What about the british embassy.  If the security is
anything like the prince's birthday party it shouldn't
be a problem to cause some chaos.
Lyle
RIP Barry White.
--- Gary Singh <gsingh@...> wrote:
> On Mon, 7 Jul 2003, Father Erikson wrote:
> > A visit to a Japanese school is an absolute must.
>
> Turns out this school is only 27% Japanese, but it
> might be worthy of
> a visit:
> Seisen International School Home Page
> http://www.seisen.com
>
> Welcome to the Seisen International School Website!
> SIS is an
> all-girls' Catholic school located in Tokyo, Japan.
> Students and
> faculty from over 60 countries are represented at
> SIS, with English
> being the main language used for instruction of
> classes.
>
> --Gary
>
>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

On Mon, 7 Jul 2003, Father Erikson wrote:
> A visit to a Japanese school is an absolute must.

Turns out this school is only 27% Japanese, but it might be worthy of
a visit:
Seisen International School Home Page
http://www.seisen.com

Welcome to the Seisen International School Website! SIS is an
all-girls' Catholic school located in Tokyo, Japan. Students and
faculty from over 60 countries are represented at SIS, with English
being the main language used for instruction of classes.

--Gary

A visit to a Japanese school is an absolute must.

--eric.

ps.: NSFW.

--- Someone wrote:
> I vote for hitting the subway during commute time,
if we're there during the week. That would be an
absolute circus.

Uhh, no. "Circus" implies a certain amount of fun.
Being crushed like a sardine? I can go to the Castro
on Hallowe'en for that. For free. And in the Castro
I'm significantly less likely to get groped by some
hard-up sarariman. Those of you who are male are of
course far more likely to get groped @ Castro
Hallowe'en, and merely crushed in the Tokyo subway.

But…I haven’t been to Tokyo in ages. Liza? Dav? Any
comments on this? You guys should join the group -
going to Tokyo in December dressed as Santa Claus...

-Sarah




__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

On Thursday, July 3, 2003, at 11:33 AM, Gary Singh wrote:

> On Thu, 3 Jul 2003, Lyle Nisenholz wrote:
>> Oh, I just thought I'd mention this.  I figured you
>> all knew about this because it's a notorious part of
>> Tokyo street life, but in case you don't...
>> BEER VENDING MACHINES ON ALL NIGHT ALL OVER THE CITY!
>
> Anyway, I've only been to Tokyo twice and I'm not pretending for a
> second that I "know" the place, but I can't imagine there existing
> such a thing as a cheap bar in Tokyo. At least not by santarchy
> standards. It would be better to drink publicly and buy booze in the
> convenience stores, like Lyle said. Then *maybe* hit a few bars, but
> only buy one drink in each place.
>
I checked with my native Japanese officemate today.  Japan has no
liquor consumption laws.  You can drink straight out of a Jack Daniels
bottle in the entryway of an elementary school if you want.

And I will.

On Thu, 3 Jul 2003, Lyle Nisenholz wrote:
> Oh, I just thought I'd mention this.  I figured you
> all knew about this because it's a notorious part of
> Tokyo street life, but in case you don't...
> BEER VENDING MACHINES ON ALL NIGHT ALL OVER THE CITY!

And sake too, from I what I remember. True?

Anyway, I've only been to Tokyo twice and I'm not pretending for a
second that I "know" the place, but I can't imagine there existing
such a thing as a cheap bar in Tokyo. At least not by santarchy
standards. It would be better to drink publicly and buy booze in the
convenience stores, like Lyle said. Then *maybe* hit a few bars, but
only buy one drink in each place.

I vote for hitting the subway during commute time, if we're there
during the week. That would be an absolute circus.

gary

Oh, I just thought I'd mention this.  I figured you
all knew about this because it's a notorious part of
Tokyo street life, but in case you don't...
BEER VENDING MACHINES ON ALL NIGHT ALL OVER THE CITY!
Just an after thought.

