Which is why I'm suggesting Gracery, because it is close to Nick place and is very central.

If I can use points to stay here, I will.

Staying someplace other than near Nick, Kyle, is a dumbass idea.

Weather sounds good for November:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2273.html

City  Max. Temp  Min. Temp.  Rainy Days  Rainfall  Sunshine 
Sapporo  8 C (47F)  1 C (34F)  14 d  103 mm  100 h 
Tokyo  17 C (62F)  10 C (49F)  6 d  93 mm  141 h 
Osaka  17 C (63F)  10 C (49F)  6 d  66 mm  147 h 
Fukuoka  18 C (64F)  10 C (49F)  8 d  81 mm  133 h 
Naha  24 C (76F)  20 C (67F)  9 d  124 mm  121 h 


"November is one of the best times to visit Japan, as the weather is dry and mild, airfares are low and the colored autumn leaves are spectacular."

Nick, what do you recommend us Americans do as far as preparedness? Like, I plan on getting some sort of translation book and a map to have with me at all times. Good idea? Bad idea? Any recommendations or other suggestions as far as things I might need as a stupid American in Japan? Maybe all of us Americans should have the same copy of the same map to try and avoid more confusion?

Also, this is now my favorite forum and I can not wait for November to come!

I'm not American.

If you'd feel comfortable with a translation book and a map, sweet. But I'm guessing that most of the time you'll be with either Nick or I, so I'd reckon you'd be fine as far as not getting lost.

Vital phrases are sumimasen (roughly "excuse me") and aragato (thank you). Domo aragato is thank you very much. I've never needed much else, but it'd probably not hurt to learn a couple of other phrases.

I know you aren't American.

I didn't think you'd want/ need a map/ etc. since you have been there before and stuff.

Oh and the railway stations have English translations of their names, and sometimes the maps are printed in English.

I know this can be very confusing to look at, but here's a JR map of the Tokyo area rail system:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/info/map_a4ol.pdf

Heres a map for the subway system
http://www.tokyometro.jp/rosen/rosenzu/pdf/rosen_eng.pdf

this depends totally on your level of interest.

you don't NEED any language at all, as long as you have access to a phone. However "ohayo", "konnichi wa" and "arigato" will never go wrong. Most Japanese people know enough english to suggest their sons as potential husbands

tricky:  I recommend finding the book "Black Rain" by Masuji Ibuse, and read it.  I found a copy at my local Barnes & Noble.  It'll be in the fiction section, but it's apparently based on a lot of true events, and does a good job of describing the aftermath of the Hiroshima attacks.

Will do.

However, I'm illiterate.

However, I'm illiterate.

*head explodes*

This is a seriously deep book.

Also, I found a scrap of paper in the middle of it, with this printed on it:
http://www.kodansha-intl.com/

I'm used to getting random things in used books, but not in new ones!

Black Rain is a major work in Japanese literature, there was also a movie released in 1989 that is an excellent adaptation for those of you who aren't interested in reading.

I hope if someone pulls my hair, it doesn't come out easily.

If Tru somehow comes to Japan, I'm going to kill myself on booze and pills.

Don't worry, I'll save you. That or I'll take some of those booze and pills too.

I want to see an 8-bit cafe. I still want to see a show too. The White Lies show was about $50 + Nick said they charged some advance drink fee too. Rape.

Don't worry, I'll save you. That or I'll take some of those booze and pills too.

I want to see an 8-bit cafe. I still want to see a show too. The White Lies show was about $50 + Nick said they charged some advance drink fee too. Rape.

You might think its rape, but it actually isnt. Lotta costs involved in putting on a show in a foreign country.

Japanese people will pay that much, Americans wont. Plus there's the cost of hosting a bunch of American druggies in Japan.

Besides, why the hell would you worry about seeing an American band here? Lets go get drink on distilled root vegetables under thte train tracks and sing songs with war veterans.

Lets go get drink on distilled root vegetables under thte train tracks and sing songs with war veterans.

Nick & wife, Ian & Danni,  Luke, Sasha, Kyle, Dave, Brook.

*head explodes*


That's a lot of people. But I doubt everyone will actually go.

I like how you put Sasha inbetween Lucas and Kyle.

Double adapter?

I like how you put Sasha inbetween Lucas and Kyle.

Double adapter?

I think she sorted them in order of how well folks know each other?

"Kyle, Dave, Brook" ....

Hmmmm ....

My wife will actually be in New Orleans until Nov 2 doing concerts (not confirmed until the tickets show up though)

What this means is that Nick's place can be a sea of futons for Day 1 so people can save on hotel costs (if needed, I assume Ian and Danni will take the hotel and if Lucas can get it on points he will too)

For the rest of the week she'll have work and stuff so will hang out for a the odd dinner and that's it.

wow, that cool for Nanako.

yep, it's a free trip because she's been asked to help take a tour group around. 10 years of doing gospel so for her it's like going to mecca I guess.

If it came down to it I could totally sleep in a double bed with brook a night or two, nothing sexual pervs.  I want to go so bad, I talked to my dad about throwing a little fundage my way and he said, "Japan is where bird flu originated, why do you want to go there?" and then I said, "come on old man, " and he said, "uh okay, if you buy the ticket I will throw money your way for expenses."  And then he told me he's looking into buying me a condo so I will have my own place and I can save money, my dad looks like santa claus and now he's starting to act like him!

1: Sharing a bed does not mean anything sexual.

2: Your old man doesnt know squat. Bird flu originated in China and Vietnam.

Nick & wife, Ian & Danni,  Luke, Sasha, Kyle, Dave, Brook.

*head explodes*


That's a lot of people. But I doubt everyone will actually go.

Anybody want to bet on who will end up being the flake?

Nick & wife, Ian & Danni,  Luke, Sasha, Kyle, Dave, Brook.

*head explodes*


That's a lot of people. But I doubt everyone will actually go.

Anybody want to bet on who will end up being the flake?

1: Sharing a bed does not mean anything sexual.

When it's with bagman, it does.

Looks like Dave and Kyle are sharing a bed! Make sure to videotape.