Cancel trip to Japan?
Apr 5th, 2011 | 06:39 PM
#183
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Cancel an unused JR Pass and get a refund at the agent you bought it from - full refund minus handling and communication fee, which as it's unstated, can vary from agent to agent.
Get a refund at an exchange office in Japan - purchase price less 10%.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en008.html
Get a refund at an exchange office in Japan - purchase price less 10%.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en008.html
Apr 6th, 2011 | 10:37 AM
#185
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Thats nice ladytravels. This is a wonderful forum--glad I stopped by with my predicament only to be insulted by strangers. Sour grapes? Nope, we are taking a fantastic trip elsewhere in two weeks and will return to visit our relatives next spring when they tell us they are ready for visitors.
Good luck to the rest of you and your decisions on whether to travel to Japan now or not. And for those who decide against it, I hope you are able to get refunds on everything.
Good luck to the rest of you and your decisions on whether to travel to Japan now or not. And for those who decide against it, I hope you are able to get refunds on everything.
Apr 8th, 2011 | 11:51 PM
#186
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I'm sitting at my desk at the Dai-Ichi hotel in Ginza. We arrived in Tokyo yesterday, despite all the negative comment on this thread.
Japan and Tokyo are open for business. The cherry blossoms are at peak. Tomorrow the clouds should part. The Japanese people are the friedliest I've ever met. And we saw only 6 Western tourists since we've been here (we started at 5 AM, since we're still on Eastern time). Plug for this hotel: absolutely wonderful staff, 2 blocks from Shimbashi Station (take the JR Rapid Airport Narita for 1450 yen and you'll be here in 92 minutes, no transfers, and you'll meet some of the locals in the bargain), great room, and you can buy it in dollars on Expedia (and may other sites) before you come (yes, you can cancel).
The only evidence of a reluctance toward tourists was at the Tsukigi fish market. There's a big sign at several places on the fence stating that the tuna auction is closed to tourists and that tourists should keep out because of the quake. These guys have an ax to grind, so I think they are happy that non-paying tourists are out of the way of their insane loader drivers. Just my opinion.
The rest of the tourist camp around the market were happy to see us this morning. Big "gazaimus," and chow down to some sashemi.
Bottom line: be very sensitive to the destruction, but don't worry about food, water, radiation, etc.
Japan and Tokyo are open for business. The cherry blossoms are at peak. Tomorrow the clouds should part. The Japanese people are the friedliest I've ever met. And we saw only 6 Western tourists since we've been here (we started at 5 AM, since we're still on Eastern time). Plug for this hotel: absolutely wonderful staff, 2 blocks from Shimbashi Station (take the JR Rapid Airport Narita for 1450 yen and you'll be here in 92 minutes, no transfers, and you'll meet some of the locals in the bargain), great room, and you can buy it in dollars on Expedia (and may other sites) before you come (yes, you can cancel).
The only evidence of a reluctance toward tourists was at the Tsukigi fish market. There's a big sign at several places on the fence stating that the tuna auction is closed to tourists and that tourists should keep out because of the quake. These guys have an ax to grind, so I think they are happy that non-paying tourists are out of the way of their insane loader drivers. Just my opinion.
The rest of the tourist camp around the market were happy to see us this morning. Big "gazaimus," and chow down to some sashemi.
Bottom line: be very sensitive to the destruction, but don't worry about food, water, radiation, etc.
Apr 9th, 2011 | 06:46 AM
#187
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,408
Likes: 0
wcroom-Thanks for reporting back, we'll be going next week!
Did you eat anywhere in particular at the Tsukiji market?
BTW, from what I've read, the vendors inside the market, especially in the Auction area, have long wanted tourists to keep out (and probably with good reason).
Did you eat anywhere in particular at the Tsukiji market?
BTW, from what I've read, the vendors inside the market, especially in the Auction area, have long wanted tourists to keep out (and probably with good reason).
Apr 9th, 2011 | 03:03 PM
#188
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
We arrived Friday night into Haneda via Hawaiian Airlines. What a pleasant flight ! The attendants were helpful and food was very good ! The flight was not full and it appeared almost all were returning Japanese citizens.
We caught the Keikyu Bus to YCAT for the 30 minute ride to Yokohama and took a 5 minute cab to our hotel the Sakuragicho Washington Hotel.Even though our flight landed at 1000PM and it was even later when we checked in there were a number of customers doing the same. We did learn that the hotel is booked both this weekend and next.
The rooms at the Washington are very small. However, they are laid out very sensibly and spotless and not worn. For $137.00 a night via Expedia we are very pleased.
