Last Minute Trip to Tokyo

There is nothing like being on vacation and getting a phone call that your client wants you in Japan on Monday. On Friday, I received a call that I needed to be in Los Angeles on Monday. I booked my tickets only to get a call on Saturday that I needed to be in Tokyo. Nothing like re-booking flights last minutes. So, here I am packing up for a 12 hour flight to Tokyo to work with my client.

Figuring out what to take has been a little interesting. Besides the regular business suits that are a requirement in Japan. Various sites have mentioned some essentials. One site suggest a travel atlas and a compass, others have recommended more interesting things, but I think I'm grabbing some peanut butter Capn Crunch. Japanese breakfast is a little different from Western breakfasts consist of rice, seafood, and fermented foods similar to any other meal in Japan. I'm packing the Captain! Additionally, I am packing a new stick of deoderant. Apparently, Japanese deoderant isn't as effective as it is in the states. I may smell okay, but I'm wondering about how everyone else is going to smell when I hit the subways.

Most of my electronics should work fine in Tokyo. Japan runs 110v AC at 50 hz. The US runs 110V AC at 60hz. As long as I don't bring any three prong plugs, I will be fine. I'm packing an electric razor, my phone, laptop, and my recently hacked nook.


I'm staying at the Royal Park Hotel near the IBM building. http://www.rph.co.jp/english/ The web site makes it look like a good place to stay. I've heard rooms in Tokyo are very small, but the pictures of the Royal Park I've seen look like the rooms are sizable.


I'm finishing packing and doing some last minute research before my trip tomorrow. Traveling twelve hours in coach should make for some interesting stories. Well, off to finish packing. Rumor has it, Japanese toothpaste taste like Wasabi :)



Items of interest:


1. Japan is still having about six sizable aftershocks a day.
2. Fukashima is still having problems. Tokyo is about 100 miles from Fukashima.
3. I'll have no clue what any sign says. I'm thinking of taking pictures of street signs.
4. Anna loves Pokemon...