JAPAN
2007
Frequently Asked Questions for Japan 2007 with Sandy Lydon and Kaori Mizoguchi.
Who should consider going on this adventure?
All of our adventures are designed for travelers wishing to learn something about the place we’re visiting. This trip is not appropriate for those wishing to skim across the Japanese countryside, snap a few photographs, buy a trinket or two and return being able to say that they’ve “done” Japan. This is a full body and mind experience that begins long before we board the aircraft, and continues long after you return.
Why should I consider going on this Japan trip in May 2007?
This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Our relationship with Minamiboso has grown stronger this past year particularly during the visit of a Japanese group from that area to the Monterey Bay Region in April and May of 2006. From the Governor of Chiba Prefecture, Akiko Domoto to the Mayor of Tateyama to the ama divers at Shirahama, we have friends that are eager to show you parts of Japan rarely visited by foreigners.
I’ve been to Japan before, so why should I go on this trip?
This will be a rare opportunity to not only visit a part of Japan where you will not see any other foreign tourists, but be treated as family by those who will be acting as our hosts and guides there. Unless you’ve visited your own family in Japan in the past, this trip will afford you a chance to get to meet and know the Japanese on a personal level. Also, we will spend some time prior to departure introducing you to the Japanese community in the Monterey Bay Region, and will show you the remarkable connections between this region and Japan. As a member of our group you will have “connections” both here in the Monterey Bay Region and in Japan.
How much different will this trip be from Japan 2005? If I went on that one, will Japan 2007 be just a repeat?
First off, we’ve rearranged the itinerary so that Japan 2005 veterans can do just the Tateyama portion if they wish. And, Kaori and I have scheduled a number of different sites to visit in May of 2007, along with a few old favorites. We will be spending more time on the Kamogawa side of the Boso Peninsula, and have included an opportunity to visit Sea World, or a maiwai factory. Also, of course, the 2007 visit will be in spring, while our September 2005 was during typhoon season. We will be spending much more time with the ama and group members who wish to will be able to dive (weather permitting) with the ama. The 2007 trip will have a greater emphasis on getting out into the countryside, whether hiking or possibly bicycling. More temples, and more surprises await us in 2007.
Why should I go with a group? Can’t I do all of this on my own?
Put simply, no you couldn’t. We are not only going to do some very special things, but we are familiar with traveling in Japan. If you were on your own, you would spend most of your time worrying about how to get from one place to another, if there was room at the inn, and whether you were overcharged by the porter or the taxi driver. We take care of all the annoying details so that you can concentrate on spending every waking moment drinking in and absorbing the wonders of Japan. You will surrender some of your individual freedom, but it will be more than balanced by the information and experiences you will have with us. And you will be meeting people and visiting places not available to anyone else. Also, Japanese society is designed around groups. The Japanese are used to traveling as groups, so their infrastructure is set up that way. It’s just easier to move around Japan with a group, particularly if you are not conversant with the language.
Why travel with a Lydon group?
We have a reputation for bringing the most prepared groups to Asia. Other travelers and tour guides we meet along the way always ask if there’s a way that they can get our pre trip materials. Other tour leaders often as us, “Who are you people? How is it that you’re so well-informed and well-adjusted?” We just smile and say, “It’s all in our preparation.” The Japanese truly appreciate it when we arrive with a group that has taken the time to learn something of Japanese history and language. When they find out that we’re truly interested in them, they go out of their way to help us understand Japan. Further, our co-leader, Kaori Mizoguchi provides local insights and connections that come from being a local.
Why is there such an emphasis on group preparation?
We will be traveling together 24 hours a day. Since most of the meals are built in you will be eating with the group. You will be seated together at meals and on the bus, train and ferries. You will need to spend some time together learning about how to get along with each other, as well as how to get along with our Japanese friends. Even with all the inroads that European and American culture have made in Japan, it is still a place where the group is much more important than the individual. By learning how to be a member of our group, you will also be learning in a small way how the Japanese live every day. Our groups are not random collections of people who meet for the first time in an airport lobby. We will have been together for months, working to come to some common understandings about Japan and ourselves.
What subjects will be covered in these pre-trip sessions?
