Japan Holiday!

TechnoScream

TechnoScream

TechnoScream

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Joined
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343
Location
UK
Hi all!

I'm off to Japan in about a month for a couple of weeks holiday. Just looking for a little advice from you guys who may know more about it than myself;

I understand that electricty in Japan is at a lower voltage than the UK, If I take my random HP Laptop + plus some kind of adapter so that I can plug it in to a Japanese style mains socket - will it charge/work?

I thought Japan might be the kind of place to pick up cool gadgets and stuff, but having a quick look around it seems like its not much cheaper than the UK. Is there anything you'd reccomend I do look at purchasing while out there?

Any other useful advice for my trip?

Thanks in advance
 
They aren't any cheaper really but they do have a lot of stuff we don't yet. Akihabara is a must if you're going to Tokyo.

Check the laptop PSU, it should say what voltage and Hz it accepts (most are 110v-240v @ 50/60hz which would be fine).
 
TechnoScream said:
Hi all!

I'm off to Japan in about a month for a couple of weeks holiday. Just looking for a little advice from you guys who may know more about it than myself;

I understand that electricty in Japan is at a lower voltage than the UK, If I take my random HP Laptop + plus some kind of adapter so that I can plug it in to a Japanese style mains socket - will it charge/work?

I thought Japan might be the kind of place to pick up cool gadgets and stuff, but having a quick look around it seems like its not much cheaper than the UK. Is there anything you'd reccomend I do look at purchasing while out there?

Any other useful advice for my trip?

Thanks in advance
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Where abouts are you going there?

I'm off to Japan on holiday in April :D
 
TechnoScream said:
Hi all!

I'm off to Japan in about a month for a couple of weeks holiday. Just looking for a little advice from you guys who may know more about it than myself;

I understand that electricty in Japan is at a lower voltage than the UK, If I take my random HP Laptop + plus some kind of adapter so that I can plug it in to a Japanese style mains socket - will it charge/work?

I thought Japan might be the kind of place to pick up cool gadgets and stuff, but having a quick look around it seems like its not much cheaper than the UK. Is there anything you'd reccomend I do look at purchasing while out there?

Any other useful advice for my trip?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Yes, buy a Nikon D3, that's a lot cheaper than in the UK.
 
take photos of a toilet, a McDonald sign and a bed on your phone. show it to random people on the street, they'll giggle hysterically and always point the way!

... just like in that advert.
 
I live in Tokyo and have to say most electrical items are much cheaper than the UK. If you have a PS3, pSP or DS its worth buying some games and accesories as there are many more here and the systems are region free.

Don't buy anythnig too large though due to luggage weight at the airport :)

I recommend visiting Asakusa temple for a bit of culture, Odaiba for a ride on the ferris wheel, Hamamastyou for Tokyo Tower and heading out to Izu hot springs for a relaxing experience and view of mount fuji. Shibuya is a nice place to visit if you are young and looking for a good time but be careful if you are approached by any girls / guys asking you to join them for drinks and more.

Hope you have a great time. Be sure to try lots of new food and see as　much of the culture as you can while you are here.
 
DeFrEaTs said:
but be careful if you are approached by any girls / guys asking you to join them for drinks and more.
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Out of interest, why should you be careful? Are they "ladies of the night" or is it some sort of scam where you get ripped off. I guess the Japanese are like most Asians, they are very polite people, so if people approach you being a bit too friendly, they are generally up to no good?
 
peter_hutson said:
Out of interest, why should you be careful? Are they "ladies of the night" or is it some sort of scam where you get ripped off. I guess the Japanese are like most Asians, they are very polite people, so if people approach you being a bit too friendly, they are generally up to no good?
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As people often say when something seems too good to be true, it probably is! hehe. There are many host bars in the younger parts of Tokyo when attractive boys and girls hook people in from the street for drinks. Usually the drinks are either about 100 quid each, or they are very cheap and you will be charged a few hnudred pounds for the seat before you are allowed to leave.

When it comes to people being nice to you though, that is generally the Japanese way. You will notice that as soon as you arrive and enter a shop or cafe for example. Just be careful in the 'party areas' just as you would be in certain areas of London at night. Don't take this as a downer though, it is just another thing that makes Japan so interesting and unique.

Saying that you're not really going to have to worry about your safety in Japan =)
 
A couple of useful phrases (excuse incorrect spelling):

"Sumimasen, Eego-ga wa kari masu ka" - excuse me, do you speak english?
"Sumimasen, toy-re wa doko desu ka" - excuse me, where is the toilet?

I went there a few summers ago (2005) and had a great time. One of my uni friends lives there and he took us all around tokyo and we took ourselves around to the south-west of Japan on the Japan Rail Pass.

As for what to do, it depends what you want to get out of the trip. For scenery/culture I remember loving Miyajima near Hiroshima. If you're going with friends the karaoke in Tokyo is great fun (we found one place who charged £15 and in return we got a private room with karaoke room plus unlimited drinks until 5, 6 or 7am ... I was a little worse for wear by the time we left but it was definitely light outside already!). We went to Akihabara a couple of times and I remember thinking it was just like the Comet/Curry's advert with the electric avenue (?) song.

For food, Yoshimuya was great, a couple of quid for a bowl of rice and some meat. But I did find after a couple of days that I really needed some bread as rice alone just left me with stomache pains.

And yes they really are, in general, a very polite people. They still hold certain values that our parents valued, like not eating in the street. Also, don't blow your nose in public and when you use the toilets... expect to have some fun (you'll see)!!!

I hope you have a great time over there!
 
Was about to post a similar thread.... planning on going to Tokyo with the missus and the nipper later this year, and I was sure I could count on OcUK's finest to suggest places to visit / not visit.

One additional question, which airline would you guys recommend for flying to Tokyo? I've experience of flying with the main European carriers but have never flown with any Asian airlines. Are they good? TIA
 
GarethDW said:
Was about to post a similar thread.... planning on going to Tokyo with the missus and the nipper later this year, and I was sure I could count on OcUK's finest to suggest places to visit / not visit.

One additional question, which airline would you guys recommend for flying to Tokyo? I've experience of flying with the main European carriers but have never flown with any Asian airlines. Are they good? TIA
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I can recommend "Singapore Airlines", they are excellent. Can be a bit expensive, but I believe it's worht it. Nice seats, private entertainment system for everyone, good food and best of all, very hot air stewardesses. You would have to change at Singapore, but I don't think there is any airline that flies direct to Japan from the UK anyway.
 
I assume all nippon still do. I went with them and found them to be good. Though I havent much experience of flying long distance. They were the cheapest available to us when we booked (as students and within a month of departure).
 
I suggest Virgin as they do relatively cheap non-stop flights. Takes 11 and a half hours.

I would avoid stop-off flights especially if you have children. I know mine would drive me mad if we toop a stop-off flight and had to wait 5 hours to change
 
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