Any advice for the first time in Japan?

[pumasrevenge]

A friend of mine and I thought about making holidays in Japan in 2016. Since we're not really fans of beaches and sand etc. but of animes, mangas etc, we thought about Japan.

We would like to travel between the end of July and the beginning of August, because of the Nagaoka Festival (mainly because of the fireworks), but we're also looking for some other "sights" as part of our city trip. At the moment our plan is to stay in a hotel in Tokyo and for the two or three days of the Nagaoka festival we would travel by train.

But yeah, this is everything just a plan, since none of us were in Japan before, which is the reason I have a few questions ... and I hope you can help me :)

The most important thing would be, is it possible to communicate in English/do they understand/speak English? In the hotel I think this will be no problem, but how is it at the train station for example or at stores/bars etc.? Are the things written in English or only in Japanese? I mean, we somehow "understand" Japanese a little bit, we can't read Kanji. And is there something like a train ticket where you pay one higher amout but you can travel as often as you like between two regions in a week or so?

What's your opinion where we should stay in Tokyo? I mean, Tokyo is big and yeah, we don't know anything about the special wards in Tokyo. Important things we would like to do are going to a maid cafe (hehe) and going into a bar in the evening, but yeah, I think that's possible everywhere in Tokyo. So yeah, if you can recommend some sights, things to do in Tokyo or in which region we should stay overnight, we would be really glad :) Otherwise we would most likely just wander around, haha.

Would be great if someone can share his/her experience with me. And are there any other advices you can give us? Like yeah, what to do and not to do, difference in culture etc.

Thx in advance for your answers :)

 

[Tee]

A friend of mine and I thought about making holidays in Japan in 2016. Since we're not really fans of beaches and sand etc. but of animes, mangas etc, we thought about Japan.

We would like to travel between the end of July and the beginning of August, because of the Nagaoka Festival (mainly because of the fireworks), but we're also looking for some other "sights" as part of our city trip. At the moment our plan is to stay in a hotel in Tokyo and for the two or three days of the Nagaoka festival we would travel by train.

But yeah, this is everything just a plan, since none of us were in Japan before, which is the reason I have a few questions ... and I hope you can help me :)

The most important thing would be, is it possible to communicate in English/do they understand/speak English? In the hotel I think this will be no problem, but how is it at the train station for example or at stores/bars etc.? Are the things written in English or only in Japanese? I mean, we somehow "understand" Japanese a little bit, we can't read Kanji. And is there something like a train ticket where you pay one higher amout but you can travel as often as you like between two regions in a week or so?

What's your opinion where we should stay in Tokyo? I mean, Tokyo is big and yeah, we don't know anything about the special wards in Tokyo. Important things we would like to do are going to a maid cafe (hehe) and going into a bar in the evening, but yeah, I think that's possible everywhere in Tokyo. So yeah, if you can recommend some sights, things to do in Tokyo or in which region we should stay overnight, we would be really glad :) Otherwise we would most likely just wander around, haha.

Would be great if someone can share his/her experience with me. And are there any other advices you can give us? Like yeah, what to do and not to do, difference in culture etc.

Thx in advance for your answers :)

I'm from the UK, so I don't think I'd know much. But I do watch a couple of YouTubers who are from Japan or are familiar with the Japanese Culture. I hope this helps! :D

Spoiler: Video list:

From,
T

 

[pumasrevenge]

I'm from the UK, so I don't think I'd know much. But I do watch a couple of YouTubers who are from Japan or are familiar with the Japanese Culture. I hope this helps! :D

Spoiler: Video list:

From,
T

Thx for the links :) After watching them I have to say that some of them go without saying (for example being polite etc., don't grope, haha, etc.). The thing with the tip was new to me, but I heard about the thing with the chopsticks, the shoes and things (everything thx to animes, mangas and so on, hehe).