You will get some basic Japanese geography, history, culture, protocol and language. We will also discuss practical stuff such as luggage, electricity, Japanese currency, and US Customs. We will also expose the group to the history of the Japanese community here in the region and will have both visiting presentations as well as field trips to help you understand the connections between this place and Japan. Also we will spend considerable time on Japanese interpersonal relations. Perhaps more than any other people on earth, the Japanese operate within a labyrinth of rules of behavior.
What if we cannot or do not wish to attend the pre-trip sessions? If you live within 150 miles of Aptos, we expect you to attend the five pre-trip sessions. If you live outside the area, you will receive all of the class session handouts and will be required to attend a pre-trip briefing on the afternoon of May 10 at the El Rancho Inn in Millbrae. It is essential that all group members be in synch prior to departure on May 11.
What is the number one issue in traveling in Japan with a group? Being on time. The Japanese consider it extremely rude to be late. They believe that the person who is kept waiting loses face when someone is late for an appointment. Group members who arrive on time also consider it to be extremely rude for other members to keep the group waiting by being late. Timeliness is essential to the over all emotional health of our group. Beginning with our first group session, we expect all group members to be on time. We will assume that group members unable to come to pre-trip sessions on time will become potential embarrassments to the group while we are in Japan. We will remove them from the group. The Japanese take being on time very seriously, and so will we.
How large will the group be?
We will limit the group to thirty members.
Isn’t a group of 30 too large?
We don’t believe so. We’ve been leading groups to Asia since 1974 and the sizes have ranged from a high of 104 in China in 1980, to a low of 35. A group of thirty is just right as it provides internal variety (helping resolve roommate compatibility issues should they arise) as well as enough critical mass to help keep our costs down. A group of thirty ordinary people is probably too large, but a group of Lydon-trained folks glides across the landscape like a single living organism.
What is the usual age range of your group members?
Our recent groups have ranged from 30 to 80 with most group members falling in the 45-60 range.
Would this trip be appropriate for someone under 21?
No. The itinerary, social situations, and other formal activities will be challenging enough for adults, much less children. This trip will require patience and restraint that most children don't have. Historically, in those instances where we’ve had younger people (and in this case I’m talking about between the ages of 20 and 25) in our group, the focus was on them rather than on the country and culture we’re visiting. Our responsibility is to insulate the group from unwanted and inappropriate internal distractions. The trip is not about us; it’s about Japan.
Would this trip be appropriate for someone over 80?
It would depend on the health and mobility of the person. We have had group members in their mid-80s who have out walked everyone in the group. But, again, we will always be most concerned for the well being of the group. If, during the pre-trip sessions, it becomes clear that someone’s mobility threatens to continually hold up the group, we probably would ask that person to leave the group.
What if I have some health or physical issues?
Again, it depends on the individual situation. In some cases we might ask your personal physician to sign off on the appropriateness of your going on this trip. And, we will have to measure your personal requirements against those of the group.
Is this is a physically demanding trip?
All transpacific travel is tiring because it begins with a long flight into a different day and time zone. You probably will arrive tired and with jet lag. You will awake earlier in the morning for several days and there will always be something to do. You will do a lot of walking and stair climbing. You will be tempted to do and see everything, sometimes driving your system beyond its usual limits. We have set up the pacing of the itinerary to provide periods of rest and relaxation. We strongly urge group members to begin a program of physical exercise if they don’t have one already. Walk, run, or go to the gym, but help your body get ready for the strain of international travel.
How many people get sick in a group traveling in Japan?
Japan travel does not pose nearly the health risks of traveling elsewhere in Asia. Some people are visited with bouts of diarrhea because of the shift in diet, but we’ll be covering the medicines you should have along to handle such things. The biggest problem with a trip across the Pacific usually results from the last-minute frenzy of packing, getting ready and making it to the airport. We will be coaching you about how to avoid these frenzies, and will recommend that you seriously consider staying overnight at the El Rancho Inn in Millbrae on May 10 so that you can catch your breath before boarding the airplane the next morning.
What about the water?
Tap water in Japan is perfectly safe.
What about the food on the trip?
