GRcade Travel Topic

Vermi Claus wrote:

dmince pies wrote:Had a great time in Lapland; saw Santa(!)

Yup, the real one too!

Lotus wrote:I'm looking for some advice on honeymoons and how best to book one. I'm assuming that anything designed or advertised as a honeymoon package is pretty much always going to have a premium/overpriced element to it, whereas if you just booked the same thing as a normal holiday, it might work out a bit cheaper? I have a few ideas on destinations and budget, but given there's so much out there, I wondered if anybody had any tips or recommendations. My current thinking is to book/sort as much as I can myself which will presumably save some money, but if there are any kind of packages or all-inclusive deals that are actually good and worth it, I'd be happy to be proven wrong and would welcome any comments on that.

If you book things separately yourself, you're not ATOL protected and will lose a lot of money if you have to cancel anything. My Mrs is a private travel agent.

Konnichiwa from Mr and Mrs Lagamorph on honeymoon in Japan!

Lagamorph wrote:Konnichiwa from Mr and Mrs Lagamorph on honeymoon in Japan!

You lucky, lucky bastards! (Have the absolute best time!)

Super Nintendo World! Letsa Go!

Lagamorph wrote:Konnichiwa from Mr and Mrs Lagamorph on honeymoon in Japan!

Enjoy!

Just on the way to the airport hotel as got a two week cruise in the Carribbean from tomorrow

Snagged a reservation for the Pokemon cafe in Tokyo

A reservation for the Kirby cafe is proving to be elusive however.

Lagamorph wrote:Snagged a reservation for the Pokemon cafe in Tokyo

A reservation for the Kirby cafe is proving to be elusive however.

Have you been to the Nintendo store in Shibuya yet?

Hit me up if you want some Tokyo recommendations - my girlfriend (now wife) lived there for 4 years when I was living in Japan, so used to go a lot.

Parksey wrote:

Lagamorph wrote:Snagged a reservation for the Pokemon cafe in Tokyo

A reservation for the Kirby cafe is proving to be elusive however.

Have you been to the Nintendo store in Shibuya yet?

Hit me up if you want some Tokyo recommendations - my girlfriend (now wife) lived there for 4 years when I was living in Japan, so used to go a lot.

I know a few good places now as well so can also be of service

Qikz wrote:

Parksey wrote:

Lagamorph wrote:Snagged a reservation for the Pokemon cafe in Tokyo

A reservation for the Kirby cafe is proving to be elusive however.

Have you been to the Nintendo store in Shibuya yet?

Hit me up if you want some Tokyo recommendations - my girlfriend (now wife) lived there for 4 years when I was living in Japan, so used to go a lot.

I know a few good places now as well so can also be of service

How many times have you been over there now, Qikz? Can remember you going at least twice?

I'm going back again in April for a trip to see my in-laws (try to go at least once a year while I'm back in the UK). Probably too late to see the cherry blossoms but the weather should be considerably better than here.

Parksey wrote:

Qikz wrote:

Parksey wrote:

Lagamorph wrote:Snagged a reservation for the Pokemon cafe in Tokyo

A reservation for the Kirby cafe is proving to be elusive however.

Have you been to the Nintendo store in Shibuya yet?

Hit me up if you want some Tokyo recommendations - my girlfriend (now wife) lived there for 4 years when I was living in Japan, so used to go a lot.

I know a few good places now as well so can also be of service

How many times have you been over there now, Qikz? Can remember you going at least twice?

I'm going back again in April for a trip to see my in-laws (try to go at least once a year while I'm back in the UK). Probably too late to see the cherry blossoms but the weather should be considerably better than here.

Twice now, will be three at the end of May and I'm likely going to see my partner again in October.

Qikz wrote:

Parksey wrote:

Lagamorph wrote:Snagged a reservation for the Pokemon cafe in Tokyo

A reservation for the Kirby cafe is proving to be elusive however.

Have you been to the Nintendo store in Shibuya yet?

Hit me up if you want some Tokyo recommendations - my girlfriend (now wife) lived there for 4 years when I was living in Japan, so used to go a lot.

