The Next Trip to Japan in 2016

I have, for the most part, finalized my plans for the 2016 2-week excursion back to Japan.  Flights and hotel are booked.  Places to see have been picked out.  And, I have begun the process of packing.  Yes, with 2 months before I depart, I have hauled out my luggage and started throwing items into it.

I found something in my luggage from the last trip from this year.  I had left a pack of Kit Kat in it!  Since I was going to a get together with friends later in the day, I brought the nearly year old candy with me to share.  I wouldn't recommend this, but I opened the packaging and sampled the contents.  The chocolate was still sealed in the foil wrapping and looked and smelled as fresh as if I had just bought it the day before.  I took a bite and could not discern any odd flavors so I consumed the rest of the packet.  Being cautious, I waited an hour to see if any ill affects would befall me.  Even a day later, I have not suffered any tummy aches or gut wrenching pains.  Must have still been good.

Anyway, I believe that I had mentioned before, that I start packing months ahead of time.  As I remember things to pack, I throw them in.  As the date draws closer, I begin the process of removing things I may not need or could do without.  Paring things down in the manner relieves of that sinking feeling that I may have forgotten something.  Sure, I could always buy whatever it is that was missing, but why spend the extra time and money on that when I could focus on my vacation.  First things are usually some of the thicker clothes that I will need for the colder days.  Later, lighter clothing and electronics will fill up by suitcase.  Lastly, toiletries and habadashery come into play.

As I look back on some of the previous trips, I wondered to myself, "When do I feel like Im on vacation in Japan?"  After so many years of travel to Japan, you might think it would be when I step off the plane and progress through the terminal to customs.  That has become routine and mundane.  I feel I have started my vacation when I step out of the hotel into the cool crisp air. breathe it all in, and head to the train station for the first sightseeing spot after a night's rest.  After landing and making it to the hotel, I am very jet lagged from the long sleepless flight and want to just sleep.  In previous years, I land at Narita around 3pm-5pm, take the 1 hour train ride into town and head up to the room.  In the last few years a number of other flights have opened up at alternative times and airports.  I have taken a flight a flight that puts me on the ground at 6am in Haneda.  I have to hit the ground running as it is too early to check in.  Lately, I have benefitted from a flight that arrives at 1030pm with a 15 minute train ride to my hotel.  I am taking this route again.

Paracord

So Ive started playing around with parachute cord, paracord.  Normally made of a nylon outter sheath with seven inner nylon strands with a tensile strength of 550 lbs.  They are used, as the name would suggest, in constructing parachutes.  People have been weaving all sorts of things from bracelets, key chains, and other crafts.  A number of different weaves have been employed in the handicraft.  

Travelogue Japan Day 8 Mother F- - -

Yesterday I tried to buy a package ticket for transport to Mother Farm, MF.  I was informed by the attendant at the JR travel center that it was only good for two people.  Thee was no single supplement.  There was nothing special about the package except for a green car reservation.  Otherwise, it was a normal JR route.  I would however,need reservations for the shuttle from the station, she called them and put my name on the list for today.  MF is in Chiba on the Boso penninsula.  The train passes Kisarazu station.  So, you could come by way of Umihotaru.  The shuttle runs one roundtrip and coincides with the arrival/departure of a specific train to/from Tokyo.     The shuttle is just outside the east exit at the far end of the lot.  Turn left when you eit the pay gate.  100 minutes on the train and 30 on the shuttle each way.

And you are at your destination, basically a farm themed amusement park.  Admission is 1500yen for adults.  The return shuttle departs at 15:30(3:30pm)

Travelogue Japan Day 7 What to do today

A funny thing about cell phones.  This is the first time I brought it along.  During the early days of this trip, I would find myself grabbing my phone when I boarded the train.  For those who dont know, I use the train departure chime as my ringtone.  On to this post.  Today is going to have the nicest weather of the whole trip.  A bit last minute but I was hoping to go to Mother Farm today.  This will have to wit until tommorrow.  Since I was here, I went to the Chocolatory at the Daimaru.  Last year, I went to the one at Seibu in Ikebukoro.  My 6am flight allowed me to go direvtly there and line up for the 10am opening.  Fortunately, no lines to queue up for.  I was in and out.  On my way to Rokurinsha, I noticed Garrett popcorn had a decent wait to it.  This would be consistent over several hours and days

I stepped into place at 1045 for the 11am lunch opening.  As the initial patrons pruchased tickets and sat down, the line progressed by the menu items they had pasted on the outer walls.  This amkes it more efficient as it give the people who want tsukemen a peek at what they can order.