You will have a choice of an American-style or Japanese-style breakfast every morning. Lunches and dinners will be a mix of cuisine, sometimes Japanese, or American or Chinese or even Italian. We try to keep the meals interesting, and where possible, unique to the Japanese locale. We encourage group members to use the tools of the realm (chopsticks) and we will be instructing the group in Japanese mealtime protocols. Part of the purpose of going to Japan is to immerse you in the culture, and that includes their food.
What if I’m served something that I don’t like?
First off, keep your opinion to yourself. Shouting something like “Yikes! What the hell is THAT?” and then making a face is not acceptable in Japan, or anywhere else for that matter. Just quietly work your way through the meal as there will always be something you will find acceptable. We aren’t going to challenge your taste buds at every turn, but you will encounter some unusual cuisine from time to time. Again, much of this will be discussed at our pre-trip meetings.
What if I have strict dietary restrictions or requirements?
If you have strict dietary requirements, you shouldn’t go to Japan with us. There’s often no way to sort out vegan dishes from others in the hotels and restaurants, for example. If you find yourself saying, “Oh, I can’t eat [ ]!” and the list in the blank is real long, we can’t meet your needs on this trip.
What if I don’t have a roommate?
We will attempt to match you with a roommate during our pre-trip sessions, but it is always preferable to come to this trip with a roommate already in hand. The best way to insure that you have a satisfying trip without all the concerns of an unknown roommate (do they always oversleep, snore?) is to find a compatible friend to join you on the trip.
Why do you include Trip Cancellation Insurance in the cost of the trip?
We used to strongly recommend the trip cancellation insurance, but over the past decade we’ve had several experiences that convinced us that everyone should have it. A lot of it has to do with the demographic of the travelers that take our trips. Specifically, it has to do with our ageing parents. In several instances it has been the failing health of an older parent that has caused group members to cancel at the last minute, and the insurance resulted in full refunds. Just prior to our departure for Japan in September 2005, the father of one of our group members became ill several days prior to departure. Sadly, they had to pull out of the trip, but the trip cancellation insurance eventually (it takes a bit of time for the wheels to turn) provided a full refund. We would never take a trip without it, and we’re not going to let you do so either.
How does the cost of this trip compare with others to Japan?
Traveling in Japan is relatively expensive. The yen (and most other currencies) has grown stronger against the dollar over the past couple of years. So, we have built in almost every possible travel-related cost to insulate you from the shock. Besides all the usual expenses of travel such as air, land transportation, hotels, and most meals, we have included porters, transfers, tips and trip cancellation insurance. We also include pre-trip instructional materials and language training. Most comparable tours in Japan have a much higher per-day cost, and then when you see what they don’t include, they are even more expensive.
Can we use frequent flyer miles to pay for this trip? No.
Will it be possible to upgrade from coach to Business Class on the SFO-Narita segments of the trip?
Yes. We are currently working with Japan Airlines to determine what they will charge.
What other expenses can I expect to encounter?
There are several free days in the itinerary, and you will have to provide your own lunch and dinner on those days as well as any individualized transportation you might need. However, we will give you guidance about how to travel on your own during those days and how to eat cheaply.
How much money should we take?
The amount of money you will need depends on your own personal spending and shopping habits. We have had group members spend as little as $200 extra on a trip like this while others have spent a lot more. It all depends. If your self-discipline is low, perhaps you should take more money.
Cash, traveler’s checks, or credit cards?
Major credit cards are accepted in Japan, but not nearly as widely as in the US. And, as a general rule, they are accepted more widely in large cities like Tokyo. Traveler’s checks are not accepted in small cities either. Japanese cash (yen) is accepted everywhere all the time. We will have a session on handling Japanese money during our pre-trip meetings so that you become comfortable with it. At this writing the exchange rate is 115 yen to 1 US dollar. So, if you are trying to compute relative values, just take the price in yen and move the decimal over two places to the left. Something that sells for 2,000 yen is worth, roughly, $20 US.
It is always a good idea to have some Japanese currency in hand before departure. We advise that you have at least $100 worth of yen on your person before you board the aircraft. Also bear in mind that there are limited places to exchange money in Tateyama, and that we’ll be arriving on the weekend when banks are closed. The best advice comes from the tourist bureau of Tateyama itself. In their brochure they suggest:
“To makes things easy, use yen cash in Tateyama. Often credit cards are not accepted here even in hotels and inns, let alone other businesses.”
