Some background:

Two of my friends are going to Japan for 2 months this spring. They both lived there as kids/teen as their parents were in the Navy so they visit often, speak Japanese, etc. The end of their trip will coincide with Star Wars Celebration in Chiba because one of them is speaking at some panels as they are a Star Wars author. IF you aren't familiar, Star Wars Celebration is the official convention for all things Star Wars and where they announce new details on movies, shows, books, comics, etc. I am very jealous because I too am a fan of Star Wars.

Anyways last night they invited me to join them in Japan. They are staying at AirBnBs for their whole trip outside of the last part when Disney is putting them up in a hotel for the convention. I initially dismissed it because although I have always wanted to go it seems very last minute. Plus I know my wife would not be able to go as she has several deadlines around that time. I woke up this morning and just for fun looked at flights. I actually have almost enough miles to cover a round trip ticket to Tokyo. I would only need to spend about $300 total for the flight including buying additional mile, taxes, and fees. I very casually mentioned it to my wife and she said, "oh that would be fun, you should go." Now I am seriously considering going.


The current issues at hand

-I speak no Japanese.
-Do I really want to suffer through a roughly 15 hour flight each way in coach?
-The Star Wars Celebration 3 day passes are sold out, only Friday and Sunday are still available. The reselling of tickets for a profit is illegal in Japan so I would miss out on the Saturday which is the one day I really want to go.
-I need a place to stay and saw that there is a capsule hotel (attached to an onsen) near the convention. Is that a dumb idea?
-Is this a trap? (Admiral Ackbar)


As always serious and non serious answers appreciated

Anchorhold said:

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Yes, but skip the nerd-hanging-out-IRL part altogether.

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I can't do that, I'm too big of a dork. I have a bunch of Star Wars stuff and my ultimate nerd bragging rights (sorta) is that there is a character in one of the books named after me. My name is effectively Star Wars canon.

nai06 said:

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Some background:

Two of my friends are going to Japan for 2 months this spring. They both lived there as kids/teen as their parents were in the Navy so they visit often, speak Japanese, etc. The end of their trip will coincide with Star Wars Celebration in Chiba because one of them is speaking at some panels as they are a Star Wars author. IF you aren't familiar, Star Wars Celebration is the official convention for all things Star Wars and where they announce new details on movies, shows, books, comics, etc. I am very jealous because I too am a fan of Star Wars.

Anyways last night they invited me to join them in Japan. They are staying at AirBnBs for their whole trip outside of the last part when Disney is putting them up in a hotel for the convention. I initially dismissed it because although I have always wanted to go it seems very last minute. Plus I know my wife would not be able to go as she has several deadlines around that time. I woke up this morning and just for fun looked at flights. I actually have almost enough miles to cover a round trip ticket to Tokyo. I would only need to spend about $300 total for the flight including buying additional mile, taxes, and fees. I very casually mentioned it to my wife and she said, "oh that would be fun, you should go." Now I am seriously considering going.


The current issues at hand

-I speak no Japanese.
-Do I really want to suffer through a roughly 15 hour flight each way in coach?
-The Star Wars Celebration 3 day passes are sold out, only Friday and Sunday are still available. The reselling of tickets for a profit is illegal in Japan so I would miss out on the Saturday which is the one day I really want to go.
-I need a place to stay and saw that there is a capsule hotel (attached to an onsen) near the convention. Is that a dumb idea?
-Is this a trap? (Admiral Ackbar)


As always serious and non serious answers appreciated

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Absolutely, go! Only one small change - there's enough competition out there that if you look at all carriers and possible routes, you can get a reasonable business class ticket.

CC09LawAg said:

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nai06 said:

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-Is this a trap? (Admiral Ackbar)

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They're def inviting you to harvest and sell your organs to fund the trip.

Sorry to break it to you.

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You can donate all or part of like 4 or 5 different organs right? I'm sure we can work out a deal.

Did it in 2010 when I left for Jordan for an undetermined about of time. Didn't read the OP but I can be impulsive sometimes. So yes.

Holy **** you have to go.

nai06 said:

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The current issues at hand

-I speak no Japanese. You'll be okay, esp in Tokyo. Plus, your friends do. But thousands of people visit Japan every year who do not speak any Japanese.
-Do I really want to suffer through a roughly 15 hour flight each way in coach? Yes. Go for more than two weeks; you don't have to go the whole two months but it makes the flights more tolerable knowing you're going to be gone for more than a few days.
-The Star Wars Celebration 3 day passes are sold out, only Friday and Sunday are still available. The reselling of tickets for a profit is illegal in Japan so I would miss out on the Saturday which is the one day I really want to go. Can your friends not get you in? Even if no, when else will you have this opportunity?
-I need a place to stay and saw that there is a capsule hotel (attached to an onsen) near the convention. Is that a dumb idea? It's a great idea! And staying with your friend(s) at their paid for hotel is not an option?
-Is this a trap? (Admiral Ackbar)

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I do it all of the time. I go on international trips and my usual turn time is 24 hours from booking to flying.

