Millennials Hang

[vernal schooner]

I believe I have found the best Gundam shop in Tokyo (I also lack space, but I'll toss out my clothes on the way home 🤣)

They had a plethora of P-Bandai and otherwise unusual kits that you just wouldn't find back West. Hang on, I'll share the pin

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hqTk61twZKqZfXwc7

You have to go into the back of the Namco shop and take the hidden elevator up to 7f

[spice cosmos]

Damn it, I just bought a suitcase for all the stuff I'm bringing back and I don't have space for more stuff 😦

[torpid zodiac]

It’s taken me over an hour to get to Nara because I couldn’t understand the limited express ticket thing. The machine didn’t even have my destination on it

[vernal schooner]

This was an absolute steal. Made of recycled gundam sprues, which is so cool

Oh today is family meetup day? Awesome! I hope you have an awesome time, where are you gonna take the girls?

[spice cosmos]

Yeeyee, danke danke. I dunno, everywhere. Just gonna spoil em

[vernal schooner]

From where?

[torpid zodiac]

Kyoto

[jaunty ridge]

what type of train did you end up at?

like, sub exp, semi exp, exp, whatever the fucking weird super wonky ones

[torpid zodiac]

No clue. But it’s taking me in the right direction for the Kintetsu-Nara line

That’s all I really care about lol

[jaunty ridge]

😄

i took like 1h15 from osaka to kyoto, because i grabbed a slow ass train, ended up being 10 min late and making other person wait, did not like it, stupid slow train.

maybe from now on i rmember to look at train type properly

[vernal schooner]

Those are like, US/Japan hybrid fashion shops, right?

[torpid zodiac]

I would’ve been in Nara sooner if my room temperature IQ had allowed me to understand the limited express ticket thing properly

[spice cosmos]

Ooh, are there? I'm just gonna feed em. They're not materialistic at all

[vernal schooner]

I'll be making the same journey sometime this week, any pointers you can give on how to get there without hassle would be very welcome

[torpid zodiac]

No idea. I literally just got on a train hoping it was going in the right direction

I’m not used to taking public transport

So things like bus and train schedules are all Greek to me

[jaunty ridge]

as long as you don't care too much how long it takes, just hop into kyoto station and find the nara line and hop in the first train, it's not hard 😄 but then it might take a bit longer

it'll say in the screen if there are carriages that require extra fee, and if, which ones, just don't go into those and you're good

[torpid zodiac]

Yeah I almost went on one of the limited express trains not realizing you needed a separate ticket lol

[jaunty ridge]

tbh you can always pull the bakagaijin card in those too, and it's at most a little embarrassing

[torpid zodiac]

I would but I didn’t wanna bother anyone

I’m weird about stuff like that

But overall my trip has been fun. Things will be a lot smoother when I make a return trip

[vernal schooner]

Is Nara the final stop on that line? I struggle with public transport too, as they often only have the final destination in English

[vernal schooner]

I totally get that man

[torpid zodiac]

The one I’m on has Yamato-Saidaiji as the final stop, where you can transfer to the Kintetsu-Nara line to get to Nara

[sage brook]

Just ask the staff for help next time

[torpid zodiac]

Help for what? It wasn’t stuck or anything. I just couldn’t move the damn thing enough for it to fall

[sage brook]

Karaoke is about the vibe not the singing.

[sage brook]

The staff will help you win if you ask them

[torpid zodiac]

That doesn’t seem fair

[sage brook]

Does losing 10000 seem fair?

[torpid zodiac]

Yes because I took that risk when choosing to play

[sage brook]

I guess it’s your money

[torpid zodiac]

it’s like gambling in a way

But yeah I should just stopped after the first 3000 yen lol

But 99% of gamblers quit right before they win big

[sage brook]

Next time if there’s something you really want, and you already spent more than the asking price, just consider it! You don’t live in the country so the staff is nice about it

[torpid zodiac]

Maybe next time I guess

I’m terrible when it comes to talking with staff at places. Even back home

I’m weird like that

[sage brook]

Understandable, I can also understand if it’s way tooo busy

[torpid zodiac]

Nah I’m just horribly socially awkward

[vernal schooner]

Hmm, that smells like "sunk cost fallacy" thinking.

