Mari Takahashi | Hub Japan

Answered 4 months ago

Is there a difference between Pasmo and Suica?

There are many train companies operating trains and subways in Tokyo. Suica is issued by JR and Pasmo is by other train companies. When you actually use it to pass the gate of trains/buses or use that to buy something at stores, there are no differences. I like the design of suica card better, th...

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Answered 4 months ago

Nightlife

Where should I go for dinner and drinks near Ryogoku

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

I love this beer bar POPEYE https://www.facebook.com/70beersontap/?rf=207163745980807They have great selections of Japanese and worldwide beers on tap!

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Answered 4 months ago

Food

What food should I try first vegetarian or non vegetarian

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

This article may be helpful :)https://hubjapan.io/articles/10-places-focused-on-vegetarian-and-vegan-dishes-in-shibuya-for-everyone

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Answered 7 months ago

Tips

Second trip to Japan and plan to travel north to Hokkaido.Would like suggestions on where to visit over 2 weeks.

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

There are lots to see in Hokkaido! It also depends on which season you are planning to visit. If it's winter, it is very hard to travel around Hokkaido because you will have to drive in snow and some roads may close in winter. Here are recommendations from my experience.Summer: Hike in Shiretoko ...

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Answered 7 months ago

Food

I would like to try sushi in Japan but I don't like the taste of raw fish nor of vinegar. Which type of sushi do you recommend???

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

There are many kinds of sushi that do not use raw fish such as egg (tamago), natto, cucumber rolls (kappa maki), yam, etc. However, vinegared rice is inevitable to sushi.Something similar to sushi that does not use vinegars are onigiri - it's translated to rice ball in English. We stuff all sorts...

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Answered 8 months ago

Sights

I am going to oirase gorge from Aomori for a day trip. The first bus would reach oirase gorge at abt 10am and the last bus leaves at 4pm. Is it sufficient to enjoy oirase gorge and lake towada? Should I stay the night?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

I have been to Oirase Gorge in winter and we drove all the way to Aomori and spent a night there, because it seemed like there were not much things to do at night. It would be a nice idea to stay if you would like star watching or early morning hike.

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Answered 9 months ago

Food

What are the best places to experience all the anime/video game themed places etc? is there one area in particular?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

That must be Akihabara :) You will be surrounded by anime/video game ads and shops!

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Answered 10 months ago

Sights

Where is the best location for sightseeing in Tohoku during winter ?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

Tohoku will be covered with snow so there are many beautiful places.One of the most famous winter sights would be Mt. Hakkoda. It's a great ski mountain if you do skiing or snowboarding. Even if you don't, you can climb up all the way to the top with gondola and you can see frost-covered trees.ht...

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Answered 11 months ago

Tips

Hello! Japaneese sockets are different from european, but I can't find any adapters in my home city. Do I get in right, that japaneese sockets are same with dual american ones? And is it actually a necessity to buy an adapter in advance?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

sockets are the same but voltage may be different. You should watch each appliances if it's compatible to voltage in Japan. (100～110V)

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Answered 11 months ago

Tips

I had an English guide to Tokyo which I forgot to bring with me. Where could I buy one here?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

Kinokuniya in Shinjuku has quite big shelf dedicated for English books, you may find one there:https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/c/store/Shinjuku-Main-Store/shopinfo_en.html

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Answered 12 months ago

Food

What to or what not to wear when going to Kaiseki restaurants? Are there any obligations or restrictions? Thnx!

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

Depend on which restaurant where you go and it is always safe to check with the particular restaurant where you are going. In general, it's safer to be formal. Don't expose too much skin, no flip flops or sandals, no jeans and don't wear strong perfumes as kaiseki cuisines value aroma of the food...

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Answered about 1 year ago

Shopping

Same store, which one I should go?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

The shops are quite the same, I think for most of the time both shops have same stocks. Decide the place by what restaurants you want to go or what else you want to see :)

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Answered about 1 year ago

Food

How to enjoy Izakaya correctly?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

1. It's not technically rude to eat without alcoholic beverages in Izakaya. They offer various soft drinks for those who do not prefer alcoholic drinks and my friends and I often drink soft drinks, too, from the beginning or after drinking few alcoholic drinks. However, usually at least a person ...

