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Oh wow, you’re in Arlington too?! Small world! We’ll definitely have to chit chat about being uber elite NoVa people.

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Last time, I had Verizon set me up for international usage for the time I was in Japan. Cost like $25 and I could use my own phone if I needed to make an emergency call and 100MB of data, which was used for maps when looking for specific places and Google translate if I was in a pinch. I don’t even think I used half the data.

I bring a travel wifi router so I can use the hotel’s wired internet with my phone, since I don’t bring a laptop with me.

I’m not looking for any particular merchandise or souvenirs. I got more than enough last time. Also, I don’t have a lot of extra money available for trinkets (3 months being unemployed will do that to you), but I’m definitely going to sample more food than I did before! Piece of advice: DON’T eat breakfast before the Kanda festival.

During a free time, I would love to go find some small bars/izakaya to have some drinks and maybe goof off with some locals.

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Going through my packing list, I see I’m pretty much ONLY wearing skirts and dresses. I wear spanx under them so I’m not flashing panties and disappointing upskirt perverts (Haaa, jk).

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I WILL be going to the SquareEnix Artnia Café during one of the free times in Tokyo. If anyone would like to join me, feel free.

RAAAAACHEEEELLLLLL, DAAARLING <3 <3 <3

Kendrawesome + Kat = Awesome that you’re from NoVa! I’m in Arlington. Whereabouts are you two located?

In regards to periods: Mine started on the flight there. It was terrible as I felt bloated and crampy :\ I never had a problem finding public restrooms, and they were usually fancy with heated toilet seats, noise makers, and trash cans. I use a DivaCup so I don’t have to worry about taking care of it in public restrooms. Mine ended before the onsen so I was good to go there. Unfortunately, it looks like the same thing will happen again this year. Oh well.

I wouldn’t try skipping your period for the first time on an international trip if you haven’t before. You never know how your body is going to react.

If Lanny or Evan read this: Is the itinerary on the site remotely close to the final one? I coordinate my outfits and packing based on what happens on what day, haha.

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My secrets to packing light:
Wear clothes more than once.
Mix and Match! (I had 3 bottoms and 5 tops, which makes for 15 different outfits) Accessories like a cardigan or pashmina add some flair.
I brought laundry detergent to wash clothes in the sink when needed.
“Throw away” clothes: I brought old underwear, socks, and pajamas to just toss after I was done wearing them.

Hotels have shampoo, conditioner, soap, towels, hair dryers. So no need for me to bring any of that. Toiletries I did bring were travel size only and very few “just in case” items.

I had brought my PSP and Kindle for the plane ride but didn’t use them at all (I only played on my phone, watched the in-flight entertainment, or tried to sleep) So I’m skipping bringing those this time.

Hope this gives people some ideas :P

:D :D :D Kariiiinaaa!!! <3 <3 <3

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Yoyoyo!

This is Katya. I’m 29 and live in Virginia; a stone’s throw away from Washington, DC (So I just tell everyone I’m from DC). I went on the Perfect tour in 2013 and now I’m back for seconds. Omnomnom.

I took great pride in my packing light research and managed to travel to Japan with just a half-empty carry-on and a laptop bag… However, I bought so much that I had to check my carry-on for the trip home. I intend to pack even lighter this time around. I think I got all my souvenir buying out of the way last trip.

The weather was gorgeous in 2013, save for one rainy day. Very similar to DC weather. Sunscreen is a really good idea, and I also recommend a hat/headcover/umbrella if it’s particularly sunny. And also important: COMFY SHOES. I saw some people sporting EPIC blisters.

The jet lag getting there wasn’t bad, but it was the jet lag when I got home that killed me. My schedule was messed up for a week. I think it’ll be easier to tolerate this time, as last tour I was so anxious I couldn’t sleep on the plane.

Looking forward to some good times!

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Okay I figured it out. Forgot I needed to highlight what I wanted to link… SUCH A NOOB.

Links are to my albums on Facebook, but you don’t need an account to view them. However, you do need an account if you want to comment/tag people. Enjoy!

