Japan

[Gieseler Audio]

Having an amazing time in Japan.

I cannot believe how cheap the food beer & spirits are.

A 750 mil bottle of Jim Bean is $13.33 Aus at the local convenience 711 store

Donto bori was a real buzz

Sensational food plater $8.30 and a big Asahi $3.30

I think I could easily live here.

sightseeing was pretty amazing too.

Went to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo and then Osaka Castle.

It it a dam shame they don’t bring the Toyota Prius to Aus - very swish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 16, 2024 by Gieseler Audio

[pete_mac]

Clay, I’ve just PM’d you - I’m in Japan too  

[klm]

Suntory own Jim Beam hence the cheap local price.
If you are still in Osaka, track down a beer called Osaka Bay Blues, a Belgian white, brewed by the Konishi Brewery. Stunning.

[Gieseler Audio]

Thanks - now in Kyoto 

[klm]

If you have a spare day, consider the Miho Museum, well off the tourist trail, much more spectacular than the bamboo forest which is always crowded with noisey tourists.

[Gieseler Audio]

Hey thanks for the tip. Will check it out.

[klm]

We spend 3-4 weeks in Japan every year for business and pleasure so we tend to skip past the tourist buzz and go for quiet immersions.

Miho will change your life.

[Gieseler Audio]

Wow just checked out the museum 

Looks amazing!

 

 

Edited April 16, 2024 by Gieseler Audio

[klm]

The ticket buying process might appear daunting but it is to control numbers. It’s around 45 minutes by bus One way and the last stop but it is so worth it.

[Hydrology]

1 hour ago, klm said:

Suntory own Jim Beam hence the cheap local price.

 

All the spirits are cheap at the convenience stores, not just JB.

[craka]

Im smiling just reading this,.

Japan is a great place.

 

[Gieseler Audio]

Just divide by 100 for a rough conversion to Aus $

Most of the cans of beer are around $2 - $2.50 even Yebisu

 

 

 

Another very innovative thing I saw in our hotel was a hand basin on top of the toilet cistern - when you flush part of the refilling water is diverted to the hand basin spout - very efficient water usage

 

 

 

Edited April 16, 2024 by Gieseler Audio

[lemarquis]

When I lived in Tokyo I was paying $35 for Laphroaig 10yr, $12 for blends, $50 for a Bordeaux 1er cru 2nd label... Not to mention tobacco...

 

Enjoy Clay!

[Gieseler Audio]

Finally had a good coffee

They were using bottomless portafilters and weighing the grind - nice touch 

Cool looking espresso machine too.

Then I looked up & spotted a tube amplifier

 

 

 

[pete_mac]

56 minutes ago, Gieseler Audio said:

Finally had a good coffee

They were using bottomless portafilters and weighing the grind - nice touch 

Cool looking espresso machine too.

Then I looked up & spotted a tube amplifier

 

 

 

Ah, glad you found them!! We struggled for decent coffee until stumbling upon them. I didn’t spot the amp though - poor form on my part!

[joz]

Of to Japan in October, can hardly wait.

Lots of positive feedback from travelers which is great. 

glad you’re enjoying it

[Bass13]

Some great pictures....

Japan one day, my son wants to go there for the aquascaping, he's really into it.

Gents if you see a Esoteric K-03XD "black" au version, at a reasonable price let me know.

[Mr 57]

Fabulous to see you guys writing about Japan, we are definitely going next year. Covid scuttled it last time. We are off to Vietnam tomorrow. Any tips from there would be good, but please more on Japan

Enjoy you lucky buggers ….please tell us about your flight details if you can , carrier etc and the experience.

 

[YCC]

I'm hoping to get there to see Tower of Power concert in August, thanks for the info! Very interesting indeed.

[Gieseler Audio]

Flew Jetstar    Bris - Narita

About $2k return for both of us which included 14KG carry on luggage.

Small luggage made it easier to get from the airport to hotels etc.

 

Taxis are very reasonable for short trips.

about $15 from Tokyo station to our hotel in Ginza.

 

Brought plenty of cash, but my Suncorp Visa debit card seemed to work fine at most places & almost no fees.

 

The digital Sucia card is a must as you just have it on your phone and then for all the trains/subways you just tap on tap off. 
You can then just top it up via your Apple wallet on your phone.

Subways/trains were a little tricky at first but brilliant when you get to know them and supercheap like a couple of dollars for quite lengthy trips.

Just use Google Maps on your phone and it shows you the various train route options with clear directions.

 

For Internet, phone, Sms etc I brought a Ubigi E sim for about $25  - 10GB data.

When in the hotels with Wi-Fi, it was amazing as I could just call Australian numbers and it was just like I was still there.

SMS worked perfectly too in hotel & on the move.

[Gieseler Audio]

Accommodation can be reasonable depending on the time of the year when you travel - just need to ship around a bit.

We are staying in the Hotel Resol Trinty - Kyoto

Pretty swish & even has in-house free Onsen Baths

Cost was $950 Aus for five nights

 

 

Edited April 18, 2024 by Gieseler Audio

[muon*]

Nice little Bonsai on the partition there, my guess is Elm.

[Gieseler Audio]

Sounds like you are well informed Ian

The trees here are just amazing 

The Mario carts thru Shibuya scramble square was a great site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 18, 2024 by Gieseler Audio

[Misternavi]

Please don't drink Jim Beam in Japan even though it's cheap.  

[Gieseler Audio]

I’m more of a beer fan so loving all the yummy Japanese beers