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Posted by: Ajmurrell Jan 15 2009, 02:01 AM

So my girlfriends been wanting to go to Japan for a while, and so we booked the flights for Tokyo for a week in November. It's her birthday in that week so it should be really nice

Apparently Novembers one of thes best months to visit Japan in as its Autumn and all the leaves are a fantastic shade of red!

Has anybody been? Any advice on where to stay, what to do, what to see etc??

Very excited! Just it'll probably take me the rest of the year to save enough to be able to afford to do anything in Tokyo, one of the most expensive cities in the world!

Posted by: ZakkWylde Jan 15 2009, 02:03 AM

BUY AN ESP GUITAR FROM THE CUSTOM SHOP

Posted by: Ajmurrell Jan 15 2009, 02:04 AM

Heh, are guitars cheap over there? Is that where the custom shop is?

Who wants me to bring things back?!

Posted by: ZakkWylde Jan 15 2009, 02:06 AM

just make sure to check out a guitar store, dunno if they are cheaper but I guess they are

Posted by: David Wallimann Jan 15 2009, 03:14 PM

Never been there, but I am envious!
I've always wanted to go there.
Take lots of pictures and share them with us please!

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 15 2009, 03:17 PM

I really REALLY REAALLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYY want to go to Japan. I'm so jealous. I will make it one day I'm sure but I want to visit now

Posted by: Enucleation Jan 15 2009, 03:24 PM

I should be able to go in May, guess I won't see the spiffy leaves but I'm still looking forward to it. Granted we still need one more person to make the trip....

Posted by: ztevie Jan 15 2009, 03:28 PM

Japanese stuff is cheap! As you know, japanese made guitars are quality(mostly anyway)

Check out some japanese online stores, may be difficult to understand though:
http://www.ishibashi-webshop.jp/shop/c/c10/
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/tags/search/1/0/index.html
http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping_10.php?cate=1&state=1
http://www.m-s-saitama.com/

For shops at location google for: guitar stores tokyo
You'll get more than you ask for, they have HUUUUge stores and there are many!

Posted by: Ajmurrell Jan 15 2009, 04:07 PM

Thanks guys! Realy excited bit of a wait, untill then though.

I most certainly will! Photo's galore!



Flights weren't too bad, £500 each, and considering a whooping £260 of that was TAX... it's pretty good! Not the TAX, that is truely ridiculous.

Problem is, accomodation looks pretty steep!



April and May are both considered to be fantastic times to visit japan too apparently It's the summer months to avoid them I think!



What a range of beautiful things Shame they're still pretty pricey, but then a Gibson Custom shop is always going to be pricey!

Might have bigger savings in store by november I guess. But as far as saving is going, I'm predicting we'll save just enough to actually STAY in tokyo for that week, and perhaps scavenge for food! Probably not enough money to blow on guitars

Posted by: ztevie Jan 15 2009, 04:41 PM

Hmm, yeah, maybe the british pound now is very low...
I actually find shopping in England is very cheap now, for me who live in Sweden anyway.
I always looked at THomann and other german shops before to get very nice prices, but shops like the british dv247.com are much cheaper now...
With the pound so low, of course it means it's more pricey for you to go abroad, than it was for say, 2-3 yeasr ago?

Posted by: Ajmurrell Jan 15 2009, 05:07 PM

Yep, definitely.

I went traveling around the world 4 years ago and I can see just how much more expensive things are. Japan has nutoriously expensive living conditions, thast why I missed out on Japan when I went 4 years ago. Probably would have been worth while to do it then!

But I wouldn't have been able to go with my girlfriend who I love very much So it all works out nicely. I might just hjave to save some extra spending money in case I come across something truely amazing:D

Posted by: Marc_Maiden Jan 15 2009, 05:32 PM

bring me back a japanese ibanez guitar

j custom pleesh?

thanks!

Posted by: Fran Jan 15 2009, 05:33 PM

Wow, lucky you! I'd love visiting Japan!

Posted by: Ramiro Delforte Jan 15 2009, 06:00 PM

A friend of mine went in 2008 and he told me that the tower record is something out of this world, they have EVERYTHING, so maybe you could get prepared and buy lots of records
Also there are very cool museums there and little bars where they perform concerts jazz/experimental/rock.
So good luck with that
Tokyo seems to be a really cool place to visit

Posted by: Toni Suominen Jan 15 2009, 09:32 PM

Never been, but I would really want to visit, and especially see the red-colored-leafs trees. Can't remember what they are called though

Posted by: Mandos Jan 15 2009, 09:33 PM

It's the cherry trees.

Posted by: Toni Suominen Jan 15 2009, 10:20 PM

Oh that's it, thanks!

Posted by: Mandos Jan 15 2009, 10:28 PM

They're so beautiful.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Jan 15 2009, 11:03 PM

I've never been to Tokyo but I spoke recently to one member of GMC who lives there. I will ask him for permission to give you his details , so perhaps you can talk it over guys

Posted by: Ajmurrell Jan 16 2009, 01:33 AM

Ah, shame I'm missing the Cherry blossom season. Though it appears to only last for 2 weeks at the beginning of may... So, not much room to view it! Does look amazing though.

Check out this video - Looks amazing! http://www.japan-guide.com/a/video.html?1

Heh, I could take a photo of some, would that do?!




I know! Rather fortunate to have a spontaneous girlfriend who literally decided last night that we're GOING to Tokyo, before I knew it - flights were booked!




Oh no Even more money that needs to saved. I bet they have a ridiculous range of LP's too. I love my record player

I'm wondering whether or not to visit Hiroshima, presume there are war memorials around. Might stick to checking out the local bars and music scene though, bit more cheery!




I shall have to bring an epic photo collection home with me




If you can that would be great! Would love to have someone to quiz (lightly ) over what to see and things.

Going to try to learn some Japanese before going, as I really do dislike going to another country and just expecting people to speak my language. I'm a guest in their country, might as well make some effort!

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 16 2009, 10:44 AM

Who might that be? I actually need some help with a thing on a Japanese website regarding a guitar!
Would be nice if you could let me know who it was and I'll ask him for a quick help with finding a thing on the site! ^^

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Jan 16 2009, 01:58 PM

I will send you PM about his user name

Posted by: Ajmurrell Jan 16 2009, 02:35 PM

And me mate!!