Who wants to goto Japan with me!

[Herblenny]

Originally Posted by Brent

I PM'd Carol about it since she went earlier this year. He is some advice she had.

COOL! Hope she can come with us!

[Herblenny]

I've checked on this and usually the best time to go is March thru May. For some odd reasons, these are the cheapest time (and OCT) to go over seas. Thats when I used to go out of the country.. back when I did quite of travelling.

Personally, late April/May is the best time togo Asia as weather is fantastic!! Japan being slightly south (lateral location is about the same as Nashville/ATL) should be kind of warm during this time.

But I think we should pick an event and try to attend as that might give us more reasons to go. Also ATL might be a better place to depart as they have several direct flights.

[Brent]

Yeah, I figured ATL would be a better central hub for everyone to fly out of. I was just throwing prices out there from when I had searched the last 6 months or so. If you guys go March-May I won't be able to attend as I won't be returning from Afghanistan until after that.

[fikren]

we need to come up with a list of what exactly people would want to see while there. That way we can map out the locations and see the best way to proceed as far as hotels, transportation, etc.

I know other than just about all the tuner shops specifically FEED, RE-Amemiya, Knightsports, r-magic, etc I would also like to see ground zero and visit the Mazda factory/musem.

The beer musems sound pretty interesting too.

[dregg100]

this would be insane! a trip to the motherland with a bunch of rotards! i would be down for this summer, or next summer! i will deffinately be watching this thread like a hawk!

[87 t-66]

me and the gf would be down to go in 2009!

[Herblenny]

Let me contact some people and see what they recommend..

I think the new JDM parts seller Nick might have somethings to point out.. I'll ask him to join this thread.

[fikren]

Does anyone talk to Circut Theory? I know he has offered tours, etc. I think he may have helped Carol out on her trip if I am not mistaken.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by fikren

Does anyone talk to Circut Theory? I know he has offered tours, etc. I think he may have helped Carol out on her trip if I am not mistaken.

I have talked to Circuit Theorie on a few occasions. I'm sure if there was a large group of us going he would be willing to show us around. He did tell me recently though that he is trying to get away from the tour stuff due to him being very busy. I'm going to send him a link to this thread as well. We may even be able to schedule a couple of different trips as it sounds like some ppl would prefer to go spring of 2009, while others prefer summer 2009.

[Kotetsu]

Ｈｉ　everybody,

Herblenny just asked me to join so here I am.

Well, I hope that I can be of nay help to you guys. I've been living in Japan for a little while now but un fortunately, because of my studies at first then my job I never really had the chance to travel a lot in the country. However I'v still seen many different places and can recommand some. It just depends on what you wanna see.

If you're looking for a traditionnal image of Japan with historical places, Nara and Kyoto will be a good start. If you want to stay close to Tokyo, Kamakur is not far and is pretty similar to Kyoto in many ways. I'll recommand this place if don't have a lot of time and also want to visit tuners or other more "modern" places.

If you have a little more time and want to see a Japan alittle bit different from the "clichés", you can try to go deeper in the countryside. I personnaly live in Shizuoka which is a "small" town of 350000 inhabitants. A lot more quiet than Tokyo or Osaka with a lot of places to see arround, but it'll maybe require a car though.

Concerning the best time to visit Japan, well I'd lke to say April. Cherry blossoms every where, not too hot, not too cold, not too wet. My favourite time in the year. People also like to have picnics under the "sakura" and this a really pleasant time. But if possible avoid the Golden week at the beginning of may because most japanese have a bunch of days off at that time and hotels are crowded.

Autumn is a great season too but prefer to come just after the typhoon season wich brings a lot of rain especially in Kyushu. In Shizuoka it doesn't really matter, weather is fine during that period usually.

For the accomodation you can also choose between different formulas from business hotels, guest houses, ryokan (traditionnal japanese hotels)... Prices my vary. There again, it depends on what you're looking for and you budget.

I think that's all I can say for now but if you have questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them.

Sincerely,

Nick

[fikren]

Nick,

If you haven't been able to see much since you've been there, maybe once we get some dates locked in you might be able to join us and take in some of the sights too.

[Kotetsu]

Originally Posted by fikren

Nick,

If you haven't been able to see much since you've been there, maybe once we get some dates locked in you might be able to join us and take in some of the sights too.

Well, it would be great but as you can imagine I'm a kind of busy guy! Working in a small trading company is really taking a lot of time, and I also train regulary (want to become Ju-Jutsu instructor). But if I have time, I'll be more than happy to join and be your interprete...

[fikren]

Originally Posted by Kotetsu

Well, it would be great but as you can imagine I'm a kind of busy guy! Working in a small trading company is really taking a lot of time, and I also train regulary (want to become Ju-Jutsu instructor). But if I have time, I'll be more than happy to join and be your interprete...

little off topic but if your taking ju-jutsu you might know some good equipment makers/retailers. Would you happen to know how high (price wise) good bogu sets and shinai go for there? Looking for high quality hand made. They run really high around here (upwards of 3k) for a .8 BU bogu set thats hand stitched, didn't know if they were any cheaper there. May have to bring some extra suitcases with me. Shinai arn't to bad price wise until you start getting into the carbon made ones then they get pretty pricey.

[Kotetsu]

Originally Posted by fikren

little off topic but if your taking ju-jutsu you might know some good equipment makers/retailers. Would you happen to know how high (price wise) good bogu sets and shinai go for there? Looking for high quality hand made. They run really high around here (upwards of 3k) for a .8 BU bogu set thats hand stitched, didn't know if they were any cheaper there. May have to bring some extra suitcases with me. Shinai arn't to bad price wise until you start getting into the carbon made ones then they get pretty pricey.

Well, I practice Hakko-ryu jujutsu so all i need is a renshu-gi (got mine from the honbu dojo) I usually buy my stuff at a local store. Never really checked that kind of products though...

[circuit theory]

Hey guys,
Just got linked to the thread and registered for the site.
It is lunch time here now so I will post up some ideas and possibilities for your japan trip after I finish eating.
Thanks
Tom