Jp visit advice

[DirtyRoboto]

I have always wanted to visit Japan for many reasons. I now find myself in the position to take a month to pay this homage.
I would be looking to travel within the next two weeks for a month and I would love to take in the richest parts of the culture and also get as much robot exposure as possible.

Are there any of you out there that can contribute must see places and things to do based around robot tech and Japanese culture also if you know any cool places to stay. I would prefere to stay in a family style place rather then a hotel.

I should imagine that my suitcase will be stuffed with robogoodies on my return, that or raimen.

Marcus.

[Humanoido]

DirtyRoboto, this is a great opportunity! Forget the noodles and stuff the luggage with new humanoids and humanoid parts! I would recommend any one of the big meets for humanoid robots. If you take in a general meet, like Robotrex, there will be a variety of humanoids and robots. RoboCup is fantastic too. I was able to see numerous humanoids including Sony, Honda, Fujitsu, etc. all in one place. Visit the robot stores. When I was there last, even the toys included the most fantastic humanoids! Plus, get a set of those Japanese screwdrivers!

humanoido

[tempusmaster]

Marcus,

What's the latest on your schedule to visit the Land of Wa?

Do you think it will be this month (September) or next?

Of course ROBO-ONE 12 is coming up this weekend in Takamatsu (Shikoku). The Tokyo Game Show is the 20th through the 23rd (not robots exactly, but still unbelievably cool), and the annual Akihabara Robot Festival is October 20th/21st and always features lots of great competitions and exhibits.

[Humanoido]

How's it going in Japan?
Did you take your computer to keep in touch
with the robosavvy forum and all your
friends?

humanoido

[DirtyRoboto]

Just had a weeks work come up so I have to rethink my J visit. I am now going to do abit of research into the best times to visit J to catch the most festivals and such.

I also never travel heavy so a laptop would be out of the question. The only consession would be my DSLR and two lenses.

[bauermech]

Hi Dirty,
Wow, that is light packing.
You won't ever be sorry for visiting Japan... I still draw many fond memories from our first experience there. It was a bit of a sensory overload at first... took a while to be able to step back, realize what was going on around, and take it all in.
As far as shops go, I recommend Tsukumo (3rd floor), and R.T. Corp., both in Akihabara. Actually, Akihabara in general is a must.
Hope you can find the time off work and bring us some good pics upon your return.

[Humanoido]

Keep working at getting the trip. Japan is totally amazing! Aside from the humanoid robotics meetings and conferences, I went to a toy store where there were dozens of walking robots that I never expected to see. Many of them for ten bucks had numerous functions, motors, gears, cams, shafts, infrared electronics, remotes, lights, sound chip, speaker, microcontroller, exoskeleton, so these can be a great add-on to the parts bin at exceptionally low cost.

humanoido

[DirtyRoboto]

The reason for packing light is so I can bring back more goodies. I always travel out with carry on and buy a suitcase for the return trip.

[bauermech]

Wonderful news on our end too! Looks like Jen and I have the means to get the plane tickets for the upcomming ROBO-ONE 13 in Tokyo! Holy smokes, I'm freaking out! Bullit and Hive... you two coming too?

The reason for packing light is so I can bring back more goodies. I always travel out with carry on and buy a suitcase for the return trip.

Ah, a good idea indeed.
When we went, one of my suitcases was 70lbs. - full of tools, batteries, and spare parts. ...and that's what I took there
Fortunately, Jen had enough room in her suitcase (next to all the shoes she took) for a few of the "goodies".

[DirtyRoboto]

Is the Robo-one 13 in March 2008?

[Humanoido]

I have 3 suitcases of varying sizes. I can fit
two in the largest. They go on the airlines as
check through and are empty. When at the
final destination, they are filled up and returned
on the home flight. A few times I'm willing to
pay extra for overweight. 68 pounds of
international weight can be very expensive
if shipped by other means.

humanoido

[tempusmaster]

Is the Robo-one 13 in March 2008?

Yes. It will be in Tokyo, most likely on March 15/16th or 22/23rd.

[DirtyRoboto]

My robot dream would be to go to Japan and buy a kit robot, build it and program it and then enter it into RO-13. (and win )

[Humanoido]

Dirty, I'm sure you'd have a great shot at winning!
Looking at the high level of competition, the humanoid
may need some mods to gain advantages over the
competition.

humanoido