|
|
Hints and Tips General Hints and Tips when going shopping. During my stay I have found that Anime goods is practically all over the place in Tokyo, heck you can even find stores that sell anime stuff in Tokyo Tower ( the lower shopping mall part of course), also if you are looking for model kits such as Gundams, I recommend that you take a look at Toy stores as well as specialty anime shops, Department stores are a last resort, but also may have some bargains at times if they have too much of some stock. But overall I'd have to say that Toy stores rank first for bargains, then anime shops followed by department stores. Also try not to where an anime T-shirt around on the street, it tends to draw attention for some reason. Japanese aren't afraid to stare at you, you have been warned. Also bring a back pack when going shopping, not something too big cause it'll be a pain when walking through the shops cause the isles are so dam small. Anyway, it's a great way to put your CD's, and small knick knacks inside it to carry around as well as a folder for you guide (if you have one, cause I did makes things a lot easier).
Eating Out about around Town. Ittadekimasu!! Food costs can be a major factor in anyone's budget when they are trying to save up as much of the money as they can to spend on the goodies. I was with my host family for most part of the trip and didn't really had to worry about food money till I was in Kyoto but anyway here's my tips on saving money on food. Try and get a craving for Ramen, Chinese style noodles with a miso soup based broth. It's very cheap over there for a plain ramen with a couple of slices of barbeque pork on it will cost u no more than 380 yen($5 Aust apporx) a bowl, hits the spot for the afternoon and saves u a heck of a lot of money. Box lunches are also a good way to save money although I'm not the one for these things I did notice that the prices were very good for a nice amount of food to tie you over. Also if your Japanese isn't too hot it's not that hard to order at most shops since they have those plastic food displays outside the store if you ever get stuck just point. Oh and do say Gochisosama deshita after a meal to the thank the staff.
East vs. Western style. Another thing that bugs foreigners is the eastern style toilets, when u first walk in u'll say to yourself, "The F@#$ is this?" well basically just a hole which u squat over....@_@ it takes a while to get used to. So all I can recommend is that you find yourself a Mc Donald's, Hotel, or Department store they'll have the western style toilets all of these mentioned will have at least one. Although most Japanese Toilets are VERY clean they don't necessary always have tissues, so I also recommend that you carry a pack of tissues around. Sabaka-to' wa doko de kau koto ga
dekimasu ka?? Ok heres something for the Rurouni Kenshin fans. You will not be able to find yourself a Sabaka (reverse blade) sword, it just doesn't exist. I don't even think it's possible to make one so don't go around trying to track one down. The only things you'll find that you can bring back to your country legally is a debladed samurai sword. these are nice very nice actually, not too expensive as well I might add, depending on where you shop. I got myself a nice little Kodachi now all I need is a second one and a really big white trench coat and I'll look just like Aoshi ^__^. |
