Getting Ready

So this week has mostly been about getting sorted for the trip. Every thing from shorts to yen, and now I think I'm almost there. On Wed 26th may 2010 I went to London to sort out some gifts for my family's. I was told by a very reliable source that gifts were a key part of the Japanese way of life. So here is my first tip.

Tip 1: It's a good idea to take gift's to your host family's and dojo's. Not only will this make your start easier but you will gain a sort of default respect (I hope). I was also told to make shore that the gift's were Englishie. Shortbread, whisky that kind of stuff. Or they should have a name on them that link them to England like Harrods for example, or maybe just London. What every you do make shore it's of a good quality at lest.

Tip 2: Also grab yourself some throw away gifts. This tip is from the same source again but this time for a more social environment. If you are out and about in Tokyo or something and you get talking on someone and they show an interest in you, make sometime for you, or just help you out. Then it's the time for your throw away gift's. I took about £40 and spent it on English tat I guess. Union Jack key ring's, lighters and pens and lots of them. (remember money is tight so haggle with the tat touts they will take your money even if it's not what they ask for first time round.)
I was told that the throw away gift when used correctly could sort you out for drinks all night. This is also yet to be seen, but I will let you know. My source referred to the throw away gift as "the best £40 I have ever spent." His wife is Japanese.

I also had to pick up some Yen. The family's I'm staying with have requested the money for the room and Board the day I arrive, 92400 Yen. This is for one month rent with breakfast and Dinner every Day. It works out to be Just over £700 pounds.(this will depend on the exchange rate.) I didn't think this was to bad. I found this sweet little deal with a web site called Home Stay in Japan. (The link is at the side of the page.) They cover all of Japan and they work on short stays as well as long. If your think of doing what I am doing then this is for you.

Tip 3: It's not ideal and it's a pain in the arse curring all the cash with you, but if you can help it don't exchange your money in England. Your money is stuck at the rate that you brought it at and the exchange office will hammer you with a travels exchange rate. I believe that the rate in Japan at the moment is about 131 Yen to the Pound. I struggled to find any thing higher than 125 Yen to the pound. If you use cash machines over there I think you get the real exchange rate. Sometime bank's charge you for this but it's fixed so it's the same size hammer every time not one that changes the more you haggle the exchange office. Also I found this rate online. Good luck. I can't real help on this one.

One more thing don't do any thing with money when the government is have an election. That helped loads nice one hay. Lol

First Post

Hi All,

So you’re like me, young, single and mad about martial arts and/or Japan. Maybe you’re not but you’re mad about martial arts and/or Japan, then I'm your man. I am look to start an exchange program for like minded English and Japanese people to partake in.
We want their Knowledge and ablities and I should think they would like our culture and to learn or improve there English. So both parties have something to gain.
At the end of last year I found myself in a situation that at best was poor. My job was affecting my sleep and this meant I had to change my free time life style in order to keep up with my work set targets. I had to cut back on my karate and other hobbies. I believe that my karate is of a very high standard and I will be competing in the FSKA world Championship at the end of September.
So I made the choice to stop my job and look for a new career. I also said to myself what do I want to do. Well one of the thing I wanted to do was go to Japan and study martial arts out there and that’s what I am doing. On the 31st May 2010 I leave for Tokyo. I will be staying in Japan for three months and I well be doing this on a budget of just over £5000 that I have been saving over the last 5months.