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

Conveniece stores are prolific here.  They are easy to
access and more user friendly for the tourist visitor
type.  Beer, Chu hi (like a wine cooler that is
drikable), Sho cho ( a traditional potato based
liquor), and good all Sake are available.  Let's
see... I know you can get a can of beer, twelve ounce,
for about 170 yen, that's about 1.35, same for chu-hi.

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

> Seriously, from what I hear Japanese businessmen can
> drink like
> nobody's business.
Yes, some until they are falling down in the streets
in dramatic ways. It is an ambition of mine to do a
photography series of falling down men.
   They have to drink *somewhere*.
Yes, a restaurants.  Beer sake are affordable there.
These salary men driking binges are encouraged by
their employers as part of wining and dining a client.
  Seeing that the company pays for it therefore, it is
sort of a cart-blank sort of thing for them.
> Are there any
> cheap bars?
That is something I wouldn't know.
   What if we buy alcohol at grocery
> stores and drink
> publically?
YES!  What a good point! Yes, and it is the CHEAPEST
WAY!  Oh, what fun... even on the subways!  This will
make the event a blast!  What a howl!
  How is a resourceful santa going to
> maximize his
> yen-to-BAC ratio, and what would these options cost?
You have to convert, then pay.  They don't use checks
here at all, and credit cards are only accepted at
larger more modern establishments.
>
>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

On Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at 01:57 PM, Lyle Nisenholz wrote:

> Be warned, the biggest danger about a
> Tokyo bar is how much it can set you back... pull out
> you second mortgage!

   Be careful what you say - you'll kill off all interest in the event!

Seriously, from what I hear Japanese businessmen can drink like
nobody's business.  They have to drink *somewhere*.  Are there any
cheap bars?  What if we buy alcohol at grocery stores and drink
publically?  How is a resourceful santa going to maximize his
yen-to-BAC ratio, and what would these options cost?

Yes, my wife has met this guy before.  He really did
live in Tokyo and loves to go on about it's
shortcomings.  I saw him read in San Mateo about a
year ago. The story seems a bit goofy (I didn't read),
but his knowledge about Japan is insightful and worth
listening to.  Be warned, the biggest danger about a
Tokyo bar is how much it can set you back... pull out
you second mortgage!
--- Gary Singh <gsingh@...> wrote:
> Of related interest is a new novel called "Hard
> Rain" by Barry Eisler,
> who lives in the Bay Area, who worked for the US
> government in Japan
> (although he won't say what he did there). The novel
> is about a
> half-Japanese assassin and, with "noir
> atmospherics," describes the
> Tokyo underground, and a good portion of it takes
> place in many of the
> Tokyo neighborhoods that we would be invading, if
> this adventure
> happens. He's reading on the 13th at Borders in San
> Francisco and his
> website has some info on crime, spies and the likes
> in Tokyo,
> including a list of bars that the main character
> hangs out in.
> www.barryeisler.com
>
> We could show up to the reading with toy machine
> guns, dressed like
> the Yakuza. With Japanese females at our side, of
> course.
> --gary (bored at work)
>
>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

Of related interest is a new novel called "Hard Rain" by Barry Eisler,
who lives in the Bay Area, who worked for the US government in Japan
(although he won't say what he did there). The novel is about a
half-Japanese assassin and, with "noir atmospherics," describes the
Tokyo underground, and a good portion of it takes place in many of the
Tokyo neighborhoods that we would be invading, if this adventure
happens. He's reading on the 13th at Borders in San Francisco and his
website has some info on crime, spies and the likes in Tokyo,
including a list of bars that the main character hangs out in.
www.barryeisler.com

We could show up to the reading with toy machine guns, dressed like
the Yakuza. With Japanese females at our side, of course.
--gary (bored at work)

--- In santarchy-tokyo@yahoogroups.com, Lyle Nisenholz <lylen2@y...>
wrote:
> Tokyo is very big, some of the districts are a large
> as San Francisco itself.

