text:
Greetings Guest!!Dismiss Notice
In order to combat SPAM on the forums, all users are required to have a minimum of 2 posts before they can submit links in any post or thread.
Selling Weapons Matching 20 splinter/15dci/50magic arrow kryss and fork
Discussion in 'UO Trader's Hall' started by Cetric, Mar 25, 2014.


text:
Just get rid of all that apple igarbage :)
Just get rid of all that apple igarbage :)
Earl, is anybody ever on chat?
I don't know. I stopped going into chat, it was usually just mmalleck in there, and he rarely responded.
I have to say Jon had some good points in his post. We had a lot of charity and it seems to have dwindled. I put up a good deal this last week (not a PIF but a reduced price) and it was scooped up in a few hours. We used to have reduced guns, PIF's to help out members with problems they couldn't afford, and even free guns. I've talked to a few members who said they were leaving because they didn't like some of the attacks they felt were too common and with the drop in charity, it doesn't seem to be as cohesive a community as before. That may account for some of the drop in ads also. I was hesitant to give such a good deal but I'm glad a longtime member scooped it up so I don't mind.
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." - John Adams to Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massachusetts 1798
I've popped in and out of here a few times in December. Wow... remember the days of several pages of new posts? Now you might get 10-15, half started by jukku (no offense to him) No more PIF's, no more North End/South End Boxes, Nothing. Just a few ads a few commentaries about current events no one replies to.
I do miss the old chat with Bronco, Mark, packet, and a few others.
Happy New Year.
You aren't at the shoot?
45 + rating, so between that and my CPL, you can't trust me, thanks to I-594! Thanks WA state.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Here is the final Last 32 draw for the World Snooker Championship 2016 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. Defending champion Stuart Bingham faces a tough opener against Ali Carter.
Home - Calendar - Interviews - Coaches - Photos - Links - Snooker Network - Contact
Snooker Players
Excel at Sports
Be the Best at Sports,
Business & Life
Welcome to Maximum Snooker!
Ding Junhui and Ken Doherty are now only one match away in qualifying for the televised stages of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
Iranian professional Hossein Vafaei Ayouri has beaten Tian Pengfei to set up an exciting second round World Snooker Championship qualifying match against Ken Doherty.
Judd Trump has won his second China Open title, coming from behind in the final to win eight frames in a row and beat Ricky Walden 10-4 in Bejing, China.
15-year-old wildcard Yuan Sijun pulled off the shock win of the season, beating German Masters champion Martin Gould 5-0 in the first round of the China Open, Beijing.
Mark Allen has won the Players Championship 2016, beating Ricky Walden 10-6 in the final at Event City, Manchester. It was Allen's first ranking title victory in the UK.
Snooker Legends are proud to present two of the world's biggest pro snooker stars in one of the biggest grudge matches ever, Ronnie O'Sullivan v Judd Trump in the Eleven 30 Series!
Shaun Murphy has won the sixth world snooker ranking title of his career, beating Stuart Bingham 10-9 from 4-1 down to win the World Grand Prix in Llandudno, Wales.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has won his fourth Welsh Open title in style, coming from 5-2 behind to beat Neil Robertson 9-5 in the final at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff.
Ding Junhui made the sixth 147 maximum break of his career today at the Welsh Open in Cardiff. Despite making the £12,000 winning break in the sixth frame, he went on to lose the quarterfinal match 5-2 to Neil Robertson.
Bookmark with...
Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | Digg | StumbleUpon
Search Maximum Snooker
Upcoming Major Events
Ladbrokes World
6-12 Feb 2017
Guild Hall, Preston
Maximum Snooker Twitter
Maximum Snooker Facebook
Exclusive Snooker Interviews
Home - Calendar - Interviews - Coaches - Photos - Links - Snooker Network - Contact


text:
Cottage | Christchurch City | #33513
From the moment you step into this property, you'll be amazed at how you have left the city behind to find an oasis of calm and safety.
Living areas look out to a lovely cottage garden, dappled sunlight falling on grass and brick pathways beyond the Oamaru stone -enclosed courtyard.
This property is perfectly located for a stay in Christchurch, whether you are just passing through on holiday or coming for that special event: concert at the Arena, sports fixtures at the cricket and rugby stadia, Arts Festivals or NZ Cup Week.
The Merivale location means you're only minutes away from that food and fashion precinct; and if you've come to town to see the kids during the school term you are right on the doorstep for all the private schools.
Maybe you need some accommodation whilst you seek something more permanent as you relocate to the city? This property gives you everything you need as you find your feet: broadband connectivity, Sky TV, and landline.
Hagley Park is one of the great assets of the city: join the locals and appreciate the perfect, safe jogging circuits, have a round at the Hagley Golf Club, or get some tennis in either at the courts in North Hagley or the Hagley Tennis Club itself.
Although I prefer 2 day bookings, I will take single night bookings at $220 for up to a group of 4 (with $25 per extra adult and $20 per extra child, per night). Make an enquiry for a speedy response.
Special conditions: Two night stay preferred but single night stays available from $220/night (4 adults). Extra adults $25; extra children $20 The stairs are quaint but steep: therefore might not be suited for the less mobile and children under 5 years old. However stair gate is available and easily installed if required. Portacot and highchair available Smoking outside only please. No pets thank you.
Master 1
1 x Queen bed
Master 2
1 x Queen bed
Master 3
1 x Queen bed
Single 1
1 x King single bed
AA Smartfuel: Get 10c/litre fuel discount when you book and stay at this property for TWO nights or more [More info]
|Rate period
|Week day
Default Tariff
22-Feb-17 to 22-May-18
|For up to 4 people. Extra occupants: Adults: $25/night; Children: $15/night;
|2 night minimum stay
*Pricing may vary depending on the dates you choose and the number of guests. Additional charges (extras) and minimum stay criteria may also apply. Bookings paid for through Bookabach online payments incur a 3% credit card transaction fee.
Stayed here? Add a Review
This a beautiful historic cottage, full of character and very luxurious. It is in a nice and central position which is really convenient for the attractions and restaurants - the Botanic gardens are a nice stroll across the park. You can also get on the main routes out of the city pretty quickly and easily. Highly recommended.
Book and pay online for our
Book with Confidence Guarantee™
Member since Nov 2015
Responds the same day


text:
300+ Rentals · Tokyo - 23 wards
300+ Rentals · Tokyo - 23 wards
This cosy apartment is in a GREAT part of Tokyo. Across the road there is a great bar and just up the street a handful of excellent restuarants. Try Totogen which is an all seafood place run by a young and enthusiastic staff and sumpreme quality sashmi and umeshu :) A 10 min walk to Shibuya station makes it enviable but the best part is you have 2 bikes at your disposal. We spent 5 days and used the bikes every day...crusing down the canal of Naka-Meguro, up to Harajuku, a lazy Sunday ride to Sangenjaya - we stumbled across so many new things by having the chance to explore by bike. The building is old, but so what? The apartment is SPOTLESS and Bruce prides himself on ensuring guests have a clean and tidy place to call home for the night. There's a stack of resource guide books should you need them and having your own kitchen was great as we cooked bfast every morning and ate it on the balcony. Stay here! Excellent value for your yen.LaurenJune 2012
Great little studio, perfectly located: 10 min away from Shibuya station, in a very nice and quieter neighbourhood than Shibuya itself. We stayed there for a week and really enjoyed ourselves. The studio has everything you need in order to have a perfect stay: small kitchen, fridge, iron, washing machine and two bicycles as a bonus. Bruce has been very nice, he met us at the station and took us to the appartment where he showed us around. Since everything was fine and as described, we didn't need to get in touch with him until we left.MichaelSeptember 2012
Great location and everything was as described!AswiniMay 2015
2 friends and I were planning to go to tokyo. As we've been there several times, we tried lots of hotels but this was the first time we rented an appartment. Bruce's place is a great deal: 26 sqm, good location (5 to 10 min walk from shibuya station, supernear a supermarket, supernear excellent restaurant), clean place (what more to say), well furnished (grill, microwave, coffee machine, internet wifi, fridge, washing machine, AC), and a very large balcony (almost terrasse) we enjoyed very much for "aperitif" :). Bruce was right on time when giving us the key, towels and instructions for the place. He was very "foreseeing" checking by mail if everything was right or if needed anything... Everything was great and we would have loved to spend more time there. We probably think first of bruce location if we plan to go back to tokyo again. JC.jean-charlesJune 2012
We stayed for three nights with two adults and two children and it was just perfect for us. We were out all day exploring and when we were worn out this was a great home to go back to. Great little bakery nearby too!WayneOctober 2015
Strategic location with a lot of restaurants nearby. It is very convenient with family mart and mareto express nearby. Room was clean. Fit comfortably for four of us. It would be good if the lift is working. Generally a good stay. Thanks Bruce for the prompt reply through out our communication.RaineeNovember 2015
Bruce's spot in Shinsen was great! It is a short walk from Shibuya station. You can get here even quicker through the Shinsen station which is pretty much down the street. Short walks to all the attractions. Didn't get to ride his bikes but they were available in the garage. The pocket wifi is a life saver! Didn't have time to go but, the famous restaurant Kaikaya is down the street! I can see how things are starting to liven up in this love hotel district. Great spot!RiboFebruary 2013
Everything was as described and we enjoyed our stay. The location was great, a very short walk away from Shibya station and lots of restaurants nearby etc. Also the WiFi router came in handy. MrB checked with us that everything was OK and overall the communication was excellent. Only negative would be that it was a bit cold in the apartment despite the heater being on but this was expected since the insulation in houses is not like in Finland. Anyway the blankets were plenty warm to sleep under and we didn't have any real problems but if you are sensitive to cold during the night you might want to bring a long sleeved shirt and pants for sleeping during winter. Overall a good experience for great price and location and I would recommend staying here. Thanks!SampsaFebruary 2015
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Shibuya, Tokyo
Lovely Canadian Dawna and my spacious room in her bohemian, quiet house were an absolute highlight of my trip to Tokyo. I felt absolutely at home in the house, which is incredibly convenient for an extended Tokyo stay when you don't want to be smack bang in the middle of the noisy city, but still be able to pop in and out. It's under 30 minutes to Shibuya or Shinjuku, and even as a non-Japanese speaker I found it really easy to navigate. A super-handy Family Mart konbini convenience store is just a couple of minutes' walk away and has great options for a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you're lucky enough to match up with Dawna's schedule, I can't recommend enough the chance to go for a spin with her in the drop-top convertible. Such fun! I really enjoyed getting to know Dawna during my week there, and her excellent Japanese skills and deep knowledge of Tokyo were added bonuses in helping me get around. As a travelling journalist, I really appreciated the fast wifi in Dawna's place, the several seating options for relaxing and doing work, and I got great sleep on the very comfy hybrid futon bed. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dawna to anyone else looking for a quiet, spacious stay in Tokyo!JohnSeptember 2012
