off to roppongi tonight

jay from the bakpak tokyo hostel and a couple of guys are off to roppongi tonight their going to get wasted , we will keep you all posted on the outcome .
hey guys - watch out for j police they could noisy sometimes and make sure you have your passport and id cards in your pockets .

whats to say , when backpacking in japan .

Are you worried about how to communicate ? what to say?

Some few words that will help you out . The 29 you must know words

what you say??

• Good morning = ohayo gozaimasu
• Good afternoon = konnichi wa
• Good evening = konban wa
• How are you? = Ogenki desu ka?
• I'm fine = Genki Desu
• Nice to meet you = hajimemashite
• What is your name? = Onamae wa nan desu ka?
• My name is = watashi wa
• Nice to meet you, It's a pleasure = Hajimemashite, dozo yoroshiku
• Yes = Hai
• No = Iie
• Not = nai
• Please / excuse me / thank you = Sumimasen
• Thanks = Arigato or Domo (informal)
• Thank you very much = Arigato gozaimasu
• Thank you, when given something = Arigato gozaimashita
• I can't speak Japanese = Nihongo wa hanasemasen
• Do you speak English? = Eigo wo hanasemasuka?
• Please speak more slowly = Yukkuri hanashite kudasai
• Where is the Tokyo Station? = eki wa doko desu ka
• What time is it now ? = ima Nanji
• Please take me to tokyo / kyoto hostel = Tokyo / kyoto hosteru made onegaishimasu
• How much is it to kyoto station = Kyoto eki made ikura desu ka
• Does this bus go to Kyoto? = Kono basu wa Kyoto ni ikimasu ka
• What time is the next bus? = Tsugi no basu wa nanji desu ka
• Police box = koban
• Where is the washroom? = Toire wa doko desu ka
• Bank = Ginko
• Byoin = Hospital

Grand sumo tournament in osaka

The sumo tournament in currenttly going on in osaka at the Osaka prefrecture gymnasium.
today march 28th 2009 is the 14th day and the tommorow the 29th is the 15th and the last dayof the tournment to determine who won the the championship the standings(for march 28th 2009) below is the stnadings .

E-Y Asashoryu 11-2		E-O Kotooshu 8-5
E-O Kaio 8-5		W-Y Hakuho

Tommorrow will be a great day anyone in town is a must see day try as much as possible and get glimpse one of japan`s oldest ancient sport .
I doubt if there are going to seats available now since most of the seats are already sold out .
But its worth trying you get more information from tokyo hostels staff or kyoto hostels staff or try the sumo english website goo sumo

cherry blosooms(sakura viewing in japan

Have you thought of visiting japan ? No , Yes. If yes then this i s the best time to do it .
Forget about global economic crisis , credit cruch, portfolio meltdown and blah blah ,blah .
flight prices are cheap due to lack of customers flying now , hostels prices are still cheap as they use to be always , stuff are getting more cheaper in japan plus you get to take advantage of the sakura viewing as well . check this link for specific date and times to see some of the sakura viewing .
sakura viewing its really big in japan .In tokyo ueno park ,yoyogi park are some of the best places to view them .In kyoto maruyama park ,the golden pavillion and the imperial palace as well .
Trust me you gonna luv it and you are not going to regret of doing it .
if you are tokyo and needs help just tlak to our freindly staff at the bakpak tokyo hostels and they will help you out or go to the tokyo tourist information centre in ueno is small but informative.
if you also happen to be in kyoto then no worries yugo and his team at the kyoto hostel or gion hostel will help you out .