Hey all, just go back yesterday on the longest day of the year. I was only there for 4 days due to calendar flip and arrival time. Couple of things over all.
Visit Japan worked awesome because I was going with my family who all have Japanese passports (wife is citizen, kids have dual citizenship until 20 I think). So I did the visit Japan, put everyone under me, and I got to go with them in the returning citizen's line. This means I saved like an hour standing in line.
Instead of staying with our family, we chose a business hotel in Machida. Instead of sleeping on the floor with a futon, this felt like I was sleeping in a bed meant to simulate the experience. But the people were friendly and they also served all you can eat breakfast which benefitted our son.
Since I was only there 4 days my wife front loaded stuff for us to do together and we were going from first thing in the morning all day long. I actually slept on the plane ride back, which I never do usually because I just can't, but this time I could because I was so freakin' exhausted. This helped as I arrived at 2 in the afternoon so I was able to function and drive. I stopped on the way home and picked up an edible to help put me to sleep and it worked wonders.
I used to fly other airlines, but now I fly ANA. It feels like I have a ton of room especially over my head. The food is OK but I usually bring my own food on anyway. Free sake though. Also we used to fly into Narita all the time then take the Narita express to Yokohama then train hop to get home. The last 2 trips we used Haneda and it works much better for us.
I also used a bus service this time which was awesome. I took a bus from Machida to Haneda, was hmm 1700 yen and took me right to terminal 3. Go up the escalator and ANA check in was right there.
Also, the US is rolling out an equivelant of visit Japan called the MPC app. USE IT!! For those of you who have used the intl gates at Seatac before, the line for those using MPC started at baggage carousel 19 which is the closest baggage to the US customs. No lie, it took me like less than 10 minutes while the regular line was all the way to back of the building. Yes, under the escalator you come down to get to baggage claim. (Multiple intl flights came in at the same time)
Usd to yen was 145.
Most unusual thing I saw? It was 95 degrees and people were wearing jeans and jackets OR black long sleeve dresses at Tokyo Disney. It's funny I enjoy that heat and humidity but my wife hates it. But again I love Florida's weather which is the same.
One earthquake while I was there 6.1 in Hokkaido which was nowhere near me.
Temps were in the 90s, I got back to Seattle and 1st day of Summer? Raining and 54 degrees.
If you have any questions let.me know
