I live in Japan!

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by imiss

While I've never been there before, I'm sure it can't be worse then any other large metropolis? Can it? Plus if anything, the reason *why* I want to go is specifically for the reason that its so huge. I think a 3 month "trial" wouldn't hurt; I could get a first hand look at it all and decide if its for me...

It`s not worse than any other metropolis. That isn`t what I`m saying. What I am trying to say is that it is sort of like ONLY thinking about New York when the topic of the US comes up. New York is a relatively unique city. It`s New York - it isn`t "The US" although it exists within it`s boundaries. Chances are, if you love New York and want to live there - you`re not going to be too satisfied if you move to some other little town. Just as the same goes the other way - people who hate New York with a passion may just love some little country town.

My personal frustration is that the majority of people who feel that they "love" Japan know pretty much nothing about anywhere other than Tokyo. To them, Tokyo IS Japan. That`s all there is. This becomes pretty clear when you see questions about if there is any nature left in Japan, etc.
Reading stuff written by a chunk of people on these boards, you`d almost think that Harajuku is all there is to Japan.
You hear "I want to live in Tokyo! I want to go see Tokyo!" more than the same phrases with "Japan". And if they do say Japan, the only places they list wanting to see are *drumroll* all parts of Tokyo.

It`s really like someone saying they love the US, but when asked what they want to see on their visit - listing neighborhoods in New York and nothing else. And then asking if there are any places with trees other than central park.

[Henbaka]

I hear ya. But then really the only fault is that people say they love "japan" instead of "Tokyo".. because there's really nothing bad in loving Tokyo, right?

Personally I've only been to Tokyo (and well, the surrounding areas like Saitama etc.). I loved Tokyo. Shinjuku, shibuya, harajuku, yoyogi, akiba, all the parks etc... There's so much to do, so much fun to have. If you don't like large super-cities, then maybe you will hate Tokyo, though.

But now I'm going back to Japan, and I really want to see the rest of the country (thanks for all the help in the 'must-visit places' thread). I can't see all, but I hope I get to go to many places very different from Tokyo (not 'different=better'). However, I still chose to live in Tokyo, because of how much I liked it there.

[rina26]

Originally Posted by Henbaka

I hear ya. But then really the only fault is that people say they love "japan" instead of "Tokyo".. because there's really nothing bad in loving Tokyo, right?

Personally I've only been to Tokyo (and well, the surrounding areas like Saitama etc.). I loved Tokyo. Shinjuku, shibuya, harajuku, yoyogi, akiba, all the parks etc... There's so much to do, so much fun to have. If you don't like large super-cities, then maybe you will hate Tokyo, though.

But now I'm going back to Japan, and I really want to see the rest of the country (thanks for all the help in the 'must-visit places' thread). I can't see all, but I hope I get to go to many places very different from Tokyo (not 'different=better'). However, I still chose to live in Tokyo, because of how much I liked it there.

Yeah, I hate super large cities :P

Well one thing no one ever mentions is when you go to Miyajima...watch out for the deers! They are not afraid of people and will steal from you if you're not careful. I should know, I've had my ice cream cones stolen a couple times. They even have a sign up saying no refunds for eaten tickets.

[Henbaka]

I heard Nara was the deer country? Cool if it's like that in even more places!

[imiss]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

It`s not worse than any other metropolis. That isn`t what I`m saying. What I am trying to say is that it is sort of like ONLY thinking about New York when the topic of the US comes up. New York is a relatively unique city. It`s New York - it isn`t "The US" although it exists within it`s boundaries. Chances are, if you love New York and want to live there - you`re not going to be too satisfied if you move to some other little town. Just as the same goes the other way - people who hate New York with a passion may just love some little country town.

My personal frustration is that the majority of people who feel that they "love" Japan know pretty much nothing about anywhere other than Tokyo. To them, Tokyo IS Japan. That`s all there is. This becomes pretty clear when you see questions about if there is any nature left in Japan, etc.
Reading stuff written by a chunk of people on these boards, you`d almost think that Harajuku is all there is to Japan.
You hear "I want to live in Tokyo! I want to go see Tokyo!" more than the same phrases with "Japan". And if they do say Japan, the only places they list wanting to see are *drumroll* all parts of Tokyo.

