konichi wa from Japan

Hey all. 
Just touching base from Japan. 
I'm blown away by how different it is from my preconceived perception of what it would be like.  
In three days I have seen a grand total of three motorbikes being riden. I thought they would be everywhere.  
I don't know where everyone is. 
We stayed at Narita, Tokyo for the first two nights and moved on to Utsunomiya today, in order to be near the track for the Motogp. 
There are 32 million in the greater Tokyo area, but I'm buggered if I know where they're hiding.  
We visited a shopping mall, trying to find a cd or two for the car(Japanese radio isn't big on playing music), & were amazed at how few people were there. Charlestown square (local mall in Newcastle, Aus) would scare the pants off the Japanese by comparison.  
Speed limit on major roads is 50km/h, 40 in town. So it takes quite some time to get places. Haven't been on a freeway yet. We might be able to push it up to 80k. Lol
Current hotel is 32km from the track and gps says 55min. 
Can't understand what's on the tv so wife and I have been watching Japanese porn since we got here . I'm knackered. Good times. 

Maybe they are all underground?

Enjoy yourselves and don't drink too much sake

There`s not too many places I want to visit, but Japan is definitely one.

You didn`t have to go to Japan to watch their porn though. I heard you can just search for it on goggle.......well that's what I heard

I hope you took your camera with you . Sounds like you're having a great time .

We're down in Kyoto at the moment. Bugger all bikes about other than scooters with fart pipes attached. Heading to the track Sunday from tokyo. 2 hour yep should be fun. First part is on the shinkansen bullet train. 

Where are you seated at the track Bosco? I'll check my tickets sorely, but think I'm on the main straight. Surprising how little English most japs know, I thought it was taught as a second language. We are getting around with sign language so far. Haven't had to use the middle finger yet. Love the fact you can street drink over here. Happy days so far

reddog wrote:We're down in Kyoto at the moment. Bugger all bikes about other than scorers with fart pipes attached. Heading to the track Sunday from tokyo. 2 hour yep should be fun. First part is on the shinkansen bullet train. 

Where are you seated at the track Bosco? I'll check my tickets sorely, but think I'm on the main straight. Surprising how little English most japs know, I thought it was taught as a second language. We are getting around with sign language so far. Haven't had to use the middle finger yet. Love the fact you can street drink over here. Happy days so far

We've just got general admission tickets. Not a fan of grandstands. Heading there tomorrow to sus out the layout and decide where to watch the race from.  
Will definitely have to catch up with you on Sunday.  

paul wrote:I hope you took your camera with you . Sounds like you're having a great time .

Taking lots of pics but won't be able to upload until I get back to pc in Aus.

We are in the q3 grandstand. Hopefully good tickets, won't get there until Sunday as we have other non gp stuff sorted tomorrow and Saturday. Let us know what you think of the track etc. Btw these bicycle riders here especially in Kyoto are the new kamikaze,they are bloody crazy. Had to save my six year old son on numerous occasions. Hopefully he lives long enough for his second go at Disneyland

BTW if you are looking for me I'll probably be the only red head in the crowd of japanese wearing a red or white Casey Stoner shirt.

Sounds like a real experience. Hows the sushi ?   Enjoy.

Hammy wrote:Sounds like a real experience. Hows the sushi ?   Enjoy.

Not sure what all the fuss is about. I think a tuna and mayo sanga has way more taste. I can eat Sushi but it is very mild in flavour and had the texture of cold raw fish. Lol
Now, Wasabi, that's another experience all together! It's just like hot English mustard. It gets right into your sinus' & takes your breath away for five or so seconds.  
Definitely worth the trip, if you've ever considered Japan as a destination.

Sounds like you are all having a ball!
Hope the MotoGP guys put on a good show for you.
Looking forward to the pictorial (hint ) reports when you get back.

BTW: I always thought that Con Ichiwa was a guy with a Greek mother and a Japanese Father, just goes to show you...

Re-Cycled wrote:Sounds like you are all having a ball!
Hope the MotoGP guys put on a good show for you.
Looking forward to the Pictorial (hint ) reports when you get back.

BTW: I always thought that Con Ichiwa was a guy with a Greek mother and a Japanese Father, just goes to show you...

It should be an awesome race if Rossi can keep up his form. 
We went to the track today to sus out the layout. Saw a few free practice sesions. It was stinking hot sunny and we realised that we were not prepared for a day in the sun. 
Rumours of a rainy day on Sunday, though. 
We found a Japanese Op shop on the way back to our hotel, so loaded up with a couple of deck chairs, sun hats and umbrellas. 
Merchandise at the track is your usual rip off. I did see and autographed helmet (signed visor) for a tad over Au$3000. 

You are welcome to check out my bookface if you would like to see some pics. 
Mark Oakes.

Started chatting with a couple of round eyes at breakfast this morning, one wearing an Isle of Mann TT shirt obviously here for the MotoGp. Turns out they're from the Isle of Mann and Noel was the bloke who caught Guy Martins fireball crash 2010 on camera. Right place at the wrong time. 

http://www.google.co.jp/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FQffTMlzfRog%2Fhqdefault.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DQffTMlzfRog&h=360&w=480&tbnid=T7M4lfyAdi78iM%3A&q=guy%20martin%20crash%202010%20fireball&docid=0TTwuxgQKkkS1M&hl=en&ei=jW4XVtuPJOOwmAWl5I2YCw&tbm=isch&client=ms-android-optus-au&iact=rc&uact=3&page=1&start=0&ndsp=10&ved=0CAsQrQMwAGoVChMIm4qg1fC0yAIVYximCh0lcgOz

Not a pro photographer, just clicking away with his box brownie.

I've bought the video pass so I don't miss out on anything whilst we are not at the track. Lorenzo's pace was very good considering he is carrying a minor injury. We've got wet weather gear packed for Sunday and have the bullet train booked for 7am. Should be at the track hopefully around 10ish. Let's hope Miller can stay in good bike this round. Well done to Nicky Hayden retiring from gp this year to pursue a wsbk ride next year. We'll all catch him at next year's bandit soiree. I think he has faced the fact he is not going to get another factory rider with the 100s of Spanish riders lining up for any free gp spots

  enjoy 

Bosco are they still using fm radio at the track so you can hear the commentary in English?

paul wrote:  enjoy 

I'm dreaming, but wouldn't it be a wonderful day if this crossed the line first

reddog wrote:Bosco are they still using fm radio at the track so you can hear the commentary in English?

 
Gomenasai, Reddog. 
I have the radio ear muffs we bought at Phillip Island, but didn't bring them.  Silly me thought that they would be broadcast in Nihongo. Didn't think about an Ego broadcast.  
So, I can't tell you yes or no. 
Didn't spend much time there yesterday as it was stinking hot and I was burning.  
Going back prepared today for qualifying.

Hope you don't see a stack like the one at Mt Panorama.  Friday practise.

Bosco15 wrote:

reddog wrote:Bosco are they still using fm radio at the track so you can hear the commentary in English?

 
Gomenasai, Reddog. 
I have the radio ear muffs we bought at Phillip Island, but didn't bring them.

Japan has a different FM frequency to us so they may not have worked anyway.

reddog wrote:We are in the q3 grandstand. Hopefully good tickets, won't get there until Sunday as we have other non gp stuff sorted tomorrow and Saturday. Let us know what you think of the track. 

The track itself looks like it would be a blast to ride. Some awesome elevation changes, hairpins and esses. 
The Moto2 guys, hard on the anchors downhill into turn eleven, are crossed up for nearly 100m before turning in. An awesome spectacle!  
It really demonstrates the difference between the bikes, as the MotoGp bikes brake a lot latter and turn into the bend with hardly any rear end action at all. 
From a spectators point of view, it's a bit limited. 
Like most tracks, you can see what's in front of you and then you loose the bikes around a bend or into a tunnel.  
Phillip Island has semi trailer size Big Screens, and enough of them that you can see one from mostly anywhere that you choose to sit. 
Motegi has Toyota Dyna size Big Screens, and the "one" on the back half of the track caters for a very limited section of the crowd. 
We've chosen to sit on the hill on the back straight, near the "Monster" bridge, as you can see the track from turn 8 through 11 & then 14, a bit of the front straights & turn 2 & 4. 
Without the big screens and with Japanese commentary, it's going to be a little frustrating, but a blast none the less. 
Go Rossi. 

Looks like it will be a wet race day. 

We're all wearing our rain jackets can't wait for the race. On the bullet train now and getting the bus from Utsinomiya shortly.