We spent the following day walking from our hotel near Minatomurai to Motomachi along the pier, the parks, and shops.
We took in the Yokohama Art Museum as well which can be covered fairly quickly as it is a small collection though some notable artists are shown there including Picasso, Salvador Dali and a lot of pieces by Max Ernst. There is also a collection of Japanese artists. The collections seems to focus on pieces with a Yokohama connection althought not entirely, and there were little English explanations but I enjoyed the art work.
We walked into the Royal Yokohama Landmark building which appeared quiet from the outside and we were astounded to see that there is a bustling complex of shops and eateries, just teeming with people.
Finally capped the day off in Chinatown with a fabulous meal. Chinatown appeared very busy though our taxi-driver did comment that he has noted a significant drop in visitors and he personally is seeing at least a 30-50% drop in revenue. The Chinatown in Yokohama is one of the nicest chinatowns were have ever seen. There are over 300 restaurants. It felt bigger than the ones in San Francisco or Vancouver.
Yokohama is such an international city that thrives on it's "foreigness". We are looking forward to our next destination Kamukura which I think will have an entirely different feel.
We have not encountered any inconveniences so far on our trip. The city of Yokohama appears to be functioning normally minus the tourists. We saw less than half a dozen obviously non Japanese people the entire day.
We caught the Keikyu Bus to YCAT for the 30 minute ride to Yokohama and took a 5 minute cab to our hotel the Sakuragicho Washington Hotel.Even though our flight landed at 1000PM and it was even later when we checked in there were a number of customers doing the same. We did learn that the hotel is booked both this weekend and next.
The rooms at the Washington are very small. However, they are laid out very sensibly and spotless and not worn. For $137.00 a night via Expedia we are very pleased.
We spent the following day walking from our hotel near Minatomurai to Motomachi along the pier, the parks, and shops.
We took in the Yokohama Art Museum as well which can be covered fairly quickly as it is a small collection though some notable artists are shown there including Picasso, Salvador Dali and a lot of pieces by Max Ernst. There is also a collection of Japanese artists. The collections seems to focus on pieces with a Yokohama connection althought not entirely, and there were little English explanations but I enjoyed the art work.
We walked into the Royal Yokohama Landmark building which appeared quiet from the outside and we were astounded to see that there is a bustling complex of shops and eateries, just teeming with people.
Finally capped the day off in Chinatown with a fabulous meal. Chinatown appeared very busy though our taxi-driver did comment that he has noted a significant drop in visitors and he personally is seeing at least a 30-50% drop in revenue. The Chinatown in Yokohama is one of the nicest chinatowns were have ever seen. There are over 300 restaurants. It felt bigger than the ones in San Francisco or Vancouver.
Yokohama is such an international city that thrives on it's "foreigness". We are looking forward to our next destination Kamukura which I think will have an entirely different feel.
We have not encountered any inconveniences so far on our trip. The city of Yokohama appears to be functioning normally minus the tourists. We saw less than half a dozen obviously non Japanese people the entire day.
Apr 11th, 2011 | 02:16 PM
#189
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
We are in Kamakura now. The JR trains were running as usual with some holiday schedules for some routes but none of the routes were have used.
The town is bustling with local visitors to see the cherry blossoms. There was a special event at Hachiman-gu with Shinto, Buddhist and Christian ceremonies in memoriam to the earthquake victims. It was a very somber ceremony. Clearly the effect of the disaster is very palpable though everybody continues with their lives.
The town is bustling with local visitors to see the cherry blossoms. There was a special event at Hachiman-gu with Shinto, Buddhist and Christian ceremonies in memoriam to the earthquake victims. It was a very somber ceremony. Clearly the effect of the disaster is very palpable though everybody continues with their lives.
Apr 11th, 2011 | 07:47 PM
#191
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,408
Likes: 0
I thought I'd share my thoughts on going to Japan.
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2011/0...o-go-to-japan/
This is basically the beginning of my trip report, which I will start on another thread when I return of course.
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2011/0...o-go-to-japan/
This is basically the beginning of my trip report, which I will start on another thread when I return of course.
Apr 16th, 2011 | 04:46 PM
#193
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
We are back in Yokohama after a few days in Hakone.
Needless to say we have had a great trip but will not expound on the details but just want to say that everywhere we went we were told by the shopkeepers and ryokan owners they are hoping that the visitors will return.
An article in the Japan Times today discuss the half million cancelled hotel reservations to date since March 11 and the unfounded fear that travel to Japan is not safe.
