Blogs from Chiba, Japan, Asia - page 8

We were returning to California on Japan Airlines and our connection was in Japan. Because of the scheduling, we found ourselves with a 10 hour layover in Narita. Rather than spending all that time at the airport with nothing to do, we decided to see if we could pick up a one day tour of the area. We checked at the information desk and found no short tours available. Speaking only English, we were a little nervous about leaving the airport without a guide but decided to give it a try. We hit the ATM and got some Yen, managed to get tickets and proceeded to the train platform. There were a few signs that had enough English for us to get on the right train, we proceeded to board and find a seat as ... read more

From Australia my wife and I have travelled to many countries, usually without the 'benefits' of planned itineries. The following article is about my travelling to Japan with my son. I have also sailed to Antarctica, and we have sailed the Queensland coast of Australia and the Greek Islands. We have travelled through Thailand, India, Java and Bali, Fiji, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, and USA. I have created a website for fellow travellers to list any type of holiday accommodation, vehicle, boat, or tour, so as to swap holiday time with something they have for something someone else has. To view the following article with images, go to http://www.sosimpleholidayswaps.com, click the button to "Life and Travels of a Non-famous Person" on the Home Page and select the appropriate chapter. TRAVELLING THROUGH JAPAN. This trip happened in 1994. ... read more

Alright, so I am making the most of things here and trying to get out and see as much of Japan as I possibly can! My first adventure was to Asakusa, a little ways out of Tokyo. It an amazing little area with a giant famous temple and cool shopping! The history and temples here is really amazing! The temples are so beautiful and detailed! I was proud of myself for venturing out on my own, and also for not getting lost on the trains! Japan has an amazing public transportation system! On the bus or train you can pretty much get wherever you need to go! Its great! Also, Japanese people are much friendlier to foreigners than Americans are. They want to help you and try so hard to speak English! Also, I really like ... read more

Hello everyone! I've officially arrived yay! Its so weird and surreal to be here. My roommates are fantastic! Laura is from Phoenix but has lived in Seattle and been to Buckley..small world. And Mataya is Canadian. Laura has been here for about 4 months and Mataya has been here for a whole year so both are very helpful and include me to do things with their friends. Being here for only a short amount of time already makes me appreciate the Pacific Northwest so much. Everything here is so squished together and no one has yards..they barely have space to park their cars, its insane how crowded it is! Also, I haven't been able to quite get over my jet lag or used to the time difference here yet but I know its just a matter ... read more

Hello everyone! Today is our second day of Orientation, my third day here in Japan. In theory we're all getting to know each other and getting ready for our schooling and such. I've kinda missed out on a great deal of that. Why is that? Well, I've been getting a bit more acquainted with being sick. The good news is that Japanese people are very nice, so they let me skip the lectures to pass out in my room, and later a couple of strangers found me in the fifth floor bathroom with a nose bleed and kindly went to find my group leader. I would make them thank you cookies, but it's not quite convenient. I've said "domo arigatou gozaimasu" quite a bit. Anyway, after twenty minutes of my nose gushing (it was only 15 ... read more