TAMIYA WORLD opens in Osaka!

Ahhhh well, that's a bit larger than me, I don't have a good grasp of kilos ya know :) we still use standard over here. Hehe, I need to brush up on my metric I see. Egads. I feel shame.

When you went to UGA, did you ever meet the guys from REM? What took you to Japan?


madda

Hi, folks!
Madda, Bob is 6' 7" and 394 pounds! I've never seen anyone like him! He is a nice guy, and has taken the Japanese media by storm. He's on TV all the time.

Lizardqing2, Dahlonega, you say! Northwest of Atlanta, no? Up in the mountains? I'm from Brunswick, way down on the coast, 30 minutes south of Savannah and 30 minutes north of the Florida border. Great little town, just not much going on for modelers! Savannah had a few shops, though.
Lived in Stone Mountain for a coupla years, then did 5 years in Athens during the UGA years.
Beautiful places, all of 'em!

Hey J-Hulk I saw you are from a small Ga town ,where abouts? SOunds kind of like me with no shops arpund except I don;t think the Ace hardware sells kits. The closest I have to me is a gun shop/ pawn shop/ a couple of shelves of kis and paints about 20 miles away from Dahlonega.

I'm a big fan of k-1, and have indeed seen Bob Sapp several times. He's about my size actually, though he might outweigh me a bit, how much in pounds is 175 kilos? Right about 300 I'd guess, we're close to the same, but he's a much better fighter than I. I'm a mere amateur :) From what I've seen, he's a super nice guy too. I prefer Pride to K-1 though. All of it is super fun to do. With all the time it takes to train for that, I'd be shocked if they had time to build. Hah, modelers win! Plus, we don't get bruised and broken and addicted to painkillers either.

madda

Ah, I gotcha. The Gracies are big here in Japan. K-1 is huge! Have you heard of Bob Sapp? Monster. 2 meters, 175 kilos.

I doubt any of them have ever built a model, though.
But, ya never know!

Jiu-jitsu actually, but I might dump some Aikido on that as well, it's an offshoot you know. My instructor teaches Aikido as well, I just like Jiu-jitsu better. Groundfighting rocks. Most of the groundfighting is Brazilian style though, he lived with the Gracies for a number of years, but his first black belt was in Japanese style. Wonderful stuff.


madda

Well, when ya can, bring it on over!
There are actually more karate dojos around here than model shops!
Or will your belt be in in aikido?
Ah, plenty of aikido dojos, too!

Well, I appreciate the offer for sure! I'd be totally clueless, unless, of course, I could start studying Japanese right now, and then maybe by the time I get the money saved, I'd be fluent. I've actually always wantedt o go to Japan, with the Tamaya store opening there, I'd have an actual excuse. By the time I make it, I'll have my black belt too, so I'd probably find some kind of justification there as well. I could justify my way into becoming a world traveler, all thanks to Tamaya! WooHoo!! I'm sure it wouldn't take more than a few more years to save the bucks. I'm just sure of it. I really do want to go, but there's no way I can for a good while :( Ah well, I"ll just have to keep saving and building models.

madda

Howdy, Madda!
Well, if ya come to Osaka, ya got yourself a translator right here.
I actually helped a guy out today who was looking for a gasoline-powered RC car.

I did take a buncha pix myself (35mm), but the pro boys'll have their amazing digital pix up on the Naniwa Sensha-tai website soon enough, and I'll let ya'll know when.

Hmmmm, I wonder how long it takes to get a passport??? I do wish I could go, mebbe someday I'll have the time off and the bucks all at the same time. I'd love to check it out, even though I couldn't read or understand anything there.

Did you get pics of your armor meeting? I'd love to see some.

madda

Hi, folks!
Well, I finally stopped in and gave the place a thorough look. Tamiya World is actually three floors of everything Tamiya offers, out of six floors of everything the hobby world has to offer!
The entire place is called (get ready for this!) "Super Kid's Land", and seriously, the best word to describe this place is simply "everything." No need to elaborate. Everything.

"Hey J-Hulk, do they hav-" "Yes, they do."

Everything!

Beautiful place, spaceous, and everything!

I did catch the end of the airbrush seminar (appropriately it was about cleaning). They also have hands-on R/C tank, car, and big rig test driving going on all the time.

If any of ya'll ever come visit Osaka, I'm taking ya straight there from the airport!

Hi, folks!

Yes, you certainly do hear some funny things here!
One thing about the culture is that people aren't inhibited about talking about your physical appearance. So if you're fat or skinny, they'll bring it up! Not mean-spirited at all, just kind of an innocent attitude towards obvious things we in the West have a lot of hang-ups about.

Madda, I've probably just gotten used to it, but everything here is very expensive! I have the same experience as your friend's cousin; when I'm home for a visit, I marvel at how cheap everything is! And I invariably gain 5 to 10 pounds, too!

I lived in Tokyo for two years, and found prices to be not all that different overall. Tokyo's a bit higher.

Models are the same nationwide, though!

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk Hi, Madda! I'd love to go to that seminar, but I'm working Saturday and the 17th annual Kansai Armor Modeler's Meeting is Sunday , so I'm booked! Too bad, since I use a Tamiya AB. You a big fella too, Madda? I'm 6' 5" and 260 pounds (they all say that on the Web, eh?), which ain't really that big back home! When I'm back in the States for visits, I always feel so...so...normal! But, still a giant here! Ah, you can get reasonabe beef here. Kobe, Matsuzaka, or Ohmi beef are the expensive "brands" you might've heard about. Those aren't the "brand" names, but rather the names of the areas where the beef's from.

What do you do there in Japan that keeps you so busy? A man needs some time off every now and again. How do you get models built?

I'm not as tall as you are, only 6 feet even, but I have a really big frame. I've been lifting weights since I was 16, so I'm fairly massive. I go for about 285, but I could probably get down to about 260 if I worked really hard at it, but I dont' mind the 25 pounds so much. It's nice to have some cushioning BTW, 6'5" is still pretty damn tall around here

I have heard about Kobe and Ohmi beef time and again, love to try it some day. I knew those weren't brand names too.

I have a friend who's cousin is from Tokyo, he barely speaks any English at all. When he visits here and we take him to the store with us, he's astounded at how cheap the meat is. That is what I'm basing my high beef costs opinion on, but that may just be Tokyo too. I've never been,so I don't really know.

I'm still jealous of you being able to hit the Tamaya store, even if you can't go to the airbrushing seminar. I'd sure love to go though.


madda

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk The best one I've ever heard: On a crowded elevator with a bunch of older, drunk businessmen, none of whom where taller than my sternum, I overheard this conversation: "Naruhodo. Dakara senso wo maketan da naaa!" (Now I understand why we lost the war!)

R O F L M A O!!!!....That is too funny!......
Accept those as compliments...I never hear stuff like that.
I'm only 5'9"!..

You've earned it, J-man. Keep the faith for us poor neglected souls over here. I shall sleep tonight dreaming of 3 floors of finely tuned plastic.

demono69

Hey there, little rainy face! No need to feel depressed!

My rural Georgia hometime had no hobby shops whatsoever! Still doesn't. I remember buying Monogram 1/32 scale armor kits at Ace Hardware, of all places!

So, I've finally come to heaven!

While you're out getting answers for questions at the Tamiya Store, I'll go and ask the little old lady that works the plastics at our local Hobby Lobby. I'm SURE she'll give some great insight.

Man, I'm so jealous right now. And depressed.

demono69

Yup, I get that, too!

Monstrosity is a great icebreaker here.

I can't tell you how many conversations have begun with someone gazing up at me and saying, "dekai naaa!" (Geez, you're huge!).

