Life In 19x19

Hi all (wasn't sure if this should be trading post but I think it belongs here).

Hunting for stones has been quite a chore in Toronto, and I realized I am going to be travelling to Manhattan in 3 weeks. Is there anywhere in NYC where I can buy Go stones / board in person? (I realize the board may be a very difficult item as a carry on though).

Thought there might be a large Japanese importer in the big apple.

thanks
Scott

Kinokuniya is probably the best place. They have a whole bunch of go books in english and Japanese, and some boards/stones on the bottom floor. It's across the street from Bryant Park.

Jedo wrote:Kinokuniya is probably the best place. They have a whole bunch of go books in english and Japanese, and some boards/stones on the bottom floor. It's across the street from Bryant Park.

Thanks so much ... perfect location to check out while I visit!
I'm guessing given the location there won't be many "deals" but perhaps a decent selection of imported stones?

What quality level of equipment are you looking for?

oren wrote:What quality level of equipment are you looking for?

Still in the deciding stage, but this is a set I plan to keep in the living room, so something mid-tier.
Tentative plan is to get a Hyuga Kaya table board and a standard grade set of shell/slate stones. Bowls I'm not sure - I think all of the wooden ones are quite beautiful so I won't be fussy - only concern would be to not damage/stain the stones.

Strief wrote:Still in the deciding stage, but this is a set I plan to keep in the living room, so something mid-tier.
Tentative plan is to get a Hyuga Kaya table board and a standard grade set of shell/slate stones. Bowls I'm not sure - I think all of the wooden ones are quite beautiful so I won't be fussy - only concern would be to not damage/stain the stones.

I don't think you will find too much of that quality available without ordering online though it might be best to get in contact with the NYC Go Community and ask.

It won't be easy to find high quality equipment, like that described by the OP, in a store in the main shopping areas of a large US city. In New York, your best bet might be to look for something in the ethnic Korean neighborhoods in the borough of Queens or in Koreatown in Manhattan. Many Korean food stores have low quality boards and glass stones for sale, but in the ethnic Korean areas there may be higher quality equipment available in specialty stores. Of course the equipment described by the OP is Japanese so ...

Just posted a set for sale which would be on your way to Manhattan. (viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8380)

You aren't likely to find good quality go equipment for sale in New York City. It's best to purchase this from the internet or used.

I've only been able to find retail sets (Kinokunia sells a nice one, board and glass stones) or cheap sets (plyboard with single convex glass stones *aka fishtank pebbles). There are some nice places around the city to play, though!

Source: Living here for 5 years.