We believe that in Japan, even in Tokyo, cash works best.
What will the weather be like in May?
Spring is one of the best times to travel in Japan. The cold of winter is gone and the rainy season hasn’t begun. It will be pleasant.
What kind of clothing is appropriate for this trip to Japan?
Though some young people in Japan have adopted green hair and bright pink shoes, middle aged Japanese still dress conservatively. We are going to be the guests at some relatively formal events, so you should bring something conservative for those occasions. A jacket and tie would not be necessary for men in the group, but the tour leader will be wearing such things from time to time. We will discuss what’s appropriate and not at our pre-trip sessions. However, in the Tateyama portions of our trip, you should dress so as not to call attention to yourself. And, on most days, we’ll be visiting temples and shrines, where large patches of your bare skin are not appropriate. You will already be a foreigner, but dressing in shorts and tank tops will just up the ante to “rude foreigner.”
Do we have to worry about wearing the same colors and styles every day?
No. By the time we leave SFO we will be comfortable enough with each other that wearing the same thing every day will not be an issue. You do not have to dress to impress fellow group members. But, you should always consider your Japanese hosts.
How much luggage can we bring?
Because of the nature of our small-town traveling in and around Tateyama, and the limited space available for luggage, you are limited to one (1) piece of check-in luggage not to exceed 70 pounds. You may also bring a carry-on bag that meets the size requirements of JAL and a purse or computer or briefcase. We will discuss luggage and have packing demonstrations during our pre-trip sessions. If you are taking the Tokyo-Kyoto extension, you’ll need to make your luggage even smaller. We’ll explain.
What might we bring to help start conversations with our Japanese friends?
We encourage you to assemble a small photograph album that includes pictures of your family, pets and everyday life at home. The Japanese are family-oriented people and they are extremely interested in American families. A small – 10 to 20 photographs – album can be a great conversation kicker.
Will I need to have e-mail access?
Yes. Even if you don’t have a personal e-mail account, you know a friend or relative who does. E-mail will allow you to stay connected to the group leaders and your fellow group members during the months prior to our departure.
JAPAN 2007
Frequently Asked Questions for Japan 2007 with Sandy Lydon and Kaori Mizoguchi.
Who should consider going on this adventure?
All of our adventures are designed for travelers wishing to learn something about the place we’re visiting. This trip is not appropriate for those wishing to skim across the Japanese countryside, snap a few photographs, buy a trinket or two and return being able to say that they’ve “done” Japan. This is a full body and mind experience that begins long before we board the aircraft, and continues long after you return.
Why should I consider going on this Japan trip in May 2007?
This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Our relationship with Minamiboso has grown stronger this past year particularly during the visit of a Japanese group from that area to the Monterey Bay Region in April and May of 2006. From the Governor of Chiba Prefecture, Akiko Domoto to the Mayor of Tateyama to the ama divers at Shirahama, we have friends that are eager to show you parts of Japan rarely visited by foreigners.
I’ve been to Japan before, so why should I go on this trip?
This will be a rare opportunity to not only visit a part of Japan where you will not see any other foreign tourists, but be treated as family by those who will be acting as our hosts and guides there. Unless you’ve visited your own family in Japan in the past, this trip will afford you a chance to get to meet and know the Japanese on a personal level. Also, we will spend some time prior to departure introducing you to the Japanese community in the Monterey Bay Region, and will show you the remarkable connections between this region and Japan. As a member of our group you will have “connections” both here in the Monterey Bay Region and in Japan.
How much different will this trip be from Japan 2005? If I went on that one, will Japan 2007 be just a repeat?
First off, we’ve rearranged the itinerary so that Japan 2005 veterans can do just the Tateyama portion if they wish. And, Kaori and I have scheduled a number of different sites to visit in May of 2007, along with a few old favorites. We will be spending more time on the Kamogawa side of the Boso Peninsula, and have included an opportunity to visit Sea World, or a maiwai factory. Also, of course, the 2007 visit will be in spring, while our September 2005 was during typhoon season. We will be spending much more time with the ama and group members who wish to will be able to dive (weather permitting) with the ama. The 2007 trip will have a greater emphasis on getting out into the countryside, whether hiking or possibly bicycling. More temples, and more surprises await us in 2007.
