First Japan trip - Need help on places to shop/visit

With those two extra days do you think you'll have enough time to make it to Tokyo and enjoy your time? The best use of your limited time would be just stay in the Kyoto & Osaka area. There's plenty to do there, just my opinion.

Kyoto's kind of a no brainer, the temples are all really cool. It's very traditional old Japan with a lot of history. I say this to everyone but the best way to enjoy the culture is to try the local cusine. It can be intimidating if you don't know the language so it might help if you have someone who speaks Japanese. If not don't let that discourage you. In my experiance Japanese are very plesant torwards international people. Hot springs are also nice, see if there are any in the area.

I know Tako-yaki (Octupus Balls) and Okonomiyaki (Omlet, pancake pizza) are famous local cuisines on Osaka. Kitsune Udon and Tecchiri w/ Fugu (blowfish) also come to mind.

Tokyo is great, but not really necessary with such a short stay because there are lots of things to do in Osaka and Kyoto.

Make sure you eat in some of the small places just off the street (or in the street). You can find lots of mom & pop food places that are great, and usually not too expensive if you go down the side streets a bit.

If you're shopping (for anything really, but especially games), be on the lookout for stores on the 2nd floor. Not multi-story stores, but small shops with signs that tell you they are upstairs. Rent is cheaper so prices are often better (especially for 2nd hand shops).

This is great info. Thanks!
I just borrowed a Kyoto guidebook from a friend at work that has been many times.

Can I get around Kyoto with just English? I don't know any Japanese. Should I buy a book of common Japanese phrases?

[quote name='chuckm79']

Can I get around Kyoto with just English? I don't know any Japanese. Should I buy a book of common Japanese phrases?[/QUOTE]

We did okay without knowing any Japanese - just knowing a few phrase like where is the bathroom or what time can be helpful.

There were a few miscommunications with Taxi drivers. One was about the limit of how many people in a cab.

Kyoto may have been my favorite place over there (out of where we went). A nice mix of tradition and the city. We ended up in the suburbs once lost at night walking around people's houses. I really liked seeing the Golden Pavillion. Also really liked Osaka Castle.

Going to Japan led me to taking a Japanese course and working on the language - I do wish I knew a little when I was over there, but someday I will go back (hopefully).

reading this will have JP trip soon too.. hahaha Hey @chuckm79 how was your trip back then?

In Tokyo right now till Friday. I'm staying in Shinjuku, and check several Electronic Shops (BIC and Labi), No switch or Famicom.

wow.. I'll be there in August or September since I'll be on a tight budget, I will just avail AirBnB. How's the weather there so far? Are there any cherry blossoms at this time? 

Weather is between 15-21 Celcius, but it's windy.

Btw, I got lucky and found the switch while actually looking to buy a Camera at LABI around 11PM couple days ago and still had about 5 gray and 3 colored one when I left.

I came back to Labi, right when they about to open the door the next day to buy extra battery for the new camera and switches are all gone. So somebody must have bought it that night. Hard to find switch here.

Don't forget to try mario cart in Tokyo, 2 hours driving around Tokyo in Go-cart while using Mario's Cart costume. Google and book it.