I know a few good places now as well so can also be of service

Not been to Shibuya yet but we are planning on it! We've been to Akihabara and are heading to Ikebukuro today, planning to go to the Evangelion store, Sunshine City (the big Pokemon centre and the Sanrio cafe in particular) and Otome Road. Possibly hit up a temple or two in the area as well, we really liked the ones we visited in Nara, plus we can get more stamps in our goshuinchos.

Always happy to hear suggestions for things around Tokyo though!

We're currently planning on visiting Shibuya (Nintendo store and the scramble) as well as returning to Akihabara for the Eorzea and Monster Hunter cafes.

Lagamorph wrote:

Qikz wrote:

Parksey wrote:

Lagamorph wrote:Snagged a reservation for the Pokemon cafe in Tokyo

A reservation for the Kirby cafe is proving to be elusive however.

Have you been to the Nintendo store in Shibuya yet?

Hit me up if you want some Tokyo recommendations - my girlfriend (now wife) lived there for 4 years when I was living in Japan, so used to go a lot.

I know a few good places now as well so can also be of service

Not been to Shibuya yet but we are planning on it! We've been to Akihabara and are heading to Ikebukuro today, planning to go to the Evangelion store, Sunshine City (the big Pokemon centre and the Sanrio cafe in particular) and Otome Road. Possibly hit up a temple or two in the area as well, we really liked the ones we visited in Nara, plus we can get more stamps in our goshuinchos.

Always happy to hear suggestions for things around Tokyo though!

We're currently planning on visiting Shibuya (Nintendo store and the scramble) as well as returning to Akihabara for the Eorzea and Monster Hunter cafes.

Okay, here's a quick list off the top of my head. If you want more detailed recommendations (like recommended restaurants) let me know. Some of these suggestions will be typical tourist things you likely already know about, but would be worth doing:

*Asakusa - temple/shrine area in Tokyo. Swarmed with tourists but looks good in photos

*Tokyo Sky Tree. A 500m tall tower which has a pretty impressive view at the top. Makes you realise what an urban sprawl Tokyo actually is. Only a clear day you can see Fuji. Tokyo Tower is a lot smaller but is perhaps more iconic.

*Ueno. Get off at the tube station here and you've got a selection of things - the National Museum, the zoo and the park. It's a pretty busy area in general and there's Ameyoko market street right next to the station.

*Yoyogi Park/Meiji Jingu - Another nice park to walk around, with Meiji Shrine in the centre of it. You can get off at Harajuku station.

*Harajuku - Good for walking around the busy shopping streets and seeing "alternative" Japan. It's where you'll see slightly quirkier, edgier fashion. It's where you'll see teenagers and young people at the centre of Tokyo subculture.

*Akihabara - you already mentioned this and it's quite impressive to walk around under the neon. I'm not in to manga or anime so I only really checked out the games stuff. Super Potato is the famous one - it's got loads of pristine second hand games, though they are expensive. Try and find a big Book Off store if you want cheap games. Things like the Switch are now region free and they'll be cheaper than the UK. Last March, I picked up Pokémon Legends Arceus for £13. The yen is really weak at the moment.

*Koishikawa Garden - a nice peaceful walk around a traditional Japanese garden. With Tokyo Dome in the background to remind you that you're still in the biggest city in the world. Tokyo Dome has a shopping centre and a rollercoaster next to it if you like that sort of thing. I'd suggest a Tokyo Giants baseball game but I think you might be slightly too early for the season to start, unless you're there for a few more weeks.

*Team Lab Planets - Never been here, but I've seen it on friends' Instagram. Looks like a quirk modern art place. I think it's in or near Odaiba, which is quite popular with young people.

Eating and Drinking - My wife used to live in Omorimachi, which is basically a small town within Tokyo, about 15 mins from Shinagawa. There was quite a small yakiniku place and a really nice mazesoba place, but it might not be the most tourists. Shinagawa is a busy rail hub and has loads of bars and restaurants nearby.

