The future for Ice Hockey is...

Uncertain.

For those of you who are aware of its history, but British Ice Hockey, as a very small minority sport, has a wonderful ability to be a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because you meet the most wonderful, dedicated people, and share a camaraderie that you just do not find in any other sport.

However, it is also a curse. We are forever doomed to follow a minority sport that loses out to Rugby and Cricket, and is totally swamped by Football. Though there are those in the media who share our passion for the game and are doing the best they can. Though I fear that they are lonely voices trying to shout over the torrent that is Football.

Also, British Ice Hockey manages to careen from glorious highlight, to crashing crisis with frightening regularity and a degree of frequency that would tire lesser mortals. But for us Hockey fans, this is nothing! Bring on the pain! We relish it! (Mostly)

So, way back in the early 2000's, we had the death of Ice Hockey Superleague in the UK. An arena based league, with unrestrained budgets, then later, un-policed budget caps that led to financial hardship for many teams. Ayr was forced out of its building and relocated to Glasgow, but never got the numbers to work. Manchester Storm, playing out of the MEN Arena, once Ogdens was sold to SMG and SMG decided to cut them loose, it was always going to be a monumental fight for the Storm to pay for the squad, as well as rent for the building, and astronomical running costs from playing out of the arena. In its last year, the ISL finished with 6 teams.

So, after a re-writing of the rules to work in some financial constraint, the Elite League was born, with a re-launched Manchester team as part of it.

The EIHL started out pretty well, but the arena teams where still very reliant on imports to keep the standard of Hockey up, and finances still proved to be somewhat difficult to control.

After several years, rumours abound of teams breaking the wage cap. This came to something of a head in the 2008/2009 season, when Basingstoke announced they will drop to the EPL for the next season, financial hardships where striking Edinburgh, making life difficult for Newcastle and Hull, and Neil Morris was wondering if he could keep funding the Phoenix at this level.

The next round of rumours where that the top 4 teams where, yet again, way over the wage cap. A rumour only accelerated when "a member" of the Panthers organisation voiced his disdain for the wage cap, and would basically ignore it. The previous season had seen the 4 major clubs take something of a penalty, by limiting themselves to 10 imports whilst the rest could go up to 11. However, this proved to be pretty much useless as a method for parity as the same 4 teams ran away with the league again.

So, rounds of meetings, with the smaller teams, with the bigger teams, without either party, etc. Eventually, something of a deal was agreed for the running of the EIHL in the 2009/2010 season. Unfortunately, Neil Morris said that he would decide to accept this once he had heard the reaction from the club owners who had not been party to the negotiations.

Obviously, their reaction to tougher cap controls, etc, was not what Neil wanted to hear, and so he pulled the Phoenix out, and we have since found a new home in the English Premier League.

So, the Phoenix and the Bison move leagues, leaving 8 teams in the EIHL. Belfast, Sheffield, Nottingham, Coventry, Newcastle, Hull, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.

Only that deijavu strikes again! Edinburgh has announced that they need to secure further funding in order to really survive, and Newcastle needs the switch from the convenient but expensive Newcastle Arena to the cheaper, but far less convenient Whitley Bay Arena, in order to pay their bills.

It makes it look decidedly shaky about those 2 teams making it to the end of the season. Also, Hull, it is rumoured, is supported by understanding owners as well as being backed by Neil Black, the owner of the Panthers. Though this has not been proven. Given his personal success, and his desire to keep the EIHL going in its current format, I would not be surprised! Also, this rumour has been circulating for a long time and has simply refused to die.

However, if Edinburgh and Newcastle fold or walk, leaving 6 teams, will Hull stay? It is unlikely. They will end up as league whipping boys and I dont think they would welcome that!

So, if the EIHL is drawing to a close, what will it be replaced with?

This is a tough one. The easiest option would be a new league, and seeing if they could entice some of the top EPL clubs to join them, such as Manchester. However, there is a history of bad blood between the top EIHL teams, and the EPL.

Also, Manchester and Basingstoke have found a comfy home in the EPL, and until Manchester has a more secure footing, and its new building, looks unlikely the Phoenix will be moving any time soon!

Another problem of course, is what about Edinburgh? Since they are in Scotland, they are not under the EPL's jurisdiction.

What I would like to see is something that has been mooted. A new BPL. Take the EPL, and expand it. Absorb in Hull, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and make it nation-wide. We could also pull in Fife, who have voiced a desire to be playing at a higher level than the SNL can allow. It would also be possible to bring in Dundee, but not so sure how that would go down for the teams in the south of England!

If we also brought in a couple more teams, we could split the league into 2 conferences of 8 teams. So, 2 games away and home in your conference, and 1 against the other conference. Split it north and south, and it allows for a great opportunity for an NHL style playoff system for the end of season trophy.

But what about Nottingham, Sheffield, Belfast and Coventry? Well, if they are willing to buckle down, and put themselves under the EPL, and its rules, maybe including a wage cap that would be independently monitored to prevent breaches, then maybe we can let them in. Sheffield are mooted to be maybe moving to a new smaller rink in Rotheram, and Coventry's size does make it likely they could in theory benefit from the lower cost base in the EPL. Belfast and Nottingham are something else. Both are genuine arena teams. Difficult to fit them in to the small-rink based EPL!

Ah well. At the moment, the EPL seems a little more stable, so we may be ok. So, er, good luck to the rest! I dont want you to fold for the sake of your fans, but are we seeing the final death of arena hockey in the UK?

Scandal! Japanese style!

Now. If anyone has been keeping up with the news in Japan, it is likely you will have heard a story about Noriko Sakai. If you are interested in Japanese music, then you will have come across her pseudonym, Nori P.

She is, as you can see, an attractive woman. However, this has not stopped her from sinking into controversy.

This story is also an excellent warning for anyone who thinks it might be a good idea to try to use drugs here in Japan!

