Thread: Trip Report to KIX

Greetings from Chicago. I've flown nonrev a few times on UA into and out of several cities both domestic and international, including HNL. I have to say that the HNL employees I have encountered are by far the most competent anywhere in your system! If this Chicago based company could duplicate its HNL employees you guys would be queen of the skies again!

By the way, my partner was born and raised on Oahu. Most of my inlaws still live there. We go back regularly to visit.

Welcome aboard!

The United First Suite, now that's the way to travel... just tuck me in

You mentioned the hotel was pricey, what about food and shopping? I've heard so many stories about traveling in Japan, unfortunately all ended with the line, not for the non-rev on a budget.

Keep'em flying

The several times I've been there Mig, I've always found it to be reasonable or on par with other major worldwide destinations. Finding a nice litte tucked away outside the tourist area restaurant is not expensive (finding one with English menu's - priceless). Going to a western hotel chain property and ordering Kobe beef is, on the other hand, very expensive.
There are vending machines literally everywhere selling almost everything you could possibly want from beer in a mug, to a sewing kit.
Staying at traditional Ryokans (a bit like a B&B in say England) certainly don't cost the earth, but hotels can be expensive. Jumping the didcated express trains to Narita or Kansai cost a lot more than getting one of the local limited stop trains - I've always gone out to Narita on one of the local stoppers. Takes longer, but it's an experience and certainly far cheaper. The Shinkansen's can also be expensive, but it's their equivalent to jumping on a flight to go from LAX to say LAS which makes the cost seem more reasonable. Why fly when the Shinkansen's can get you there not all that much slower?
I consider some cities in Europe like London and Paris to be more expensive than those in Japan in many respects. The key, like in many places, is to "think" and act like a local, rather than a tourist. You go to the tourist type places for eating and drinking, yeah, it will kill ya, but go local and it's fine.

So Al you've been to Japan... why am I not surprised. I've always had an interest in Japan and when AA started service LAX/NRT we thought about it; even went so far as to talk to friends, recent arrivals from Japan (ANA), about it. Al they told us to budget around $400 a day. . Now to be fair that price did include two spaghetti dinners and the purchase of several jazz albums

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AL - SYD:
The key, like in many places, is to "think" and act like a local, rather than a tourist. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't know Al, since neither of us read or speak Japanese, I just don't see us successfully pulling off "acting" like a local.
So what did you do, use one of those electronic translators or just pointed and hoped for the best?

Keep'em flying

I always did look good in a Kimino Mig !! What I meant to say was "go local, do local, be local" not go only to the massively expensive places set up mainly for Western tourists.
You will need to carry a ATM around with you in the latter case.
Eating cheap is easy - even in the little local shops they usually have "models" of the different plates of food they are offering. Just a matter of point and hope it's not full of Wasabe Sauce or something! The ones you can find with Japlish menus are gold.
Local bars a beer is no more than you'd pay at a local bar at home. I honestly don't know where they are getting a USD400 per day amount from. That seems an extraordinary amount to budget per day.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AL - SYD:
I always did look good in a Kimino Mig !! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>



And the world of nonrev.net breathes a sigh of relief that he spared us the photo attachment!

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AL - SYD:
I honestly don't know where they are getting a USD400 per day amount from. That seems an extraordinary amount to budget per day. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well 50% was hotel.

and Randy lets not prejudge, this little guy looks pretty cute in his kimono.

Keep'em flying