Training in Kanagawa

[soapdish]

Hi All

I will be leaving Australia to train, hopefully in Kanagawa from 3 November till 2 December.

While I'm there, through some dojo links, I'll be able to train on a daily basis.

Anyways, I'm planning the logistics of my trips but I have a few questions from anyone who can offer some useful advice:


Any pitfalls I should be aware of?
I'm thinking of taking my mobile phone from Australia and trying to use international roaming? Any Aussies on the forums who are in Japan who have done the same?
I'm thinking of taking my hogu using the standard hogu bags. However, any pitfalls I should be aware of? I have a hard case hogu bag, but it weighs a ton so I'm not sure if I can afford to take it?
I'm going to have to sort my own accomodation and some sempai will help me arrange some cheap accomodation ie $30-40 a night while I lug my kendo gear around?
Recommend taking my own shinai to Japan or just buy some over there?
I'm hopefully going to watch the All Japan championships on 3 November with a sempai, any other tournaments to keep an eye out on?

FYI, I've stayed in Korea before and trained on a twice daily practice regime, but that was while staying with relatives....so this will be fun but a bit different.

Also this is more of a training holiday rather than an actual tourist holiday. I want to soak up as much kendo training as possible!

Any advice welcome?

Thank you.

[ii_kangae]

You can buy shinai at about 2000￥each but you will have to find a bogu store first. If you find one in advance it will smoothen the transition and lead to no lost keiko time.

[Kenshi]

I'm hopefully going to watch the All Japan championships on 3 November with a sempai, any other tournaments to keep an eye out on?

Quick cut n paste from the ZNKR website:

第57回 全国青年剣道大会, 東京都, 11月08日-09日 - All Japan Youth Taikai
第19回 ＪＲｸﾞﾙｰﾌﾟ剣道大会, 東京都, 11月14日 - JR Group Taikai

Check the Tokyo (http://www.tokyo-kendo.or.jp/) and Kanagawa (http://kanagawa-kenren.com/) Renmei homepages for more localised shiai.

[ben]

I'm thinking of taking my hogu using the standard hogu bags. However, any pitfalls I should be aware of? I have a hard case hogu bag, but it weighs a ton so I'm not sure if I can afford to take it?

Best way to take bogu is in a large, hard suitcase that holds everything (bogu + clothes). But also take a soft bag (http://www.tozandoshop.com/Tote_Bogu_Bag_p/002-fato%5B1%5D.htm) large enough to carry bogu while you're there. That way you don't have to wheel a huge suitcase to every dojo.

b

[Ookami7]

Where in Kanagawa are you going to be? I`m up north, and Kagerou is down south central area. Let us know and we can try to hook you up w/ info on dojo plus if your interested in Iaido etc. Not to mention sites to see etc etc!

[nodachi]

I'm thinking of taking my mobile phone from Australia and trying to use international roaming? Any Aussies on the forums who are in Japan who have done the same?



Check into what it costs to rent a cell phone for the month. Some companies in Japan are doing this now. That might be cheaper. Of course if it is based on Japanese cell plans, be sure to compare what's out there. For example, in the US we get lots of minutes, but charge for texting (of course it depends on your plan). In Japan, I got an hour of talking time per month, but unlimited texting as a standard phone plan.

So do the math and see what works cheapest.

[soapdish]

thanks all for your reply.

Right now my sensei is back in Japan on a holiday and bringing over another sensei who will be training with us in Australia for 1 week. That sensei is the one who I'm supposed to be talking to re kendo training logistics.

At any rate, Ookami7 thanks very much for your invitation. I don't even know where in Kanagawa I will be staying. So I'll have to PM you closer to the time.

I just wanted to organise as much non-kendo/general travel logistics as much as possible before I head over. Tips like which nodachi and Ben gave me are much appreciated.

Thanks again...if there's anything else please post!

[NigelSponge]

there is a good boguya in Sagami-Ono right by the train station. The owner guy is pretty funny, and if he likes you he might throw in a free cool tsuba-dome! :D
P.S. Can you fit me in your suitcase by chance? XD

[tengu]

Tested for my Sandan in Kanagawa this summer. Also watched All Japan H.S. Championship in Saitama (close by). Atsui desu. Buy your shinai there. Go to Tokyo to watch hachidan testing (maybe a 1 or 2 hour train ride). Tons of places to go and everyone is so nice. Be polite. Americans are soooo rude. Reiho is most important. Enjoy,

[Kagerou]

Be polite. Americans are soooo rude. Reiho is most important. Enjoy,

Really? All my American budo friends are very nice people. I'd say your comment was quite rude though.