Hi Everyone,
I am heading to Japan in September and basically I would like to know anything you would recommend doing there. I’ve filled up a weeks worth of stuff to do (visiting car manufacture museums and other bits and pieces) and before I start marking down more to cram in I would like to know eFour’s thoughts.
Also, I will be visiting Andrews card shop but are there any specific card shops you all would deem as must visit?
Thanks for reading,
Kiwi
Hi Kiwi, I live in Singapore but have been to Japan many a time and love it. I have to confess that I’m not that knowledgable with regards to Pokemon card shops but can give you some other pointers. Definitely visit the Pokemon Centres, especially the newest one at Ikebukuro Sunshine City. It’s very nice and make sure you try your hand at their exclusive Arcade Game called Pokemon Ga-Ole!
The best advice I could give you is that if you’re going to Tokyo, download and study the map for the Tokyo JR EAST Subway line. On this line, look at the Green, Yamanote Line.
This line runs in a circle and most of the place you’d want to visit are located here. Some places I’d think about are:
Another place which is very famous for toys and (some) cards is this place called Nakano Broadway (Shopping Centre). It’s also in central Tokyo but you’d have to change subway lines.
Thanks for all you’re help zoooctan! I look forward to visiting the pokemon centre you mentioned 
Nakano station, and akihabara station are the two main stations for nerdy goodness.
shop names to search are maybe mandarake, yellow submarine and hobbystation. These are the three biggest for cards in japan.
And if you want to visit me, just message. i am next to the Ikebukuro pokemon center. It’s a private office, so i have to let you up. There is maybe 10000+ pokemon goods to look at, toys, games, cards, posters, figures, plush, cd, stamps, stickers, lots of things.
I wish I could shed more light as when I was there. It was my duty station for 3 years in Yokosuka, Japan back in 2005-2008. Its been so long but I recommend eating at CoCo’s lol, some damn good curry. I think I got some extra Yen you can have too haha!
Check out the fertility festival, just playing but…
Have fun Kiwi!!
Can take it from someone with experience it’s up to you but unless you are going to temples for lore and and history that you are familiar with I’d limit the amount you go to. After a while they tend to all look the same. Stick with a few and also do the ones that are unique. My favorite most unique one was Fushimi Inari. I did alot of temples while I was there. While I enjoyed the experience most do tend to have similar vibes.
Onsens are also a good past time. One of the biggest highlights I had was staying 2 nights in Hakone at a Japanese Ryokan hotel. Place had a onsen as well which was quite a relaxing experience. My wife and I went in the fall and the landscape there is breathtaking with all the autumn foilage. Another good thing about hakone is seeing mount Fuji and going up hakone ropeway.
I would also check and see what events are going on while you are there. Japan has tons of festivals. Take it from me as well, make sure to rest your first 2 days there. Trust me you will be extremely jet lagged. My wife and I were struggling the first two days with the events we had planned. Maybe do 1 or 2 easy things that day and grab some meals close to where you are.
Lastly definitly check out Tokyo nightlife. I wish I experienced it more. You think new York is the city that never sleeps. Tokyo everyone parties every single night throughout the week. Every night is a Friday night lol. Have fun and of course I’m sure you already know dive into all sorts of foods you can possibly eat. Even their small grab and go family mart or 7 elevens have tons of varaties of foods and drinks. I tried to drink as many drinks I never heard of while I was there. Even the coca cola tastes different there. More like Pepsi. Oh and definitly try their pastry shops they are to die for. I could go on and on. Have fun and take lots of photos so you can look back on your experience 
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Make sure to sort out your JR pass before you go, much easier than doing it there
My wife would go to Bunny Island.
I would visit earth.mandarake.co.jp/shop/
Robot cafes? Maid cafes? Heard about them in many guides but didn’t quite fork up the money or time to visit one.
There is a Mario kart rental service you can look into. It’s a tour through Tokyo on a go-kart. Book in advance though. Amazing way to see the city in a few hours!
I will definitely visit you (my name is Sam on facebook, we sometimes talk 
) will tee up a time with you as I will be over in about a month.
My friend who I am staying with has suggested I do not go for the pass as it restricts you to 1 line only when there are around 6.
Thanks for taking the time to suggest all of this. I really do appreciate it!
I wrote a bit about my Japan experience in my collection thread if it helps, see the following link 
Love that you’re visiting automotive museums. Make sure you check out Bingo Sports- they’ve always got the craziest cars out in their showroom. (When I went it was a 288 GTO Evoluzione, F40 LM, a Huayra BC, and a Zonda (I think it was the Kiryu, can’t remember off the top of my head!)
Hope you post about your adventure in Japan this September. My husband was in Japan for 3 months a couple of years ago with his work. He didn’t go to the Pokémon Center. ***angry face*** He just went to all the bars!!!
Get yourself a Suica card for transit and load it up with a decent amount of Yen. It’s much easier and faster than dealing with the little paper tickets.
The bars are very similar to the Pokemon Centers…a lot of Lass’s;)
Thanks! Old japanese cars have always been of interest to me. I will be sure to go check out bingo sports!Thanks for the suggestion!
I’ll check it out right now!
I wasn’t planning too originally, but i’ll throw some pictures up in this thread perhaps