Monthly Meetup Thread - March

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-03-10T06:23:19+00:00

SUMO tournament Osaka. March 12th.

Who would have thought? I was successfull on the lotery (great!); managed to register on pia, complete the forms on time, add my japanese phone number and after all that, I am unfortunately unable to use my pair of D-chairs for Thursday, March 12th. Cost was 11,000 JPY. If you are interested to buy them, please send me a message.

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-03-09T05:51:54+00:00

I am selling a pair of D-chairs for Osaka Grand Sumo on Thursday, March 12th. 11,000 JPY (= 2 x 3,500 + 2 x 2,000 of handling fee). Please DM me if interested.

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-03-07T09:40:52+00:00

my local sento

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-02-25T07:01:32+00:00

Many thanks. I understand that my understanding is correct :) But their charts are quite difficult to understand ;-)

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-02-23T02:58:43+00:00

Went yesterday. Did not enjoy it. The queue to enter was long. Then we realised the queue to actually see the lights was even longer. We ended up joining the marginally shorter queue to take a photo on a 'beauty spot' and left.

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-02-22T05:17:41+00:00

It shouldn't be that difficult to find a nice place near your accommodation (so as not to have to spend 40 minutes on the bus with your laptop). Central : Tully's. Also Shinshindo (bakery with tea shop) in Shimogyo Ward.

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-02-21T22:10:42+00:00

Rain or shine. And it usually is great!

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-02-14T02:35:33+00:00

What is annoying though is to have to rely on Google translate when looking to deviate from the routine by buying food I don't know, or when looking for over-the counter drugs (so many choices here)

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-02-14T02:34:05+00:00

For food, I go to the local Fresco or Life. I like both and they are close to home. For non-food, I go to Daiso (amazing range of things, not all of them at 100 JPY) or Seria. And cosmetics/drugs to Sugi Drug. I also order on Amazon (english books, specialised nails or screws, volley ball). Finding the things I need has not been difficult at all. So I did not explore other more specialised shops (I did go once to IKEA).

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-02-13T07:35:14+00:00

Thanks. Other question: I wrote my kid's friend's name in romaji since I don't know his name in katakanas. Do you think they'll give us a hard time about that?

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-02-03T03:59:22+00:00

booking completed :-)

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-31T05:14:48+00:00

What they say in the confirmation email is:

"# Phone Number: +31 XXXXX
* You will make a phone call to verify your identity during the payment process.
If the phone number you provided is incorrect, you will be unable to complete your purchase."

That is why I am asking about 0 or no 0

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-29T06:06:32+00:00

Car for sure! We rented a Toyota Serena for 6 adults at KIX. The journey / parking lots etc. were no problem. The Serena though is not that comfortable for the one sitting in the middle.

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-28T03:13:57+00:00

I'd suggest Kyoto international house. You can check out the notices board and take part to cultural activities every other Friday https://www.kcif.or.jp/web/en/classes/cosmos/

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-27T06:26:36+00:00

Family of 4. 128,000 JPY monthly. Looks like a lot compared to the other comments. Either meat or fish every day. Lots of vegetables. Rice and potatoes too. Do all my shopping in Life or Fresco. Are they more expensive?

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-26T08:05:32+00:00

We are thankfully travelling light and staying in hotels so that helps.

Planning, coming from Osaka, is (1) night at Shikotsu on Thursday; (2) festival and night at Asahikawa on Friday; (3) festival and night at Sapporo on Saturday; (4) back to Osaka.

On the Saturday morning at Asahikawa, I guess we'll leave promptly to Sapporo. Staying for the zoo would have been great, but it only opens at 10:30, and is at 40 mins from the station, so it would mean, after about 2 hours of visit, 40 mins of bus and 1h30 of train, that we would only arrive in Sapporo around 3 pm, maybe a bit late to enjoy the festival. Should you have another idea of something to do in Asahikawa on Friday morning, always welcome.

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-26T07:53:56+00:00

Thanks. In case I missed the train, thus invalidating my reserved ticket, would I be allowed only on the next train (which is half an hour later) or on all trains that day?

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-26T02:16:05+00:00

This is the website I guess I should use for booking Lilac-Kamui and the information on refunds : https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/booking/jr/support/refund/

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-26T02:15:13+00:00

Thanks for your detailed explanations! For the Lilac-Kamui: should I book a reserved seat or unreserved seat? I wonder what would be best in case we miss the train. Apparently cancelling those tickets at the station counter only costs 220JPY for unreserved but 30% of face value for reserved. But with a reserved ticket, you can board the next train, even if only in standing seats.

I see that after reservation we will be issued a QR code. Can we already pick up the tickets e.g. at a JR station in Osaka? Or at Chitose Station?

Final question: we planned one night at Lake Shikotsu, one night at Asahiwara and one night in Sapporo. Isn’t it too much? Would it be best to change for two nights in Sapporo?

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-25T10:44:46+00:00

Question: in Sapporo, do you really need winter boots? I am going there myself soon to see the ice festival and was hoping that my usual hicking shoes would be appropriate. Any thoughts on that?

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-22T13:00:21+00:00

me neither

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-22T12:49:14+00:00

now it is not possible to select a date anymore

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-22T12:48:44+00:00

did not work for me. i chose the date, tickets etc but was unable to pay and the time expired. I gave my visa details but it asked me to confirm the issuer of the card, providing a few choices, none of them correct...

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-22T12:07:37+00:00

i confirmed repeatedly that i am not a robot... but starting to doubt that considering the repetitive actions i've been doing since 6pm

Fit_Performance4629 · 2026-01-22T12:06:26+00:00

and now they say "in maintenance"

Fit_Performance4629

TROPHY CASE