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Thread: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

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    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Question Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Hi all,

    Since moving to Japan, I do not have any FP Friends to speak of.

    I live in Tochigi (Tochigi city), and wondered if there was any interest in a pen meet up?

    Let me know your thoughts,

    SamO
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    I would love to visit Japan one day.

    Now I know who to contact once I get there

    Have you visited all the fountain pen stores in Tokyo area?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Sammyo (June 16th, 2017)

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    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Have you visited all the fountain pen stores in Tokyo area?
    There are a LOT of stores in Tokyo!
    I'm not really a Tokyo person. I've been to a few, it's easier for me to shop locally, there are some good shops that don't require a full days planning and travel 😉
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sammyo View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Have you visited all the fountain pen stores in Tokyo area?
    There are a LOT of stores in Tokyo!
    I'm not really a Tokyo person. I've been to a few, it's easier for me to shop locally, there are some good shops that don't require a full days planning and travel 😉
    Oh really! How exciting.
    Tell us about these local shops, what are they called, what do they sell typically?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Oh really! How exciting.
    Tell us about these local shops, what are they called, what do they sell typically?
    They tend to be different branches of the same franchises. But each store manager has different tastes and stock.
    The main two (only two?) are...

    There are three "Ue-Bun" stores within driving distance of my house. Two are located in FKD department stores, all three are in Utsunomiya (the capital of Tochigi prefecture).
    One store has a special Maki-e pen display box with some beautiful examples. All of these stores have a few generic Parker, Pelikan, Montblanc, Lamy, etc... but tend to focus on Japanese pens.

    There are also two Joyful Honda stores in opposite directions of my house, both within driving distance. Both of these stores have a great selection of pens and ink.
    They stock mostly Japanese, but also have a great selection of harder to find European models. In addition to the above pens, they will typically some have Auroras, Pelikan LEs, Higher end Parkers, etc...
    Joyful Honda also tend to stock a lot of LE Sailor and European inks that are often hard to find in other stores around here.

    So that's two names, but five shops.

    I hope that answers your question well enough
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sammyo View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Oh really! How exciting.
    Tell us about these local shops, what are they called, what do they sell typically?
    They tend to be different branches of the same franchises. But each store manager has different tastes and stock.
    The main two (only two?) are...

    There are three "Ue-Bun" stores within driving distance of my house. Two are located in FKD department stores, all three are in Utsunomiya (the capital of Tochigi prefecture).
    One store has a special Maki-e pen display box with some beautiful examples. All of these stores have a few generic Parker, Pelikan, Montblanc, Lamy, etc... but tend to focus on Japanese pens.

    There are also two Joyful Honda stores in opposite directions of my house, both within driving distance. Both of these stores have a great selection of pens and ink.
    They stock mostly Japanese, but also have a great selection of harder to find European models. In addition to the above pens, they will typically some have Auroras, Pelikan LEs, Higher end Parkers, etc...
    Joyful Honda also tend to stock a lot of LE Sailor and European inks that are often hard to find in other stores around here.

    So that's two names, but five shops.

    I hope that answers your question well enough
    These indeed answer my questions. I am glad that there are a lot of choices when it comes to fountain pens for you over there.
    I would love to see a selection of Japan-only Sailor models.
    I see on the map that Utsunomiya is about 1.5 hours drive time from Tokyo area.
    Last edited by penwash; June 19th, 2017 at 12:35 PM.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    I see on the map that Utsunomiya is about 1.5 hours drive time from Tokyo area.
    On a map it is on 1.5 hrs... in reality it is 3 hrs + $5-8/hr (equiv.) parking or you could just choose the $30/day (equiv.) option ... I would always take the train to Tokyo... never drive
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

  9. #8
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sammyo View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    I see on the map that Utsunomiya is about 1.5 hours drive time from Tokyo area.
    On a map it is on 1.5 hrs... in reality it is 3 hrs + $5-8/hr (equiv.) parking or you could just choose the $30/day (equiv.) option ... I would always take the train to Tokyo... never drive
    How long is it with the train? And is the ticket back and forth pricy?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    How long is it with the train? And is the ticket back and forth pricey?
    Depending if you catch a standard train or a Spacia train, it is between 2 & 1.5 hrs. The train cost is anywhere between $20 & $30 return depending which route you want to take.

    Also, you have the added advantage of being able to admire your purchases while travelling back rather than getting stressed out by typical Tokyo drivers and traffic jams!
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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    penwash (June 20th, 2017)

  12. #10
    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tokyo area meeting... any interest?

    Bump for interest... I have many nice pens that others might want to look at or try!!! let me know
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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