For me at least this was the best way to be introduced into the chaos of Tokyo. "Dawna" was remarkably generous as a host. Even to the extent of meeting me personally (Despite a 2 hour delay) at the Shibuya bus station upon arrival and dropping me off at the subway stop when I left. For those who have never been to Tokyo, these generous gestures made all of the difference for the trip. The place is a bit further than Ropongii or Shibuya, but it is really a calm oasis amid the chaos. Its a really nice neighbourhood. The facilities are clean and comfortable and, of course, Dawna is the perfect and generous guide to help out. I highly recommend this lodging.Patrick October 2012
The House: Awesome house!! We were a group of 5 people and each of us had our own beds. The house was very comfortable and had all of the amenities that we were looking for. The location of the house was perfect too! It was close enough to a train station which made going anywhere convenient. It's also very walkable to central Shinjuku so there wasn't a need to take a train into the central Shinjuku. There were late night convenient stores just right around the corner for any late night needs as well restaurants if you're craving something late night or hungry any time of the day. The Host: The host was very hospitable and helped a lot during our trip. She gave us suggestions on what to do and let us know when certain events that we could be interested in. Contact with each was very easy! She was accessible via email, What's App and Line. She gave us Japanese phrases to know which was very helpful too.albertDecember 2014
We had a great time in Elizabeth's house. It was just perfect for our family of 6. Very quiet, on the outskirts of Tokyo but accessible by bus and metro. The house is well equipped and Elizabeth is a lovely and very helpful host. She even bought some groceries for us when we arrived. I would recommend the house if you want to have a nice place to relax after your visits in Tokyo.AlexiaMay 2014
We had a really great stay at the house in Higashi Nakano, which is located less than 5 minutes away from the train station. There are 8 of us plus 2 kids which makes it a bit challenging to find a good place to stay in Tokyo and we are so glad to manage to find this place that has 3 bedrooms plus one living room that can be made to a makeshift bedroom! The house is fully stocked with everything that you can think of and the host, Tex, went all out to show us around the neighbourhood, how all the electrical appliances work in his house (because all of them are in Japanese!), provided us with free pocket wi-fi, even helped us to book a taxi to go to the airport! There are a lot of restaurants, convenience stores, coin laundry, even an onsen nearby the house which makes our stay even better in his house. We didn't get to meet Elizabeth, but she always emails us to make sure that are settling alright in Tokyo. She is such a lovely lady! I will definitely recommend this host to all of my friends who are thinking to visit Tokyo. On that note, we can't wait to visit Tokyo again sometime soon and for sure we will contact Elizabeth and Tex again.VerlyAugust 2014
Loved it! Great location! Beautiful house! Hadn't slept so well in ages! Very comfortable I was sad I had to leave!JamesFebruary 2015
Dawna is a real delight. She went out of her way for us during our entire stay. Shen we arrived, she met us at a convenient point in Shibuya Station, and guided us to the train and to her lovely home. When we wanted to explore, she guided us through the marvelous alleys and shops of Kichijoji, and into other neighborhoods near her home. She was warm, open, accessible, but also gave us all the privacy we needed. Her home is quiet and relaxing - a wonderful respite from the hustle of nearby Tokyo, and you feel a part of the real Japan. Would definitely recommend for visitors to Tokyo. Nearby Hot Springs are a real draw. We arrived feeling like tourists and left feeling at home.TodNovember 2012
Good location in western part of Tokyo, very close to train station, post office where you can use your ATM card, markets, 24 hour convenience store, and spa. Really appreciate quietness of the neighborhood as central Tokyo can be noisy. Had to share shower with 2 other guests, but it worked out okay with all our different schedules. Of the three guest rooms available, I had the most private one, so no complaint from me...oh, heater available in my room was a plus. Would not recommend for folks who might have trouble climbing a narrow stairway. Dawna was very friendly, made sure you were okay.MarthaNovember 2010
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
This is an amazing place, Henry is very friendly and helpful. had a good time in koenjihouse! I'll remember this place long after I leave Tokyo.PeichiehFebruary 2016
Koenji is a very nice place to explore, and this hostel is the greatest place ever. It is clean and tidy, an ideal place to take a good sleep after all days walking around Tokyo. Henry san was a very nice guy and showed his warm welcome to me all the time. Plus it is really really close to the JR station, give it a try if you want to visit Koenji!PezOctober 2015
Fantastic stay. Initial contact was great and detailed in terms of getting to the house, hosts were incredibly helpful upon arriving, throughout the stay and upon departure. Room was exactly as described- no nasty surprises. Would recommendHannahApril 2015
Toshi is super nice host, he introduced me this place while I was living in his other listing. The rooms is nice and cozy, little away from city center but easy access to public location. Had a great time therejojoOctober 2015
I had a really nice stay at the share house in Koenji. It's a great place to be, especially if you're into food, vintage fashion or music. Also, the walk from Koenji station to the share house takes less than a minute, which i enjoyed very much. You can reach Shinjuku within 10 minutes from Koenji - and from Shinjuku station you can basically go anywhere! Special thanks to Henry who picked me up at the station the day i arrived and has been super nice and helpful (!) the whole time :)GracielaSeptember 2015
The house has everything you need. The location is great, 2 minutes from Kōenji JR station. The room is very cosy and a bit noisy at times (during the station peak hours). There are a lot of great restaurants in the area. Very friendly hosts.DavideApril 2015
Koenji Palace is heaven for backpackers: very open and welcome when you will arrive, a correct price for the room, and located just next to the train station. At night it was maybe a bit noisy, but that's normal when you find a spot just next to a station. Thank you Toshi, it was a great welcome to Tokyo.erikJuly 2014
I really liked staying here. The room is minimalist and cozy, and there are places to store your luggage etc. Koenji is a great place, and the location is right near the station. I was made to feel welcome and everything was as described. The building as a whole was endearing and comfortable. Thank youChristianAugust 2014
Room type
Private room
Property Type
Alfie's in Tokyo is a no-brainer. He has an amazingly clean and well located place. It's easy to get around, and has everything you'd need (shower, laundry, kitchen). Alfie and Kenji were great hosts and left us treats and coffee every morning for our trips into Tokyo as well! Unfortunately we didn't get to spend much time with them as we were out adventuring a lot, but the night we did it was fabulous. Recommended for sure. Hope to return!JoeOctober 2016
Our stay at the Urban Tokyo house exceeded all expectations. Alfie and Kenji were gracious and accommodating hosts who went out of their way to ensure we felt welcomed. Daily coffee, fruit and breakfast replenishments made for a perfect start to the day. The house was in a great location, close to public transport, local bites and grocery stores. We will be definitely returning to urban Tokyo house next time we visit Japan.ErrolJuly 2016
Great host, great location would recommend staying here. Very accommodating and clean apartment and close to the station. Thank you for having us Alfie and kenji!BetsySeptember 2016
Had an amazing stay at Alfred and Kenji's. The room was very clean and looked exactly like it does in the pictures. They were also readily available to answer any questions that we had. Thanks for everything!SylviaOctober 2014
Alfie and Kenji are wonderful hosts, they really take their duties as Airbnb regulars seriously and make you feel extremely at home. We had our best night out in Tokyo with them at their local Teppanyaki restaurant and 500yen bar. This country cannot be beaten on cuisine! Their flat is very well located, just a 10 minute walk from the Ikebukuro district. The room was totally clean and comfortable, we had coffee and breakfast provided every morning and a wealth of recommendations and tips for exploring. It's definitely worth staying here rather than a hotel, plus their directions make the place very easy to find from Kanemecho station.AnnaOctober 2014
Staying at Alfie's place was a great experience. Both him and Kenji are great hosts and truly went out of their way to make us feel comfortable! Both my brother and I stayed for over 10 days and we couldn't have asked for a better place. The location is perfect to see all parts of Tokyo and just a few minutes walk away from the subway station. Convenience stores nearby for everything we needed, and of course Alfie was always more than willing to offer his advice on what we could do during our stay. Leaving us something simple for breakfast every morning, and enjoying some nice conversations with Alfie and Kenji truly made us feel at home! If you're looking for a comfortable and great place to stay, this is definitely your best bet. Also, the free pocket wifi device they lent us was a huge help during our travels! Thanks again Alfie and hope to see you again someday!SadekJuly 2013
Just as Alfie & Kenji described on AirBnB, their house is clean and modern (and the pictures are accurate representation of their place), but I think they forgot to mention what superb hosts they were/are! Alfie was very responsive to my messages prior to the trip, and both Alfie and Kenji were very accommodating to make me and my friend feel like we're home. They both had many stories to share and laugh about :) The house is situated in a place that makes you feel like you're one of the locals, yet it's not too far from the station if you want to go out and travel like a tourist. As mentioned in other reviews, they give you a 4G wi-fii mobile router which, by the way, WILL SAVE YOU SO MUCH TIME. There's unlimited data so you can just use your smartphone to guide you to different locations without having to worry about finding Wi-fii spots. Genius. If you are debating whether to stay at Alfie/Kenji's place or elsewhere, I would choose this place if I were you. As one who has stayed at different AirBnb places and hostels, this is the place to be. Can't wait to recommend this place to my friends when they visit Tokyo! I hope I'll be back soon :) Thanks, Alfie & Kenji(URL HIDDEN)ShannonAugust 2013
We had a great time in Tokyo thanks to Alfie & Kenji. They have been very hospitable and friendly. Furnishing and equipment are well maintained and the house is nicely done up. All in all, we were more than happy to recommend this place if you are travelling to Tokyo.LisaApril 2014
Room type
Private room
Property Type
The apartment is huge by Tokyo standards. Good location. The best thing FOR ME was that Ivan (Til's partner. Til was away) has lived in Japan for a very long time and is thoroughly fluent in the language; therefor he could explain the subtleties and intricacies of Japan and life in Tokyo in a way that someone who is not a native english speaker would not be able to.MarkNovember 2013