If you insist on playing crane cames then do 'sumimasen' the staff for a little help. They know how much you've put in, and will adjust the machine for you accordingly. They do actually want you to leave with something 🙂

[vernal schooner]

I'd love to do karaoke while I'm here, but I'm not sure how much of a vibe I can conjure up by myself

[jaunty ridge]

the solution is to be just really really drunk

and now i go find konbini for some light lunch, woop.

[vernal schooner]

I cannot drink, with all my medication it would likely kill me.

Am happy to join others who are drinking, though, and would totally dive into the singing

My body is telling me yes, I absolutely should do that.

However my itinerary has a pre-paid walking tour at 4pm today, and tomorrow I've got a personal guide from 9am-5pm

If anyone's in Kyoto and wants to piggyback off my guide day tomorrow, they are more than welcome!

[spice cosmos]

Oof, up to you man. I have been taking it slow and skipping things

[jaunty ridge]

personal guide for 8 hours O_O

[torpid zodiac]

Welp too late now lol

I figured they were like back home where they’re rigged to get you to spend as much money as possible

Because I spent like 12000 yen and left with absolutely nothing

[heavy pulsar]

you spent what 💀

[dapper saffron]

12100 is when you win, rookie mistake stopping when you did 😉

[spice cosmos]

Money comes and goes

Enjoy your time!

[torpid zodiac]

12000 yen trying to win back one of my anime figures that I lost on a train in Shinjuku

And left with absolutely nothing

[spice cosmos]

Tatami mats are hard to get used to. I'm so tired

[vernal schooner]

You slept in a Ryokan?

[spice cosmos]

Uhh, I'm sleeping in a traditional Japanese house that my cousin rented.

If that's what that is

[vernal schooner]

I believe it'd be the same thing only a Ryokan would be rented like a hotel room. But don't quote me on it.

And hell no, my spine would never bend again if I slept on tatami!

[spice cosmos]

Surprisingly, my back actually feels fine but I had a hard time falling asleep

[vernal schooner]

I am gonna crash so hard tonight, been doing the shrine tour since 9am. Hit 3 major locations and didn't catch a single cab. Don't think I'll ever be able to walk again 😅

[maiden vale]

I think my max steps on my last trip to Japan was 30k

[spice cosmos]

Wtfffff. Dude, you need to go to physical therapy after this

[spice cosmos]

The entire trip?

[maiden vale]

No, one day

[polar orchid]

Listen my knee has gotten jacked up during this trip from all the walking 😭.

I’m definitely gonna need physical therapy when I get to the US. For now gonna need to ice it and take and advil

[spice cosmos]

Oh, I got like microfractures on my feet. Switched to e-bikes early on to ava emt feet.

[spice cosmos]

Yeah, be sure to take it easy and take care of yourself. I had to take loads of breaks and slow down.

[polar orchid]

This is advice I needed early on in my trip. But it’s too late for me now. Save yourselves millenials. We’re older now 😭

[spice cosmos]

I seriously wish I knew this beforehand.

[polar orchid]

I’ve got salonpas patches on my knees and some ice now. But honestly for my first ever solo trip, I think I’ve done amazingly

[jaunty ridge]

well done

[tawdry spade]

Tiger balm and yokoyoko is always a good addition to salonpas 😉

[polar orchid]

Thank you 😊

[spice cosmos]

My mom used to always use tiger balm on me, because she's from Burma. I used to think it was made from real tiger bits.

[sage brook]

We got an onsen hotel and they give us these wooden shoes. I hate itttt

But it’s to protect the floors

[spice cosmos]

Any of you doing the https://discord.com/channels/440956791426383882/1367824005603524699

Meetup on Saturday?

[spice cosmos]

Nani??

[sage brook]

What’s up?

[spice cosmos]

Wooden shoes

I was at an Onsen in Osaka and didn't have to do that

[sage brook]

Yeah. With a heel

[spice cosmos]

The fuck

[jaunty ridge]

your onsen was clearly inferior

[spice cosmos]

I'm just offended that they didn't give me heels

[sage brook]

Lmaooo

This onsen is a private one in my room

Don’t ask the price

I wanted this luxury

[jaunty ridge]

daym

[sage brook]

This is what I dreamed about coming back to Japan

[jaunty ridge]

i am officially envious now

[jaunty ridge]

i spend all my treat myself money on tasty alcoholic beverages and food XD

(and a knife, i want a new proper santoku or gyuto XD)

[maiden vale]

That’s why I booked a hotel with a public bath. So I can soak and relax in heated water and ease my poor legs

[jaunty ridge]

i have a bathtub in my apartment 😄

not quite same thing, but

[sage brook]

Yeah I think it would be nice to take something back, but I like experiences rather than things

[jaunty ridge]

i just broke my previous knife, so i have an actual need

so i was like, might as well grab it from here instead of back in finland

[tawdry spade]

Kappabashi?

