Living in Japan

[kendo_chick]

Well, as of 3 weeks ago yesterday I am a resident of Japan. I moved here to teach english and hopefully practise kendo. My boyfriend and I have been looking for a dojo in our area but havent as of yet been able to find one.

We are living in the Yukarigaoka area of Sakura city and are willing to travel to nearby cities if they are not too far away to practise.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as we are really starting to miss kendo. Also, we usually work from 1:00pm to 10:00pm so morning classes are preferred as well as we have Sunday and Mondays off so those days are open as well.

thanks!!!

[nodachi]

If you are looking for a dojo, ask your students. Ask them about where to find anything. It gives them a chance to have a non cookie cutter by the book conversation and get practice speaking and you benefit by learning about all sorts of neat places in Japan. You could also ask your managers and they can try and find one for you. They are usually very good about things like that.

There has got to be an Elementary or High School somewhere in Sakura that has a club that you can join. I was practicing in Honda on Sunday mornings. I am not sure how long of a ride that is for you, but it was a good place. There was a major focus on the basics because it was at an elementary school club, but I realize now that that was probably some of the best training I will find in a long time, if ever, compared to places back here. Really great people too. I miss them.

There is also a Budokan in HonChiba. They have all sorts of practices all week long. I would always bolt out the door after my last class on Saturday nights to get to my practice. Depending on your Saturday work schedule, you might be able to make it to one of their practices on Saturday. They may have something that fits your Sunday or Monday off.

[kendokamax]

you live in sakura??

you could come to Budai some times!!

[iwatekenshi]

Your schedule seems pretty tough to find a regular adult practice. Morning would be your best bet. Perhaps find a local police dojo that practices in the morning.

[Steve]

Kendo_Chick! i haven't been on this board in a while...only 3800 new posts since i last checked! Have you guys tried to contact Tai or Kimura Sensei?

After you guys "defected", Chris has returned, Sung will be leaving end of the month, and we have a JCCC visitor for a month or so. off-topic a bit....sorry everyone.

[suzume]

If you find a shonendan in your area, you can be asked to help as a teacher, they always need adults. Also check you HS or Uni students, they have practices in the morning, sometimes very early though.

[stevemcgee99]

Are there fees or membership dues? I expect to join a dojo, but will probably need to go to the police or a school or somewhere to get to morning practice.
BTW, I hope to be living somewhere near Suginami-ku, Tokyo by late Sept.

[JSchmidt]

In Tokyo you always got the option of going to Noma Dojo
http://www.kodansha.co.jp/dojo/noma_dojo_e.html

Jakob

[stinkyKote]

hey steve, who's visitng you from JCCC?

[stevemcgee99]

Does anyone know if the process for being a "guest" is the same as joining the dojo? It would seem that I'd need a recommendation/referral.
The hourse are great for an eikaiwa guy.

[iwatekenshi]

No kidding I was looking at the sight too. It seems like the invitation is contradictory.......


Oh wait a minute!!! I'm living in Japan!!! YES means NO, and No means YES........
Serendipity BABY!!!!:silly:

[JSchmidt]

No, you only need recommendation if you want to join as a member. As far as I was told , you are welcome to turn up to practice, although calling ahead(or emailing) probably wouldnt hurt. (Along with a letter of recommendation from your current teacher).
I do know a 7th dan that practices there, but he's lousy at responding to emails....

Jakob

[nodachi]

kendo chick,

So have you found a place to practice yet?

How about an update.

[kendo_chick]

I have found only one place so far to practise. That is at the Sakura City Kendo Club. The sensei there are really nice and it fits into my working schedule. We are in the process of trying to find another club for other days of the week. (right now we are only practising on Sunday afternoons)

Crystal

[Pokie]

hi kendo_chick so how are the warm ups like in japanese dojos ? very much the same where you are ? or pretty awesome ?

[Ares2907]

That's like asking 'what does sushi taste like?'
How much variance is there in the handful of dojos around Sydney? All of them have a different warmup afaik.
Why would it not be the same in Japan?
I know they have that whole groupism thing going on, but it's not like they're North Korean or anything ;-)

[irzdesmo]

Started kendo 2 month ago...found absolutelly great place in chiba...not far from narashinodai...the senseis are great!!!the atmosphere is the best i have come across in my past 10 ywears in japan...give me a call if u need more details...090 36 989893 or email....

[stevemcgee99]

Does anybody live in or know Kawasaki? How far is it to Siginami-ku by train/subway in non-rush hour times?

Are dojo open in the morning there? How far is it to the Kinokuniya dojo (where is that, anyway?)

[stevemcgee99]

I guess I could be less specific: How about the Kawasaki/Yokohama area in general?

Or, how long might it take to get to Fujisawa by train?

[hamish]

I just moved there, but since then I've only gone from work to home and back again!

I'm looking for a place to train in the mornings, too, so if I find one I'll let you know.

If you know the name of the station you want to go to, check out this site for train times and so on:

http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/e-norikeyin.html

Hamish

[stevemcgee99]

I just moved there, but since then I've only gone from work to home and back again!

I'm looking for a place to train in the mornings, too, so if I find one I'll let you know.

If you know the name of the station you want to go to, check out this site for train times and so on:

http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/e-norikeyin.html

Hamish

THANKS. MAYBE WE'LL TRAIN TOGETHER AT SOME POINT.