Some things you would to if you were in Tokyo for a week? Or where would you make your holiday in Japan? :)

 

[Tee]

Thx for the links :) After watching them I have to say that some of them go without saying (for example being polite etc., don't grope, haha, etc.). The thing with the tip was new to me, but I heard about the thing with the chopsticks, the shoes and things (everything thx to animes, mangas and so on, hehe).

Some things you would to if you were in Tokyo for a week? Or where would you make your holiday in Japan? :)

Ehh- I've never been to Japan in my life. (T-T)

 

[pumasrevenge]

Ehh- I've never been to Japan in my life. (T-T)

I know, that's the reason I asked where you would go and what you would do, if you could be in Japan for one week ;D

 

[pichu655889]

Recently at an anime convention I went to they were promoting this travel guidebook apparently targeted toward otakus

It's something you have to pay for but maybe you could get it if you're interested? Iirc they were selling it at about 7USD per booklet

https://www.facebook.com/tokyopopguide/

 

[AB_Titty]

- English communication in Japan
If it's a big city such as Tokyo, you might meet the people who can speak English with around 30% of probability. If it's a local city such as Nagaoka, they decrease to around 10%.

- Guidance indication in English
English is written for the indication of the station.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/transportation/f_languages/foreign_languages_2.html

Spoiler: indication of the station

Spoiler: Shinkansen

In the shop, English is rarely written at the entrance.
Most of Maid Cafes and Anime/Game store are in Akihabara but there are few bars.There are many bars for foreigners in Roppongi. (night Roppongi is not so safe)
If you like slightly strange atmospheres, Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho of Shinjuku are popular, too.

Spoiler: Golden Gai

Spoiler: Omoide Yokocho

Sushi and Beyond
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sushi/

When you learn some kanji and katakana, it will be convenient.
Tokyo: 東京, Nagaoka: 長岡, Akihabara: 秋葉原, Roppongi: 六本木, Shinjuku: 新宿
Shinkansen: 新幹線, Station: 駅(eki), Airport: 空港(kuukou), Hotel: ホテル, Exit: 出口(deguchi), Restroom: 洗面所(senmenjo) or トイレ(toire), Tourist Information: 案内所(annaijo), Stand(Shop): 売店(baiten), Liquor: 酒(sake), Maid Cafe: メイドカフェ, Fireworks: 花火(hanabi)

- The ticket of the railway
Many foreigners doing a trip in Japan use JAPAN RAIL PASS.
The Japanese railway is divided into four companies, and Tokyo and Nagaoka are areas of JR East. If you go back and forth in Tokyo and Nagaoka, both JAPAN RAIL PASS and JR EAST PASS are usable.
JAPAN RAIL PASS: 29,110 Yen (7-days)
JR EAST PASS: 22,000 Yen (5-days)
The ticket which is common from Tokyo to Nagaoka (one way): 8,430 Yen (Unreserved seat), 8,950 Yen (reserved seat)
JAPAN RAIL PASS http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html
JR EAST PASS http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/index.html

July and August are tourist seasons in Japan. The local city such as Nagaoka has fewer hotels than Tokyo, so you must make a reservation early. There are many hotels in Tokyo, but the hotel which can speak English is crowded very much because foreign tourists increased.

 

[pichu655889]

I agree things would definitely be a lot easier if you could speak and read some Japanese.

Oh, and one thing you should take note is that in Japan not all prices are listed with tax (税込) and some prices are listed without tax (税別).
It took me an embarrassing moment with the cashier to learn that XXX円＋税 means the price listed doesn't include tax

I'm not sure if other countries do something similar but I wasn't used to it so I found it pretty trippy.

 

[minuore]

My trip there wasn't as fun for me since I just follow friends who aren't otakus. 2 of them do watch anime, but we went mostly go around window shopping which wasn't my thing. It was in mid September.
Everything we did was within Tokyo, except to Gotemba premium outlet which took more than 4 hours to reach by bus as it was Saturday where there's traffic jam. Certainly wasted most of that day.

