gamera

I know that feeling because i have always had that when some were held in Tokyo. That's why i tried to post to hold one in Nagano area but never expected to get this many replies.... cool

Eh? Frannyo If i did that for everyone, I think i would get bankrupted LOL Lots of drunkers here and there!!

Where? Hum.. if it's at daytime, i think i plan to have it anywhere, maybe saturdays or sundays are better for this? But if it's at night, preferably close to my place coz as i have already mentioned it's a bit hard for me to stay late coz of transportation. Which part of Nagano do you live?

Ocean11 It would be nice if we could have one close to my place coz if one were held in (for example) Nagano or Matsumoto at night, i have to leave there real early coz the last train or bus leave there 8 or 9 p.m. It's not fun for me!!!

Me? Male. And i don't care gender or age for get together. Just want to meet cool people to have fun. Don't you? oblivion

I was wondering if there were any get togethers in Nagano area. I live in Hakuba and have gotten invitations for some but most of them have been held in Tokyo. A bit far for me for a get together. If anyone lived in Nagano, why don't we get together??

I live in Hakuba, but it was more like hot rather than warm yesterday. Fortunately it's not so hot and humid here even midsummer but when i have to come to Tokyo on business, it's like hell...... And airconditioning works too strong in department stores or trains, so when i get in /out, always have to hard time to have temperture difference there

Hummm.. A lot in Tokyo, anyone around Hakuba?

danz, which route did you drive? If you drove the Chuo EXP way, usually the limit is 80km/hour. I guess sometimes you get confused about miles and kilometers? (80miles =128km) And if you couldn't any descriptions about limit, it's 100km in EXP ways in Japan. In other normal roads, probably you can find the limit signs often. Please drive safe:-)

Got it - depends on how it's used, sometimes "gaijin", "foreigner","non-japanese" could offend people. Right?

Not sure I can express what I think good or not, but gimme a try - remember, my mother tongue is Japanese! When I watch some soccer games on TV, Japanese cheering parties always yell only to Japanese team even when the other team shows cool plays. Other nations give warm applause when the other teams shows cool plays. Perhaps Japanese people can't be honest for our feeling, emotion. Long story, guess probably our history causes it. Samurai had katana in Edo era and normal people always had to get scared with them. Japan was a natinalism country before WW2 as everyone knows. So normal

I'm more like nervous rather than careful to say "gaijin" because I have read that the English word " foreigner" contains some descriminative meanings. And Ocean11 mentioned "non-japanese" doesn't sound good. Hum.. what I should say then and does "foreigner" really contain that descriminative meanings?

Don't worry, mary Everyone is a beginner for the first time. Take it easy. When I had trouble when I traveled in Greece, I tried to explain what I wanted to do drawing pictures!!! - You know, alphabet doesn't work there! Good luck :-)

barok, I think it's not so easy to get used to it, but just try. Hey Mogski..LOL same for me with English!! When i took a TOEIC (Test Of English International Conversation) English exam last September, i got lost while the tapes were played for listening test. Just practice and try to have opportunities to talk in Japanese. It works! And don't be affraid to speak Japanese over the phone. If you dont understand what the other says, you can ask and people can be patient - that's what i have been learning in my daily life through talking over the phone in English. As to pronounciation, i thin

Hakuba, originally from Osaka. Erai kocchaaa! LOL Da da da...

Hi roller. Ive lived in Hakuba for more than 12 years, exactly it's cool to live in here if you dont mind it's countryside - i mean fewer bars, clubs, depertment stores. I agree with NoFakie. Lot of mountains to hike. Only hard thing is to removing snow in winter. Especially when it snows crazy like this winter, sometimes it almost kills you to remove snow. Think about it - actually my snowthrower got broken now!!!!! and it's too old to repair ( they say it's nearly 30 years' old one!), impossible to get parts to repair it. And though even i didnt know it's impossible to get new one in

Hey BTBW My advice worked??? - Glad to know it. I have had really hard time this winter, especially in January. Tons of snow to remove. And additional, had to climb roof because snow stayed there, didnt drop down on the ground, this never happened before. Yes, sometimes roads really get crowded here. Then get on a train! too quicker! Goryu/47 season pass???? I bet you drive in front of my house! LOL Why dont you e-mail me to hook up!!!!

BtbW, im not sure how long you plan to live close to slopes, but if i can advice, are you determined to remove snow? This really sucks! Sometimes it needs me whole day. If you plan to live just for this coming season, perhaps anywhere is okay. But if that plan will be kind of permanental one, I recommend somewhere fewer snow for exapmple Omachi city, Miasa village concerning closer to Hakuba.

Hi BtbW Kinda old fart? Same here Hook up? Thats cool! Yes, I'm in Hakuba,but originally from Osaka. Do you know where it is? Yoshimoto & Takoyaki city LOL. I know your feeling, I felt I wanted to escape from crowded concrete jungle then i decided to do.It was more than 10 yrs ago. I wondered whether I could be accustomed to life here, but see! now im living here. Actually not so convenient as well as in cities,if you miss a train, you gotta wait for another hour! but it doesnt kill me and lots of nature through the year. Who can complain with this surroundings if s/he lo

Hey BtbW hmmmm not 1LDK, and wanna invite your mates? Maybe you should check some real estate for sale? Usually appartment or houses for rent for winter in here easily get occupied. And even 1LDK mansion here costs you 70,000 yen or more per month to rent.Almost same deal with big cities? I'm not sure. Nihongo no problemO???? LOL. Com'on, dont be shy!