I also used to like going to Meguro and Ebisu for eating and drinking. These are on the Yamanote line so fairly easily to get to. Walking along the Meguro river in the day is nice (has cherry blossom trees too, though it might be a bit early). Nakameguro a little bit along is quite an affluent area abd nice to walk around. A lot of small cafes etc. Also has the Starbucks Reserve if you're into that sort of thing (Starbucks is really big in Japan and the Reserve is a cool place to get a coffee or a coffee-related cocktail - I don't think we have one in the UK).

Again, let me know if you want specific restaurant or bar recommendations.

Day trips - Yokohama, Kamakura (got a massive Buddha statue), Nikko (a big temple complex which I think you'd like, and if you have a rail pass you can take the shinkansen), Hakone, Tokyo Disney Land/DisneySea.

"*Ueno. Get off at the tube station here and you've got a selection of things - the National Museum, the zoo and the park. It's a pretty busy area in general and there's Ameyoko market street right next to the station.

*Yoyogi Park/Meiji Jingu - Another nice park to walk around, with Meiji Shrine in the centre of it. You can get off at Harajuku station.

*Harajuku - Good for walking around the busy shopping streets and seeing "alternative" Japan. It's where you'll see slightly quirkier, edgier fashion. It's where you'll see teenagers and young people at the centre of Tokyo subculture. "

These are also all within walking distance of each other. One day I went to Ueno to go to the zoo, realised it was a national holiday and I'd have to wait hours to get in and went to go for a walk around. Ended up walking through Ueno up to near Yoyogi Park to find this really small shrine I saw on the map and realised I was close then to the other two places. I ended up walking up to Meiji Jingu and back to Harajuku, but the entrance was right by Harajuku station so I probably should've just got the train back lol

S'up guys, just popping in to see what the people who aren't boring and lazy talk about.

Travel doesn't make you interesting mate, on the contrary sometimes.

Parksey wrote:

Lagamorph wrote:

Qikz wrote:

Parksey wrote:

Lagamorph wrote:Snagged a reservation for the Pokemon cafe in Tokyo

A reservation for the Kirby cafe is proving to be elusive however.

Have you been to the Nintendo store in Shibuya yet?

Hit me up if you want some Tokyo recommendations - my girlfriend (now wife) lived there for 4 years when I was living in Japan, so used to go a lot.

I know a few good places now as well so can also be of service

Not been to Shibuya yet but we are planning on it! We've been to Akihabara and are heading to Ikebukuro today, planning to go to the Evangelion store, Sunshine City (the big Pokemon centre and the Sanrio cafe in particular) and Otome Road. Possibly hit up a temple or two in the area as well, we really liked the ones we visited in Nara, plus we can get more stamps in our goshuinchos.

Always happy to hear suggestions for things around Tokyo though!

We're currently planning on visiting Shibuya (Nintendo store and the scramble) as well as returning to Akihabara for the Eorzea and Monster Hunter cafes.

Okay, here's a quick list off the top of my head. If you want more detailed recommendations (like recommended restaurants) let me know. Some of these suggestions will be typical tourist things you likely already know about, but would be worth doing:

*Asakusa - temple/shrine area in Tokyo. Swarmed with tourists but looks good in photos

*Tokyo Sky Tree. A 500m tall tower which has a pretty impressive view at the top. Makes you realise what an urban sprawl Tokyo actually is. Only a clear day you can see Fuji. Tokyo Tower is a lot smaller but is perhaps more iconic.

*Ueno. Get off at the tube station here and you've got a selection of things - the National Museum, the zoo and the park. It's a pretty busy area in general and there's Ameyoko market street right next to the station.

*Yoyogi Park/Meiji Jingu - Another nice park to walk around, with Meiji Shrine in the centre of it. You can get off at Harajuku station.

*Harajuku - Good for walking around the busy shopping streets and seeing "alternative" Japan. It's where you'll see slightly quirkier, edgier fashion. It's where you'll see teenagers and young people at the centre of Tokyo subculture.