You may try go for cheaper accommodation, I believe is called 'Short-Term Room Rentals' from an article 'Ditch the Hotel: 10 Cheaper Ways to Stay'. The owners of the apartment was a couple :P
For 4 of us, around SGD$230~for 1 person for 5 nights. We stayed in Akasaka for 3 nights and 2 nights in 新宿五丁目, shinjuku 5th district. 1 night was missing as the 1st location we had, got 1 booking in the middle of our stay. It wasn't bad as I get to see how small the apartment is and feels comfortable as home, toilets are generally smaller than my home one.

That missing night we stayed in Manga/Internet cafe(Manboo) tried to sleep but just cubicles and people smoke there, unexpectedly many sleep there! We wanted to shower but seem to be limited to group of 6.
If you travel within Tokyo whole day, there are day passes. But look at where you plan to go before buying, there are 2 kinds of ticket, Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway. Tokyo Metro need 600￥, while both for 1k.

I can read some kanjis briefly as I'm chinese and self learn basic Jap.
Rarely any can speak English or just shy away because they don't think their level is able to help and to avoid embarassment. We were able to get by pointing where to go on train maps with the personnel there, train maps even have both English and Jap side. I do seem to spot some foreigners around often.

Tips that may be of help: If you are going to Tokyo from Narita Airport, color on the train determines which station they will stop at on the map; when changing trains to reach Tokyo.
Mentioned tax (8%), some shopping areas or large mall can let you reclaim/avoid fee. Need your foreign passport and probably the receipt. Lookout for spending targets(commonly 10k yen) then decide that you can go for a refund.
There are train compartments that is limited to women-only during peak hours. Just look out for them if you are near the head of the train.


Not sure if this is rare, but the only place with where I spot gacha for KanColle scrolls is Ueno. Got my Shimakaze
Might add if I feel like recalling

 

[pumasrevenge]

Big thx to all of you :)

After reading all this posts and looking for some articles of all the regions mentioned we most likely decided to avoid Roppongi. Akihabara will be on our schedule as well (or at least it's planned). Since we don't consider us as "otaku's" but rather a simple fan of anime, manga and in my case visual novels, we most likely will have little use for all the gaming stores and so there. But since we will buy the JR EAST PASS for Nagaoka anyway, we could as well visit Akihabara. It definitely will be a highlight on our trip, in it's own way.

Since we planned to stay in a hotel, we don't have to care about the transfer from the airport to the hotel (and back). The only thing we are still scared of is that we won't find people in Nagaoka who can speak English, hehe. But yeah, no risk no fun :D And since the guidings on the rail station is in English as well we should find to our destinations. If not, yeah, we will just ask someone. From some tv series I know that Japanese are really friendly, and I hope we have the same luck asking the right people there for help if necessary.

The thing with the railway ticket is also good, so we only have to pay once. In our case we tend to the JR EAST PASS since we only plan to travel between Tokyo and Nagaoka. Tokyo is large enough to explore, so our seven days, from which two are already reserved for Nagaoka, aren't even long enough. We don't plan to stay longer since we don't even know if we will like it there. In the end we can travel make a second time too, but yeah, that's still a long time to go.

The thing with the tax isn't really a problem for us. Maybe we will be perplexed the first time too, but we won't buy that much except food and drinks. So I think our costs "outside" of the hotel will be minimal (except the train tickets). Generally, the money hopefully won't be a problem for us. Normally we planned the journey two years ago, but at that time we both didn't have a job. Now we have a stable job and with it a stable income since over one year and the journey to Japan was one of our first "dreams" we want to achieve :)

Another question I have regarding the money: Is it hard to exchange money/currency there? With this I mean if there are many stores, banks etc. where we could exchange money or is there only the airport and some banks or so? Since we are from Europe and pay with Euro's we rarely have something to do with this (most of the time Paypal do this for us, haha).

