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SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - toni1968 - 02-17-2018

Do you find hookers in the hotel bars????

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Zerdame - 02-18-2018

Quote: (02-17-2018 06:31 AM)AsiaBaller Wrote:  

If you want to fit in it's betaslave 4 life as you can't really move up. If you don't then you're pigeonholed into English teaching where you don't work more than 8h a day.

There are many expats in Japan who work in 外資系 or international companies that have an office in Japan. While not always, these companies may have much more flexibility and western styled management system that do away with unpaid OT, ungodly working hours and basically all the stuff that we dislike about Japanese companies.

Not every foreigner is struggling to make ends meet in Japan and that's the reason why those who succeed are often the ones killing it. Don't come into Japan jobless and wander your way through job searches and then get upset that the job isn't as ideal as you initially expect. Come with a secured job, negotiated on terms that you're comfortable with and do your due research, that would increase your chances of a better prospect. Those who don't, well most get miserable and leave within a few years max. Sounds familiar?

Also, I find it hilarious that you think English teachers work less than 8hours and aren't, as you would put it, 'betaslave for life." Do you even know anyone teaching English in Japan?

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Bushido - 02-18-2018

Asiaballer, no hostility from me. You're talking in a lot of clichés that barely even apply in the Japanese business world I see today. Granted every company is different but some of the stuff you're saying is laughably inaccurate.

Nobody waited for the boss to go home at any of the Japanese companies I have worked for. Overtime is automatically recorded by the systems in the PC of each employee. Nobody works Saturdays unless it's a very urgent matter. Nobody is forced to drink where I work. Nor at the last employer...

Here are some other things I'll mention:
- Paternity leave is becoming more common
- Some people work from their homes instead of commuting every day
- Some foreigners are being promoted to very senior positions that would have been unthinkable in the past

Some of us are doing quite nicely out here and not killing ourselves in the process. The Japanese business world has changed a lot and though I'd be the last one to say it's perfect (I have a ton of things I dislike about it!), you should update some of your views which probably are more representative of several decades ago. I recommend reading more in Japanese (assuming you can) rather than the second-hand western outlets that rehash the same bs over and over about Japan.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - void - 02-18-2018

Quote: (02-18-2018 09:04 AM)Bushido Wrote:  

Asiaballer, no hostility from me. You're talking in a lot of clichés that barely even apply in the Japanese business world I see today. Granted every company is different but some of the stuff you're saying is laughably inaccurate.

Nobody waited for the boss to go home at any of the Japanese companies I have worked for. Overtime is automatically recorded by the systems in the PC of each employee. Nobody works Saturdays unless it's a very urgent matter. Nobody is forced to drink where I work. Nor at the last employer...

Here are some other things I'll mention:
- Paternity leave is becoming more common
- Some people work from their homes instead of commuting every day
- Some foreigners are being promoted to very senior positions that would have been unthinkable in the past

Some of us are doing quite nicely out here and not killing ourselves in the process. The Japanese business world has changed a lot and though I'd be the last one to say it's perfect (I have a ton of things I dislike about it!), you should update some of your views which probably are more representative of several decades ago. I recommend reading more in Japanese (assuming you can) rather than the second-hand western outlets that rehash the same bs over and over about Japan.
Are your experiences with global players or genuine Japanese companies?
The subordinates certainly wait for their or some other boss to leave in the limousine, if they are in Ginza celebrating whatever deal they did (this was the only occasion I had the opportunity to observe this).

Would be cool if the company culture is less strict on attendance and work time than the stereotypes that are floating around.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Bushido - 02-18-2018

^Have to be careful what I disclose here, but I have worked for many years for purely Japanese companies.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - AsiaBaller - 02-19-2018

Quote: (02-18-2018 07:07 PM)Bushido Wrote:  

^Have to be careful what I disclose here, but I have worked for many years for purely Japanese companies.

We certainly understand that but industries and your perceived prospects there for foreigners in mid and large companies would be helpful.

