Japan

[steezenking]

Sup Slap Crew, long time reader first time commenter.

Heading to Tokyo on Thursday and staying for a couple weeks. Been a couple times before so got a general idea but first time I’m gonna put time in to try and skate. Gonna be staying by Asakusa station and heard the endless bank spot is by there? But by god I can’t find it anywhere. Any recommendations for mellow street spots (low kick out chance/small spots) or a recommendation to your fave park that isn’t a hour and a half away.

If any skate events are going on that would be rad!

https://goo.gl/maps/BVEo6voK72bVqXPYA is probably what youre looking for. it is this spot https://youtu.be/eE_j5TAhxeg?si=iBVLyoLr7Y4cYdmu&t=145

[concerned_parent]

is the rail pass worth it if i plan on going in October (yes I will buy it this month before the rate goes up) if we plan on taking trips from Tokyo out to Osaka / Kyoto / Hokkaido?

[shut_up_jesus]

https://goo.gl/maps/BVEo6voK72bVqXPYA is probably what youre looking for. it is this spot https://youtu.be/eE_j5TAhxeg?si=iBVLyoLr7Y4cYdmu&t=145
[/quote]

That’s exactly it, appreciate it G! Spot looks fun and quiet.

[Pbn_jake]

is the rail pass worth it if i plan on going in October (yes I will buy it this month before the rate goes up) if we plan on taking trips from Tokyo out to Osaka / Kyoto / Hokkaido?

Absolutely

[concerned_parent]

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I'm thinking of visiting in October. What should I expect when I get there? I have never travel before, so I am researching as much as possible. And want to get the most up to date information for other people who live/travel there recently. Any help would be appreciated. I know I could go through the pages read these, but I kind of have a lot of questions. Sorry in advance everyone. And thank you very much!

[close]

"What to expect" is a pretty broad question. What do you like/want to do? Do you want to travel around the country? Are there specific things you are nervous about? You can expect nothing bad to happen. Getting on the wrong train is probably the worst thing that happened to me in the year I lived there.

same kind of question here - doing Tokyo -> Hokkaido -> Tokyo -> Nikko -> Osaka -> Kyoto -> Maybe Hiroshima -> Okinawa.

does that order make sense with traveling by rail? mostly interested in cool museums, good food, beer related shenanigans (breweries), vintage shopping, jazz, record stores, good sightseeing.

If anyone has any recommendations in those places of things to do it would be greatly appreciated!

[steezenking]

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I'm thinking of visiting in October. What should I expect when I get there? I have never travel before, so I am researching as much as possible. And want to get the most up to date information for other people who live/travel there recently. Any help would be appreciated. I know I could go through the pages read these, but I kind of have a lot of questions. Sorry in advance everyone. And thank you very much!

[close]

"What to expect" is a pretty broad question. What do you like/want to do? Do you want to travel around the country? Are there specific things you are nervous about? You can expect nothing bad to happen. Getting on the wrong train is probably the worst thing that happened to me in the year I lived there.

[close]

same kind of question here - doing Tokyo -> Hokkaido -> Tokyo -> Nikko -> Osaka -> Kyoto -> Maybe Hiroshima -> Okinawa.

does that order make sense with traveling by rail? mostly interested in cool museums, good food, beer related shenanigans (breweries), vintage shopping, jazz, record stores, good sightseeing.

If anyone has any recommendations in those places of things to do it would be greatly appreciated!

My recommendations for Tokyo

Food:
La Jolla in Hirro: Awesome Mexican food. Chicken quesadilla was my jam

Sitara in sakurashinmachi: Indian. When I return to Tokyo, this is the first place I'm going.

Sushi: my favorite was CHOJIRO in Futakotamagawa. Or for the novelty find a conveyor belt sushi place. First place I went to was sushiro in shibuya.

sweets: BAKE the SHOP Jiyūgaoka Store(little mini cheesecakes), mister doughnut

7-11: legit has good food. Kirin Straight tea is my favorite drink in the world. Also get 7-11 prepackaged pancakes. As a matter of fact, if you bring some back and ship them to me, i'll pay a very fair fee lol.

Stuff and things:


Check out teamlabs. https://www.teamlab.art/e/planets/

If you've ever seen lost in translation, The New York Bar has live jazz every night.