And thx again for our help :) In the next few weeks we will look for a hotel now, but I don't know how long this will take (because of the holidays, where we spent much time with our family). Any other types of housing are new to us, so we don't want to try this out on our Japan trip ... want to play it safe :D

 

[AB_Titty]

- Exchange
You can change cash into Japanese Yen at a bank and a post office(Japan Post Bank), but it's possible only at some branches. The function to search a possible branch in an official site supports only Japanese.
When you exchange money, Travelex may be more convenient. The procedure about the exchange is easier than a bank and can search a place in English.
http://www.travelex.co.jp/JP/Home/
http://www.travelex.co.jp/JP/Stores-By-Region/

- ATM (cash machine)
The ATM of most banks doesn't support an issued card in a foreign country. The ATM of post office(Japan Post Bank) and 7-Eleven(convenience store) supports it. There are much post office and 7-Eleven in the various parts of Japan. (also in Nagaoka)
* You can't search the place of the post office in English. 7-Eleven is all right.
* Because the convenience store except 7-Eleven doesn't support, please be careful.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/atm.html
http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/oos/adv/intlcard02/en/

You'll look for such a signboard.

Spoiler

post office

Japan Post Bank

7-Eleven

English: Where is the post office?
Japanese: 郵便局はどこですか？ (Yuubinkyoku wa doko desuka?)

English: Where is the 7-Eleven?
Japanese: セブンイレブンはどこですか？ (Seven-Eleven wa doko desuka?)

Many Japanese understand simple English of this level, but can't speak an answer in English. You will get communication if you use a gesture, the enumeration of the simple word and conversation by writing.

- Other sightseeing spot
-- Tokyo
Asakusa
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3004.html
Meiji Jingu Shrine
http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3002.html
Tokyo Tower
http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/eng/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3009.html
Tsukiji Outer Market
http://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html
Tokyo Disney Resort
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3016_land.html
Ooedo Onsen Monogatari (Hot spring)
http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/en/top/
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3041.html
Ryōgoku Kokugikan (Sumo stadium / Sumo museum)
http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/index
http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/sumo_museum/index
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/topics_event/topics/120903/topics.html
Robot Restaurant
http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/?lng=en
http://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/robot-restaurant-1

Spoiler

-- Yokohama, Kanagawa
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
http://www.raumen.co.jp/english/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3202.html
Cupnoodles Museum
http://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/english/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3212.html

-- Nikko, Tochigi
Toshogu Shrine
http://www.toshogu.jp/english/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3801.html
Edo Wonderland (Nikkou Edo-mura)
http://edowonderland.net/en/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3879.html
It's far from Tokyo a little, but is a very interesting place. If you have JR EAST PASS, the fare of the train is unnecessary. (express Kingawa-go or Spacia Kinugawa-go)

 

[pichu655889]

D:

I wanna go to Tokyo

 

[pumasrevenge]

- Exchange
You can change cash into Japanese Yen at a bank and a post office(Japan Post Bank), but it's possible only at some branches. The function to search a possible branch in an official site supports only Japanese.
When you exchange money, Travelex may be more convenient. The procedure about the exchange is easier than a bank and can search a place in English.
http://www.travelex.co.jp/JP/Home/
http://www.travelex.co.jp/JP/Stores-By-Region/
...

Thx man, you helped us a lot! Since we don't like it that much to get on the plane with so many cash we'll just a little with us, therefore we really need a cash machine there. Even if it means visiting it each day, it's safer than having cash for the whole week with us. Hopefully the hotel staff can help us in case we can't find the post office.

And thx for the sightseeing spots as well! A temple/shrine are planned as well, so the Meiji Jingu Shrine or the Toshogu Shrine will be one of our destinations. The Tokyo Tower looks also interesting, but I'm feared of heights, so yeah, don't know if this will be the right choice for me :D I definitely would like to go the Robot Restaurant, that looks awesome, hehe. But anyway, my friend needs to decide as well, and since the journey is only one week long, we most likely will have to pass on some of them for now.

