves a lot of hassle since you can just drive through toll gates and just pay after returning the car

[uncut salmon]

got stung last time with that

[robust needle]

Aight y’all, my 1.5 week stay is officially over. Whether we met just once or multiple times, I just wanted to say thank you for making my first trip to Japan so memorable. This trip became so much for than I originally thought it would be, thanks for all the fun!

Also @rain geyser gave me a great idea. Since I don’t have insta, feel free to dm me your handles so when I do make one we can stay connected!

[tropic galleon]

Sometimes google maps shows toll fees iirc. But car navi always does, so I use that

[uncut salmon]

just need to try getting an etc card I can use when using the local car share now

they all need credit cards or fat deposits though

[tropic galleon]

Aren't you doing traditional renting? Why are you using a local car share?

[uncut salmon]

i use the car share when I only need a car for a couple of hours - but when i go do a road trip i'll use a traditional place and get the ETC card then

[tropic galleon]

I've seen few-hour car rental services like Niconico, but those tend to not accept nonresidents iirc. Didn't know tourists could use em, I see

[uncut salmon]

i'm a resident

just not a permanent resident

so technically I guess i'm not allowed to use the flair

but you're kind of right - they didn't ask for my zairyu card, but they do require you to have a japanese license

[tropic galleon]

yeah, misleading! lol

[uncut salmon]

sorry

[tropic galleon]

"Japan resident" should include nonpermanent residents, it says permanent now

[weak pelican]

Isn’t permanent residency actually kinda hard to get

[tender mantle]

10 consecutive years on a work visa, or 1-5 years on a High Skilled path, or 3 years married to a Japanese person

[weak pelican]

You got your PR yet

Means you can smoke weed and not get deported right or am I mistaken

[rancid marsh]

Anyone in Kyoto tonight or tomorrow?

[tender mantle]

No I’ve only been in Japan for 5 years and the first one was Working Holiday so it doesn’t count

[dire garnet]

Anyone in Himeji tonight/tomorrow?

[rain geyser]

I cant wait to see all the guncrime 🦅🫡

[tropic galleon]

how is there no Fukuoka thread? sad.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mHvrhDpfMPD4qpLZ9

i've bought coffee beans from Manu Coffee in Fukuoka twice, they've been excellent.
medium roast, their blends have a very pleasing mix of fruity acidity and base coffee flavour.

last year i got their Christmas blend (Kenya + Colombia) - was fantastic, loved it.
this year they're offering their 20th Anniversary blend (of 20 beans) - i made it today and it was great.
i enjoyed their Kenya brewed in-store (they do French press).

overall, highly recommend. i probably enjoy their beans more than Glitch's on average.

they have an overly popular Daimyo outlet, but their outlet south of Tenjin-minami isn't crowded, so go there instead.

[unreal osprey]

Hey guys! I’ll be going to the making of Harry Potter on the 19th, in Tokyo. If you wanna join, let me know. The more the merrier 🙂

[forest marlin]

Ayyyy that sounds fun

[wide thunder]

I'll be staying in Tokyo the 14th through the 19th! Very interested!!

Most likely will extend accommodations past the 19th so that could be perfect.

[unreal osprey]

Awesome, I’ve booked for the 19th at 10 am. Let me know if you’ll be joining as well

I’ve sent you a friend request. Lets connect through DM

[unreal osprey]

Let me know if you wanna join as well

[robust needle]

Back in the land of the free, I can already hear the eagles

[unreal osprey]

https://s.klook.com/c/g3BR5JJK18

@forest marlin @wide thunder

[wide thunder]

Accepted FR, Let me take a look!

[hollow kite]

Hey all, new here + first time in Japan, just arrived in Tokyo yesterday. Going to shinjuku garden and meiji jingu today, but have 2 more days here and not much else planned. Anyone have any recs or want to meetup to show me around? Was thinking of hiking mount takao also. Or if you have anything going on lmk

[keen hawk]

Have a fantastic time!
Went during November and had my flight back that night. While I stayed from 10-5 and covered the entire thing, I do wish I could've stayed until the end

[keen hawk]

Would recommend a day trip to Kamakura/Enoshima if you get the chance

[weak pelican]

Welcome! Enjoy japan!

[tender mantle]

Welcome 👋🏻

I am part of a big event in Shibuya tomorrow, please come check it out #1180770208126861332

[zealous agate]

@tender mantle what’s the event?

