I have found myself in Tokyo for a month and a bit on a visiting fellowship at a Japanese defence research institution. ^^
Languishites: any tips for what I should get up to while in Tokyo?
I am going to have a lot of free time, by my standards anyway.
Drinks at the Park Hyatt already pencilled in. #forrelaxingtimes
Quote from: Warspite on October 31, 2014, 05:07:09 PM
I have found myself in Tokyo for a month and a bit on a visiting fellowship at a Japanese defence research institution. ^^
Languishites: any tips for what I should get up to while in Tokyo?
I am going to have a lot of free time, by my standards anyway.
Drinks at the Park Hyatt already pencilled in. #forrelaxingtimes
Meet up with Mr and Mrs Lettow. :)
Definitely take in a sumo match if they're happening while you're there.
It's probably worth it to check out the Tsukiji fish market as, apparently, it's slated for demolition and redevelopment in the not too far future.
For a slight off-the track museum experience check out the Parasite Museum in Meguro. They have the world's largest tapeworm there.
The major history and fine art museums in Tokyo are all great, and definitely worth checking out if they align with your interests.
Explore the food markets in the basements at the various high end department stores. Definitely go into a bunch of random restaurants and izakayas that look appealing from the outside.
Not sure what the weather is like, but checking out the Harajuku area for people watching on a Sunday is good too.
That said, given what you said I assume you have some local contacts as well. Definitely chat them up and see if they can give you some recommendations and/ or show you around; it's always better to have locals give you pointers.
If you can get someone to point you at a good onsen, that's a worthwhile experience to have as well, though better to do socially than solo especially the first time.
Eat.
Try to see a traditional Kabuki. The modern ones are fine too; but the audience really gets into the traditional ones.
Oh and see if there are any temple or neighbourhood festivals going on in the vicinity. Those are always interesting to watch when they happen.
Get over to kansai if you get a few free days. Much more interesting place with himeji, nara and kyoto.
And yes. Apparently the lettows.
Hakata ramen is the stuff you want to eat.
Eat.
Keep in mind you are a guest in the country and so certain behavior should be avoided. For instance don't imitate characters in anime and fondle school girls on the train. I don't think I can stress that enough.
Disagree. When in Rome. Bunji cords are cheap.
Go to Ueno Park, it's ringed with a dozen great museums.
Don't make internet cafés your home.
You totally ought to meet Lettow though.
Quote from: Razgovory on November 01, 2014, 01:40:04 AM
You totally ought to meet Lettow though.
And his wife. Make sure she's a woman and not a doll or a pillow.
Quote from: Razgovory on November 01, 2014, 01:40:04 AM
You totally ought to meet Lettow though.
I thought Lettow was in Fukuoka? Or semi-rural Kansai?
Kobe IIRC
Some good points gents, thanks.
Unfortunately have done balls-all sightseeing this weekend as I've been writing furiously on the Post-2015 global development goals. While my body tries to force me asleep at 0800 and wake up at 2200.
I have not found Tokyo as strange as everyone suggested I would. I am sure this will change when I go to my first pachinko/karaoke/sumo-ramen bar.
Pachinko isn't really any weirder than playing slots.
Tokyo isn't strange, it's just awesome.
Quote from: Warspite on November 01, 2014, 04:10:04 PM
Some good points gents, thanks.
Unfortunately have done balls-all sightseeing this weekend as I've been writing furiously on the Post-2015 global development goals. While my body tries to force me asleep at 0800 and wake up at 2200.
Thats the japanese way! :cheers:
And yes, tokyo really isnt all that japanese and wacky. I felt like i was half in the usa when i was there. The surface level super weird parts were touristised long ago, the current uniqueness is rather more underground and hard to notice without a solid grounding in the normal