And I don't book my hotels until I land in the said country.

This is such a no brainer. You've got the hall pass and two travel buddies. Whether you know it or not, you're going.

Japan is absolutely incredible and one of my favorite trips of all time. If you can't go to the nerd convention part just hang out by yourself. Or just dress up like a woman and you'll get in easily....Japan is unbelievably safe and easy/efficient to get around. There will be plenty of somewhat English speakers, especially in Tokyo. Also take at least 10 days and preferably more. The time difference is real. Have fun!

Book the trip and go. knowing the language has zero influence. you can figure it out.

No because I have kids, animals and property to take care of so life requires a little planning on my part.

You should definitely go. But upgrade to nicer seats on the flight. Life is too short to fly coach on long flights.

There's your answer, fishbulb.

nai06 said:

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Anchorhold said:

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Yes, but skip the nerd-hanging-out-IRL part altogether.

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I can't do that, I'm too big of a dork. I have a bunch of Star Wars stuff and my ultimate nerd bragging rights (sorta) is that there is a character in one of the books named after me. My name is effectively Star Wars canon.

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I sat next to a dude named Chewbacca Jones. Musta been you. Have fun on your trip.

How much would it cost to go on your own and book a full time translator/guide?

If you ever have the opportunity to travel to a foreign country with a "native" or someone that lived there for a long time, you take the opportunity. They know all the great places to go and the fun things to do. They know what to avoid. Even if everyone speaks English, it's a better experience when someone in the group speaks the language. Service is better, people are friendlier. Absolutely go!

Yes you go, absolutely. If you let those things hold you back, bit the. Maybe you shouldn't go, not cut out to enjoy and explore this amazing world. It shouldnt be a question. Enjoy!

If you have to "ask your wife" you shouldn't go.

If you have the funds and time and permission from the wife, why the **** would you not go? Sounds awesome. Also echo the above. Definitely not impulse. Should still absolutely go. You'll figure it out. And if you don't, it'll still be an adventure! Like the time drunken me missed my stop on the train in Germany and ended up in a tiny village with zero idea of what was going on. Had more fun off the beaten path than my planned route tbh.

Do you got plans tonight?
I'm a couple hundred miles from Japan, and I
I was thinking I could fly to your hotel tonight

You should go. Stay two months if you have the time and can afford it.

It wasn't a long trip, but I once went on an extended weekend to London with a gal I had been on one date with and one of her friends I had never met.

It was spur of the moment. She asked if I wanted to take advantage of British Airways $250 round trip to London. I was in the middle of a date when she called. I excused myself to the restroom and called her back. Told her I would call her later.

She called me before I got home and said she went ahead and bought me a ticket.

Go on the trip.

Are you going for the 2 months or a shorter period

Bow chica wow wow…

If your wife is truly giving you a blessing, absolutely go

Fins Up! said:

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Bow chica wow wow…

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As long as OP's friend doesn't turn out to be a control freak that has every minute of the trip scheduled for them to do together, it should go better than my trip.

I would have been better off going alone or with the gal I had never met.

Do we belong to the same FB group?

Doubtful.

Unless someone in that group is a petite redhead that patted the top of a silver box on her coffee table when she would leave her apartment and say "Bye! I love you! I'll be back later!"

The silver box contained the ashes of her deceased cat.

A trip months from now isn't an impulse trip

A trip to Japan in the spring, especially with friends that know Japan sounds great

I've found the jet lag is not as bad on that trip compared with going from Nortb America to Europe

A Star Wars fest sounds super lame. It being sold out is a blessing, maybe go do something cool instead

If you can pull it off do it.

-I speak no Japanese.

(doesn't matter, wont hinder your experience one bit)

-Do I really want to suffer through a roughly 15 hour flight each way in coach?

(read that thread on longhaul flight tips)

As someone who lives in Japan, and has done the Japan to US round-trip flight easily a dozen times:

• You don't need to speak Japanese - especially in the age of smartphones.
• The flight isn't as bad as you think. It's even easier if your doctor is willing to prescribe you something to help you sleep.
• The reselling of tickets *for a profit* is illegal, but that just means that people have to re-sell them at face value or less. I don't know about the ticket demand, but I would say that it isn't as impossible as you think that you won't be able to get a Saturday ticket.
• Capsule hotels aren't terrible, but you can find all kinds of reasonably priced hotels in Japan (especially given the current exchange rate)

Honestly, with the exchange rate the way it currently is, as long as you have the time off of work and a valid passport, I'd go for it.