JapanaTen: Our dream date spots for Valentine's Day

8:25 PM on 02.14.2012   |   Josh Tolentino

It's Valentine's Day, everyone! Do you have a lover, 2D or otherwise? Yes? Then why are you here reading exploitative list features on the internet?! Take your lover out on a date! And no, I don't care if she or he is a pillow! That one guy..what's his name...James Franco did it. You can, too!

What? Don't know where to go? Well, that's what we're here for! Conveniently, our exploitative list for today is all about the places we'd love to go for our Valentine's Day outing!

Read on to see where we would go (or perhaps, where we went), then tell us where you would want to go on your dream date!

Josh Tolentino

The Velvet Room (Persona series)

Ahh, the Velvet Room. It's absolutely the perfect pan-dimensional date spot. It's every place, and all places, in one place. Once you enter through the glowing blue door, you might be in a crazy elevator, or the next day, you might be in a classy limo. My date and I would pick the "classy lounge" version from Persona, the one with a grand piano in it, with Isis crooning at the mic in an evening dress.

Lounging in a booth there, then stepping up to Igor's couch to get a reading of our future together? Now that's what I'd call a supernatural Valentine's.

Ahnenerbe (Carnival Phantasm)

You might think this place is just a regular coffee shop (albeit one staffed by freakish pseudo-cats), but at a certain time of the year, this place is a Type-MOON fan's wet dream. When the Carnival Moon is out, the festival begins, and all your would-be brides from all possible Type-MOON universes make themselves manifest, if only long enough to have a spot of coffee, curry, or cake.

It's a party atmosphere like none other, and all my date and I will have to worry about is dodging the occasional use of someone's Noble Phantasm.

New York City (Sakura Wars: So Long My Love)

Ahh, the Big Apple. The center for urban life and the home of Lady Liberty! Truly, it is the most modern city of the 1920s, with all the latest in steam-powered technology, airship transport, and anti-demon defense! It's also the heart of arts and culture. Why not catch a show on Broadway at the Little Lip Theater? The beautiful young actresses of the New York Combat Revue are a sight to behold!

Salvador G-Rodiles

Planet Tenrei (Outlaw Star)

On planet Tenrei, there is a vacation getaway known as Hagone Hot Springs World. Unlike your typical hot springs resort, there is a lot of variety available on this planet that you and your lover can partake in. Ever wanted to have the experience of going down a water slide in a hot springs resort? Well, Hagone offers a hot springs water park, where you can get the best of both worlds.

If you are tired of wandering through the planet, then you can take advantage of the railway system that is available here. As you and your lover are waiting to get to your next destination, the inside of the train actually gets flooded with hot springs water. Which will allow you guys to relax, as you enjoy the scenic view. To help fill up your stomachs, there are various shops and restaurants where you can buy your favorite snacks and meals, which happen to be native to Japan. Finding the waters not hot enough for you? Well, you are in luck, they also have hot springs at temperature levels that not many normal humans can handle. If you are looking for a normal experience, they also offer a relaxing hot spring experience where you can also enjoy a drink of sake.

Why would you want to head to Tenrei as a get away spot? As I mentioned before, the place has so much variety compare to other resorts on planet Earth. It appeals to couple who want to relax, couple who want a daring adventure, and couples who want to partake in all of the above. However, there is only one condition that you must fulfill before taking a step on Tenrei's grounds. You must make sure that you are in your swimsuit at all times during your stay. If you left your swimsuit at home, then the inhabitants of Tenrei will give you one free of charge.

Chris Walden

The Hyperbolic Time Chamber (Dragon Ball Z)

Elliot Gay

Daten City (Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt)

I'm a big fan of classically romantic dates. Innocent, fun getaways to a beautiful spot with the woman I love are the best ways to spend V-Day. I would most certainly take my date to Daten City. Filled with things to do and an absolutely lovely population of people, I would feel 100% safe taking my girl out for the night.

If there is one place that would allow a couple to maintain their child-like innocence, it would be the church at the top of the hill. I hear that there are even angels who dwell there! According to rumors, they also have an amazing skill set that I would love to experience first hand. What better way is there than to spend time with the woman I love, in the presence of pure angels?

Kristina Pino

Mount Fuji at sunrise (Japan)

I've been around Mt Fuji, but due to time and weather restraints haven't ever tried climbing it. As nice as sunsets are it's definitely special to share a sunrise with someone, and the Fuji Sunrise climb is famous. Eventually, I'd like to do it, and hopefully with someone I'd call my Valentine.

That and enjoying the hot spring resorts around the ol' Fuji-san is a super amazing bonus. Alternatively, I'd love to hit up one of those famous freeze-your-butt-off locations with igloo/ice huts/hotels that have sky-facing windows to view the northern lights from your... Warm ice hut. How nice would it be to snuggle with your honey in freezing weather and see the sky turn green!

Michelle Rodanes

Olympus (Appleseed)

Olympus is a man-made isle located in the South Atlantic Ocean somewhere near the Canary Islands. The archipelago's beaches, weather, and rad 80s inspired architecture make it a highly desirable tourist destination. Olympus has a sub-tropical climate with long warm summers and moderately warm winters. The island's most iconic attractions are perhaps within Gaia City, Home of the Central Management Bureau, and the Tartaros and Daidalos arcologies.

Why would I like to go an extended romantic vacation in Olympus? Because it's fucking awesome.

Jeff Chuang

Outside of Tokyo Jupiter (RahXephon)

A giant, imposing, glowing quantum barrier of doom is not really romantic if you walk right up to it. From a short distance away, though, it makes the ocean-side date just slightly more exotic, as if you're beyond the asteroid belt and yet you're in a quaint, Japanese seaside town, all to yourself and your date. That probably was exactly what the protagonists of the show did, albeit by coincidence.

The town abandoned through time, frozen from the 90s, is kind of neat too--if you ignore how there's no running water and all there's left to eat is instant noodles and canned food.

Hiroko Yamamura

SDF-2 Megaroad (Superdimension Fortress Macross)

Yeah, I'm a pretty cheap date. Where would be more romantic than traveling to edge of space!? Sure we may never find out the fate of the Megaroad, but heck, we can all dream of its wonderful adventures. Someone cue up an Iijima tune so I ca get all misty eyed!