01st Apr 2008
Japan Trip Information
This September and October, the AAA/AAI will be sponsoring a trip to Japan, in celebration of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo’s 40th Anniversary.
The trip will be approximately two weeks long, with the option to attend for one week or both. We would like to get a head count as soon as possible of how many people are planning to participate in the trip. If you plan to attend, e-mail AAA.Aikido.World@gmail.com with your name, dojo, and which dates you plan on attending.
Below, we have provided details and approximate costs (in U.S. dollars) for all of the planned events. Please keep in mind that the schedule is still tentative and the days we depart and return from the U.S. may change.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Airfare
Travelers will be responsible for providing their own airfare, although we may use a travel agent for group fares if there is enough interest. We recommend using sites such as Orbitz or Travelocity to find approximate airfare.
As of this time, round-trip airfare from Chicago to Tokyo is approximately $1500.
Hotel
In Tokyo, travelers have the option of staying in a hotel (most likely the Shinjuku Prince hotel) or on the mat at one of the Kobayashi dojos (approx 30 minutes outside central Tokyo).
Approximate costs are $125 per night for hotel and $10 per night for the dojo.
Trains
The approximate cost of the inter-city trains is listed for each trip below. If you prefer, you may purchase a Japan Rail Pass, which can be used for most trains in Japan, including the inter-city trains, the Narita Express from the airport to Tokyo, and some (not all) of the inter-Tokyo trains. The cost is $280 for 7 days or $450 or 14 days.
If you choose not to get a Japan Rail pass, expect to spend $15-30 each way to/from the airport, $5-10 per day for train fares while in Tokyo.
General Fees and Expenses
Personal Gifts (mandatory): $350. The AAA will be providing personal and training gifts for Doshu and each of the other instructors we will be visiting and training with.
Food: Food prices in Japan are similar to those in the United States and Western Europe. One can eat cheaply for $5-10 per day or more extravagantly for much more.
Hombu Dojo: Training fees at Hombu dojo are $15-20 per day for AAA/AAI members. Aikido students can train at Hombu any morning we are in Tokyo.
Week One - September 21 - 28
Sunday, Sept 21: Depart U.S. for Tokyo
Monday, Sept 22: To Be Announced (TBA)
Tuesday, Sept 23: Commemorative seminar at Tokorozawa Shimin Budokan, instructed by Kobayashi Yasuo shihan and Ueshiba Moriteru Doshu: $30
Tuesday, Sept 23: Commemorative Party in downtown Tokyo: $120
Wednesday, Sept 24: TBA
Thursday, Sept 25 - Sat, Sept 27: Visit to Ueshiba Morihei O-sensei’s hometown of Tanabe City: $500. Includes 2 night hotel, tour bus, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners; does not include transport to Tanabe. Transportation is about $320 round-trip by train or $190 round-trip by bus.
Approximate Total Cost for Week 1:
$3600 Total ($1500 airfare, $350 gifts, $625 5 nights hotel Tokyo, $280 7-day rail pass, $30 seminar, $120 party, $500 Tanabe City trip, $200 food and incidentals)
Week 2
Sunday, Sept 28: Higashiyamato-shi Aikido Club 40th Anniversary Demonstration with Doshu (fee TBA)
Monday, Sept 29: TBA
Tuesday, Sept 30 - Friday, Oct 3: Sightseeing trip outside Tokyo (location to be determined): $250 round-trip train fare
Saturday, Oct 4 - Sunday, Oct 5: Anniversary Camp, Iwai Beach Resort, Chiba (instructed by Kobayashi Yasuo shihan and other shihans): $150 (includes 1 night hotel, instruction fees, and meals) + $75 transportation
Approximate Total Cost for Week 2:
$3300 Total ($1500 airfare, $350 gifts, $750 6 nights hotel, $280 7-day rail pass, $150 anniversary camp, $75 anniversary demonstration (est), $200 food and incidentals)
Approximate Total Cost for Both Weeks: $5000
More Information
40th Anniversary Information from Kobayashi Dojo
Aikido Kobayashi Dojo 40th Anniversary Flyer/Schedule
Article about last year’s AAA/AAI Japan Trip
Aikido Kobayashi Dojos
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