Tech seemed to be the most open but the days where you could swoop into Amazon or Google without being a super high achiever are pretty much over and Rakuten for example seems to be a mixed bag for most foreigners.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - utterbbq - 02-19-2018

Quote:Quote:

Feria. (Minato-ku, Roppongi 7-13-7) Right now Feria is the king of clubs catering to the mixed Japanese/gaijin crowd. It is busiest on Saturday night, with Friday a close second. It doesn’t get hopping until around midnight on Friday, and even later (after 12:30) on Saturday. Cover for men on these two nights is Y3500, which includes tickets for two drinks. The place is often a zoo, with five floors from the basement mosh-pit up to the roof-top bar on the 4th floor. The third floor is to my taste the best, striking a balance between the pandemonium of the basement and the subdued groups of the roof. Ratios have been respectable here lately, tilted somewhat to the sausage-side of 50/50.

On the weeknights, they only open the smaller 3rd and 4th floors, and men’s cover is down to Y2000 with chicks free or Y1000, so they actually draw a decent crowd. This was the scene of slubu’s Tuesday-night bathroom bang and the bouncer trying to break the door in on him.

Damn what I miss Feriea. That club really was the thing and the place to be for a white dude, me and my friend use to swing around there and often younger beautiful j-girls girls could come up to us and just drag us away. This was in the end of 2015.

Came back to Tokyo 2016, there are similar clubs, but nothing ever came close to Feria.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Bushido - 02-19-2018

Quote: (02-19-2018 05:30 AM)AsiaBaller Wrote:  

Quote: (02-18-2018 07:07 PM)Bushido Wrote:  

^Have to be careful what I disclose here, but I have worked for many years for purely Japanese companies.

We certainly understand that but industries and your perceived prospects there for foreigners in mid and large companies would be helpful.

Tech seemed to be the most open but the days where you could swoop into Amazon or Google without being a super high achiever are pretty much over and Rakuten for example seems to be a mixed bag for most foreigners.

It will depend on your background of course, but honestly Japanese companies are desperate to find skilled foreigners at the moment. The labor shortage is beginning to really hurt local firms. If you were considering a return to Japan I'd recommend now. I'm not a headhunter, honest!

Ironically I think a lot of gaishikei are more closed to foreigners because incompetent Japanese often want to keep the native English speakers out of the local offices...that and those positions are just super popular with younger kids.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Veloce - 02-19-2018

I read the newspaper most days I was there. Couldn't stop talking about labor shortages, particularly in service and hospitality.

As a chef with extensive Italian, French, and American background I know I'd be an asset, but making the jump isn't easy. It seems my best bet would be to spend some time in a large hotel group like Marriott or Hyatt in the states and then eventually get transferred. I'm trying to do that in the company I'm in but there's currently no open positions in Japan, though we do have numerous outlets there.

Pretty funny to me to see older, moneyed, very distinguished looking Japanese women at the Ritz Carlton eating a $30 plate of penne alfredo that costs $1 to make. I saw this pretty frequently on this last trip. Italian and Spanish food seems particularly popular in Tokyo.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Bushido - 02-19-2018

Hope to welcome you to the RVF Tokyo crew one day Veloce. We are a small but elite club. [Image: biggrin.gif]

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Tribunus - 08-17-2018

I'm going to Japan next month, starting with Tokyo.
I wanted to book an apartment on Airbnb, but noticed that there are relatively few availalble, and barley any under $100 per night. I thought it was strange, since I was reading on this thread or another that Airbnbs in Tokyo are a good deal and that you can find studio apartments in Roppongi for $50-60 a night.
So I did a bit of Googling and found this:
Quote:Quote:

Nearly 80 Percent of Japan's Airbnbs Were Just Removed

And then there were 13,800. That's how many Airbnbs are left operating in all of Japan, after the home-sharing site removed at least 62,000 homes, apartments, and rooms this weekend from its inventory, reports Japan's Nikkei newspaper. The move is in response to the country's new home share–or minpaku—law that comes into effect June 15, requiring Airbnbs be registered with the government and limited to a certain number of rented days.

In light of this situation, I was wondering if there's any non-dorm, non-capsule accomodation option that would allow one to stay at areas like Roppongi or Shibuya for less than $70 a night? Hotels seem to start at around $100 as well. Alternatively, what area would you stay in if you had to go a bit further from the center?

