Tony,
Three suggestions: First-contact Johnny Barrons as he has been to Japan and knows the stores.
Second-Phone Hiroshi at Jitensha Studio in Berkely. He sells a magazine called Jitensha-Jin. The issue is from 2007 and contains a feature article on important Japanese frame builders. The article is written in english. Hiroshi also imports Toei frames which for my money is close to Rene Herse quality-atmo.
Third is visit Toei(Saitama), Watanabe (Saitama) and Nagasawa (Osaka). Those would be my top three builders.
Shooting in Japan? Let me guess, Allison Dubois goes to a sushi bar in Tokyo and has a vision of when amaebi will be available in New York City sushi bars.
Have fun,
Mike Schmidt Millington, NJ USA
On 1/19/09 12:01 AM, "tonythreerings@aol.com" <tonythreerings@aol.com>
wrote:
>
> Hello all,
> I'm planing a trip to Japan this spring and am looking for suggestions on what
> might be essential viewing.
> I'll be spending most of my time in Tokyo and Kyoto, with some more travel to
> be determined.
>
> I've been looking for a Japanese frame for a while but since I ride a 62cm,
> the pickings have been slim. I'd appreciate
> thoughts on getting a bike built to order while I'm there, as compared to
> trying to find a large used frame.
>
> Thanks,
> Aaron
>
>
>
>
>
> Aaron Lipstadt
> Hollywood, CA USA