[Jorram]

Shinrei no Shintai, on May 11 2009, 04:30 PM, said:

I just want to keep the invitation open. Anyone ever doing a tourist or business (or both) trip to Japan, be sure to look me up! I've never met any of you, but I would really like to.

Hopefully I'll find myself in your neck of the woods someday too.

That is all.

I've been living for half an year in Tokyo on an exchange now and will do so until this September, so if you could give any further details, maybe on personal msg It's be awesome to find another fan here

This post has been edited by Jorram: 12 May 2009 - 05:55 AM

[Shinrei]

Yeah, Japan is an expensive place to get to these days, but with deflation ahead, it'll be cheaper when you get here! Plus they've been falling short of the tourist numbers they want to bring in, so maybe they'll start some desperate campaigns to make things cheap and accessible.

To answer some questions: I'm a guy. I'm in Yokohama area (for the next 2-3 years at least). There used to be a picture of my wife and I on our wedding, but it didn't survive the 2nd or 3rd forumocalypse. I'm not really big on putting my picture out in public, even though this community is the one place I'd consider it.


Pachinko is one of only two 'legal' publicly available gambling methods in Japan. Horse racing is the other. Basically, you go and sit and smoke and watch little balls spin into holes to get more balls so that the slot machine whirls so that you can get more balls and then you trade in the balls for a prize and then you trade in the prize for money and then you go back and smoke and watch little balls spin into holes to get more balls so that the slot machine whilrs so that you can more balls and then you....get the idea.

The short explanation is: it's mind numbing boredom in an incredibly bright, noisy and smokey atmosphere. But, you can win money. I've played once, and that was enough.

@Jorram, we must frequent different parts of the forum since I don't know that I've ever seen you before. But, I'm close to Tokyo, we could meet up sometime. PM me. I know one other Malazan fan in Japan, Kage-za is his forum name, who has posted maybe 10 times total.

[Valgard]

I am almost certainly moving out to Japan to work on the JET program at the end of July so I will be out there as well. Not sure where I will be yet as they haven't sent the details of the placement. Any advice from people living out there will be much appreciated.

I have visited Japan before about 3 years ago now and it was awesome.

[dktorode]

You're MALE????

[dktorode]

Thelomen Toblerone, on May 12 2009, 12:05 AM, said:

Seth Efrica.

Maddest accents in the world. I've heard it's brilliantly cheap out there. My mate is south african and when he visits family he loves it. Not to live there though, it's crime riddled and has a nutjob for President.

Unlike our dear own unelected Mr Brown of course.

we DONT have accents

[Shinrei]

dktorode, on May 12 2009, 11:31 AM, said:

You're MALE????

Where have you been?

My avatar isn't ME btw.....

[Shinrei]

Valgard, on May 12 2009, 11:18 AM, said:

I am almost certainly moving out to Japan to work on the JET program at the end of July so I will be out there as well. Not sure where I will be yet as they haven't sent the details of the placement. Any advice from people living out there will be much appreciated.

I have visited Japan before about 3 years ago now and it was awesome.

JET was what originally brought me to Japan. And convinced me to stay. So be careful.

[dktorode]

Shinrei no Shintai, on May 12 2009, 01:20 PM, said:

dktorode, on May 12 2009, 11:31 AM, said:

You're MALE????

Where have you been?

My avatar isn't ME btw.....

My avatar aint me either.

just thought you were a girl...you did call yourself...ahem...beautiful.

[Shinrei]

It was meant to be a parody of travel brochures, for example "When in Sunny California, be sure to visit beautiful Pacific Beach"

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Damn...the Japanese classes at my school are going there, but I forgot to sign up. Well, if you happen to see a bunch of Ozzies, you can thank me.

Tell me, are the train drivers over there worshipped as gods Shinrei?

[Satan]

How come we never met when I was over there? Oh, I know. You don't love me anymore...

[frookenhauer]

Tha'ts mightily neighbourly of you shin...Is it true us gaijins cannot buy samurai swords and take them out of the country?

[Ain't_It_Just_]

If you can buy guns in Venice...

Do you haz pics of what it's like there?

[Shinrei]

You can buy samurai swords and take them out of the country. I did. Now I have to bring it back in.

Both involve some paperwork though. Every sword in Japan is registered with the police. You have to submit a form to "unregister" it when you take it out of the country. You can do it at the airport.

For what it's worth, I can recommend/guide you to an excellent sword shop which only sells the real thing (antique swords, sharp enough to cut off your foot if you drop it). for those who are interested.

And with all the fantasy nerds on this site (myself included) that should bring you all beating to my door.

[Valgard]

Hey Shin I have heard that about the JET program I have a friend that has been out there for 4 years now and no sign of him coming back any time soon. Also that sword shop address would be great how much are the swords from there though. As when I looked they were very pricey indeed. But once I am earning massive JET money I will be better off than an impoverished PhD student that I currently am.

[Macros]

Whilst I would lvoe to visit foreign nations more often my fear of disgusting sea food would put me off horribly.
Is there McDonalds in Japan?

-Macros, fan of TRUE international cuisine

[Darkwatch]

Shinrei no Shintai, on May 13 2009, 05:07 AM, said:

You can buy samurai swords and take them out of the country. I did. Now I have to bring it back in.

Both involve some paperwork though. Every sword in Japan is registered with the police. You have to submit a form to "unregister" it when you take it out of the country. You can do it at the airport.

For what it's worth, I can recommend/guide you to an excellent sword shop which only sells the real thing (antique swords, sharp enough to cut off your foot if you drop it). for those who are interested.

And with all the fantasy nerds on this site (myself included) that should bring you all beating to my door.

Katana: A bastard sword from Japan with a great PR campaign.

[frookenhauer]

Indeed?!? Erm, Shin how much would an authentic bad boy cost me? in yen/dollars/pounds I'll start saving now...

Reading your reply made me really happy, cos I honestly thought I would never be able to own one without taking it from the cold dead fingers of a samurai I just killed, in other words never

Shin is the man. Especially when he agrees with me, which is not often