Loren & Ivan were great hosts and always happy to go out of their way to provide info or entertain. The apartment is in an excellent location and the double room comfortable and spacious. Will definitely stay here again when back in Tokyo.YohannaNovember 2012
Til and Ivan were great. They're friendly, funny, personable guys who have a lot of knowledge about Tokyo and Japanese culture. The apartment was centrally located and spacious, with a metro stop across the street and a convenience store next door, as well as some fast food places. I'd stay there again.VietMarch 2013
To say that Til is a great host would be an understatement. He was just BEYOND! Fun, kind, helpful, amazing...he ensured that I had the best time even when I was travelling outside Tokyo. He was dedicated to making sure that my stay was great and took me out to clubs, restaurants, art talks...he would even draw me maps every morning to make sure I got around okay. I look forward to staying with him again, again...SamraFebruary 2012
Til and Ivan are great hosts. Even though they were very busy, they made time to chat with me and even showed me one of their favorite restaurants nearby. They are both fluent in Japanese, and both have a lot of knowledge and experience to share. I saw a different side to Tokyo than I ever would have because of them. The apartment is large by Tokyo standards, and it's in a very convenient location, with both subway and above-ground train lines nearby. The room was large and clean, and the whole apartment offers fantastic views all around.JoshuaApril 2014
The guys are super friendly and helpful. They gave me good recommendations for awesome places in Tokyo. The apartment is great, above all the fantastic view from the balcony. The location is perfect if you want to stay in a cosy area close to Shinjuku center! I loved the calm area in there beside busy and crowded streets of Shinjuku. The public transport is very close by and it's so easy to get to the spots of Tokyo. Thx for the pleasant stay and see ya next time in Berlin :-)RaykoApril 2014
Loren was a lot of fun! He provided excellent recommendations for places to eat and visit, and took us out for a great night on the town. The apartment was a good size, clean, comfortable, and in a great location. Thanks Loren for your hospitality and for a hilarious and fun night out :) Thania and Trent.ThaniaApril 2015
Til and Loren were incredible hosts who helped a solo traveler navigate the clean (oh so clean!) city streets of Tokyo while providing helpful tips, tricks, and navigational advice along the way. The amenities were stellar, and I can't recommend them highly enoughMarkMay 2014
Room type
Private room
Property Type
Highly recommended!SirinatSeptember 2016
This appartement is really great to stay during a trip to Tokyo. It is situated very central to visit the different shopping areas's. Metro and train station very close by and if you like a good walk can easily walk to Shibuya, Harajuka, Ebisu, Meguro, Daikanyama. The house is small like Tokyo apartments are, but this one is very creatively and efficiently decorated. The kitchen, hidden behind a door has all equipment you need for preparing breakfast and some small cooking. LP and John gave super good advise on transportation to the appartment and dor interesting shops, cafe's and sights in the neighborhood. We have a fantastic stay here and definitely would love to come back!SuzanOctober 2016
We had a fantastic stay in this apartment. The apartment is a bit tricky to find as Shibuya is a maze but LP and John provided to help locate it. They have styled the property very well and my favourite touch was the CD player mounted on the wall, just pull the string for instant enjoyment. The location is manic but beautiful, walk far enough down the street and stumble upon another beautiful neighbourhood. We had a breakfast at Ivy which was expensive but nice! There are too many great local eateries to try and LP and John give some amazing recommendations.MattFebruary 2017
John and LP are not just outstanding hosts, they are beautiful people. My brother and I spent 7 nights in their Shibuya Studio apartment and felt privileged each day. The apartment is decked out with beautiful furniture John handmade himself. It is very clean and modern. The apartment is located in an excellent area, incredibly close to all of the action of Shibuya. We felt like locals living in John and LP's place. John and LP stride to provide their guests with as much information about Tokyo as possible. For example, when we arrived John sat down with us and filled us in with the best things to do in Tokyo. In Tokyo, I met the community manager for Airbnb. She told me that I should consider myself lucky for staying at one of John and LP's apartments as they are 2 of the best hosts in Tokyo - Straight from the horses mouth! Thanks again guys!TynanAugust 2014
Amazing experience beginning to end. LP's communication was fantastic, she went out of her way to make many excellent and thoughtful suggestions before and throughout our stay based on our interests - for food, shopping, nightlife and things to do. Finding the apartment from Shibuya station was a piece of cake - a very short walk but in an incredible quiet street. Getting all over Tokyo was super simple but there is plenty to experience just in walking distance. The apartment itself was well equipped and comfortable - the design quirks made it a really fun stay. The provided pocket wi-fi worked great and is a must for exploring Tokyo efficiently. Can not fault the apartment or the host at all - I will definitely stay again and can very honestly recommend staying here to any couple or solo traveller.JeremyJune 2016
We had a wonderful stay in Tokyo thanks to LP & John who really made us feel at home and confortable. Their flat's location is amazing. We shared some really interesting conversations and delicious home cooked meals:)EvaJanuary 2012
Staying with LP and John was something I have wanted to do for a long time. If your traveling priority is more about the cultural experience than the accommodations then this is your destination! As a foreigner living and working in Japan, they were just what I was looking for. A non touristy, authentic peek into life and living in Tokyo, this is one of the most interesting and adorable couples I have met in my life. They truly have a gift for hosting strangers in their home, and showing them a taste of their life and culture in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Thank you for a most memorable visit!NatalieJuly 2013
BEST LOCATION, TIME AND HOSTS! - the location was unique - real Harajuku with shops, cafés, restaurants and everything else you need nearby, the room was fantastic, Psycho the cat was always there for some fun and no matter what question we had lovely LP and John always knew the right recommendation. Our tokyo stay wouldn't have been the same without them. We found new friends who we would love to host too in return.ElenaOctober 2013
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Elena was very warm and friendly, and was very responsive in answering our questions in person when we checked in and on chat on airbnb. Would recommend anyone who wants a more local experience living in Tokyo.KenricJanuary 2017
The appartment was exactly like in the pictures. Slightly bigger compared to other Japaneese apartments and with a decent kitchen and a large bathing aeria!anoukJuly 2016
This was my first time in Tokyo and I'm very happy I chose Elena's place as my temporary home. It was equipped with everything I needed for a comfortable stay and located in a peaceful part of the city. I quite enjoyed my walks to and from the nearby metro stations in the morning and in the evening. Elena was quick to respond to any questions I had and made me feel welcome! Highly recommend if you want to feel like you actually live in Tokyo and not just visiting.ThomJuly 2016
Up until I paid for the stay, Elena communicated quickly. However she was always vague and secretive about how to get to her flat. A few days before we arrived, I tried to pin her down on details but she took a long time to answer and at the last minute sent the address for an iCloud album that would not open. We arrived not knowing the name of the building, the unit number, who was meeting us or how to get the keys. We wasted precious time dragging our luggage while walking round and round the area searching desperately for some clues and my elderly mother has a bad knee so this made it even harder. Eventually I was forced to use the roaming service on my telephone to call her, which I wanted to avoid as it is expensive. After talking to her, we found the building easily and I pointed out that it would have been dead easy for her to have messaged us the name of the building but her response was "you have found it now, relax"! The unit was very cluttered and dirty. The cups were dirty. The fridge was filthy. There was a wifi connection but so ring was wrong with it as absolutely nothing could be downloaded using it. There were no instructions on which bus stops to use to go where. When on the bus, she said that the buses would display the words Harumi Triton square at the correct stop but this isn't true- the stop was written in anglicised Japanese. Again I had to use my expensive mobile telephone roaming data to search for details about the local buses. It was overall an unsatisfactory experience and spoil tour last day in Tokyo.CarolineJanuary 2016
Elena's place is a nice place to stay with shops and restaurants nearby. There is a 100 yen shop (daiso) in nearby shopping mall and access is easy once you get to know the route.ZalaSeptember 2016
Elena and her friend are very nice!and I have a nice time stay in Tokyo!the apartment is near the station and it's very easy go to everywhere you want to go!the house is very nice too!珺若July 2016
Excellent accomodation, thanks to Elena & Olga for this opportunity. The area is really nice and you can access to anything you need (shopping gallery, metro, restaurants,...). If I can rent again this flat in a next trip, I would not hesitate ;)HelcanenAugust 2016
Walking distance to Ginza and the fish market which made it nice! Overall, Elana was available when needed. However finding the location is difficult and we had to wait for someone to let us into the apartment because we did not have the key. Depending on the time of day that could take a while and could be extremely frustrating! If you are looking for a place to crash, this is a good fit. If you are looking for a place to relax and be comfortable, I would suggest looking elsewhere. The mattress on the floor is decent but definitely not comfortable. Place has a very lived in feel.AimeeSeptember 2016
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Tsukishima, Chūō-ku
Great place to stay, really cosy and spacious considering the spaces available in Tokyo. Really close to subway station, maybe 5 minutes walk and you can get about anywhere. Neighborhood is also very quiet and relaxed. Lots of extra amenities like cutlery and plates, etc. Recommended to all!ElburzJanuary 2015
I didn't meet Eddy but everything was as described. The neighborhood is great, the location couldn't be better. The apartment is clean, mid-sized (for one or two). Nothing fancy but perfect to visit Tokyo for a few days!DavidJuly 2015
Eddy was very patient and prompt in answering all queries. He was very helpful even though all communication was via email. We had a great stay at his apartment - it was reasonably priced considering its location and size of the apartment. It was a short walk from the nearest train station and it took about 10 mins to reach Shibuya. The bathroom was flooded a few times, which we were not sure why. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a cheap and reasonable place to stay in Tokyo.KristyApril 2016
The reservation was canceled 16 days before arrival. This is an automated posting.Ronny
Cosy apartment in a nice neighborhood. We liked this part of Meguro, where you can find authentic Japanese restaurants and a quick subway ride to other parts of Tokyo like Nakameguro, Shibuya, Harajuku and Shimokitazawa. We stayed there with our 2 year old son for one month and appreciated the nearby park with playground very much. We didn't meet Eddy in person but he always responded quick via email and his instructions for finding the apartment were very helpful. All in all we can recommend his apartment.PamelaApril 2015