Travelogue Japan Day 6 Costco/Ikea

Ive tried to visit Costcos on my travels if I can figure out how to geet there.  In Japan alone Ive already visited two.  Some a little easier than others.  However, both required quite a bit of walking from the train station.  This time around, Saitamas location gets the privelege of my visit.  They are conveiently located near Shin Misato station.  The short walk is made more pleasurable via the Lala Port shopping mall.   It doesnt need to be stated that I was indoors during the walk, another plus.

Travelogue Japan Day 5 All Day on the Toei cont

I dont know what it is about my camera but zoomed in shots like this are not coming out sharp.  Maybe its time to get a new camera.  Anyway, I got to the Arakawa line via the Asakusa, Oedo, and finally Mita subway lines.  It runs along the city streets as well as in between house and businesses in some places

Travelogue Japan Day 5 All Day on the Toei

Today should be shaping up to be a nice day

No forecast for rain so I should take the chance to go some place where clear visibility would benefit the most.  I picked up hte Toei all day economical pass(Toei only, no JR) for 700yen. Walked a bit to the Asakusa metro line station at Sengakuji.  Took it all the way to the terminus at Oshiage 

Though I dislike the subway for sightseeing. it ogt me there in a straight shot.

Travelogue Japan Day 4 Back To Tokyo

Breakfast is a little more varied in Shin Yokohama.  Three types of fried rice though I only tried two.  Acoouple fo salads including this sweet vinegared noodle salad.  Green beans and konyaku.  Human made, Im assuming, miso soup and mcahine dispensed cream soups.  Selfserve coffee dispenser offering a variety of coffee drinks and milk tea.  I wonder if the cream soup and coffee were available all day as the machines were still set up after the breakfast period and as I left around 10am

Travelogue Japan Day 3 Chinese New Year's Celebrations

Circumstances promoted my being in Yokohama during the Lunar New Year celebration.  Since I was in attendance I may as well stick around for the parade on this nice Saturday afternoon.  I was surprised by the size of the crowd.  Never had it been this big on a previous trip

Travelogue Japan Day 3 Minato Mirai(MM)

The Minato Mirai area is somewhat bordered by Yokohama station to the north and Sakuragicho to the south.

Travelogue Japan Day 3 Raumen

Can you believe that I went a full three days before tucking in to a bowl of ramen?  I know, right?  Since I was in Yokohama, th Shin Yokohama Raumen Museum was a good place to satisfy this dilemma.  Third visit in total.  When looking around the first floor level, its much les museum than in previous years.  A lrage portion of it has been dedicated to a slot car racing track and the sales of toys.  The gift shop has expanded as well.  Possibly due to the Cup Ramen Museum, there is no existene of this exhibit whatsoever.  There used to be a mug of instant ramen with a mug of Schwarzenegger.  Yeah that Schwarzenegger 

Travelogue Japan Day 2 Yokohama

I check in and drop off my bag.  I was giifted with a shiso lemon liqeur.  First time the chain has ever given me alcohol.  Located near Bashamichi station, itis an easy walk to a number of places like the Red Brick Warehouses.  Minato Mirai, Chinatown and Motomachi were within my walking abilities.  Cosmo World and the Cup Ramen Museum is a short detour from my intended route

Travelogue Japan Day 2 Umihotaru

The weather will be finnicky over the next few days,  Luckily today starts off very well.  I am heading south down to Kawasaki to visit Umihotaru.  As everyone will tell you, it literally translates to Sea firefly.  It is a rest stop along the Aqua Bay line which spans Tokyo Bay from Kawasaki to Kisarazu 