Yesterday we looked for about half an hour for a hotel, but we didn't decide so far. A package with hotel and airplane ticket are a lot cheaper (this will only cost around 1.000-2.500 €, dependent on the hotel and catering). Without such a package we would pay around 300-700€ for the airplane ticket alone. The cheaper the ticket is, the longer the flight (in most cases we even would have to change from one plain to another, since there's no direct connection). The next thing we'll find out is if some of the travel agencies in our region have such packages or if we have to book online.

 

[AB_Titty]

I'm glad to be useful for you

Though you may already know, the JR East Pass seems to change a system from the spring of 2016. It's divided into two passes. If you go back and forth by Nagaoka and Nikkou from Tokyo, the new "JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass" will be convenient. Free area becomes smaller than conventional pass, and price seems to fall. (18,000Yen)
http://www.japan-guide.com/news/151101.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_nagano_niigata.html

The time when fireworks are performed in Nagaoka is fireworks season in Japan. The scale is smaller than Nagaoka, but many fireworks are also performed in Tokyo. If your schedule matches, how about also seeing them?
(The Sumida River fireworks have a big scale. However, you should not see it. There are very many visitors, and many troubles happen.)
In Jingu Stadium, fireworks are performed during a baseball game. Though the scale is small, it might be fun if you are interested in baseball.
Jingu Stadium
http://www.jingu-stadium.com/english/

If you are interested in shrines, how about getting "Goshuin" when you visited them? It becomes the souvenir of the trip. In Meiji Jinguu Shrine and Toshogu Shrine, an original "Goshuin-chou"(seal book) to write goshuin is sold. If you buy a seal book at either place visited earlier, goshuin of the next place is written for the same seal book.
*Goshuin: 300Yen, Goshuin-chou: 1,000~1,500Yen
Goshuin
http://tadaimajp.com/2015/06/goshuin/
Goshuin-chou (seal book)
http://zoomingjapan.com/items/japanese-seal-book/

Spoiler

seal book of Toshogu

seal book of Toshogu_2

seal book of Meiji Jingu

 

[pumasrevenge]

I'm glad to be useful for you

Though you may already know, the JR East Pass seems to change a system from the spring of 2016. It's divided into two passes. If you go back and forth by Nagaoka and Nikkou from Tokyo, the new "JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass" will be convenient. Free area becomes smaller than conventional pass, and price seems to fall. (18,000Yen)
http://www.japan-guide.com/news/151101.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_nagano_niigata.html

Thx again! The "JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass" is definitely worth consideration for us. With this we could even visit the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, or am I wrong there (since it says so in point 3)?

Regarding the fireworks: We also read about the Sumida River Firework before, but since we decided to go for the one in Nagaoka we didn't longer think about it. And if you say there's often trouble involved, we'll most likely ditch it. The firework in Jingu Stadium isn't that interessting for us, since we don't know anything about baseball :D In our homecountry we only have football (soccer) and winter sports like hockey, skiing, ski jumping and so on, and that's it.

And hehe, two days ago (when watching the hotel) we said to us that we'll definitely buy a souvenir somewhere. And with the Goshuin and the seal book it's decided I think. I mean, we said we'll buy something at a shrine but if we buy something else we would have to buy two souvenirs if we visit both shrines, so it's better to buy the Goshuin-cho ... and to be true, it looks really cool in my opinion :)

 

[Tee]

I know, that's the reason I asked where you would go and what you would do, if you could be in Japan for one week ;D

Maybe Tokyo? I'm not sure. xD I would have to plane everything out before I go since I'm sure most foreigners go to the Capital. Hmm, I'm not sure what the first thing I would if I did go to Japan. Maybe go to a Maid or Anime Cafe or try some ramen there? (>_<)

 

[AB_Titty]

Thx again! The "JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass" is definitely worth consideration for us. With this we could even visit the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, or am I wrong there (since it says so in point 3)?

