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.