Japan

Flying out to Tokyo in a week.

Don't have a heap planned... anyone know of any websites listing (bigger) international bands?

...mainstream listings..

http://metropolis.co.jp/listings/

Has anyone been to any keirin racing out in japan? I'd really like to see some racing when I'm there next month but this website http://keirin.jp/pc/dfw/dataplaza/guest/ is all in japanese so I can't work out when any races are on.

its...meh. Imagine being a dog lover and going to watch the greyhounds, and expecting all the other people there to also love dogs. And then finding out they dont care, and are just there to gamble.

its...meh. Imagine being a dog lover and going to watch the greyhounds, and expecting all the other people there to also love dogs. And then finding out they dont care, and are just there to gamble.

Yeah, when you put it like that it does sound a bit rubbish.

Unless you're into dogs and gambling.

just my tuppence worth, osaka aquarium is amazing, as are the whale sharks..

Is there anything in particular you're looking for? I'll try and give you some pointers if you wish.

its...meh. Imagine being a dog lover and going to watch the greyhounds, and expecting all the other people there to also love dogs. And then finding out they dont care, and are just there to gamble.

Yeah, but imagine if you loved watching racing, and then went and saw some proper racing. Then you'd enjoy it.

We went in January. It was a bit random and a bit difficult to find out info (ask your hotel reception to find out for you, they'll humour your odd foreign ways) but it was pretty interesting too. And it cost about 5p to get in. We would have put some bets on but we didn't have a clue how to.

The racing, and the riders, were great to watch. It is like the greyhounds though, with less beer, so be warned if you're anything less than a total enthusiast!

It's pissing it down in Tokyo at the moment.

Cherubim's Aoyama shop is worth a visit if you're on some kind of fixed gear pilgrimage.

Yeah, but imagine if you loved watching racing, and then went and saw some proper racing. Then you'd enjoy it.

We went in January. It was a bit random and a bit difficult to find out info (ask your hotel reception to find out for you, they'll humour your odd foreign ways) but it was pretty interesting too. And it cost about 5p to get in. We would have put some bets on but we didn't have a clue how to.

The racing, and the riders, were great to watch. It is like the greyhounds though, with less beer, so be warned if you're anything less than a total enthusiast!

Thanks for this. I think if there is one on near by I might as well go and have a look.

This is the race schedule for next month: http://keirin.jp/pc/dfw/dataplaza/guest/racecalendar?NEN=2013&MON=06 (it's just numbers/dates; FII means A class, FI means S Class and G is a special event)

It depends how far you're willing to travel but a lot of the velodromes in the second and third sections there will be OK from Tokyo (assuming that's where you're going...), the easiest one doesn't have any races next month tho.

Just got back. Great trip!

I went to the keirin in Tachikawa just outside Tokyo and I echo what others have said here. A strange atmosphere dominated by old chain smoking blokes. Quite a depressing place. I tried to work out the betting slip but gave up. I wouldn't go again.

if you're into art and/or architecture you really should visit the benesse art site islands http://www.benesse-artsite.jp/en/
they're in the inland sea so not that far from osaka and well worth the trouble of getting out there.

Just got back from Japan and I have to say Naoshima Island was one of the top highlights, thanks so much for the tip. Really incredible place and Benesse House was fantastic. If anyone is planning on going to Japan you really should put this on your itinerary. Thanks again :)

I went to watch some races at Tachikawa too, chain smoked, drank shit coffee, talked to a couple of the old guys, it was ok. I'd probably go again.

Does anybody know much much used njs frames are in Japan?

Silly me! Found my answer here: http://www.lfgss.com/thread98454.html

I'm in tokyo for the next week, anyone know where I can buy a Keirin jersey? I just went to punch cycles in asakusa, I tried my best to ask in japanses, but he said he didn't have any for sale. He didn't look too pleased to see me, spose he doesn't get many Gaijin Keirin fans visiting.

Saw some pretty mad 3rensos and Eddie Merckx frames at least.

Supposed to be going to japan for 5 weeks , mostly camping and a few days in tokyo and a few days with a foreign family , anyone got any tips/things I should be bringing in terms of the heat/humidity ?

During which months are you over there?

For those looking into visiting a Velodrome here's my report:
A day at the races.

Ta pip. Going to try and get to a race at Toride Velodrome this week

During which months are you over there?

mid july to mid august , will it be as hot as I expect ?

James, it will be bloody humid. Really really humid. Head to the mountains!

Shorts, tshirts (dark colours that dont show up sweat might be good)... good luck

James, it will be bloody humid. Really really humid. Head to the mountains!

Shorts, tshirts (dark colours that dont show up sweat might be good)... good luck

Ah not sure I have too much choice about where I go (http://www.23wsj.jp/ will be heading off to this) , Big thanks for the advice though - how much English do they tend to speak over there ? I'm planning to learn a little Japanese but may well spend a bit more time learning if it's completely non English speaking

Not too many mountains in Yamaguchi, but its really rural, which will help :)

Regarding English, everyone will have done 7 years of it at school, yet spoken English is rather low (written is much higher), but you will be ok.

Just learn the basics- hello (konichiwa) thanks (arigato) please (kudasai) and this always helps- do you speak English (eigo hanasai masuka)

Good luck, its a bloody awesome country.