[tender mantle]

Click the blue link

[zealous agate]

It shows up as unknown for me

[tropic galleon]

you need to add the Events channel
under Channels & Roles > Browse Channels tab

discord UI is a bit weird here

[tender mantle]

That’s weird, it’s just another meetup channel

Anyway here are the deets
@zealous agate
https://www.ddinstagram.com/p/CyQogj2yLN5/

You can hear clips of each artist if you go to the Instagram post and flick through

[tropic galleon]

my bad, bad assumption on my part. i don't know why links to threads often result in "unknown"

[zealous agate]

Dope! I might be down

Gonna wonder around Tokyo today

[tender mantle]

Thank you!!
You need to reserve a ticket before the end of today to get the cheaper ‘advance’ price

[coarse berry]

Mt Takao was a great hike, if you're an early bird you can get it done in half a day

It's about a 2hr ride from Tokyo

[steel latch]

I got a whole day to kill anyone wanna meet up in 30 min in Ueno station lol

[weak pelican]

Show us pictures

[tropic galleon]

imo part of travelling is learning to enjoy yourself solo
so if you don't find anyone, just keep walking around, snapping cool pics, and msging friends/social media

look for cool cafes and unusual signs and shops. Ueno also has major museums

[vocal juniper]

Yup I’ll still go. DM me if you around!

[south vine]

Asakusa also very close by to Ueno.

[honest wedge]

This is when I went on the 2nd. Took the long way through kobotoke pass though.

[tropic galleon]

woah those are nicer than the shots I got at Takao. guess it pays to go on a nice day!

[honest wedge]

Yeah I got super lucky! Wish I had that view when I went to Lake Kawaguchiko but all I got were clouds 😦

[coarse berry]

Way better than my shots lol, it was cloudy AF that day

[zealous agate]

What is everyone up to in Tokyo this evening?

[zealous agate]

Going to an izakaya in Shibuya if anyone wants to join

[forest marlin]

How long you in Tokyo for? I’ll be back there come Friday night

[calm tusk]

I’ll be free after 9.30-10ish, if you’re still out and about in Shibuya.

[tropic galleon]

Gotta say mid-December really is quiet. Guess everyone came for fall

[tender mantle]

Yep and maybe a little New Years rush too

Anyone who goes on holiday in December will probably want to use the New Years break

[jagged radish]

Summer was also busy

[tropic galleon]

Which includes us probably. Guess it's back to semi-hibernation till new year's rolls around, and then spring party mode after that

[dire rune]

just when I get to Tokyo everyone leaves :(

I want my karaoke night

arcade at least I can somewhat do alone

[tender mantle]

gigs always there for you and always people there

[sonic oxide]

I think there's still enough of us to organise this

[brisk snow]

Some of us of going to warp tonight as it’s some people’s last nights and everyone’s welcome !!

[dire rune]

Would be nice

The 3 coming nights I'm free

[dire rune]

I got 2 planned on the 17-18th!

[tender mantle]

Sick

[tender mantle]

Just a reminder you’re meant to do reserve tickets before midnight

[sonic oxide]

I'm mostly available then too. It'll probably be best if we can find a location/date and start up a thread

[dire rune]

aye I'll do it tmr morning or you can do it if you want

aye I'll do it tmr morning or you can do it if you want

[fluid cedar]

Alright guys, I’m finishing my trip up. So grateful for this discord and all the amazing people I met through this. I could never have imagined my trip would’ve turned out this well without it

[tepid oriole]

I am back home but I had such a fun time hanging out with random redditors. Ok they were almost all from canada and australia. Those mf-ers apparently get so many vacation days.

[lone wedge]

I just arrived home. Thanks for all. Have such a great time 💙

[quaint arrow]

Not sure if best place to ask, but does anyone know of any sports bars/places that will be airing ufc 296 on Sunday?

[fluid cedar]

No idea but I just gotta say I’m so hype for that card

[vapid cedar]

Anyone in the Tokyo area who has some good izakayas or bars to go hang out at tonight?

[thick shore]

I'll be at the maranouchi illuminations tonight! At least once I get over the jet lag long enough to put these damn contacts in.

[loud dirge]

gonna be at shinjuku for a bit until 23:00 possibly

[tropic axle]

Hey, anyone still doing stuff in Shinjuku tonight?

[opal fable]

Anyone doing anything tomorrow in Tokyo?

[thick shore]

I'll be out and about in harajuku and ueno

[opaque notch]

Hey all my wife and I are off to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo in the next 2 weeks. Speak Spanish and English. Would love to have another couple to go out to dinner with. We are early 30s.

[marble delta]

I'm going to a meetup thing in Harajuku (I think) and will probably be out and about in the evening

Need to celebrate finishing this exam

[patent shoal]

hey everyone, gonna be in tokyo from the 16-24th. im a 25M from bay area, california. don't have many set plans other than wanting to do a daytrip to kamakura + yokohama, as well as a bunch of eating and drinking around tokyo :)

[civic geode]

Is it worth to skiing in niseko, by the webcams and snow reports there isn’t as much of a snow pack.

[languid steeple]

Anyone k ow anything about bonabo nightclub/bar/art thingy?

[wicked nexus]

Anyone in Osaka between Dec 27-30 interested in Teamlabs Botanical Garden?

[loud dirge]

Anyone near ueno park? I REALLY dont want to go to the airport for the third day in a row just to withdraw money. Some reason my bofa card doesnt work at any ATMS other than the one at narita. PLEASE SAVE ME FROM THE HELL OF AIRPORTS AGAIN.

yep

Lawson , some random bank , 7/11, fam mart

atm at train stations

shit pretty much everything but the one at narita near getting out customs / immigration near the convenience store worked like a charm

yeah did that

[weak pelican]

Show up at a #1055718934483062804 and Venmo them money or PayPal

2 cards next time

Do you have e suica on iPhone

Can you credit card tap to pay

[loud dirge]

Credit card works fine at a bar yesterday

Just wanted to have yen

[weak pelican]

Post office is legit

[loud dirge]

I do have suica on my iphone

[weak pelican]

Narita airport just for money 3 trips

[loud dirge]

I did withdraw 50k at narita thinking i could just take our at 7/11

but until yesterday i learned i proven wrong 😐

Gotcha ill try those

[weak pelican]

First time to japan?

[loud dirge]

yup

[weak pelican]

Change your tag and enjoy your trip

id:customize and how did you go to Narita? Sky liner?

|| sky access ||

[gilded wren]

"It's worth noting that only limited number of ATMs reliably work with foreign cards (7-Eleven, Lawson, Aeon Bank, Japan Post, MUFG) and 7-Eleven is the only one with 100,000 yen withdrawal limit (the rest have set 50,000 yen)"

Note: this is a typical scenario, and may not be applicable

Also ripping off Breadward
https://map.aeonbank.co.jp/aeonbank/?lang=en

[loud dirge]

shit how do i change my tag and yeah skyliner

[weak pelican]

Click on the link

[gilded wren]

Click on id:customize

[weak pelican]

Channels and role

I hope you got sky liner return ticket special at least

[gilded wren]

Clear your cache and or log out and in again

[loud dirge]

bruh

new discord update ass

[loud dirge]

Yes

clear cached and logged out still the same

f

yup

Only reason i went back yesterday was delayed luggage

was there all day not fun

yeah first time flying in general too lol

[weak pelican]

Jesus

[weak pelican]

How many days left in your trip? Least you have iPhone suica to top off. Just use iPhone suica or credit card primarily

[west wind]

What’s the dif between a 711 atm at Narita and a 711 airport anywhere else?

[loud dirge]

Shit

dont ask me

idk why the card worked there

[west wind]

I’m inclined to say there’s zero difference

[loud dirge]

18 days

[weak pelican]

Damn

How many days in

Oh remember to make a thread in #trip-reports

[loud dirge]

3 days in

[weak pelican]

#1164223610412617728 is good

[weak pelican]

On the bright side so many airport trips just imagine you been to japan. 4 times!!! In 3 days

New Japan visiting record 🙇🏻🙇🏻🙇🏻

[loud dirge]

Whats the thread for btw?

[west wind]

Nex is faster so it’ll save you a lot of time between withdrawing

[gilded wren]

To record your trip, and share your experience

[loud dirge]

oooooo

[weak pelican]

6 times sky liner

Ueno boy

[loud dirge]

shit

im lost asf rn but i just google maps and pick whatever looks easier to get through , ive gottwn off the wrong train like 3 times already

[west wind]

Where are you?

[loud dirge]

never used trains before today