This site is pretty cool for getting to know Tokyo.  It includes a
section where you can superimpose other cities over Tokyo to see what
their scale is like.

http://www.mid-tokyo.com/

SHould we have an initial meeting to figure all this out? Maybe at
F2F? The maps I have are simplified tourist maps, primarily of just
the main metro area inside the loop, designed for people who nothing
about the place. They're a good start, at least.

And I have the Lonely Planet guide to Tokyo if anyone wants to borrow
it. It's pretty comprehensive.
gary



On Tue, 1 Jul 2003, David Raikow wrote:

> Keep in mind - Tokyo Yoyogi Youth Hostel (check out the links section)
> is 3000 yen/night (about $25).
>
> -D
>
> On Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at 04:21  PM, Lyle Nisenholz wrote:
>
> > The Tourist Service websight is limited, you can visit
> > their bureau in SF where they have a comprehensive
> > list of Ryokans:
> >  San Francisco
> >    1 Daniel Burnham Court, Suite 250C, San Francisco,
> > CA 94109
> >    Tel: (415) 292-5686
> >    Fax: (415) 292-7849
> >
> > Here is a potential Ryokan.  It is called Sawa-No-Ya.
> > It is Asakusa, which is in the North Eastern corner of
> > the Yamanote Loop I mentioned ealier.  Of course all
> > the stations are easy to access from this location as
> > well.  Sawa-No-Ya is very popular with foreigners,
> > ninety percent of all visiters are foreigners.  It is
> > important to book way in advance because of it's
> > popularity.  It's cheap (4700 yen, about fourty bucks,
> > a night), clean and located in a neighborhood where
> > travelers can experience the feel of Japan's
> > Traditional Shitamachi (old downtown) culture.  This
> > would most likely mean cheap traditional dining as
> > well.  You are allowed to bring in your own food to
> > the Ryokan, and there are washing machine/ dryers
> > available.  The owner speaks English.  03-3822-2251
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
> > http://sbc.yahoo.com
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > ---------------------~-->
> > Get A Free Psychic Reading! Your Online Answer To Life's Important
> > Questions.
> > http://us.click.yahoo.com/Lj3uPC/Me7FAA/ySSFAA/2WHolB/TM
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ~->
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > santarchy-tokyo-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> santarchy-tokyo-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Keep in mind - Tokyo Yoyogi Youth Hostel (check out the links section)
is 3000 yen/night (about $25).

-D

On Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at 04:21  PM, Lyle Nisenholz wrote:

> The Tourist Service websight is limited, you can visit
> their bureau in SF where they have a comprehensive
> list of Ryokans:
>  San Francisco
>    1 Daniel Burnham Court, Suite 250C, San Francisco,
> CA 94109
>    Tel: (415) 292-5686
>    Fax: (415) 292-7849
>
> Here is a potential Ryokan.  It is called Sawa-No-Ya.
> It is Asakusa, which is in the North Eastern corner of
> the Yamanote Loop I mentioned ealier.  Of course all
> the stations are easy to access from this location as
> well.  Sawa-No-Ya is very popular with foreigners,
> ninety percent of all visiters are foreigners.  It is
> important to book way in advance because of it's
> popularity.  It's cheap (4700 yen, about fourty bucks,
> a night), clean and located in a neighborhood where
> travelers can experience the feel of Japan's
> Traditional Shitamachi (old downtown) culture.  This
> would most likely mean cheap traditional dining as
> well.  You are allowed to bring in your own food to
> the Ryokan, and there are washing machine/ dryers
> available.  The owner speaks English.  03-3822-2251
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
> http://sbc.yahoo.com
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ---------------------~-->
> Get A Free Psychic Reading! Your Online Answer To Life's Important
> Questions.
> http://us.click.yahoo.com/Lj3uPC/Me7FAA/ySSFAA/2WHolB/TM
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~->
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> santarchy-tokyo-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