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Parzival - 08-17-2018

Last time I did stay around Ueno. Ikebukuro is also nice as well. Best is to consider what Metro goes to Roppongi Hills and chose a place a few stations away. Tokyo has a very good metro system.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Tribunus - 08-18-2018

Quote: (08-17-2018 12:41 PM)Parzival Wrote:  

Last time I did stay around Ueno. Ikebukuro is also nice as well. Best is to consider what Metro goes to Roppongi Hills and chose a place a few stations away. Tokyo has a very good metro system.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check out those areas. If you travelled to Roppongi by subway how did you get back after 1 am? Taxi?

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Zerdame - 08-18-2018

Quote: (08-18-2018 04:08 AM)Tribunus Wrote:  

Quote: (08-17-2018 12:41 PM)Parzival Wrote:  

Last time I did stay around Ueno. Ikebukuro is also nice as well. Best is to consider what Metro goes to Roppongi Hills and chose a place a few stations away. Tokyo has a very good metro system.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check out those areas. If you travelled to Roppongi by subway how did you get back after 1 am? Taxi?

After the subways stop, your options are taxis, walk or wait till the first train. If you're with a girl, I recommend taking a taxi. If you live near to where you pick up, your fare will come up to somewhere from 1000 to 4000yen. I only use taxis if there isn't a love hotel nearby but when I was living in Tokyo back in 2016, there aren't any love hotels in Roppongi. Not sure if that has changed.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Parzival - 08-18-2018

In all my Tokyo time, I went to Roppongi just twice. Also when I go out, I go out all the night and wait for the next train. The time between 3am and 4am is the hardest. When you live like one station away a general rule is that you walk about 20 minutes from one to the next station. Like Zerdame say, Taxi only when you have a girl with you.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Dodgy - 09-25-2018

Quote: (10-04-2015 10:30 AM)Tokyo Joe Wrote:  

This datasheet is inspired by, and dedicated to, RVF heavyweights and all-around stand-up dudes slubu and Courage Reborn, the first two Members I ever met here in my adopted home.

2. CUISINE

The following is broken down by genre. There are a (countably) infinite number of memorable and mind-blowing places to eat in Tokyo, so this list is by necessity woefully incomplete. Please note this convention: If I have included the phone number (starting with 03), then you should make a reservation; no phone number means they don’t accept reservations or they are not necessary.

Sushi. Taking into account both quality and price, my current top recommendation for sushi in Tokyo is Daiwa (Chuo-ku, Tsukiji 5-2-1), inside the famous Tsukiji Fishmarket. For Y3500 you get the 7-nigiri, 1-roll set menu of extremely high quality. If it sounds too good to be true, well yes, there’s a catch: The shop takes no reservations and you’ll have to wait in line anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. It’s open for breakfast through lunch, from 5:30 am to 1:30 pm on days that the Fishmarket itself is open for business. Be sure to check the Market schedule here as it closes two or three days every month on a staggered schedule – in addition to Sundays and National Holidays, when it is also closed. Sadly, the historic Tsukiji Fishmarket is being relocated to Toyosu in November 2016, so you have little more than one year to visit.

For a more formal evening sushi outing, head over to Kyubey (Chuo-ku, Ginza 8-7-6; 03-3571-6523) in Ginza. Not cheap, but well worth it. On the other hand, I can’t really recommended the much-hyped Sukiyabashi Jiro of documentary and Obama-Abe summit fame. Yes it’s fantastic, but not quite Y30,000 per head (not counting drinks etc.) fantastic.

Oysters. If you are an oyster man like me, you will be in mother-of-pearl heaven at the Fish House Oyster Bar East (Shibuya-ku, Ebisu 1-23-16; 03-6408-5393), a seven-minute walk from the East Exit of Ebisu JR Station. Every night there are some dozen varieties of oysters from all over Japan, plus a few worthies from Canada/Australia/U.S. Add to this a good selection of Belgian white beers and white wines, all presided over by Hayashi-san, one of the most solicitous maître d’s in a city famous for its service, and you’ve got yourself a righteous zinc-rich night. With only four tables and four counter seats, this place is also one where you will want to make a reservation. If you do head here for dinner, afterward you may want to stroll ten minutes, or hop a quick Y730 cab ride, down Kitazato-dori to Quien quiera (Minato-ku, Shirokane 5-14-8; 03-3446-0609), quite possibly one of the most beautiful bars in all of Tokyo. It is a sullen two-story wooden building that has stood there since 1918. The very place to be ravished by what is – and is obdurate… Oh hell, even if you aren’t down in Shirokane for some other reason, you would do well to make a trip to this bar at some point during your Tokyo sojourn.