My boyfriend and I stayed at Eddy's place for 2 weeks and we really enjoyed it! Great location with many shops, markets, restaurants, and convenience stores in his neighborhood. We even stumbled on a great record store nearby with cheap, high quality vinyl, which was a major plus for us. The subway was so close and it made our travels around Tokyo smoother. His description is very accurate and his home was easy to find with his clear, detailed instructions from the subway. If we had any questions, he responded immediately. His flexible check in and check out times were very helpful and made us feel less pressured whereas hotels usually rush you to check out by 11am. He had a lot more amenities than we expected. When it came to essentials, we thought towels, sheets, and soap were it. He actually had more, such as a umbrellas, a lint roller, band aids, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and toothpaste. Upon arrival, we picked up our key in his designated spot. We actually had the pleasure of meeting him on our way out and he was really chill and friendly. Of all the neighborhoods in Tokyo, Meguro was one of our favorites. Our trip was in late March/early April, so we even saw all the cherry blossoms bloom in the neighborhood. His place is only two stops away from Nakameguro where there is an amazing river, which is popular for cherry blossom viewing. All in all, best trip ever!JustineApril 2016
Eddy is a very responsive host. The area had plenty of food, drink, supermarket options and was close to main parts of Tokyo. Although the walk to the station is about ten minutes there is a very beautiful park along the way and is therefore pleasant. The room size is somewhat spacious for a Tokyo apartment.TakenoriApril 2016
I really enjoyed my stay here. Elliot's apartment is very comfortable and in a quiet and charming Tokyo neighborhood that is also quite centrally located. Elliot is an easygoing and unobtrusive host, and I was happy to deal with him. Highly recommended! - DavidDavidDecember 2012
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Meguro District, Meguro
Our family had an amazing second Airbnb experience! We stayed 9 nights at Retro Tokyo apartment, all was absolutely perfect! We enjoyed every single moment there, it's a bright apartment well furnished and super cozy. It was nice to be able to call it our own for a little while! Great location with lots of shops nearby, and really close to the subway/train lines. Our host Ben and his on-site manager Marek were extremely friendly and very helpful to all our inquiries. Let me use this opportunity to wish them all best for future! Thanks again.Raphael May 2014
great room.冬林January 2017
Everything was according to expectations, location was very convenient and well connected (including by direct train connection to Narita airport). Thanks to Veronica for the friendly welcome.DanApril 2016
It was our second time in the Retro Apartment, and it was great! As soon as we entered the apartment it felt like coming "home". We recommend this apartment to everyone who's going to travel to tokyo!MarcoDecember 2014
Clean and all self sufficient, 10 minutes to Asakusa station. Flexible host and a great communicator. What more can I ask for. Bumped into a couple of neighbors and they are so nice and helpful. Everyone is friendly! The Tokyo Sytree is within a nice 20 minutes walk. The Tokyo bananas are a must to buy for your friend and families at home. One big thing i don;t see anyone mentioning about this apartment is that the train station a couple of minutes walk from the apartment whisk you directly to Narita at a significantly cheap price.SamuelFebruary 2014
I feel really lucky to have found this perfect apartment on Airbnb! It's super clean with a well stocked kitchen (had everything you would need to cook and eat with, including cooking oils, seasonings, and coffee), and had everything my little family needed (2 adults, 1 child). You get the feeling that they really thought about what someone would need in an apartment away from home. Little things: umbrellas, iron, laundry soap, and storage space to put your clothes were all available. There is a 24 hour convenience/grocery store across the street, an awesome bakery (delicious pastries and sandwiches) also across the street, the metro only a short 5 minute walk away, the tourist center 1 block away, and everything Asakusa has to offer is steps away. The washer/dryer in the apartment was also a nice bonus. Communication with Ben and the apartment manager was super timely, helpful, and easy. PERFECT!JenniferAugust 2014
Ben replied to emails immediately & was always most helpful with information regarding the apartment & Tokyo/Japan travel. We arrived early & were able to drop off our luggage before check in. Great apartment, as described & shown in the photos, very clean, with everything we needed. Loved a hot bath after a days walking the subways & sights & a comfy bed ! Loved the wardrobe space for luggage & hanging clothes. Loved the street outlook, trees & architecture. Fantastic location near the Sumida River for morning walks, near the Asukasa subway station & so many major sites to visit nearby. Handy convenience store & bakery opposite. Favourite Restaurant 4628 about 3 blocks down the street.WendyOctober 2014
Small and cute apartment, maybe big for Tokyo ;-). We had great time. The apartment had everything we needed. There is a convenience store downstairs that is open 24hrs. The location was 10 min walk from sky tree and 5 min walk from Asakusa station. Some nice restaurants downstairs, and even more next to the subway station. Ben was very attentive: we had some (minor) issues with the wifi and within hours he sent us the pocket wifi so we could work with it instead. He also picked up a package for us before we arrived, which waited for us in the apt.RavitAugust 2014
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Sumida District, Sumida
We enjoyed our stay in the apartment, which is comfortable for 2, but a little tight for more bodies. However, I think one needs to recognize that space constraint is typical of Japan. The apartment is modern with all the amenities one would need - AC, Wi-fi, hot shower, - and Yoshimi and Marek have taken great pains to leave instructions to use all the appliances. The neighbourhood has a nice mix of residential, small shops, bakeries and is within walking distance to Asakusa. MRT is within a 10minute walk and connection to Narita is convenient. Would have no hesitation staying at Oshiage again.MimiFebruary 2013
For this year's trip to Tokyo, we chose Oshiage Holiday Apartment. The place is very clean and as advertised. The survival guide provided is also very helpful. Facilities are great and adequate as advertised. The neighborhood is quiet, and is perfect for morning walks. In terms of walking distance to the nearest station ( Oshiage ), it is quite reasonable ( around 5-7 mins ). Compared to the other places I've stayed in Tokyo, this is average if not better. Another thing I really like about this place is the accessibility from Narita Airport. With proper timing of catching the Keisei Sky Access Line from Oshiage station, you can do good time making it to/from Tokyo. This is currently the best apartment in terms of airport transfer I've had in 4 years. Marek and Yoshimi are very friendly and quick to reply to our messages. We thank them for accommodating us, and definitely will consider their place whenever I travel to Tokyo. I highly recommend Oshiage Holiday apartment, most especially for those whose itineraries are around the greater Tokyo area.KikoJanuary 2017
I just came back from a week long trip with three other friends, and we loved the apartment. The size was perfect for our purposes, and Yoshimi and Marek provided more than we could have asked for. Everything about the apartment was charming and pleasant, and really enhanced our trip. Being close to the Skytree was highly convenient as well. Overall, the apartment was excellent, and Yoshimi and Marek were wonderful hosts who always responded promptly.NathanMarch 2014
We were happy staying at the apartment!It was good for a family and everything was just felt like home. Will definitely stay there again .....RenaFebruary 2013
Marek & Yashimi's place was just right for our family. We did not get to spend much time in it since we found ourselves out exploring Tokyo from morning to night during our week there. I don't think we even used the TV once but it is a nice TV. When we arrived in Tokyo, we took the limo bus from Narita to TCAT (about 2900 yen per person with discount for people aged 25 and under) and then a taxi from TCAT to the apartment (cost about 2500 yen). It would probably have been easier and cheaper to take the train but as we had a ton of luggage, we did not want to deal with stairs, crowds, long walks, etc. Unfortunately, the taxi driver could not find the apartment. But he got us close enough that we were able to find it easily on foot. We had no trouble finding the key to the apartment, based on instructions from Marek & Yashimi. Toiletries, soap, shampoo, coffee, tea & cooking supplies were kindly provided. The recycling rules did get a little confusing for us and we hope that we did it correctly. There's a washing machine in the kitchen area with detergent kindly provided. You can hang your laundry in the bathroom and turn on the air to dry the clothes. The kitchen is nice. It has a refrigerator, freezer, microwave (did not use), toaster oven (did not use), stove with a fish grill, electric kettle (used a lot!), and a coffeemaker (did not use). And yes, there are pots and pans as well as dishes and cutlery. From the apartment, it is a pretty easy walk to the Oshiage/Skytree station. However, after a long day of walking, the walk from the station back to the apartment always seemed three times as long (!!). The subway can be confusing but when we needed help, we would stop by the ticket office or window for help. One night, we were so tired we just took a taxi from the station to the apartment. Even with his GPS on, the driver got lost for a little bit. Took longer than it should, but we got to the apartment fine. On the day we left, one of us tried to get a taxi to go to the apartment to pick up the rest of the family and our bags. However, the taxi driver said he could not go down that alleyway, that he would wait up on the road by the "yellow building". Fortunately, it wasn't that far a walk. I recommend this place to anyone who wants to stay in a real Tokyo apartment at a great cost. The location itself is far enough away from the touristy places like Ginza that you can easily find more affordable restaurants or food from take-out places and supermarkets close by. Thank you, guys, for letting us stay in your lovely place. We hope to be back someday.WillApril 2013
We spent a wonderful weekend in this cosy and well prepared flat. The neighbourhood is calm, it was easy and quick to reach public transport and daily live stores. Will come back on our next stay in Toyko for sure! Anna & ConstantinAnnaSeptember 2014
What a great experience! Yoshimi and Marek's Oshiage Holiday Apartment is THE best opportunity if you want to live the real Japanese daily life. Do not be afraid of anything you might not know or have never done - they have put together very detailed information about how to use the different equipments such as aircon, bathroom, kitchen etc. There is also plenty of information regarding sightseeing, maps and places to eat. The location is approx. 10 minutes from Oshiage subway station which is very convenient to reach the airports Narita and Haneda as well as the downtown subway stations. We slept very well on the Tatami and will for sure miss it when we are back home! The neighborhood is VERY quiet, surprisingly for one of the biggest cities of the planet. We ill definitely check again should we again be in Tokyo in the future.Benjamin & JanApril 2014
Overall we had a great stay! The (SENSITIVE CONTENTS HIDDEN) map link we were sent took us to the wrong address on our phones, so we were lost for about an hour trying to find the place. Luckily Marek came and found us! The house is small, but lovely. It's about a 45 minute trip (including walking) from Shinjuku Station but most things in Tokyo are pretty spread out. It's in a very nice and quiet neighborhood. I love the traditional style mixed with modern amenities. Everything was super clean. The bathroom was awesome.KaciJuly 2014
