Budo Shops in Kyoto

[Ruediger]

Hi all,

some infos here at e-budo about budo-shops in kyoto? I will be there in Juli/August, i knew the shops close to the kyoto budo-center, but maybe (hopefully http://216.10.1.92/ubb/smile.gif) there are much more.

Regards

Ruediger Meier

[Joanne Miller]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ruediger:
some infos here at e-budo about budo-shops in kyoto?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi there,
Don't know if you know it yet but Tozando the famous online budogu company is located in Kyoto. You might wish to check them out.

Here's the url of their site http://tozando.pair.com/eng/index.html

Cheers,



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Joanne Miller

[Ruediger]

Hi Joanne,

Thank you for your answer. I knew tozando (...not really, have heard about), but i didn't knew that they are located in kyoto. I used the URL and send an e-mail to tozando, asking for the address of the shop in kyoto (maybe i'm stupid and it's just the address seen on the index-page http://216.10.1.92/ubb/biggrin.gif). Hopefully i get an answer.

Greetings

Ruediger Meier

[This message has been edited by Ruediger (edited 06-10-2000).]

I agree that Tozando would be an excellent resource. I've ordered stuff through their web site and have been pleased with everything so far. I also visited their branch shop in a suburb of Nagasaki and found their merchandise and staff to be topnotch.

One thing I would add about budo shops in Japan is that they don't tend to stock a lot of stuff in the store. They may have a fairly complete line of kendo or judo supplies, maybe even some iaido equipment. However, they can obtain just about anything else from their suppliers on very short notice. You should allow a few days for this, though.

I found this true even in grocery stores. While you could pick up a six-pack of soda easily enough, you had to place an advance order for multiple cases of soda. I discovered this when stocking up for a dojo party once.

Sincerely,

Don Cunningham

[Ruediger]

Don,

thank you for your reply. I was always astonished when i was in japan that i couldn't find more then the "regular" stuff (you mentioned it... mostly Kendo, Judo, Karate and so on) in the budo shops, it was like "hey, i'm in japan, where the hell is the pretty stuff i'm looking for...?? http://216.10.1.92/ubb/biggrin.gif http://216.10.1.92/ubb/biggrin.gif
But maybe i was just in the wrong places http://216.10.1.92/ubb/smile.gif

Regards

Ruediger Meier

[Bill Croslow]

I just returned from Japan two weeks ago. During my stay I visited Tozando in Kyoto. They have a wonderful shop and the employees are very helpful. If you have the time I really recommend a stop at Tozando.

Bill

Ruediger--I have directions from the Kyoto Eki to Tozando on my computer at home. If you don't get them from Eimi or another of the English speaking employees I can send them out to you.

[Ruediger]

Hi Bill,

sounds great, if it is possible, i would appreciate your e-mail, because during my time in kyoto i will stay in a Ryokan very close to kyoto eki.

Thank's in advance

Ruediger Meier

[Bill Croslow]

Sorry for the long response time, I am in the middle of a move. The computer that had this information ended up sitting in my other half's car for the last two days. Anyway this is the email that Yasumasa Yamamoto, the owner of Tozando, sent to me in regards to directions.

<If you are coming from Kyoto station to our office,

Taking Metro:
At Kyoto station, you will find Metro station, called "Kyoto". Get on a
north bound and get off at "Shijo" station. Stair up the ground and find a
street named Karasuma Dori. Once you get yourself on the Karasuma, walk
along the street to the south(you see a big tower in the south direction).
After several streets, you will find East-West street called "Matsubara"
then make a turn to your left. Walk other 500 meter and we will be on your
right.>

Tozando itself is on the second floor. Keep your eyes open as you walk, I walked past it twice before I finally realized where the store was located. Depending on how fast you walk, the trip from Shijo should not take very long, 15 minutes tops.

Hope this helps,

Bill

[ghp]

Say, was it just me, or did everyone else shopping in Japan have the same experience? After looking around the various budoguya-san, and selecting items to buy, they give "service" by knocking down the price by 15~20% ?

This happened at the budogu-ya that is in the same neighbourhood as my sensei (they know him well); it also happened elsewhere.

Was I just lucky? If it is "normal" then perhaps Ruediger can expect to purchase items cheaper than the catalogue list price.

Regards,
Guy


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Guy H. Power
http://www.trifox.com/aux/kenshinkan

[Ruediger]

Hi Bill,

early enough... thank you http://216.10.1.92/ubb/smile.gif.

Discount...?? I hope so... http://216.10.1.92/ubb/smile.gif
I will also take a look at the flea market at Toji Temple, bought some nice stuff there at my last trip.

Regards

Ruediger Meier

[Joanne Miller]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ghp:
Say, was it just me, or did everyone else shopping in Japan have the same experience? After looking around the various budoguya-san, and selecting items to buy, they give "service" by knocking down the price by 15~20% ?

Was I just lucky? If it is "normal" then perhaps Ruediger can expect to purchase items cheaper than the catalogue list price.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Definetely lucky http://216.10.1.92/ubb/wink.gif I didn't get any discount and was charged catalogue list prices (T_T) when I last visted the umeda branch of Meirin in Osaka where Sato sensei of Mugai ryu/Hontai Yoshin Ryu works at.



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Joanne Miller

[Bill Croslow]

Guy, I think that the discount is a nearly universal thing. I saw it at two different stores in Kyoto. Tozando was willing to take off a large discount on display iaito as well as most other things in the shop. The wooden naginata that I ordered from another shop ended up being about 15% less than I had been quoted.

Despite these experiences though, I don't think that anyone should go to Japan expecting an automatic gaijin discount.

Bill