OT: HFPens Community Lounge: Or Ogrezilla and LOGiK's Nerd Thread ;)

[Honour Over Glory]

I was there in September 2019, so a lot has surely changed. Where are you planning on visiting, @Honour Over Glory?

Kyoto is stunningly gorgeous and obviously worth visiting. Osaka is the ugliest awesome city I've ever been to. Ugly in a uniquely Japanese way, mind you, but the best way I can describe it is different shapes of concrete, rust, and neon jutting in every possible direction. Kawaii brutalism. I largely stuck to Dōtonbori because Dōtonbori is glorious. Tokyo could fill a multi-week vacation on its own...was a great place to strike out with a goal in mind and otherwise just go with the flow. Pick something you recognize from a game/movie/anime and head in that direction. There's going to be a million things to see and do pretty much anywhere.

The rest of my trip was primarily in Hokkaidō, which I thoroughly recommend. Incredibly gorgeous. Sapporo is a great city that has an incredibly jarring Western influence (especially right after visiting Kyoto). Also visited Hakodate, Otaru, and Noboribetsu onsen. Amazing whisky. The only downside is that the Shinkansen won't reach Sapporo until 2030...it took roughly the same amount of time to travel from Osaka to Hakodate as it did to go from Hakodate to Sapporo on a normal train. Still infinitely nicer than any train on this continent.

Signage on the trains has been multilingual since the 2019 Rugby World Cup; so getting around solely using trains was a breeze.



Speaking of...Kamurochō is a damn-near 1:1 of Kabukichō in Tokyo.

Bah, none of the images will work. Either way it was incredibly jarring and awesome.

Full Disclosure - I am traveller princess, I don't plan for shit, I just pack and sort of wander wherever my wife wants to go and then have a small list of shit I want to see or buy and usually just get enjoyment from her experience vs my own - as odd as it is to say, I don't get excited for things or trips or even possessions, I only get excited/happy when I see the expression on the other person's face.

This one I am trying to be more proactive - I have a bunch of art things I want to buy there as well as tech stuff I back from Kickstarter that I know are out there, EDC shit that I am way too into that is a waste of money, other odds and ends are on my list. I do want to see the Torii Gates in Kyoto, maybe even a few Japanese breweries and what not (would love to pop by Nikka and Kirin as well as do some Sake tastings).

From my wife's anxiety inducing spread sheet we are going to - Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo (with potential for more).

Places she has on the list...

Asakusa Sensoji Temple
Miju Park
Akihabra hoppy street at night
Gion
Potocho Alley
Nimbashi
Nara
Golden Gates
Bamboo Forest
Harajuku/Cat Street
Gizna
Shimbashi
Tokyo Station


Don't Onsen's frown on tattoo's? My wife and I have a few (her several, me just 4). Also I hear Japan might be weird with my...how do I put this, black-ness? My wife said it'll be like when I went with them to Vietnam, I felt like a rockstar there, blokes were excited to say hi to me and would take random pics with me and the ladies were friendly enough to make my wife angry about it, maybe they thought I was some random actor from the UK? Lol. But she's like "Yeah you'll stick out like a sore thumb, just be prepared for it." She's fine, she's asian.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Btw @Big McLargehuge I am going to add those suggestions to her list, it'll score me some points mate, for "planning" more than just 3 things I want to see. I'll get the "Omg babe, I am so impressed, you really are trying to add places you want to see this time!"

 

[HandshakeLine]

I think the more traditional onsens still don’t allow visible tattoos, but they also don’t really like foreigners either.

Japan is the one place I’ve felt like a 100% outsider (as in “don’t even try because we will never accept you”), but we still had lots of fun. Word of caution about Nara- the deer are real assholes, but cute.

Out of the major 3 we visited (Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto) Osaka was by far the most fun.

 

[66-30-33]

That sucks, someone I used to work with for a long time apparently passed away yesterday. An extremly well liked woman anywhere she went around my age from lung cancer. As for the cashier I mentioned that lost her boyfriend to an overdose, she's coming back next month. People you work with you never realize they are going to die until they do.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Full Disclosure - I am traveller princess, I don't plan for shit, I just pack and sort of wander wherever my wife wants to go and then have a small list of shit I want to see or buy and usually just get enjoyment from her experience vs my own - as odd as it is to say, I don't get excited for things or trips or even possessions, I only get excited/happy when I see the expression on the other person's face.

This one I am trying to be more proactive - I have a bunch of art things I want to buy there as well as tech stuff I back from Kickstarter that I know are out there, EDC shit that I am way too into that is a waste of money, other odds and ends are on my list. I do want to see the Torii Gates in Kyoto, maybe even a few Japanese breweries and what not (would love to pop by Nikka and Kirin as well as do some Sake tastings).

From my wife's anxiety inducing spread sheet we are going to - Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo (with potential for more).

Places she has on the list...

Asakusa Sensoji Temple
Miju Park
Akihabra hoppy street at night
Gion
Potocho Alley
Nimbashi
Nara
Golden Gates
Bamboo Forest
Harajuku/Cat Street
Gizna
Shimbashi
Tokyo Station


Don't Onsen's frown on tattoo's? My wife and I have a few (her several, me just 4). Also I hear Japan might be weird with my...how do I put this, black-ness? My wife said it'll be like when I went with them to Vietnam, I felt like a rockstar there, blokes were excited to say hi to me and would take random pics with me and the ladies were friendly enough to make my wife angry about it, maybe they thought I was some random actor from the UK? Lol. But she's like "Yeah you'll stick out like a sore thumb, just be prepared for it." She's fine, she's asian.

You will stick out for sure, mostly in an intrigue sense rather than a negative one, but still. Lots of people wanted to get their picture with me for reasons I can't ascertain...that number will certainly be higher for you. It is such a homogenous culture that any non-Japanese person stands out and you will stand out more than most. That said I'd honestly expect the tattoos to be the bigger concern. Lots of onsens still do not allow visible tattoos. If you can cover them it's not an issue, but if they're all over... Private onsens are an option without needing covering up. Some don't give a shit about westerners having tattoos and some just make it a blanket ban. Some just tell you to go at a later time. It's something to look into ahead of time. I'm pretty sure the onsen I went to was tattoo friendly. About half of the places in Noborbetsu allowed them. I can't speak for anywhere else, but there is a resource here - Tattoo Friendly Japan

You already have a pretty good list there. I didn't hit all of them, but...
Asakusa Sensoji was a definite highlight. Akihabara was worth the visit. Harajuku kinda sucked (just far too busy for how narrow it is, but was worth getting to see it...just don't expect to see any more outrageous fashion there than, say, Shibuya). Ponto-chō, Gion, and Fushimi Inari in Kyoto are must-sees.

Look out for some small group things, like bar crawls and such. Japan's tend to be really good and don't like to cancel if there's not enough people (I effectively had a private tour without paying for a private tour in Sapporo). I mostly stuck with Magical Trip and highly recommend them. I also had a nearly private one for Fushimi Inari (one other person), which allowed us access to alternate pathways that were notably bereft of other people. It can get really busy and the back paths really made me feel like I was in a Studio Ghibli movie, what with the millennia old moss-covered statues surrounded by overgrowth and all. One of the best experiences of my life.

Man, I really want to go back.

I think the more traditional onsens still don’t allow visible tattoos, but they also don’t really like foreigners either.

Japan is the one place I’ve felt like a 100% outsider (as in “don’t even try because we will never accept you”), but we still had lots of fun. Word of caution about Nara- the deer are real assholes, but cute.

That is definitely worth noting. I had no issues with the onsens, but I've still never felt more like a foreigner anywhere else than I did in Japan. It's easy to get overwhelmed and there's really no path to acceptance unless you're outwardly Japanese. Obviously less of an issue for a couple weeks than long-term, but it is worth noting.

I didn't make it to Nara, but everyone I talked to who did called the deer assholes. The bow tends to precede a headbutt.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

If I didn't already want to go to Japan these posts would make me add it to the top of my list. But it's already there.

The GF took her first flights last February. She just needs to get her passport now.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Anyone else here a petrol head?

I love to just have shows on in the background about cars, growing up a Top Gear fan and following the 3 over to Grand Tour, I also like Bitchin Rides as the bloke does some amazing work, anytime Foose is in anything I'll check that out too. I remember my wife, when we were dating she'd always see me watch reruns and then new episodes of Top Gear, she eventually became a huge fan herself, for the shenanigans as she doesn't care about cars. That's a test of a great show that is also a car oriented show.

But Car Masters: Rust to Riches on Netflix - this is the new Pimp my ride. They're just awful. A few of them are legit mechanics that do great work, but the main bloke is a clown.

These cars are hideous. The logo is cheesy as shit slapped on any car I'd ask them I remove that and their dumb car grilles but each ride is just awful.

 

[HandshakeLine]

I didn't make it to Nara, but everyone I talked to who did called the deer assholes. The bow tends to precede a headbutt.

Legend has it that one of the big 4 Gods of Judo used to practice tawara gaeshi and ura nage (suplex variations) on the deer in Nara and lord knows I was also tempted.