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Sumida District, Sumida
My stay at Takuma family was wonderful. Everybody was kind and helpful. I feel like part of the family. The location is very close to two train station. Easy to go to Shabuya with the D line. The area is very quiet/safe and there a huge shopping center at futako tamagawa where you can buy very nice bento. I recommend this location.BenoitApril 2013
I was lucky, I have lived the whole month at Takuma place, separate cosy room with all the suff: air con, nice bed, coat rack, and manga bookshelf )) house is located in quiet area close to Shibya. Two station close to the house, very convinient One can stroll around river, where there is a nice look at fudzi, 7/11 shop ner house Takuma family is very very very nice, kind and friendly. The were like parents to me during my stay in tokioMaikoMay 2012
This is the first place I've stayed through using airbnb. And I have to say that this was a jackpot for me! The location is just ten minutes away from the station shopping mall and just five minutes from a convenience store. It's just thirty minutes away from the city center being on the edge of the metropolitan city, but because of that it's not as crowded after a whole day of being around groups of people all day. The family there are very nice and I had the enjoyment of conversing with them at night. In the morning they cooked breakfast for me so if you're interested in traditional home cooking this is the place to stay!KevinOctober 2015
I stayed with Takuma and his family for 4 nights. They are a very warm and welcoming family, and it was great to chat with them after a long day of visiting Tokyo. The Japanese breakfasts were generous and delicious! Would definitely stay there again. Thanks!PhilippeSeptember 2012
I had a great time staying here. Takuma and his parents were very nice and I really enjoyed talking to them during my stay. While there I had some changes to my plans, but they went above and beyond to help me out and made things very easy on me. I'd definitely recommend staying here!NathanAugust 2012
I stayed with Takuma and his family for a very short weekend trip to Tokyo, and they were very welcoming and hospitable. The location is a quiet residential area, what I think of as suburban, but is well-connected by subway, which makes trips to downtown quite easy and fast. The nearest subway station is a 10-15 minute walk away, and from there it seemed to be about 10-15 minutes by subway to Shibuya. The apartment was as described - nothing fancy, but comfortable and convenient. Most of all, Takuma and his parents were very warm and helpful in welcoming me to Tokyo and helping me be comfortable in my very brief first trip there. Takuma's mother went out of her way to make me breakfast in the mornings, and even sent me off with a bag of Japanese snacks to take home!AndrewSeptember 2012
Staying with the Okura family for my three month internship was an absolutely great experience. The hosts (Takuma and his parents) are hospitable in the truest sense of the word and are genuinely interested in your story and trip. The accommodation is a comfy Asian-sized private room in a modest apartment unit. Previous travelers to cities in Asia should not be surprised with the size or age. However, as it is a private residence/homestay, all the usual facilities are already set up and running, including laundry, microwave, refrigerator, air con, TV, , WIFI, bicycle, umbrellas, towels, and so on. Washroom/shower is more than adequate for young travelers. Breakfast and dinner is generally prepared for you if you are present, which is a huge consideration for longer stays. First floor location in front of the building's steps means an easy and quick in-and-out. The location is undoubtedly the most convenient and comfortable of all of Tokyo's AirBnB listings. It boasts a major train station within 10 minutes walking distance, which offers straight trips to/from Narita and Haneda Airport, Shibuya to the east, Yokohama to the south, and so on. A smaller local station is a 5 minute walk. Close amenities include post office with international ATM, banks, convenient stores, used goods store, professional salons, and a massive, luxurious shopping complex (with pharmacy, 100 yen store, restaurants, cell phone services, UNIQLO, etc. etc.). Most of Tokyo proper is within a 20-45 minute train ride, yet you can return to a green, suburban setting and recharge quietly. Travelers with experience in Japan/Japanese speakers or those staying for longer than usual should contact me for more details to some of the intricacies. (EMAIL HIDDEN) Conclusion: This is the place to stay!VishalAugust 2013
The Okura home is a great place to stay in Tokyo for its quiet location in Kaminoge. I found the walk from the station a bit far dragging my case but easy without it. It was a wonderful surprise to have breakfast and other meals included and the Okura's are generous hosts, happy to answer questions and provide advice for travel in the city. No problems if you don't speak Japanese. I recommend staying here for a real Japanese home life experience.Maria October 2013
Room type
Private room
Property Type
Patrick's flat was perfect for our stay in Tokyo. It's very convenient, very calm, clean... You have everything you can need in a flat and the pocket wifi was very useful for us. Patrick was very nice and gave us a lot of tips and documents about Tokyo. I will definitely recommend Patrick's flat for everybody coming in Tokyo! I hope we will come back in Tokyo soon... and stay in Patrick's flat again! PS: For those coming with the Narita express from the airport, I recommend to take directly a taxi from shibuya or shinagawa to come to Patrick flat. It's not very expensive and it's really easier with the luggage.NellySeptember 2014
Neat and tidy place with everything we needed for a four-night stay. Patrick promptly provided very useful directions from Narita Airport and to Haneda Airport upon request. The apartment is about a ten-minute walk from Meguro station. Uber cars were always available at this address, as well. The block that this apartment is on is quiet and residential, but there are nearby convenience stores, and bars and restaurants are a short walk away. Thanks, Patrick!RobertOctober 2015
I loved Patrick's place. It was very nice and just like the photo described :) The location was very convenient for me since I needed one near the Meguro station! I highly recommend his place. It's deff the great place especially during the Sakura season. The Meguro river was right nxt to his place where I went every day during the whole stay. So beautiful area! Patrick was always there when I needed his help. He provided the assistance in a very timely manner and communicate with me all the time. He also recommended me great places to try in the neighborhood. So nice of him :) I wish I could have met him in person but I'd save it for the next time!HelenaApril 2016
The apartment itself was so cosy and relatively straightforward to find. Patrick greeted us on his arrival and instantly made us feel welcome. Honestly, great apartment, great host and great airbnb experience. The place itself was so clean and you could tell instantly that Patrick has high standards. If I'm ever in Tokyo again, Patrick will be the first person I go to.JamesApril 2016
My husband and I had a great time at Patrick's place. His apartment is nicely located between Naka-Meguro and Meguro. Naka-Meguro is a hip little area with lots of restaurants, bars and shopping. The Naka-Meguro train station is about a ten minute walk away. Overall the location is a great place to base yourself for exploring Tokyo. The apartment was very clean and comfortable and accurately advertised. It's small but that's typical of most Tokyo apartments and it was totally fine for two people. The pocket wi-fi was very helpful during the course of our trip. I found the bed to be a little bit hard at first but got used to it quickly. Towards the end of our trip, it become apparent that I had accidentally selected the wrong end date for our stay at Patrick's apartment. So, what I thought was our second to last night there turned out to be our last. Patrick was very understanding about it, even with the inconvenience it caused to his cleaning lady who had arrived thinking we were gone, and after some back and forth via text, he said it would be no problem to stay the extra night as the apartment was available anyway. We simply paid for the additional night and an agreed upon cleaning fee that accounted for the troubles his cleaning lady went through and we were all good. This was a huge relief as it was late in the day and we would have had to find a place to stay at the last minute. Thank you Patrick for your understanding and all your help!emmaNovember 2015
Patrick's place was amazing! Great location away from the crowds but still close to the action. Had no problems what so ever, it was perfect. He was easy to contact and replied quickly. His boyfriend Jacob came and met us at checkout which was a friendly goodbye. He gave us lovely advice for the rest of our trip and shared some of his Mt. Fuji stories - (we were off to Mt. Fuji that day). All and all, great location, clean, everything you need apartment, terrific host, what else is there? Thank you again Patrick! Peace peace!Josh CourtneyJune 2014
This is a review of our airbnb stay at the Meguro Riverside apartment. The host was friendly, responsive and helpful, and stayed in contact with us throughout the week we stayed. The apartment is lovely, comfortable and clean, with a small outdoors balcony area which was nice to sit in and have a bite or a drink. The shower/bathroom is surprisingly spacious. The bed was well sized and comfortable and given it is a quiet neighbourhood too, we slept well. There is wifi Internet provided too. The location is not right by a station - it is a 10-15 minute walk to either the Meguro or Nakameguro metro, not far by any means - but is set in a beautiful, quiet neighbourhood close to the canal, a pleasant walk to cute shops and restaurants in Ebisu, Meguro and Daikanyama. All in all, we had a wonderful stay here and I would definitely stay here again!EricJune 2013
We stayed at Patrick's place for a full week this September to explore Tokyo. The appartement is quite spacious for a couple. The kitchen well furnished (a bit small but hey, it's Japan), and we cooked meal there quite often. The check-in / check-out process was flawless with a complete tour of the flat before getting the keys. It's well located between Meguro Sta. and Nakameguro Sta. There's plenty of life around these two stations. Also, the bus route 41 will drop you at Shibuya. Quite close, you can find Bagel Standard with fine NY style Bagels(!!). Overall a brillant stay.Marc-OlivierSeptember 2013
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
AMAZING, AWESOME, EXCELLENT... WOW! I am a host with several properties in California. I've also received the SuperHost designation by AirBNB so I have an eye for details.. What can I say, but Paul EXCEEDED my expectations from the very start and I cannot thank him enough for making our visit to Tokyo and the stay at the house as comfortable and memorable as he did! Paul's house worked out well for our family of 2 children and 2 adults. Paul's house is located in a very quiet and safe neighborhood (lots of Embassies nearby), and is near Meguro Station which is on the Yamanoto line which gives you access to lots of places without having to change lines. To get to Meguro Station, we had the choice of 5 different buses that got us there in 10 minutes. There's also a grocery store called 'Tokyu Store' which was very convenient to buy vegetables, fruits, and drinks just before we got home or went out. Paul was very responsive and checked on us a few times during the stay to make sure that we didn't have any issues. The house had everything we needed including the clothes washing machine, microwave oven, and toaster oven. I would highly recommend Paul's house to any prospective guest visiting Tokyo.Gerry and JeanneJuly 2015
