English Corners in Tokyo?

Cloy Tobola wrote:
I am taking an unexpected trip to Japan soon and have a couple days to
kill in the Tokyo area. Since I'm trying to be frugal (starving
college student), I'm wondering if there are "English Corners" in
Tokyo like they have in China -- places were non-English-speaking
people go to practice their language skills. I thought this might be a
fun way to spend an afternoon as I enjoy chatting with "real" people
as I travel.

Not sure there's much like that anywhere in Japan. You might have
someone start chatting with you anyway, though; it all depends on
chance. I'd plan on doing some sightseeing and see who starts talking
with you.

Information on this, and any other cheap daytime activities in the
Tokyo area, would be appreciated.

Not sure what regional rail passes are available in Tokyo; Kansai
(Osaka) has a good non-JR pass, so I'd assume there's one for Tokyo as
well. When you say 'Tokyo area' are you talking downtown Tokyo,
Yokohama, Chiba, or some other place? With such a limited amount of time
it's tough to say exactly what you should do. If you can fit it in I
suggest heading down to Kamakura early one morning, then stopping in at
Yokohama's Chinatown in the afternoon. That's a decent day trip, costs
less than Yen2,000 round trip (transportation only), and lets you see
some really cool, diverse stuff in a short period of time.

John W.

Cloy Tobola wrote:

I am taking an unexpected trip to Japan soon and have a couple days to
kill in the Tokyo area. Since I'm trying to be frugal (starving
college student), I'm wondering if there are "English Corners" in
Tokyo like they have in China -- places were non-English-speaking
people go to practice their language skills. I thought this might be a
fun way to spend an afternoon as I enjoy chatting with "real" people
as I travel.

There are places known as Eikawa Kissa (English conversation cafes). You
might be able to find details of exact locations by searching on Google.
Systems may vary, but generally I thought that English speakers get
unlimited free coffee if they speak with Japanese customers.
As John says, the best way to chat to real people is probably to actually
get out and go sightseeing. It is not unusual for people to want to try out
their English on you.

--
Dave Fossett
Saitama, Japan

Having returned from Tokyo, I did indeed find a conversation cafe
there.

It's called "Mickey House" and it's located about a block from
Takadanobaba station on the Tokyo subway line. It's on the 4th floor
of a building right next door to the Wendy's resturant. Nice,
comfortable place. Small, but gets a nice variety of Japanse people
who want to practice English.

I believe that hours are 6pm - 11pm, Monday thru Saturday. (Not 4-11pm
as listed on the Yahoo site.) More info see:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...okyo-i?thnku=1

-Cloy

(Cloy Tobola) wrote in message news:
I am taking an unexpected trip to Japan soon and have a couple days to
kill in the Tokyo area. Since I'm trying to be frugal (starving
college student), I'm wondering if there are "English Corners" in
Tokyo like they have in China -- places were non-English-speaking
people go to practice their language skills. I thought this might be a
fun way to spend an afternoon as I enjoy chatting with "real" people
as I travel.

Information on this, and any other cheap daytime activities in the
Tokyo area, would be appreciated.

Excelsior! -Cloy

Having returned from Tokyo, I did indeed find a conversation cafe
there.

It's called "Mickey House" and it's located about a block from
Takadanobaba station on the Tokyo subway line. It's on the 4th floor
of a building right next door to the Wendy's resturant. Nice,
comfortable place. Small, but gets a nice variety of Japanse people
who want to practice English.

I believe that hours are 6pm - 11pm, Monday thru Saturday. (Not 4-11pm
as listed on the Yahoo site.) More info see:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...okyo-i?thnku=1

-Cloy

(Cloy Tobola) wrote in message news:
I am taking an unexpected trip to Japan soon and have a couple days to
kill in the Tokyo area. Since I'm trying to be frugal (starving
college student), I'm wondering if there are "English Corners" in
Tokyo like they have in China -- places were non-English-speaking
people go to practice their language skills. I thought this might be a
fun way to spend an afternoon as I enjoy chatting with "real" people
as I travel.

Information on this, and any other cheap daytime activities in the
Tokyo area, would be appreciated.

Excelsior! -Cloy