 

[66-30-33]

That sucks, someone I used to work with for a long time apparently passed away yesterday. An extremly well liked woman anywhere she went around my age from lung cancer. As for the cashier I mentioned that lost her boyfriend to an overdose, she's coming back next month. People you work with you never realize they are going to die until they do.

Bad month, an employee just passed away too. :| man I’m just full of bad news all the time, seems like I’m making shit up when I’m not.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Full Disclosure - I am traveller princess, I don't plan for shit, I just pack and sort of wander wherever my wife wants to go and then have a small list of shit I want to see or buy and usually just get enjoyment from her experience vs my own - as odd as it is to say, I don't get excited for things or trips or even possessions, I only get excited/happy when I see the expression on the other person's face.

This one I am trying to be more proactive - I have a bunch of art things I want to buy there as well as tech stuff I back from Kickstarter that I know are out there, EDC shit that I am way too into that is a waste of money, other odds and ends are on my list. I do want to see the Torii Gates in Kyoto, maybe even a few Japanese breweries and what not (would love to pop by Nikka and Kirin as well as do some Sake tastings).

From my wife's anxiety inducing spread sheet we are going to - Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo (with potential for more).

Places she has on the list...

Asakusa Sensoji Temple
Miju Park
Akihabra hoppy street at night
Gion
Potocho Alley
Nimbashi
Nara
Golden Gates
Bamboo Forest
Harajuku/Cat Street
Gizna
Shimbashi
Tokyo Station


Don't Onsen's frown on tattoo's? My wife and I have a few (her several, me just 4). Also I hear Japan might be weird with my...how do I put this, black-ness? My wife said it'll be like when I went with them to Vietnam, I felt like a rockstar there, blokes were excited to say hi to me and would take random pics with me and the ladies were friendly enough to make my wife angry about it, maybe they thought I was some random actor from the UK? Lol. But she's like "Yeah you'll stick out like a sore thumb, just be prepared for it." She's fine, she's asian.

I forgot youre Idris Elba!

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I forgot youre Idris Elba!

My wife says I sound like him, I don't hear it but then again we all think our voices sound different than how others hear it, I am usually shocked when I have to MC family events and I hear myself later and admit to myself "ok I see what she means."

To me I sound like that wanker from Star Wars, the bloke that played Finn. Which makes me hate my voice from how it sounds to me, ha.

 

[Zirakzigil]

My wife says I sound like him, I don't hear it but then again we all think our voices sound different than how others hear it, I am usually shocked when I have to MC family events and I hear myself later and admit to myself "ok I see what she means."

To me I sound like that wanker from Star Wars, the bloke that played Finn. Which makes me hate my voice from how it sounds to me, ha.

Now just want to hear you scream "REY!" just to see.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

You will stick out for sure, mostly in an intrigue sense rather than a negative one, but still. Lots of people wanted to get their picture with me for reasons I can't ascertain...that number will certainly be higher for you. It is such a homogenous culture that any non-Japanese person stands out and you will stand out more than most. That said I'd honestly expect the tattoos to be the bigger concern. Lots of onsens still do not allow visible tattoos. If you can cover them it's not an issue, but if they're all over... Private onsens are an option without needing covering up. Some don't give a shit about westerners having tattoos and some just make it a blanket ban. Some just tell you to go at a later time. It's something to look into ahead of time. I'm pretty sure the onsen I went to was tattoo friendly. About half of the places in Noborbetsu allowed them. I can't speak for anywhere else, but there is a resource here - Tattoo Friendly Japan

You already have a pretty good list there. I didn't hit all of them, but...
Asakusa Sensoji was a definite highlight. Akihabara was worth the visit. Harajuku kinda sucked (just far too busy for how narrow it is, but was worth getting to see it...just don't expect to see any more outrageous fashion there than, say, Shibuya). Ponto-chō, Gion, and Fushimi Inari in Kyoto are must-sees.

Look out for some small group things, like bar crawls and such. Japan's tend to be really good and don't like to cancel if there's not enough people (I effectively had a private tour without paying for a private tour in Sapporo). I mostly stuck with Magical Trip and highly recommend them. I also had a nearly private one for Fushimi Inari (one other person), which allowed us access to alternate pathways that were notably bereft of other people. It can get really busy and the back paths really made me feel like I was in a Studio Ghibli movie, what with the millennia old moss-covered statues surrounded by overgrowth and all. One of the best experiences of my life.

Man, I really want to go back.



That is definitely worth noting. I had no issues with the onsens, but I've still never felt more like a foreigner anywhere else than I did in Japan. It's easy to get overwhelmed and there's really no path to acceptance unless you're outwardly Japanese. Obviously less of an issue for a couple weeks than long-term, but it is worth noting.

I didn't make it to Nara, but everyone I talked to who did called the deer assholes. The bow tends to precede a headbutt.

