Tourism suggestions for a DC Fan visiting Japan

[GTSavvy]

So, as luck would have it, I am getting the opportunity to visit Japan (Tokyo, specifically) for 2-3 days early next month. As a big fan of all things Detective Conan, my mind immediately started thinking about all the different Conan-related things I might be able to do or see while I'm there. I'm already looking into making a day trip out to the Tottori prefecture to pay a visit to the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory (http://www.gamf.jp/english/), but am otherwise still in the planning phases and figured I would go to fellow Conan fans for any good suggestions for things to do or see. Might it be worth it to see 11th Striker in theaters while I'm there (despite not speaking Japanese... and would it even still be in theaters then)? Are there locations that are important to the Conan arc that are also worth visiting from a "touristy, see Japan!" kind of angle (Osaka comes to mind here, but maybe there are places closer to Tokyo that I'm not thinking of).

Of course, other non-Conan related suggestions are also welcome!

[Misaki-chan]

I don't have any suggestions for Tokyo (except probably Akihabara and maybe Tokyo Tower), but there's a huge manga museum in Kyoto where you can read a whole lot of manga (if you can read Japanese, you got two whole floors and most of the third one to read; but if not they have a bunch of mangas in other languages too). Also, if you can, you should stop in the southern islands of Japan, they're really nice~ <3

[aly_angelflight]

If you're only going to be there for a couple days, you might want to stick to just one general area if you want to do any sight-seeing. Otherwise, you'd be rushing all over the place and thus won't get to enjoy your stay in Japan. ^^;

[GTSavvy]

[quote="Misaki-chan"]
I don't have any suggestions for Tokyo (except probably Akihabara and maybe Tokyo Tower), but there's a huge manga museum in Kyoto where you can read a whole lot of manga (if you can read Japanese, you got two whole floors and most of the third one to read; but if not they have a bunch of mangas in other languages too). Also, if you can, you should stop in the southern islands of Japan, they're really nice~ -<

[c-square]

Unfortunately, the only way you could make it to the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory in one day from Tokyo before it closes is either to fly, or to leave Tokyo the night before on an overnight train.  It's very far away from Tokyo, so if you really want to see it, I'd suggest spending a full day traveling by train to Tottori and stay there overnight, then the next day, travel to the Manga Factory and spend the day seeing the museum and Conan Town.  You could return to Tottori and stay a second night.  Then, spend your third day just traveling back to Tokyo.

If you want to see more than just one thing on your trip, it might be better to skip the Manga Factory (it's not really a factory, just a small museum), and instead spend your time checking out Tokyo.  You could spend two weeks there and not see everything, so 2-3 days can be packed.  And because Conan lives in Tokyo, there's lots of landmarks that have been in the show that you can check out.  A few that come to mind are riding the Yamanote line, which was prominently featured in Movie 1 (ride during morning rush hour for a unique experience), and Tokyo Tower of course.  Tokyo Disneyland is probably what comes closest to Tropical Land, however the amusement park outside Tokyo Dome is a smaller and more central alternative.  

Odaiba has the Ferris wheel that inspired the whole Sato lost-love story arc, as well as the Fuji TV building (similar to the TV studios the Detective Gang keep finding themselves in) and a huge hot springs complex where you can bathe like the DC characters do on so many of their shows.  You could also always take in a soccer or baseball game or check out the Sumo wrestling if you happen to be there at the time.

Finally, you should be sure to eat some of the food featured on Conan.  Okonomiyaki is an absolute must, in my humble opinion, along with ramen, and curry rice.  Also, check out the convenience stores, video arcades and, if you're brave and don't mind loud noise, pachinko parlors, to see how they are in real life.  

This is just the Conan related sights around Tokyo.  (If anyone can think of any others, please post them!)  I haven't even mentioned the typical sights people see, such as the gorgeous Meiji Jingu shrine, the bustling Asakusa temple, the bright lights of Shinjuku, Shibuya and the Akihabara electronics district and checking out the latest Tokyo fashion and cosplay around Harajuku.  

So, I know you're all excited to see Conan Town, but with such little time it would be a shame to spend it all going to see one thing when you could instead see so much more.