Nori P was formally arrested on August 7th this summer after a 6 day man-hunt. Her "professional surfer" husband having been arrested after being found in possession of stimulant drugs. Takaso was searched by the police, and they found drugs in his underwear. Noriko was informed to attend the police station to submit to a urine test. However, she vanished with her son.

Later, she left her son with her friend, bought some clean underwear, and vanished for 6 days.

Whilst she was missing, the police searched her apartment, and found 0.008g of stimulant drugs wrapped in foil in her apartment.

Noriko Sakai has led an interesting life. Her father was involved with the Yakuza, though they tried to keep her away from that side of their life. At the age of 14 she made her musical debut, and then at 16, broke through.

She became a hugely popular star, with fans all over Asia. She built a strong image as a cute singer, and drew many fans with her wholesome girl-next-door looks.

However, as she grew older, it proved increasingly hard to keep her cute young image, and the fight got tougher and tougher. Then she met her future husband, Yuichi Takaso. A self professed professional surfer.

From then, rumours began to abound about her husband "leading her astray" so to speak. As work for her began to dry up, she began to branch out. Making her DJing debut in Sapporo, and upon moving to the clubs in tokyo, she began to display erratic behaviour.

The internet in Japan began to buzz with rumours of her drug use. With most of the blame being laid at her husbands feet. And to be honest, it really looks likely that he IS to blame!

After giving birth to 2 kids, Noriko slowly began to re-work her image and re-launch herself as a celebrity mum. However, the rumours refused to go away. She has been dogged by them ever since her marriage to her husband.

She did finally admit to using stimulants since 2008, though previous staffers of hers suggested that the use goes back much further.

So, upon her arrest, she quickly apologised to the public for her loss of face, and for breaking their trust in her. As is common in Japan, and its judicial service with its 99% success rate in convictions! Before she was arraigned for trial, we witnessed a very public apology when she came before the press, and then later, in a conference, when the tears flowed.

So, now we have the court case. Unlike in the west when a court case could last a long time, this should be over in a week or so! She has admitted to possession of stimulants, so the case is not about finding her guilty. She has admitted to it. It was discovered in tests on her hair.

So, now we have the argument over her punishment. Given that Noriko has lost a lot of her commercial activities, including having her fashion line completely pulled. Her rebranding has suffered a huge setback, and will take years to fix.

The prosecution service wants her to serve 18 months in Jail, whilst the defending legal team argues for an 18 month suspended sentence, and community service.

The level of interest in this case here in Japan has been immense. It receives regular airtime on all the "wide shows" and the nightly news round up shows. Every hint, every suggestion, every snippet that can be gleaned from Japans notoriously secretive justice system is analysed and dissected every way possible, and then dissected some more! On the opening day of her trial, well over 6,000 people lined up to take part in a lottery for 1 of the 20 seats open to the public.

What has really "disappointed" some in the media (taking their moral high horse, like they do) is the fact that Nori P did take part in an anti-narcotics campaign back in 1993, and she has been involved with promoting the new lay judge system that the Japanese have introduced.

Well, a judgement will be made soon.

Let it be a warning. A tiny amount of drugs in Japan really is an unwise thing to do. The legal system will be more than happy to throw the kitchen sink at you. With the rest of the kitchen attached!

EPL - October Update

OK. We have had 2 months of the EPL, and it is shaping up to be quite an interesting season! A lot of excitement, and whilst the league itself is beginning to develop groups of "haves" and "have-nots," the points tally in each group is actually quite narrow, with teams switching positions on a regular basis!

So, team by team, the season so far. Going from top to bottom!

1: Milton Keynes Lightning.

So far, at the top of the table with good reason. Collecting wins as if they where school coupons from the supermarket! However, they have not had it all their own way, with Sheffield toughing out a good mid-week result, and then Slough handing MK's tails to them in a very lopsided 8-2 game! So far, the only game where MK's game plan fell apart and their performance slipped from their previously high standard!

2: Guildford Flames.

Currently in second place. After their slightly shaky start to the season, Guildford have made up for it and really have been stringing together some impressive results. Turning Sheffield over 7-3, 2 easy wins over Romford, splitting the points with Slough, and a very narrow loss to Slough.

3. Manchester Phoenix.

Manchester has had some decent results, and some exciting games, as well as some surprisingly poor performances. Good performances against Bracknell, Peterborough, and Sheffield have been marred by consecutive losses to Slough. The first game, the team had been hit by some kind of bug that took its toll, but apparently the team still managed a credible performance. The next game against Slough however, at home, saw the Phoenix fall apart. A second period disintegration saw Slough hammer the Phoenix 6-1. Hopefully by the next round of games, the players will be fighting fit and determined to make up for a very poor showing. Still, a game in hand, and only 4 points behind MK. Manchester and Guildford are still easily within striking distance.

4. Basingstoke Bison.

Currently only 1 point back from Manchester and Guildford, Basingstoke have been racking up the points nicely, however, they have suffered a little from a lack of results from the teams around them at the top of the table.

5. Slough Jets.

Another team that has begun to get its act together and has gone on a bit of a march. A good core of players, with the likes of Nicky Chinn in the line up. A good group of experienced players, and it has shown. A close game against Manchester in their own barn, and then a big win in Manchester. 2 very disciplined performances. However, the biggest moment has to be the 8-2 victory against the current league leaders, the Lightning. The Jets have also recently bolstered their already impressive lineup with the signing of Slava Koulikov, who recently got cut from the Hull Stingrays. An excellent player who will bring plenty to the line up, as long as he works hard. Half the reason he was gassed...

6. Sheffield Scimitars.

Sheffield have not had so much luck. Plenty of injuries have hurt their chances so far. Some excellent performances has not been matched by results, by and large. Some nice wins, but also, some big losses too.

7. Swindon Wildcats.

A handy squad on paper, Swindon looks to be settling in to its position. Beating the teams under them, but not matching the performances with results against those teams above them.

8. Peterborough Phantoms.

Peterborough have lost a lot of the spark that led them to the grand slam last season. However, they did finally get their first points, and have managed to overhaul Bracknell to lift themselves to 8th.

9. Bracknell Bees.

Bracknell does have the ever-green Dumas at the helm. However, the ownership and funding problems meant they where not able to take their time to build a solid team. Unfortunately, for Bracknell, October has seen more of the same. Getting shut-out at home to Manchester for one, and the Phoenix apparently did not even get into top gear in their 6-0 shutout of the Bees.

10. Romford Raiders.

Still looking for their first win. A good team on paper, but they suck on the ice. Unfortunately, they are still winless.

Did anyone see me kick a cat!?

I ask, because on a personal level, this year has really sucked.

I had my vacation back in England, with my girlfriend, and had a good time. However, roll on 2009...

1) Passport and travel documents stolen on the way to London Heathrow to fly back to Japan.

2) Girlfriend gets really sick, so she has to spend a week in hospital.

3) I get conjunctivitis (really icky eye infection).

4) Girlfriend gets sick again (but could stay at home!)

5) Near death experience when driver tries to run me down, but succeeds in running me into a ditch. Still have big dents in my hand...

6) I get sick a second time, suspected flu, but luckily manage to shake it quickly.

6#7) Now, just this last weekend, some snot nosed oik decided to steal my bike.

So, internet based people, anyone know how I can change my luck, then please let me know! Otherwise, roll on 2010. I cant get any worse. It just cant...

Getting around Japan

OK. Feeling much better today after managing to shed most of whatever it was I picked up yesterday, and am going to carry on with another hopefully helpful article. Again, based on my own personal experience here in Japan, rather than huge amounts of in-depth research.

As many people know, Japan is a crowded country. an archipelago of islands roughly the same size as California. It is, however, made more tricky by a fairly severe chain of mountains running up the spine of the country (I cant complain too much, they did recently deflect a typhoon from striking Kashiwazaki directly as predicted!).

So, travelling the length of the country is easy. Crossing it tends to find very congested corridors with lots of methods of transport cutting through at strategic points along the nation.

So. How can you move around the country.

Well, most people reading this will be new to the country, the first thing to investigate are, of course, the trains.

Unless you live in a cave, you are all well aware of Japans much vaunted Shinkansen network. However, the Shinkansen network does not serve every town and village. The gaps get plugged by a pretty good network of local rail.

Before you travel to Japan, look at buying a JR travel pass. You can pick up a voucher for this off the internet, or from travel agents. You bring the voucher with you to Japan, then upon arrival, go to the nearest JR office. My advice would be at the airport since they will most likely have people speaking foreign languages to help you. The office at Narita is excellent.

The pass itself allows you free travel on pretty much every train in Japan. There are some limitations, such as the Nozomi Shinkansen service.

The N700 Shinkansen is the latest train to operate the Nozomi service. The Nozomi is the Super Express Shinkansen service between Tokyo and Osaka, doing the run in 155 minutes. This is the flagship service, and you cannot use the pass on these.

But dont worry! On the run from Tokyo to Osaka, you have the Hikari, which is about 40 minutes slower, and the Kodama, which does the run in 4 hours. The Kodama is almost the local stopping service on this run! In fact, on the picture above, you can just make out a Kodama on the left of the picture!

There are also regional passes offered by the constituent parts of the JR network.

To get on the platform, you have to pass through a ticket barrier. For most of us, that means feeding the ticket in, passing through a barrier, and picking up the ticket. However, if you have the JR Pass, then you take it to the manned office to one side of the barrier, wave it, and through you go.

The JR network can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. Of course, there is the impressive Shinkansen network...

This is a purpose-built high speed line built to the internationally used standard gauge to help give the trains more stability. Whilst the French hold the record for speed, the Japanese network has never had an accident (OK, 1 train DID fall over, but that was nothing to do with humans, it was an earthquake, and no-one was hurt!), JR is capable of running the trains closer than anyone else, boosting capacity, and run trains that are bigger than anyone else. Including the E1, which is the biggest high speed trainset in the world!

However, off the Shinkansen network, you drop down to the local network that is divided into Expresses and Local services.

The Expresses run a limited stopping service, or a very limited stopping service. Somewhat akin to the Intercity network in the UK, but at lower speeds. If you have the rail pass, there is no problem getting on these, unless you plump yourself in the green car. This is first class, and you will be asked to move.

The local service does what it says on the tin. Stops everywhere. It can get you where you want to go, but quite slowly. These are usually pretty old trains, especially away from the main cities. However, they are well maintained and quite clean, so it is not an unpleasant journey!

A word of warning. The regional JR network is a narrower gauge than the Shinkansen network, and this does make it vulnerable to weather. Outside the cities, these networks can experience delays. Usually during the winter months. Round us here in Kashiwazaki, the lines snake out to the coast to get round the mountains. This means that when the winter winds pick up, or a rain storm passes through, the trains have to slow down. The good thing is, each city has a PA system, and if the rail network is compromised in any way, there are public announcements.

Finally, the metro services. These are long, large capacity trains in cities. The most famous being the Yamanote loop line in Tokyo.

The Yamanote line trains have flip up benches that are flipped up during rush hour to allow for the vast numbers of people that use the system. These trains are designed to get people on and off at high speeds, and can get crowded.

Finally, JR does operate sleeper trains. These are a little on the pricey side, but offer a nice alternative to haring around the country at breakneck speed. The cheap tickets are for benches, and the most expensive gives you a bunk.