The Tourist Service websight is limited, you can visit
their bureau in SF where they have a comprehensive
list of Ryokans:
  San Francisco
    1 Daniel Burnham Court, Suite 250C, San Francisco,
CA 94109
    Tel: (415) 292-5686
    Fax: (415) 292-7849

Here is a potential Ryokan.  It is called Sawa-No-Ya.
It is Asakusa, which is in the North Eastern corner of
the Yamanote Loop I mentioned ealier.  Of course all
the stations are easy to access from this location as
well.  Sawa-No-Ya is very popular with foreigners,
ninety percent of all visiters are foreigners.  It is
important to book way in advance because of it's
popularity.  It's cheap (4700 yen, about fourty bucks,
a night), clean and located in a neighborhood where
travelers can experience the feel of Japan's
Traditional Shitamachi (old downtown) culture.  This
would most likely mean cheap traditional dining as
well.  You are allowed to bring in your own food to
the Ryokan, and there are washing machine/ dryers
available.  The owner speaks English.  03-3822-2251

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

Tokyo is very big, some of the districts are a large
as San Francisco ittself. So looking at a map would be
intimidating to most.  Central Metropolitan Tokyo is
constructed around a loop that is created by the
Yamanote line train.  If you have a train/ subway map
with English, it should be easy to find. You will see
that there are train stations dotting this loop all
around. Most of the very busy huge byzantine-like
areas that are swarming with people are built around
the train stations. Though many extend further out, it
can get confusing.  Shinjuku is the western most
station in the Yamanote loop.  Followed to the south
by Yoyogi, Harajuku and Shibuya.  Shinjuku, Harajuku
and Shibuya are all characteristic of the legendary
qualities of Tokyo's contemporary culture.
--- Gary Singh <gsingh@...> wrote:
> On Tue, 1 Jul 2003, Father Erikson wrote:
> > > Anyone know where such a thing can be purchased?
> > If 8.5x11 is sufficient, surely there's something
> on the Internet.
> > Also, many travel books have English maps.  As
> do...map stores.
>
> I have at least three or four tourist maps of Tokyo,
> if anybody wants
> them. They'll do the job. Or you can go to the JNTO
> office in
> Japantown - and get one for free.
>
> gary
>
>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

On Tue, 1 Jul 2003, Father Erikson wrote:
> > Anyone know where such a thing can be purchased?
> If 8.5x11 is sufficient, surely there's something on the Internet.
> Also, many travel books have English maps.  As do...map stores.

I have at least three or four tourist maps of Tokyo, if anybody wants
them. They'll do the job. Or you can go to the JNTO office in
Japantown - and get one for free.

gary

> Anyone know where such a thing can be purchased?

If 8.5x11 is sufficient, surely there's something on the Internet.

Also, many travel books have English maps.  As do...map stores.


   *  *  *


It has been awhile since I hosteled, but aren't there certain incompatible
lifestyle issues with us hosteling, such as curfews and being kicked out after a
certain time in the morning?


--eric.

________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

Asakusa Yoyogi Shibuya Shinjuku Harajuku Shibuya Ryokans.

And other words I do not even slightly understand.

I'm realizing that I have no idea about even the most basic Tokyo
geography.  I'd love to have a giant map for my wall, with phonetic
english labels so that I know where is where.

Anyone know where such a thing can be purchased?

--- In santarchy-tokyo@yahoogroups.com, Lyle Nisenholz <lylen2@y...>
wrote:
> The Ryokan listed on the sight is a bit pricey (10000
> yen).  I believe you can get a good location Ryokan
> room for 6000 to 8000 yen a night.  Asakusa is a good
> area for these sorts of inexpensive Ryokans.  There is
> one specifically I have in mind.  I will send
> information on it shortly.
> The hostels look like a great deal.  The Yoyogi
> location is fabulous (near Harajuku, Shinjuku and
> Shibuya stations), however I don't understand how the
> application process works for foriegners.

