November 2011. I secured an offer to explore new prospects in 2012. Handed in my resignation. Sat down, breathed out long and deep, the heavy stone finally off the mind. The realization then dawns – I have half a month of free time from before Xmas to New Year. Should I do something with it? And what?
Well not so much what. Japan, the choice is obvious. I have always wanted to visit Japan, but between the need to go back to Taiwan and a lack of excuse or companion, it’s never quite realized.
Even now, as I researched for hotels and destinations, deep down I don’t really think I’d go through with it. Cost is one, plane ticket and hotels are horrendously expensive at this time of year, then the fact I will be going alone – it was impossible to find a travel companion on such short notice, then there’s also that I have no real idea what to do in Japan, other than being there.
Regardless of my doubts, I forged on.
When I started there was only an inkling of what I may want to do, enough for a short few days in Tokyo, but other than that not much else. I begin by looking at official tourist websites, various blogs and backpackers.tw, a website where backpackers share their experiences and advices.
On matters of gathering information I soon realized my fortunes. Taiwanese love Japan, so there is no shortage of blogs and posts, or “lazypacks” – organized cheat sheets, from accommodations, transport options to places to eat. Then if there’s going to be other language version of official websites, it’s going to be English. Plus I also have my unbalanced knowledge of Japanese learned from animes and light novels, not quite practical but close to passable.
In any case, as my research progressed I found my timing may have been quite good. Indeed whereas I was worried if the planned 10 days is too long, it is now too short and I’m constantly trying to decide what things to cut out.
Xmas Illumination
The first major thing I settled on was Xmas Illuminations. Tokyo’s shopping districts all put up light shows around Xmas and this became the main axis I based the rest of my trip on. The problem is most decorations are torn down after Xmas. So I’ll be rushing to see them all before Xmas ends then left bored after.
Comiket
Then, an unexpected find. Comiket 81 goes from 29th to 31st. The largest anime event in the world with over 300,000 visitors, famously illustrated in Lucky Star and other animes, often described as a war zone. No ifs of buts, I simply have to be there.
Which means I’m locked in Tokyo before 25th and after 28th. I thought about going to Osaka in between but in the end I decided it is not worth leaving Tokyo for just one other location. A return ticket on Shinkansen costs the same as a weekly foreigner pass, might as well save Osaka for the next time when I travel the whole length of Japan at once to make the most of it.
Studio Ghibli Museum
For the Studio Ghibli Museum. I didn’t realize it needed pre-booking until I decided to take a closer look after prompting from a colleague. Gave me quite a scare because their delegated Australian agent only does things over post and gives no guarantee regarding availability or when they’ll be able to process anyone’s requests, and this is less than 3 weeks out from when departure!
Thankfully I then looked into the agent in Taiwan. Lo and behold! Online purchase and courier option! Pass to Studio Ghibli secured.
The rest of the destinations are then allocated based on that night’s illuminations location, with the rest tossed into the free days of 27th and 28th.
After that places to eat near the destinations are found and marked on the map. The schedule rapidly took shape.