For 2021, I have an optimistic view that I will be going back to Japan. A plan that was stifled at many points along 2020. Because of my pessimism, I have some back up plans.
Plan A, Japan during the Olympics. Am I crazy to go to Tokyo during the Olympics? Yes, but I will not be staying in Tokyo during the last week of the Olympics. I plan to fly into Tokyo, stay for the night, then make my way to Aomori/Hirosaki the next day. During the first week of August, the neighboring cities have their Nebuta/Neputa festivals. If I can plan it correctly, I can attend both festivals and possibly browse the apple orchards. The area is well known for its apple production. By the time I head back to Tokyo, the clamor for the games will have died down and everything has back to normal. One of the things on my list is to visit the Gundam Factory in Yokohama. There is a more animated life sized RX78 Gundam statue that debuted very recently. I have been to a majority of the locations where Gundam was erected. While still in construction, the original RX78 statue at a park in Odaiba. The fully built statue repositioned to Diver City Mall. And Unicorn Gundam which replaced the RX78. Other agenda items to be formulated
Plan B, Tokyo in Christmas/New Years. With the holidays falling the way they are in 2021, a week plus a few days will equal 2 weeks off. I plan on flying out on Christmas Day hoping flights and airports to be light. This will be my first time to observe the "illuminations" that happen throughout Tokyo at this time of year. Lights are strewn around everywhere giving the city a festive feel. A big deal is made of welcoming in the new year with midnight pilgrimages to temple/shrines. A few days in Hawaii on the way back to help transition back to my time zone will round out the trip.
Plan C, may not need it but will have one in case A and B fall through.
Nothing is written in stone and the situation is still fluid to the point all plans will go out the window. Posts this year have been few and far between as travel has been halted. Like everyone else, Im eagerly awaiting the start of 2021