[jaunty ridge]

whtu

whut

[spice cosmos]

Hell yeah. I don't cook for shit, but I got my friend one.

[jaunty ridge]

i'm a pretty solid amateur cook. been doing it since i was like 7

wished for frying pan as a christmas present in elementary school 😄

[tawdry spade]

Ah, I meant to say there's quite a lot of cookware shops in kappabashi~

[jaunty ridge]

dnno where kappabashi is, but there are a bajillion knife shops in teramachi and near it

[spice cosmos]

Jeebus

Ok, you're staying with me next time in Japan

[jaunty ridge]

alas, my next japan trip is going to be far far in the future 😄

[vernal schooner]

I've been doing physical therapy for years, it's the only reason I can walk at all.

But still, you're right - I'm only supposed to walk 100m/day.

Today I visited Tenryu-ji, the golden pagoda and the castle at Nijo. It was stupid but the tour operator had booked the guide for me and I couldn't face the idea of burning cash even at the expense of my health.

I promise I'll take it easy for the rest of the trip!

[jaunty ridge]

100m per day? jeebut you have blown quite a bit past that 😄

kinkakuji is imo overrated, kinda cool but kinda meh. tenryu-ji has a great garden though

[spice cosmos]

You better not die, man

It might be worth it to go full motorized scooter next time

[sage brook]

Highly reccomend onsen

[jaunty ridge]

stahp, i am envious enough already 😄

and ij ust decidedto get some workstuff done tonight still too -.-'

[sage brook]

You can rent onsen for like 30 min, but I went to gora

I really like the kiyomezudera(sp???) temple

[jaunty ridge]

kiyomizu dera is great, but oh so crowded

[sage brook]

Yeah we went at like 4 so it was crowded walking up to it but it was a hot day so people cleared out

[jaunty ridge]

wait, walking up? there's not much walking in kiyomizu

it's like, gate, dragon statue, main temple, then a path to the side pagoda and down towards out

my hunch is that you mix kiyomizu and fushimi inari, or have a weird definitino of up.

[sage brook]

Walking up the hill through I believe gion

We took a city bus

[sage brook]

Nope avoiding fushimi inari bc of my foot

[sage brook]

I added a few words to the original message if that helps

[jaunty ridge]

ah i see, i am surprised it wasn't crowded at the temple itself

but maybe it's too hot for that 😄

slep time

[sharp charm]

How do, fellow millennials? Didn’t realise we had our own spot. How’s everyone feeling? I’ve been in Kyoto for 4 days and I’ve done 30k plus steps every day which is over thrice my usual daily steps

[vernal schooner]

I wasn't expecting kinkakuji to be all that, but my guide insisted it would be worth it and to trust her.

We got to travel on the fancy new tram which was dope, and she'd timed it so the sun would be in a specific position which admittedly made for very nice photos.

The highlight there was the stalls at the end though 😅 I got a huge free bag of coaco-covered nuts, and the last pack of the cherry sweets which are mind-bogglingly good (I have no idea what they're called, they look like transparent pancakes)

[vernal schooner]

In a word, ouch.

In two words, many ouch.

I need something to do in Kyoto today which I can just do taxi-activity-taxi.

Spotted the Nintendo museum on the map but obviously that's booked up until the heat-death of the universe

[sharp charm]

Well that’s the monkey park in Arashiyama out

[vernal schooner]

I went past the base of it yesterday, I didn't want to go anyway (broken spine) and my guide was so sick of it she bribed me with free lunch not to go up there 😂

I was honest though, asked her what her fave place to eat was and bought her lunch there. Woman was 72 and outpaced me every step of the way, had the most incredibly efficient route despite having to drag my sorry ass around.