These trains allowed people to get to Tokyo and other major cities before the offices opened in the morning. However, with the advent of the Shinkansen, people can now stay in their own bed, and still arrive at the same time. So, many services are being withdrawn. The services that remain are ones that dont have direct competition with the Shinkansen network, such as the

Kitaguni, from Niigata to Osaka. There is no Shinkansen, so the serivce operates at pretty high capacity.

The service itself uses pretty old rolling stock. So, if you opt for the cheap seats, then I hope you can sleep on the proverbial "washing line!"

However, many of the remaining overnight expresses operate almost as tourist attractions in their own right. So the price reflects that. For example, the Cassiopiea service, from Tokyo to Sapporo.

OK. To move on. Another way to get round Japan is by bus. Japan has a pretty extensive bus network as well.

Local buses are frequent in the city, and convenient. In rural areas, their timing is scheduled to carry people at convenient times for shopping. Usually. But not always. If you take a bus, you will find 2 doors. 1 in the middle, for getting on, and 1 by the driver, for getting off. You are supposed to take a ticket upon getting on, but after 3 years in Japan, I think I can count the number of people who did, on 1 hand! I never have, and never been shouted at.

At the front of the bus you will see a big board of numbers. Each number is the cost of your journey. They correspond to the stop you got on at, and as the bus drives on, the price goes up. So, just look at the board for the lowest number, that will be you! When you want to get off the bus, press the button, and make your way to the front of the bus.

To pay, all you do is pour exact change into a small hopper, and off you get. If you dont have exact change, you can ask, or use the machine at the front to dispense change. They generally dont like notes, but if the bus is at the end of the line, and you have exact money (including a 100 yen note), then you can get away with it.

Running between cities, you have the express bus network.

These are mostly built in Japan, and the seats can be a little on the narrow side to accommodate the more slender average Japanese frame. There are some companies that buy foreign built buses, but these tend to be double deck buses.

This network can be broken into 2 groups. The regional express buses, lke I sometimes use to get into Niigata. Basically, it works in the same way as a local bus. You get on, spot your number on a big board, and pay when you get off. These buses generally operate on an hourly timetable.

Then there are the intercity long distance buses. These operate only a few times a day, and do require booking a ticket. These will be more modern buses, and be equipped with more facilities. Drinking water, toilet, tv, etc. Also, they will have better quality seats.

The next round of buses are the overnight buses.

These buses are designed with less seats than daytime buses to allow for a greater recline in the seat. You will also get a pillow and a blanket.

The longer distance buses that will run for more than 5 hours will encompass more "frills" than their shorter distance cousins. These will offer fully reclining seats, but in 3 rows, so each person effectively gets a private seat and their neighbour is at arms length.

There is one word of warning. These buses are popular. They can be half the price of the equivalent Shinkansen service, which means they can get booked up quickly! Also, in winter, many of the services turn the heaters on, and cook the passengers!

Next. Driving in Japan.

It can be done. But it does involve a little twisting. First of all, most people cannot roll in with just their licence. Japan does not recognise them. To get a car in Japan, you need an international licence. Unless you come from France, Switzerland, or Germany. In which case, you need a Japanese translation of your licence documentation before you arrive.

In Japan, it has proven hard for the likes of Hertz to get in, mainly because they have to buy their cars from the very same companies who also rent them out! Such as Toyota, and Nissan. Both have rental arms. There are also strong local companies such as Orix (who as part of a conglomerate, own the not-so-successful Buffaloes baseball team!) and Nippon rent a car.

Prices start at about 6,000 yen a day for a sub-compact (look above!), and can escalate quickly. But the good news is, there is PLENTY of choice. The Japanese companies do offer a massive range of cars, an nth of which the rest of the world gets to see.

If you are moving to Japan, like I did, then an international licence is only valid for 1 year. Once the licence has expired, you need to get a Japanese licence. This is where it gets difficult. Japan has signed reciprocal agreements with Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and The United Kingdom. This allows us to get a translation of our home nation licence, proof or residence at home for 3 months before moving to Japan, and we can 'swap' our licence and get a Japanese one.

Unfortunately, for the rest of you, you have to go through the test process. This involves a written test, in Japanese, and a driving test. This will be held in a centre which includes all sorts of examples of road types, and you get to sit in with another student as they take their test, so you get a bit of a go around before you go through YOUR test. There are organisations in Japan who will help foreigners with the tests, in English. They can be found on the internet.

Now, driving. Remember, its all on the left side of the road, but the good news is, the car works in the same way! Hurrah! Speed is in KMH, not miles, and usually maxes out at about 100kph. The police can be tough on foreigners, so be careful!

The other bit of good news is, the signs are bilingual. Except the English is in small text, so again, watch the speed, or you will overshoot your exit before you realise what the sign says!

Cities in Japan are notorious for heavy traffic, and its true. I really dont want to try driving in Tokyo!

The countryside is a whole new animal. Not all Japanese drivers are "good." Many choose to blithely ignore you, and go about their life without thinking of the consequences of their actions. I have nearly rammed cars by people who, for no real reason, slam their brakes on. Also, on the highway, not all know how to use their wing mirrors. Again, I vividly remember several occasions when I nearly got sideswiped when a car tries to change lanes straight into me, without looking!

Highways in Japan are, at the moment, toll roads. You either get a ticket on entry to the network, or use an ETC card/machine combo thing. The highways in Japan are in pretty good condition, but we will see what happens. There will be a boost in traffic, if the new government follows through on an election pledge to scrap toll fees.

Navigation. This gets tricky. I have not seen too many road maps available for purchase, because many people have sat nav in their car! It is very popular, and worth looking into. It is so popular, you can download accessories for for it! For example, using Disney characters to act as the "host" on your system.

Finally. Air travel. Japan has a well established domestic air network. However, it is expensive. Many places have an airport due to the local government wanting a signature project to "boost the image" of the local community, and many regions ended up with an airport.

