Hobby shops on mainland?

[coldnoodles]

Does anyone know of any hobby shops on mainland Japan? I am thinking about going there next summer. I am looking for a hobby shop that sells Tomix trains.

[DoctorP]

I found several online sites that have them...like this one! (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10060033)

Are you not able to just order what you need online?

A simple google search will point you in the right direction for Tokyo...let me know if you still have a problem.

[coldnoodles]

Yeah I have checked out alot online, but my husband wants to see it in person before buying, he wants to buy a complete set. He use to have one, when his step dad was stationed in Yokota, that guy wouldn't let him bring it to the states. Here since we are in Japan he wants one. When he gets back from deployment he wants to go to mainland to ride the trains vs renting a car. Find hobby shops there that sell the tomix trains. So I have the next 9mo to plan the trip. Any idea's where to go? what to do? where to stay?

[DoctorP]

Where to stay...stay on base as much as possible (you'll save big $$$) Atsugi, Yokota, Yokosuka, New Sanno, are all nice places to stay. Atsugi has a pretty nice lodge.

Day trips to Kyoto, Disneyland, Disney Sea, of course Tokyo...if you like, I can post a good list of what to see tomorrow...not enough time tonight.

Oooohhh...you could tour one of the Toyota plants while you are there! Pretty facinating to see how cars are actually put together!

[coldnoodles]

I already planned on staying on bases! He is going to try and take 3wks off when he gets back.

To get a rental car, do we need international license or what do we need? He wants to ride the trains all throughout mainland. I went to the travel place at Jusco, and got some magazines but the prices on the trains is 10,500 per person? I went to ITT they didn't help me.

He is interested in cars, he is an auto mechanic, so cars are his life. The toyota plant sounds good where is it at? He also wants to go to the Iron Chef restaurants. So I have been trying to see if I still have connections to one of them. If you know any good sushi places .. I really need to know! I saw alot of good ones on japanese channels, but I have no clue where they are at.

I can use any info you got..

[DoctorP]

Get a rental car on base, all you need is your SOFA license. The shinkansen can be really expensive, but it is worthwhile for the time you will save, that is if you are going to ride it. The local trains are inexpensive though.

There are several Toyota plants, but one of the biggest, and easiest to find would be the one in Toyota, Japan:D

I'll see what I can put together for you tomorrow.

[P_chan]

Good luck renting a car on base. A lot of the time, TDY personal have all the rental cars tied up for weeks. Of course, trucks are just about always available.

[coldnoodles]

I would need to rent a van, or something roomy enough to fit 2 car seats and a 11yr old, 5+ seater!

[P_chan]

They do have vans if I remember correctly, but only one or two.

[DoctorP]

After thinking it over, I would advise against getting a car anyway. I doubt that you would want to be driving around Tokyo, not knowing your way around...on top of that, it would be much more expensive to drive, than to use the trains/subways. The toll roads there are much more expensive than here. It is not uncommon to spend Y3,000 or more on a toll road one way.

[chobi]

I found this place;

Shibuya mokei
http://www.rakuten.co.jp/a-toys/664746/1812840/

It takes only 1,5 min from JR Shibuya station by walk.

The website says they sell tomix trains.

[coldnoodles]

I will send the link to my husband and have him check it out, since I can't read Japanese, but he can!

[coldnoodles]

Do you know of any English sites I can check out like tours or something in mainland?

[DoctorP]

Do you know of any English sites I can check out like tours or something in mainland?

Here is a site with some good information http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/