Gonna hit up Oichi shrine at some point this week - was bummed that I couldn't visit the 47 graves in Shinagawa (thanks monsoon!) so delighted to find there's a shrine dedicated to them here that basically nobody goes to

[simple minnow]

Anyone meeting up around Kyoto today?

[vernal schooner]

I just had the nicest interaction on the train. Rushed on board at Kyoto stn. and asked the (Japanese) girl nearest the door if it was the right one for Nijo. Train was absolutely packed and I quickly got shunted into a crowd.

I'm not sure why but I noticed she kept checking on me and even made people get out of my way at my stop.

I'm aware it sounds like nothing, but it was obvious she really cared. I wish I'd had the vocabulary to properly express my gratitude.

[torpid zodiac]

Sounds nice. I only get shoulder checks by other tourists so they can get on their train

[vernal schooner]

Yep, got one just now in my hotel elevator from an Aussie. It's bad enough being barged into, but they make all of us look like dickheads by association.

[vernal schooner]

Tomorrow (the 23rd) I'll be idling in Kyoto. I don't drink or stay out late, but I could be free for lunch, dinner or something

[jaunty ridge]

Nobody shoulder checks me 😅

[spice cosmos]

Man, nobody has shoulder checked me, but I do get dirty looks from old Japanese men for some reason.

[sage brook]

They do that to every foreigner. Have you heard of black companies? I don’t take it personally because I just imagine it’s from hating their work.

[spice cosmos]

Oof, but why are they like that if they're like retired or super old?

I imagine just old people hatred towards foreigners.

Yeah, black companies are nutso.

[sage brook]

Sometimes the hair grays from stress not age!

I’m 29 and I’ve had grey hairs since I was 26

[polar orchid]

I think this society is one where people can’t speak freely so they feel suppressed and this may be their way of expressing that. It sucks though.

Also apparently there’s a thing called butsukari otoko or men who often just shoulder check people (mostly women). I think again it just happens to be people with pent up anger or other feelings thanks to society just taking it out on others.

[spice cosmos]

Oof, that's unfortunate.

[polar orchid]

Is anyone up early and down for coffee? I’m heading out today, but would love to chill with anyone who’s hanging out in Tokyo

[spice cosmos]

I'm gonna be in Tokyo later, but not until like 3

[sage brook]

What time is your flight and what airport

[polar orchid]

It’s at 5pm from Narita

[naive fossil]

I'm heading to Shibuya now

[vernal schooner]

Just found a lovely cat cafe in Kyoto. Not really a cafe, just a coffee machine. But all the cats are rescues for adoption and the owner speaks very good english

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rAWGbHP1jwgRhjuY8

⬆️ Just in case anyone else in Kyoto is missing their cats or feeling a little isolated. This helped.

[spice cosmos]

Other middle aged folks going to jazz stuff tonight

[small breach]

Where at? I’m at Akasaka

[small breach]

I got that a lot at China, but that was around 2014

[spice cosmos]

Same, I'm at the Super Hotel Premier in Akasaka right now

Gonna join up with the other folks on #1302999235121123328 group soon

[spice cosmos]

Yeah, I think it only happens in the smaller towns. Like, dude, your town is all but gone. You're upset I'm here to help it?

[maiden vale]

I’m down for a jazz bar as long I can leave before last train lol

Though prolly have to stop at my hotel to charge my phone

[river moss]

You need to get you a small portable charger friend

[maiden vale]

I have one but I didn’t bring it with me to dinner lol

[spice cosmos]

We're meeting in Shinjuku, I think

One person is exploring around the jazz bars in the #1302999235121123328 chat

[maiden vale]

Though anybody have a charger I could borrow? Would save me like 1 hour heading back to my hotel

[vernal schooner]

You can rent a pre-charged battery from some konbinis if you're pushed for time. I'm fuzzy on details, @spice cosmos might remember

[spice cosmos]

Yup, totally can.

[maiden vale]

Do you know which brands? Or all of them?

[vernal schooner]

Lawson for sure

Disclaimer: I've never used them myself

[spice cosmos]

Going to bar rpm for some lounging

And then that area in Shinjuku if the bar is full. Just wanna chill and drink a little

[vernal schooner]

I am a bad person and should not be allowed in Mandarake stores

[small breach]

Are there going to be any arcade nights before the 27th 😬

[maiden vale]

Dunno about nights but I’m going to Hirose Entertainment Yard tomorrow in Akihabara with some other people https://discord.com/channels/440956791426383882/1374914501622763592

[small breach]

Damn, I’m heading up to Nikko that day

[spice cosmos]

What are the olds doing today?

[vernal schooner]

Thai massage!

[spice cosmos]

Shit, good call. I need a strong massage.

I think I need a pro-wrestler on my back

[acoustic swallow]

I got a massage. The dude worked out 2 knots

[sharp charm]

Just arrived in Tokyo after a week in Kyoto and Osaka, so I’m trying to navigate the trains to my hotel with my new Donki suitcase that is bigger and more unwieldy then my old one

[spice cosmos]

Just did the exact same.

Bought a suitcase from Don Quixote to put all my extra shit in.

[acoustic swallow]

Im going to ginza karen for my suitcase

[sharp charm]

Yep that’s the plan, but instead of doing the smart thing and buying in Tokyo I bought in Osaka

[spice cosmos]

Lol, I also bought mine in Osaka. I wasn't thinking about buying shit at the end and bought so much early on.

It was like $100, so not bad

[vernal schooner]

The name made me laugh so hard when I ran into that place

[acoustic swallow]

Goin in a day or 2. Thats what everyone here reco9

Recommended

[spice cosmos]

Aight, gonna shower and head to food

[sharp charm]

Lost my Shinkansen ticket, went to information desk, they tell me if they can’t find it I have to pay again (yikes), while they were trying to find out what train I was on I find the bloody thing stuck in my passport. With that and how confusing the trains are and my new big suitcase I may just splurge on the taxi when I leave in a week

[spice cosmos]

Oof, yeah

I use taxis for everything local

Mostly because feet hurt and convenience

[sharp charm]

Trying to save every dollar for merch, but it’s been slim pickings

[spice cosmos]

Used stuff is usually good

I kinda wanna go thrifting

[vernal schooner]

I just got a lovely used kimono

[spice cosmos]

Did you find any places that sell used video game clothes?

[acoustic swallow]

Just walked by a suitcase place. Jus as cheap as ginza karen and around the corner from me

https://maps.app.goo.gl/88S3vTrEpCPrzuRV9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

[vernal schooner]

Ehh, not really I'm afraid. You might find something in the Nakano Broadway branch of Mandarake, that's where they keep the really esoteric stuff

[spice cosmos]

Ooh, good idea

[river moss]

I feel like you may have some luck in Harajuku - I know I saw one place on Takeshita Street that had some anime thrift (was just walking by though)

[vernal schooner]

That's a good shout actually.

[spice cosmos]

I just came out of the main harajuku area and it was a huge disappointment

They basically got old shirts that were made for America and overpriced them

I'd get those shirts like 3 times cheaper back home :/

[vernal schooner]

That's a shame

I'm struggling to find a gift for my mum. Wanted to give her a bonsai but can't take them out the country. And now I've gone and filled my suitcase up with plastic crap

[spice cosmos]

Yeah, there was so much hype around that that I thought it would be pretty cool but it's more of a tourist attraction

[sharp charm]

Keep the theme and get the Lego bonsai?

[remote star]

Shimo-kitazawa is where you want to go if you're into thrifting.

[spice cosmos]

On my way there right now

[spice cosmos]

Also disappointing. It's a bunch of used American clothes that are overpriced. I think they're geared more towards the local Tokyo folks.

[spice cosmos]

Most of it looked like this 😦

Which, I get, because they want American vintage stuff

[river moss]

If it's actually American vintage it may not be marked up....that stuff has gotten real trendy in the US too

[spice cosmos]

Ah, I guess I usually find it really cheap due to Fashion district?

Sorry, basically a ghetto fashion area in LA for clothing

[river moss]

Idk I'm East Coast

[spice cosmos]

You don't have a ghetto fashion area in NYC for clothing? Usually a bunch of stalls selling a bunch of shit for cheap

Aight, which of the folks from here are doing pib crawl? I plan on going in a bit and taking it super slow

[remote star]

The problem with thrifting is you need to spend half a day going through shit to find that one thing.

