Hometown Dolpa Osaka 7: March 10, 2013

I just noticed Volks has posted the date of the next Hometown Dolpa on the international website.

 

Just sharing the date in case anyone is planning a trip to Japan next March - maybe put in a trip to Osaka?

 

This is just the link to the dealer's registration - but it's got the date on it -

http://www.volks.co.jp/jp/dolpa_portal/index.html/

Yeah, saw that yesterday. SakuraSylph and I are thinking about going. Just about a 3 hour shinkansen (the bullet trains) trip to get there from where we live. Maybe a good additional reason to visit Osaka and Kyoto for several days.

Maybe a good additional reason to visit Osaka and Kyoto for several days.

 

Jealous ^__^"

djstarstryker i will be counting on you

Wish I could go to japan for one of these XD but I am too shy to feel comfortable going to another country and not know their language hehe.

Wish I could go to japan for one of these XD but I am too shy to feel comfortable going to another country and not know their language hehe.

 

You could always learn...

 

You could always learn...

I have tried...

Keep trying, it's really worth it. Especially in our hobby.

Keep trying, it's really worth it. Especially in our hobby.

When I graduate from college in December I intend to try XD before I had no way to use what I learned but in the hobby I do. I just don't have the free time to be working on it currently

Wish I could go to japan for one of these XD but I am too shy to feel comfortable going to another country and not know their language hehe.

 

I think that's part of the adventure of traveling

 

I've been to many wonderful places without speaking the language. You pick up little bits here and there as you go and it actually forces you to learn on the spot.

 

I went to a Dolpa this past May and even though I don't speak Japanese, I found that the process wasn't too complicated. I did my research before I went, read other non-Japanese-speaker's blogs and did a bit of planning and it was a lot of fun (Also, there are usually a couple of English speaking staff at the Dolpa to help you out if you have questions.)

Ooh, I would like to visit Osaka! That's probably sooner than I can make another Japan trip, though. I've heard Den-Den town is great for nerdy shopping the same as Akihabara is for Tokyo.

 

Kyoto area is gorgeous and pretty easy to get around with English, since there are so many tourists in a smaller city. I memorized some phrases from a book, and relied on my anime knowledge to help with pronunciation, and got by just fine. Japanese generally are so polite and patient that I felt less shy there than in the US

Wish I could go to japan for one of these XD but I am too shy to feel comfortable going to another country and not know their language hehe.

 

As someone who actually lives in Japan... you can get around without knowing much of the language. Trust me on this. I'm still very new a newbie. Granted, I have SakuraSylph to translate if I really need it but it's not too bad. The Japanese learn English in school (it's mandatory) so you can usually find that people speak at least a little, even if they aren't very good. One day when out shopping we had a random old lady start talking to us. It seemed like she wanted to practice her English. Totally didn't expect that. It was kinda neat.

 

But SakuraSylph and I got split up at the DD Gathering this past weekend because of the numbers we pulled for the line (he was at front of line, I was at back). The Volks employees spoke little English, I spoke little Japanese, but it still worked out well. Japanese people tend to motion a lot with their hands/arms when speaking, so you know where they want you to go for lines and such. Also, the register shows the yen amount you have to pay, so even if you don't know Japanese numbers so can't understand the amount they said, just look at the register and you'll see it.

 

Big things to remember are a few bits of buying etiquette - take paper (like receipts and change) with two hands and also put the money in the little tray the store has out if they do (some don't, but most do). If you want to thank them at the end when they hand you money, just say "domo".

Oooh, that's all good to know! My Japanese is super rusty and I've been worried about going to Japan again but it sounds like I'll be able to navigate anyways!

 

I'm actually a pretty good reader (I think) but I'm terrible at speech because I have no one to practice with. I figure that I could go to places myself but if I actually needed help from another person, I'd be in trouble.

Big things to remember are a few bits of buying etiquette - take paper (like receipts and change) with two hands and also put the money in the little tray the store has out if they do (some don't, but most do). If you want to thank them at the end when they hand you money, just say "domo".

 

Thanks for the tips especially this one It was very helpful!

Oooh, that's all good to know! My Japanese is super rusty and I've been worried about going to Japan again but it sounds like I'll be able to navigate anyways!

 

I'm actually a pretty good reader (I think) but I'm terrible at speech because I have no one to practice with. I figure that I could go to places myself but if I actually needed help from another person, I'd be in trouble.

 

If you come to Japan sometime in the next few years, SakuraSylph and I would be happy to help you out. We could be your tour guide.

Another few more words that would be helpful to know are:

Sumimasen (excuse me/I'm sorry, but also used to get someone's attention)

Kudasai (please)

 

One other thing I feel the need to point out is about saying goodbye.

