The next day in my backlog of Stuff To Post About was Gion Matsuri's Yoiyoiyama (that is, the 2nd day of festivities before the big parade...the other days are called Yoiyama and Yoiyoiyoiyama)...heralded by the trumpet of heavy rain and rolling thunder. Hooray! I put on my yukata anyway (Marisa wasn't feeling great, and decided to pass) and we set ( Read more... )

Finally, after sacrificing numerous afternoons of searching, a window seat en route to to Japan, companionship as far as Vancouver, every single vacation day I had remaining for the year, two days worth of sleep, $2000, forfeiting a perfect, $300-cheaper flight that did not match up with Cassius' and giving up any hope of seeing Tokyo Bay again ( Read more... )

Well, Tokyo-Narita to Toronto-Pearson for the week I wanted has now gone down to $1522 round-trip, taxes-in. Still begging the problem of (a) getting to Tokyo and staying there for 1 night, and (b) getting to Newfoundland from Toronto (affordably). Round-trip from Kansai-KIX would be $1833 taxes-in. The cost of the night bus x1, Shinkansen x1 and ( Read more... )

Cost of a return flight (3 stops) from Osaka to St. John's on the cheapest day available (Wednesday to Wednesday ( Read more... )