Akita (estimated population of 336,250) is something of the Hamilton of Japan. It describes itself as the “Land of Peace of Mind” yet, the tourist brochure also says that it is the home of the Namahage Demons and various ceremonies designed to scare young children shitless. This, however, is not the first paradox we encountered in Japan and certainly not the last (it is, after all, no more of a riddle than describing Judo as the “gentle way”).Before getting to Akita there was the train ride. From Ikebukuro we grabbed a quick train into Tokyo and then boarded the Shinkensen headed north to Akita. The day went something like this: Wow! the Shinkansen goes really fast. Wow!! Tokyo goes on forever. Wow!!! It really doesn’t matter where in the world you are traveling on trains sucks. Wow!!!! the Tequila we drunk in the station really works (for the record -- this was entirely the fault of the most senior AKL Uni player). Sleep...
After checking in at the Toyoko Inn in Akita we headed into the Budokan to weigh in, part with our entry fee, and put the INT into international (The All Japan Masters International was, in essence, Japan and New Zealand).
We got there a little late to see the Kata but everyone made weight – even Sensei Rick (the "defending champion," seen below leading his troops out of the Budokan).
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