I couldn't think of anything worse personally but then again I've no style 😩

[vernal schooner]

There were repros of those WWF-style shirts in Kyoto market for 11,000y +

[spice cosmos]

What the actual fuck

Should I be bringing shirts from home to here and sell em for profit??

[vernal schooner]

Probably! I did the 'loop of nope' and got the hell out of there.

My used silk kimono cost 3k yen. The disparity is bonkers

[spice cosmos]

Dude, that's insane

Yeah, it felt more like a crazier Abbot-Kinney/Melrose Ave (our over priced hype stuff and vintage clothing). I could get some super high quality clothing for cheap and bring it over, but not sure where to sell it. My goal would be to sell to locals on special order.

Ie, find some local shops that they'd want the clothes from and bring em over. That should cover the trip

I actually was talking to a textile importer/exporter from Tokyo, weirdly enough.

[small breach]

We down for a shopping day?

[spice cosmos]

It's my last night in Tokyo and I just can't get up from bed

Any of y'all in Akasaka?

I was supposed to do the bar crawl and just passed out in bed

[jaunty ridge]

go out with a bang omar

[spice cosmos]

The bang is the wind from my lungs as I collapse once more into my bed

I've done double the Google Fit recommended fitness requirement this week

[spice cosmos]

I'm a huge f'in nerd, so I was just looking for old school video game shirts. I hate shopping too 😦

[jaunty ridge]

i think i'm going shopping tomorrow, only a week let :<

left

need to buy teamugs and a ramen bowl or two, and couple bottles of umeshu

[spice cosmos]

Ugh, I wanna go shopping, but don't want to move.

[jaunty ridge]

and all sorts of little this and that

also, some form of 'cute anime toy' for friends daughter.

[spice cosmos]

That sounds like Don Quixote

[jaunty ridge]

gonna head to dendenmachi for the anime toy i think

[spice cosmos]

OK, Porco, I'll get up and shop

[jaunty ridge]

and there's a kitchenware shopping street not far from it near namba station

[spice cosmos]

Where the hell are you?

[jaunty ridge]

i'm still in kyoto, but i'll go to osaka

probably

[spice cosmos]

So far

[jaunty ridge]

or maybe i'm lazy and stay here, dnno 😄

i just know that that street in osaka had lots of cute little kitchenware i definitely shouldn't buy but wannnnt

[spice cosmos]

Osaka just has cool people to hang with at the bars anyway

Just go do it

You love cooking anyway

[jaunty ridge]

i was supposed to go drinking in osaka today but the rain screwd my plans :<

neeeext weekend

[spice cosmos]

Go live your den den mushi life

YOURE FROM FINLAND

and you complain about rain

[jaunty ridge]

though yuuka is back from korea and we're going drinking one of the days in kyoto, but that gives me one day in osaka 😄

[spice cosmos]

It confuses me

[jaunty ridge]

dude, finland doens't rain that much

and like 4 months that rain is snow

[spice cosmos]

Yeah, but crazy weather

I was upset the sky wasn't constantly blue

[jaunty ridge]

finland is rank 141 by annual precipitation, mmkay

[spice cosmos]

It's in the north

[jaunty ridge]

we have as much rain as canada or australia

[spice cosmos]

But cold and ouch

[jaunty ridge]

hebus egypt is dry. average precipitation 18mm/year

[spice cosmos]

The rain here has been like baby rain

[jaunty ridge]

i didn't realize it's -that- dry.

[spice cosmos]

Yay, my kinda place

Gonna be there in September?

[jaunty ridge]

gonna be in finland in september.

only trip after this letf is august in scotland

[spice cosmos]

I'll be in Egypt in Sept

[jaunty ridge]

part of it

[spice cosmos]

Scotland is so sick

Go to Isle of Skye

[jaunty ridge]

never been to egypt, or anywhere in africa. should go at some point

[spice cosmos]

You can walk there from Norway

[jaunty ridge]

too far from our castle 😄

[spice cosmos]

Actually, I don't think I've ever been to Africa either.

I have fam in Mauritius and South Africa

I think I'm gonna do Egypt, Morocco, and Italy.