The fact is that our trip was not impacted any point by power outage, lack of food, water or service. We consumed seafood, meat and vegetables abundantly.
Life appears to carry on for citizens ,and those whose livelihood depend on visitors are clearly pleased to have customers, both foreign and local. They seem to feel that is the best way to help in the recovery effort.
Needless to say we have had a great trip but will not expound on the details but just want to say that everywhere we went we were told by the shopkeepers and ryokan owners they are hoping that the visitors will return.
An article in the Japan Times today discuss the half million cancelled hotel reservations to date since March 11 and the unfounded fear that travel to Japan is not safe.
The fact is that our trip was not impacted any point by power outage, lack of food, water or service. We consumed seafood, meat and vegetables abundantly.
Life appears to carry on for citizens ,and those whose livelihood depend on visitors are clearly pleased to have customers, both foreign and local. They seem to feel that is the best way to help in the recovery effort.
Apr 17th, 2011 | 01:17 PM
#194
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Kristina,
Sorry I haven't been in touch sooner. We just roamed the vendors outside the market just north of the Tsukiji. They hawked the food, and we chose a little stall where the server gave us a menu in English and we pointed. They made it easy. A "Ohio-guhzymus" at the beginning and a "arigato guhzymus" at the end will get you where you want to go. If you're feeling really perky, say "oshi ketta" (that was delicious) and everyone bursts out laughing at your mispronouncing something really nice. Enjoy.
Sorry I haven't been in touch sooner. We just roamed the vendors outside the market just north of the Tsukiji. They hawked the food, and we chose a little stall where the server gave us a menu in English and we pointed. They made it easy. A "Ohio-guhzymus" at the beginning and a "arigato guhzymus" at the end will get you where you want to go. If you're feeling really perky, say "oshi ketta" (that was delicious) and everyone bursts out laughing at your mispronouncing something really nice. Enjoy.
Apr 17th, 2011 | 09:37 PM
#195
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Came back and read up, and wanted to leave this comment. If 84-year-old grandma is adamant you not come, of course that is the thing for you to do, and I did not mean to imply otherwise. My point was rather if I had an 84-year-old grandma who wanted me to come to Japan because she wanted to see the family, I would not call that unnecessary travel due to the fact grandma is 84. Though you hope they're well and safe for a long time to come, at 84, who can tell?
We ended up taking the full refund offered us when it was available for our trip, and I think it was the right thing to do given the scale of the damage and the whole situation as it appeared at the time. We had it in our minds to wait and see how things would be at the summer, and then I heard they will be looking for groups of volunteers to help with the rebuilding come May and June, regardless of Japanese language ability. Yokoso News has said they will put up full information on their site. Providing the radiation situation is well in hand by that time, we plan to give some time as volunteers and some time to just enjoying touring areas outside the disaster zone. I suppose that might sound like patting ourselves on the back, but really, it is just a way to salve our consciences over really not wanting to put off the trip we have worked and saved so long for. I don't think it is all necessary everyone who visits volunteer, I just think it is the right thing for us.
We ended up taking the full refund offered us when it was available for our trip, and I think it was the right thing to do given the scale of the damage and the whole situation as it appeared at the time. We had it in our minds to wait and see how things would be at the summer, and then I heard they will be looking for groups of volunteers to help with the rebuilding come May and June, regardless of Japanese language ability. Yokoso News has said they will put up full information on their site. Providing the radiation situation is well in hand by that time, we plan to give some time as volunteers and some time to just enjoying touring areas outside the disaster zone. I suppose that might sound like patting ourselves on the back, but really, it is just a way to salve our consciences over really not wanting to put off the trip we have worked and saved so long for. I don't think it is all necessary everyone who visits volunteer, I just think it is the right thing for us.
Apr 25th, 2011 | 09:08 AM
#198
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,396
Likes: 0
Here's a terrific video comparing Tokyo now to Tokyo in December:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-ChRZunYaw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-ChRZunYaw
Apr 25th, 2011 | 04:02 PM
#200
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
"oshi ketta" -> oishii kata desu (oh-ee-sheee kah-tah dess)
Actually, it's oishi kata desu (oh-ee-she kah-tah dess)
i-adjectives lose their final i when conjugating.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanes...ve_declensions
But most Japanese people will be pleased no matter how correctly or incorrectly you say it.
Actually, it's oishi kata desu (oh-ee-she kah-tah dess)
i-adjectives lose their final i when conjugating.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanes...ve_declensions
But most Japanese people will be pleased no matter how correctly or incorrectly you say it.