Why should I go with a group? Can’t I do all of this on my own?
Put simply, no you couldn’t. We are not only going to do some very special things, but we are familiar with traveling in Japan. If you were on your own, you would spend most of your time worrying about how to get from one place to another, if there was room at the inn, and whether you were overcharged by the porter or the taxi driver. We take care of all the annoying details so that you can concentrate on spending every waking moment drinking in and absorbing the wonders of Japan. You will surrender some of your individual freedom, but it will be more than balanced by the information and experiences you will have with us. And you will be meeting people and visiting places not available to anyone else. Also, Japanese society is designed around groups. The Japanese are used to traveling as groups, so their infrastructure is set up that way. It’s just easier to move around Japan with a group, particularly if you are not conversant with the language.
Why travel with a Lydon group?
We have a reputation for bringing the most prepared groups to Asia. Other travelers and tour guides we meet along the way always ask if there’s a way that they can get our pre trip materials. Other tour leaders often as us, “Who are you people? How is it that you’re so well-informed and well-adjusted?” We just smile and say, “It’s all in our preparation.” The Japanese truly appreciate it when we arrive with a group that has taken the time to learn something of Japanese history and language. When they find out that we’re truly interested in them, they go out of their way to help us understand Japan. Further, our co-leader, Kaori Mizoguchi provides local insights and connections that come from being a local.
Why is there such an emphasis on group preparation?
We will be traveling together 24 hours a day. Since most of the meals are built in you will be eating with the group. You will be seated together at meals and on the bus, train and ferries. You will need to spend some time together learning about how to get along with each other, as well as how to get along with our Japanese friends. Even with all the inroads that European and American culture have made in Japan, it is still a place where the group is much more important than the individual. By learning how to be a member of our group, you will also be learning in a small way how the Japanese live every day. Our groups are not random collections of people who meet for the first time in an airport lobby. We will have been together for months, working to come to some common understandings about Japan and ourselves.
What subjects will be covered in these pre-trip sessions?
You will get some basic Japanese geography, history, culture, protocol and language. We will also discuss practical stuff such as luggage, electricity, Japanese currency, and US Customs. We will also expose the group to the history of the Japanese community here in the region and will have both visiting presentations as well as field trips to help you understand the connections between this place and Japan. Also we will spend considerable time on Japanese interpersonal relations. Perhaps more than any other people on earth, the Japanese operate within a labyrinth of rules of behavior.
What if we cannot or do not wish to attend the pre-trip sessions? If you live within 150 miles of Aptos, we expect you to attend the five pre-trip sessions. If you live outside the area, you will receive all of the class session handouts and will be required to attend a pre-trip briefing on the afternoon of May 10 at the El Rancho Inn in Millbrae. It is essential that all group members be in synch prior to departure on May 11.
What is the number one issue in traveling in Japan with a group? Being on time. The Japanese consider it extremely rude to be late. They believe that the person who is kept waiting loses face when someone is late for an appointment. Group members who arrive on time also consider it to be extremely rude for other members to keep the group waiting by being late. Timeliness is essential to the over all emotional health of our group. Beginning with our first group session, we expect all group members to be on time. We will assume that group members unable to come to pre-trip sessions on time will become potential embarrassments to the group while we are in Japan. We will remove them from the group. The Japanese take being on time very seriously, and so will we.
How large will the group be?
We will limit the group to thirty members.
Isn’t a group of 30 too large?
We don’t believe so. We’ve been leading groups to Asia since 1974 and the sizes have ranged from a high of 104 in China in 1980, to a low of 35. A group of thirty is just right as it provides internal variety (helping resolve roommate compatibility issues should they arise) as well as enough critical mass to help keep our costs down. A group of thirty ordinary people is probably too large, but a group of Lydon-trained folks glides across the landscape like a single living organism.
What is the usual age range of your group members?
Our recent groups have ranged from 30 to 80 with most group members falling in the 45-60 range.
Would this trip be appropriate for someone under 21?