Next, as the flag carrier, JAL was tasked to fly to these cities, offering links. Many of these flights cost JAL enormous amounts of money to run, and have definitely contributed to JAL's current financial concerns.

However, there are many domestic carriers flying to pretty much all major cities, so access is not a problem. The issue is price. They can get a little expensive. Flying from Tokyo can be reasonable. But between smaller cities, where demand is less, price goes up accordingly.

So, for me, flying is not really an issue, when you have the excellent bus network, or the Shinkansen to do the work for you.

So there you have it. Travel in Japan. Both easy, and confusing, cheap and expensive! There is something to suit everyones pockets and desires!

Where to stay in Japan?

Now, at the moment, the Japanese Yen is quite strong, making Japan more expensive as a tourist destination. However, that does not mean you have to spend a lot of money on a vacation here. It is easy to spend a lot of money, but a little research, and you can get by on a shoe string!

For a start, DONT come to Japan during August. That is the traditional summer vacation time, and all the hotels ramp up their prices as EVERYONE is on the move! You can come, but only if you know someone living here who has a spare futon to lend. Like me.

Also, dont come during a period known as Golden Week. This is earlier in the year, and a time when several national holidays have been grouped together to get people out and spending money. You should see the pics on the news! The highways out of Tokyo are rammed during the first day, and during "The Boomerang" when everyone returns, the tailbacks get even bigger! A problem only to be exacerbated next year if the government follows through on its plan to scrap highway tolls!

Heck. It affects every form of transport! The Joetsu Shinkansen from Niigata to Tokyo operates over capacity at the start of Golden Week, and regularly touches 200% during the turnaround!

However, I could bang on about all the options available for Japan, but I aint gonna. Take too long, and I am full of something at the moment so dont feel up to it!

What I will talk about, is where to stay. First of all, the major hotel chains. The large hotels such as Hilton are pretty much always expensive. However, if you opt for one of the Japanese hotel chains, such as the Maranouchi Hotel, you can usually find some impressive discounts online from them.

There are more hotels that you can look at. A very popular hotel that offers prices that one can swallow are the business hotels.

As you can see, the rooms are rather small! I stayed in one when I first arrived, and my feet did actually touch the end of the bed! Anyone who is over my average western height will have to wear their socks as their feet will dangle over the end of the bed!

However, all is not lost! This is Japan! They have mastered the art of jamming all sorts of useful stuff into small, awkward spaces!

A toilet? Yes. But a toilet that is heated, capable of washing itself, and washing you! And these come as standard in pretty much all hotel rooms here in Japan!

If you dont fancy stuffing yourself in a shoebox-like room, how about stuffing yourself IN a shoebox! Yes, the capsule hotel! These you have to be careful of. Most of them cannot be pre-booked as many of them dont have a front desk. You walk in, look at a board, pick a room, pay a machine, and off you toddle.

However, the ones that DO have staff can be awkward. The rules in Japan state that all hotels have to photocopy the passport of all visiting foreigners. Most end up photocopying mine, too. Even though I have an address here in Japan, and the rules state I am not included.

A lot of these capsule hotels cannot be bothered to do all this just for someone to stay for 1 night, so they refuse entry to us "gaijin." Usually using the weak excuse of "no English."

However, you can find capsule hotels that will let you in, as long as you do a bit of research. So, check it out, and get yourself a shoebox! The shoebox comes fully equipped with a toothbrush (Not all hotels have a shower, but they will have somewhere to wash!), blankets, pillows, lights, air con, and a small TV! Unlike big hotels which offer a lot of foriegn language (English) TV, the business hotels have CNN and BBC usually, capsule hotels are quite light on this area.

Oh, another minor drawback with a capsule hotel. No luggage space. They are built for business men who go out for a night, and need somewhere to lay their head before going back to work!

There is always a more traditional Ryokan hotel. This is the type of hotel that littered Japan before the arrival of the western style hotel with its beds.

The Ryokan operates slightly differently to regular hotels. It is Japanese, so you have to take your shoes off at the door. Now, room prices can seem a little on the pricey side, but the good thing with the Ryokan is that the room is open, no beds, just futons. You are paying for the space. If it is really traditional, then you will pay by the tatami mat! Each tatami in Japan is pretty much a uniform size! This means that you can get a big room, then jam the room with lots of people up to its top limit.

The Ryokan room will have futons which the staff will roll out for you, usually a TV, the toilets and shower block will be away from the room, and you will have a welcome pack of a tea set laid out on your arrival. There is also the chance to have a meal in your room, and it will be full of traditional Japanese fayre.

Sushi, tempura, rice, soba, etc.

Now, dont go thinking this sounds fun. Problem is, they also get hit with a manic fear of foreigners. Ryokan are traditional. They are not in the hands of major chains usually, many are still independent affairs run by a family. This means it is unlikely they will have someone capable of speaking English on site.

Many will refuse admission, even if you CAN speak some Japanese, just as a matter of course. The Japanese government does have its "Yokoso Japan" campaign to try to encourage tourists to Japan, and are pushing people to try to study English, but Ryokan are run by a lot of traditionalists, and it will be hard to get them to study.

So, if you want to taste Japanese hotels, then do some research on the internet. They do exist, but dont leave it to chance.

OK. 2 more establishments to go before my fingers give out.

Next up, the Love Hotel. Very much a Japanese thing. Born from the fact that young couples have urges to satisfy, but dont necessarily want their parents to hear through the thin walls of their rooms! So, a love hotel will offer a room for an hour at a couple of thousand yen a time at quiet moments. Also, after 10 at night in many cities (11 in others. Please check) they will give you a nightly rate.

Love hotels ARE worth investigating because for a rate at least comparable to a business hotel, you get a much bigger room! They can be easy to spot...

Or quite non-descript with a discrete entrance. Though you have to be careful leaving. Did spot one couple near a love hotel, looking completely normal. Apart from her skirt being tucked into her underwear...

