TOKYO VISIT: Upgarage? Any recommendations?

[edd13k]

Hey Guys,

i'm off to Tokyo for 10 days and after seeing Marty and Moog (mightycarmods) visit upgarage, I really want to check it out while I'm over there. Might even get a new STI front lip for my Liberty.

Just wondering someone could recommend the best way to get there, or another autoparts store I should be going to instead. I'll be staying at Shinjuku most of the time (but will be hitting the slopes in Hakuba for a few days in the middle of my 10 day trip).

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks guys and gals

If it makes any difference, I'm flying out on the 18th Jan (back on the 28th).

Eddie

[Corsair]

You may have already seen this, but just in case:
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/querea ... ml?0+56309

[Nipple06]

Maybe you could meet Buddah ? I here hes very helpful and lives in japan...

[BUDDAH]

Maybe you could meet Buddah ? I here hes very helpful and lives in japan...

Recommendations I have plenty

#1 forget about buying shit for you car it can wait its a car for heavens sake not a life experience

#2 dont take a female to Japan its like taking meat into a butchers shop there plenty for every one (SEE ASS BELOW THATS ASIAN JAPANESE GOLD ASS CANT BUY THAT IN AUSTRALIA)

#3 Kirn Gold on tap is the best beer in the world


Im in ozz cant wait to go back soon heaps of snow snow snow
My suggestion is buy on line it can take you days to track down gear in Japan and even when you do don't expect to get it any cheaper than ticket price they don't bartter in Japan its seemed as been rude .

With the time it takes + language difficulties if you don't have a 100% plan from the beginning you could easy waste 2 days and end up with nothing .

[cliffo3rb]

Go to Gas Panic in Roppongi and get blind!

Fish markets are worth a quick look aswell.

[seanmau5]

#2 dont take a female to Japan its like taking meat into a butchers shop there plenty for every one (SEE ASS BELOW THATS ASIAN JAPANESE GOLD ASS CANT BUY THAT IN AUSTRALIA)

+30 11ty gazillion I went to Korea, and everything is good to look at, even better to touch

[Corsair]

So much good stuff to do in Japan. All the more so, if you're based out of Shinjuku as you said.

Shinjuku and Shibuya are fantastic for shopping. You'll be able to pick up heaps of anything you like. Personally it's music and clothes, but you can find almost anything as every single niche is catered for in Japan. Shinjuku east has a lot of model stores, book and music shops. Shibuya has heaps of music and fashion. Both areas have loads of excellent restaurants that cater for all budgets.

Similarly, go to Akihabara and check out the electronics, games, tasers etc. There's also a store in the main street of Shinjuku east called Don Quixote which has every item you could every imagine packed into eight floors or so. I recommend visiting this place around 4am, as it full of interesting things and people.

Absolutely have a wander around Harajuku (especially Takeshita-dori) and Yoyogi park on a Sunday afternoon and check out all the cosplay people.

As mentioned above the Tsukiji fish market is great. Go to the sushi shops nearby and eat THE freshest and tastiest sushi and sashimi you'll ever have...Practically still twitching on the plate.

You can visit the Metropolitan Government building in Shinjuku West and go to their viewing floor for free and get a panoramic night view of Tokyo. They have restaurants in this building also, so you can eat here after too.

If you want to go nightclubbing, I personally feel you should avoid Roppongi, as it's a sleazy shit hole full of tourists. I would grab a copy of the free magazines that they have in places like Tower Records and look up the club listings and see something you want to see. Shibuya has a bunch of good clubs and depending on what's on, the Liquid Room and Womb (if it's still around) may be worth a visit.

Depending on whom you're traveling with, a stay in a love hotel is also recommended. Wander around Kabukicho (in the back end of Shinjuku East) and you'll see heaps of them. You can check out pics of the room before paying and try and find the freakiest one you can. There is also an area in Shibuya that has heaps also.

Capsule hotels are a similar kind of cultural thing. You can walk in blind drunk with no bags and whilst there, have a bath, sauna, shave etc before retiring to a plastic coffin with an in-built tv and alarm. You may not get much sleep though, as usually you'll have 360 degrees of drunken snoring around you. Also be careful where you wander alone, as last time I stayed in one, I stumbled on a Yakuza convention in bath area.

I won't keep creating this wall of text, but if you want more ideas let me know. Tokyo is an awesome place and there's heaps to do.

[mincedmeat]

Hey, I’m heading over there soon as well, Jan 27 to the 15th. I’m staying at Niseko to do a bit of skiing. I have never been to the snow before. We will have a few days spare that we haven’t booked any accommodation so we can go exploring. We have a hire car so I was wondering, do you have any ideas for thing to-do around the area and on Hokkaido. Also is it very difficult to get to the main island (we don’t speak any Japanese apart for the anime my brother and his mates watch).

[SegR]

Also is it very difficult to get to the main island (we don’t speak any Japanese apart for the anime my brother and his mates watch).

Yeah I'm not sure how well the phrases...

