Depends purely on the dojo Andrew. I haven't found any difference between Japan and anywhere else. We train with weapons in our dojo in Japan, while the classes at Aikikai Hombu don't very often - not enough room on the mats since the classes are usually quite full.
I don't think there's any difference between Japan and any other country - different styles and different dojos practice differently, that's all.
-Adrian
PS. Nice to see another Albertan on the board. I'm from Sylvan Lake, myself, although I haven't lived there in QUITE some time.