Tempura. Stand-out tempura shops abound, but my favorite is Abe (Chuo-ku, Ginza 4-3-7; 03-6228-6077) in Ginza. It’s small and popular, so you’ll need a reservation.

Yakiniku. Literally “grilled meat,” yakiniku is originally Korean but the Japanese have adopted it with élan. When slubu and CR were here, they reminded me of a terrific spot a short walk from Nishi-Azabu crossing which I had not been to in many years but can wholeheartedly recommend: Yoroniku (Minato-ku, Minami-Aoyama 6-6-22; 03-3498-4629). We had the Y9000 course menu. The charm point of Yoroniku is that, different from most joints where you have to concentrate on grilling the meat yourself, here a young lass will stand at your table and grill the meat to perfection, and then explain with surgical precision how to eat it. If you are a drinker, in honor of that lass try the Toyo Bijin (東洋美人, “Asian Beauty”) sake after a few nama beers. This place is hugely popular so reservations are a must. Another awesome Yakiniku place is Jumbo (Minato-ku, Shirokane 3-1-1; 03-5795-4129). Open 365 days a year and packed every night. Reservations are again required.

Yakitori. Meaning “grilled chicken,” the yakitori restaurant dismembers the bird and serves up every part of it, inside and out, grilled on skewers over a charcoal fire. Mr. Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls… Too many outstanding ones to list here – but for great chicken and so much more, as well as one of the most elite (yet cheap) Tokyo dining experiences, you’ve got to hit the rails under the Yamanote line near Yurakucho Station. Lined up in a row, the tiny shops are burrowed in right under the elevated tracks of the rail lines overhead; makeshift tables spill out into the quiet street in front of the store. When the weather is fine (esp. April to June, Sept. to early Nov.) you want to be outside to watch what there is. The very best of the lot is Matsuso (Chiyoda-ku, Yurakucho 2-1-20). They do have an English version of the expansive menu, but the best offerings are scrawled out by hand in Japanese on a chalkboard that changes daily. If possible bring a Japanese speaker with you here.

Burger. What, you ask, going for a burger in Tokyo? Isn’t that like going on a date in Japan with a British fattie?? Aha, not so fast! Try an American-style hamburger made with prime wagyu beef at Burger Mania (Minato-ku, Shirokane 6-5-7) and then come talk to me about a sammich. No reservations necessary. Bonus: They play hip-hop music all day long, from opening at 11:30 am until last order at 10:00 p.m. And note this joint is less than 100 meters east of Quien quiera (see above) on Kitazato-dori.

Ramen. Personally I find this stuff disgusting – ramen is to Japan what McDonalds is to the U.S. – but it has its fans, so I’ll include it here. With a hat tip to slubu for the find (and seconded by many Japanese friends), I’ll single out Kaotan (Minato-ku, Minami-Aoyama 2-34-30) near Nishi-Azabu crossing, open daily until 5 a.m., 6 a.m. on the weekend. This is the kind of place you go in the wee small hours after drinking in Roppongi but failing to pull a bird back to your place. Better still to head over to Daiwa in Tsukiji to queue up for its 5:30 a.m. opening, but hey, it takes all kinds.

Izakaya. Last and perhaps most important is the quintessentially Japanese drinking establishment. I have many favorites here in town, but I value my privacy and the integrity of these places, so I will reserve recommendations for Members in good standing, on request by PM.

