I had a real arnis class with a real Guro. It blow my mind. I've been doing sticks for a short time and have trained with different teachers but it wasn't until recently that I found a good teacher and now see why so many flock to learn. If you ever get a chance, try arnis.
Just got my first set of tekko at a seminar on Maezato no tekko. Anyone else study this kata? It's a long one, but very powerful. OSU! PS: They look like these. http://www.msisshinryu.com/weapons/images/tekko.gif
You'll love kyokushin. It's a different style for sure, but many things are similar. In my dojo we are influanced by full contact karate but stick to our shotokan syllabus. I say go for it, even if they make you wear white, it won't be for long.
I've found Shotokan to be more aggressive then goju and shorin. I believe it has something to do with the time period (WW II) in which it's roots are found.
I have to agree, shotokan has the greatest amount of students but that means it also has the greatest amount of McDojo's. In Canada and the U. S. American Kenpo has a large following...
I teach shotokan and we spar full contact (or about as close as you can get). We have boxing gloves and make use of them often. If your not wearing boxing gloves, you can't hit to the head with your heads. Kyokushin rules for those without gloves. It changes the way you use your shotokan basic's for sure.