However,you have to be careful with a love hotel. Many are old. And as such, have a staff member hidden behind a pane of glass. They will want paying before you take up your room. They cannot see your face, but they can see enough to tell if you are single (probably refuse you), a couple (which is OK) or a couple of the same sex. Girls can probably get away with it, but a bunch of guys wont.

Also, there will be the ubiquitous issue with regards English...

However, many now are automated.

These are much easier for foreigners to get in. Basically there is a big wall with pictures of all the rooms on it. You can check out each room before you pick. Many rooms are quite simple. Bathroom with full bath, big bed, TV, karaoke, microwave, sexual aid vending machine... But the rooms are a good size.

Other rooms are themed. For example, this room carries a space theme.

There are many more rooms that carry more surreal themes. Such as a Hello Kitty rooms, dungeons, under the sea, wild west, and my personal favourite, a subway car!

Once you have picked your room by pressing a button on the lit panel, you hunt through the hotel to find the room with a flashing light. When you are in, its yours until about 10 in the morning.

If the hotel is automated, to pay, you have to pay to get out of the room. Usually there will be a machine by the door. The machine will be capable of accepting cash, and credit card. Also, many of them DO have an English button! This is becoming a common thing in Japan. Many ATM's have them, as well as ticket machines!

Now, this deals with love hotels in city centres. Thing is, a common place for a love hotel is outside the city, and accessible by car. So, if you have an international license, and you rent a car, you can find one of these hotels easily. Drive in to a garage, and head up your own private stairs to your room. In order to get you to pay, your garage has bollards blocking your car. On entry, the little machine will ask how long you want to stay. Once you tell it, the bollards lock your car in, and wont drop until you pay as you leave. These do offer a lot of privacy!

The final venue is not what you would imagine. It is the internet cafe.

Once you pay up for the night, and the price can be as low as about a thousand yen a night, you get access to a little cubicle. A couple of tatami mats in size, so just big enough to allow you to stretch out. You get a games machine, a TV, a computer, as well as blankets and pillows.

These cubicles are lockable, and they give you slippers to walk around in.

The internet cafe also boasts many other facilities such as arcade machines, pool tables, small cafe, washing area, etc.

These are popular with Japanese at the moment. With the recession biting, workers who live away from home are giving up their rented apartments in order to save money, and moving into internet cafes. So, should you go, it wont be a surprise to see freshly washed clothes hanging over the cubicles!

So, there you go. From the top of the range, to the internet cafe, Japan offers a wide array of venues for you to stick your head. However, I would recommend that you do check the internet. Whilst there are many deals available, many places do have a sting in the tail!

So, do some research, check out where you can go, and enjoy yourself!

Warning! This is NOT for people under 18!

Now. If you are under the legal age of consent, I ask that you look away, click out, etc. I am going to delve into a slightly more seedy area of Japanese culture.

The Japanese do like to organise stuff. And when they plan something, they PLAN something! There is the worlds largest curry cooked in Japan, the largest firework is assembled here in Japan, the most extensive high speed rail network is here in Japan, soon, there will be the worlds biggest free-standing man-made structure as well, built in Tokyo!

This new tower, dubbed Tokyo Tower 2, is slated for completion in 2011. Initially, the design had the tower standing at about 610 metres. Making it marginally bigger than Toronto's CN Tower, the current record holder, as a free-standing tower.

However, the designers realised it would be cheaper, yes, cheaper! If they actually sent the tower up to about 635 metres! Making it easily the tallest free-standing tower, and the second tallest building in the world. Still 100 and a bit metres behind the massive Burj Dubai going up in the Middle East.

This all sounds fun, but not in the remotest bit racy.

So, if you dont want to read about something slightly more smutty, turn away now!

What I am referring to, was an event last year (I think) which involved 500 people. Does not sound much, but this was an orgy. Yes, an orgy. The Japanese are very polite, the girls are unbelievably cute, and you would not dream that the Japanese could be capable of anything so, ah, adult.

But they are. Once the doors are closed, and in the privacy of their rooms, or in a love hotel, the Japanese can really let go. Probably because they work so hard, that they have to get, whilst the getting is good. If you 'scuse the expression.

So, the directors hired out a large gym, laid down 500 futons, got 500 couples to pick a mat, and organised an orgy.

Now, this was a JAPANESE orgy, so no flailing of limbs, no, ah, "sharing," or moving around. Each couple stuck to their own mat. Not only that, but in true Japanese style, the whole thing was choreographed. Each move planned, so what you have is 250 couples enjoying each others "company" and smoothly flowing from one position to another. En masse.

Who says the Japanese dont know how to have fun!

Uyoku Dantai

Now. Many people think of Japan being a calm, peaceful country. People working together, carrying the latest digital cameras. However, Japan, like any country, has many groups from all over the political divide. Whilst Japan itself could be considered moderately conservative, the political scene has shifted a little to the left with the election of the DPJ, who want to focus on social welfare, rather than helping big business (various big business groups have begun to hammer the government to get them to ease off the eco taxes they where thinking of).

The Communist party has a small but loyal following, which is surprising, given Japans fraught history with 2 communist nations. It has been relatively OK with China, but after the war, The USSR occupied all the Kuril islands off the coast of Japan. Even though, under the terms of surrender, the islands where to remain an integral part of Japans territory. Also, of course, North Korea, who has happily kidnapped many Japanese!

However, the one group who do cause trouble, are the Uyoku Dantai. These are the ultra nationalists.

Easy to spot, they drive around in modified black, khaki, or olive vehicles with their groups name displayed prominently, along with various slogans. Another hallmark of the group is to drive around shouting ultra nationalist slogans, and playing what they thing is patriotic music.

There are 2 major threads that run through the various groups around Japan.

