Let's plan a VFDC trip to Japan for 2009?

So being at the SoCal event gave me some ideas on how to do it even better and a bit different next time.

Then I started to think why we haven't tried to get a nice size group together and head to Japan.... the mecca for VF

Im thinking..
If we get a nice size group we can possibly get cheaper prices on hotels and flights. Some of us even know people and have been to Japan in the past. So getting around shouldn't be too hard.

Sure we probably won't hold a candle to the best Japanese players, but I'm pretty sure we would be better overall in 2009
and have a great experience.

Perhaps if we schedule the time perfectly someone over there will give us the chance to compete in a big event. I'm sure a few teams from the U.S. would be welcomed there.

Just some quick thoughts.... what does everyone else think?

 

I know some of the VA guys(Flash mainly) have brought this up on more than one occasion. I would defintely be down for this. The more time to plan/save up the better as well.

 

LET'S DO THIS!!

 

Leeeroooooy Jeennnkinss !
Well, that would be fun. How much time are you planing to spend there?

 

I just might be willing and able to participate.

 

It sounds like a great idea to me. By 2009 I could be a decent player...

 

I'll be in Japan already, so I'll be happy to take people around and stuff if time allows.

But word of advice is, "Start saving nooowwww~~~!"

 

LOL

However Japan being über expensive is a bit of a false myth. At least if you live in London or certain european capitals...

 

I mean, sure. If you like eating ramen or out of convenience store all the time, and live in a closet. Sure it's not expensive. If you want to drink alcohol, buy stuff, play VF, eat at a real restaurant, sleep in a real bed, then being expensive is not a myth at all.

Renzo did ok on a low budget though, so maybe he can elaborate.

 

How much are we talking here? Also for people like me who live in America with a weak dollar and with a high value yen I am sure it will be expensive.

 

I just got a new job and don't spend much, and I'm due five thousand pounds from my grandmother's death sometime over the next month or so.

Saving up money won't be an issue for me.

I'd like to get to know some of my fellow UK VFers before I commit to travelling to Japan with them though.

I am definitely up for this though. If we plan this well enough I don't see how we couldn't have a bunch of American, British and European VFDC members hooking up in Japan in 09.

 

Sounds like a cool idea. I've been wanting to go to Japan, but obviously don't know the language and a good chance of being lost and not really knowing what to do. A trip like this would be awesome, so I'm down to go if it actually happens.

 

Great idea Brisal, I remember reading you mention it in the shoutbox a bit back and got me eager. Few of us talked about it this weekend too and it sounded dope. I was going to go this summer in July but if we get an official confirmed list of players for 09, I would be up for delaying my trip to go with you all, for sure.

 

Have you ever been in Europe? I mean cities like London, Stockholm, Olso, Amsterdam, Dublin.

Japan can be expensive (I've been there) but what I've found is that, for example, even the cheapest restaurant has an absolutely reasonable quality of food (for western standards).

Those kaiten sushi restaurants are GOOD, even the normal ones, one dish is on average 150¥, after you've eaten 10 you are probably ok, you've spent some 1500¥, 7.5 GBP. To eat that quantity of (japanese) food in London you probably have to spend twice as much. I'm not considering quality because I guess you just can't have that anywhere else in the world.

Same goes for public transports within cities. Not expensive at all considering the top nothc service you get.

Yes, travelling up and down the country is probably expensive, but so many other things are not, especially when you consider how everything is really quality.

 

Yeah, you want what you don't have anywhere. To have a steak and wine meal the equivalent in quality and quantity as Europe in Asia would draw the same comparison ($$$$). So yeah, it's highly dependent on what you want to get out of it. I would never eat at kaiten sushi in Asia haha.

 

Fair point. The thing is I like to cook my own steaks and I can't obviously do the same for sushi, so Japan is heaven to me

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I agree a lot with Srider...

SAVE MONEY NOW... I estimate with Flight, Hotel, Train, VF, Food, Drinks...at least $2500 would be needed.

Does anyone have direct contact with Sega or the SBO guys in Japan? I think we would need to find out first if it was possible that we could be a part of one of there events. Then we can get a date from that and probably schedule a 7 day vacation.

Perhaps making it a 10 day event where 3 days can be at Socal where all the participants can join up and practice offline for a solid 3 days then head to Japan on the 4th day.

 

Chances are that most events that Sega holds in their arcades will be public, and anyone can attend.

I really don't think you should expect to get automatic spots in any of the big tournaments such as KS or SBO though. I imagine any kind of qualification they hold on the day of the event can be attended by anyone that shows up however.

Best thing to do is to be ready when the dates are figured out.

 

SBO made exceptions for us the last time we went. The last time was about 5 years ago and there was definitely a mix. Some japanese players played with the U.S., but there was one U.S. Team. I imagine with the early planning we can have at least 3 U.S. teams this time and give them better competition. We just need a contact

 

That's a awesome idea bro. That makes alot of sense, and like you stated, we could all leave together. So, who's going to Quaterback this then?