Tokyo has great secondhand stores. Check out mode off, hard off, book off

Don Quijote: just a random giant store with everything. Also has an annoying theme song that will get stuck in your head.

Ueno park: zoo, Tokyo National Museum and other museums, shopping, giant porn theater if you're feeling adventurous

akihabara: probably find a used vx1000

If you have the time, just walking around the more famous places ( shibuya, harajuku) is kinda fun

Skate stuff:

I lived 10 minutes from Komazawa skatepark so I basically only skate there and the skatepark in setagaya park. Neither particularly "good"

Stormy skateshop in Shibuya is where I would buy shit.

If you want to do little day trips out of toyko:

Hitachi seaside park: flowers. Think there is a train directly there now but I had to take a bus

Kamakura: sweet, small city on the coast.

If you are into cars, you can rent sweet JDM cars and drive through the mountains.


Kiyoto and Osaka: I only was there for like 5 days so just did all the tourist shit, which was nice.

[YawnJawns]

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I'm thinking of visiting in October. What should I expect when I get there? I have never travel before, so I am researching as much as possible. And want to get the most up to date information for other people who live/travel there recently. Any help would be appreciated. I know I could go through the pages read these, but I kind of have a lot of questions. Sorry in advance everyone. And thank you very much!

[close]

"What to expect" is a pretty broad question. What do you like/want to do? Do you want to travel around the country? Are there specific things you are nervous about? You can expect nothing bad to happen. Getting on the wrong train is probably the worst thing that happened to me in the year I lived there.

[close]

same kind of question here - doing Tokyo -> Hokkaido -> Tokyo -> Nikko -> Osaka -> Kyoto -> Maybe Hiroshima -> Okinawa.

does that order make sense with traveling by rail? mostly interested in cool museums, good food, beer related shenanigans (breweries), vintage shopping, jazz, record stores, good sightseeing.

If anyone has any recommendations in those places of things to do it would be greatly appreciated!

[close]

My recommendations for Tokyo


If you are into cars, you can rent sweet JDM cars and drive through the mountains.

More info please? Im going in OCT and would like to know further details

[steezenking]

https://fun2drive-japan.com/

They meet you near Mount Fuji and basically guide you through the best roads. But from the looks of it you're paying a lot for not a lot of driving.

https://www.omoren.com/en/

You just rent a car and can do whatever you want. But you have to get out of Tokyo which is a little daunting. But price is better.  Like 300 bucks for R-34 skyline for 24 hours

[YawnJawns]

https://fun2drive-japan.com/

They meet you near Mount Fuji and basically guide you through the best roads. But from the looks of it you're paying a lot for not a lot of driving.

https://www.omoren.com/en/

You just rent a car and can do whatever you want. But you have to get out of Tokyo which is a little daunting. But price is better.  Like 300 bucks for R-34 skyline for 24 hours

Sweet, thanks for the links.
Id be down for manuals but def not used to shifting with left hand... Sucks but would have to stick with the auto route if I were to do this.

[phil040]

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Supposed to be leaving for my trip in two weeks but last month my sciatica issues returned after being in bed with the flu for a week. I've been down and out and didn't really prepare at all language wise since in my head I was going to cancel the trip but fuck it imma go. How screwed am I? I usually always prepare for a month basic survival vocabulary so this is the first time I'm going in reasonably blind.

[close]

I’m going in October and I’m shitting bricks…. I don’t even know why. Over thinking i guess. Worried I’ll mess something up. But it’s a vacation! Gotta enjoy it. Hope you feel better and have a blast, man.

Yo @BallDontLie I'm in Japan too in October (5th to 24th). Hit me up if you wanna hang out and skate. (Everybody else too of course!)
I'm staying a couple of days in Tokyo then going to Osaka and Kyoto. And then a couple of more days in Tokyo. My plan is to do some sightseeing during the day and skate/beers in the evening.
Also I'm considering to go to Kappunk punk festival a day or two. It's happening from Oct 7th to 9th.
https://www.kappunk.com/index2.html

Cheers

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

Descendents are also touring Japan atm if you’re interested?

[phil040]

Descendents are also touring Japan atm if you’re interested?

Sick! Just checked the tour but Tokyo is already sold out. That would’ve been the only fitting dates.

Do you have any other recommendations for venues?