At the gym the fellas often comment, "ningen to chigau naaa!" (you're not human!).
It's a compliment, I guess!

The best one I've ever heard:
On a crowded elevator with a bunch of older, drunk businessmen, none of whom where taller than my sternum, I overheard this conversation: "Naruhodo. Dakara senso wo maketan da naaa!" (Now I understand why we lost the war!)

We all had a good laugh over that!

Hulk nothing!....They must think you're Godzilla over there!

Hi, Madda!
I'd love to go to that seminar, but I'm working Saturday and the 17th annual Kansai Armor Modeler's Meeting is Sunday , so I'm booked!
Too bad, since I use a Tamiya AB.

You a big fella too, Madda? I'm 6' 5" and 260 pounds (they all say that on the Web, eh?), which ain't really that big back home! When I'm back in the States for visits, I always feel so...so...normal!
But, still a giant here!

Ah, you can get reasonabe beef here.
Kobe, Matsuzaka, or Ohmi beef are the expensive "brands" you might've heard about. Those aren't the "brand" names, but rather the names of the areas where the beef's from.

Gads, I'm so envious right now. Why couldn't I live in Japan. It would be kinda nice being a giant all the time, well, I'm already a giant all the time, but not like I would be there. I do like to eat beef an awful lot though, and I hear it's pretty expensive over there. Ah well, I'll have to settle for Oklahoma for a more years until I move to Texas.

Enjoy your Tamaya shop J-Hulk!! You gonna go to the airbrushing seminar? A person can almost always learn something at such an event.

madda

Ooooooh, yes! That's a cool shop!
Tons of everything...and more!

And the main thing I was hoping for is true: Tamiya staff, putting on Tamiya-sponsored events! This Sept 6 and 7 is an airbrushing seminar, where you can get hands-on experience and tutelage in the arts!

The fine Tamiya staffers are happy to answer all Tamiya-related Qs, too.

Good deal!

Steady, boys!

Weeeellll, as close as that shop is, didn't make it by this weekend!
"Commitments," you know!

Will try this week and see what they got!

QUOTE: Originally posted by james larson Please let me take this oppotunity to suck up as much as possable and say that I think you are my new best friend.

Darn you, James.....I thought I was your best friend!

And as for me needing to get out more, I've already tried that and I found out that there are.... p-p-p-people out there!

Hey hey!

Look at all them there responses! And all the new friends I have!

I'm at work now, so I haven't had a chance to check the place out yet.
Since most of the shops around here carry the full line of Tamiya kits, what I'm most excited about with this shop is the proximity of bona-fide Tamiya staff, if that is indeed who will be staffing the place. With a name like Tamiya World, I'm kinda expecting that! There also might be seminars and contests and other fun Tamiya events (like the 1/16 RC tank test drive sessions they had in Shizuoka!!).

Hopefully I can get over there tonight or sometime this weekend and give ya'll a full report.

Unless Dean beats me to it!
Dean, have you been to Hobbix (the old location) in Den-Den Town? I think Tamiya World is just a coupla blocks down from that location.

What shop near you are you talking about? Around Nishinomiya? I haven't visited any shops around Kobe, but that sounds like a good 'un!

I'll give ya a call, Dean, but this weekend is Anniversary weekend, so I'm fully booked with my very non-lonely Honey!!! Enjoy the booze and crazy Shinsaibashi Saturday night! Watch out for the army of hosts around Ebisu (nampa) Bashi!!

Merlin, did you say that Sunoco station had coloring books?? And people say American businesses have forgotten about service!!

Oh, merlinV1650

You need to get out more!

J-HULK.
Please let me take this oppotunity to suck up as much as possable and say that I think you are my new best friend.

Please tell us what you find there?

I am always looking for that stuff that is not sold in the states.

Wow! Three whole floors . Not one, not two but THREE .
15 minutes , man that must be nice. How does the book section look?
fuzzy

*sigh* I guess I will have to move Osaka.