TIPS*
The Japanese prices given are based on the
conversion rate when I went during the first week of
August, 2009: £1 = Y160.
I bought my week in Tokyo through lastminute.com.
An economy class flight with All-Nippon Airways (an
excellent airline) and 6 nights in the Sunroute Plaza
Hotel Shinjuku (less than two minutes walk from
Shinjuku station, the busiest and most connected
station in Japan) cost £880.
As a non-Japanese national, you will be finger-
printed, photographed and have your bags searched
upon entering the country. Don’t complain about it,
just let it happen. If you have nothing to hide, you
have nothing to worry about.
You are required by law to have your passport on you
at all times. It’s also advisable to carry a copy of your
hotel booking details so, if challenged by the police,
you have evidence of when you are due to leave the
country and you’re not trying to stay illegally.
In terms of money, take plenty. Between wrestling
tickets, merchandise, a bit of shopping for myself,
gifts for friends and family, food, drink, entrance fees
and the occasional train ticket for non-JR trains, I got
through just under £1000 in a week.
When buying clothing, get a size up from your usual.
Japanese sizes are small, so if you’re a ‘Medium‘in
AJPW: Takayama kicks Muto
the UK, you’ll be needing a Japanese ‘Large‘.
There are several enormous branches of HMV and
Tower Records all over Tokyo and they both sell
wrestling DVDs. There’s also a store called Tsutaya,
which has an great selection and is slightly cheaper
than the big two. WWE rules the shelf-space,
including some titles I don’t recall seeing on sale in
the UK and most in cool, Japan-exclusive packaging.
Of the domestic promotions, NOAH and New-Japan
have the most titles on the shelves with HUSTLE and
All-Japan not far behind.
Compared to the UK, DVDs are very expensive. Four
Dragon Gate DVDs bought in Tower Records set me
back Y18,000 (£112.50).
For a little out-of-the-way gem, have a look in the
Akihabara district for Backdrop (www.b-drop.com), a
tiny pro-wrestling merchandise shop halfway up a
nine floor building. They have a small amount of
Japanese and TNA stuff, but the place is a shrine to
WWE with every merchandise item you could want
and some amazing collectors’ pieces. The guy who
runs it is really nice too.
47 The online magazine for pro wrestling fans worldwide thewrestlingpress.com
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