The Ryokan listed on the sight is a bit pricey (10000
yen).  I believe you can get a good location Ryokan
room for 6000 to 8000 yen a night.  Asakusa is a good
area for these sorts of inexpensive Ryokans.  There is
one specifically I have in mind.  I will send
information on it shortly.
The hostels look like a great deal.  The Yoyogi
location is fabulous (near Harajuku, Shinjuku and
Shibuya stations), however I don't understand how the
application process works for foriegners.


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

The Japan National Tourist Organization also has a wealth of info:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
-gary



On Mon, 30 Jun 2003, David Raikow wrote:

> Check out the links section on the group website.
>
> -D
>
> On Monday, June 30, 2003, at 01:31  AM, spacemanspiffexplorer wrote:
>
> > Hi folks!
> >
> > I am a member of Hosteling International.  For a small fee you can
> > join a
> > network and get el cheapo rates for hostels around the world.  My
> > experience
> > with them in the US and Europe has shown consistent quality of rooms
> > and
> > kick ass locations. Although I have never been to Asia, I assume that
> > the
> > quality is the same there.
> >
> > Hosteling International main page:
> > http://www.hiayh.org/homenew.shtml
> >
> > Hosteling Japan
> > http://www.jyh.or.jp/
> >
> > Hostels, for those who don't know, are dormitory style housing.
> > There is a
> > common bath and kitchen area for all visitors.  The place is clean,
> > safe and in
> > the major cities open 24 hours.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Sam Coniglio
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > ---------------------~-->
> > Get A Free Psychic Reading! Your Online Answer To Life's Important
> > Questions.
> > http://us.click.yahoo.com/Lj3uPC/Me7FAA/ySSFAA/2WHolB/TM
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ~->
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > santarchy-tokyo-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> santarchy-tokyo-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Check out the links section on the group website.

-D

On Monday, June 30, 2003, at 01:31  AM, spacemanspiffexplorer wrote:

> Hi folks!
>
> I am a member of Hosteling International.  For a small fee you can
> join a
> network and get el cheapo rates for hostels around the world.  My
> experience
> with them in the US and Europe has shown consistent quality of rooms
> and
> kick ass locations. Although I have never been to Asia, I assume that
> the
> quality is the same there.
>
> Hosteling International main page:
> http://www.hiayh.org/homenew.shtml
>
> Hosteling Japan
> http://www.jyh.or.jp/
>
> Hostels, for those who don't know, are dormitory style housing.
> There is a
> common bath and kitchen area for all visitors.  The place is clean,
> safe and in
> the major cities open 24 hours.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Sam Coniglio
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ---------------------~-->
> Get A Free Psychic Reading! Your Online Answer To Life's Important
> Questions.
> http://us.click.yahoo.com/Lj3uPC/Me7FAA/ySSFAA/2WHolB/TM
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~->
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> santarchy-tokyo-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Hi folks!

I am a member of Hosteling International.  For a small fee you can
join a
network and get el cheapo rates for hostels around the world.  My
experience
with them in the US and Europe has shown consistent quality of rooms
and
kick ass locations. Although I have never been to Asia, I assume that
the
quality is the same there.

Hosteling International main page:
http://www.hiayh.org/homenew.shtml

Hosteling Japan
http://www.jyh.or.jp/

Hostels, for those who don't know, are dormitory style housing.
There is a
common bath and kitchen area for all visitors.  The place is clean,
safe and in
the major cities open 24 hours.

Hope this helps.

Sam Coniglio

Okay.  This all sounds good.  I will be sending you
the best information I can.  I believe this can be
done.  You can eat great food and find decent lodgings
for reasonable prices. There is a big price gap
between traditional inexpensive services and modern
"popular" services for the tourist.  I'll fill you in
on the best deals I can find.  Sit tight.
Lyle
--- Laszlo Toth <laszlo@...> wrote:
> --- In santarchy-tokyo@yahoogroups.com, "lylen2"
> <lylen2@y...> wrote:
> > I believe I could be of some help.  I live in
> central
> > Tokyo and can try my best to get information to
> help.  Let me know.
> > Lyle Nisenholz
>
> Thanks!  Since you're already over there you've
> solved what will be
> the biggest hurdle for us.  Right now I think there
> are two major
> things you could definitely help us with:
>
> 1) We're looking to be there sometime in December.
> (The early half if
> flights are cheaper earlier, or the later half
> through New Year's Day
> otherwise.)  It would help us narrow down some dates
> if we knew
> something about desired dates.  Are there any
> special traditional
> Tokyo events in December that would be enhanced by
> drunken santas?
>
> 2) Plane tickets are a fixed, up-front cost but all
> of us are fairly
> lost as far as what it'll cost to stay over there.
> We have horror
> stories about $300 hotel rooms and $10 bottles of
> beer, and many
> people seem spooked by the concept of vacationing in
> Tokyo.  To defuse
> this worry I'd like to create a per-day cost
> estimate based on a cheap
> shared hotel and a minimal but decent meal.  How
> much will the average
> Santa have to spend per day in Tokyo?
>
>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

My current goal is to go sometime around the 19th or 20th, and come
back January 3rd. That's probably unrealistic, but that's what I would
personally like to shoot for until it becomes clear that it's
impossible.

Somehow, it just seems like it would be a real shame to pass up the
opportunity to spend New Years Day in a Japanese drunk-tank.

-D

> 1) We're looking to be there sometime in December.  (The early half if
> flights are cheaper earlier, or the later half through New Year's Day
> otherwise.)  It would help us narrow down some dates if we knew
> something about desired dates.  Are there any special traditional
> Tokyo events in December that would be enhanced by drunken santas?
>
--------------------------
"It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it."
	 - Steven Wright

--- In santarchy-tokyo@yahoogroups.com, "lylen2" <lylen2@y...> wrote:
> I believe I could be of some help.  I live in central
> Tokyo and can try my best to get information to help.  Let me know.
> Lyle Nisenholz

Thanks!  Since you're already over there you've solved what will be
the biggest hurdle for us.  Right now I think there are two major
things you could definitely help us with:

1) We're looking to be there sometime in December.  (The early half if
flights are cheaper earlier, or the later half through New Year's Day
otherwise.)  It would help us narrow down some dates if we knew
something about desired dates.  Are there any special traditional
Tokyo events in December that would be enhanced by drunken santas?

2) Plane tickets are a fixed, up-front cost but all of us are fairly
lost as far as what it'll cost to stay over there.  We have horror
stories about $300 hotel rooms and $10 bottles of beer, and many
people seem spooked by the concept of vacationing in Tokyo.  To defuse
this worry I'd like to create a per-day cost estimate based on a cheap
shared hotel and a minimal but decent meal.  How much will the average
Santa have to spend per day in Tokyo?

Hi I am Lyle Nisenholz.
I think I would be ideal to help in your quest to establish an
overseas beachhead in Tokyo.  Did you know Paul McCarthy did a piece
here called Tokyo Santa? It's a classic; you can probably find out
more about his Santa art piece on a web search.

Any ways, about me.  I was living in the Bay Area until nine months
ago.  Thats when my career oriented savior of a wife was able to
obtain a new job in Tokyo after her post Silicon Valley bubble burst
lay off.  Yes, she is Japanese, though I speak Japanese poorly, it
never rubbed off on me.  I have a lot of experience with performance/
prank/ comedy art.  I know about the activities of the Cacophony
Society, and have crossed paths with many of their members and
activities.  I believe I could be of some help.  I live in central
Tokyo and can try my best to get information to help.  Let me know.
Lyle Nisenholz

On Fri, 27 Jun 2003, Laszlo Toth wrote:
> misunderstood American culture fragment.  Colonel Sanders dresses
like
> santa and is even confused with Santa Claus in an "old benevolent
> Western men with white facial hair" sort of way.  Pizza
> deliverymen wear santa suits in Tokyo.  Tokyo is ripe for Santa
> attack.