It`s really like someone saying they love the US, but when asked what they want to see on their visit - listing neighborhoods in New York and nothing else. And then asking if there are any places with trees other than central park.

no no no, that isn't what I'm saying at all, I really do want to visit other parts of Japan also, but I can't split into 10 parts to go everywhere at once. Just for my first trip I'd like it to be to Tokyo, nothing wrong with that right?

All I need to find now is a place to stay for a few month Must be someone on this forum who lives in Tokyo and could help me...

[imiss]

Originally Posted by rina26

Yeah, I hate super large cities :P

Well one thing no one ever mentions is when you go to Miyajima...watch out for the deers! They are not afraid of people and will steal from you if you're not careful. I should know, I've had my ice cream cones stolen a couple times. They even have a sign up saying no refunds for eaten tickets.

Hahaha, really? Thats awesome, I'll definitely have to go there while I'm in Japan

[Crea]

Originally Posted by imiss

Just for my first trip I'd like it to be to Tokyo, nothing wrong with that right?

All I need to find now is a place to stay for a few month Must be someone on this forum who lives in Tokyo and could help me...

Everyone's experiences and opinions about Tokyo are going to differ depending on what you're looking for/what you're doing there/the resources you have/the people you know, etc.

Without letting any of the praise or bashing get to you, the best way would be of course to visit a range of areas in Japan, if you have the resources to do so that is.

So yeah, there's definitely nothing wrong with visiting Tokyo first, as long as you keep Nyororin's and many others' words in mind that Tokyo doesn't equal Japan. And from the looks of it, you seem to understand that well enough.

And so I hope you enjoy Tokyo, because I absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, I can't help out with the housing situation since I'll be in a dorm, but good luck!

[Henbaka]

Originally Posted by imiss

no no no, that isn't what I'm saying at all, I really do want to visit other parts of Japan also, but I can't split into 10 parts to go everywhere at once. Just for my first trip I'd like it to be to Tokyo, nothing wrong with that right?

All I need to find now is a place to stay for a few month Must be someone on this forum who lives in Tokyo and could help me...

Search around for guesthouses is my best advice. Google for 'sakura guesthouse', 'tohto guesthouse', and well just 'guesthouse tokyo'... And you will get alot of suggestions as where you could live for a few months without having to pay out your behind too much

[samurai007]

Originally Posted by Henbaka

I heard Nara was the deer country? Cool if it's like that in even more places!

Nara Park and Miyajima Island are the only 2 places I know of with deer freely roaming in public. (Miyajima also has monkeys). I made sure not to take out any food (or anything they might think vaguely resembles food) unless I meant to feed the deer there. They are happy to be fed, but they don't like it (or believe it) when the food runs out! They are sure you must still be hiding more of it somewhere, and will check you out to be sure. The best way to get out of that is to be near other people who still have food, as the deer will then go for the easy score. If not, they might nip at you a little bit, grab your jacket, etc, till they realize you aren't holding out on them.

[rina26]

Originally Posted by samurai007

Nara Park and Miyajima Island are the only 2 places I know of with deer freely roaming in public. (Miyajima also has monkeys). I made sure not to take out any food (or anything they might think vaguely resembles food) unless I meant to feed the deer there. They are happy to be fed, but they don't like it (or believe it) when the food runs out! They are sure you must still be hiding more of it somewhere, and will check you out to be sure. The best way to get out of that is to be near other people who still have food, as the deer will then go for the easy score. If not, they might nip at you a little bit, grab your jacket, etc, till they realize you aren't holding out on them.

Yup. Imagine me, at 9 years old, running around like a chicken with its head cut off with 2 deers chasing me wanting my ice cream. They won eventually. Ever since then I refuse to eat food outside.