Agree with @oldfella1962. But I will say this: I am not a nightlife guy. I hardly ever just "go out" without specific purposes even at home, or when I visit other places. But Japan is something else. My advice would be to keep at least one night free just to hit the town and see what you find.
Oh: Also, make sure you try an onsen. But if possible, take a native or long-assimilated friend with you; you'll need advice at most steps, if you don't want to offend.
It's been a long time since I've been to Japan, but if you can give us an idea about your itinerary, I might be able to provide some advice. I don't want to tell you about some cool Tokyo things, for example, if you aren't going there.
I was hoping to hear from you before I left. Anyway, I had a great time. And I ate real ramen. I had heard that Japanese ramen was actual food, but I had no idea how amazingly awesome it would be.
It is, but it does wear out after you've taken five new seamen in the course of a week to the nearest ramen shop off base As far as portion size, that along with the curry at Cocos Ichibanya are as close to supersize as it gets there. Did you get a chance to see what passes for a large combo in McDonalds over there?
I never set foot in an American fast food chain, but I would have gone to McDonalds or KFC out of curiosity if I had stayed longer. I ate mostly ramen and sushi. Takoyaki was damn near everywhere, and I would have tried it except that it's got mayo in it, and there's quite possibly nothing I hate more than mayo. Also, went to a pretty cool temple that had a huge festival going on at the time. Shinsekai, supposedly the "most dangerous" neighborhood in Osaka, was kinda cheezy, but fun. Namba was a fucking blast, the aquarium was fun, and Denden Town was full of huge nerds and people dressed up like anime characters. I wanted to buy Space Dandy on dvd, but it was outrageously expensive. Sixty bucks for one disc? Nope.
Japanese mayo is totally different from American mayo! Like you, I hate it in anything other than potato salad and I use as little as possible in tuna...but Japan may doesn't taste anything like what you're used to. You should try it next time
Yeah, I love the places which make fresh ramen. All the stuff the put in it and then arrange decoratively really adds to the presentation.
I like to go to one of the Japanese supermarkets in Clairemont Mesa and try the various Japanese candies and chocolates. They have some different flavor profiles to be certain.
I would visit there when I'd go to get my car serviced. Now, I work in the area so I pass by it every day to go home. Funny enough, I ate far less Pocky when I was stationed in Japan than before I joined the military.
So you had a great time in Osaka, Japan? You had fun experiencing the sights, and sounds, of one of the world's fastest growing hubs of technology, and culture? Where you can see the latest advancement in social engineering, hop a train and minutes later peacefully meditate in the middle of an ancient temple, soaking in the rich tapestry of an old, and storied, civilization? Did you see a whole bunch of hot Japanese women? Well, Moocey, I'm going to have to add you to the hate list now.
BTW - if you have any pics of young ladies over 18 dressing up in the "sexy schoolgirl" thing don't be afraid to post them. Just putting that out there.
Hmmm...assuming I get some money up, I was planning on going to visit my friend when she gets stationed near Tokyo. Maybe we can do a meetup
*adds Anna to hate list* *remembers Anna's a girl* *removes Anna from hate list* *double underlines Moocey's name*
