Holy crap I'm going back to TOKYO
So I am officially in freak-out mode, with only a few days left until I am off for the motherland.
This trip came together rather quickly, so I feel as though I am forgetting something, but man am I excited to go again. This will be my third trip to Tokyo. I'll be a big man in Japan once again.
Some cool things are going to be happening on this trip, only some of them I can tell you about now. For one, I'm going out to HobbyLink Japan for the day to check out the new warehouse and interview Scott Hards. Hmmm, i guess that means I need to write down some questions. Any questions for HLJ?
Then a few days later I will be covering the 2009 Tamashii Expo at UDX Akihabara... I can practically taste the metallic T-28. Of course, I'll have the HD camera on me, so I will do my best to make you feel as if you are there along with me.
I'll also be doing some insane toy shopping, hitting up all of the hot spots - some covered in Tokyo Underground, some that are super-secret and known only to the illuminati. I'm dying to check out the new 10-floor Mandarake in Akiba, and of course I will hit the usual haunts.
But its not all going to be about toys. As much as I love Japanese toys, they really have been a gateway to a larger appreciation of Japanese culture and soceity. I'm finally going to see the Sakura Blossom. Hopefully I can crash someone's party and get drunk on a tarp under a cherry tree.
I'm going to hit the tourist trap that is Asakusa, but I am going to keep walking deep into the suburbs to find a lost treasure.
I'm going to go get lost in a town called Omiya.
I'm going to eat at least 2 McDonald's FRIED apple pies every day. Serious.
I will eat at Mos Burger, Home Kitchen, Lotteria, and Freshness burger. Just to say I did.
I will buy calpis out of a vending machine.
I'm going to bask in the chimes of the Japanese Railway system.
If you are going to be in or around Tokyo from March 23 to March 30th, let me know, we will go out and get a beer.
In the meantime, while I am gone the news and reviews might be a little light, but when I get back I am going to hit you with so many pictures your head is gonna spin.
Only four more days...
| Posted 18 March, 2009 - 22:58 by JoshB |
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Comments
6 comments postedWell, I've got about 3 things in queue, but I sure hope others have some stuff ready, too. I'm not sure the people can handle 3 crummy bootleg reviews in one week! :) I'll also try to post news when I can, but I'm pretty ignorant about most new robot toys so... we'll see.
I guess I'd recommend to Scott that, since the Bandai/Toynami partnership may hurt their SOC, etc sales, that they should just give up on that stuff and carry all vinyl from now on. :)
Anyway, I hope you have a good trip.
"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High
would that be the Omiya that is famous for its bonsai? the one near Tokyo?
I'm just a soldier, I can't be a leader.
I'd like to see an interview with Scott about what made him decide to start HLJ, and his experiences dealing with all the companies. I think HLJ was probably one of the only gateways of product before other sites started to import stuff too (through them I believe). I've bought quite a bit of stuff from HLJ over the years.
The few times I met him at cons he's always been great and he's practically the mascot of his own company because of his fun demeanor.
I'd like to ask Scott 'boxers or briefs' :P ... I've spent far more than my fair share of money at HLJ in the past, altho the conversion rate slump has really killed my business sadly.
Oh how I would love to come to Tokyo and meet Mr. Scott T. Hards in person!! I still remember and cherish the moment when, still new to the internet, I was looking for model kits on Mospeada and by chance I came across HobbyLink Japan at 3.00 o'clock in the morning!! Ever since then, I've been a loyal customer of HLJ. Kindly say hello to Mr. Scott for me please, Josh.
Thank you in advance.