1) Kokutai, or belief in the country. In the UK it is described as a unification of the power of the judiciary, the legislative, and the monarch, to combine to make the power of the sovereign. In Japan, this grew into a belief that the Emperor WAS the sovereign. That he was the sole source of power in Japan. And many of the gorups advocate a return to a powerful emperor, and a doing away with the Diet.

2) A major hatred of Communism (look at previous reasons!).

3)A deep mistrust of "outsiders."

I could go on, and on, and on about this lot, but there are plenty of people who have written more weighty tomes than I.

Now, of course, here in Japan, there is little chance of a direct confrontation. It will take a lot to drive them to direct action. Instead, most of the action that they will take will be to drive around blaring music, or park up outside the target and harass them and their customers until they get the response they want.

The amazing thing though, is that whilst all these things are hallmarks of ultra-nationalist groups, there are is a good deal of blaring hypocrisy. For example, one main plank is Japanese self dependency (Non-reliance on the US for defence, domestic nuclear capability, etc.), however, many groups seek to promote a deepening of the alliance with the US, and extending it to S. Korea!

Another is that the groups dont like foreigners. However, there are some groups that draw a good deal of support from foreign groups!

Finally, one major drive has been to call for the return of absolute rule for the Emperor. Though this demand has been toned down, and replaced with a demand for Japan to "go it alone."

These groups do cause a nuisance, but thankfully, are not a unified voice. Japan does not have groups like the BNP in Britain, which is slowly building a political voice. This is a good thing, as if they where to get political power, then the older conservative members of Japans government would make life deeply uncomfortable for those like me! Foreigners who want to build a life here in a deeply confusing society, but are willing to jump through the ridiculously pernickity hoops that the government is willing to set in front of us.

It is worth noting I have been on the receiving end. 2 vans turned up in Kashiwazaki and drove around, and upon seeing Geos, decided to orbit us for a while. However, I did take great delight in scaring them. I went outside to get a picture and see what was going on, and upon seeing me, they pulled over. Rather than park outside Geos and shout at us for an hour or so, they ended up parking outside the watch shop!

I was gladdened to see that whilst the vans made a lot of noise, no-one paid a blind bit of attention, and several could be seen moaning about them! Most gratifying when one of the khaki-clad boys tried to talk to an old lady, only for her to shoo him away! It was the same lady I helped earlier at the local supermarket, just by putting her shopping in the basket on her bike!

The Taiji Dolphin Hunt. *Update*

Well, looks like change is coming. OK, only a little change, but it is still something. As people say, with awareness, comes action.

One of the main issues with the Taiji hunt is that the dolphin meat they sell is laced with high levels of mercury. Now we all know that mercury is pretty nasty stuff. In small doses, the human body can cope. If the body is subjected to a build up, it can damage the body's tissues, including the brain.

Now, as more and more is made of the hunt, and its attendant health issues, the local welfare division has begun to take hair samples from residents as they attend their yearly check up. Those with high levels of mercury will be advised to undergo further testing. What happens after that, we dont know.

However, now that things like this are out in the open, the juggernaut is possibly beginning to move, which means that we may see some kind of action if there is a city-wide elevated level of mercury.

When things will change? I dont know. But awareness is rising. Things may soon begin to change.

We will see.

Sporting futures

OK. We all know that Beijing held a very impressive Olympic games. Though whilst technically excellent, and laden with majesty, it was sadly lacking with simple fun. It is well known that the Chinese government and the organising committee wanted to lay on something that would wow the world, and in order to make sure, they stopped people from any kind of unscripted activity. This meant that the Olympic village was devoid of any kind of vibe brought out by having people just spontaneously meeting and having fun.

Same goes for the opening and closing ceremony. With the huge numbers of people involved, the amazing costumes, the careful choreography, it was very impressive. Unfortunately, with the massive numbers of people, and this desire by the Chinese to "impress the world" they ended up with a ceremony that was pompous (The English know about that!) and ponderous. It was a visual feast. But amazingly ponderous. The pace never changed. Again, like the rest of the games, whilst it was fantastic, it just felt a little devoid of that extra spark that other games had.

Example being how they marshalled the athletes at the close, and under no circumstance where they allowed to get close to the pop stars. Unlike previous games, where the athlets would get up on stage!

Then, we roll on to 2012, and Londons Olympic games. As part of the closing ceremony, the next host is allowed a small 8 minute slot in the middle of the ceremony.

And boy! Did it need it! Again, Beijing laid on a wonderful dramatic ceremony that ended up dragging a little. The huge numbers of people, and the intricacy of it all does slow it down.

Thankfully, London rolled in and with a show of fun that is only possible in the UK, a dose of irreverence, put on a rock n roll 8 minute segway through the fun that will be had in London. Featuring a London bus that opened up to reveal a bunch of privet hedges cut to look like scenes from London. Surrounded by modern dancers, and a bunch of people riding bikes. Including Chris Hoy.

Out of the bus emerges Leona Lewis, and Jimmy Page, who proceeded to belt out "Whole lotta love!" Whilst David Beckham drove the crowds officially bananas as he kicked a ball into the crowd. The volunteer who picked up the ball was NEVER going to give it up!

And, of course, once 2012 has finished, 2016 rolls on to Rio De Janiero. Where we are promised a festival of magnificent proportions. A chance to spread the Olympics to a new continent, and allow Rio a chance to really spruce itself up and get ready for the party.

Now, the ink is barely dry on the documentation confirming Rio as host city, as the speculation begins as to the host of 2020!

So, who is in the frame at the moment for 2020?

Well, I will run alphabetically, but finish with Japan.

So, first of all, the Americas.

Birmingham, USA. Yes, really, Birmingham in the USA wants the Olympics. The Mayor even ran with the slogan of "Birmingham, why not?" Well, for some reason, the USOC chose to not really listen... Cant say I blame them.

