Hi Again Jordan,

It's confirmed I'll be taking another trip to Japan. I'll only be there for 4 days 6/1 to 6/4, and trying to plan out what I should do while I'm there. I'm going with my brother, who has never been, so a handful of sites I know I'll take him to. However, I'm trying to figure where I didn't go during my first trip that I'm hoping to get to.

I'll be based in Yokohama or Tokyo. Doubt I have time to venture too far out. I'm drawing blanks looking for a new place I didn't' go to, however, I am very interested in going to watch a small concert (I listen to a ton of jpop and it seems that there are so very many little concerts that are constantly happening.) I'm not looking for big names, so hopefully that makes it easier to find, but I have no clue where to watch something like this, how much it would cost, how far in advance I would need to get tickets, and how to get tickets themselves. Also not sure if my basic Japanese would be sufficient to navigate my way to getting tickets.

One last question would be what is your favorites spot(s) or must go spots in the Tokyo area?

David

I don't know much about getting tickets to concerts, but I do know a bit about the Tokyo Area. There is plenty to do in just Tokyo for several days. I'd recommend you definitely hit up Shinjuku and Akihabara for walking around/shopping. There's also the Tokyo Tower; a trip to Tokyo isn't complete without it. I also enjoyed Harajuku; some of Japan's 'fashion' is.... interesting. Yes... interesting. You can also swing by the Fuji Television Building. It's some of the most interesting architecture I've ever seen.

As far as going outside Tokyo, you should hit up the Nikko Shrine. I'd love to have gone to it, and if you have time, you can do some hiking around Mt Fuji. If you get a chance, climbing it is an amazing trip, and I'd definitely recommend it assuming you go in climbing season.

I'd toss out some other suggestions, but my travel guide is packed in a box somewhere. I have the DK travel series book for Japan, and I'd strongly recommend picking it up. It has tons of good info for Tokyo and the surrounding area.

Hope this helps!

Jordan, Howslife? Everything okay?

Yes, I can write short mails, but I always feel kind of guilty doing it. I always take care when writing mails or even posting things on message boards. It's also what I like to see myself: when somebody writes to me - or posting a reply in your case, I'd like to see a long reply. It feels like somebody really cares when they do. I don't talk much in real life, but when writing I feel like I can express myself better - I think because there's more time to think and nobody to interrupt. It's not often people like that - I get mostly ignored because my posts (or sometimes even mails) are too long, but I am really glad that you always have great replies! I don't have a nice story like Nour has, but it's great to write to this column! This is probably my only posting-spot (if that's a word) on the Internet!

About that e-mail you got that had a reply on my mail (he/she didn't have his/her name under it), I certainly didn't mean it like that. I actually can't see how it could be meant like that, except for that girls like to TRY those games. But then again, English isn't my native language, so I don't know. The reason I said music and puzzle games is because those are two of my favorite genres of gaming (together with shmups and other arcade-like games). I play them a lot (or actually used to, now I don't have that much time) and that's why I know. Whenever a girl's coming over, or my little and/or big sister watches me play a music or puzzle game there's more chance of them trying it - and even end up liking it. I guess it also intrigues women more in trying those devices (PnM-controller, GF-guitar, KR-microphone, etc.) whereas guys think it's rather silly. Well, until you've convinced them to try once, and then they're hooked!

I actually have almost every Bemani-game + controller (no ASC though). I'm only missing the last IIDX, PnM because of money. And I really want the new Drummania/Guitar Freaks V, because that's my favorite (I prefer rock and and also play a little drums and guitar myself).

I was actually hoping for a story from you where you confused a sentence because there weren't spaces at all. Does that ever happen? Like when you don't know whether one character belongs to which part of the sentence? But I guess it's easier to separate words when there are 3 (or 4 with romaji) different writing systems. I should actually read more about the writing systems!

There was actually this top 100 lately of videogames that the Japanese preferred/liked/favorites here to answer the question of Joanna. I have no idea how reliable it is, but it was conducted by Famitsu - the most-respected videogame magazine (or so they say). It's funny to see how FFVI is quite low, while it's praised by many most Western gamers as the best FF. It's not my favorite either though or even close, but that's just me...

The reason I wrote so little last week was because I was editing a AMV (Anime Music Video for those not familiar) and only had 10 hours of sleep in 3 nights and about 50 hours of editing in 3 days. It was my first and I'm totally not in that scene (it seems there is some sort of a scene) - mostly because of the spoilers, but I was entering for a contest for an anime convention here in the Netherlands - Animecon 2006 (Nour, you're going too?). It's actually the first one I'm going and am going because my cousin and my little sister are going too and it seems like fun to visit it once (and see my AMV on a big screen!). So have you visited one once? What is it like? And have you ever been to one in Japan and if so, what are the differences? I heard there are quite a lot in the USA, right? Are there differences, like ones that focus on certain types of anime (mecha, shoujo, etc.) or ones for doujinshi-artists, cosplayers, etc.?

If somebody else want to tell about their experiences of anime conventions (or can send links to articles and such), I'd like to hear about it too (sorry if this sounds like a hijack!), especially the Dutch ones. The convention here in The Netherlands is quite tight in their rules, you can't bring food, drinks, bags, take pictures, use a mobile phone, etc. I hope food isn't too expensive and that's it's big enough (it's 3 days). But it's not until in July (I have to update my knowledge about anime and of course watch some more anime)!

Well, I think that's it, enough written for this time! Thanks for your reply and until next week!

Douggie

PS. I hope you're posting the great news about SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters for the DS that's going to be released in both Japanese and English!

PS.2. If gashappon-games cost 200 yen, how much are the UFO Catchers? Have you ever seen an empty UFO Catcher machine?

"We all know that birds fly, but now can you tell me where they are actually flying to??"

I don't mind that you write long letters. It shows that you care enough to type a lot, and I generally have time to reply.

I can see what you meant in your previous letter, but I do think you might have struck a nerve. Girls are often stereotyped as non-gamers, or even if they DO play games, they aren't seen as serious or challenging players. That said, music and puzzle games ARE a lot of fun, and I do see a lot of girls playing them. In fact, I met my wife through DDR. DDR is also one of the few games I know that is truly split pretty evenly.

If you wanted a story about me having trouble reading Japanese, you should have asked for one. When I was in university, we had to read a children's book. You'd think for a fourth semester Japanese student, it'd be pretty simple, but I had trouble identifying where the particles were. But after a while, I DID get the hang of it. While I know that's not a humorous story or anything, it is a true story, so I suppose you should take it for what it's worth.

As for the list of the top 100 games, I find it a bit odd. Granted, it WAS done by Famitsu, but the list is dominated by new games. The fact that it was topped by a Final Fantasy seems strange too. It almost seems more like a list of the 100 most recent games. I suppose there is some merit in it, but I dunno.

Since you mention Anime conventions, I've been to several. I really enjoy anime, and I enjoy the subculture enough to go to the conventions. If you can't tell by my sig, I love Gundam and most anything mecha. But really, I watch just about anything. I'm not picky when it comes to TV in general.

Sorry this feels a bit rushed. I'm not running out of time, but at the same time, I don't have loads of it. I didn't sleep well last night, and there's still a lot to do. But before I go, I was only kidding about gashappon games. Gashappon cost either 100, 200, or 300 yen, and UFO catcher games are usually 100 yen a play, but I do believe I've seen 200 yen games. As for seeing them empty, it's not a common sight. They generally put a few things in them and restock as prizes are won instead of putting 108998797 little prizes in.

Thanks for writing in once again!

Hi there sensei,

I think that tame was in the sentence last time...oh well, maybe not ;) This time i don't have the time to ask many questions. In Holland we have a vacation now for a week (yay!)

Yesterday i bought the lovely dvd of FF7AC. I didn't watch the second dvd, but the first dvd contained a nice extra: All the important story of FF7 in Japanese (subtitled of course)! I like it that way to train myself a bit. So, did you watch the movie and like it? I remember once you said (when you were in Japan)that you were going to wait for the US version because it's much cheaper and with subtitles. I found it great (AAA), but i would have liked it more if there were a bit more story and the characters would come more often (like Barret etc.).

Also what do you think of OSTs of games like FF? Do you own any game music?

Next time my letter will be a bit longer. And of course you deserve a bit of nice words after all that hard work :)

Love,

Nour

I picked up Final Fantasy Advent Children a couple days after it came out in the US, and I greatly enjoyed it. I liked the movie back when it came out in Japan, and I was looking forward to an official translation. Though I will admit, I do prefer the translation I found online, I DO like being able to put the DVD in my up-convert DVD player. It looked SO nice in 1080i. I'm glad it ended up well for S-E. AC COULD have been another Spirits Within.