Paul was an excellent host and very communicative throughout our stay. Paul had printed off a great list of directions and answers to questions re: the house and staying in Japan. When we had questions that couldn't be answered by the booklet Paul was very quick to respond via email. His home accommodated our large group comfortably and there were plenty of pillows and linens to keep everyone happy. The kitchen is very nice and easy to use. The location of the home itself is hard to beat and it was extremely convenient to be so close to the Yamanote line while in Tokyo. Again, excellent host, excellent home. Would definitely recommend!MatthewJanuary 2015
Three of my friends and I stayed at Paul's place and his place was perfect. The place was very clean and roomy. Also, he was very helpful and flexible. If I have a chance to visit Tokyo in the future, I would definitely contact Paul.JadeJune 2014
Paul's house was amazing. We were 3 friends traveling with toddlers, and the house was the perfect base for our expeditions. In fact, the house was so fully stocked with toys for kids (and adults too) that our children refused to leave! At first we were a little worried about the walk to the Meguro JR station. Yet, Paul's description was spot on - gasping at the beautiful furniture storefronts helped those 20 mins flew by. We pushed 2 strollers down the street every day. The walk was not a problem at all. Paul was extremely responsive to our ad hoc questions. He also provided ample instructions, guidelines, and even a mobile wifi device. Couldn't have asked for a better host.SharonNovember 2013
The reservation was canceled 19 days before arrival. This is an automated posting.Rei
Great location and terrific house. Perfect for a family. The neighbourhood is terrific and centrally located so you can catch the train anywhere. Paul is a very helpful and friendly host. He gets back to you almost immediately regarding enquiries, and gives great travel advice. Fully recommend.NickNovember 2013
Great host! The house was clean and comfortable in a great location. Easy walk to the train station which takes you everywhere. Highly recommend it!RhondaJanuary 2013
Although Paul was out of town when we stayed at his home, he was still a gracious host, checking in via e-mail to make sure everything was wonderful, as it was, and making himself available by phone if needed. The house is FANTASTIC - TONS of space, well appointed and really comfortable. I would say it is closer to a 20 minute walk to catch a train, and we would just leave 30 minutes and have plenty of time to stop on the way and grab a coffee, etc. The grocery story is VERY close (m back in Tokyo.ErinMay 2012
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Meguro District, Tokyo
Lovely, clean apartment, 5 mins from metro station and very convenient to get to Shinjuku & other parts of Tokyo. Noise from trains didn't disturb my sleep.AlexanderOctober 2013
We did not see Michael during this trip, but his house was ready for us. We had a private bedroom, and we could use the dinning room and kitchen as well. We had no issue whatsoever.MathieuSeptember 2014
We had a great stay with Michael. He was very helpful giving guidance on where to go and how to get there. The house was clean and we felt very welcome. The room was private as it's on the first floor of the house. The trains were constantly going by our window but it really didn't bother us. This apartment is a great location for exploring Tokyo! Thanks for the great stay!Jan & YemiNovember 2013
Our experience in Michael's house was excellent ! The house is pretty, refined and clean. The house is just next to railway (but Michael warned us so we brought earplugs) but after a walking day in the city, it was not too hard to sleep. The area is quiet and really near for market, restaurants and subway station (Harajuku 15 mn, Shibuya 20mn). Excellent value ! We'll come again :)JeromeJanuary 2014
The apartment of Michael's was in a good location very close to the subway. Although the railway tracks were outside our window that didn't bother us. We were so exhausted from the day that we didn't notice the noise. Unfortunately the biggest problem was that our room was freezing cold. It made it very hard to get up / go to sleep. Michael did not explain if there was heating nor that there was an extra blanket if we were cold. Also, the bed is also quite small for two people and we were not told how the shower works. Overall it's a great location and the room / bathroom is decent. Just wish the room was warmer.AnnabelMarch 2014
Staying at Michael's place was one of my smart choices when I traveled in Japan. The room is cozy and comfortable. It's close to Yoyoji Hachiman metro station and Yoyoji Park station, which can connect to any other metro lines. The place is Ina residential area, which could be a bit hard to find. But follow the directions Michael offered, you can locate it without problems. Moreover, Michael is a cool host!LeoDecember 2014
Michael's welcome email made checking in a smooth process. Room was set up differently and bathroom smaller than pictured, but overall amenities were all there. Train noise was not bothersome for us, even despite abnormal train scheduling during the New Years holiday. 3-5 min walk to bus/metro stations and local grocery stores.JustineJanuary 2017
We really enjoyed our stay at their place. It's clean and well located. Michael and Naoko are great hosts and have been very helpful. Thanks!Norbert & HannaAugust 2013
Room type
Private room
Property Type
Shibuya District, Shibuya
This apartment is conveniently located about 1 - 2 blocks away from the lively Takeshita-dōri and Harajuku Rail Station. The dwelling is a red walk-up on a quiet street with a cafe next door. The apartment is exceptionally clean and the tatami mats and minimalist decor make it feel very spacious. The kitchen is equipped with all of the amenities one would want while traveling, including a refrigerator and hot plate. This location is large enough for either a couple or three friends. I found the wi-fi to be very reliable and the host, Mink, to be very kind and friendly. She was always available by email or telephone to help with directions and to provide recommendations. I attribute my wonderful Tokyo experience in part, to my stay at this Harajuku apartment.HanaNovember 2011
Mink's apartment was close to everything. It was literally around the corner from the famous Takeshita Dori & Harajuku St. The apartment had all the necessities and it was very clean upon entering. The pocket wifi was amazing and it helped me use (SENSITIVE CONTENTS HIDDEN) maps to go place to place since I was travelling alone. I definitely recommend this place. Mink answers messages quickly and though I never got to meet her in person, she was incredibly nice.DesireeSeptember 2015
Great location tucked away right off Takeshita St in the center of Harajuku. Tons of people watching, shops, and places to eat. Was a perfect size from my girlfriend and I. Mink was a friendly host, and gave us some great suggestions of things to add to our itinerary for our trip. Don't miss The Tap House, which features craft beers, which from our experience seems to be a rarity in japan. It's on the corner a block towards the train station (left out the grate of the apartment). Would definitely recommend. Only minor downside was the unreliable wifi reception.BenJanuary 2012
great location in tokyo very close to JR line and subways, easy to get luggage from station and great directions were given. Mink was very helpful and accomodating. Just the living space was very small - if some of the sofa seating was removed and a small 2 person dining table and chairs added it would be more comfortable for eating.LeonNovember 2012
Jan's apartment is perfectly situated in a wonderfully quiet area right in funky and lively Harajuku. We loved following the directions and finding it tucked behind the thronging mall on our first night. My son and I really enjoyed this location, and getting back there at the end of the day. It's also extremely handy/walkable to Harajuku station. A smallish apartment, (whose bathroom size was a bit of a challenge for we tall people!) it was fine for our three night stay, the pleasant larger room became a sort of living space. Very compact and light, with plenty of storage space and bedding. Jan was very efficient to deal with, and attentive during our stay. Many thanks!EveDecember 2013
I visited this apartment with 4 friends and had a blast!! The apartment fit us snuggly and was in PRIME location of awesome shops and restaurants. I felt safe and Jan provided not only excellent directions but pictures to make sure we were on the right track. Will recommend to any that are in the area. Thank you!jessicaJune 2014
Jan's place is perfectly situated just off the main drag in Harajuku with easy access to heaps of shops, restaurants, galleries, Harajuku Station and the Meiji shrine in Yoyogi Park. It's a compact space and there is a slight damp issue but it's very clean and well set up so our five bods were comfortable. A little trouble with wifi but Jan was on to this as soon as we messaged her - her mum came straight over with a different wifi unit and had us sorted. There is major building construction right next door at time of writing. But the noise is from 8.30-5.00 pm so it didn't bother us - we were out and about - and the workers are very orderly and considerate. Jan was an excellent host, we would definitely stay again. Thank you!PaulSeptember 2016
thank you mink once again. this is my 3rd time staying here and yeah I love it. very cozy apartment, really makes you feel like your living in japan. location is second to none as its right around the corner from takeshita dori. Mink is a great host willing to help you and answers your questions asap. thank you for everything.DustinJuly 2016
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Harajuku, Shibuya-ku
Amazing place, prefect location, great host! Lily helped me out getting by, took care of everything I asked and she was very responsive before my arrival and during my stay. Highly recommended!AndrasJanuary 2012
We spent an amazing 10 days in Lily's apartment. It was exactly as advertised, plenty of space, fantastic location and gorgeously decorated. Why stay in a pokey homogenous hotel room when you could have this lovely place amongst the lane ways and alleys of Tokyo. I would recommend it to anyone! Kellie.KellieApril 2012
Lily's loft apartment was absolutely perfect. It was centrally located in a really fun neighborhood, really close to the Harajuku JR train station and the Meiji-jingu subway stop so easy access to anywhere you would want to get around Tokyo. The apartment was clean, comfortable and had funky decor. Lily was super communicative. I'd highly recommend her place as a home base when visiting Tokyo.Rohin & MichelleJune 2012
A gem in the heart of a magical city! We stayed at Lily's flat for 4 days and loved it! Lily is a wonderful host, she greeted us at the door a gave us a full itinerary of wonderful places to see nearby her place. Furthermore, she was very helpful and always available if we needed any assistance. The apartment is a cozy duplex with everything one would want in a home away from home! Plush bed, eat-in kitchen counter, big tv, wifi, nice shower room, washing machine, iron, toaster, note pads, etc. The location is also perfect, you are a 30 second walk from one of the most trendy shopping areas in Tokyo -covering both big name brands on the high street and urban boutiques on the adjacent streets. In short we would highly recommend Lily's flat!!Gyve June 2012
Lily was So So So, lovely to deal with, we had an amazing time at her apartment! Location was great- such a good spot, easy to get to and the apt was just lovely to stay in, we felt right at home! Very Clean and tidy and would be more than happy to stay there every time we come to Tokyo, Harajuku- we loved it! Thanks again Lily, you made our stay just that little more lovely and easy! Em & Connor.EmilyMay 2012
Having visited Tokyo before and stayed in a small hotel room, I can safely say that staying in Lily's apartment will be one of the best decisions you can make. Not only was it spacious (split level), homely and convenient but it felt like living in a space from an interior design magazine. This is not to mention the fact we were staying in the heart of Harajuku with a small stroll to Shibuya, the hub of Tokyo. Well worth it. It also helps that Lily was a lovely host :)AnastasiaAugust 2012
