1. Registration/Accommodations
2. Travel
3. Training
4. General Questions

1. Registration

• Is the Taikai only for women?
  Yes, this is the one and only event taught by women instructors for all Bujinkan women worldwide. You read more about its purpose on the Home page under Purpose.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• How do I register and reserve my space?
  On the Homepage, under Event Info, you will find the Registration page. You can first check out the Schedule and see exactly what is taking place and when. This way you can decide which days to arrive and leave. By checking out the Fees and Costs you will see the various packages that will fit your schedule.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• Are accommodations, food and training included in the registration cost?
  Yes, the Package you choose for registration includes accommodations, 3 meals a day, up to the time you leave, all evening festivities and the training.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• Can I pay with a credit card?
  Yes, you have the option within Paypal to either pay by your Paypal account, or if you don’t have one, you can pay using a credit card within Paypal.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• Do I have to pay in Euros?
  The fees are in euros, and when you make your payment, it will be converted into your country’s currency.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• How do I make a bank transfer instead of using Paypal?
  Once you register and check the box for bank transfer, that information will be emailed to you. If you forget or do not make the transfer, you are not considered registered and there no space or accommodation held for you. If we do not receive it within 2 weeks of receiving your registration notice, we will send you a reminder.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• What if I register and I have to cancel?
  Here is the cancellation policy...
  

  Cancellation Policy Cancellation before June 10, 2010 - If entire Taikai fee has been paid, total fee - except for the deposit (50 EUR) will be refunded. Cancellation after June 10, 2010 - 50% of total amount of Taikai fee will be refunded (50% retained by event) Cancellation after July 15, 2010 - 25% of total amount of Taikai fee will be refunded (75% retained by event) After August 31 no refunding possible.

  [back to top]
  
  
  

• If I make a deposit, when is the balance due?
  To insure you have a space reserved for you, your entire fee must be paid by May 31st, 2010. We will continue to take registrations after that date, but there is no guarantee that accommodations and meals will be available. We highly recommend registrations be sent in before May 31st, 2010.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• I have a friend coming with me, can we room together?
  Yes, on the registration form there is space to list a roommate. Just make sure that both of you list each other and that your roommate sends in her registration form.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• I would like to bring my family and make an extended vacation. Can they stay with me while I train?
  You will need to email us directly and give us specific information. We will do our best to accommodate families together in the Youth Hostel. There are separate fees for those staying but not training.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• Where and how do I check in when I arrive?
  Please come to the Akademie des Sports for check-in. We will have an area for Taikai check in, and if you are assigned accommodations there, you will also check in at that time for your room. If your accommodations are at the Youth Hostel, you will need to check in there for your room and key after coming to the Akademie first.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• What do I need to check in for the Taikai?
  - Please bring the printed confirmation you received when you registered
  - Completed Release Form
  - You may also bring a copy of any correspondence you have received from us, in case there are any questions
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• Can I request where I would like to stay?
  The Akademie des Sports accommodations will be filled first, and whatever registrations come in after that will be assigned to the Youth Hostel, only a 3-minute walk away.
  [back to top]
  
  
  

2. Travel

• What airport do I fly into? What train station should I arrive to?
  You can book your flight to arrive directly into Hannover, Germany. If you are traveling by train, you can arrive directly to the Hannover Hauptbahnhof, the main train station. If you are driving you can check www.map24.de for directions or of course, your navigation system.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• How do I get to the training location?
  The "Akademie des Sports" is located in a very green, sports and recreation area of Hannover, quite near the city centre. It is easy to reach by public transportation (from Hannover mainstation take underground line 3 or 7, direction "Wettbergen", and get out at "Stadionbrücke"; from there it is a straight 5 min. walk). You may decide to take a taxi from the main train station to the Akademie if you have a lot of luggage.
  Please check on the website under Event Info, Location, you will find more information as well as photos of the location.
  [back to top]
  
  
  

3. Training and Evening Program

• What should I bring?
  Bring what you normally bring for a seminar or training. Bring some training weapons, soft or padded preferred. We are training in a large hall; outdoor tabi or soft shoes are fine to wear. There will be limited tatami. Please do not bring any metal weapons.

  The weather should be mild, but check the forecast before packing, making sure to bring proper clothes for outdoors. Evening wear is casual and comfortable.
  [back to top]
  
  
  

• I have only been training a few months, maybe this is too much for me?
  The Taikai is open to all ranks and all women; all experience levels are encouraged to attend. We hope to have a lot of diversity so those more experienced can share with those less, and those training in Japan can share some experiences with being around Soke and the other Shihan. Everyone has valuable things to share, not only skills, but experience and by contributing can enrich all of us attending.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• The evening program, when will we find out more about that, what should we expect?
  On the registration form you will see a space to volunteer on Friday and Saturday evening, to have a 45-minute workshop of your own for others to attend if you wish. There will be a few each night, and can range from Yoga, Pilates, some form of bodywork, or anything you would like to offer. In addition on Saturday evening, we will have a Marketplace, where tables are setup and you can display items for sale, such as jewelry or photographs, anything that you make/do outside of Bujinkan. You don’t only have to have items for sale, you may bring anything you would like to exhibit also. In addition a time is set aside for women to demonstrate a talent (singing, playing an instrument) or have a Bujinkan demonstration.

  Once you are registered, and we have the logistics finished for those evenings, you will be notified. In the registration process you will have the opportunity to fill in what you would like to demonstrate, of if you would like a table for the marketplace. If you do not know at the time of registration, you may email us later and let us know.
  [back to top]
  
  
  

4. General Questions

• I would like to come earlier/stay later, do you have suggestions for things to do, sights to see, or places to stay?
  You can download this PDF of all the sites and fun things to do while in Hannover. (see Sightseeing page)
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• What can my family do while I am training? Can they watch?
  Please check the list of sightseeing activities, as well as restaurants etc listed on the PDF.
  Due to the novelty of the event and to be fair to those who paid for training, it is not possible to have friends and family watching. They can certainly meet you for meals and after to join in the evening activities, if they are rooming with you.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• Can I take pictures or videos at the Taikai?
  We have a professional photographer who will be roaming about taking many great pictures. They will be posted online on the site after the Taikai. Private photos are fine to take in your free time, but not of the training. We also have a professional video team who will be filming. There will be a DVD available a couple months after the Taikai. We will be taking pre-orders for this DVD and encourage everyone to sign up on the Pre-Order list. When you pre-order, you will receive a discount. Personal video recordings are fine only during your free time and evening events, but not of the training. You must also check that those who are in the videos or pictures if they are comfortable with being filmed. No one wants to find oneself on the internet somewhere without permission.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• Are there banks nearby so I can exchange foreign currency?
  If it is possible to bring local currency (euro) with you when you check in and for the event, that would be the easiest. There are banks and cash machines in the city center, not far away. More specific locations are being looked into.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• How do I make a telephone call from public phones while there?
  The Akademie des Sports has telephones in the room and you can make international calls from them, but you will be charged on check out for the calls. They are billed at normal international rates and can ask the desk for help or more information.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• I don’t speak German, will that be a problem?
  No, mostly everyone in both the Youth Hostel and the Akademie speak English. Many instructors will teach in English and a few will teach in their native language. We will have translators in those cases. For those who don’t speak German, or English (as an international language) we plan to have some translators as well. We will do our best to accommodate as many languages as possible and hopefully have those who speak multiple languages volunteer to help.
  [back to top]
  
  
  
• How can get I more information or contact someone directly?
  Email: info[at]bujinkankunoichi[dot]com
  Website: www.Bujinkankunoichi.com
  [back to top]