(Japan[1])
Well, after some debate, and some consultation with the bank manager, and several callanders, the decision has been made to go visit our son in Japan.
Like any major holiday this requires considerable pre-planning and organisation, and naturally, lovely Chris and I have very different expectations and desires from the time away. The requisite deliberation and consideration is hampered by our current “ships that pass in the night” status, due to shifts, and our “man on the spot’s” intermittant signal and 9 hour time difference.
It takes me a week to find a package which seems affordable, flights hotels, possible tours, but another 2 before we can sit down together to consider it (I am not nearly brave enough just to book it myself). This actually goes well and my essential choices are approved (!), we get to the end of the night and I am literally in a position to enter card details…
However we delay one day just to get Ben’s word on some minor points. Unfortunately Bens word is “NO YOU FOOLS”. Seemingly a week in Tokyo is not the plan of choice, nor is the “nice hotel” (I liked it) in very central Tokyo. Too busy, much, much too busy. We do realise we arriving in “Golden week” (peak holiday season)?
Rural Japan is where it’s at (seemingly). A couple of days in Tokyo…
Plans are recast, the package, which is good value- but only as a whole package, cannot usefully accomodate this change.
Several planning points are cleared up; major city/airport/railway information is available in English, so, for example, it is reasonable to expect us to use public transport from plane to (Tokyo) hotel -[as against airport transfer taxi]. This is welcome news. I read however it is “extremely bad form” to bring “a lot” (what is “a lot”) of personal luggage on public transport. Those who know me, will be aware I don’t travel light.
Further reading reaveals that Vicks inhalers (and some antihistamines) are illegal ? (as in -prison sentance – illegal) in Japan. My conucopia of personal medicine is fine, but I will require to have a full written prescription for each item, including it’s purpose. You might have thought this would be a straightforward ask, but I am lucky even to get a civil answer (if I get an answer at all!) from my Doctors reception.
There is much to know it would seem (what are you in for? smuggling Claratin), and quite a lot to do.
A plan B gradually evolves around time in Toko and a town in the mountains (various historical sites, big lake, and hot springs, scenery….). However this turn out to be “the wrong town in the mountains” – local voices pronounce it “boring”. And plan B spirals down trailing flames. I also wonder whether local opinions of 20 year old Tokyo residents, would really reflect the experience for 60 year old tourists? However the alternative suggestion does feature “Edo Wonderland” (I jest not) a family theme park on late medieval Japan, so really, what’s not to like?
Next week on IaDL. Japan 2 I’m guessing…
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 