It cuts down on the travel time as compared to following the banks of the bay.  However the toll is quite high and may not be worth the time savings.  Its pretty easy to get to.  Alight at Kawasaki and make your way to the east exit

Travelogue Japan Day 1 Bus Tour to Shizuoka Part 2

A glimpse at Suruga Bay.  This will be very short.  A short cruise indeed at 20 minutes

After disembarking from the bus, we had to go through the gift shop in order to cross the street.  The tickets were previously procured.  Like we couldnt cross ourselves to the awaiting vessel

Travelogue Japan Day 1 Bus Tour to Shizuoka

Early start to the first day after arriving around midnight to my hotel.  I woke up before my 7am alarm and headed downstairs after it went off.  Breakfast in the lobby.  The usual affair for this establishment.  I was glad to see the eggs less runny.  Makes it easier to pick up with the chopsticks.  Gray and the forcast for rain bore fruit shortly here after

My memory failed me at this moment but i remembered later that I had tried McD's breakfast sausage.  Having it right after the hotel breakfast made it clear that the two sausages that I had just had were very similar.  It was othing like a hot dog weinerone might expect to see back home

Ive gotten used to the weather being like this when I travel at this time of year

A rant against my airline

Its that time of year where I plan my vacation and book flights online on my chosen airline, who shall remain nameless.  Unless, I drop a few subtle and non-subtle hints here and there.  Unlike my Noted Itinerary That was Explored During the previous year, I wanted to fly to several locations within Asia.  I began my search by looking to see what the fares would be on some combination of San Francisco, Bangkok, and Tokyo.  Some time later, I settled on the schedule and decided on the price point I wanted to pay for this excursion.  The final route would have been from SFO to HKG(layover) to BKK to TYO to SFO.  Ready to pull the trigger, I went through the process of providing all the information they required.  All went fine Up until they Needed payment Information To Exit this Dealing with a booking.  I received an error and it stated to try again later.  I tried again later with the same results.  Unfortunately, this Nightmare Incurred The same Excrement over the next few Days.  Thinking something was wrong with my info, I tried several forms of payments with the same results.  Finally, I tried to book a simple roundtrip late one evening.  That worked fine.  Resolute, I decided to give them a call the next evening to book it.  Sure enough, the fair rose $600 and was out of my budget.

Undaunted, the Nitty-gritty of the Itinerary was pared To an Easier single Destination.  The plan was to try the flight that leaves SFO at 1800 and arrive in Haneda, HND, at 2230 with the return leg also leaving HND.  My inability to sleep on flights has me trying different departure times to see which would suit my aging body better.  Fares were not to my liking but an alternative acceptable fare had me routed through LAX,  SFO to LAX to HND then HND to LAX to SFO.   The flight from LAX would depart around midnight and arrive shortly before 0600.  I had taken this option once before and it was physically taxing as I still could not sleep on the flight and I had to try and stay awake for another 9 hours before I check in.  This was $200 cheaper than my chosen route and times.  Out of curiosity, I looked to see what they charged for roundtrip from LAX to HND.  Now, what really surprised me, aside from the airfare being $400 cheaper, they wanted to route me through SFO on the flight that I orginally wanted!!!!!!!!!!  How Unbelievably Nonsensical I Thought this Experience had Dealt me.  All in all, it would be cheaper by more than $200 for me to book this flight and add a roundtrip ticket from SFO to LAX on a lowcost airline that afforded no fees on checked baggage.  The only added expense at this point would be the extra time needed to fly up and down the California coast.

To reiterate:
SFO to HKG(layover) to BKK to TYO to SFO.  Could not book online although the option was given and did not because the fares had risen during the frustation over trying to book online

SFO to HND departing at 1800 would cost a little over $1400
SFO to LAX then a midnight flight to HND around $1200

LAX to SFO.  SFO to HND on the 1800 flight I wanted.  Then HND to LAX.  around $100
Roundtrip SFO to LAX on lowcost carrier an additional $130 to be tacked on to previous itinerary.  Still cheaper than original route and alternative route but takes as long as alternative route

Thanks for nothing UNITED.  I plan to use my miles for one last free trip next year and jump ship to a different airline.