Boston, USA. Ah, now, here we go. A more serious contender. Boston has plenty of history, as the home of the beginnings of the American Revolution with its famed "Tea Party." Also, home to plenty of sports, with the Patriots being an amazingly successful NFL team. Boston is also home to the Bruins, the Revolution, and the Celtics. As well as the very famous Boston Red Sox.

Guadalajara, Mexico. A huge city, surrounded by beauty. Mexico has hosted the Olympics, and Guadalajara wants to step out from Mexico City's shadow.

Lima, Peru. Spurred by Rios success, Lima has begun to study how a bid could be made to keep the Olympics in South America. Unfortunately, their bid hinges hugely on Rio. If Rio is doing well, then maybe the IOC will be amenable to keep the games in the same continent, which they dont really do. If Rios planning for the games is sliding, and budgets going bezerk, then Limas chances slip to just about zero.

Minneapolis/St Paul, the USA. A committee is beginning to look to see if this conurbation can pull of f the Olympics. Seeing as how this is actually 2 cities, there is the capacity there. However, what have they done to fire the imagination?

Monterrey, Mexico. See Guadalajara. A beautiful city, trying to climb out from behind Mexico.

Toronto, Canada. Montreal has hosted the Olympics, but at a crippling cost the city is still paying off today. However, Toronto is a cool city, and is bidding to hold the Pan American Games. Holding this will go a long way to proving Toronto's technical competence.

Finally, Tulsa, the USA. Tulsa promises a bid that will draw on its location in the heartlands of the US. Tulsa promises that their bid will benefit the native American community, and draw on them heavily.

Now, Africa.

Cape Town. South Africa. Following on from the (hoped for) success of the World Cup in South Africa, they will hope that this will prove their ability to host big events, and gun for the Olympics in 2020.

Durban, South Africa. Is also interested in bidding. Not surprisingly, they are taking Rio's idea, and pushing the fact that this would allow the IOC to deliver a games to another new continent, Africa.

Rabat, Morocco. Same as Durban. First games in Africa. Not only that, but it would be the first games in a Muslim country!

Next, Europe.

Budapest, Hungary. This beautiful city wants to cement a place as one of the worlds great cities. It is a fab place. Beautiful, full of pretty people, and cheap! However, can it match up against other cities that will want to bid for the games?

Lisbon. Portugal. Lisbon has played host to the finals of the Euro 2008 finals, so has got some experience for organising big things. However, Lisbon has always pretty much had to play second fiddle to Madrid. Given how close Madrid got last time, I personally think they will try one more time!

Rome, Italy. Rome has hosted the games before, but feels that Italy needs something to focus on, other than Berlusconis young feminine company! It is an amazingly pretty city full of history. Can they organise this? Of course. But something will spectaculary blow up, like all fantastic Ferraris.

St Petersburg, Russia. As part of a resurgent Russia, they are bidding for everything now! Sochi has the 2014 winter olympics, and with the oil money sloshing around, looksl ike they will try to win a bid for Russias second city.

Venice, Italy. Interesting one, this. Venice is an achingly beautiful city, that is sinking slowly into the sea that surrounds it. If they have a hundred thousand tonne arena built there, will it herald the end!

Warsaw. Another wonderul city that is looking to step out onto the central stage. However, Poland does have issues with racism and crime at the moment...

Finally, Asia.

Baku, Azerbaijan. A past bidder, but did not even make the shortlist for 2016. Dont really know anything about this city, other than the IOC had concerns with corruption, and, er, everything else.

Busan, S. Korea. S. Koreas second city, and looking to show the world that there is more to their nation than Seoul!

Delhi, India. A beautiful city, following China with a booming economy, but with a couple of decades behind. Delhi is hosting the Commonwealth Games for 2010, but are behind on so many projects that it is worrying the Commonwealth on wether Delhi can do this. Making a mess of the smaller Commonwealth Games does not bode well for their hopes to cope with the Olympic games.

Doha, Qatar. Bidfor 2016, the oil money means that they can spend a huge amount on this. However, they wanted to fix the games on to days when the temperature would not be so bad, but that put it outside the IOC calendar. IOC where not so keen.

Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul has gone for the Olympics on many occasions. Never hosted, never won a bid. However, they will be more than happy to keep trying, and sell the bid on the strength of Istanbuls location as an Asian/European city.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur wants to be seen as a major city, and has experience after hosting the 1998 Commonwealth Games which where a big success.

And finally,

Tokyo is going again. Big city, money, facilities, but can they learn their mistakes from last time? Japan has built itself up as a nation of exporters. However, unlike Britain, and the US, it was not really built on trade. As such, Japan has not got a big international reputation. In order to re-shape itself as a more international nation, the Japanese government is taking steps to promote itself. Part of this was backing Tokyo in its bid. Tokyo wants to rebuild itself as a true international city, and use an Olympic games to promote itself, build a legacy, and help begin to rebuild its stressed finances. A second bid is definitely on the cards!

However, throwing its name into the hat was the city of Hiroshima. Famous for being on the receiving end of a nuclear bomb. Hiroshima's bid is on the strength of world peace, and a nuclear free world! A noble sentiment, and likely to play hard with the IOC members!

There is one snag with Hiroshima's bid. They want to do a unity, "world peace" bid with fellow nuclear neighbour, Nagasaki. The sentiment is noble, but the logistics will be difficult to do a joint bid given that both cities are a good 300 km apart!

The other problem is that the Olympic charter does state, 1 city, 1 host. Making Hiroshima's bid look like it has a mountain to climb. However, points to both parties, they have both declared a determination to push on with the investigative process, and try to generate a competitive bid.

So, the ink is barely dry on the contract with Rio, and there are cities in the process of putting their hats in the ring for 2020 already! Also, 2012 was a tough bidding process, 2016 took it to a whole new level. 2020 promises to take it to a whole new level.

Let the games begin!