To Japan

[Syrdar]

Hy everybody,
I'm planning to travel to Japan in May. Until now is not clear if I can do some kendo there (I'm sure I will practice some Aikido). After a month in Tokyo I want to travel for Japan, I'm planning to visit this cities.

Kanto Area:
Kawagoe
Kamakura
Hachioji
Nikko

Chubu Area:
Nagano
Matsumoto
Takayama
Nagoya
Inuyama

Kansai Area:
Hikone
Otsu
Kyoto
Nara
Iga Ueno
Ise
Koya
Osaka
Himeji


1) Do you know any city to include in this list (kanto, Chubu, Kansai area) ?? (I like museums, castles, historical sites, nice landscapes, kendo/Aikido/Iaido related places - like exhibits, turnments in May / June).
2) Do you know (email address, web page, telephone number) of a place (dormitory/ Shared Room/ single room) near Wakamatsu-Kawada [E03] station in tokyo (this will be very helpful) I can rent for a month ?

Thank you.

[mark]

Several members of my dojo are going to Japan during the first week in May (Golden week) to lend our support to the members of our sister dojo in Omachi. We are going to see the 8th dan (hachidan) gradings in Kyoto, and the Hachidan competition on May 2-5th. I have found Lonely Planet to be a pretty good guidebook and have been told to make sure to buy a 1st class railpass before I leave and to book my rooms ahead of time given that Golden week is extremely busy.

http://www.kendo.or.jp/english-page/english-page2/AJKF-Event-Schedule.htm

Hope this helps, and have fun,
mark

[Syrdar]

Thank you Mark for the answer.


Several members of my dojo are going to Japan during the first week in May (Golden week) to lend our support to the members of our sister dojo in Omachi.

I read about golden week and I decided to delay my travel until GW is over.
Can you explain me what is a "sister dojo" and how it works ?



We are going to see the 8th dan (hachidan) gradings in Kyoto, and the Hachidan competition on May 2-5th.

That's nice. I didn't knew about that competition, anyone can go there and see the gradings and/or competition ?



I have found Lonely Planet to be a pretty good guidebook

http://www.kendo.or.jp/english-page/english-page2/AJKF-Event-Schedule.htm


Thanks for the info, very useful links.



Hope this helps, and have fun,
mark
Thanks and I hope you enjoy your trip.

[chidokan]

My advice is to go during the Kyoto taikai weekend... take the video camera and stay the full weekend. The kendo 'bouts' are superb, especially the inter Tokyo/Kyoto ones! You will see why I use the term bout....maybe grudge match would be better....:)
If you dont do kyudo or iaido there are also superb examples of all the ryu, minimum entry for each person is nanadan, goes up during the day to the top people. Shinai making demonstrations and shops with more swords, bogu and anything else you can shake a shinai at! It made my visit a few years ago and I intend to repeat it next time I go, altthough I may delay until the Osaka taikai as they reckon the shop prices are a little cheaper. Still got a made to measure bogu for under $600 though...and a hand made shinai, and a tie pin of a tsuba, and and and and...:laugh:
Himeji dojo is cracking, very busy dojo. do not miss out....

[mark]

Can you explain me what is a "sister dojo" and how it works ?


The Montreal Kendo Club in Canada has a formal frienship agreement with the Omachi Kendo Club in Japan.
http://www.montrealkendoclub.com/club/omachi

[mark]

I didn't knew about that competition, anyone can go there and see the gradings and/or competition ?


I was told that gaining access will be quite easy and that anyone can attend at little or no cost.

Who knows, might see you there :)

[chidokan]

you just walk in, there is no entry fee or anything. The hard part is getting a good place to video from as the main hall for demonstrations gets absolutely packed out as it starts to lift past nanadan... Sunday afternoon is next to impossible to get anywhere near a door, never mind sit in! I made the mistake of popping out for a bite to eat... good job I can hold a video camera well above everyone else's heads in Japan or I would have missed all the kendo. Make sure to take time out to watch the kyudo...
Also there is usually a second hand militaria type show on just down the road opposite the ZNIR building, it seems that weekend is a bit of a swordfest. I missed out on the yabusame at one of the shrines as well, couldnt get there on time from the Budokan. You need some judicious planning to hit as much as you can.:grin:

[Syrdar]

My advice is to go during the Kyoto taikai weekend... take the video camera and stay the full weekend. The kendo 'bouts' are superb, especially the inter Tokyo/Kyoto ones! You will see why I use the term bout....maybe grudge match would be better....:)

Sad, I'm gonna miss this :disapp: (I arrive to Tokyo May-9). I will try 7 dan exams in May 13 - Nagoya :happy:.



Himeji dojo is cracking, very busy dojo. do not miss out....
Himeji dojo is a kendo or Iaido dojo ?

Thank you for the info !!

[Syrdar]

The Montreal Kendo Club in Canada has a formal frienship agreement with the Omachi Kendo Club in Japan.
http://www.montrealkendoclub.com/club/omachi
Excellent page !! do you know the name of the japanese song on background ?

[chidokan]

Himeji dojo does both. There are usually only a few 7th and 8th dans around though:rolleyes: :grin: