I’ve been to Japan twice for the primary purpose of training at the Bujinkan Honbu Dojo in Noda-shi, Chiba-ken. The first time was March, 20002, when I stayed in a double at the Hanata Guest House in Kita-Koshigaya. It was cheap and relatively convenient, since there is a van that is often driven directly to training by other foreign practitioners who live there, which you can take for about 300y. However, I’ve heard the price of a room at Hanata has gone up over the years, so it’s no longer really a good deal for the quality.

My second trip was this past November, 2005. I stayed at the Azusa Ryokan in Noda-shi, which was great. For about 5000y a night (slightly less for a shared room, slightly more for a private room) you can be ten minutes from Honbu on foot or about five minutes by bike. The rooms are comfortable, and the ryokan has a massage chair, internet for 500y/2hrs or 1000y/day if you have a laptop (when it’s actually up), and a huge hot tub, which is nice after a few days’ hard training. Rental also comes with free use of a bike if you want it, which was extremely convenient and fun.

I am planning another trip for May, 2006, assuming I can pay off my last trip by then. I intend to stay at the Kashiwa Plaza Hotel, since my boyfriend will be going too and we can share a double for only 7300y, or 3650y each. Kashiwa is only 20 minutes from Honbu by train, and the Kashiwa Plaza and Kashiwa Plaza Annex both offer internet included with your room (BYO laptop). Kashiwa has the added advantage of being an actual city, which means there are more than two places to eat after 9PM. (There is only so much Saizeriya and Coco’s a person can stand.) However, it does mean that if you hang out with people in Noda-shi after training, you have to know the train schedule and be prepared to jet so you don’t miss the last one back to Kashiwa. I’m sure I will also miss biking to training and exploring Noda-shi on wheels, but I’m willing to try something new (especially for 1500y less a night)...

If anybody has questions about any aspect of training in Japan or setting up a trip, I’d be happy to help. If you even suspect you might be able to swing it, you should definitely go!