InspectorGadget

I'm going direct to Makuhari Messe with about 10 of my mates. We should be there at about 10am IG

Most on the mini's in Japan were manufacturered and imported between 1990 and 2000. The later versions of this 'revival' mini had injected motors, side impact beams and airbags. http://www.mini35.co.uk/history.php IG

5.2 is bugger all. They start to get worrying here when they reach about 5.8 and above. But then that all depends on the distance underground, distance from the epicentre etc. We had a 5.4 within 100km of my home a week ago, and all that did was scare my goldfish into hiding under his log for a couple of days. However, that quake wasn't widely reported in the papers. Remember that the Japanese have been dealing with earthquakes since the dawn of time, so a fair portion of the houses and buildings have some kind of earthquake strengthening in them.

There are plenty of dumped cars around, but simply unbolting one and taking it would definately not be an option as technically they are Japanese government property. You'll get picked up at the airport, and I hate to think what would happen after that. IG

YES! Definately worth it. The cheapest Railpass is a 7 day deal that costs either 28,000 or 37,000yen, depending on whether you get a non-reserved or reserved ticket. Either one of these gives you unlimited use of the JR system. A ONE WAY ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto on the shink costs 13,220. Go to Kyoto and back to Tokyo, and you'll have burned up 26,440 (almost the same price as the non-reserved 7 day pass) Japanese residents would KILL to get a JR Railpass. IG http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en02.html http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/charge/

There's no online sales as far as I am aware. Lawson is the only conbini selling the tickets. You'll need to use the ticketing machine set up next to the counter , and they cost 1,500 yen if purchased in advance. I've got no idea if you can get them in Osaka, but generally those machines are all plugged into the same network. IG

I've just boght 4 tickets for me the missus and 2 friends. I may have a few more to add to that once friends confirm what they're doing. We'll be there on the Saturday. IG

Bugger me. That's the first time that I've ever seen a double capsule. If you look at the tarrif though, they're quoting 1,600 yen per person per night, which works out to 3,200 yen per couple. That's still suspiciously cheap though. Go and have a look, but expect extra surcharges. The Japanese are experts at adding those on. The car rental looks like a three day rental at 6,000 yen per day. That's about what I paid last time I rented a car here. IG

Nope. Just f@@Ked up in different ways. Yup. The old traditional Japanese values that people with disabilities should be hidden from society because they don't fit into the group. In some of the more rural areas, it is still an embarassment for parents to have children who are physically or mentally disabled. Reasonably often they send them away to homes or institutions to get them out of the way. This happens more often with those in professional positions, as they have 'reputations' to uphold. That and government support for people with disabilities is practically non-existant. It often surprises me that for a country with so many people, I see so few people with disabilities. Good on the bloke for getting out there and contributung to society. And good on JR for employing him, as it would have been so easy for them to turn him away. IG I get pissed off when people laugh at my speech impediment as well. But usually that's becuase I've forgotten that I have a mouthful of beer when I start to talk.

Yup. Capsule hotels generally run at around 4,000-5,000 yen per night per person. I have never heard of a double capsule as they are all designed for just one occupant. Generally capsule hotels only accept one sex. Hotels catering to women are rare. As akeenan said, Love Hotels would be your best bet. Just remember to go for the 'stay' price, otherwise you'll be turfed out after a couple of hours.

Explain to them what nomihodai is and they'll come in droves. IG

Are you sitting in seiza? :wassup: IG

According to my Japanese English teacher, she says that that large kanji is 'san' meaning 'Join'. As in 'join' a club. IG

The Railpass info page is here: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en01.html The only Shink that you can't use it on is the Nozomi, which I believe is an 'Express' version which doesn't make as many stops. IG

As Demon Dave said, all the telephone numbers here are allocated geographically. If you plug in a telephone number to the place you want to go to, the system will usually give you directions down to the city block or closer. This is definately handy if you want to visit some of the more obscure tuners. The same with the post codes, but slightly less acurate. IG

No can do on the Friday. But the Sat is a definate. IG

The rail pass gets you access to most of the bullet trains, so you're covered there. If you do get a hire car, get one with a car navigation system. It only costs a little extra but it is well worth it as JAPAN DOESN'T HAVE STREET NAMES! It's very easy to get seriously lost in the small winding streets. Some of the car rental companies are stocking units that are bilingual. IG

Yeah, you're right. I'm getting you mixed up with xKx_31. (IG gratefully accepts the inaugural 2004 Dumbass of the Year Award). 2 weeks is a good amount of time to have a look around, especially if you have a JR Railpass. IG (PS Thanks for the comment about the avatar. :-D )

Hence the reason that canned coffe is so popular in Japan. :coffee: You're welcome mate. Nothing beats a bit of local knowledge from the J-tards on this thread. I think you're gonna have an awesome (but bloody busy) time here in Japland. IG

The Japanese Disneyland is about 1/2 the size of the one in L.A with about 3 times the people. Forget it. As OMG said, there are much better things to see and do in Tokyo than stopping at that place. Tickets cost about 5-6000 yen per person, plus travelling expenses, plus incredibly expensive food . . . . . . With regard to the Sumo, just go early (about 0900) and grab the unreserved tickets at 2100 yen per person. You get a really good view because there's no pillars inside the stadium. When the lower ranking guys are on in the morning, no-one minds you going and sitting in the ringsde seats until the seatholder shows up. I mean, where else could you possibly have the experience of being flattened in the butt crack of a sweaty 300lb man wearing a nappie?

I think those are what Noh developed into . . . Yeah, I hate them too. It seems like everyone, from Kencho representative, down to the local street cigarette vendor is invited as a guest of honour . . . . and subsequently needs to say their piece to the graduating students. IG

Second only to Noh, which is like listening to a Waterbuffalo that has stood on a railway spike . . . . for 4 days. :-P IG

Capsule hotels are the way to go and they're generally around 4000-5000 yen per night. They're safe, clean, cheap and a really good way to get around the country on the cheap. Imagine a backpackers but sleeping in holes in the wall. A lot of backpackers use them. IG

SUMO! SUMO! SUMO! And it is actually really cheap. It just happens that the New Year Sumo tournament will be held from the 9th to the 23rd of January, exactly when you are here. It is WELL worth day, especially considering there is so much other stuff close to the Sumo stadium. There are 10-12 of these tournaments held each year around the country, but only two are held in Ryogoku (VERY close to the centre of Tokyo). It is also right next to the Edo Museum (very impressive) and is just 4 minutes by train from Akihabara (Electronics heaven, and worth a visit in itself) Non-reserved tickets cost around 2300yen per person at the gate, and you can re-enter once. This allows you to go in in the morning and have a look, leave and do some other stuff, and come back when the GOOD matches start from about 15:30 onwards Here are some links: Sumo http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/ Edo Museum http://www.tokyoessentials.com/edo-tokyo%20museum.html Akihabara http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/RTG/RI/kanto/tok.../akihabara.html IG PS The Sumo is awesome. All the other first timers I take there love it. PPS You'll be bored out of your tree if you see the Kabuki.

You shouldn't have any touble arranging that from any Hotel that you're staying in. IG