Heya, JapanEra.
In March, I'll be moving to Tokyo (Hakusan District, Bunkyō) for 6 months. I've spent most of my free time researching, but I have two questions that I can't find great answers for.
I primarily commute by bike. Would it be worth it to buy a quality used bike when I get to Tokyo and sell it later (... or disassemble It and bring it home with me)? Is it a huge hassle to pay for my bike to be shipped/checked on the plane both ways?
I am a very short and petite girl, and finding a quality hybrid bike that fits me was a challenge. I have read that registering a foreign bike can be a pain, but the bike I own is the perfect bike for my needs in Tokyo (Trek Verve 2). If anyone has experience with bikes, or knows of a great local bike shop, I'd love to hear about it.
...how bad are the slopes around Hakusan? :D I'm not out of shape by any means, but I don't bike a lot of hills where I am now. Should I start?
How would you find your way around Tokyo's local music scene? Particularly for genres like post-rock, shoegaze, etc... Tokyo Gig Guide seems promising, but the forums are just about dead. I imagine going to a couple of shows at popular venues will help me find my way into smaller ones, much like it is in other cities; but are there any recommended resources?
Finally, if anyone wants to throw out anything (seriously) about the area right around Bunkyō/Toyo University, that'd be great. I plan on going to some Giants games, at least.