Anyone been to Japan or Thailand?

[kali o.]

I am taking off to one of those places early to mid November (Oasis Air has a new special that has me going business class to Hong Kong for just $749 for both ways, so that's my hub).

I figured Thailand or Japan would be the places I'd prefer to hit from there...but I'd be open to suggestions.

Anyone have any 1st hand suggestions about either?

[Blotus]

Double wrap it if you're taking a shot at one of those Thai whores.

[SineSwiper]

Knowing a person going to Thailand, don't use your card there. Just use cash. Some people are known to either double/triple swipe your card, or just swipe the card in a card reader for later use.

That's not to say that Thailand is a bad place, but be wary of thieves.

[kali o.]

heh...kk. So double wrap the twinkie and pay the whores in cash. Gotcha. I was more looking for sites/nightclub/hotel recommendations - but good advice nonetheless!

Besides Ish's eventual "check for an adam's apple" comment, anything else...as my sole plan so far is 1) Go to Tokyo and 2) Go to Bangkok

[Nev]

I have a friend who spent three years in Japan as an English teacher...

...if you'd like me to get in touch with him, let me know. He will know something about nightlife, I'm sure.

As far as Thailand goes, my only experience with that involves being in a 12-step sex addiction meeting room and hearing someone go "I just got back from Thailand last night, and I'd really appreciate it if someone could talk with me after the meeting."

...I am sure there is a non-crazy-sex version of the experience if you would like to find it while in Siam, but I cannot provide you with anecdotes that way. But let me know if I should contact my friend.

[bovine]

my sole plan so far is 1) Go to Tokyo and 2) Go to Bangkok

business or pleasure?

[Ishamael]

Check for the...street...signs. They can be..err, confusing.

*ahem*

I resent your pathetic attempt at predicting the obvious cheap joke from my corner. Clearly, I'm not quite as predictable as you've led yourself to believe.

[kali o.]

I have a friend who spent three years in Japan as an English teacher...

...if you'd like me to get in touch with him, let me know. He will know something about nightlife, I'm sure.

Nah, don't go outta yer way. But if it comes out in conversation, for sure - lemme know. Mainly, I'd be curious about the following:

- cool shit to do
- best area/hotel

business or pleasure?

Pleasure.

Check for the...street...signs. They can be..err, confusing.

*ahem*

I resent your pathetic attempt at predicting the obvious cheap joke from my corner. Clearly, I'm not quite as predictable as you've led yourself to believe.

All I was really doing was trying to inspire ya. After all, Japan is home to some of the best fetishes (latex doll sex hotels anyone) - all ripe material. I didn't want you to take the lazy route.

[Zeus]

Is it just Tokyo you want to go to? Haven't done a ton of research on it, but I've heard that the countryside of Japan is awesome. Very mountainous and beautiful and tons of trains to take you everywhere including those bullet trains. You might wanna consider a day excursion where you can see the horizon and smell the non-polluted air.

There's also Kyoto and Osaka which aren't too far by train from what I can tell.

My wife and I are thinking of heading to Japan next year and I would likely spend a day at least out in the countryside.

Of course, don't forget to go to the electronics district in Tokyo. Can't remember how it's spelled. Akihinbara or something like that. And if you're going at the right time, hit the TGS. It's open to the public.

[Julius Seeker]

I haven't been to Thailand, but I have been to both Japan and China multiple times. I'd recommend either. China is a great place to go for products at a low expense; you can get a silk shirt for 30-40 bucks. DVDs are also dirt cheap, 1-2 dollars.

[Zeus]

I haven't been to Thailand, but I have been to both Japan and China multiple times. I'd recommend either. China is a great place to go for products at a low expense; you can get a silk shirt for 30-40 bucks. DVDs are also dirt cheap, 1-2 dollars.

$30-40? For what, the factory?

[Nev]

I haven't been to Thailand, but I have been to both Japan and China multiple times. I'd recommend either. China is a great place to go for products at a low expense; you can get a silk shirt for 30-40 bucks. DVDs are also dirt cheap, 1-2 dollars.

Don't fly all the way to China for pirated $1 Chinese DVDs. For the love of God, now. I can get that shit downtown and occasionally in front of my neighborhood market these days depending on who's there.

[RentCavalier]

Bone up on your Japanese language skills. The written word's not as complicated as it looks. A few weeks memorization should get you a basic working on the important symbols.

I'm taking a college course on it that's just fucking brutal. Two hours or more of sheer study time.

[SineSwiper]

Watch Anthony Bordain's episodes on Thailand and Japan. Seriously.

Also, Osaka is where it's at for the best place in Japan for food.

[Julius Seeker]

I haven't been to Thailand, but I have been to both Japan and China multiple times. I'd recommend either. China is a great place to go for products at a low expense; you can get a silk shirt for 30-40 bucks. DVDs are also dirt cheap, 1-2 dollars.

Don't fly all the way to China for pirated $1 Chinese DVDs. For the love of God, now. I can get that shit downtown and occasionally in front of my neighborhood market these days depending on who's there.

Well that wouldn't be the only reason to go, the service you can get there is incredible for the price. It's also a lot cheaper to go to Beijing than it is to Tokyo.

[RentCavalier]

, and remember to watch your pitch when saying Japanese words. Saying one word in a high pitch can make it a totally different word, and you may offend somebody if you aren't careful

[Oracle]

Not going to mainland China at all?

[kali o.]

Not going to mainland China at all?

I'm gonna straight out admit racism here. While I have asian friends and find plenty of asian chicks hot - the one's I see in Vancouver straight off the boat have completely soured me. Rude, smelly, ugly, farters and nose pickers - the lot of em. It's the same way I hate native Parisians...actually, on second thought, I'm not a racist...I'm just some kinda -ist that hates bad hygiene, rudeness and likes to over generalize.

My sister is in China right now and just got done seeing some stone forest thingy, which she said was great and surreal - I just don't have any desire to go though.