Railgun

This is more of a what's happening thread other than anything specific.

I'm taking a work trip in mid October to Singapore and Tokyo. I've been to Singapore before, and I was stationed in Oki in a previous life, but I've never been to Tokyo. As it's a work trip, and because of what I do I'll most likely be stuck in a data center all weekend. However, should I have some free time, I wouldn't mind getting some pointers on where a suitable spot would be for anything car related. I'm open to everything and anything. I'll only have public transportation at my disposal AFAIK.

As far as Okinawa goes, I'd be interested in hearing from any Marines that may be on this forum, specifically those that are either on Camp Schwab or know someone who is. Just curious as to the lay of the land these days. Should I have enough free time, I might try to make a trip over. I don't know if this is allowed these days over there, but if an old former Marine can visit the camps these days, that would be great.

If nothing else, just hope I can take in what the city has to offer in the little time I'll be there.

akunochi

iTrader: (7)

Not a Marine, Im one of the Torii Station Guys. Oki has become very popular more so than ever before. We actually surpassed the Hawaii in tourists this year. As far as visiting the camps you would need to speak with someone that works there as each will have its own security protocol.

Getting back to Tokyo what are your interests?

Railgun

Photography, any motorsport, and really just looking at the underlying culture of a place. I don't want to get stuck into the touristy places, though being my first time there, I'm sure there will be a few. I usually research for the best vantage points of a city as I try to do cityscapes where possible. Don't know that I'll have a suitable location for this.

The image on this page...

https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0000005/

Yeah...I'd go for that. But any other view of the city skyline; I don't know that anyone looking at it would recognize it as Tokyo, probably because those aren't the images that are usually associated with it. Where as this for example...

https://www.theseedyproject.com/The-...ng/i-qNsB9vG/A

...is unmistakably Hong Kong.

If I had a couple weeks there of nothing but free time, it would be another story. But as it's a work trip, I'll probably be limited to a couple shots in a couple locations. If I'm lucky, hop to Oki for an overnighter.

Interesting to hear about Okinawa. How is the mindset there these days with respect to the military presence? I was there in 95 when those two Marines and sailor raped that 14 yo girl. What a shitshow that was.

Railgun

I’m now here. We’re probably heading to Hiroshima tomorrow or Wednesday.

I’m open to suggestions as to where there may be some car culture spots around Tokyo.

Or a spot for great yakisoba.

caredden

iTrader: (148)

If you are in Hiroshima, you definitely need to try some Okonomiyaki (local Hiroshima-style dish). It is also sold in other areas, but Hiroshima style (layered) is different from Osaka-style. Since you are into photography, you could easily hit up Miyajima (near Hiroshima). Miyajima is famous for the large red torii in the water (I'm sure you have seen pics of the torii previously).

I'm in Okinawa now, but have a little over five years in the Iwakuni (west of Hiroshima) area. My wife is from northern Hiroshima, so I have a soft spot for the city.

Enjoy your time in Japan!

Railgun

Thanks for the suggestion.

We did make it to Hiroshima, however we didn’t get a chance to make it out to Miyajima as we didn’t have enough time unfortunately. While the Shinkansen is fast, it’s not as fast as I thought. Same speed as the Eurostar in Europe. We changed trains in Osaka and were forced on a slower train from there to Hiroshima. Seems the JR pass is only good for certain Shinkansen lines.

Poignant might not be strong enough to describe Hiroshima. We were standing in front of one of the monuments and a local resident started speaking to us.

He was apparently born eight months after the bomb dropped and I believe he mentioned his siblings were buried under this monument.

We did have Okonomiyaki and it was very good. Turns out we need to come back to Japan in maybe a month so some things we didn’t get a chance to we definitely will next time.

caredden

iTrader: (148)

Yes, the rail pass doesn't allow you to ride the Nozomi (least amount of stops). The Hikari is just as fast as the Nozomi but stops more frequently. Kodama is the "old style" bullet train that stops all the time. I hope you didn't have to ride the Kodama. Since you were using the JR rail pass, I'm surprised you were made to change trains in Osaka. Seems like they would have tried to put you on a train that made it all the way to Hiroshima. There are occasions where some of the Shinkansens will go only so far West and Osaka is often that point.

Hiroshima is a powerful place to visit. Was peace park museum still under modernization construction when you were there? During my last visit in August, it was still being worked on and only a portion of the museum was open. I've been there too many times. When friends want to come visit and see peace park, I would often just drop them off and do some shopping while they were inside. I don't need to keep seeing the artifacts...the one with the tricycle hits me too close, as I have young kids now.

My wife's grandfather (passed a few years ago) was actually driving a city bus and saw the bomb explosion. Since he was considered an "exposed citizen", he was given a special class of medical treatment during his life span.

Railgun

Hi all,

Odd request here. Are there any Marines or GS civilians here that happen to be stationed at Camp Schwab?

Our previous trip had some issues in that the work we'd come out to do was cancelled at literally the 11th hour. As such, I'm coming out there again and this time will be taking a day and a half in Okinawa. Can't visit the base unless I'm sponsored so I thought I'd ask here.

JSpek92

iTrader: (2)

Out of curiosity, why in the world would you want to go to Schwab? There's like nothing there. Except as maybe a "gateway" to Nago. Not really any reason to be there. The southern camps actually have things you could do.

If your trip happens across the 4th Saturday of the month, there's a gathering that takes place in the evenings down near American Village. Every other month I believe is the American Cars & Coffee Saturday mornings. Depending on the time, there may or may not be a drift or gymkhana event going on somewhere. Moto gymkhana is every month as well in Agena, if that's your thing. 3rd Sunday, I think.

Railgun

Was a nostalgia thing for me. Not that, as a civilian these days, there was a whole lot I could do anyway. I remember less of Foster than the rest as I never had any reason to go there. Maybe the E club once in a while. But if you're down there, why go to the base anyway.

It was a Monday eve/Tuesday. Yeah...nothing to do, but I was more curious to see what's what after nearly 25 years.

I barely recognized a thing.