Catamari's Magnificent Japanese Misadventures

[Catamari]

As some of you may know, I am in Japan. I've been in country for a little under two weeks on a school trip. Today is the last day of the trip, an it is currently 8:30 AM. I will be staying three extra days (leaving on the 29th).

The trip has been a lot of fun, and I think I've learned a lot more about Japan. My speaking skills have improved, too. I don't think I learned any new words, but I've gotten much better at speaking coherently and stringing words together.

I have plans on the 28th, so I will be busy, but today (the 26th) and tomorrow (the 27th) I am free to do as I please.

Does anybody want anything from the Tokyo area? My hotel is near Shiomi-eki, so I can to the Keiyo line to the Yamanote loop and get just about anywhere. I will hit up Akihabara again, so if you guys want anything from there, please let me know. I've bought some stuff for Squiggs and I have a nice surprise for r1ce, but that's it for people on this site, so far. Mayhaps I should get Xard another daki. :3

On Akihabara
To start, I wish I brought my lab coat. I can pull of Kyouma really well. The area is nice, but it is definitely weeaboo heaven. Like holy shit, guys. You don't even understand. There were like six stores, the upper three to five floors of which is absolutely nothing but porn. And those were only the ones I found. On the topic of porn, I knew lolicon existed, but I didn't know it existed in brick ad mortar stores. Goddamn, Japan.

[Gob Hobblin]

Hey, sailor...looking for some 8-inch CMU blocks? Or would you like to cozy on up here to look at this SpecMix Quikrete? We'll take care of all...your...needs.



Japan, that's not...that's not how you sell masonry.

[Squigsquasher]

Have you checked out Mandarake? They have all sorts of awesome stuff in there (even some pre-war stuff if you get really lucky).

[robersora]

If you're into artsy cartoon stuff like hipstery Eva Merch or Yoshitoshi Abe Artbooks or fancy phone cases, look out for Ville Vanguard, I lost like 50 000 Yen there, haha.
That being said, have fun and absolutely visit Tokyo Sky Tree at dusk when there's no clouds. As a foreigner, you can cut the line. Watching the sun set at like 500 Metres above ground while gazing down on Tokyo as night falls and lights pop on is simply breathtaking.

[Sailor Star Dust]

Have you seen any SailorMoon or Eva gashapon in Tokyo? Those are always fun. (If it wouldn't be any trouble, I mean.) Also: Chocobi from Shin-chan is real, isn't it? Zap and I are huge fans of that show (Japanese version). I'm cool with whatever various gashapon though, there is a Sailor Venus transformation pen gashapon (15 CM) I've been eyeing.

Hope to visit Japan someday--though I'd be so screwed regarding food with my gluten intolerance issues.

Oh, have you visited Eva Store or Fujiland Eva World? Thoughts on it?

EDIT: Check your PMs by the way :)

Grr, typos.

[pwhodges]

you can cut the line

I had to look this up to find that it means "jump the queue"...

[UrsusArctos]

I knew lolicon existed, but I didn't know it existed in brick ad mortar stores

Only in Japan...

Well, hopefully you won't run into too many off those things out there. Have fun!

I had to look this up to find that it means "jump the queue"...

According to a Canadian friend of mine, that's a classic case of American vs Commonwealth usage - the quickest way to distinguish a Canadian from an American if they're "waiting in line" is if they talk about the "queue" rather than the "line". And yet, for a country that uses British spelling, grammar and even pre-World War idioms in its English, Indians use "line" far, far more often. It's just one of those unusual little things.

[Catamari]

Damn time differences. Today is likely my last day to pick shit up and Mr. Wallet is starting to hurt. I'll get Eva Gachas and other inexpensive Eva-related things. Then we can hold a little sale on the site for wants what, I suppose. I am on the train going to the MEGA Pokemon store in Ikebukuro, now. I will also grab Pokemon stuff.

I may be able to hit up the Eva store. If I can, I will see what I can get that isn't too wallet-breaking.

Anyone want some hentai? Ikebukuro is only a couple stops fram Akihabara and it is all dirt cheap.

[robersora]

I had to look this up to find that it means "jump the queue"...

Heh, I might have learned British English in school, but the American influence in media is undeniable. I kinda jump back and forth between British and American English, basically creating my own fantasy-language. I like to call it Transatlantian.

Only one day left?! Have fun, there's never enough time left in Tokyo.

[Sailor Star Dust]

Those 2 weeks must have flown by fast, huh?

[TehDonutKing]

Well, hopefully you won't run into too many off those things out there.

Weeeeeaaaaaak.

[Catamari]

The Eva store in Ikebukuro was very disappointing. It was also extraordinarily overpriced. Some Eva pens? ¥1296. Ergo, I didn't buy much. I am heading to Akihabara again to find some Eva Gachapon machines.

[Squigsquasher]

Aww, that sucks. I hope the rest of your trip is more productive.

[Sailor Star Dust]

I've seen the Eva Store prices on Eva Fan and Eva Store websites but damn, that's a lot.

Oh, any pics of your trip??

[drinian]

I am heading to Akihabara again to find some Eva Gachapon machines.

Hopefully you'll have better luck than I did a few months ago. Akiba tends to be very topical. The Anime Center in the UDX building has some stuff targeted at foreign tourists that is a bit more well-rounded (they still have Macross Frontier stuff!)

You might want to check Nakano Broadway if you haven't been there yet. It's an amazing place (and about half an hour on the Chuo express from Akiba).