Yeah I've heard mixed things about the Deer, they're clearly too used to tourists and expect treats and other stuff, kind of like the bat shit crazy monkeys in south asia and other asian countries that will literally jack your stuff and try to trade it back to you for food, or just steal it and never come back and be aggressive. I tend to stay clear from wild animals that wander into places like that, I'm not trying to end up with some bite or worse lol.

Right now the debate is do we stay in Osaka for 1.5 nights or stay in Kyoto the whole time and train it to places, which means we get up early, etc. Since the lockers that are at train stations, do fill up quickly so leaving our stuff and taking a day bag etc each time might be tough especially if we have a carry on and a check in luggage (for the stuff we will eventually buy and regret). So it's looking into other services (unless either you or @HandshakeLine have any suggestions for places like that?

I keep hearing about Don Quixote a lot in the video's I've watched, also the weather part is the part that really bothers me since I tend to over pack clothes on trips and I am trying to be better at it. From what I can gather...

Japan's weather mimics the same seasons as Vancouver. It's cold here, it's similarly cold there, their fall is the same fall as us here in Vancouver.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

@HandshakeLine you're not in Prague, right?

Shit, you are.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

@HandshakeLine you're not in Prague, right?

Shit, you are.

This makes me sick.

I'm gonna be worried until I hear from him.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Handshake was online 3 hours ago, so should be okay.

Terrible news regardless.

 

[HandshakeLine]

@HandshakeLine you're not in Prague, right?

Shit, you are.

Yeah, dude killed people in the classroom next to my old office. We’re unharmed but I’m bracing to hear that he killed some people we know well. My former advisor had to barricade herself in her office and he fired rounds through the door at her.

Super f***ed up shit.

I’m

Handshake was online 3 hours ago, so should be okay.

Terrible news regardless.

Yeah, we’re in the states on vacation, but I would have possibly been helping with things in the ex-department, we had talked about doing some defenses then.

Thanks for the love everyone, it’s appreciated.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Yeah, dude killed people in the classroom next to my old office. We’re unharmed but I’m bracing to hear that he killed some people we know well. My former advisor had to barricade herself in her office and he fired rounds through the door at her.

Super f***ed up shit.

Ugh. I'm sorry man. But it's good to hear you're OK.

Shit is just evil. I'll never, ever understand.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Yeah, dude killed people in the classroom next to my old office. We’re unharmed but I’m bracing to hear that he killed some people we know well. My former advisor had to barricade herself in her office and he fired rounds through the door at her.

Super f***ed up shit.

I’m

Yeah, we’re in the states on vacation, but I would have possibly been helping with things in the ex-department, we had talked about doing some defenses then.

Thanks for the love everyone, it’s appreciated.

Glad to hear you are okay. Sorry about your colleges. Words cant describe this....

 

[Honour Over Glory]

So Percy Jackson is Harry Potter with Horny Greek God's that slummed it with humans.

Meh

 

[Gurglesons]

Yeah, dude killed people in the classroom next to my old office. We’re unharmed but I’m bracing to hear that he killed some people we know well. My former advisor had to barricade herself in her office and he fired rounds through the door at her.

Super f***ed up shit.

I’m

Yeah, we’re in the states on vacation, but I would have possibly been helping with things in the ex-department, we had talked about doing some defenses then.

Thanks for the love everyone, it’s appreciated.

Yikes. Hope for the best for all.

 

[Zirakzigil]

So Percy Jackson is Harry Potter with Horny Greek God's that slummed it with humans.

Meh

Hasnt this series been going on for 10+ years now? Or am I thinking of something else?

 

[Deport Ogie]

Yeah, dude killed people in the classroom next to my old office. We’re unharmed but I’m bracing to hear that he killed some people we know well. My former advisor had to barricade herself in her office and he fired rounds through the door at her.

Jesus, glad to hear you are okay brother but all the same...shit's f**ked.

So Percy Jackson is Harry Potter with Horny Greek God's that slummed it with humans.

Meh

The books are perfectly adequate in terms of YA 'fantasy', they have a decently heavy base in actual Greek mythology but when they did the original movies they changed all kinds of things to make it be more Harry Potter than the source material and it failed because no one wanted, as you say, "HP with horny Greek Gods"

 

[Zirakzigil]

Okay now I need to go watch this

 

[Deport Ogie]

Okay now I need to go watch this

I've never seen the movie so I can't speak to it but book-wise, there is actually very little horniness besides the typical "we are writing about escapades involving people of age 13-18."

Greek Gods have kids with modern day normies but, spoiler alert, there's no romance-novel heaving-bosom style sex scenes depicted between Zeus and Helen from down the street.