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Answered about 1 year ago

Shopping

Where can I find reasonably priced interesting clothes in Tokyo? There was lots of beautiful clothes in department stores that I couldn't afford or cheap stuff in shopping centres but nothing in between. And yes, I know Uniqlo and second hand shops.

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

Trying flea market? There are many flea markets in Tokyo on weekends.This one may help you:https://hubjapan.io/articles/10-best-flea-markets-in-tokyo-for-unique-bargain-shopping

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Answered about 1 year ago

Food

Best reasonable but specialised steak in Tokyo??!?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

I have never been to this place but Ikinari Steak seems to be popular among people in Tokyo.their menu: http://ikinaristeak.com.e.abd.hp.transer.com/menu/I have been to Teppanyaki Orca and they had quite good quality of teppanyaki steak in the reasonable price meal course.Orca: http://www.orca201...

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Answered about 1 year ago

Food

How can I go about on making a reservation at a restaurant?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

It seems like the reservation page is provided only in Japanese. Did you try the Japanese form?https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000003033/yoyaku/hpds/?ROUTE_KBN=20&dspn=Tl54eGmTzjY3UvIovfcC38V79A8-Uk_PeQv-FQ0gd1JOf6wbIzlRuljR_Hh-HIEbxSYJiJutD4idLABW_xkUfQGoogle Translate may be able to help you. Or t...

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Answered about 1 year ago

Shopping

Hi guys I'll be in akihabara for buy action figure,dakimakura and a lot of things about anime,so what is the best shops that can I buy for a good price? thanks =D

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

Mandarake should be the one:http://earth.mandarake.co.jp/shop/cmp/index.htmlFloor guide of Mandarake http://earth.mandarake.co.jp/shop/cmp/floor_guide.htmlFor more anime stuffs, try Animate:https://www.animate.co.jp/shop/akihabara/floor/Unfortunately, their website is only in Japanese but they ha...

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Answered about 1 year ago

Food

What's the best sushi restaurant at a reasonable price?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

I love sushi from Nemuro Hanamaru, it's near Tokyo Station. It's a conveyor belt sushi restaurant but the quality is much better than other sushi train restaurants. But you have to expect to wait at least 30 mins during lunch or dinner time.Nemuro Hanamaru: http://www.sushi-hanamaru.com/la_en/

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Answered about 1 year ago

Culture

Hi, my husband, daughter (5 years old), and myself will be traveling to Japan in June. I was wondering if anyone know of any place, we Can go where our daughter Can meet and play with other children? We Will be in Tokyo and Kyoto. Thank you very much.

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

Maybe Kid-o-Kid?https://kidokid.bornelund.co.jp/The place is thought for 6month old to 12 years old. Your daughter may like this place :)

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Answered about 1 year ago

Shopping

What's the average price for animes products ?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

Wow it really depends. Some of them you can buy at supermarket or convenience stores as a toy comes with candies. And Gachapons. Those are all under 500 yen.Some seriously rare products may cost over 1 million yen. It may depend on particular anime series as well. Depends on what you are looking ...

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Answered about 1 year ago

Tips

What are the best galleries / museums to see photography in Tokyo?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

There is a museum about photography is Ebisu:Tokyo Photography Art Museumhttps://topmuseum.jp/e/contents/index.htmlProbably this is the most famous museum about photography in Tokyo :)

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Answered about 1 year ago

Tips

Visiting Tokyo W/ the wife need tips! :)

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

Hi, it much depends on what your wife likes! Here are some typical "date" spots in Tokyo local people go:- Tokyo Disney Land and Disney Sea- Tokyo Tower- Tokyo Sky Tree- Aquariums (Shinagawa, Sumida, Ikebukuro, etc)- Movie Theaters- Ginza (shopping and delicious desserts)- Shinjuku Gyoen Park (ch...

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Answered about 1 year ago

Tips

If I have a JR Pass, is it a good idea to reserve my tickets in advance? Do trains fill up fast?

Mari Takahashi, Living in Japan

If you are planning to travel with Shinkansen or express trains, it is better to reserve seats in advance to get a seat for sure. It tends to be crowded in morning and evening (business men for business trip) and weekends. Especially during Golden Week (long holiday from end of April to early May...