By the time this post is published, it probably will be only two weeks out, given how I have been dragging my arse when writing lately. Japan is one of the countries I have been yearning to see. The food, the culture, it all fascinates me. We have been to the Mediterranean so many times that I pretty much know what to expect in each region. Japan on the other looks different and crazier than anywhere I have ever been. So how am I preparing for my trip? Japan is one month out; I still have some questions to answer. Although, as usual I am sure I am overthinking it a bit…
We already have our (somewhat aggressive) itinerary in terms of locations. We fly into Tokyo, take a train to Kyoto, an overnight trip to Osaka, back to Kyoto, back to Tokyo. Seems hectic, I am pretty tired just writing down the logistics.. (firt world problems..). At least the hotels are somewhat set, the Citadines Shinjuku in Tokyo and the Villa Sanjo Muromachi in Kyoto, Osaka will be the wild card. The two hotels seem to be in the center of the action, and were reviewed well, but I will let you know.
Getting to The Hotel from the Airport
There is no just jumping in a cab or calling a car service when leaving from the Narita Airport. Well there is, if you want to pay about $300 to get to your hotel. From my best understanding there is a Limousine Bus (another name for a bus) a cheaper train, Keisei train, or the Narita Express for about $30 for a regular trip and $45 for a first-class seat.
Most likely we will be opting for the first-class ticket on the Narita Express. After flying for 17 hours comfort and convenience are the main priorities. We still will need to take a cab from the train station. If you are coming for the first time like us, I think you should do your research and know how you are getting to Tokyo. Travelling for close to 20 hours doesn’t set you up well to figure out a foreign train schedule on the fly.
Health Prep
As usual I need to ensure my health and vanity don’t suffer too much. I don’t care if I get sick when I am working, but who wants to be sick on vacation. Plus, after a rough Christmas season – March, my body can’t take a trip to Japan without some prep. I could just resign to the fact that I will never see my feet again, but I chose to take some steps for my health instead.
- Immune Health: I studied the internet (the most reliable source of information) to find what steps I can take to build my immune system. After reading many websites (its not like anyone can start a website) I found a rock-solid plan. It turns out Probiotics, Elderberry and Echinacea all boost your immune system. Combine that with a nightly green tea and I can take a nap in Chernobyl and be unscathed. Of course not a week after taking these steps I came down with a cold that is still with me as I write this (I now believe to be some kind of flu after 3 days of 101 temperature). So much for Treehuggersherbalmedicines.com.
- Weight Loss: I did take off most (but not all) of those Christmas cookies I shoveled into my mouth. A combination of a Keto diet, with just not eating helped me shave off around 25LBS. This along with a pretty steady exercise regime of HIT workouts will let me break even when I gain 25LBS or so from countless bowls of Ramen.
- Dentist/Doctors Appointment: I have this strange fear of having a toothache before I travel, so I usually set up a dentist appointment right before I leave. Hopefully if I have a hole in my tooth, he can fix it so it doesn’t slow me down.
- Immunization: There are no needed shots to go to Japan, at least not Tokyo. There are some recommended ones, but you probably have these anyway. Measles, mumps, rabies, nothing mandatory…but neither is washing your hands after going to the bathroom. Somethings are just a good idea. I always make sure I have a flu shot, for obvious reasons (all the good that did), all the other major ones are up to date.
Money/Incidentals
You always have to remember the hidden costs in travel. I have a dog, I can’t just throw some food and water in the closet, put a diaper on him and leave him for a week (not again anyway). So a sitter is all set up. Other things to consider:
- Cost of a Sim Card or Verizon plan Upgrade: I will use Verizon, for $10 they treat your phone like it’s your home phone. I am still curious as to why in 2019 we don’t have worldwide coverage…
- Money Exchange: I always go to the bank for my initial money exchange. This offers the best rate of exchange when compared to the airport. You could also use your ATM in the airport, but I am assuming that ATM has a terrible exchange rate as well. Others are usually fine, but check your statement carefully.
- Contact my Credit/Debit Card for a Travel Notification: Although I heard you don’t need to do this anymore with Bank of America, you should double check. In addition, I have a number of Chase cards I use as well as a backup ATM. I come prepared, as Yakatori costs cash (or YEN)!
- Budget: Besides the cost of the hotel and plane ride there are a lot of factors to consider. Tokyo is not Split Croatia; I can’t walk the entire city in 30 minutes. I need to factor in Taxi costs, possible subway costs, in addition to the travel between Kyoto and Tokyo and Osaka. As for incidentals, food drink, sites etc… I have about $400/day set aside for the two of us. Ramen costs about $10 a bowl, so after ramen I should have about $100/day left.
- Learn About the Cultures: How to pour a drink, tipping Etc.. Also it never hurts to learn some words, enough to get by anyway.
What I plan on Seeing
My wife spoke some truth to me when she said, we won’t be able to do everything. 11 days in Japan is way too little, between Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka I feel we are barely going to scratch the surface.
It’s times like these where it is important to prioritize. I have some must-see places, along with a bunch of like-to see. I also have been looking for onsens near every major neighborhood. This way we can sit in a warm bath for a couple of hours while we think about our next move.
My Must-See Things in Tokyo:
1. Sensō-ji: An ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo
2. Imperial Palace: Where the emperor resides, I think you can only see the grounds, but that is ok.
3. Tsukiji Market: Giant fish market that opens up in the wee hours of the morning where I can stuff my face with Sushi.
These are just a few point of interest in Tokyo, along with a boatload of exhibits, previously mentioned onsens, and museums. Given my hotel is in Shinjuku I am hoping to see everything in that area.
My Must-See things in Kyoto:
1 .Iwatayama Monkey Park: It is basically a park with a bunch of monkeys running around, so it is clearly the most important stop.
2. Nishiki Market: Playing with monkeys makes one hungry…so a food market seems like the natural choice?
3. Kinkaku-ji: Kyoto is the land of 1000 temples; I should probably see the best one when I am here.
4 . Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: The pictures just look cool, besides It Is Right Next to Monkey Park!
That’s not everything I want to see/do, just the must-dos. There are more onsens in Kyoto to soak in, other temples to see, little alleys to explore and at least one castle I know of. I can’t do everything, but I usually walk myself to death trying…
What I am Planning on Eating
Ahhh it always comes back to food with me, so why should Tokyo be any different? What am I planning on eating when in Tokyo? Anything that isn’t nailed down. I will start with the usual, Sashimi, Ramen, Pig Testicle, Horse “parts”, Sushi and green tea. Then explore more unique Japanese food. I am willing to bet I won’t be in a place were a guy cooks on the table and does tricks with the salt shaker.
My first stop is Takamarusengyoten, because the longer the name the better the food (see Kod sfinge vaneuropske zviri). This seafood place looks about as fancy as a back alley tattoo parlor …and I love it. Seafood is just better overseas, near the water.
After this I am following Phil Rosenburg, in his first show I’ll have What Phil’s Having, when he visits Tokyo. Phil stops at places all over the city. I probably won’t hit everything he did, but it’s worth a try. He hasn’t let me down, yet…
Conclusion
That’s my plan and I am sticking to it. I should study the train schedules again, as well as map out all the areas I am going to visit. Tokyo is huge, I need a general idea as to what to do in each area.
I have my budget set, my health taken care of and I loosely know what I am doing and where. The only thing to do now is wait, which is the hardest part. If you read this, tell me what I am missing. I’m looking forward to the write up after my return.