No. The itinerary, social situations, and other formal activities will be challenging enough for adults, much less children. This trip will require patience and restraint that most children don't have. Historically, in those instances where we’ve had younger people (and in this case I’m talking about between the ages of 20 and 25) in our group, the focus was on them rather than on the country and culture we’re visiting. Our responsibility is to insulate the group from unwanted and inappropriate internal distractions. The trip is not about us; it’s about Japan.
Would this trip be appropriate for someone over 80?
It would depend on the health and mobility of the person. We have had group members in their mid-80s who have out walked everyone in the group. But, again, we will always be most concerned for the well being of the group. If, during the pre-trip sessions, it becomes clear that someone’s mobility threatens to continually hold up the group, we probably would ask that person to leave the group.
What if I have some health or physical issues?
Again, it depends on the individual situation. In some cases we might ask your personal physician to sign off on the appropriateness of your going on this trip. And, we will have to measure your personal requirements against those of the group.
Is this is a physically demanding trip?
All transpacific travel is tiring because it begins with a long flight into a different day and time zone. You probably will arrive tired and with jet lag. You will awake earlier in the morning for several days and there will always be something to do. You will do a lot of walking and stair climbing. You will be tempted to do and see everything, sometimes driving your system beyond its usual limits. We have set up the pacing of the itinerary to provide periods of rest and relaxation. We strongly urge group members to begin a program of physical exercise if they don’t have one already. Walk, run, or go to the gym, but help your body get ready for the strain of international travel.
How many people get sick in a group traveling in Japan?
Japan travel does not pose nearly the health risks of traveling elsewhere in Asia. Some people are visited with bouts of diarrhea because of the shift in diet, but we’ll be covering the medicines you should have along to handle such things. The biggest problem with a trip across the Pacific usually results from the last-minute frenzy of packing, getting ready and making it to the airport. We will be coaching you about how to avoid these frenzies, and will recommend that you seriously consider staying overnight at the El Rancho Inn in Millbrae on May 10 so that you can catch your breath before boarding the airplane the next morning.
What about the water?
Tap water in Japan is perfectly safe.
What about the food on the trip?
You will have a choice of an American-style or Japanese-style breakfast every morning. Lunches and dinners will be a mix of cuisine, sometimes Japanese, or American or Chinese or even Italian. We try to keep the meals interesting, and where possible, unique to the Japanese locale. We encourage group members to use the tools of the realm (chopsticks) and we will be instructing the group in Japanese mealtime protocols. Part of the purpose of going to Japan is to immerse you in the culture, and that includes their food.
What if I’m served something that I don’t like?
First off, keep your opinion to yourself. Shouting something like “Yikes! What the hell is THAT?” and then making a face is not acceptable in Japan, or anywhere else for that matter. Just quietly work your way through the meal as there will always be something you will find acceptable. We aren’t going to challenge your taste buds at every turn, but you will encounter some unusual cuisine from time to time. Again, much of this will be discussed at our pre-trip meetings.
What if I have strict dietary restrictions or requirements?
If you have strict dietary requirements, you shouldn’t go to Japan with us. There’s often no way to sort out vegan dishes from others in the hotels and restaurants, for example. If you find yourself saying, “Oh, I can’t eat [ ]!” and the list in the blank is real long, we can’t meet your needs on this trip.
What if I don’t have a roommate?
We will attempt to match you with a roommate during our pre-trip sessions, but it is always preferable to come to this trip with a roommate already in hand. The best way to insure that you have a satisfying trip without all the concerns of an unknown roommate (do they always oversleep, snore?) is to find a compatible friend to join you on the trip.
Why do you include Trip Cancellation Insurance in the cost of the trip?
We used to strongly recommend the trip cancellation insurance, but over the past decade we’ve had several experiences that convinced us that everyone should have it. A lot of it has to do with the demographic of the travelers that take our trips. Specifically, it has to do with our ageing parents. In several instances it has been the failing health of an older parent that has caused group members to cancel at the last minute, and the insurance resulted in full refunds. Just prior to our departure for Japan in September 2005, the father of one of our group members became ill several days prior to departure. Sadly, they had to pull out of the trip, but the trip cancellation insurance eventually (it takes a bit of time for the wheels to turn) provided a full refund. We would never take a trip without it, and we’re not going to let you do so either.
How does the cost of this trip compare with others to Japan?
