November

I think the trip will be postponed until November. There's too many things happening in September and October. Plus, another friend's parents will be moving to Nagasaki during that time. We might be able to stay there for a few days. Hopefully, everything will fall into place. I'd hate to do all this planning, and not go...I'm crossing my fingers.

Japan Traffic Guide

From Pete (06-06-06)

http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

You don't really have to worry about the date...just choose Tokyo for the starting point and then whatever station you would want to check out. Most places have one main station.

Updated Prices

From Pete (06-05-06)

Okay,
I hadn't checked prices in a while but I just browsed around a little and little has changed. So unless there's a killer deal for the Fall these are the prices we are roughly looking to spend on the trip. All the prices are "per person" and based on 10 days. I'm open to anything...when you have a few moments check out the links and let me know your preferences. As you see there is a range. The Expedia prices are always fluxuating on a weekly basis it seems.

Ryokans ("Hostel" type Japanese residences)
http://www.toukaisou.com/index-e.htm
$295 + $777air (Singapore Air $595 + $182 taxes and fees) = $1072

http://www.tctv.ne.jp/members/sawanoya/eigo.html
$440 + $777air = $1217

http://www.shigetsu.com/e/event.html
$750 + $777air = $1527
$656 + $777air = $1433 Western style room

Hotels
http://www.president-hotel.co.jp/eindex.htm
$1571 (Hotel and flight package through Expedia)

http://www.shibaparkhotel.com/en/
$1598 (Hotel and flight package through Expedia)

Apartment
http://www.oakwood.com/serviced-apartments/furnished/JP/Tokyo/prop4870.html
$1914 (Hotel and flight package through Expedia)

Something to consider is that the ryokans are kind of on the outskirts away from the "hot spots" whereas the hotels and apartment are walking distance. It's not a big deal, just that the subway ride will be longer to get back or in the likely case we are out after 1am we will need to hail a cab. Of course the ryokans give a more traditional Japanese experience. The Oakwood I threw in just in case we have the extra financial resources to go first class but even then I feel you would rather spend the extra dough on other things. :)

Atsugi

From Pete (05-30-06)

Seems like a pretty cool place to maybe check out...there's a sightseeing guide at the site too. We can get there in about an hour for about $6.00!!!

http://www.city.atsugi.kanagawa.jp/helpsite/english/index.html