For a passable, Disney theme-park izakaya experience, check out Gonpachi (Minato-ku, Nishi-Azabu 1-13-11; 03-5771-0170) right at Nishi-Azabu crossing. This was the site of a famous Bush-Koizumi summit dinner during the golden years of US-Japan relations (and Tarantino modeled the set for the ending fight scene of the atrocious Kill Bill Vol. 1 on it, for what it’s worth). You can sample just about every representative Japanese cuisine, sashimi, tempura, yakitori, tofu, udon/soba and the rest, and it’s reasonably priced.

3. SIGHTSEEING

Again, there is no end to the unforgettable sights and experiences that can wash over you in Tokyo. Here are a few ideas, merely skimming the surface, to get you started.

Shrines. The city is speckled with hundreds of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples; everyone has his own favorites. If I had to recommend one representative shrine it would be Meiji-Jingu, a short walk from Meiji-jingumae Station. This is the one that foreign dignitaries (heads of state, the Dalai Lama, etc.) most often visit. The shrine is big, wide, and beautiful; the broad graveled avenue through the forest from the main gate to the shrine makes for a soothing walk. My own personal favorite shrine is Nezu Jinja, a short walk from Nezu Station on the Chiyoda line. Especially during azalea season in April and the fall foliage of October/November, this is a spectacular little pocket of serenity in Tokyo.

Sensoji Temple and Asakusa. Likewise, my one Temple recommendation would be Sensoji (Taito-ku, Asakusa 2-3-1) up in Asakusa. In fact that entire area is really cool. In addition to the temple itself, its famous Kaminarimon gate and all the shops, the Kappabashi Kitchenware District (centered on Nishi-Asakusa 1-5-15) is close by. Here you can find stores specializing in every conceivable kitchen item – matchless Japanese kitchen knives to last you a lifetime, the Nambu tetsu-bin iron pots for making tea, the incredibly life-like plastic food displays that make great gag souvenirs, etc.

Right down the street from the Sensoji temple entrance is the Kamiya Bar (Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-1-1), one of the very first western-style beer halls in Japan. Sweet place. If you are sightseeing up in Asakusa and need a break, you can slip in for a few beers and some eats. Be sure to ask to be seated on the second floor.

Tea Ceremony. If you are interested in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, I recommend the ceremony at the Imperial Hotel. Reservations are required; check here for information and the number to call to reserve.

Bonus: The Imperial is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright bar. If ever there were a place for a whisky and a cigar, this is it.

New York Bar at the Shinjuku Park Hyatt. You may know this hotel and this bar from Sofia Coppola’s homage to Japan, Lost in Translation. The views of Tokyo from here are breathtaking – go at dusk; see the late light and then stay for the night lights. Sunday evening is the ideal time for this. There is a Y2200 cover charge after 8:00 pm daily (after 7:00 pm on Sundays), and drinks are not cheap, but it’s well worth it.

Shibuya. Want to see where Julien Blanc and all the day-game street spammers work their special magic? [Image: tard.gif] Head to the streets of Shibuya! A fun place to wander around and maybe chat up some local gyarus. At least see the infamous "scramble crossing" where thousands of people cross a 7-way intersection all at once.

The Robot Restaurant. (Shinjuku-ku, Kabukicho 1-7-1) I confess I had never heard of this wild place until slubu and CR came to town and we went together. Highly recommended for a dose of Japanese zaniness. See this link to learn more about the show and to make reservations (required). Note: Although it’s called a restaurant, better to eat beforehand. Only drinks and light snacks (popcorn, etc.) are served before the show and during its breaks.

4. NIGHTLIFE

A big caveat up front: What’s hot and happening in the Tokyo club and bar scene can change pretty quickly. The information here is current as of August/September 2015. I will try to provide updates in this thread as time goes on and the situation changes. The spots noted here are chosen specifically for gaijin visitors who don't speak Japanese and are hunting for Japanese chicks who might be more open to getting down with foreign dudes. The hard truth is that the club scene in Tokyo – especially for foreigners and most especially for non-speakers of Japanese – has gotten markedly worse over the past few years. You should interpret the following to be the “least difficult” of many very tough options. That said, solid players like slubu and CR did pick up their flags, and then some, during a one-week stay this summer, so it can be done – with skill and the right local area knowledge.

