Visiting Japan on May

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[Shizentota]

Hi to everyone,
I am planning my trip to japan on May,
I would like to hear some suggestion about what I must do over there,

I will stay on Kamakura, training on Takeda sensei dojo,
and probably I will travel to kioto to visit one o his sensei,

I will be happy to hear what I should do and what I don't.

From viewing a Sumo wrestling to some spas bath or visiting a shrine, please help me to get and idea of what could be this trip.

Anything will be welcome
Thanks

Manu.:rolleyes:

[ramenboy]

hey manu

aside from the requisite visit to hombu in shinjuku, you've got to hit kagaya bar (named after the bar's owner. mark runs it. his mom is the cook).

you can't order a drink without a little performance art. its a hilariously good time. that's all i can say

[Ron Tisdale]

If you go to the park in Nara, and you buy those little cookies to feed the very polite deer (who bow to visitors) DO NOT put the cookies in your pocket. :D

Best,
Ron (nice place, Nara...)

[Shizentota]

Thanks to everyone, any more ideas?

[PeteMac]

Yes, one more - PLEASE take me with you...:D

[Carl Thompson]

Which part of May?

The All Japan Aikido Demonstration is on Saturday the 24th May at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. I imagine Takeda Shihan might take a group over.

By the way, the first week in May is Golden Week (a series of national holidays) so most dojo’s will be closed around then.

Have fun wherever you go!

Carl

[Shizentota]

Sorry dude, I only have space for my keikogi and my girl :D but next time we can arrange something.
Yes I know about the 45 all Japan and that is 4 sure one of my destiny, I will arrive there on May 10, so I wont have such problem. Thanks anyways.:)

[Chicko Xerri]

Hello Manuel.

You will be very busy in Kamakura. Kamakura has many wonderfull and expressive sites to visit and May is one of the better months to visit. Good weather for sight seeing and Keiko. Hachimungu, the Dai Butsu, Bamboo Temple, good food, many bars and not over crowded. Kamakura is full of history and Information is every where. You will have no problem finding all the great spots to visit.
Higashi Totsuka is the home of Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan and is only the 5th station away from Kamakura. Also visit Ofuna only 2 stations away. Ofuna has the Budokan, Martial Arts Centre, it also houses the Aikido Dojo of Takeda Satoshi sensei who is one of the senior A.K.I. instructors. You should not miss one of his classes.
You will have a great time Iam sure. The Kamakura AKI and Higashi Totsuka Members are a wonderfull group of people. You are in for a wonderfull treat. Good Luck and give my regards to all.

Chicko Xerri A.K.I. Fudoshin Dojo Australia. (http://www.aikido-fudoshin.com)

[Shizentota]

Thanks Chicko for all your tips,
We will be living together at totsuka, we will rent a house with some people from chile canada and maybe uruguay, Jean Rene Leduc is organizing most of the stuff over there,
Some of your people will come too?
I hope so, so we can share knowledge and experiences , thanks for all your words, I will take note of them later,

Thank all of u guys

[Carl Thompson]

Yes I know about the 45 all Japan and that is 4 sure one of my destiny

I should be over with the Iwama dojo so maybe see you there. I also agree that Kamakura is a fantastic place. You won't be short of things to do.

Carl :)

[batemanb]

Whilst you're down in Kamakura, you should go see Zeniarai benten (http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM9T-KNDU/zeniarai.htm). It 's a shrine built in the hollow of a volcano, you have to walk through a tunnel carved through the rock. If you find the little shop in there, you may be able to see the white albino snake they keep on site for the gods.

[Shizentota]

WOW, I liked that, white snake, volcano tunnels It sound great,
thnks again and keep posting please.... :-)

[dbotari]

If you go to the park in Nara, and you buy those little cookies to feed the very polite deer (who bow to visitors) DO NOT put the cookies in your pocket. :D

Best,
Ron (nice place, Nara...)

That brings back some good memories of my last trip to Japan with some dojo mates. We went to the big shrine in Nara. It was quite the treat to see all the deer "swarm" whomever had the biscuits. Fun time.

Dan.

[batemanb]

If you visit Todaiji (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/nara-todaiji.htm) at Nara and go in to see the Buddha, walk around the back of the statue and you will find a big pillar with a hole through it. The hole is the same size dimensions as one of Buddha's nostrils in the big statue. See if you can crawl through the hole! I failed first visit, but managed to do it the next day.

[Ron Tisdale]

Hey Bryan, never tried that! Next time...

B,
R (one of my dojo mates had biscuits in his pocket...can you say OUCH!?!?)

[oisin bourke]

If you go to the park in Nara, and you buy those little cookies to feed the very polite deer (who bow to visitors) DO NOT put the cookies in your pocket. :D

Best,
Ron (nice place, Nara...)

Also, do not eat them.:o

If you stay in Nara, there are lots of traditional Ryokan that are well worth a night of your time.

[M Butt]

I visited Japan a few years ago and I can honestly say the memories'll stay forever. I'd go back tomorrow if I could. I visited many temples and spiritual places and I highly recommend these as they gave me a whole new insight to my training.

I hope you really enjoy it.

[SteveTrinkle]

Hello Manuel,

I hope you will have a wonderful visit to Japan.

I also hear that Takeda Sensei's son, Takeda Daiyu Sensei will come to Chile in June and then to Santa Barbara, USA. I won't go to Japan this year, but I hope I will meet some members from Chile in California.

Regards,
Steve
AKI Pennsylvania, USA

[Shizentota]

Hello Manuel,

I hope you will have a wonderful visit to Japan.

I also hear that Takeda Sensei's son, Takeda Daiyu Sensei will come to Chile in June

Regards,
Steve
AKI Pennsylvania, USA

you are very welcome to my dojo, It is true that Takeda daiyu is comingto visit us, it will be very important for us, cause we started this relationship with the AKI not far along, and I and all my dojo mates will be very happy to know him in person, also he will take shodan test to all the people from my dojo that couldn't make this trip.

I hope to c you soon probably in Caliifornia or here in Chile

Regards
Manu
:)

[SteveTrinkle]

I look forward to meeting you and other AKI Chile members in the near future. Jean-Rene Sensei told me wonderful things about his visit with you all!

Best!
Steve