Use this: Ja mata (See you later)

Not this: Sayonara (Goodbye)

 

Yes, sayonara means goodbye, but it more directly means final goodbye. My Japanese teacher said that kindergartners are taught to say sayonara so they know the word, but it is not in everyday use. As an American I saw a lot of movies growing up use the word almost flippantly when it should be reserved for someone leaving that you know you will never see again.

 

Please excuse me if the Romaji is not spelled the way it commonly is, our textbook uses it for proper pronunciation of the words, not the direct spelling. Sayonara is actually written sayo(o)nara in the book because the extended o sound, and teacher is written as Sensee, not Sensei like it would base on how it is written in Hiragana.

 

~Sister Kyoya

Another few more words that would be helpful to know are:

Sumimasen (excuse me/I'm sorry, but also used to get someone's attention)

Kudasai (please)

 

One other thing I feel the need to point out is about saying goodbye.

Use this: Ja mata (See you later)

Not this: Sayonara (Goodbye)

 

Yes, sayonara means goodbye, but it more directly means final goodbye. My Japanese teacher said that kindergartners are taught to say sayonara so they know the word, but it is not in everyday use. As an American I saw a lot of movies growing up use the word almost flippantly when it should be reserved for someone leaving that you know you will never see again.

 

Please excuse me if the Romaji is not spelled the way it commonly is, our textbook uses it for proper pronunciation of the words, not the direct spelling. Sayonara is actually written sayo(o)nara in the book because the extended o sound, and teacher is written as Sensee, not Sensei like it would base on how it is written in Hiragana.

 

~Sister Kyoya

 

Yep. Great additions.

 

Another add on is it's always nice to greet people, even when at a store. Make sure to use the right greeting. Most foreigners know konnichiwa, but that actually means "good afternoon". If it's morning there's ohayou goziamasu, and there's konbanwa for "good evening". You can also say "sumimasen" as both "excuse me" (if you accidentally bump into someone) and for getting someone's attention (like at a restaurant or store).

 

Sorry to the mods for turning this thread a little into Japanese language and etiquette thread.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what they release for this Dolpa. I know we have several dolls that are being teased. I think KOS-MOS and MOMO will be released well before the Osaka Dolpa (and they're going to be web pre-orders I believe). But we have Aozaki Aoko, Asuna from Sword Art Online, and then Volks has been teasing about a potential little sister for Natsuki for quite some time. Asuna sounded like she's not until next year for sure. The rest, who knows?

 

Anyone have any guesses on what we might see? I'm guessing Aozaki Aoko is coming out for the December Tokyo Dolpa, so maybe Asuna is going to be for Osaka 7. I'd like to see Volks release another tan skin doll, or at least tan skin parts.

Oooh, that's all good to know! My Japanese is super rusty and I've been worried about going to Japan again but it sounds like I'll be able to navigate anyways!

 

I'm actually a pretty good reader (I think) but I'm terrible at speech because I have no one to practice with. I figure that I could go to places myself but if I actually needed help from another person, I'd be in trouble.

 

Ugh I am totally the same way. I was fluent enough to get around Japan on my own for the most part but It has been like almost 5 years since I have been or USED it..it is quite sad. All I know is I want Natsuki's sister Nanami who is being released from this.

 

They say it is Natsuki's sister I really like her wig :3

Found this at: http://www.plastikitty.com/home/dollfie-dream-lucy-gets-a-magical-princess-version

 

Somehow it reminds of Melty xD

Found this at: http://www.plastikitty.com/home/dollfie-dream-lucy-gets-a-magical-princess-version

OMG I want Natsuki's sister SOOO MUCH! So cute. But I am safe from the other girl. I would just want her parasol! It is too cute! I hope that Nanami (is that her name??? I forget lol) comes with that guitar she was pictured with in the last teaser.

OMG I want Natsuki's sister SOOO MUCH! So cute. But I am safe from the other girl. I would just want her parasol! It is too cute! I hope that Nanami (is that her name??? I forget lol) comes with that guitar she was pictured with in the last teaser.

 

I think Nanami is her name just want her wig though xD I have a feeling that the guitar isn't included >.<

Yeah I don't think so either..but I can wish! lol. Have you seen her alternate outfit? It is an adorable school uniform. But the way I see it is if I get her I can get cheaper uniforms in SD size because she is not large chested lol.

Yeah I don't think so either..but I can wish! lol. Have you seen her alternate outfit? It is an adorable school uniform. But the way I see it is if I get her I can get cheaper uniforms in SD size because she is not large chested lol.

 

you can have Yui's guitar or Mio's since they're the only ones with guitars oh not yet that's the only like I found >.<

Lol it's ok. I am sure volks will release the flying V. And if not I have seen them on Ebay and a dude on Venice Beach in LA sells mini electric guitars of all sizes and shapes. I can just pick one up for like $10 plus the drive out there lol