The event is sponsored by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) whose members consider computer entertainment software to be a cultural form and host the Tokyo Game Show 2008 in order to contribute to the growth of the industry.  The Tokyo Game Show 2008 will include areas dedicated to video games for stand-alone systems, PC’s and mobile devices and companies from China, Holland, Taiwan and Canada will all be represented in the International Pavilion.  The Game School area will include booths from a number of schools from across Japan and there will also be a kid’s area.

The TGS Movie square is where the latest games and videos can be experienced in a dynamic surround-sound environment and the Japan Game Awards in Game of the Year, Amateur and Future Divisions will be presented during the event.

See the Tokyo Game Show 2008 website for details on special events including the Sense of Wonder Night and GMT 2008 which is a live show featuring six artists who all have a love of video games.

Are you Ready for GAME time?

Details

Dates:  Open October 11 & 12 to the General Public and October 9 & 10 to the Gaming Industry
Hours: 10AM – 5PM
Admission: Adults Y1,200, Children (elementary school age and under) are admitted free of charge.
Location: Makuhari Messe, near Kaihin Makuhari Station, about 30 minutes from Tokyo Station on the Keiyo Line.

Image Credit: Flickr, Tokyo Game Show 2007

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

In addition to creating some of the best video games out there, the company also operates Sega Joypolis, a modern take on the amusement park, where video games, virtual reality and high tech rides are the featured attractions.

If your are a gamer or you are traveling with one you will definitely want to put Sega Joypolis is on your itinerary.  Located in the modern Odaiba area of Tokyo in the DECKS shopping complex, the facility spans three floors and is home to some fun and unique attractions.

On the ground floor you will find Halfpipe Canyon, a two person snowboarding ride where teams compete to make the most 360 degree turns at each end of a curved track that brings the riders parallel to the ground at it’s highest point.  Spin bullet is a small roller coaster that will spin you out to a view of Tokyo Bay or could opt for a virtual sky cruise.

On the next level, test out your driving skills in Outbound 2 Special Tours SDX which will put you behind the wheel of a real Japanese sports car and allows you to choose from a selection of virtual courses.  You will want to wear your seatbelt on this one as the car responds realistically to each move the driver makes.  If auto racing isn’t your thing then you might enjoy bobsledding or shooting at zombies in The House of the Dead.

On the uppermost level you will find additional virtual reality rides where you can hang glide or try your hand at rapid river rafting.  Also on this level is a cafe overlooking Tokyo bay when you can pause to catch your breath and take in some refreshment.

While the rides are a lot of fun and shouldn’t be missed, true gamers will want to spend time exploring the various video games that are available on each level of Sega Joypolis.   Kids of all ages will enjoy a visit to this amazing indoor amusement park – I know I sure did!

Details:

Hours: 10AM – 11PM (Last Entry 10:15PM)
Location: Odaiba, Decks Tokyo Beach, 3rd Floor.  A 3 minute walk from Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station or a 5 minute walk from Tokyo Teleport. (Sega Tokyo Joypolis access information)
Admission:  Three options are available (Sega Tokyo Joypolis pricing).  A Passport offers holders unlimited access to rides and attractions and costs Y3,500 for Adults and Y3,100 for children 7-14.  The Night Passport offers the same benefits but is only available after 5PM at a cost of Y2,500 for Adults and Y2,100 for children 7-14.  Admission is Y500 for Adults and Y300 for children 7-14; the cost each attraction is paid separately.  The cost to play any of the stand alone games is additional regardless of the admission option chosen above.

Many thanks go out to Graham from b5’s own Sega Nerds for helping this non-gamer not make a fool of herself!  If you love Sega, then be sure to check out Sega Nerds to get all your Sega news, reviews, previews and more!

Image Credit: Personal Collection

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

Naked Sushi, or Nyotaimori

Save money and play a video game with the RPG piggy bank by Tomy.

Kid’s in some Japanese schools get to play Nintendo…to learn English, math and Japanese.

Daylight savings time in Japan by 2010?  Salarymen don’t like the idea – they think it will mean even more unpaid overtime.

A Japanese marine adventurer has completed the first ever voyage made by a wave-powered vessel traveling 7,000 miles from Hawaii in 110 days.

The Tokyo Traveler has now joined Traveling the Green Way, another one of b5’s great Travel & Culture Blogs, on Alltop.com. It’s an honor to be included with some other great blogs and news sources in the Japan category. 

Photo Credit:  Flickr, IMG_8943 & Alltop.com

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler