Going to this year's Worlds in Chiba, Japan? Then this article is for you! The page on Wizards' website does a great job of giving you basic information, so I'll be trying to add some more detailed and flavorful info for everyone.

General

Makuhari Messe, location of Worlds, is a bit far from Tokyo, but it's still manageable at about 45 minutes. Not a big deal for sightseeing later in your trip, or even commuting to the event every day. (though, you'll have to be careful of catching the last train back if you plan on staying past midnight) The sight itself is huge, and no one should worry about overcrowding or other problems that come with smaller venues. Just be prepared for the Japanese coming in full force as they would with any other convention. That means costumes (sadly, not as many as Tokyo Game Show, and probably without the scantily clad women!), masses of people, and good times for those unfamiliar with the Japanese.

Travel

The official website for Worlds did a pretty good job on this, just a couple of additional notes. The bus is by far the easiest and most convenient way to get to the site if you don't know Japanese. Trains are fairly easy to navigate in general thanks to lots of English, but taking secondary lines like the Musashino line – as suggested by Wizards – will allow you to miss important details that might cause you to be confused, frustrated, and/or get lost. (Like the fact that not all Musashino trains go all the way to Kaihin Makuhari.)

The second option – to Tokyo – the Wizards site suggests is fine, as long as you don't mind long trips and paying money you don't have to. The easiest way by train – without taking confusing secondary lines – would be to take the Rapid to Chiba, change to the Uchibo or Sotobo lines to Soga (2 stops), then take the Keiyo line to Kaihin Makuhari(4 stops). Not the most efficient, but one of the quicker/less confusing ways you can go.

Finally, this site is a great resource for any train traveling you'll be doing while in Japan.

Hotels

Again, the Wizards site covered this topic pretty well, but there are some extra details that might help you out. If you haven't read their suggested hotels yet, then let me be the one to tell you. They are expensive! The area of the event is a high-tech/business district of the city, and doesn't cater to budget travelers very well. If you can't get a hotel for the price you want, then I recommend checking other parts of Chiba City or even closer parts of Tokyo. It’s harder to book budget hotels without Japanese skills, but there are some English hotel search engines that give Japanese hotels. Just type a location + hotel into Google and you should see a few options. (I won’t lie, it’ll be a pain, but budget travel tends to be that way in Japan, Japanese skills or no.)

Restaurants

Yep, the expensive budget applies to restaurants too. The good news is, there are many more options in the restaurant department compared to hotels. Almost every building between Makuhari Messe and the train station has at least a few restaurants – if not a dozen or more – and the other side of the station also contains a fair amount of choices. This author apologizes, but he has only eaten at 3-4 of the dozens establishments available. All of the experienced restaurants were tasty, if a bit overpriced. One can choose from American, Thai, Vietnamese, multiple styles of Japanese restaurants, Indonesian, Italian, French, Chinese, bars, buffets, and pretty much any other style one can think of. (though, I have yet to find a Brazilian Steakhouse there)

Getting a bit more general, the best restaurants in Japan tend to be the smaller, hole-in-the-wall types once you move past the high-end places. These can be hard to find, not cater to foreigners very well, lacking pictures of what food they serve, and/or be completely full for hours on end. If you're feeling adventurous and find yourself outside of the Kaihin-Makuhari area, this author highly recommends finding a place like this that suits your tastes.

Places to Buy Magic

If you’ve come to Worlds and need some last minute cards, here are a couple places you can check out besides the main site. There are other places (just type Chiba into Wizards' store locater), but these two are the closest and don't show up on the locater.

Yellow Submarine (Chiba)

Yellow Submarine is one of the biggest card/hobby store chains in Japan, and carries most Magic products. Unfortunately, they are also the most expensive store in Japan to buy Magic singles from (though Saito's new store might be giving them a run for their money). Chances are that you're going to be better off buying from vendors on site unless they don't have what you're looking for.

Directions: Head to Chiba station and go out the East Exit (the only exit possible). Straight ahead is a cul-de-sac for buses and taxis, and the sidewalk splits to both sides. Veer to the right and walk along the road until you find yourself under a giant plastic dome next to the raised railroad tracks. Walk along the left side under the dome and head straight for the middle street with buildings on either side. It should be a fairly narrow street, not next to the tracks, but not next to the main street heading out of the station area.

Walk about a block and a half until you reach signs advertising Yellow Submarine, or Yodabashi Camera. The card store sign might be small, but should be bright yellow with a cartoonish submarine near the name. Head into the building and dive into Yodabashi Camera, one of the biggest chains of electronics in Japan. Try not to get lost, and head up the escalator to the third floor (the first two floors are Yodabashi). If you have trouble, look at the directions painted on the floor when you can.

Hobby Station (Chiba)

Hobby Station is all-around cheaper than Yellow Submarine, but this particular branch carries less stock in singles and more specific items (like FtV or Duel Decks). Having opened two years ago, they are just starting to carry singles from before Alara block. With decent prices, this is where I buy my Magic cards from when I'm not doing it online.

Directions: Take the train to Soga Station, and turn right out of the exit (west exit). Cross the tracks, go down the stairs, and then take a left, heading in the same direction you were on the bridge. Follow the road past a few traffic lights, and then cross a really busy intersection with an overpass. After the overpass just head straight until you see Globo Shopping Center. Hobby Station is inside.

Sightseeing

Chiba City isn't the best place in Japan for sightseeing, but it has a few sights for foreigners.

Lotte Marines Ballpark

Chiba's baseball team in the Japanese baseball league, the Lotte Marines, play right next to the event hall, Makuhari Messe. If you enjoy baseball games, you should definitely check out a Japanese one. Unfortunately, their season has just ended (with Chiba's team taking their division's title). Each stadium has sections reserved for team fans that travel to each game. These fans definitely add flavor to the event with such things as unique chants for each player, and color coordinated cheering. Expect a bit more fan interaction than at your typical American game.

Directions: Head toward Tokyo Bay (away from Makuhari-Hongo Station), and cross the major road. Turn right and you should hit the ballpark.

Chiba City Castle

While it'll never compete for biggest, prettiest, or best of Japan's castles, Chiba City's castle is still a decent site in Japan, and great for foreigners with no time for extra travel. Located to the east of Honchiba Station – and easily seen from the tracks – this castle is similar to the other castles one can find in Japan. Rebuilt into a museum, it will give you some history (if you read Japanese) and information to go along with the great view from the top. It's also surrounded by a decent park and some interesting buildings if you're interested in more than just picturesque sights.

Other

If you're interested in checking out a Japanese movie while here, there is a theatre next to the bus stops on the opposite side of Kaihin-Makuhari station. Note: Japanese movies cost almost 2000 yen, more than $20. (American)

If you've got a Costco card and want some good ol' Costco pizza, there is one near the event site. You're probably better off walking from the site, but you can also take the Bus directly to Costco from Kaihin-Makuhari Station. There is also a Carrefour on the east side (opposite of the site) of the station.

For Westerners used to using plastic for every purchase, here's a small warning; credit cards are not as useful in Japan as they are in other countries. Most major stores and restaurants are able to take cards now, but if you want to check out the novel Japanese store you found or a mom-&-pop restaurant you will be forced to pay in cash.

About the Author

Brendan has lived in the countryside of Chiba Prefecture for the past 2.5 years, and spends many of his weekends playing Magic in Chiba City with LMC or passing through Kaihin-Makuhari on his way to Tokyo. While he can't answer too many questions about which hotel has better linen, he can give you information on the area and what to expect in terms of typical activities – and if you're lucky, some restaurants. Feel free to e-mail him at issarroon at gmail dot com.