Traveling in Japan is relatively expensive. The yen (and most other currencies) has grown stronger against the dollar over the past couple of years. So, we have built in almost every possible travel-related cost to insulate you from the shock. Besides all the usual expenses of travel such as air, land transportation, hotels, and most meals, we have included porters, transfers, tips and trip cancellation insurance. We also include pre-trip instructional materials and language training. Most comparable tours in Japan have a much higher per-day cost, and then when you see what they don’t include, they are even more expensive.
Can we use frequent flyer miles to pay for this trip? No.
Will it be possible to upgrade from coach to Business Class on the SFO-Narita segments of the trip?
Yes. We are currently working with Japan Airlines to determine what they will charge.
What other expenses can I expect to encounter?
There are several free days in the itinerary, and you will have to provide your own lunch and dinner on those days as well as any individualized transportation you might need. However, we will give you guidance about how to travel on your own during those days and how to eat cheaply.
How much money should we take?
The amount of money you will need depends on your own personal spending and shopping habits. We have had group members spend as little as $200 extra on a trip like this while others have spent a lot more. It all depends. If your self-discipline is low, perhaps you should take more money.
Cash, traveler’s checks, or credit cards?
Major credit cards are accepted in Japan, but not nearly as widely as in the US. And, as a general rule, they are accepted more widely in large cities like Tokyo. Traveler’s checks are not accepted in small cities either. Japanese cash (yen) is accepted everywhere all the time. We will have a session on handling Japanese money during our pre-trip meetings so that you become comfortable with it. At this writing the exchange rate is 115 yen to 1 US dollar. So, if you are trying to compute relative values, just take the price in yen and move the decimal over two places to the left. Something that sells for 2,000 yen is worth, roughly, $20 US.
It is always a good idea to have some Japanese currency in hand before departure. We advise that you have at least $100 worth of yen on your person before you board the aircraft. Also bear in mind that there are limited places to exchange money in Tateyama, and that we’ll be arriving on the weekend when banks are closed. The best advice comes from the tourist bureau of Tateyama itself. In their brochure they suggest:
“To makes things easy, use yen cash in Tateyama. Often credit cards are not accepted here even in hotels and inns, let alone other businesses.”
We believe that in Japan, even in Tokyo, cash works best.
What will the weather be like in May?
Spring is one of the best times to travel in Japan. The cold of winter is gone and the rainy season hasn’t begun. It will be pleasant.
What kind of clothing is appropriate for this trip to Japan?
Though some young people in Japan have adopted green hair and bright pink shoes, middle aged Japanese still dress conservatively. We are going to be the guests at some relatively formal events, so you should bring something conservative for those occasions. A jacket and tie would not be necessary for men in the group, but the tour leader will be wearing such things from time to time. We will discuss what’s appropriate and not at our pre-trip sessions. However, in the Tateyama portions of our trip, you should dress so as not to call attention to yourself. And, on most days, we’ll be visiting temples and shrines, where large patches of your bare skin are not appropriate. You will already be a foreigner, but dressing in shorts and tank tops will just up the ante to “rude foreigner.”
Do we have to worry about wearing the same colors and styles every day?
No. By the time we leave SFO we will be comfortable enough with each other that wearing the same thing every day will not be an issue. You do not have to dress to impress fellow group members. But, you should always consider your Japanese hosts.
How much luggage can we bring?
Because of the nature of our small-town traveling in and around Tateyama, and the limited space available for luggage, you are limited to one (1) piece of check-in luggage not to exceed 70 pounds. You may also bring a carry-on bag that meets the size requirements of JAL and a purse or computer or briefcase. We will discuss luggage and have packing demonstrations during our pre-trip sessions. If you are taking the Tokyo-Kyoto extension, you’ll need to make your luggage even smaller. We’ll explain.
What might we bring to help start conversations with our Japanese friends?
We encourage you to assemble a small photograph album that includes pictures of your family, pets and everyday life at home. The Japanese are family-oriented people and they are extremely interested in American families. A small – 10 to 20 photographs – album can be a great conversation kicker.
Will I need to have e-mail access?
Yes. Even if you don’t have a personal e-mail account, you know a friend or relative who does. E-mail will allow you to stay connected to the group leaders and your fellow group members during the months prior to our departure.
JAPAN 2007