With only a meer 15 days to go until I head off to Japan, there is one item that I must acquire in order to do so, and that is to actually have my airplane ticket. So on Saturday I headed into the city all on my lonesome to meet with my travel agent one more time to collect my tickets and other documents. Of course I wasn’t only collecting the airplane tickets, I was also collecting the papers for the travel insurance as well as the JR Pass vouchers (one for myself and my fellow comrades).
Included in all the paper work are some brochures and maps (not all is shown in the photo above) which may prove useful in planning on things to do whilst in Japan. One of the most helpful is the map of Tokyo (the orange booklet) which shows most of Tokyo but more importantly it also marks out most of the major highways that circle around the Tokyo area. One thing I found difficult in the past few weeks is finding decent roadmaps of the highways. Before I can start cruising around I want to know a bit more on where some of the roads lead to so I don’t get lost. But then that’s what the GPS is for I guess.
Now I have been planning on hiring a car to drive around in, but I’ll hold off on that for a few more days before I do any actual bookings, but luckily I talked to my travel agent about this and he highly recommends me to do so. He says I wouldn’t have too much of a problem driving around as most Japanese drivers aren’t as road raged as ones seen around Sydney. Well I can certainly vouch for that part.
So in most parts most of my preparations are complete, with the exception of car hire and working out my itinerary for what I’m doing. I haven’t really been bothered looking at what days I want to do what but I should really do that soon. But I’m sure I’ll work something out to keep myself and my friends occupied, and hopefully not too heavy on the wallet.
Oh for those wondering, I did all my booking with Pitt Travel, who are located on Level 1 of The Galleries Victoria. They have been a great help in everything in doing all the bookings and answering all our questions. Our travel agent even helped us trying to acquire Animelo tickets (a shame that we didn’t get any) and he even mentioned he tried on his days off. So if you live in Sydney and plan to visit Japan, I can highly recommend visiting them (and no I’m not advertising for them or anything, lol).
Remember, if you’re in Japan anytime during the month of August and want to meet up, send me an email to adunATmoemoerabuDOTnet and let me know.
Ah, I know that place. One level below Kino right? xD
Have a safe trip and enjoy it like there is no tomorrow. ^_^
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Hey Optic, outside Fitness First too you mean?
I was looking at them, may visit them once I finally get enough money together, thanks for the recommendation =D
Best wishes in further preparations, when exactly do you leave?
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Right now my preparations are currently at 70%…
Speaking in japanese for me is still well, it sucks…
I need to brush up on it before I head to Japan!!!
Well, I have my ticket and rail pass now.
All I need to is brush up on my maps, subway maps and my speaking…
@Koshiko: Adun will be attending Wonderfest so he’ll most likely be there by the 2nd of August.
Adun, so meet you on the 13th of August for Lucky Star Venture.
Rin’s last blog post..Catching Up!!!
I also got all prepared
I didn’t buy the rail ticket tho, since I won’t use it =\
ron~’s last blog post..Dengeki Festival Little Busters EX is AWESOME!
Almost that time eh? Hope you have a safe and fun trip.
Right now, my brother is visiting me in Japan and we have been trying to visit as many cool places as we can in a little over a week.
We visited a extremely large Inari shrine located in Kyoto (and seen in Aria) that I highly recommend seeing at least once. It was one of the coolest things I’ve seen in Japan.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html
Also, Uji (just south on the Nara line from Kyoto station) had very good green tea food. Icecream/shaved ice were particuarly popular as it is extremely humid in Japan right now. Also, the temple on the 10 yen coin is located a ways to the left of Uji station (walkable).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byodo-In_Temple
With his remaining time here, I’ll might go see the huge Buddha statue just northeast of Tokyo. Its about 2 times the size of the statue of liberty and can hold the Kamakura Buddha in its hand. I just found out this existed about an hour ago. Wonder why its not more popular?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushiku_Daibutsu
bus timetable (about 30 mins from station)
http://www.ushikukankou.com/kantoutetsudou_u-daibutsu.htm
Of course, we might visit Nikko as well but so little time. (: Hope this might give you some ideas for your Japan visit.
Koshiko: I leave on the 1st August bright and early in the morning.
Rin: 70% is pretty far ahead. I still have a few things to organise.
ron~: The purpose of the JR pass is to get me from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto as Shinkansen tickets are quite expensive for one way.
Punynari: Thanks for the links. I’ll definitely look forward to seeing some of those places for sure.
oh~ happy birthday to me! xD;; Get me Suzaku and I’ll <3 you forever! kukuku~
I’ll make sure to remember to wish for a safe flight for you on that day since it’ll be easy to remember, hehe
Anyhow, glad everything is coming along well for you at a good pace. I’m also interested in how to make use of the rail pass, I hope you cover that on one of your future blog entries.
Koshiko’s last blog post..Wordpress upgrade 2.6
woot how long are you going for? Looks like you’ll be doing a fair bit of travelling while there. Man have a great time!
My last trip to Japan only lasted 1 week and I only travelled around the Tokyo area. Not nearly enough time to enjoy what I wanted to
I did however climb Mt. Fuji, so that was pretty neat 
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