*Akihabara - you already mentioned this and it's quite impressive to walk around under the neon. I'm not in to manga or anime so I only really checked out the games stuff. Super Potato is the famous one - it's got loads of pristine second hand games, though they are expensive. Try and find a big Book Off store if you want cheap games. Things like the Switch are now region free and they'll be cheaper than the UK. Last March, I picked up Pokémon Legends Arceus for £13. The yen is really weak at the moment.

*Koishikawa Garden - a nice peaceful walk around a traditional Japanese garden. With Tokyo Dome in the background to remind you that you're still in the biggest city in the world. Tokyo Dome has a shopping centre and a rollercoaster next to it if you like that sort of thing. I'd suggest a Tokyo Giants baseball game but I think you might be slightly too early for the season to start, unless you're there for a few more weeks.

*Team Lab Planets - Never been here, but I've seen it on friends' Instagram. Looks like a quirk modern art place. I think it's in or near Odaiba, which is quite popular with young people.

Eating and Drinking - My wife used to live in Omorimachi, which is basically a small town within Tokyo, about 15 mins from Shinagawa. There was quite a small yakiniku place and a really nice mazesoba place, but it might not be the most tourists. Shinagawa is a busy rail hub and has loads of bars and restaurants nearby.

I also used to like going to Meguro and Ebisu for eating and drinking. These are on the Yamanote line so fairly easily to get to. Walking along the Meguro river in the day is nice (has cherry blossom trees too, though it might be a bit early). Nakameguro a little bit along is quite an affluent area abd nice to walk around. A lot of small cafes etc. Also has the Starbucks Reserve if you're into that sort of thing (Starbucks is really big in Japan and the Reserve is a cool place to get a coffee or a coffee-related cocktail - I don't think we have one in the UK).

Again, let me know if you want specific restaurant or bar recommendations.

Day trips - Yokohama, Kamakura (got a massive Buddha statue), Nikko (a big temple complex which I think you'd like, and if you have a rail pass you can take the shinkansen), Hakone, Tokyo Disney Land/DisneySea.

Completely unsolicited and won't be anywhere near Parksey's experience with Tokyo but I've hit up some of these!

Asakusa - beautiful shrine, lovely area. I stayed near here when I was in Tokyo for a couple of weeks in 2016. I was also called a "strawberry floating monkey" by a local for not knowing who Justin Bieber was. Legitimately the strangest conversation I've ever had.

Tokyo Sky Tree - didn't do this, but we did do the supposedly cheaper alternative, which was to go to the top of a 25-story-ish government building to get a slightly inferior but still excellent view of the city. As Parksey says, you don't appreciate just how much of a sprawl it is until you get the aerial view. It's incredible.

Yoyogi Park is beautiful. And Harajuku was lovely as well, but I had I'm a Cuckoo by Belle and Sebastian stuck in my head for about a week afterwards.

I also enjoyed Shibuya and the Golden Gai, but I think they're mega touristy. I was on my own in Tokyo for a few days before a mate joined me, and met up with Jay Mysterio who used to post on here and who was living in Tokyo for university at the time. He took me to a horror-themed pub with about six seats and we got absolutely blitzed thanks to a bartender who was dressed like Wayne from Wayne's World. I slept outside Shinjuku Station. Don't do that.

Have fun Laga and Mrs Laga!

The government building with a good view that Cora mentions may be the Metropolitan building in Shinjuku. I think the viewing area might be free, can't remember.

I echo what Qikz said about walking places. Similar to London, a lot of the stops on the metro aren't that far apart and you'll see more by walking. From memory, Akihabara to Ueno is doable.

Ginza (high end area, similar to Fifth Avenue or Oxford Street) is walkable from Shinbashi, Yurakucho and Nihonbashi (these are all places to eat and drink).

Shibuya, Ebisu, Meguro and Harajuku/Yoyogi/Meiji Jingu are all walkable.

RetroCora wrote:I was on my own in Tokyo for a few days before a mate joined me, and met up with Jay Mysterio who used to post on here and who was living in Tokyo for university at the time. He took me to a horror-themed pub with about six seats and we got absolutely blitzed thanks to a bartender who was dressed like Wayne from Wayne's World. I slept outside Shinjuku Station.

Are you sure that this actually happened?