[jaunty ridge]

look at big piles of rocks in egypt, right?

aka pyramids and sphinx

[spice cosmos]

Basically, yeah

Lots of hot rocks and food

Hang with family there for my brother's wedding

Then head out to Morocco and Italy

[jaunty ridge]

ooo yea, main reason i'd want to go to africa is the food. i have no idea what it's really like

[spice cosmos]

There is so much different kind of food across the continent

I love Ethiopian food

[jaunty ridge]

i know what finnish versions of some african cuisine are, but that is probably quite far

just like finnish version of indian food is noooot that close to indian food, i believe

[spice cosmos]

I live in an international house in Los Angeles and we have a bunch of people from Africa. I have no idea Kenyan food smelled so good

[spice cosmos]

Haha, there are very few places in the world that have done Indian food correctly

America is not one of them

[jaunty ridge]

i use some african spice mixes in my cooking, and those always smell so good when i jus thow them in with some oil

same with indian ones. i am often lazy and just use a variety of premade mixes, instead of making my own

[spice cosmos]

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting that you're really good at cooking

I'm really good at ordering food

[jaunty ridge]

i am not terrible at that either, but my bank account tells me 'no, don't do that.'

i'm gonna blow past my budget limits this trip when souvenier shopping ,but it's fine. i'll just go more frugal for june to compensate

[spice cosmos]

Or just work a little bit more

Lazy nords

[jaunty ridge]

i can't work much more before there are complications

or i'd have to forever work more, and that sounds miserable

unelss i get a properer job

[spice cosmos]

Freelancing isn't an option?

[jaunty ridge]

i mean, i am freelancing currently, it's not a normal employment contract

but basically if my income goes up more than uh, 400€ per month iirc, i have to report it and start paying enterpreneur taxes and whatnot

[spice cosmos]

Lol 400???

[jaunty ridge]

up by more than*

[spice cosmos]

Maybe some under the table work as a gunslinger

Ohhh, by more than

Was gonna say

[jaunty ridge]

o shit, i misremember the limits, there might be some problems.

[spice cosmos]

Lol fuuuu

[spice cosmos]

OK, the Super Hotel Premier in Akasaka might be my favorite for now.

1. It has an Onsen in the hotel
2. It's next door to a 7-11
3. It's super close to the metro
4. It's super close to the Picasso Don Quixote
5. It has all the conveniences you need, just like most other 3-star hotels
6. Right next to a lot of things.

I think this was just super convenient.

[jaunty ridge]

how much is it per night?

[spice cosmos]

I think it depends on the days

I'm seeing between 11k-15k per night

But I paid more, maybe due to peak season?

[small breach]

Oof

[spice cosmos]

Gen, just fyi

Yen*

[vernal schooner]

I should hope so!

[spice cosmos]

I'm not a Saudi Prince

[vernal schooner]

You totally promised me an airplane that one time

Idk why I'm going to Osaka. This was so stupid

[spice cosmos]

What do you mean? Osaka is dope

Is it because you're exhausted?

[vernal schooner]

That's part of it. But also I have train back to Tokyo on 27th. I didn't know about hotel check-in times when I booked all this. So I'm dragging all my fucking luggage on the train for what will basically be one day in Osaka. I should have just taken a day trip

I had stupidly assumed you could rock up to hotel on booked day and immediately take a load off

I've done something stupid with my ticket as well, so I'm gonna get in trouble at shin Osaka 🙄

[spice cosmos]

Oof, well I guess these are good learning lessons

Never assume and double check everything

[maiden vale]

You can put your luggage in a locker

I keep forgetting you can do this, so many trips back to my hotel when I could just drop shit off in a locker and pick it up later

[spice cosmos]

Oh damn

Smart

[vernal schooner]

I would so never find the locker again 😅

But I will have my luggage forwarded to Tokyo. Fuck dragging all this shit through a station ever again

[acoustic swallow]

Medium size case in akihabara. 4000yen

Feels like im robbing them

In donki well over 10k in that size

[vernal schooner]

Whaaaaat

Where on earth did you find that? Random store?

[acoustic swallow]

Yup

Was gonna buy across street from me for like 6k. But was walking to yodabashi and saw a tiny store for even cheaper

[drowsy rune]

Any millennials in the namba area of osaka wanna hang?

