Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Feb 16, 2013 - 07:22pm PT
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As for driving, in cities where everything goes bumper to bumper at 5 mph you probably can do ok following the car in front of you. On the open road it is much more problematic. And it's true that mainland Japanese are better drivers and complain as tourists that the thing they like least about Okinawa is the driving.
I don't think it is the American driving influence however. Rather, it is the congestion in a place laid out after the war in which the Americans ripped up the rail system but didn't put in a well designed road system either, as they figured the Okinawans would never be rich enough to have cars. We set up four competing bus systems (free enterprise and all that) which charge so much, that it's as cheap to drive, so everyone does. The main problem is older and inexperienced drivers with slow reflexes and no sense of timing, and the congestion including the fact that there are no shoulders on the road so not much room to get out of someone's way, and people's driveways back out onto three lane freeways.
Okinawans often do incredibly dangerous things without even realizing they are dangerous. My favorite is when they're in an outside lane and signal they're going to turn off the multi-lane highway and then at the last minute, change their mind and go across three lanes of traffic to exit off the opposite side. I've also seen them backing up on the freeway when they missed an exit. etc.etc.
The all time scariest was when a motor cycle gang went flying by me on either side between myself and the other cars as I was the center lane of a three lane highway.That happens fairly frequently, so I thought nothing of it until they spotted a speed trap a half mile up the road and then did u-turns and came flying southbound as three lanes of traffic were going at high speed northbound. We all drove as straight as we could and they flew in the opposite direction between three lanes of traffic- and escaped the police.
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Cosmiccragsman
Trad climber
AKA Dwain, from Apple Valley, Ca. and Vegas!
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Feb 16, 2013 - 07:28pm PT
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"死に向かっています。!!!"
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 16, 2013 - 07:34pm PT
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Driving/car rental ain't gonna happen. Japan Railway, for sure.
Edit:
"Get a guide book that will give you a range of places to stay..."
Suggestion?
Edit2:
TGT, 'Hidden Fortress' is awesome!
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Feb 17, 2013 - 05:10am PT
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Check out the guidebooks on Amazon.
Insight Guides are always the most detailed in regard to cultural information.
Frommer's is a good middle class guide and
The Lonely Planet guides cater to the cheaper places.
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S.Leeper
Social climber
somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'
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plane tickets bought, psyched!!!
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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I've always thought I would want to visit the Hiroshima Peace memorial.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Congratulationson buying the tickers! That's 90% of the battle.
I can't tell you how many people have told me they envy my travels and want to go with me the next time, yet always have an excuse for not doing so.
And don't forget to write a TR after you return!
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S.Leeper
Social climber
somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'
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yes GD, definitely going to check out the memorial.
Going with my inlaws from Mexico City so should be interesting, I'll do a brief TR.
It will take me longer to drive to MC, than the flight to Japan.
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Guangzhou
Trad climber
Asia, Indonesia, East Java
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Enjoy the trip. Japan is full of great things to see and experience.
Looking forward to reading about your experience here.
Eman
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S.Leeper
Social climber
somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'
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Thanks Eman!
We are driving to Mexico City on the 3rd of May and flying to Tokyo on the 10th.
How far is Okinawa from the mainland? Approx how many days, budget will have to be allocated to go there from the mainland?
Any other suggestions on MUST SEE locations?
No climbing this time. We will be there for about 10 days and definitely plan on taking the train to Hiroshima.
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S.Leeper
Social climber
somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'
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bump
Anybody been across the Seto-Ohasi Bridge?
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Shiho
Trad climber
Salt Lake City
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I absolutely love visiting Kyoto. Here are some pics from a recent trip that I did.
Tokyo to Okinawa is quite far and expensive, I believe. Have fun out there!
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S.Leeper
Social climber
somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'
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Thanks Shiho! great shots.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 8, 2013 - 06:14pm PT
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Your timing is excellent- I'm hitting the road tomorrow, with a flight to Tokyo leaving Friday. I've put a bunch of work into figuring out an itinerary, and though I'm a little intimidated, it's exciting that the trip is right around the corner. Your pictures really help the psyche factor!
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S.Leeper
Social climber
somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'
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If you don't mind me asking, what is your itinerary?
Have a great trip!
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 8, 2013 - 08:32pm PT
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Tokyo for about 4 days, then Kamakura for a day or two, then Kyoto for four days, then back to Tokyo to fly home. Not nearly enough time, but I'm sure it will whet my appetite for another trip!
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Shiho
Trad climber
Salt Lake City
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My roommates went to Japan about a month ago and took good pics. Maybe I can convince them to post some here.
While in Japan, don't forget to pay a visit to a convenient store like 7-eleven. They sell really good food for cheap. If you like to drink, they also sell whiskey and soda in a can!
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