Also I read loads of your posts in this and the Osaka/Kyoto topic. Was wondering if the spots to meet other skaters are still the same?

Also do you wanna hang out haha?

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

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Descendents are also touring Japan atm if you’re interested?

[close]

Sick! Just checked the tour but Tokyo is already sold out. That would’ve been the only fitting dates.

Do you have any other recommendations for venues?

Also I read loads of your posts in this and the Osaka/Kyoto topic. Was wondering if the spots to meet other skaters are still the same?

Also do you wanna hang out haha?

man I’m in Kyushu, you should head to Fukuoka! I’m headed to the Hiroshima descendents show next Tuesday night.

Don’t really see to many gigs down my way, but antiknock in Shinjuku was a really cool gig space 20 or so years ago … damn, I’m old!

[disclosed]

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Descendents are also touring Japan atm if you’re interested?

[close]

Sick! Just checked the tour but Tokyo is already sold out. That would’ve been the only fitting dates.

Do you have any other recommendations for venues?

Also I read loads of your posts in this and the Osaka/Kyoto topic. Was wondering if the spots to meet other skaters are still the same?

Also do you wanna hang out haha?

recomended venues to check for punk and metal shows in Tokyo are:
Shinjuku Earthdom
Shinjuku Antiknock (like mentioned above)
Shibuya Cyclone
Hatsudai Wall
Nishi-ogikubo Pit Bar
Nakano Moonstep
Koenji Studio Dom
Koiwa Bush Bash
Shimo-Kitazawa Shelter
Waseda Zone B

also El Puente in Yokohama (30 minute trainride from tokyo but one of the best venues)

Osaka:
King Cobra (right next to Triangle park, Osaka daggers hangout)
Socore Factory
Namba Bears

Kyoto:
Socrates


i used to go to Kappunk way back, before the festival quit in 2017. they came back a fiew years later but my friends who were part of the organizing got into a fight with the others and distanced themselfves from the festival. havn't been to any of the new editions.

funny to see Melon Bataka a Go Go is preforming there again. to me day 1 has the best lineup in general, if you going don't miss out on that day.
some of the members of Oledickfoggy who play the 3th day skate too. one of them runs a skateshop in Harajuku called Golden Age. speaks fluent english and is super chill.

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

Oh El Puente, I forgot about that place! Also has awesome DIY craft beer too (that you can drink while listening to Powerviolence)

[phil040]

Awesome! Thanks for all the tips guys!

How's is night life in general? What's a good time to go to those venues? And do trains go all night long?

i used to go to Kappunk way back, before the festival quit in 2017. they came back a fiew years later but my friends who were part of the organizing got into a fight with the others and distanced themselfves from the festival. havn't been to any of the new editions.

funny to see Melon Bataka a Go Go is preforming there again. to me day 1 has the best lineup in general, if you going don't miss out on that day.
some of the members of Oledickfoggy who play the 3th day skate too. one of them runs a skateshop in Harajuku called Golden Age. speaks fluent english and is super chill.

Day 1 was also my favorite. Any chance you go there this year?

man I’m in Kyushu, you should head to Fukuoka! I’m headed to the Hiroshima descendents show next Tuesday night.

Don’t really see to many gigs down my way, but antiknock in Shinjuku was a really cool gig space 20 or so years ago … damn, I’m old!

Fukuoka wasn't really on my list but I'll let you know if I go there. Would be between 12th and 19th.

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

↑ might be difficult to do Fukuoka cuz I’m already bailing on the fam on a solo mission to see the descendents.
Are you bringing your board? Might DM you with an idea …

[phil040]

↑ might be difficult to do Fukuoka cuz I’m already bailing on the fam on a solo mission to see the descendents.
Are you bringing your board? Might DM you with an idea …

For sure! I dm'ed you.

[BallDontLie]

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Descendents are also touring Japan atm if you’re interested?

[close]

Sick! Just checked the tour but Tokyo is already sold out. That would’ve been the only fitting dates.

Do you have any other recommendations for venues?

Also I read loads of your posts in this and the Osaka/Kyoto topic. Was wondering if the spots to meet other skaters are still the same?

Also do you wanna hang out haha?