There are only two big bar/club nights of the week in Tokyo, Friday and Saturday – or three, if you count the very occasionally hopping Thursday night. From Thursday to Saturday, each night is busier than the previous one, hitting a peak on Saturday. Sunday through Wednesday are dead in Tokyo – but there is action to be found, as noted below.

First I’ll list up the usual Roppongi suspects and then give some advice for how to run the various nights.

Feria. (Minato-ku, Roppongi 7-13-7) Right now Feria is the king of clubs catering to the mixed Japanese/gaijin crowd. It is busiest on Saturday night, with Friday a close second. It doesn’t get hopping until around midnight on Friday, and even later (after 12:30) on Saturday. Cover for men on these two nights is Y3500, which includes tickets for two drinks. The place is often a zoo, with five floors from the basement mosh-pit up to the roof-top bar on the 4th floor. The third floor is to my taste the best, striking a balance between the pandemonium of the basement and the subdued groups of the roof. Ratios have been respectable here lately, tilted somewhat to the sausage-side of 50/50.

On the weeknights, they only open the smaller 3rd and 4th floors, and men’s cover is down to Y2000 with chicks free or Y1000, so they actually draw a decent crowd. This was the scene of slubu’s Tuesday-night bathroom bang and the bouncer trying to break the door in on him.

R2. (Minato-ku, Roppongi 7-14-23) Right across the street from Feria, this bar (vice club) sees its highest traffic on Friday night, and Saturday is a bit less busy. No cover; drinks are ~Y800 to Y1000. It tends to get rolling earlier than Feria, as many people hit here before migrating across the street. Ratios are hit-or-miss here; some nights are fine but lately it’s been too crowded with too many thirsty dudes. Also, the women here tend to be a bit older than the ones you’ll find at Feria. Very quiet on weeknights.

A971. (Minato-ku, Akasaka 9-7-2) Down the street from Feria and R2, located on the ground floor of the Tokyo Midtown complex, A971 is another bar, but unlike R2 it has an outdoor patio area in addition to the inside bar, and is louder and somewhat better lit than the dim R2. No cover; drinks are a bit cheaper, and the clientele a bit younger, than R2. It is equally busy on Friday and Saturday nights, getting going after 10:00 pm. Also very quiet on weeknights, but slubu and I found something to play with here on the Wednesday night he arrived. [Image: wink.gif]

Mist. (Minato-ku, Roppongi 3-10-5) This little basement club a 5-minute walk down Higashi-Gaien-dori from Roppongi crossing has been going off on odd nights, like Monday and Tuesday. Slubu, CR, and I hit it late on a Monday and it was fairly crowded, with decent ratios. Probably good on the weekends, but I haven’t been there to confirm. Cover is Y2000 which includes two drinks.

Geronimo. (Minato-ku, Roppongi 7-14-10) A tight hole-in-the-wall shot bar on the second floor of a building 15 meters from Roppongi Crossing, this place sometimes surprises on Friday and Saturday night with a mix of Japanese and European sluts. No cover and Y900 beers, it is worth popping your head in to see what it’s like as you look for some action.

Japan-centric and other clubs. There are of course a slew of clubs in Tokyo, but they tend to attract a very Japanese crowd that shows little interest in foreign dudes. For instance, if you really wanted to see a leading Shibuya club, go to Womb (Shibuya-ku, Maruyama-cho 2-16). But they play weird EDM music and you’ll have trouble finding a J-chick with the ability and desire to speak English. Similarly, V2 in the heart of Roppongi is a big, bustling club but not very gaijin-friendly. Unfortunately, the once epic club Muse in Nishi-Azabu was closed down by the cops a few years back and its new reincarnation cannot hold a candle to the original. Similarly, the awesome meat-market that was Heartland closed down and re-opened in June 2014 as the faggoty, pretentious bar Tusk.

- On a Thursday night, you might try hitting happy hour (maybe 7:30 pm) at Rigoletto (Minato-ku, Roppongi 6-10-1) on the 5th floor of Roppongi Hills Westside. This bar and restaurant has been popular with the after-work crowd and you might find some tasty “OL” (office lady) morsels to mack on in the bar area on a Thursday. (I’d stay away from this place on Friday/Saturday though.) On Thursday, clubs are often dead, but you might check out Mist later on, after walking by R2 and A971 to see what’s up.

