Japan Trip Spring 2016

[Aimless]

So, the ginger and I will hopefully spend a couple of weeks in Japan next spring, either late March/early April or late April/early May. She's already been there twice, mostly Tokyo but also some other cities, while I haven't even had the occasion to think about what I'd like to do there. I think we'll spend a week in Tokyo and spend a week elsewhere (probably not too far from Tokyo) and my list is slowly taking shape but I'd love some help with it, so...

... if you've been to Japan: what was the most fun thing you did, where was the nicest or most beautiful place you went, what was the best thing you ate?

... if you were to go to Japan, what would you like to do the most and where would you like to go?

[Dreadnaught]

It's great. Had a few days there and turned some time with work people into a personal trip. I was just in Tokyo, but wish I had gone beyond. I'd like to take The Woman back if we ever get the time. A few things I did-

Subway to Shibuya Crossing- Touristy as hell, but not bad to see so that you'll recognize it in the future in movies/ads/etc.

Hirajuku Neighborhood & Garden- Nice gardens, though I was there in autumn so it was really pretty.

Sushi Yuu- There is where you lose your mind and get a $350 sushi omikase for two. I kept this whole vacation under budget, but I'm glad I went crazy on this. It was really a unique experience, and a nice balance between authenticity and a Japanese sushi chef who can speak English because he gets non-Japanese clientele.

Onsen- I did one at Niwa no Yu, 3*25*1 Koyama, Nerima*ku (Toshimaen Station). Hanging out naked in a hot*tub complex with retirees was fun. You and your wife will stand out a lot.

Shinjiku Garden- Yet another garden. Maybe this one was the pretty one in autumn? I don't remember.

Akihabara*- Browsed massive electronics stores, collections of animated porn comic books, hobby shops with model ships from WWII and arcades. TIP: The stores are vertical. The higher the floor you are, the weirder things get (IE 7th floor of animated porn store is weirder than 2nd floor). This is where you get your stereotypical weird Japan.

Asakusa- Shrines. Check 'em.

Ichiran ramen- If you can fine one, check it out. Pass out after.

Ginza- This is a high-end shopping district. I didn't buy anything, but I did find out that a weird furniture item in my mom's house that she was about to sell is inexplicably worth thousands of dollars in Japan.

Tsukiji fish market- Everyone says get up at 3AM and try to get a spot for the fish auction. Up to you, I was hung over as hell and was also woken-up the night before by an earthquake. So I got there with a friend at 11AM and wandered around. It was still fun. Get lunch at the stalls with fresh fish. Note the canned whale available. It's not good. But the market is fun.

[GGT]

If I could take a trip to Japan......I'd want to visit the places of WWII infamy, like Hiroshima. I'd also like to visit their national museums and gardens. But I'd also want to visit the towns and cities that were wiped out by the most recent tsunami, and see how they've rebuilt.

A trip to Japan is like a trip to Hawaii --- it depends on the island.