[close]

recomended venues to check for punk and metal shows in Tokyo are:
Shinjuku Earthdom
Shinjuku Antiknock (like mentioned above)
Shibuya Cyclone
Hatsudai Wall
Nishi-ogikubo Pit Bar
Nakano Moonstep
Koenji Studio Dom
Koiwa Bush Bash
Shimo-Kitazawa Shelter
Waseda Zone B

also El Puente in Yokohama (30 minute trainride from tokyo but one of the best venues)

Osaka:
King Cobra (right next to Triangle park, Osaka daggers hangout)
Socore Factory
Namba Bears

Kyoto:
Socrates


i used to go to Kappunk way back, before the festival quit in 2017. they came back a fiew years later but my friends who were part of the organizing got into a fight with the others and distanced themselfves from the festival. havn't been to any of the new editions.

funny to see Melon Bataka a Go Go is preforming there again. to me day 1 has the best lineup in general, if you going don't miss out on that day.
some of the members of Oledickfoggy who play the 3th day skate too. one of them runs a skateshop in Harajuku called Golden Age. speaks fluent english and is super chill.

Oh man thank you for this…. I’ll be in Shinjuku in a few weeks wanted to catch a show or two.. found one at the antiknock

[disclosed]

Day 1 was also my favorite. Any chance you go there this year?

late reply as its already over by now. but i dont live in japan at all, so it wasnt even an option to go.
i just visited many times. i actually started visiting purely for the music scene 8 years ago, but these days its also about meeting friends again and ofcourse trying to get a skate session or 2.

Oh man thank you for this…. I’ll be in Shinjuku in a few weeks wanted to catch a show or two.. found one at the antiknock

cool, have fun!
allways stay alert on those venues schedules. tons of gigs get get announced very last minute.

[BallDontLie]

First morning here, we’re right near this music hall, Sun Face? Looks pretty sick to catch a show. Already loving it…

[phil040]

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Day 1 was also my favorite. Any chance you go there this year?

[close]

late reply as its already over by now. but i dont live in japan at all, so it wasnt even an option to go.
i just visited many times. i actually started visiting purely for the music scene 8 years ago, but these days its also about meeting friends again and ofcourse trying to get a skate session or 2.

Ah, I didn't know. But all good. I had a fun night there and a great time in Japan. Back in Germany now.

[boofactory]

Hey pals, going to in Kiyosumi Shirakawa area with some friends in April. Can anyone give me some spot recommendations in or around Tokyo? Really excited and just trying to get a plan put together to max out our time there. Thank you in advance!

[disclosed]

i'll be back in Tokyo in march this year. now i can't really decide if i'll get a railpass this time since the big pricehike..
i gotta visit Osaka, but just going up and down there once i wouln't need a railpass.
plane tickets were still expensive as fuck. wish they wouldve been back or atleast closer to pre-covid prices already.

[Carrolls Chesthairs]

2nd time going out there this upcoming July.
What’s good

[steezenking]

Finally returning march 3rd-16. Probably going to bring my trucks and buy a deck there. If anyone wants to skate. When I lived there in 2019, didn't really have much money so it will be nice to experience the city now that that isn't a concern lol.

[disclosed]

Finally returning march 3rd-16. Probably going to bring my trucks and buy a deck there. If anyone wants to skate. When I lived there in 2019, didn't really have much money so it will be nice to experience the city now that that isn't a concern lol.

enjoy your trip man. same time as me.
i also tought of buying a deck there since i figured out getting Blast decks in Japan is about the same price as Europe, but without having to pay shipping.

[TwisT]

I was in tokyo and Kyoto last back in november. Cancelled our Osaka leg of the trip to go to Korea. (regret it, only because I wanted to visit the daggers)

Have fun. Japan was awesome

[concerned_parent]

if you go to Sapporo go to People Skateshop on your way to the Sapporo Beer Garden. It's a hybrid skate shop, record shop, and taco spot (aka heaven)

Mortar skateshop in Tokyo is real phenomenal - picked up an evisen bag that I use every day now

[Donatello]

If you visit Yokohama (which you definitely should) the best parks are Nissan stadium near Shin-Yokohama (gin woos home spot, among others) and Umikaze in Yokosuka (the Hongo Bros, Ryuhei Kitazuma, etc.).  Blaze Pipe (head shop) has a fun mini ramp. Best skate shop probably is Laquer, next to Kannai station.