- On Friday, after a good dinner out somewhere, pop into R2 and/or A971 around 10:00 pm for some warm-up and see if you can get anything to hook. If not, try Feria around midnight.

- This is the night to go full on Feria, so rest up and save your energy. Again, you might check out Geronimo or R2 or A971 beforehand to see what’s up and get in the groove, before lining up at Feria after midnight.

- As mentioned before, Sunday is the night to hit the Shinjuku Park Hyatt or some other suitably refined hotel bar.

- Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: These nights are generally dead, but if you are hell-bent on finding some nightlife action, you can roll the dice and pay the reduced cover to see if Feria is popping. As I said, Mist has been busy, but past performance is no indication of future returns.

***
There’s much more to say but this bloated post has to end somewhere. I look forward to responses from members who have visited and have observations to make, from those who live here and have their own advice to share, and of course from members who are planning their first trip and have questions to ask. Happy swooping.

Bumping this thread, because I would like to know if the above information from Tokyo Joe's original datasheet is still relevant three years later?

Planning on going to either Japan or South Korea in January 19' for a week and wanted to assess my options.

Thanks in advance

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Red Jaguar - 10-20-2018

So due to "Scott's Cheap Flights" I found a Tokyo round trip deal for ~$600.[Image: banana.gif] I managed to read this thread and Bang Nippon forums (All 64 pages) twice. I found an an affordable AirBnB in Shibuya with an 8 min walk to Shibuya Train station (~$700 for 7 days). Arriving in Tokyo 31 OCT to 07 NOV.

Few stats on me:
28, Mex-American Light Brown
In terms of looks similar to actor Michael Peña except with a short beard, straight hair and slightly narrower face.
English and Spanish, both Native Level.
Know some Travel Phrases in Japanese.
Budget for trip: ~$2,000 USD

Since I know clubs and venues change, I would like to know what what are the best things that have or have not changed. While I'm not really a nightclub kind of guy I can make exceptions since if I'll be over there anyways.

Any help would be appreciated and if anyone would want to meet up, first rounds on me.

I'll also be posting on Bang Nippon.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Dodgy - 10-20-2018

Quote: (10-20-2018 01:21 PM)Red Jaguar Wrote:  

So due to "Scott's Cheap Flights" I found a Tokyo round trip deal for ~$600.[Image: banana.gif] I managed to read this thread and Bang Nippon forums (All 64 pages) twice. I found an an affordable AirBnB in Shibuya with an 8 min walk to Shibuya Train station (~$700 for 7 days). Arriving in Tokyo 31 OCT to 07 NOV.

Few stats on me:
28, Mex-American Light Brown
In terms of looks similar to actor Michael Peña except with a short beard, straight hair and slightly narrower face.
English and Spanish, both Native Level.
Know some Travel Phrases in Japanese.
Budget for trip: ~$2,000 USD

Since I know clubs and venues change, I would like to know what what are the best things that have or have not changed. While I'm not really a nightclub kind of guy I can make exceptions since if I'll be over there anyways.

Any help would be appreciated and if anyone would want to meet up, first rounds on me.

I'll also be posting on Bang Nippon.

I'm still planning on going to Tokyo in January so I'm very interested in what you find out. I was looking at staying in Shibuya too, but haven't booked anything yet. Still on the fence about staying in Roppongi though.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Nardo - 10-21-2018

Yes it would be interesting to get some expert insight for 2018. I will make 1 or 2 trips to Tokyo myself, otherwise I am stuck trying Rural Japan game, which seems the information is sparse.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Red Jaguar - 10-21-2018

I will say this about getting the AirBnB, I did manage to secure the location for 7 days near Shibuya train station by booking almost 2 months in advance.

I did a quick search again just to see if it was possible to get affordable price (below $100 USD). And it was. Far away from the action.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - AsiaBaller - 10-22-2018

AirBnB is pretty much dead after the ban and ridiculously overpriced.

Hotels are really expensive now as well (about 120 bucks minimum in a decent location).

The ban roughly doubled the pricing if you don't stay long term.

