Stefan's Japanese Adventure - With TPR!

[VGplay]

So a bit more than a month ago I arrived home from TPR's Japan Trip. The pre-trip packet promised an "adventure tour" and what an adventure it was, truly an amazing time. So first off, thank you Robb and Elissa for organizing everything and being such great hosts! And of course thank you everyone who was on the trip for being awesome!

 

I will warn you that this TR may be a bit more text-heavy than you're used to seeing. Not only will this be my way of sharing my perspective of the trip, but it'll also be what I can look back on and remember the trip with. So if that warning doesn't scare you away, let's get started!

 

June 14th and 15th - Arrival

 

I've wanted to visit Japan for years now and when TPR announced a trip for 2011 I just knew I had to make it happen. From when I put in my deposit, to when I bought my non-refundable plane tickets, it really was a dream come true for the day to finally arrive. My first day started on the 14th and ended on the 15th. The concept of being 13 hours ahead took a little to get used to, and Cleveland Hopkins' world clocks weren't much of a help.

 

Time does not exist in Tokyo.

My flight to New York was about to be the emptiest I would've ever been on, with literally only five people on the plane. However American's morning flight to Dallas was canceled and my flight quickly filled up with re-routed individuals. Saw the New York skyline for the first time while landing, providing the only excitement of the short flight (not that you necessarily want excitement while flying...). My routing required me to land at Laguardia and transfer to JFK, and during this transfer I learned a lesson: "Don't take a ride from a taxi driver who comes to you". I looked online ahead of time and a yellow cab would've cost me about $30. The very friendly guy who caught me at baggage claim and ended up being a limousine driver, $65. I was extremely lucky to have exactly $65 in my wallet, because other than that all I had was a whole lot of yen. He was clearly disappointed/upset about the lack-of tip, but I was leaving the country and had other things to worry about and quickly walked away.

 

Which leads me to my first Japanese service experience. I booked my flights in February on American. They had just started a new route from JFK to Tokyo's second airport, Haneda (I guess Narita should be considered Tokyo's second, Haneda has been around longer and serves more people). And to get people to fly it they had tickets for pretty cheap. Being the budget-minded individual I am (hah!) I took the offer. However their loads were absolutely pathetic, and it was announced that they would suspend the flight after Golden Week in May. After a call to American I was rerouted onto a code share with Japan Airlines into NRT.

 

That's what I thought, at least. I walk up to the JAL counter and tell them my name and give them my passport. They're a little confused and ask if something is wrong. I tell them, "Oh no, I'm just flying to Tokyo". I'm told that my reservation was only CLE-LGA on an American code share. Huh? I pull out my American itinerary that shows JFK-NRT on JAL. The lady calls over a supervisor and she looks at the paper. She takes my passport and goes around the corner. After a few minutes of small talk with the woman at the counter ("Roller coasters?") the supervisor returns and apologizes that there are no aisle seats left and asks if a window would be alright, not a problem. It is at this point that she just issues me a new ticket, unrelated to AA. No argument, no telling me to call American, just a "Hmm..this isn't right..." and a solution. I'm returned my passport with a boarding pass and given an apology with a bow (You do realize it wasn't your fault?).

 

Terminal 1 at JFK doesn't exactly have the most efficient layout. It is a fairly modern terminal with plenty of seating, but there is one problem. The food court is outside security. So after finding my gate and realizing how hungry I am, I must return landside to find anywhere to eat. All there was airside there was a sandwich shop that I probably should've ate at, considering it was McDonald's I ended up having for lunch. Oh well, security wasn't too bad so I'll get through again and wait for my flight. Huh? Why's the line so long and not moving? That's right, they had the entire T1 traffic routed through ONE metal detector because apparently it takes 25 TSA agents to scan the food that's to stock the shops inside. Ugh. After an excruciating wait I return to the gate to see my plane pulling up.

 

Anyone up for sitting in the same seat for 14 hours? What if I told you that you'd be in Japan once you got up?

My flight was very pleasant. My seat was comfortable and it was just me at the window and a cute girl at the aisle. No one was in the middle seat. Shortly after getting in the air lunch was served. You had the choice of fish or chicken, with an illustrated card to point at in case the flight attendant couldn't understand you (though I should note that all the FAs I talked with spoke fine English). I wasn't feeling too adventurous yet and opted for the chicken. It was very good, with rice and a salad. At this point it was about 3am Japan Time so I took a melatonin and fell asleep.

