Pandaazuma 1,310 Posted October 6, 2016 I do have a mate who can get excellent seats. Let me know, Moti, if you need me to ask them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,534 Posted October 6, 2016 32 minutes ago, Pandaazuma said: I do have a mate who can get excellent seats. Let me know, Moti, if you need me to ask them. Will do.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orandashoho 720 Posted October 6, 2016 18 hours ago, Calamityama said: Definitely. That will leave me time to gather enough chocolate for the young rikishi and the organizers ... Is chocolate a popular item in short supply in Japan which would be a good thing to bring in with us? Is there anything else that might be a good gift item to bring? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calamityama 24 Posted October 6, 2016 46 minutes ago, orandashoho said: Is chocolate a popular item in short supply in Japan which would be a good thing to bring in with us? Is there anything else that might be a good gift item to bring? You can find decent chocolate in Japan, but not the Swiss special freshly made Easter or Christmas editions. I've been bringing some to my friends for the last 30 years and I suspect young rikishi might appreciate them too ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orandashoho 720 Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, Calamityama said: You can find decent chocolate in Japan, but not the Swiss special freshly made Easter or Christmas editions. I've been bringing some to my friends for the last 30 years and I suspect young rikishi might appreciate them too ... So it might be appropriate to bring a few Easter bunnies even if they are out of season? (I wouldn't call that "decent chocolate" though, and one would have to make sure they do not break during transit). Edit: No problem. I thought of several seasonal regional sweet things that can withstand suitcase abuse. Curiosity value garanteed and safe (as opposed to my favourite liquorice that nobody likes) Edited October 6, 2016 by orandashoho Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oshirokita 192 Posted October 6, 2016 Well, it is one of my goals to get to Japan one day and see sumo at the Kokugikan... The sumo events in Vancouver and Las Vegas were great but quite a while ago and not the "real thing". Count me in for a 2017 meetup if this happens! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kuroyama 715 Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) There's a high-quality chocolate maker in my area, run for 5 generations by the same family, that will sell you a 10 lb slab of chocolate (4.5 kg in real units) as a kind of novelty gift. (That's why a lot of people buy them anyway. They may actually sell it as a bulk item for confectioners, particularly as it's often repackaged by other sellers.) Since it is quality chocolate, it's a tad pricey though. Edited October 6, 2016 by Kuroyama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kuroyama 715 Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) No, better than that. Ghrirardelli is only middlin-good at best. Guittard. Edited October 6, 2016 by Kuroyama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fujisan 533 Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) On 30 September 2016 at 18:55, maxjax said: Man I'm so jealous. If I want to go to Japan i'll have to work for a year just to afford the plane tickets. Life in the Caribbean lol You must have money to burn,work a year to pay for it? I would have to rob a bank but only if I can find the money for a pair of stockings to wear over my face...... 14 years on this forum and still no offers to pay my fare (Special thanks to Fay and The big S for help in matters to make my staying at home easier though) Edited October 6, 2016 by Fujisan 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gijo 27 Posted October 10, 2016 In these days I can find 500 € tickets to Tokyo, booking in advance is cheaper. Can you estimate the (average) daily budget in Japan (tickets + meals + accomodation)? Just to make plans more accurate... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raishu 208 Posted October 10, 2016 2 hours ago, gijo said: In these days I can find 500 € tickets to Tokyo, booking in advance is cheaper. Can you estimate the (average) daily budget in Japan (tickets + meals + accomodation)? Just to make plans more accurate... Depends on what you are looking for. If you are willing to stay in a hostel, you can easily get a bed in a group dormitory for around 20€ per night (better hostels obv). My sister and her boyfriend stayed in double hotelroom in the Chiyoda-ward for around 100€ per night (breakfast included - so 50€ per person.). Just to give you a hint. Public transport is not so expensive. Just buy a Pasmo (rechargeable smart card) which you can use for JR Rail, subway, buses, etc. I think, I averaged like 3-5 € per day and I was always on the move. Meals ... depends on your preferences again. Avoid tourist hotspots and compare prices. Due to having been with locals, I never paid more than 10-20€ for a meal (starter, main dish + drinks). Tried a lot like chanko, monjayaki, teriyaki, and so on. My personal favorite was Madosh! Cafe in Shibuya - which is an avocado lounge. You can frequent common fast-food chains to save a dime as well, but I would not recommend that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orandashoho 720 Posted October 10, 2016 30 minutes ago, Raishu said: If you are willing to stay in a hostel, you can easily get a bed in a group dormitory for around 20€ per night (better hostels obv). How safe is leaving one's luggage in places like that? I might bring my laptop, and also may buy things. I don't want to carry everything with me wherever I go. Leaving stuff in a safe or locker is an option when it is close to the place where I stay overnight, but not if I have to pay every time something is taken out or put in. What local resources are available for getting online on a local computer configured in the English language, in case I do not bring my own laptop? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kuroyama 715 Posted October 10, 2016 (edited) 10 hours ago, orandashoho said: Leaving stuff in a safe or locker is an option when it is close to the place where I stay overnight, but not if I have to pay every time something is taken out or put in. I think hostels often provide lockers. This place, for instance, which is literally right across the tracks from the Kokugikan, says it has lockers on-site. (From the picture it looks as if they're right in the rooms.) Edited October 10, 2016 by Kuroyama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jejima 1,415 Posted October 10, 2016 My advice for travelling to Japan,is to work out the budget of what the maximum you think you'll spend- and then take at least twice as much. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orandashoho 720 Posted October 11, 2016 8 hours ago, Kuroyama said: This place, for instance, which is literally right across the tracks from the Kokugikan That looks like a great place for a group booking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gijo 27 Posted October 11, 2016 20 hours ago, Raishu said: Depends on what you are looking for. If you are willing to stay in a hostel, you can easily get a bed in a group dormitory for around 20€ per night (better hostels obv). My sister and her boyfriend stayed in double hotelroom in the Chiyoda-ward for around 100€ per night (breakfast included - so 50€ per person.). Just to give you a hint. Public transport is not so expensive. Just buy a Pasmo (rechargeable smart card) which you can use for JR Rail, subway, buses, etc. I think, I averaged like 3-5 € per day and I was always on the move. Meals ... depends on your preferences again. Avoid tourist hotspots and compare prices. Due to having been with locals, I never paid more than 10-20€ for a meal (starter, main dish + drinks). Tried a lot like chanko, monjayaki, teriyaki, and so on. My personal favorite was Madosh! Cafe in Shibuya - which is an avocado lounge. You can frequent common fast-food chains to save a dime as well, but I would not recommend that. 9 hours ago, Kuroyama said: I think hostels often provide lockers. This place, for instance, which is literally right across the tracks from the Kokugikan, says it has lockers on-site. (From the picture it looks as if they're right in the rooms.) 9 hours ago, Jejima said: My advice for travelling to Japan,is to work out the budget of what the maximum you think you'll spend- and then take at least twice as much. Well, thanks a lot for the precious informations. That hostel sounds great to me. I will just focus on sumo (+eating+sake) and it'll be great to sleep next to the sacred arena. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orandashoho 720 Posted October 11, 2016 Yes, I wouldn't mind joing a group booking for that hostel. How far ahead would one have book in order to secure enough rooms? Put me on the list please. 11 hours ago, Kuroyama said: This place, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kuroyama 715 Posted October 11, 2016 (edited) 15 hours ago, orandashoho said: That looks like a great place for a group booking. It might be. If we each want to discover how loudly we all snore. On the other hand, there are obvious benefits to being able to sit around the sake barrel drinking all night and then just rolling into bed, rather than try to navigate the streets of Ryogoku through a drunken haze in the middle of the night. Edited October 11, 2016 by Kuroyama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orandashoho 720 Posted November 5, 2016 <BUMP> Is there a list? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,534 Posted November 5, 2016 16 hours ago, orandashoho said: <BUMP> Is there a list? No, because it's all theoretical until something happens-my job doesn't let me make plans too much in advance but I think come January I will have some idea if I can make it to Japan. In any case, this can also happen without me.. We need the local fans to help whoever decides to go.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orandashoho 720 Posted November 5, 2016 1 hour ago, Kintamayama said: No, because it's all theoretical until something happens-my job doesn't let me make plans too much in advance but I think come January I will have some idea if I can make it to Japan. In any case, this can also happen without me.. We need the local fans to help whoever decides to go.. Oh, it would not be the same without you. I hope things work out and a big group will be able to to join up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kuroyama 715 Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) I have some peculiar circumstances with my job right now that don't allow me to make firm plans for that specific time either. If I can, I'll go. If not, I'll have to wait for some other opportune time. Edit: Well, crud. I have a vacation freeze from the end of April through late May. Unless something changes, I can't go. Edited November 12, 2016 by Kuroyama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sesom 55 Posted November 20, 2016 Not reading "Off-topic" sometimes is a mistake, glad that somebody in the Shermin-chat mentioned the meet-up today. I'll be in Tokyo anyway, so count me in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orion 431 Posted November 20, 2016 48 minutes ago, sesom said: Not reading "Off-topic" sometimes is a mistake, glad that somebody in the Shermin-chat mentioned the meet-up today. I'll be in Tokyo anyway, so count me in. If I live so long I will be celebrating yet another birthday next May. Hope to meet up with you guys (and guyesses? Still not too comfortable with the new format. In the meantime I have next Sunday to take care of. Orion 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