Tokyo is on everybodies map these days, competition is fierce, even poor ass Indonesian hijab mamis can travel there now, likely stacked 10 deep in an AirBnB studio and interest among j-girls is declining I'd say unless you speak japanese and can open up new prospects that never considered foreigners before.

Don't expect much from club game and street game without japanese is likely to scare girls off and put you into a negative feedback loop.

It almost feels like we're the thristy rapefugees of Japan now.

Either way, to get back to good non club locations, Scramble under the overpass right next to Shibuya crossing always seems popping and spilling out into the street, so you might want to check that out.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - sittinpretty2020 - 10-22-2018

do girls still mention that fool Julien Blanc when you try to hit them up? lmao

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Nardo - 10-30-2018

Quote: (10-20-2018 01:21 PM)Red Jaguar Wrote:  

So due to "Scott's Cheap Flights" I found a Tokyo round trip deal for ~$600.[Image: banana.gif] I managed to read this thread and Bang Nippon forums (All 64 pages) twice. I found an an affordable AirBnB in Shibuya with an 8 min walk to Shibuya Train station (~$700 for 7 days). Arriving in Tokyo 31 OCT to 07 NOV.

Few stats on me:
28, Mex-American Light Brown
In terms of looks similar to actor Michael Peña except with a short beard, straight hair and slightly narrower face.
English and Spanish, both Native Level.
Know some Travel Phrases in Japanese.
Budget for trip: ~$2,000 USD

Since I know clubs and venues change, I would like to know what what are the best things that have or have not changed. While I'm not really a nightclub kind of guy I can make exceptions since if I'll be over there anyways.

Any help would be appreciated and if anyone would want to meet up, first rounds on me.

I'll also be posting on Bang Nippon.

It's too bad we didn't/ won't hit Tokyo at the same time. This past weekend was Halloween with every club packed, it was crazy. Very good english speakers too. I don't plan to return until the 9th. Hopefully you find success! Soon I may start a newbie thread based on my experiences, once I get more approaches, or if there is more interest.

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - Mechheart - 10-30-2018

Hey guys, landing in Haneda tonight.

Quick info: 28/Chinese Canadian/fairly fit staying in Asakusa from Oct 31-nov 6 and Shinjuku from Nov 6-8.

Mostly planning on hitting up a bunch of sushi places (I've got some booked already along with one Kaiseki place, Kien).

Never been to Tokyo before and a beginner to the craft. How are the other ABC/CBC RVFers doing in terms of pull here? From what I've read, of course it's a bit harder but it's more about attitude (as many local men are herbivore-type). I'm fine with clubbing or bars (is R2 still good?) or whatever -- would love to learn more about the scene. Of course, first round is on me!

SWOOP JAPAN: Tokyo Joe’s Guide for the First-Time (~7-day) Visitor - asiaslayer - 11-01-2018

Quote: (10-22-2018 04:50 AM)AsiaBaller Wrote:  

AirBnB is pretty much dead after the ban and ridiculously overpriced.

Hotels are really expensive now as well (about 120 bucks minimum in a decent location).

The ban roughly doubled the pricing if you don't stay long term.

Tokyo is on everybodies map these days, competition is fierce, even poor ass Indonesian hijab mamis can travel there now, likely stacked 10 deep in an AirBnB studio and interest among j-girls is declining I'd say unless you speak japanese and can open up new prospects that never considered foreigners before.

Don't expect much from club game and street game without japanese is likely to scare girls off and put you into a negative feedback loop.

It almost feels like we're the thristy rapefugees of Japan now.

Either way, to get back to good non club locations, Scramble under the overpass right next to Shibuya crossing always seems popping and spilling out into the street, so you might want to check that out.

I'm curious why you think Japan is still on people's radars. I thought the average foreign male visitors to Japan these days are stereotyped as being obese anime-watchers and/or socially awkward nerds.

Most people have switched their focus on China and SEA to hop on the latest bandwagon. Your average young westerner in business or finance sees little to no opportunity in Japan when looking to Asia to make money.

I would've thought the country would be regressing by now and becoming good again as [first world] foreign numbers shrink there and the only competition left are fat socially inept defects dressed in animu costumes.