Getting to Japan

[Molokidan]

I think everyone agrees that airfare to Japan is pretty expensive. I can easily think of a lot of things I'd rather spend my $700, $900, or even $1200 on than a dinky little piece of paper...

But I really have nothing to do this summer, and I kinda want to go to Japan. Does anyone know of any 'alternate routes' of getting there? I heard once about someone who worked on a barge ship that was going to japan or something. It took around 2 weeks, but he did get to Japan. Is there somewhere to sign up for that?

Addition: I'm coming from the west coast of the US, specifically California. Would it be cheaper to take a flight to somewhere like China or Taiwan and then take a boat from there? I'm open to any sort of possibility.

[emperor]

A friend of friend travelled to Japan a few months ago - by train across Russia and into China and then by boat/ferry...
I talked about doing that many times - but it does take alot longer and is seemingly more expensive than one would think.

I wouldnt mind a 'busmans-holiday' method of getting there perhaps on a boat:
as long as Im not shovelling coal/uranium, relieving the sexual tension of Greek sailors or carving up whales en route to Yokohama.
Maybe becoming a flight attendant would be most acceptable (but then you dont really get to stay that way do you?)

[Charles]

[AssKissinger]

Eat shit Charles

[Greji]

Eat shit Charles

That's your trouble AK! You're too indecisive! First you tell Charles to "Go suck a dick" and now you tell him to "Eat shit". Make up your mind!

[Kuang_Grade]

Historically speaking, 700-800 was a pretty good fare (for east coast departure, my frame of reference) when jet fuel was alot cheaper than now and summer is the high season for travel to Japan. 700-800 at current prices for west coast departure is probably as good as you are going to do during summer time...1100 or more is more likely. Over the years, I've had some good luck at getting fares around the 800 range (east coast dept...probably around 650 for west coast) in Sept. I'm not aware of any 2nd country solutions either...flying to HK, Seoul, or Manila is usually much more expensive than going to Japan direct and the connecting flight won't be cheap, although Korea-Japan travel isn't necessarily super expensive...in most cases, there is far more competition on US to Japan flights than to other Asian destinations from the US. While not likely of much use during the high summer season, working airline credit card promotions (such as getting 25K AA miles when you sign up) combined with some existing miles might work out well....most US airlines only require 60K miles for a US/Japan RT ticket.

[mr. sparkle]

Check out courier flights. If you live in LA, you're in luck.

[Molokidan]

Is there a certain website to go to to get the best courier flight rates? All I've found is a bunch of bogus/useless pages searching for courier flights. Thanks.

[Blah Pete]

I don't have any links to courier flights but my brother used to do it frequently. Came to Japan a few times, Europe,and Australia from the US. One setback is the courier company uses your baggage alotment so by their rules you only can use a carry-on.
I vagely remember someone saying since 9-11 there has been a change or cut to the courier flights.

[Korrito]

I plan on kayaking from Anchorage Alaska to Japan.

I'm just waiting for my LL Bean rain slicker to arrive.

[mr. sparkle]

One setback is the courier company uses your baggage alotment so by their rules you only can use a carry-on.

Well, that ends up not being such a big deal. You should travel light in Japan anyway. All that "on and off the trains and then up and down LONG staircases at Shinjuku station" nonsense with heavy luggage REALLY sucks.

I've flown IBC-Pacific to Japan and it was only a few hundred bucks outta LA. If you are serious about getting into being an air courier, check out this website.

http://www.courier.org/

[Charles]

Well, that ends up not being such a big deal. You should travel light in Japan anyway. All that "on and off the trains and then up and down LONG staircases at Shinjuku station" nonsense with heavy luggage REALLY sucks.

Well, there are ways to avoid that. Last time I went over, I dragged my roller suitcase through the trains and down the streets, took me 90 minutes to get from the Keisei Skyliner station to the hotel. I got a back strain from my heavy camera bag over my shoulder, it took weeks to go away.
When I left, I was running late so I took a taxi from the hotel to the station, it turned out my hotel was only a 5 minute taxi ride away. Oops.
I personally am not a big fan of traveling light. It is based on the premise that it is easier to just buy what you need, if you run into an emergency. Cash is easier to carry than clothes, shoes, etc. But it is impossible for a 6'2" guy like me to find clothes in Japan, let alone 13EEE shoes. I traveled a lot lighter on my last trip, since I knew in advance that I was staying in a hotel with washing machines. But still, I was glad I took enough extra clothing so I didn't have to spend all my spare time washing clothes. And of course it is easier to travel light if you're only staying a short time, I stayed for over 2 months.

