The beauty of the DS is the lack of the region coding. From this, we can indulge in importing Japanese games that would not otherwise get a release in the West. So, I figure, though as a number, we may be small, that any of us who are importers and players of Japanese games, can share their weird habit here.

I for one, import mine from playasia.com and have yet to have a problem. My games list is quite small, but growing slowly. Some genres are more suited to those of us who cannot read Japanese, such as sport, puzzle and rhythm/music. RPG games are incredibly test heavy, so presenting many difficulties.

Despite the problem with language on RPG games, I threw caution to the wind and imported A.S.H. Archaic Sealed Heat. I have actually made it through the first 2 chapters, winning and saving. I am suitably proud of my achievement. I will say that ASH is one of, if not, the best looking game on the DS yet.

The graphics are very sweet and the fighting scenes are amazing. It has a lot of voice acting, pity it is Japanese, more so than any I have encountered so far. I believe that the card is twice the size of a normal DS card. It was made by Mist Walker, who made Blue Dragon. Oh, and the entire game is touch screen only and the fighting is turn-based, so in fact, it is an S-RPG.
http://www.ncsxshop.com/images/products/large/0907/archaic_heart_ds.jpg

Apart from ASH, I also have Ouendan 2 and Death Note.

Ouendan 2 is exactly what you expect and I thoroughly recommend it. The J-pop is just sensational, making it much better than the American pop in Elite Beat Agents (which I still enjoyed as well). Language is just not an issue as it is easy to navigate.

Death Note is an absolute mess. It is a TBS, but there is so much text, I can’t even get close to figuring it out. Looks good though. I need to work on my kanji.

So, over to you. Who else indulges in a bit of Japanese DS culture?

I haven't yet, but was extremely tempted by the Korg DS-10.  Lately I've also been eyeing Jump Ultimate Stars.  I can barely believe I resisted it this long.  I'm wondering if I'll be swamped with unreadable text though, hopefully I can manage. 

I'm just watched the Death Note TV Show now and I'm sort of digging it.  It's been going downhill but I heard the end is awesome.

I haven't imported anything yet...I actually have never imported a game before (expcet Rez w/Trance vibrator because it's hilarious) ...but I think I will pick up a copy of Korg DS-10 as well. I know it did actually get announced for the states, but I don't know if I can wait.

I've got the GBA Rhythm Tengoku, which I love, and am waiting on my copy of Rhythm Tengoku Gold for DS right now.  Also have Ouendan 1 and 2, but I haven't played them much yet because I want to get a little more mileage out of Elite Beat Agents before I switch over.

Any recommendations for me?  Obviously I like quirky rhythm action games, but if there are some other good Japanese DS games that are easy to figure out with little to no knowledge of Japanese I'd love to hear about them.

I have Jump! Ultimate Stars and Ecoris. I too want the Korg DS-10. :(
Thinking about importing some GBA games, though.

I'm sure nobody here uses those horrible Nintendo DS game piracy devices to play foreign games. Certainly not I.

I have not imported any game, but I'm thinking about doing so soon, especially since I'm going on a road trip by the end of September. Which game would you suggest some one  that has never imported a game?  and I like all types of games.

"I'm sure nobody here uses those horrible Nintendo DS game piracy devices to play foreign games. Certainly not I."

"I have not imported any game, but I'm thinking about doing so soon, especially since I'm going on a road trip by the end of September. Which game would you suggest some one  that has never imported a game?  and I like all types of games."

"Ever since I imported Jump Ultimate Stars I was hooked. What have I gotten myself into!"

I've recently been playing Rhythm Tengoku Gold and it's really good, definitely one of my favourite DS games now. There's not to much text you need to understand as well, as it's all about tapping and sliding in time to the rhythm of the songs. There's a translator guide for the menus, which can be found at the link below, if anyone needs help navigating them.

Rhythm Tengoku Gold Menu Guide

for importing I use http://www.ncsx.com 

"Demilich said:

"I'm sure nobody here uses those horrible Nintendo DS game piracy devices to play foreign games. Certainly not I."

And certainly not I.

Did anyone ever try "Tabi no Yubisashi Kaiwachou DS America"? this software really helpfull for who those want to learn Japanese, altough this software is use for Japanese when they travelling? Did you ever saw the TV commercial of this software play by famous Japanese TV Drama actress Nanako Matsushima... Really usefull item.... by using this software, you DS will become English translator!...cool!

"Did anyone ever try "Tabi no Yubisashi Kaiwachou DS America"? this software really helpfull for who those want to learn Japanese, altough this software is use for Japanese when they travelling? Did you ever saw the TV commercial of this software play by famous Japanese TV Drama actress Nanako Matsushima... Really usefull item.... by using this software, you DS will become English translator!...cool!
"

I've imported a few games before I realized that Japanese games seem pretty boring.   Sure there are some in depth ones out there but really its not worth it.  I do have Densetsu no Stafi 4, Electroplankton and Game and Watch Collection from Japan though.

"I've imported a few games before I realized that Japanese games seem pretty boring.   Sure there are some in depth ones out there but really its not worth it.  I do have Densetsu no Stafi 4, Electroplankton and Game and Watch Collection from Japan though."

Chess... No not me