Looking for something different in Japan
May 14, 2014, 10:10 pm
#61
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
fine, I sidetracked it.
You basically like the countryside. Well, I can respect that. I have fond childhood memories of the Okutama area.
Westward, I think it's all crud until you get to Takao-san, Ome, and Okutama. I love Okutama, really a nice place. Northward, all crap until Annakaharuna or closer to Nikko. Southward, you have to go all the way past Atami, into Izu-hanto before declaring victory. And East, it doesn't lose its cruddy patina until Narita town and beyond, although the Northeast angle at Mito and Tsukuba isn't too bad.
May 15, 2014, 1:18 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,404
As my kid will be starting school in September I am faced with the reality of summer visits to Tokyo in the coming years, something I have managed to avoid up until now.
I was haunted by this prospect but am not quite so worried anymore as I have a plan.
Where will I, a repeat visitor to Tokyo, want to base myself in August?
Kawasaki? Nope. But will be visiting my favourite park there.
Tachikawa city? Tempted. Close to Showa Kinen Koen AND Mt Takao.
My intention is to spend as much time as possible inside Kasai Rinkai Park. You'll find me in a UV Tent camp luxuriating in the sea breeze on some roll up tatami. There's a beach, BBQ area, playground, some woods and the toilets are clean. Winner: Edogawa.
I was haunted by this prospect but am not quite so worried anymore as I have a plan.
Where will I, a repeat visitor to Tokyo, want to base myself in August?
Kawasaki? Nope. But will be visiting my favourite park there.
Tachikawa city? Tempted. Close to Showa Kinen Koen AND Mt Takao.
My intention is to spend as much time as possible inside Kasai Rinkai Park. You'll find me in a UV Tent camp luxuriating in the sea breeze on some roll up tatami. There's a beach, BBQ area, playground, some woods and the toilets are clean. Winner: Edogawa.
May 15, 2014, 4:00 am
#63
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
As my kid will be starting school in September I am faced with the reality of summer visits to Tokyo in the coming years, something I have managed to avoid up until now.
I was haunted by this prospect but am not quite so worried anymore as I have a plan.
Where will I, a repeat visitor to Tokyo, want to base myself in August?
Kawasaki? Nope. But will be visiting my favourite park there.
Tachikawa city? Tempted. Close to Showa Kinen Koen AND Mt Takao.
My intention is to spend as much time as possible inside Kasai Rinkai Park. You'll find me in a UV Tent camp luxuriating in the sea breeze on some roll up tatami. There's a beach, BBQ area, playground, some woods and the toilets are clean. Winner: Edogawa.
I was haunted by this prospect but am not quite so worried anymore as I have a plan.
Where will I, a repeat visitor to Tokyo, want to base myself in August?
Kawasaki? Nope. But will be visiting my favourite park there.
Tachikawa city? Tempted. Close to Showa Kinen Koen AND Mt Takao.
My intention is to spend as much time as possible inside Kasai Rinkai Park. You'll find me in a UV Tent camp luxuriating in the sea breeze on some roll up tatami. There's a beach, BBQ area, playground, some woods and the toilets are clean. Winner: Edogawa.
May 15, 2014, 4:47 am
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,404
You might have said the same thing about being up in the mountains in my part of Spain when it climbed to 42C one June not so long ago. The breeze blew hot like it had come in from an oven and it was, unusually, way more uncomfortable being there than in the city.
It happens, but it isn't exactly normal when it does.
When it reached 28C this month there was no denying that it was utterly, utterly blissful at Kasai Rinkai Koen. I'd started to struggle with the heat elsewhere.
May 15, 2014, 7:26 am
#65
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Last year's August heatwave was exceptional.
You might have said the same thing about being up in the mountains in my part of Spain when it climbed to 42C one June not so long ago. The breeze blew hot like it had come in from an oven and it was, unusually, way more uncomfortable being there than in the city.
It happens, but it isn't exactly normal when it does.
When it reached 28C this month there was no denying that it was utterly, utterly blissful at Kasai Rinkai Koen. I'd started to struggle with the heat elsewhere.
You might have said the same thing about being up in the mountains in my part of Spain when it climbed to 42C one June not so long ago. The breeze blew hot like it had come in from an oven and it was, unusually, way more uncomfortable being there than in the city.
It happens, but it isn't exactly normal when it does.
When it reached 28C this month there was no denying that it was utterly, utterly blissful at Kasai Rinkai Koen. I'd started to struggle with the heat elsewhere.
May 15, 2014, 7:49 am
#67
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Westward, I think it's all crud until you get to Takao-san, Ome, and Okutama. I love Okutama, really a nice place. Northward, all crap until Annakaharuna or closer to Nikko. Southward, you have to go all the way past Atami, into Izu-hanto before declaring victory. And East, it doesn't lose its cruddy patina until Narita town and beyond, although the Northeast angle at Mito and Tsukuba isn't too bad.
There are pockets here and there, of course. Nokogiryama in Chiba comes to mind, very neat, and Kamakura and the Enoshima area are quite nice.
There are pockets here and there, of course. Nokogiryama in Chiba comes to mind, very neat, and Kamakura and the Enoshima area are quite nice.
May 15, 2014, 8:36 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
You mean in that unedited, snarky undertone that says "here, let me tell you how it actually works, you dolt"? Sometimes it gets confused for exactly that, when it is meant to be friendly.
May 15, 2014, 8:39 am
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
Yes, I like the countryside. I also like urban Japan. But core-urban, which is fancy-speak for (referring to Tokyo) "inside the Yamanote". It's that faceless, sad sack of shite suburban ring that makes me want to poke my eyes out.
May 15, 2014, 9:09 am
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
Interesting, never been. Just googled it and saw that there is a gallery dedicated to Bruno Taut, of all people. Also, seems to be a center of worship for Obaku Zen Buddhism. The authority on Obaku Zen happens to be a Swiss guy by the name of Dieter Schwaller.
May 15, 2014, 9:13 am
#72
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
That's the one. Punctuated by increasing chuckles. Had me in stitches and subsequently explaining my apparently random laughter to colleagues who had also brought bentos.
May 15, 2014, 12:17 pm
#73
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
Programs: UA *G MM
Posts: 7,018
Typical nonsense from Pickles. I think the two top places to live in metro Tokyo are Shoto and Yamate/The Bluff. I think Yokohama is generally a more livable place.
May 15, 2014, 1:58 pm
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657
As my kid will be starting school in September I am faced with the reality of summer visits to Tokyo in the coming years, something I have managed to avoid up until now.
I was haunted by this prospect but am not quite so worried anymore as I have a plan.
Where will I, a repeat visitor to Tokyo, want to base myself in August?
Kawasaki? Nope. But will be visiting my favourite park there.
Tachikawa city? Tempted. Close to Showa Kinen Koen AND Mt Takao.
My intention is to spend as much time as possible inside Kasai Rinkai Park. You'll find me in a UV Tent camp luxuriating in the sea breeze on some roll up tatami. There's a beach, BBQ area, playground, some woods and the toilets are clean. Winner: Edogawa.
I was haunted by this prospect but am not quite so worried anymore as I have a plan.
Where will I, a repeat visitor to Tokyo, want to base myself in August?
Kawasaki? Nope. But will be visiting my favourite park there.
Tachikawa city? Tempted. Close to Showa Kinen Koen AND Mt Takao.
My intention is to spend as much time as possible inside Kasai Rinkai Park. You'll find me in a UV Tent camp luxuriating in the sea breeze on some roll up tatami. There's a beach, BBQ area, playground, some woods and the toilets are clean. Winner: Edogawa.
, but as you note too bad about the summer holidays. My friend used to take her kids to Okinawa during the summer, as Kyushu is so ridiculous ( she was bringing her kids to visit her folks in Fukuoka) ! I often find Bangkok cooler !
May 15, 2014, 2:00 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657