[vernal schooner]

I'm literally there right now. But I have to find a wall canvas of 'the wave' for my mother right now or I'm dead when I return home! 😅

[drowsy rune]

I rather you be alive 🤣

[vernal schooner]

How tall is that? I found a 75cm one for 10k, wondering if I should bite the bullet

[acoustic swallow]

Im not entirely sure. I just know it said 24inches when i bought

[vernal schooner]

60cm then

Cheers pal

[acoustic swallow]

I guess 75cm is the large

Those where jus a little more, like 6-7k

[vernal schooner]

Fuck, dilemma

[vernal schooner]

Ok I've given up on that for now. You rolling solo? Are thinking food or drinks or...?

[drowsy rune]

Oh no will you still be alive after hahaha. Yes I'm solo!

I'm thinking drinks/club! I just had tako so quite full for now

But i wanted to try to melon bread haha

[vernal schooner]

I'll have to look for something tomorrow!

Right so I'm one of those lame-ass boring people who doesn't drink and finds clubs overwhelming, so I won't come and harsh your vibes.

However, I'm here until the 27th so if you find yourself wanting to go for a meal or a day trip or something, hit me up. I'm staying very close to the Glico man so I can get around 🙂

[spice cosmos]

Fuck, it cost me about 13k

Just got back to LA. Flight was only like 9 hours and I'm seriously confused.

[tight widget]

Kind of random, but I think you can get a 75cm one for 7.7K at Ginza Karen. Ends up being 7K Tax-Free and I think they're supposed to be of decent quality? Out of my wheelhouse though.

[vernal schooner]

Karen to the rescue! Lol

[vernal schooner]

Luggage sorted 👍 just enough room for the GIANT Gundam now 😅

Still on the lookout for a tapestry or canvas of "The Wave" for mum (found a few of those door curtains with the split down the middle but apparently that's 'not good enough' for her) @drowsy rune if you happen to spot something please send me a pin!

If I show back in England with a suitcase full of plastic and no artwork I'm never gonna hear the end of it

[vernal schooner]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5AFrrDWh4CayXbJSA

Half-price suitcases in Osaka ⬆️

Like 6-7k for 75cm hard cases

[vernal schooner]

Heyyy you got home safe though! 🫂

I wish my flight was only 9 hours!!!

[spice cosmos]

I did, thanks man. Yeah, I don't know how that happened tbh

[sharp charm]

Crash and burn last night, wake up refreshed today, look at my Wednesday list of things to do, decide to head towards The Imperial Palace and gardens, realise that it’s actually Tuesday

[vernal schooner]

I mean, you're ahead of schedule then! That's a win! There's a whole bunch of stuff I never got round to

[sharp charm]

I’ve fit way more into this trip then I thought I would, I may actually run out of things to do by Thursday

[vernal schooner]

You're welcome to come & push me round Shinjuku! 😂

[sharp charm]

What I really need is a strong massage my back is killing me

[vernal schooner]

Lemme know if you find a good place. Today is my last day in the country, I've got crushed vertebrate and a bruised or broken rib. Anything to make the journey home suck less is fair game.

[sharp charm]

I wouldn’t trust a random massage parlour with injuries like yours

[vernal schooner]

That's why you're the guinea-pig! 😂

[acoustic swallow]

Hmmm its possible i need to stop shopping because my newly bought medium size luggage is at capacity

[sharp charm]

I’ve been wandering Harajuku, very cool place. I had to go to the Cookie Time Store as I’m from New Zealand. I also went to check out the Cas:pace phone case store but nothing really appealed

[junior stratus]

I had no idea this existed, cheers! Definitely gonna go, haven't had a cookie time in ages

[acoustic swallow]

Personal Record by an old ass millennial

[spice cosmos]

Damn, look at us

Mine all went to sushi 😦

[jaunty ridge]

my record was 47k once day, ealry may, during cherry blossomg binge. daym taht was kinda hars.

harsh

[river moss]

I did 28 miles (45km) last week one day...I recommend being careful because I've been sucking it up since then

[vernal schooner]

Made it home to the UK safe & sound. My steps wouldn't come anywhere close to you guys but I absolutely pushed past my own limits (and paid for it).

14 hours is too damn long to be trapped in economy plane seating. Would love to visit again but there's no way I could endure those seats again!

Wish I'd been able to see & do more than I did, but still had a fabulous time - truly a life-changing experience. Thanks to all who met up to hang & everyone that chipped in with advice etc... you saved my butt more than once ❤️