I've flown IBC-Pacific to Japan and it was only a few hundred bucks outta LA. If you are serious about getting into being an air courier, check out this website.

http://www.courier.org/

I checked em out, it looked like their fare estimator just uses regular fares, I got the usual $750 low end prices from LAX-NRT, nothing in the courier price range. The highest price quote was a $9900 round trip ticket from Quantas. Goddam ozzies, they are insane.
So how do I get courier prices out of that website?

[FG Lurker]

Well, there are ways to avoid that. Last time I went over, I dragged my roller suitcase through the trains and down the streets, took me 90 minutes to get from the Keisei Skyliner station to the hotel. I got a back strain from my heavy camera bag over my shoulder, it took weeks to go away.
When I left, I was running late so I took a taxi from the hotel to the station, it turned out my hotel was only a 5 minute taxi ride away. Oops.

Serves you right for being such a cheapass.

So how do I get courier prices out of that website?

Well Chuck, since your such a cheapass, why not take some of your own advice:

[mr. sparkle]

Well, there are ways to avoid that. Last time I went over, I dragged my roller suitcase through the trains and down the streets, took me 90 minutes to get from the Keisei Skyliner station to the hotel. I got a back strain from my heavy camera bag over my shoulder, it took weeks to go away.

I take the Narita Express because taking the Skyliner to Ueno is not an easy transfer point to get to where I often stay in Japan−]I traveled a lot lighter on my last trip, since I knew in advance that I was staying in a hotel with washing machines. But still, I was glad I took enough extra clothing so I didn't have to spend all my spare time washing clothes.[/quote]

That doesn't take more than an hour of my time. I usually lounge in a kissaten or wander around the 'hood while it's being done. Not a biggie.

I checked em out, it looked like their fare estimator just uses regular fares, I got the usual $750 low end prices from LAX-NRT, nothing in the courier price range. The highest price quote was a $9900 round trip ticket from Quantas. Goddam ozzies, they are insane.
So how do I get courier prices out of that website?

I would contact IBC directly, it'll give you the real price. A lot of high and mighty "Courier Sites" think that they can sell you info when it really should be free out ther on the net. Power to 'em, though. They're doing a pretty good job, because I've found it very difficult to get the real lowdown about courier flights on the net w/o paying their "fees".

Honestly, you should be able to get some great deals. You just have to dig to find out about them. 'Cause let's face it−it's a GREAT deal and everyone would use courier flights if they knew how painless they are.

[Greji]

You have to drag your stuff down this daunting stairway. I think they finally put an escalator in for going up, but going down with a heavy suitcase is not my idea of fun. You still have to lift the bag and carry it down the stairs

That ain't right spark! No man should have to face that. That's what we get married for! "Hey girl, get those bags, and let's get going, time's a'wasting"

(ducks to avoid incoming from GG.GC, IGPG and SG)

[billyDe]

Don't be cheap. Comfort and convenience are worth an extra couple hundred dollars. I'd advise against layovers and changing planes to save a few bucks. Amnet-USA is a good place to buy cheap tickets from the US.

[Korrito]

I plan on kayaking from Anchorage Alaska to Japan.

I'm just waiting for my LL Bean rain slicker to arrive.

I've been rowing (paddling? what's the difference?) for a few weeks now, and think I am lost.

I should've purchased the Kayak with GPS instead of internet.



And I have ten cigarettes left, four of which are wet.

[Korrito]

I've been rowing (paddling? what's the difference?) for a few weeks now, and think I am lost.

I should've purchased the Kayak with GPS instead of internet.



And I have ten cigarettes left, four of which are wet.

You can paddle with paddles, or row with oars. You cannot, however, paddle with oars or row with paddles.

Try it.

It's one of the great profundities of the seas.

[Korrito]

UPDATE:

Apparently, I am still in the kayak dealership, I must paddle faster.

This also answers my question of how they made such a long ethernet cord for my internet.

Still puzzled about the four cigarettes which remain wet.

On the upside, there's a tent nearby, a coleman stove and some hiker's food packs that are cooked, ready to eat, just add heat.

My arms shall rest tonight.