Loved our 1 week stay. Super convenient in Harajuku, very close to Shibuya. The place was cozy and clean, would definitely recommend for anyone looking to have a true Tokyo experience!CharlesAugust 2012
We had really fantastic time in Tokyo thanks to this amazing place, charming and perfectly located in the nice area of harajuku. Liezel is a perfect host, helpfull and really attentive ! Highly recommanded !LUCIE&FREDApril 2012
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Shibuya District, Shibuya
Had a great time staying with Hashim! Love the location, it's right across the street from my favorite South Indian restaurant in Tokyo and an awesome family-run ice cream shop. Hashim is awesome to talk to -- he has lived everywhere and is absurdly generous!JasonOctober 2014
Hashim is a really generous and easy going host. I had a wonderful stay at his apartment, which is only 2 min walk away from Kamiyacho station. The room was clean and spacious. Hashim was also very kind to share and provide food and drinks. I highly recommend him as a host!CandySeptember 2014
Hashim is a very nice and considerate host. He went out of his way to help us around the area. We only stayed one night at his place but we enjoyed having a nice conversation with him.ValentinMay 2014
This is my second time that I stayed at Mr.Hashim's place in less than a month! That itself should explain the level of confidence and comfort that I have with his place. Mr.Hashim is very kind and accommodative in making sure all is well throughout the stay. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality Mr.Hashim! :)LinaJune 2014
Most notably, the location is literally perfect. It is an expensive area and the residents here are quite high-class, therefore very clean and quiet. Also super close to the metro station, walkable distance to Ginza & Roppongi, and even though it's in the middle of building forest, there are many shrines, temples, parks, and some cafes or supermarkets. The host Hashim's personality is also remarkable! Always there to support you and to make your stay comfortable, helpful, sweet, gentle, and he was even willing to provide his home-cooked dinner to my partner who stayed with him. Family-like environment surely allows you to breathe deeply and relax fully in exciting Tokyo. Recommendable! パートナーが出張にて利用。駅近でカフェがたくさんあり立地も良いのでビジネス旅行にはもってこいの滞在先です。銀座や六本木など主要観光スポットにも近いのでもちろん旅行客にもおすすめ。ホストのHashimはとても家庭的かつ親切で、時には料理をふるまってくれるなど至れり尽くせりのサービスを提供してくれます。是非私もいつか泊まってみたいです。御世話になりました!EikoJune 2016
The stay was overall very lovely. We had a really good time. Hashim is really kind and thoughtful and does deserve his status of super host. He even made chai tea for us and we really appreciate it. The place is super comfy, a few seconds from the subway and located very conveniently in the central part of Tokyo.SunnyDecember 2016
As an "airbnb" first timer, I couldn't have asked for or imagined a better host. Hashim didn't only serve as a host, but he felt more like an older brother who was constantly looking out for me and making sure I made the most of my solo trip in Tokyo. Immediately before I reached his place, he made sure to give me the exact directions and met me downstairs in front of his building (he suggested meeting me in front of the metro station conveniently located a minute or two talking from his apartment but I insisted on taking a taxi).. Hashim and I had a great introductory conversation and after which I settled in to my room which was of very good size compared to Tokyo standards and which was extremely clean. My room had access to a small balcony which overlooked the beautiful Tokyo Tower and the apartment itself was located in a great neighborhood with many different restaurants, ice cream shops and the previously mentioned metro stop. Hashim also provided me with a portable wifi which was a lifesaver. Every morning, he we would make me breakfast (eggs, toast, cheese, jam, yogurt and fresh strawberries and coffee) and his amazing friend Mony (not sure of the spelling) surprised me with beautiful flowers which I kept in my room. Generally, I had my own itinerary for my trip, but for the parts of my trip which I had purposely left free, Hashim took me out to amazing restaurants and other great spots on multiple occasions (I was extremely lucky he wasn't so busy with work during my trip and so his time allowed for this).. This also included some Yakitori, fish & chips and some great "Motown" music. Hashim also took me to supermarkets and helped me buy certain things which I wanted to bring back to Saudi Arabia with me. Upon my leaving, he hailed a taxi for me and requested of the driver to drop me off at the most convenient station to get to the airport. He also messaged me when I reached the airport to make sure I made it safely. In all honestly, the list can go on and on of all the amazing things Hashim did for me during my trip but to sum it up, my stay with him far exceeded my expectations which were already high and he certainly played a large part in making my Tokyo trip the best trip I've ever had. I can with all honesty say that I've made a great new friend. Thank you so much Hashim.AliJune 2014
My girlfriend and I had a fantastic experience staying with Hashim in Tokyo. The room itself was nice and clean, and his apartment is in a great location 2 minutes from the subway. He has been in Tokyo for over two decades so knows the city front and back, and is also a very interesting guy himself. Definitely recommended!MatthewNovember 2014
Room type
Private room
Property Type
Minato District, Minato
Our stay at the Ina's apartment was really good. It's very comfortable and we we're surprised that everything you need like tea, coffee, laundry soaps, toiletries etc. are all provided . It's very clean too. Most importantly the parents of our host who lives downstairs was so kind and helpful. Otosan( father) was very kind to offer us a ride to the train station the day we left because taxis are fully booked because of the heavy rains.Okasan ( mother) was always very kind too. We will definitely go back to this apartment in our next trip to Tokyo and will recommend to ours friends too.TheresaOctober 2015
I stayed at Hide&Kei's place for almost 20 days as a "homebase" while I explored Japan. It was a fantastic place, within a 10 minute walk from the Sakuradai station. It was ridiculously clean and very large for Tokyo. It even has a balcony! (I was in Japan during the winter and so I wasn't able to enjoy it very much). I was very happy with the apartment and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again when I'm back in Japan!GilDecember 2013
In one word: our stay in this appartment was great! Perfect. Very convenient , and clean! by subway central Tokyo is close. Nerima is very nice too... Many traditional restaurant . In my opinion one of the best (and cheap) ramen restaurant in Tokyo is close sakuradai station ( close the appartment) . Between the 7 Eleven and the main road!!! Thank you very much ,Kei ( and your parents )for your hospitality.jungJanuary 2013
I really enjoyed staying in Hide and Kei's apartment. The apartment is exactly as describe. It was very clean and well-kept. The layout of the apartment is great too--not only does it have a laundry room with washer, it has a nice balcony where you could relax or dry your clothes. The neighborhood is quiet and is perfect after a day in the busy areas of Tokyo. Checking-in and checking-out were both easy and reasonable. I highly recommend you to book this apartment.KatherinJuly 2014
Excellent hosting service. I had no problems with the neighborhood. Quite area.SelcukMay 2014
We had a great time in Hide&Kei's apartment. It was cozy and very clean. It was also a very pleasant walk to both stations. Wonderful neighborhood too! They were also very easy to talk to and were very helpful. We'd definitely go back and stay at their place when we go back to Japan :-). Thank you very much Hide &Kei!!TrinaJune 2014
Nice place.The apartment is very comfortable, clean and quiet. The kitchen and laundry are full equipped. Supermarket is also available,too. I pretty enjoyed my stay and took a good rest there. Thanks!ChristineDecember 2014
A small apartment in a very quiet neighbourhood. Excellent for escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city at the end of the day. Although I never met Hide&Kei their parents let me in to the apartment when I arrived & helped me lock up when I left. The apartment is super clean and has plenty of storage for food & such. Bathroom & kitchen are small but adequate. The bed was very comfy and there was plenty of wardrobe space. Nerima is a great base for exploring Tokyo. Many thanksOlivierMarch 2016
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property Type
Nerima District, Nerima


text:
Also, someone said they didn't know Kelly but knew "Kelly's wife..." For the record, Kelly was never married-to anyone at anytime. Just a clarification. Admittedly, the relationship that produced his son was the closest thing to a traditional family unit Kelly ever had, but he was never married.
I thought it best not to respond to comments here because I contributed to the piece by being interviewed. After reading a few comments, however, I'm "stimulated" enough to say some things.
First, Corbie Hill was doing his job. Because he never met Kelly doesn't disqualify him from writing an article about his last days. Do you think every reporter writing a posthumous article on Prince ever met him? Of course not, so don't look at this like it was a "personal" thing, few writers know personally their subject matter.
Second, Who is Kent Thomas? Kent Thomas is the guy who basically saved Kelly from eventual homelessness. Kelly was kicked out of his Apt., living in a really seedy, crime ridden, dangerous part of Raleigh and Kent took Kelly out of that situation and brought him to his place, rent free. Kent was the guy who stepped up and took Kelly into his own domicile and asked for nothing in return. He tried to help Kelly help himself, and for that I'm grateful, so to answer the question. Kent is the good guy who came along and helped a good guy in need. Kent is way more than that, naturally, but that is why he's my hero in this story.
Third, I agree with Jeff Dennis, I'd liked to have seen a different angle to the story. Believe me, I gave Corbie a lot of info, from funny stuff Kelly and I got into as well as more serious, somber moments that arise from almost 30 years of friendship. Yet there isn't room in any article to use everything every interview subject says. You see, writers have editors, and Corbie could have put some funny story I told him in there, only to have his editor remove it. It isn't just up to Corbie, so cut the guy some slack on that. But yeah, it would have been nice to have read more about Kelly's rise/success than not. Kelly was an incredible songwriter, obviously a huge vocal talent, but he wasn't Jesus, so I guess whomever made the call to angle the story the way they did simply felt the way they went was the way to go, and yeah, that I would have preferred to have been different. In Corbie's defense, he was writing the facts as they were given to him, and sadly, yes, most of the stuff you don't like reading about Kelly is 100% accurate and true, and that's how Kelly would want it. He didn't sugarcoat things and he did not suffer fools gladly.
Lastly, towards the end of his life, it appears Kelly "shifted" his set of friends from his long term, "known them forever" set to a new group of people a lot of his old friends didn't know. I think he had his reasons, and I don't think I need to explain my theories, it was Kelly's business. But it caused confusion in a lot of people's minds, I think it was not unlike when an animal goes off alone into the woods to die, I think life had forced Kelly to his knees, the betrayals (you know who you are, girl, shame on you). Add to that (over the previous years) the loss of his sister, dad, then the recent loss of the woman he loved most in the world, his mom, he'd just given up. To quote Paul Westerberg, "They say a man in pain will prepare to die." Whether Kelly did it knowingly or not, I've no idea, but I think he knew what he was doing. Kelly was a smart guy, that is all I can really say.