Regarding the fireworks: We also read about the Sumida River Firework before, but since we decided to go for the one in Nagaoka we didn't longer think about it. And if you say there's often trouble involved, we'll most likely ditch it. The firework in Jingu Stadium isn't that interessting for us, since we don't know anything about baseball :D In our homecountry we only have football (soccer) and winter sports like hockey, skiing, ski jumping and so on, and that's it.

Yep, you are all right if you use "JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass".
Football and ski jumping are also popular in Japan. You live in the cold country, don't you? Japan from the end of July to the beginning of August is sweltering heat. The temperature is more than 30 degrees every day. They sometimes exceed 35 degrees. You'll fall under the weather when outside long time, so it's better to get yourselves a little extra time for plan.



You still have time until a schedule of Nagaoka's fireworks is announced. You think through a plan, please. I hope that your trip becomes good :)

 

[pumasrevenge]

Maybe Tokyo? I'm not sure. xD I would have to plane everything out before I go since I'm sure most foreigners go to the Capital. Hmm, I'm not sure what the first thing I would if I did go to Japan. Maybe go to a Maid or Anime Cafe or try some ramen there? (>_<)

Hehe, you aren't the only one with the Maid cafe :D In this case this is also the right thread for you. Then you some ideas what to do if you go to Japan :)

Yep, you are all right if you use "JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass".
Football and ski jumping are also popular in Japan. You live in the cold country, don't you? Japan from the end of July to the beginning of August is sweltering heat. The temperature is more than 30 degrees every day. They sometimes exceed 35 degrees. You'll fall under the weather when outside long time, so it's better to get yourselves a little extra time for plan.



You still have time until a schedule of Nagaoka's fireworks is announced. You think through a plan, please. I hope that your trip becomes good :)

My favourite ski jumper comes from Japan, Noriaki Kasai, haha. Really enviable to be so good in ski jumping and that with his age. And yeah, since I'm myself a fan of football I know a few footballer from Japan. But this are only the ones which are playing in the European top clubs. And then I know some of the clubs in Japan because of the media, but yeah, not really noteworthy.
I wouldn't say that I'm living in a cold country. Truth to be told, I'm personally thinking that I live in one of the warmest parts in Austria (in the east part of Austria). In summer we also get 30 degrees, sometimes even over 35 degrees, but that's only on a few days/year. Most of the time it's around 30 degrees. But we also have our cold regions here, which are mostly in the western part of Austria (there we have ski slopes and so on and many hotels for tourists. In the eastern part however we sometimes don't even get snow in winter. And if there's snow, a few days later it's gone.

I think until we find a hotel which suits our tastes we need a few weeks anyway. Maybe we'll come to a decision until the beginning or, to be realistic, mid-January :D

Thx again for all your help!

 

[AB_Titty]

My favourite ski jumper comes from Japan, Noriaki Kasai, haha. Really enviable to be so good in ski jumping and that with his age. And yeah, since I'm myself a fan of football I know a few footballer from Japan. But this are only the ones which are playing in the European top clubs. And then I know some of the clubs in Japan because of the media, but yeah, not really noteworthy.
I wouldn't say that I'm living in a cold country. Truth to be told, I'm personally thinking that I live in one of the warmest parts in Austria (in the east part of Austria). In summer we also get 30 degrees, sometimes even over 35 degrees, but that's only on a few days/year. Most of the time it's around 30 degrees. But we also have our cold regions here, which are mostly in the western part of Austria (there we have ski slopes and so on and many hotels for tourists. In the eastern part however we sometimes don't even get snow in winter. And if there's snow, a few days later it's gone.

hmm..., I didn't know that such a hot area was in Austria That would be all right.

Ah~, a "legend" Kasai!! :D He is treated like a hero in Japan.
I like winter sports, so I also see the Alpine events by Olympics. Activity of the Austrian team is always splendid.
I ski by play. At that time, the ski to use is FISCHER, BLIZZARD and ATOMIC :)

And it's difficult to use a free Wi-Fi at a Japanese town, so please be careful. There are many Wi-Fi spots, but most are charged, and the procedure is also troublesome. Many foreign tourists are troubled by such a problem.
Free Wi-Fi is easily available to the services called FREESPOT. Please refer to it.
http://www.freespot.com/users/map_e.html

 

[Murakumo]

Are there no ryokans (japanese inns) in Tokyo? I'm not that familiar with the city. If there were ryokans in tokyo (and if they were cheaper), I would pick the ryokan over hotel. Hotels are usually always the more convenient option for a somewhat helpless foreigner imo, cause most the time the reception speaks decent english

 

[pumasrevenge]

hmm..., I didn't know that such a hot area was in Austria That would be all right.

Ah~, a "legend" Kasai!! :D He is treated like a hero in Japan.
I like winter sports, so I also see the Alpine events by Olympics. Activity of the Austrian team is always splendid.
I ski by play. At that time, the ski to use is FISCHER, BLIZZARD and ATOMIC :)

And it's difficult to use a free Wi-Fi at a Japanese town, so please be careful. There are many Wi-Fi spots, but most are charged, and the procedure is also troublesome. Many foreign tourists are troubled by such a problem.
Free Wi-Fi is easily available to the services called FREESPOT. Please refer to it.
http://www.freespot.com/users/map_e.html

To be true, I'm not really a fan of such a heat myself, but sometimes you have to make a sacrifice, haha. I like my hometown and there aren't really many towns in Austria where I could imagine to live in the future. I like it, if the weather is around 10-20 degrees, so winter regions in Austria would be perfect for me, but on the other side I don't really like the snow :D Watching winter sports is another story. The last two years or so I rarely watched ski jumping or skiing, although the Austrian team was really good the last years. This year it's looking not so good, since some of the good athletes retired last winter season. The only thing I watch regularly is football, but just because my favourite club from Austria, Rapid Wien. Otherwise I'm not really the sportsmen myself. Occasionally I'm playing football with friends, but just for fun. I'm interested in some sports and I know what's going on in the world of this sports, but I don't really watch it live on the TV (mostly just the highlights).

Free Wi-Fi isn't really a problem for us. We don't belong to the people who play with their smartphones the whole time when on tour with friends. In the hotel it's also enough for us if there's free Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby, and this applies to nearly all of the hotels. Some of them also have free Wi-Fi in the rooms, but we don't need that. But thx for the info anyway :)

Are there no ryokans (japanese inns) in Tokyo? I'm not that familiar with the city. If there were ryokans in tokyo (and if they were cheaper), I would pick the ryokan over hotel. Hotels are usually always the more convenient option for a somewhat helpless foreigner imo, cause most the time the reception speaks decent english

In our case it's not just about the language, although it's our main concern, hehe. The first time make holidays in a country we stay at the hotel, cause we are more "familiar" with this type of stay and most of the time there's a "contact person" from the travel agency as well. We will be underway most of the and we don't know the place at all, so I think there will be many questions when in Japan. Like I said, we understand and we can speak a little bit Japanese (better than French anyway, which I had five years at school, haha), but this knowledge isn't on such a high niveau to have a conversation with Japanese people. Long story short, if someone can't understand English, the next thing would be symbolic language ... if this doesn't help as well, we are screwed :D And speaking is very important in our cases, since we can't really read kanji (with exception of the few ones mentioned in this thread already). And the staff from the hotel can answer at least some of our questions already, so the possbility to need asking someone on the way is closer.
And if we have made good experience with the Japanese people and if we can say "we never really had language problems there", we can stay anywhere else too, since we can assume there will be no language problems there as well.