"I will pilot this giant robot to save the world"
"Your inchtoad is no match for the tunnel-punching powers of my dragonfist!"
"No, please, I can't take any more tentacles"

will serve you in your journeys.

Then again the last one might be useful at restaurants.

[edd13k]

You may have already seen this, but just in case:
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/querea ... ml?0+56309

Thanks mate, this was pretty specific, and it should be heaps of help when I get over there.

Maybe you could meet Buddah ? I here hes very helpful and lives in japan...

Recommendations I have plenty

#1 forget about buying shit for you car it can wait its a car for heavens sake not a life experience

#2 dont take a female to Japan its like taking meat into a butchers shop there plenty for every one (SEE ASS BELOW THATS ASIAN JAPANESE GOLD ASS CANT BUY THAT IN AUSTRALIA)

#3 Kirn Gold on tap is the best beer in the world


Im in ozz cant wait to go back soon heaps of snow snow snow
My suggestion is buy on line it can take you days to track down gear in Japan and even when you do don't expect to get it any cheaper than ticket price they don't bartter in Japan its seemed as been rude .

With the time it takes + language difficulties if you don't have a 100% plan from the beginning you could easy waste 2 days and end up with nothing .

Thanks Buddah, too bad you aren't in Japan the same time I am.

#1 I don't really plan to buy stuff for my car, it was more about seeing the store itself (I can't bring stuff back anyway - flying jetstar, haha)
#2 all good, going with one of my guy mates. Any decent ways to say 'Hi, let's go for a drink' without making me sound like a creep?
#3 Can't wait to smash the jap beer, maybe even go to a Japanese brewery!

Also, we may hit Hakuba for some snowboarding for a few days (booked here of course), but I was told that I can't pay for the transport to and from there in AUS.

So much good stuff to do in Japan. All the more so, if you're based out of Shinjuku as you said.

Shinjuku and Shibuya are fantastic for shopping. You'll be able to pick up heaps of anything you like. Personally it's music and clothes, but you can find almost anything as every single niche is catered for in Japan. Shinjuku east has a lot of model stores, book and music shops. Shibuya has heaps of music and fashion. Both areas have loads of excellent restaurants that cater for all budgets.

Similarly, go to Akihabara and check out the electronics, games, tasers etc. There's also a store in the main street of Shinjuku east called Don Quixote which has every item you could every imagine packed into eight floors or so. I recommend visiting this place around 4am, as it full of interesting things and people.

Absolutely have a wander around Harajuku (especially Takeshita-dori) and Yoyogi park on a Sunday afternoon and check out all the cosplay people.

As mentioned above the Tsukiji fish market is great. Go to the sushi shops nearby and eat THE freshest and tastiest sushi and sashimi you'll ever have...Practically still twitching on the plate.

You can visit the Metropolitan Government building in Shinjuku West and go to their viewing floor for free and get a panoramic night view of Tokyo. They have restaurants in this building also, so you can eat here after too.

If you want to go nightclubbing, I personally feel you should avoid Roppongi, as it's a sleazy shit hole full of tourists. I would grab a copy of the free magazines that they have in places like Tower Records and look up the club listings and see something you want to see. Shibuya has a bunch of good clubs and depending on what's on, the Liquid Room and Womb (if it's still around) may be worth a visit.

Depending on whom you're traveling with, a stay in a love hotel is also recommended. Wander around Kabukicho (in the back end of Shinjuku East) and you'll see heaps of them. You can check out pics of the room before paying and try and find the freakiest one you can. There is also an area in Shibuya that has heaps also.

Capsule hotels are a similar kind of cultural thing. You can walk in blind drunk with no bags and whilst there, have a bath, sauna, shave etc before retiring to a plastic coffin with an in-built tv and alarm. You may not get much sleep though, as usually you'll have 360 degrees of drunken snoring around you. Also be careful where you wander alone, as last time I stayed in one, I stumbled on a Yakuza convention in bath area.

I won't keep creating this wall of text, but if you want more ideas let me know. Tokyo is an awesome place and there's heaps to do.

Thanks again Corsair! Every travel guide I've read on Tokyo have suggested all the places you listed above. In addition, I'll be staying at a capsule hotel for the 1st night we are there (we'll be smashed from the flight to get too bothered but the 360deg snoring, haha). Maybe I'll stay in a love hotel just for sh*ts and giggles

Hopefully the Yakuza are relatively easy going, haha. One thing I am worried about is that with these bath houses/hot springs, will I be allowed in because I've got a palm-sized, non-offensive tatt on my back?

Also is it very difficult to get to the main island (we don’t speak any Japanese apart for the anime my brother and his mates watch).

Yeah I'm not sure how well the phrases...

"I will pilot this giant robot to save the world"
"Your inchtoad is no match for the tunnel-punching powers of my dragonfist!"
"No, please, I can't take any more tentacles"

will serve you in your journeys.

Then again the last one might be useful at restaurants.