I love my friends, and I love Kelly to this day. If you are my friend, I love you, too. But today marks 3 years since I got the call from JD and my world was shattered. Clark McQueen texted right after. It was one of the worst days of my life. Yet it makes me angry to read "this story isn't true" or "Who is this Kent Thomas?" The story is true, I wish it weren't, Kelly did (just like we all do) create some of his own problems. That doesn't make him a bad person, though. It's not a negative thing to say "The guy was human." We all are flawed, we all have faults. The bigger picture for me is a lot of folks loved Kelly, including me, and Kelly loved a lot of people. I think the sad thing here is that Kelly probably couldn't see just how many people really loved him and wanted the best for him, it was just something he couldn't see. I wish he could have seen the outpouring of love for him over the last three years. I don't think it will stop anytime soon.
I also think it's a shame that no one acknowledges Kelly's daughter, Alexa, who is a mom now (making Kelly a grandfather at the time of his death. I don't even know if he knew she'd had a baby. Maybe having such a young grandson would have given him a little more incentive to live, I just don't know). Nothing against Elijah, who has grown up to be a fine young man from all reports. I just know Alexa is out there, had a relationship with Kelly but somehow falls under everyone's radar.
My apologies to anyone I may have upset by stating my case, apologies for the length and stay close to love wherever you find it.
wow. That's amazing. I saw them a few years ago as the boyfriends and I predicted she would have an affair with him and run off with him. Won that bet!
The mid-19th-century minstrel banjo is one of the first manifestations of the meeting of these musical worlds - Africans and Europeans. Along with the fiddle, the banjo was the most popular instrument in African-American music in the United States through the 18th and into the 19th century. In the early 1800s, white musicians began to take up the banjo in imitation of southern African-American players. By the mid-1800s, white professional stage performers had popularized the banjo all across the United States and in England and had begun their own banjo traditions as they popularized new songs. Because these musicians usually performed with blackened faces, they came to be known as blackface minstrels. Interesting history.
Tickets for this concert are still available - call PineCone's box office to reserve your tickets or if you have questions: 919-664-8302. Concert info: https://pinecone.org/events/dom-flemons-ka…
I understand the desire to understand what, exactly, Moogfest means with their "protest stage", but this article starts out with a skeptical premise and basically takes lack of information as proof of said premise. It's ridiculous and the quality of research/aggressiveness of agenda here is something I'd equate to the Daily Caller or Breitbart - just on the other side. I'm newish to Durham but as far as I understand Moogfest hasn't exactly done anything to spite the city yet, and the author's definition of what constitutes protest seems to be pretty singular and myopic. Calling a bunch of non-profits that supports one's notion of progress and having them say they aren't working with Moogfest is really a reach. I mean, personally, I'd be happy if Moogfest did support those organizations, but just because they have a 'protest stage' doesn't mean they are all of a sudden obliged to do so prove this festival theme. Maybe it will all turn out to be a marketing ploy, but if that's the case it's a shame because you already wrote the piece before you had the facts.
There's also the very possibly obvious scenario that the 'Protest' stage will show artists who engage in 'protest music' and charging to see artists isn't some cynical gesture. If it's a big draw and that's how these artists make a living, well, that's how it goes.
This interview with Bob Nocek really jolted me. I was not surprised to read about the economic foibles of the theater when they occurred, but the ego and arrogance of Nocek--all I can say is wow. As a marketing and PR professional I was never awed by the theatre's marketing acumen--there were many empty seats at shows that should have sold more tickets.
The Carolina Theatre as a non-profit depends on donors and volunteers to put on its shows. Their staff is not large and as many 30 volunteers are needed to take tickets, provide customer service and usher during shows. Ultimately, the city of Durham controls the reins of the theater and pays the non-profit that runs the Carolina Theatre.
Nocek's failure to admit responsibility for the theater's fiscal meltdown also jolted me. He arrogantly says he was ""responsible" but did not do the accounting and was unaware of the situation. He was CEO of a small staff and didn't know there were financial problems? He admits in the interview he is capable of keeping his own books for his new company, but didn't have a clue about Carolina's financial condition. I find it very difficult to believe that a CEO in a company that does less than $3 million in business would not be curious enough to know how the business is doing month to month let alone every day. It wasn't hard to see which shows made money and which shows lost. It wasn't hard to figure that there appeared to be a lot of shows that lost money or didn't make enough of a profit compared to the shows that made money. I'm sure the theater knows the break-even point for each show and must have known income and expenses every month. Why didn't Nocek? He couldn't just yell down the hall and ask, "How did we do with that show?" It's not like he was running Exxon.
When an organization fails it is usually not the fault of one individual but a systemic flaw in the business. The Carolina Theatre is run by a board but the CEO has day-to-day operational control. Nocek takes great pride in the growth of the theater under his tenure, but it makes one wonder, given the size of the theater's fiscal hole, how much of that success was an illusion? He claims he increased sales from $600,000 to $2.5 million, but he left a hole of at least $1.2 million. That's not an accomplishment. His failure to take credit but not blame is egomaniacally astonishing.
I also don't understand how Nocek can walk away from a CEO position and then turn around and compete with the organization that suffered under his tenure. Didn't he have a non-compete clause in his contract? The result of the theater's financial disaster under Nocek left the city of Durham holding the bag for $1.2 million of which the city is forking over $600,000 to keep the theater afloat, a sum which the Carolina Theatre's board must match from donations.
His last answer in the interview shows Nocek's true arrogance when he talks about trying to "diversify" the audience by booking money-losing shows like Burt Bacharach and Frank Sinatra, Jr. Who were the diversified audiences he was trying to attract? Dead people?
I wish the Indy had gone deeper into its questioning of Nocek. Any curious resident of Durham must wonder what really happened at the Carolina Theatre.In the interview Nocek castigates people for blaming him. They have that right especially since their questions have not been answered. It's not very comforting to know that Durham's citizens must pay for Nocek's failure while he advertises Bob Nocek Presents across the state.
that gibson sg looks just like the one BIG BOY HENRY use to play. wish i could get to chapel hill tonight, i would like to hear it
One correction: None of the shows I've presented have been at The Carolina Theatre in Durham. They've been at The Carolina Theatre in Greensboro. I attempted to rent Durham's Carolina Theatre in 2016, and the Board of Trustees refused to allow me to rent a City-owned venue.
Great to see you doing so well, Bob!
Rusted Root has remained authentic and less worried about being cool. Their ability to stay true should be celebrated! And... They still sound great thanks to Michael Glabicki's relentless vision and his own artistic evolution.
I went to Duke in the early 90s, and worked at Brueggers Bagels on 9th St. every morning while I was in school. David was there first thing every morning, before anything else on the street was open. He never asked for anything more than a cup of water. I'd ask if he wanted a coffee or a sandwich, and he always shyly turned it down. I remember going outside on my lunch breaks, to the sound of his fiddle floating up from somewhere down the street. The city of Durham eventually chased all the homeless people out of the area. Yes, there were some aggressive panhandlers in the area, but David was never one of them. He disappeared. I always wondered where David went. About 10 years later, I had a job at NCSU, and found him again on Hillsborough St. It was clear no one was home, he usually just shuffled up and down the street carrying his violin. I saw this in my news feed this week, and sobbed. I realized all those years, he touched so many souls, and I never asked the man for his name. May you rest in peace David, and I know the music in heaven is all that much brighter for your presence.
I sincerely hope the statue happens and want there to be a link / address for donations!
A fine story but one correction: Pattie and I were not married in the 70s when we performed with David as Triangle; our wedding was in 1982 (and we're still married).
Yes I will miss him and his music. I did not know about his run for Senate, but it makes a certain amount of sense as does his disappointment. Rest in peace David, you made a difference.
INDY Week, how do I donate to the statue fund???
A beautifully written article. For several years I spent many afternoons with David when he came to Mitch's Tavern after playing on Hillsborough St. I would greet him with "Oh pain in my ass", always getting a laugh. I threw his creamers to him baseball style. Did well. I only missed once, hitting a beer tap and spraying him and one other. He laughed and laughed. We were always talking about politics and baseball. I know of no one who got so much pleasure from life. There is some fine fiddling going on somewhere and may he be in a better place and I hope there is some baseball there for him.
The word "appropriation" in this article is used in a negative sense, leading one to think that singers such as Elvis Presley were stealing music they performed. This reminded me of a youtube video playing Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" back to back with Elvis' version and stating that "Elvis stoled the song." Actually the song writers, Leiber and Stoller, made much more money from Elvis' version than they did from Big Mama's.
If anything, Elvis' versions of songs from earlier records made many more music buyers aware of artists like Big Mama -- and, for example, Arthur Crudup, Roy Brown and Junior Parker -- I bought records by all of these great artists because Elvis' recordings brought those artists to my attention. Otherwise, it's likely that I would never have heard of them.
I'm sure that it wasn't intentional, but if there's any stealing going on, it's by Indy columnist Allison Hussey who didn't think about the implications of her indicating that her "guitar teacher Max Drake" gave her "a CD-R of Thornton's 'Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings.' " Burning a CD-R actually eliminates any chance a recording artist (estate or owner) has of collecting any artist royalties from their work.
When introduced to other artists like "Memphis Minnie and other lesser-sung heroes," hopefully that wasn't via "artist royalty free" CD-R's as well.
FYI, the version of Hound Dog that Elvis recorded had different lyrics. They had been changed by Freddie Bell (and the Bellboys). Elvis asked Freddie for permission to record his version and that's what he did. Elvis learned of this version when he was in Las Vegas performing at the New Frontier in spring 1956. Freddie Bell was performing in the Sands lounge, which was across the street. It was Elvis' back up band that discovered this version and told Elvis about it. Elvis did know of Mama Thornton's version. The best example of singing both versions was his performance of the song on the Milton Berle show. I suggest listening to Freddie's version first, then check out the Berle version.
Great list, but not much local hip-hop! I'd throw out Izz the Unknown, who's been making the rounds in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham. Plus, looks like he's got recent collabos with Raleigh producer Sadvillain. https://soundcloud.com/izztheunknown