u/Blessadilla

Hi everyone!

After careful consideration following a hectic post-engagement breakup several months ago and change of career, I've decided to go all in and follow my dream before I keep getting any older, but thankfully I'm still feelin' 22. I'll be 40 by the time I fly over and this trip is long over due. For the last 25 years all I've wanted was to go to Japan, back then it wasn't within my reach. Something always intervened in my trip planning, subconsciously, I felt I sabotaged myself out of going sooner due to several factors I won't get into, unless you're buying me a beer lol.

Originally this was going to be a 1 month in Osaka and 1 month in Tokyo, but after some introspection I realized that 1 month in Tokyo might be a little too overstimulating and isolating for me simultaneously. I'm pretty seasoned when it comes to travel and I really enjoy socializing with real people, I always seem to meet some really great people along my journeys. However, coming from NYC my whole life, Lower East Side & Chinatown specifically along with family in Hudson County NJ, I realized how much that has influenced the type of people I bond with. I get along with real people who are hardworking, are community driven and understand struggle yet live to share a good time with others. To me, after my years of research, Shinsaibashi sounds like a Soul Sister neighborhood to the Lower East Side NYC. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Tokyo sounds great, I know I would love it, but I think a couple of short trips over while in Osaka would be better for me. To be honest, I'm more interested in visiting Kyoto, Kobe and Fukuoka more than Tokyo. If things go well then I will certainly do an extended stay in Tokyo following this journey.

I feel this would be a great environment for me to call home base for a couple of months and learn the culture/language. If you've managed to read this far, thank you!

Now, for my questions:

I'm just getting back into practicing my Japanese, it's been years since I've taken classes but still have a pretty surprisingly good understanding of Japanese when listening. My speaking however needs a lot of work. I know we have translator apps and everything, but I personally feel that takes away from working through context in a human way. Are locals generally patient with people who are genuinely trying to learn the language and want to struggle through conversation? I hear mixed things about this, but feel this is usually said about Tokyo in particular.

My schedule is going to be a little atypical as I will be working overnights from 10pm-6am and will have an hour lunch break around 2am-3am, I was wondering if there are any must try late night worker type restaurants/bars in the Shinsaibashi area that would be worth me potentially frequenting to feel apart of the community? I get a lot of raised eyebrows about my schedule, but the reality is that I am a nyctophiliac and my brain is most active at night. This is a great opportunity for me. During the week (M-F), how late are the streets usually active with people? Coming from the LES, I'm very used to seeing people at all hours partying and would love to take advantage during my breaks to people watch and practice some photography.

My understanding is that trains from Osaka to Kyoto are about 30 minutes through the local trains which is perfect for me as I'd like to visit frequently. Even during the week before work. I was just wondering if there are ever instances where all trains are down due to incident or accident for extended periods of time that could prevent someone to making it to their work shift? It seems there is great efficiency from what I see online, but being as apprehensive of believing everything you hear as I am, I'd like to hear some actual experiences if negative.

Does anyone have any Monthly Mansion Rental or even AirBnB recommendations in the Shinsaibashi (surrounding) area specifically? I'd like to stay within walking distance of the heart of Shinsaibashi. My budget is pretty open, I can probably do up to $2000 a month, but would prefer cheaper if possible. As long as I have a bed, desk, kitchen and decent bathroom with a tub, I'll be so happy.

Are there any areas in Osaka I should totally stay away from? I feel like Japan doesn't really have anything I'm afraid of as I'm very street smart. So far all I see is people warning of Red Light Districts and Touts, but that's the least of my worries as I don't fall for those things. I'm mostly talking about areas where alcoholic or hard drug users with mental health issue areas to avoid where things can get randomly violent. This happens in any city, I'm sure there's tweakers lurking somewhere lol, I'd just like to stay away from that environment while drinking is all. Unfortunately these types of people are somehow drawn to me and I end up being too nice to say stay away... Criminals, grifters, touts, etc, no problem getting out of those situations, like ever lol. But when it comes to mentally vulnerable addicts... I just can't say no, I have a soft spot in my heart for them and do my best to be a positive force in those moments.

I'm interested in making friends, like real friends that I keep in touch with, not just Japanese, but from anywhere in the world. Given I will be there for 2 months, From mid October-mid December, are there any recommended organized recreational activities I could potentially look into? I love baseball and frequent batting cages. I also enjoy games, from video to TCG to Board Games. I'm into Pro Wrestling and going to events as often as I can. One of my favorite things to do is go to local music venues and check out the bands/artists. Visiting galleries and making art. I love to learn and would really like to pick up at least 1 cultural skill in my time there, like cooking local foods, sculpting/carving, painting, etc. I know I can most likely do this just drinking around, but some sober interactions would be very nice!

I'm also a bit of a chameleon when it comes to my personal style. I'm into post-punk and alternative genres primarily but have a deep love of hip-hop and my latino music roots. My fashion choices are all over the place and there are times I like to bust out a more feminine look despite my big ol' beard and masculine frame. I know in Tokyo plenty of dudes wear skirts and makeup, but I don't hear much about this type of style in Osaka. I really don't like drawing attention to myself, but I can't help liking looking good for myself lol. I really just don't want to be harassed. I'm okay with a passerby making a comment or something, I just don't want people to literally stop me and maliciously bother me if I decide to do my makeup and wear a little lace, ya know?

I have many more questions, but I kind of want to leave it at this for now and maybe post a part II when I get a little deeper in planning over the next couple of weeks.

I thank all who have come and considered responding! Feel free to DM me to chat if interested in sharing experiences or suggestions!

Hello everyone! After all these years I'll finally have an opportunity to see Ayumi in Japan this Autumn but find myself in a bind as I have no idea how to buy them from the US! I've googled and all that stuff but the answers seem super convoluted and some sketchy? Is there really no easier way for an international fan to purchase her tickets? I saw something about joining TeamAyu and using that?

Does anyone have experience with this and wouldn't mind sharing?

Not going to lie, if I had more time I'd just figure it out, but reality is I don't have the time and trying to plan 2 months in another country is already a massive time suck with work and helping to take care of my grandmother (dementia) simultaneously.

I'm sorry if there is a simple solution and I just haven't seen it and I hope this isn't against the rules.

Super grateful! Thanks so much!!

P.S. I'm not looking to buy tickets off of somebody through reddit, scammers please stay out of my inbox.