Thanks kappa. Typing that story actually gave me a good cry afterwards. Oh, those hormones!

My grandmother had come to the US as a picture bride when she was 18. She never spoke more than broken English, but after living here for the next 80+ years, it was hard sometimes to know if she was really speaking Japanese or just speaking English with Japanese pronunciation. She was a kick though. :-)

"Picture Bride", that's a new expression to me but I understood what it means. She must have had some life sory to tell. Must have been a kick, yes, I can imagine ;-) Sounds like your Japan trip is going to be a sort of a sentimental journey. Enjoy it, in many ways.

Okay, just a little update...

My BF and I had pretty much decided to send our luggage to the Conrad and take the train directly to Asakusa. We went to the JTB office today to ask questions and their recommendation was for us to take the limousine bus to the Conrad to drop off our luggage and then take the subway to Asakusa. They estimated that we would get to Asakusa around 7:30p (the same time I had estimated). I asked whether we would miss all the "festivities" and they told us that it would go on long past the fireworks ending, maybe until 9:30-10p.

So, now we're back to being undecided about what we're going to do. :-(

I'd keep both plans in mind...and see what time it is when you clear immigration and customs. At that point, you'll know for sure if you are in time for the bus to the Conrad or if you've missed it and have to wait an hour...or if you've missed both. You'll be able to decide right there if you want to use the baggage delivery service or not, and whether to take the bus or the train.

I wouldn't count on the bus for sure and abandon all other options, as your flight could be delayed, you could be parked at a far away bus gate, you could land out in left field and have to taxi for 20 minutes just to get near the terminal (happened to us coming back from BKK this January)..you just never know. In all of our trips between the US and Japan, I think it's about even...1/2 the time we arrive early, 1/2 the time we arrive late. No telling which way it will go.

Thanks KimJapan. It's definitely good to know we have options and what they are. We're just trying to decide, if all goes well, which would be our first choice.

I've found a hotel that I would LOVE to book (Hotel New Gyominso - http://www.gyominso.jp/e/). I've emailed them about whether they still have rooms available or not. If not, I have a second choice and they've already told me that they have room available. I hope to have this first night booked before the end of the weekend. Whew!

You might have better luck with your e-mail to the Gyominso...their online booking in Japanese shows the hotel as sold out on July 29. Though on other nights, it's very reasonable at ¥5500 single ¥8900 twin.

Well, we missed out on Hotel Gyominso (darn!) but, we do have confirmed reservations at my second choice (Asakusa Plaza). The hotel doesn’t sound like the lap of luxury, but it seems to be in a very convenient location and the price was very inexpensive. Plus, they were just SO good about responding very promptly to my emails. So, we’re “set” for the first night now.

Now to move on and figure out which ryokan we want to stay in when we go to Kyoto…