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.