Japan Day 1+2 : Flights + Tokyo Tower
Japan Day 3 : Ikebukuro + Yakatabune
Japan Day 4 : Shibuya + Ghibli + Roppongi
Japan Day 5 : Kanda Festival + Akihabara + Artnia
Japan Day 6 : Asakusa + Odaiba + Harajuku
Japan Day 7 : Osaka + Takarazuka
Japan Day 8 : Kyoto PART 1
Japan Day 8 : Kyoto PART 2
Japan Day 9 : Ito

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I’ve got about 97% of my pictures up!

I would really like to post links here, but every time I try… nothing shows up. I thought I was good at internet/message board basics, but this baffles me. I click on the link button, paste in the URL and title and get… nothing. The site has changed something since the last time I posted a link. HALP.

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I’ve started posting my pictures on Facebook. I’ll post links to them here at a later time once I get them all up. I think it’s fascinating to see what everyone took photos of. Some of them are the same and some people went to completely different places and saw different things!

@YYZ kifujin – Yes, as far as I know :D I took so much video and I haven’t even started to go through them. I need to make sure the videos are screened for content before I show my family, haha.

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I had a good homecoming, despite being so tired. My boyfriend had roses and my favorite food from a local pasta place for me. And my cat was still alive, which was also good.

I made it through the day… barely… nearly fell asleep while eating dinner last night, then passed out. Then I woke up at like 3am thinking I was still at Hotel Dankoen! I’m at work again today, hoping the day goes by faster. I started organizing my pictures and should begin to post them tonight. I’m having fun looking at everyone else’s pictures!

STEEEEEEEEPHANIEEEEEE! You better post pictures tooooo!

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Guess I can be considered an alumni now! I had an absolute blast!

I would definitely love to go back to Japan with PacSet. I have so many stories and pictures to share with my family and I made so many new friends! I’m going to start working on organizing pictures tonight (if I don’t pass out immediately from jet lag).

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Oh. my. god. why did i agree to come into work today? After 15+ hours of being on planes, this should be the last thing I should be doing. And I still have like 7 hours to go… I feel like I’m in a fog.

I’ve already shared some kit kats with my coworkers, haha. They’re making fun of me for my jet lag.

It was awesome meeting you all and I hope we can all see each other again someday! (Some of y’all convinced me to go to Otakon). I’m so excited to share everything with my friends and family! Only problem I have now is that all of my video on my camera recorded in .MTS and I have no idea how to work with that. Will need to convert, screen, and upload. And also may need to get permission from individuals that might be embarasssed by content (*cough*evan*cough*)

Sorry I didn’t have pink hair IRL errybody.

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I’m probably going to grab a small quick dinner at LAX once I get in around 8:00PM on the 7th and then hang out at the hotel too. I might not be able to sleep due to the anticipation, haha. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

I’m already all packed but I have a feeling that I’m going to double check my lists and repack again tonight. Then I’m cleaning and spending time with my guy. This will be the longest we’ve been apart in 5 years T_T

I’m excited to be seeing you all in person soon!

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I hadn’t had my hair cut/colored since I started saving a few years ago for a trip to Japan, so I had a good six inches or so chopped off.

I’ll definitely be wearing some items more than once and bringing some laundry detergent to hand wash stuff when I need to. I’ve got 3 bottoms and 4-5 tops. And I have a cute dress I’ll be wearing the day we’re in Shibuya and then again in Kyoto.

@Amaya928 – I’m bringing 2 pairs of shoes. A pair of basic flats that go with anything and a pair of those Sketchers GoWalks. They’re not the most stylish shoes but lords are they comfortable and easy to get on and off.

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I won’t be bringing an iron with me as the majority of my clothes are wrinkle resistant. I find that after hand washing clothes, rolling them up in a towel as opposed to twisting and wringing them out helps prevent bad wrinkling.

Just got my hair cut and highlighted yesterday! I feel fab-u-lous! And the outfits I’ve got are versatile enough to dress up or down depending on the situation. I don’t have rain gear though, so I may need to buy an authentic Japanese umbrella while I’m there if it rains :P

I won’t be bringing a laptop with me so I’m making sure that I have plenty of memory for pictures(64GB = overkill). Last time I traveled long-distance with a laptop I dropped it in the airport and the screen shattered D: (it was under warranty though, whew)

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