I've lurked around these forums for awhile, but decided to make an account so I figured I'd make a post in the introductions section. My name is Nathan and I'm from the U.S. but I currently live in Japan. I've played go for around 4 years now, and have been ranked as high as 4k on KGS, but am probably a bit weaker than that. I started playing when I was in college and worked pretty hard to break into the SDK ranks, but kind of just drifted after that. I'm planning on actively working towards dan now, so I figured I might as well make use of this site.

Anyways, it's nice to meet you and I look forward to talking with the people here.

Hi Nathan, Welcome!

Welcome!

Howdy and welcome, Nathan!

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Someday I want to be strong enough to earn KGS[-].

Welcome. Would be very interested in hearing more about the Go scene in Japan. Especialy the GO salons.

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Walla Walla GO Club -(on FB)

We play because we enjoy the beauty of the game, the snap and feel of real stones, and meeting interesting people. Hope to see ya there! お願いします!

Anthony

Thanks for all of the welcomes.

@goTony: As much as I'd like to be able to answer questions about Japan's go scene, I actually don't know too much about it. I moved here around 4 months ago, and I basically live in the country. The town I live in also doesn't have any Go salons or equivilents. The closests ones are in a city about an hour by train or car, but the trains run pretty infrequently, so I haven't really made an effort to go visit them yet. I just purchased a car, so hopefully I'll be able to check some of them out sometime soon.

I can tell you the general state of go though. Most young people have little-to-no interest in it for the most part. It's pretty much considered something that old men do. At least as far as I can tell.

Where are you at in Japan?

Generally yes, it's mainly the past time of old men in Japan though various schools do have clubs and children only events in Japan are still larger than the largest tournament in the US.

I'm in a town called Nishiaizu in Fukushima.
I'm sure in more populated areas there is still a significant number of kids who do play, but it seems pretty uncome here, even among the older people. I've only met one or two other people who actually play.

Very cool that you live in Japan! I was there for one year back in my military days but did not get to see as much as I would have liked due to a very hectic life back then.

I'm surprised to hear that Go isn't played by the younger generation and considered a 'old man' game.

Just out of curiosity which board games are popular? Shogi? or something else?

It is too bad that it is not as popular as it once was.

I am sure I am not the only one who would appreciate updates on living in Japan. Someday I hope to go.

_________________
Walla Walla GO Club -(on FB)

We play because we enjoy the beauty of the game, the snap and feel of real stones, and meeting interesting people. Hope to see ya there! お願いします!

Anthony

I don't any board games are particularly popular among youth, but in general shogi is more popular than go as far as I know.

Let me know if you come to Tokyo. Can show you around a few nice salons in town:)

Sounds great! Go Salons and Ramen too!

_________________
Walla Walla GO Club -(on FB)

We play because we enjoy the beauty of the game, the snap and feel of real stones, and meeting interesting people. Hope to see ya there! お願いします!

Anthony