 

Seven hours (!) later I started to wake up. Pulled out the laptop and then proceeded to watch Psych for a few hours. Just as my battery was about dead they served the second meal, a pretty good pasta. After whatever meal you want to call it the flight tracker said less than two hours, almost there! Those final hours went by quickly listening to music. We started the descent and I got my first glimpse of Japan. What is my initial impression? Green, tons of golf courses, and high-tension power lines. The country certainly is lush and they do have power lines going everywhere, but I don't recall seeing nearly as many golf courses as I did around Narita.

 

Immigration went quickly and smoothly. My bag was waiting for me at baggage claim and customs basically waved me through. We're off to a good start! I had a hotel booked in Shinjuku and now I had to make my way there. To the Narita Express!

 

My train experience before this trip was very limited. The DC Metro and Boston T with my family was about it. Luckily the ticket machine was very easy to figure out. "English", "to Shinjuku", "Window Seat", 3,000円 (that's yen and how I'll be typing it), Done. I'm printed a ticket and make my way down to the platform and wait. One train comes and goes then finally it's mine. I didn't realize the N'EX had baggage shelves so that was a nice surprise. Find my seat and we're off. "Wow it's smooth!" was my first thought. Well, after, "Wow I'm actually in Japan! Am I really? YES!". It was about an hour to Shinjuku so I got to enjoy a nice sunset as the train entered the sprawl of Tokyo and had buildings rising around us. I once read Elissa say that the N'EX was a great intro to Japan, and I have to agree. We pass Shinagawa and I think, "Ooo, I'm going to be staying there".

 

Shinjuku Station comes and I grab my bag as I step off. Ok now...where do I go? I was staying that the Shinjuku Prince Hotel and knew that it was north of the station, so why did "New South Exit" sound right to me? The world may never know. I follow the signs and as logic would indicate, end up on the complete opposite side of the station that I needed. Here I am, an obvious tourist in the middle of one of Tokyo's busiest wards at night, wandering random streets and alleys in the general direction I need. It actually was an awesome culture shock introduction. Eventually I caught a glimpse of my hotel and navigated my way to it. While checking in the guy picks up the phone and says to the other side "Stefan-san is here". After I giggle to myself, "Haha, he called me Stefan-san!" a guy comes up and hands me (with both hands, something I obviously had not picked up on by this point) the pocket wifi I had shipped to the hotel. I'm given my key and go up to my room.

 

It's small, I knew that. A single bed longways to the right, a desk and TV to the left, and a walkway down the middle. Recently updated and actually very nice. Enough for me. I don't have the most exciting view, I can kinda see an intersection that would probably be more lit-up if it weren't for power savings. Oh well, I'M FINALLY IN JAPAN!

 

Not the most breathtaking view of Tokyo, but enough lights to make it interesting.

Next: Bonus Disneyland Day

Edited August 19, 2011 by VGplay

[VGplay]

Before I continue, would you object if I kept at it like this? Future updates will have a similar amount of text but with more pictures. I actually really enjoy writing this narrative style, but if no one's going to read it I can slim it down to be more photo-oriented.

[vuurvogel]

It is a nice read, just keep going like this. In my opinion, never question your own style. Diversity makes this planet a cool place to be and explore.

[larrygator]

Before I continue, would you object if I kept at it like this? Future updates will have a similar amount of text but with more pictures. I actually really enjoy writing this narrative style, but if no one's going to read it I can slim it down to be more photo-oriented.

 

words = story telling = good

[SharkTums]

Totally fine and interesting, keep it up!

[Nrthwnd]

Write Stefan, Write!

 

 

It's all great. Thanks for sharing

your thoughts and impressions

and photos and words about your tour....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Um...when do we go back, again?

 

[gisco]

Just keep throwing in some pictures and go for it! Anything from Japan is awesome in my book!

[WFChris]

I enjoy reading in depth P:TR's, especially ones from TPR trips. There are only so many photos with silly captions that I can handle; this instead tells an actual story. Thanks, and keep it up!

[mattnz]

Hey Stefan, great work so far and can't wait to see/hear more. I remember you talking excitedly about Japan on last year's Mid-America trip and am intrigued to follow along!

[Swimace]

I just noticed this, I like it!

 

I want to go back to Japan already

[Coastinmiller]

I say keep writing it like this as well. Have always been looking forward to go Japan, however the wife has no desire. This narrative nature might ease her mind just a bit to implant more seeds to go to Japan.

[dragonskeep]

It is a nice read, just keep going like this. In my opinion, never question your own style. Diversity makes this planet a cool place to be and explore.

 

Completely agree.

 

I am going to live it through your words, so let em go.

 

Robb and Elissa rule for making this possible for people. I will join you guys some day.