I'm off to Japan...

[JohnD0406]

Hey PachiTalk people! I've been away for far too long - life got in the way. I've still been displaying some of my machines at various trade shows and conventions. My, things have changed around here!

To make a very long story very short, I've reconnected with an old friend on facebook who I lost contact with 17 years ago. She was in the US on a learning visa, and had since moved back to Japan. After talking for 3 weeks, I had purchased tickets to Tokyo.

I won't have a lot of time - I'm rushing to see a lot of Tokyo in 2 weeks, plus some quiet time in Chiba, but thought I'd post here to see if there's anything I shouldn't miss while I'm there. Where are the hot spots for playing pachinko/pachislo? I'm guessing it's everywhere, but plan to look around Ginza.

Here's an abbreviated list of what we're planning to visit:
Akihabara (I tell myself now I'm not buying anything)
Asakusa, Shinjuji, Roppongi
Mount Fuji
Tsukiji Fish Market (5am, I know.. any more advice?)
Tokyo International Anime Festival
(Studio Ghibli tickets are all sold out - spring break I guess)
Disneyland/Disney Sea/Cirque du Soleil Zed
Oh, and she's taking me to an onsen... that should be interesting!

I'll take lots of pictures, and when I've sorted them all out, I'll post a link here.

I leave in 6 days, and am lucky enough to have my 2nd trip planned at the end of September. I'll have a free round-trip ticket (credit card miles), and free place to stay. So, anything I miss on this trip, I can see on the next.

[dattia]

Am watching coverage of the terrible earthquake that hit Japan tonight. I hope that your friend is OK.

[hanabi]

been watching the news all morning

[Sid]

8.9 magnitude quake.. wow.. i really hope that everyone is safe..

[MrGneiss]

[JohnD0406]

I was just reading about it also. I have 3 friends in Tokyo - none have reported back in email yet. Hopefully everyone is ok - same with our Japanese members here.

[JohnD0406]

Wish I could edit my posts with updates... Anyway, I just got an email from my friend I'm visiting, and she's ok, but can't get hold of her mom or sister yet. She says Tokyo is still shaking - must be aftershocks. At least I can sleep better now - it's way past my bedtime (2:35am local time).

[Moparformances]

Glad to hear one Friend has reported in... the news looks really bad over there...

Hope this does not change your plans

[outdoorenth]

I'm glad to hear your friend is okay and I hope her mother and sister are too. If your travel over there stay safe.

[JohnD0406]

I'm back from Japan! The trip was great. Besides the scheduled power blackouts, none of which I experienced, there were no signs of trouble in Tokyo. I never had to wait more than 1 minute for a train. We had quite a few minor earthquakes, and maybe about 8 moderate shakers - enough to wake me up in the morning.

I'm happy to say my friend of 18 years and I are now dating, and she plans to move to the US in about 6 months. I'll make another trip to Japan before then.

Keeping on topic, I visited several pachinko parlors and played quite a few different machines. My first time in a parlor I was like a kid in a candy store! I want that one, and that one, and that one... hehe

Sad thing is, as a result of her moving in 6 months from now, I'll likely have to get rid of a lot of my toys. I'll make posts as I offer pachi's up for sale. The fist to go will be my Lassen World, so if anyone in the Los Angeles area wants to pick it up, it's ready to go... More to follow in the coming months.

[Moparformances]

Congrats on the new Girl


but im sorry for your loss .

Glad to hear your trip was good

[dattia]

Nice souvenir!

[yose]

She must be special in your life to give up a nice collection. Like the indian said in dances with wolves movie, GOOD TRADE.

[JohnD0406]

Nice souvenir!

LOL! Almost had dinner through my nose!

Congrats on the new Girl

Thanks - it's quite a story, and after so many years, must be meant to be.

She must be special in your life to give up a nice collection. Like the indian said in dances with wolves movie, GOOD TRADE.

I won't be selling ALL of my collection, just a few to make room. But, as with any collection, it's hard to choose what must go - there's still more I want!

Yes, she's quite special. I didn't know what to expect going over there, so had a full schedule of things to do planned. Worst case scenario I would have been reunited with an old friend, and had a great time touring Tokyo - not a bad worst case.

GOOD TRADE, indeed.

[Drunkenclam]

Need to make room? I think time to move house. Fresh (sort of) girl and new start. Plus can keep the collection.
maybe a garage or basement

Glad you had a great time. and its all working out

[JamesM]

Congratulations!
I hope you both are very happy.
Were you treated alright in the gaming parlors?

[JohnD0406]

Congratulations!
I hope you both are very happy.

Thanks! We are, aside from being 8800km apart. Time will solve that problem though.

Were you treated alright in the gaming parlors?

I didn't feel out of place, and felt I was treated the same as everyone else. It was a good experience in every parlor.

[dattia]

OK... I know you went to have fun and it was a vacation for you, and I'm glad you had a great time... BUT, I can't help but wonder. With everything that is going on over there, the tragedy of the quake and tsunami, compounded by the radiation issues, what was the general mood? Did it appear that life was going on 'as usual'? Were the pachinko parlors full like we have seen in pictures in the past?

[Phoenixking]

JohnD0406> Glad hear that you had a great time in Japan! And BIG congratulation about the girl! When is next time you will visit Japan? In the summer? I will go to Osaka in July, just a week perhaps to say hello to relatives. Otherwise i stay in S-Korea for rest of summer vacation to visit my family and friends. Anyway, good luck with everything!

[JohnD0406]

what was the general mood? Did it appear that life was going on 'as usual'? Were the pachinko parlors full like we have seen in pictures in the past?

The general mood seemed to be "as usual", however I'll bet they're getting tired of the nuclear power plant situation dragging out so long (I know I would be). They're good at keeping high spirits, but that can only last so long. Hopefully it's over soon. Yeah, the parlors were packed. I could find a seat or two on every row, just maybe not at the machine I wanted to play. I did play a few random machines that I know will never make it to the US due to their themes, so that was good for experience.
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Glad hear that you had a great time in Japan! And BIG congratulation about the girl! When is next time you will visit Japan? In the summer?

Thanks! I'm very happy, as you can imagine. I don't know when the next trip will be - a lot depends on my next job, when she moves, when she can get vacation time, etc. Originally I'd planned on going back at the end of September, but maybe sooner - we'll have to talk about it and choose the best time. Thanks again, and have fun in Osaka & S-Korea!