I agree. Some initial ramblings off the cuff you can pass on to
anyone who hasn't been there -- We definitely won't have
difficultly recruiting people. There are many ex-pats and foreigners
living in Tokyo. In Roppongi, just for example, it's mostly foreigners
and drunk American jocks running around, but there are some great
local haunts to meet natives and it's a popular place for young
Japanese to go and practice their English by talking to foreigners.
And the neighborhood rocks until about 6am. But that neighborhood is
expensive as all bloody hell, so maybe another area would be better.

The porno district in Shinjuku would also be a perfect place to
invade, or the shopping district of Ginza, both of which are usually
jammed with hysteria of all sorts. And Yokohama is only a half-hour
train ride away, right on the water with ultra-modern stuff everywhere
and tons of foreigners, students, and a great Chinatown. 20 slobbering
Santas on that train, in commute time, would be perfect.

In December it's going to be cold and rainy, which may or may not be a
problem. But hell, vending machines on the street sell beer and sake.

Regarding the flight, I wouldn't even attempt to go through security
at the airport with a Santa Suit, or endure a ten-hour flight while
wearing one.

Most of Tokyo is indeed expensive, but there are ways around things.
There's also people called "Goodwill Guides" who give Free English
tours to groups, anywhere you want to go, anywhere in Japan. And you
can go to the Japan National Tourist Office in San Francisco and
they'll give you maps and all the English brochures you want. All for
free. And have them give you the budget hotel service guide, which
lists all the cheap dive hotels.

I just finished a huge travel piece on Japan in general and I've got a
box of tourist material and brochures and stuff that anyone can look
through, if need be.

gary

Every year, "Santarchy"[1] brings hundreds of Santas to the streets of
cities across the USA, but so far Santa's bullhorn-wielding, drunken,
vomiting presence abroad has been limited.

I'm starting the ball rolling for Santarchy Tokyo, because I can think
of no better place on earth where crazy santas are more necessary.
Postwar Japan was deluged with American culture and symbols during
their reconstruction period, many of which they enthusiastically
adopted as progressive and "cool" while charmingly failing to
understand the details or context in the same way that American
teenagers fetishize Japanese pop culture. Santa Claus is a
particularly good example of the enthusiastically adopted but
misunderstood American culture fragment. Colonel Sanders dresses like
santa and is even confused with Santa Claus in an "old benevolent
Western men with white facial hair" sort of way. Pizza deliverymen
wear santa suits in Tokyo. Tokyo is ripe for Santa attack.

Sandwich has found some very attractive round-trip rates to Tokyo
(~$500 at the moment) and I'd like to start some discussion about when
to go, what to do, and how much the whole thing will cost. It's true
there are some expensive places but I am sure that in a city the size
of Tokyo there are poor people, and I am sure there are businesses
which provide goods and services to these poor people at reasonable
prices. We have several former Tokyo residents on our roster of
prospective travel companions who will be able to provide expert
advice and may possibly travel with us. I will also be recriuting
Santas in Tokyo who we hope will join our ranks. There have been
recent news articles[2] which indicate that quite a few Japanese could
turn out for this event.

As with all Caco events this one will be only as organized as it must
be, and possibly not even that much. We will not have an "official
santa plane" although I will publish my flight information and anyone
is welcome to join me on that plane. We will not have an official
costume policy although anyone is welcome to join me in the Wearin' Of
The Red if they desire. We will not have an official Gaijin Santa
Base Camp although I will let my plans be known so that others can
find me. The event will be open and public, and you can choose your
own level of involvement.

To join the planning list:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/santarchy-tokyo/
or send mail to:
santarchy-tokyo@yahoogroups.com

[1] http://www.santarchy.com/
[2] http://www.cheesebikini.com/blog/archives/000267.html