Tell me how to say "I will pilot this giant robot to save the world", might try it in a club HAHA

[edd13k]

#2 dont take a female to Japan its like taking meat into a butchers shop there plenty for every one (SEE ASS BELOW THATS ASIAN JAPANESE GOLD ASS CANT BUY THAT IN AUSTRALIA)

+30 11ty gazillion I went to Korea, and everything is good to look at, even better to touch

Awesome! I'm actually Korean, but I've lived here my whole life, can't wait to party in Korea. I can even 'sorta' speak some of the language.

[Corsair]

#3 Can't wait to smash the jap beer, maybe even go to a Japanese brewery!

If you're up North and have time to make the stop, the Sapporo brewery is good. They have delicious plates of sliced lamb you can cook on a hot plate while drinking draft.

Hopefully the Yakuza are relatively easy going, haha. One thing I am worried about is that with these bath houses/hot springs, will I be allowed in because I've got a palm-sized, non-offensive tatt on my back?

They've got signs on the entry and sometimes also in the change rooms that basically stipulate "Tattoo. No Entry". As a white guy, you'd have no problems, 'cause there's a certain hands off factor (a' la "forget it, he's just a dumb gaijin") that allows leniency. As you are of Korean descent, you may find yourself stared at quite a bit, as they might think you are a Japanese person with a tattoo. Still, no one will notice until you're already in there, so if you don't care, don't worry.

Similarly, many people may think you're Japanese and can speak Japanese. Probably more so up North than in Tokyo, but might be worth learning the phrase, "Boku wa nihonjin ja nakute Australia jin desu."

Hope you have a great time.

[speakafreaka]

Upgarage is good, but dont expect to get more than a few smaller bits. The yokohama one is easier to get to than the chiba one. I posted a google maps map.in another thread with.all the tuning houses and up garage locations. Blitz was probably the best i saw, but you need a car to get around.. which can get quite expensive.

If you do get a car, and youre around tokyo on a saturday night, drive out to diakoku futo. All the street racers hang out and are more than happy to talk about their cars.

Ive always enjoyed stuffing my face and spending too much cash on evangellion and transformers. The clubs are good too.. ageha is just like something straight out of ibiza.. womb is also great. Gaspanic is a dive with cheap drinks, good if you dont care about the music i suppose.

[edd13k]

If you're up North and have time to make the stop, the Sapporo brewery is good. They have delicious plates of sliced lamb you can cook on a hot plate while drinking draft.

Wow, that sounds amazing. I'll try and make a stop there, not sure how much time I'll have up North.

They've got signs on the entry and sometimes also in the change rooms that basically stipulate "Tattoo. No Entry". As a white guy, you'd have no problems, 'cause there's a certain hands off factor (a' la "forget it, he's just a dumb gaijin") that allows leniency. As you are of Korean descent, you may find yourself stared at quite a bit, as they might think you are a Japanese person with a tattoo. Still, no one will notice until you're already in there, so if you don't care, don't worry.

Oh so 'Gaijin' is actually a real term! Think I've heard them use that term in Tokyo Drift. I'll respect the local customs as much as I can, but I really do want to experience those hot springs (esp the outdoor ones).

Similarly, many people may think you're Japanese and can speak Japanese. Probably more so up North than in Tokyo, but might be worth learning the phrase, "Boku wa nihonjin ja nakute Australia jin desu."

Does that mean; 'I can't speak Japanese, I'm from Australia"?

Upgarage is good, but dont expect to get more than a few smaller bits. The yokohama one is easier to get to than the chiba one. I posted a google maps map.in another thread with.all the tuning houses and up garage locations. Blitz was probably the best i saw, but you need a car to get around.. which can get quite expensive.

If you do get a car, and youre around tokyo on a saturday night, drive out to diakoku futo. All the street racers hang out and are more than happy to talk about their cars.

Ive always enjoyed stuffing my face and spending too much cash on evangellion and transformers. The clubs are good too.. ageha is just like something straight out of ibiza.. womb is also great. Gaspanic is a dive with cheap drinks, good if you dont care about the music i suppose.

Cools, it's more the experience rather than buying stuff. All I really want is a new STI front lip, but I don't think I can fit that in my carry on (yes, I know I can post it, just a joke)

I won't have access to a car while I'm there, so public transport plus my legs will have to do. Although, I'd love to check out the street racing scene there.

If I come across a Starscream transformer, I don't think I'll have any other choice but to buy it !
Def will check out ageha (online guides recommend it as well). Actually will be staying in Roppongi over the only weekend I am there

[speakafreaka]

When you goto akihabara station, exit at the electric town exit on to the main st and turn right. Stay on that side of the road. Every third shop sells models.. Two in particular have a heap of transformers. When i was there two months ago one had about three repaint variants of the starscream takara masterpiece figures.

Also, kiddyland in harajuku usually has a bunch, but they were in the middle of rebuilding the main store and only had a smaller one open.

Bic Camera / Yodabashi Camera in Akihabara (other side of the station) has a lot of toys too.