I'm Going To Japan!

[islandbass]

@Glenn  that definitely counts. 🤘

 

@A-Jay  indeed. My home island is 18 hours ahead of Seattle and I am well accustomed to that 10 hour flight. It’s a bit weird in that to Japan or that side of the world for that matter you kind of “gain a day” but you give it back when you return. 😂

Instead of adding eighteen hours I’ve learned is it’s easier to subtract 6 and change AM to PM or vice versa. Oh how I prefer 100% military time. 😆

 

[K1500]

I would say “domo arigaro Mr. Gamakatsu”.

[txchaser]

@Glenn take snacks like beef jerky (sealed of course) - I think you can get them through customs. I 'nearly starved to death' both trips. Meals, except for big elaborate dinners, tended to be way small and way ... wierd. I don't know how to say "look those are parts, they go in the bucket not on the plate" in Japanese. 

It's probably better now that it was way back in the day, but I just recall being hungry every day.

 

 

And be prepared for re-entry to the US, where you'll really miss just how polite everyone was in Japan and how good the service is. 

 

I couldn't live there, but I'd love to go back. 

 

[rgasr63]

Congratulations!!

[N Florida Mike]

Sounds like fun.

If I were you ?

Id go fishing in that lake where the tie for the world record was caught!

[Bankbeater]

Sounds like a sweet trip!  I'd take a bunch of extra memory cards.

[SC53]

Glenn, let me check with my niece.  
She lived in Japan for 4 years teaching and might be able to give you some pointers.

Also, I have a buddy that went last year and he says there are shops that have “used” reels for sale that are top end and great prices.  I’ll get the name from him and pass it on.

[Swamp Girl]

I am so excited for you, Glenn! I love Japan. Seeing all that Japanese tackle will be a blast. Enjoy the toilets! 

[TLHSS]

@Glenn .... this recently hit my YouTube feed.  It's Fishing Fest 2024 in Yokohama.  May give you a preview of the show you'll be attending.

 

 

[ATA]

Good luck and dont forget do day and night fishing at Lake Biwa if you can. they getting good night fishing over there. Happy for you.

[Glenn]

Business card etiquette.  Who knew??  It's a thing in Japan.  Now I gotta get me a business card holder.

 

The learning continues....

[Glenn]

I got the gifts, now to wrap them.  Wait, the color and the way it's wrapped has meaning, too?  Oh...so many customs.  It's kinda cool though.  I love learning new things.

 

I also got the itinerary.  Not only am I meeting the CEO at the Gamakatsu headquarters one day and visiting him at his house another, but he's also joining us for a Waygu steak dinner on another night!  Geeze, I must have won the lottery somewhere.

 

Just a few more days....

[Bazoo]

NICE, have fun! Definitely give away some caps while you're there. I'd try to find some hand made lures or lures that are quite obscure/old.

 

Ya might get in on some serious fishing while you're there. Maybe get into those 20 pounders... man!

[fishhugger]

the japanese seem to be among the most polite and warm people around...  i think the biggest problem will be the toilets --- they are pretty --- incredible and great, but you'll probably have to ask for some instruction in their use.  i think the japanese are used to that.  in fact, when you get back to the usa, maybe you'll yearn for one of those japanese toilets.

 

oh, maybe be careful if you end up dipping your toes into a hot soak tub... they do wash before they get in, and the tub water can be unbelievably hot. just grab some uncooked potstickers to drop in with you, and have a fork handy. 

 

um - oh, i'm a bourbon and whiskey sort of dude, and i think japanese whiskeys are pretty incredible....  maybe if you bring a primo bottle of american bourbon you can trade it for --- just about anything! 

* note... i actually don't know if the japanese are super into american bourbon, which is pretty strong flavored. they're very particular about food... similar to the french, imho. they even have their own version of italian food.....  it is probably NOT that similar to italian food, probably sweeter, or something. i've never had it....

 

oh, and have a great trip!  be adventurous and ask questions....  if you need a food taster at the wagyu thing, or anything, pm me!

[Glenn]

Thanks for the tips guys!  Keep 'em coming! 

 

Yes, I've learned about the toilets - actually watched a few Youtube videos to learn how to use them. LOL  I'm not much of a whiskey fan, but I'll give it a try.  I'm there, right?

 

Hey if there's anything you want me to relay to the big guy at Gamakatsu, please let me know.  I think he'd love to hear from you.

 

Oh, and the tackle show? This thing is HUGE, spanning 6 buildings.  Tons and tons of stuff!  I'm beside myself trying to think of what to buy!

 

Here's a look at the show a few years ago:

 

Again, many, many thanks to Gamakatsu for inviting me on this incredible trip!  I look forward to taking lots of videos and pictures to share with you guys!

[Swamp Girl]

I'm just thrilled for you, Glenn. What a perk!

[Gera]

Japan its awesome, forget fishing for that time and enjoy its culture, gastronomy and architecture. 

[softwateronly]

19 hours ago, Glenn said:

 

Hey if there's anything you want me to relay to the big guy at Gamakatsu, please let me know.  I think he'd love to hear from you.

 

 

G-Finesse Hybrid Worm hooks in size #1 and #2.  The larger sizes are the first hooks that have truly distinguished themselves as my personal favorites and would like smaller sizes for more finesse free rig options.

 

Please and Thanks!

 

scott

[KP Duty]

Sweet.  My brother is heading to Hong Kong in March...wish he was takung me instead of his wife.  Spro/ Gammy must think of you as a big time influencer 👍

[Glenn]

2 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Spro/ Gammy must think of you BassResource as a big time influencer Media

Fixed it for you. I've never aspired to an influencer, nor do I want to be one.  Besides, nobody wants to watch me dance on TikTok. LOL

 

Got the last-minute packing finished.  Now one restless night and 15hrs of flying away.  Here we go boys!

[Tennessee Boy]

I’ve heard the CEO of Gamakatsu is very sharp.  😆

[senile1]

@Glenn What an awesome trip!  Looking forward to your updates and report afterward!

[Fishlegs]

On 1/28/2024 at 2:31 PM, Glenn said:

Besides, nobody wants to watch me dance on TikTok. LOL

What makes you say that @Glenn? I bet there are a lot of people around here that would find that quite entertaining. 😊

 

[txchaser]

On 1/21/2024 at 10:11 PM, Glenn said:

Business card etiquette.  Who knew??  It's a thing in Japan.  Now I gotta get me a business card holder.

 

The learning continues....

Big boss gets on the elevator first. And gets off the elevator first. Lots of shuffling around. 

A lot of 'position' driven by little social boss queues, and some of them are opposite - like in the west you can signal by deliberately going last, being extra polite, etc etc. Some of that can backfire because you are signalling lower status. But no one will mistake you for a local so you'll get some grace on all of it. Be your fun self. 

 

Prepare your liver, if they are showing you a good time. 

 

Oh one other I forgot about - when I was there almost nowhere had paper towels in the bathroom so everyone carried a white hanky. Probably gone by now, but can't hurt to grab them if you have some. 

[Glenn]

Yup, got my little microfiber towel already. 

 

After 14hrs of flying and a combined 3hr delay, I finally made it!  Met up with the rest of the group from Gamakatsu/SPRO (12 total) and had Chinese dinner last night.

 

Yes, raw fish (sushi) was part of what they brought out, but that was just a minor part of major feast!  Good food and good friends!

 

Finally made it to bed at roughly the equivalent of 6am back home (ugh!), now it's off to the races. We're going to visit the home of Gamakatsu's CEO for lunch, and then off to visit one of Japan's oldest castles, built in the 14th Century.