As for game music, I have several soundtracks. I am a huge fan of the Final Fantasy OSTs, and I'll listen to most anything by Mitsuda. I also enjoy music from Wild Arms. On the non-RPG front, I have the entire soundtrack to Dance Dance Revolution up to Extreme for the arcade. I'm a DDR nut, and I can sing almost any DDR song as the E3 away team found out. I got my share of stares for bouncing and singing along to Bumble Bee...

I hope you enjoyed your vacation week. I've not had work in a while, but I've been plenty busy. Take care and send me another letter for next week!

Konnichiwa, J-san, a nice, quick question for you. We talk about Japanese RPGs making it to the U.S. However, I've often wondered how American-produced RPGs, such as Baldur's Gate, Fallout and most recently Oblivion are perceived in Japan. I don't know if any of them have been released there; with the X360 available in Japan, though, Oblivion at least would have a platform for release beyond the PC (which I know isn't an extremely popular platform for gaming in Japan currently.) So I was wondering: are there many fans of such games in Japan? Do they "import" like many fans of "lost games" in the U.S. do?

Thanks for the answers!

- SpaceDrake

I think games of that sort DO have a following in Japan, but it's a smallish sector of the gaming whole. But considering that few games are US exclusive, I don't think there'd be that much need to import from here. That said, I'm sure there are a few people that have done it. With 120,000,000 people, it's bound to have happened at least once, right?

Thanks for the letter!

Dear Sensei,

I know I haven't written in a while, but I haven't had any questions. . . Till now. I've gone to Japan once, but I stayed in western style hotels. I still think it was a great experience, but most everyone I hear from (including you) claims that going to a ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel) is what you should do.

I'm not totally fluent in Japanese; I barely knew enough to get around. I've also heard that there are a bunch of customs regarding bathing and such that one should know before going there.

Do you think it's worth it to go the a ryokan without being 100% fluent? Or even if you can speak, but don't know the customs?

Thanks for the advice,

Nick

PS. Unfortunately, I'm not getting Metroid Prime Hunters, because I need to save for all the amazing games coming out around Q3 this year (have you noticed how many there are? Between Rogue Galaxy, Tales of the Abyss, Okami, and of course FF XII, I'm gonna go broke!), but I do have Mario Kart. If you remind me of your friend code, and give a time (Pacific Standard) maybe we can race.

PPS. I've heard various things about E3. I've never been there myself, but I want to. However I'm not entirely clear on what you have to do to get in. Is it only members of the press and industry? Over 18 years old? Just pay to get in? It'd be cool to have that clarified. Thanks again!

Ryokan are really, really cool, but they are generally more expensive. If you've got the cash, definitely hit them up. It's worth it just for the experience, and if it's a ryokan that serves dinner, it'll be worth it for that alone. I wouldn't worry too much about not knowing customs. When in doubt, google for them and get a rough idea before you go. But mainly, I just did what everyone else seemed to be doing. When in Rome...

As for fall, it will be VERY expensive. Several good games, the PS3, AND the Wii all hit in a short time span. I've never dropped over 1000 on games before, but I can see that happening very easily. I will be so poor, but such is life. It'll be a lot of fun to play all that stuff. Now I just have to have time to actually PLAY the games. Here's hoping for that.

Thanks for the letter, and take a look below for the E3 question. I'll see if I can set up some MK in the near future, but I dunno. I've not had much free time these days.

Hi, Im a long time reader and this is my first email. I noticed that you mentioned that you were going to E3 but isn't E3 closed to the public? I would like to go to E3 one day and would like to know how. Anyway, I hope that you have a great time at E3!

Matthew

E3 is primarily only open to members of the industry like the press, the exhibitors, and employees of exhibitors. At the show, about 30-40% are press. I'd say another 10% or so are exhibitors, and about 50% are exhibits only people. These guys are employees and are really lucky to be there. There is one other category of person. Some people buy their way in with what's called a Super Pass. It's almost as powerful as a press pass, but it costs around 700 dollars per day. The other badges are free, I think.

As for me, I had a GREAT time at E3. I can't wait to go again next year. Thanks for writing!