[Grumblebum]

It's completely idiotic that there's no easy way for travelers to get from A to B w/o having to lug crap up and down stairs.

I have one word for that - takkyubin.
For about 1000yen you can get your heavy crap sent from Narita to wherever you're staying, delivered the same day if you arrive in the am.
Same with departure. As long as you can plan a little ahead, you can get the stuff picked up and have it waiting for you at Narita.
If there is one thing thats great about Japan its the takkyubin services.

[mr. sparkle]

I have one word for that - takkyubin.
For about 1000yen you can get your heavy crap sent from Narita to wherever you're staying, delivered the same day if you arrive in the am.
Same with departure. As long as you can plan a little ahead, you can get the stuff picked up and have it waiting for you at Narita.
If there is one thing thats great about Japan its the takkyubin services.

Thanks much, that's very good advice.

[Charles]

Thanks much, that's very good advice.

It's true, the takkyuubin is awesome. I remember taking the overnight sleeper train to Hokkaido, I dragged my two heavy suitcases (with enough stuff for my 3 month stay) all the way down the stairs in Tokyo eki to the track where it departed. I mean, REALLY heavy suitcases, my primary softsider bag was 90 pounds.

Then they wouldn't let me take them on the train, even though they would fit in my compartment (one compartment per person). I was in a panic, I had no idea what to do, then a helpful stationmaster suggested I ship them by takkyuubin. So I had to drag them all the way back up the stairs to the shipping station. I don't recall what it cost, but it was pretty cheap considering the total weight of the bags. I was convinced I'd never see my suitcases again, but when I got to my destination, there were my two suitcases waiting for me, neatly wrapped in the toughest plastic bags I've ever seen.
I wish I had known about the takkyuubin before I dragged my suitcases all the way down the stairs.. and back up again. Of course the shipping station would be right near the entrance.

[ichigo partygirl]

Hey guys just another question about flights.
I have a friend from Japan coming to visit me for Christmas/new years.
Any idea of where she can go in Japan to maybe get some cheap flights?? She is a student so maybe somewhere does a student deal????
Maybe some of my aussie friends who fly home a bit may have some advice?
Thanks all~~

[Taro Toporific]

Hey guys just another question about flights.
I have a friend from Japan coming to visit me for Christmas/new years.

The 20,000 yen R/T flights from Kansai Int'l are the best deal (but Christmas/new years is impossible for cheap flights).

[ichigo partygirl]

BUMP~~~!!
Thanks Taro - Hey anyone else know where to go to get a good deal on a flight to NZ??? (Aussies where do u get your flights??)

[GomiGirl]

BUMP~~~!!
Thanks Taro - Hey anyone else know where to go to get a good deal on a flight to NZ??? (Aussies where do u get your flights??)

I get mine from GM Travel. I just email them and they do it all that way.

Ads in metropolis but here is the link. http://www.gmtravel.net/

Otherwise, other people I know use No 1 Travel but there have been some negative things on sites about there 2 pricing policy beteen FG's and Japanese.

[FG Lurker]

I use Academy Travel in Osaka. The owner (Ray) started Academy about 25 years ago and knows the business inside out. He isn't (quite!) a miracle worker but he's managed to get me tickets when no one else can, and his prices are excellent as well.

They have clients all over Japan and will issue e-tickets or can courier paper tickets if they are required.

06-6303-3538

[ichigo partygirl]

Cool thanks guys. Its almost impossible to get resonably priced tickets to NZ so its worth giving anywhere a try!!

[FG Lurker]

Cool thanks guys. Its almost impossible to get resonably priced tickets to NZ so its worth giving anywhere a try!!

Generally you won't find one travel agent priced drastically less than others for the same class of ticket.

The great thing about a top-notch travel agent is that they can find cheaper classes of tickets when other agents are saying that there are none of those left. Not always possible of course, sometimes things are just expensive and there's nothing to be done except pay or not go.

Another area where a great agent will shine is with non-standard routings. Fly into one city and return from another, or make several stops on one trip. When the ticket gets more complicated a good agent can save big bucks as well as figure out better routings/schedules.

[emperor]

New cheap(ish) flights between London & HongKong (£75 + £40/60[charges/taxes]):so thats £210 (€390) total if you can nab the cheap ones - then they jump in price to 145/190etc
http://www.oasishongkong.com

Any cheap - connections to Japan then?
Any new low fare airlines?
How much does that ferry to Osaka cost?