NRA Annual Meetings Goods Available

Using ATM and Credit Cards Around Japan

Above, Gamera souvenirs for sale at a movie premiere. While ATM and credit cards are
used more frequently, Japan is still primarily a "cash-only" nation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I first visited Japan in 2001, it was generally a "cash-only" country whose businesses did not accept credit cards (with very few exceptions) and very few ATM machines accepted foreign debit cards (and those were mostly found in Japanese post offices).

14 years later, it is somewhat the same, but usage of credit cards is becoming more frequent and more ATM machines are accepting foreign debit cards. After seven visits to Japan, I have used my debit card once and that was at Narita International Airport to make a purchase in a duty-free shop after I had already exchanged my yen for dollars last year.

Japan Info has posted an article outlining the usage of ATM and credit cards around Japan. If one is planning a trip to Japan, they should read this article and plan accordingly.

They begin with:

Japan sure is one of the best countries to visit in the entire world. It seems that Japan’s entire archipelago is filled with a tourist attraction one must visit. It has beautiful sceneries, colorful landscapes and rich architecture that draw tourists from different places. For that reason, if you want to visit Japan you must at least know an inkling about using your ATM and Credit cards around Japan.

 To read the full article, go here.

Tokyo Cheapo's Sensoji Temple Guide

Above, Asakusa, Tokyo's Sensoji Temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of my favorite places to hang out in Tokyo is Nakamise Street near Sensoji Temple in Asakusa.

Nakamise Street is where tourists (and locals) can buy goods and souvenirs.

Tokyo Cheapo has posted an article on the "ins and outs" of Sensoji and the surrounding area. It is their "A How-To Sensoji Temple Guide."

They begin it with:

Everybody knows Tokyo doesn’t really have landmarks (think quick: what is Tokyo’s Statue of Liberty, Big Ben or Eiffel Tower—there isn’t one, right?) but if it did, it would have to be Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, a 15-minute train ride from Tokyo station, (20 from Shinjuku, 30 from Shibuya or just 5 from Akihabara). In a city full of temples, Sensoji is the eldest, boasting almost one and a half millennium of history, Tokyo’s biggest souvenir market and perhaps the gaudiest rendezvous point: its Kaminarimon Gate with the huge red chochin lantern.

To read the full article, go here. 

Snapshots of Tokyo 50 Years Ago and Today

Above, the Shibuya 109 department store is one of the subjects of the article. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Where would we be today if photography had never been invented?

Luckily, we have photographic records of people and places of years gone by. This has been the case since the advent of photography in the nineteenth century.

To once again prove that point, Rocket News 24 has posted an article of photographs of Tokyo that are a "visual comparison" of places fifty years ago and today.

They begin it with:

Once upon a time, Tokyo was nowhere near the sprawling megalopolis that it is today. Long ago, it wasn’t a sure thing that the small fishing village known as Edo would someday become one of the most bustling cities in the world. 

But let’s skip Tokyo’s early years and fast-forward to a slightly more recent age. Ever wondered what the city looked like half a century ago, before the towering skyscrapers and iconic neon lights? Today, we are proud to present a visual comparison of Tokyo, 50 years ago versus the modern day!

To see Tokyo "then and now," go here. 

Las Vegas Parting Shot: Mount Potosi

Above, the dark silhouette of Mount Potosi in the distance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Recently, I read Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3 by Robert Matzen (Paladin Communications). When I was finished with it, my daughter Amber (a Clark Gable fan) borrowed it to read. For those who are fans of Gable, Lombard or Hollywood history, I recommend this book.

Ever since I read Gable and Lombard (made into a so-so movie with James Brolin and Jill Clayburgh) in the 1970s, I've found myself looking at Mount Potosi to the southwest of Las Vegas whenever I was in Las Vegas. The DC-3 carrying Lombard slammed into Potosi in January 1942.

As we headed home last evening from Las Vegas, I stopped along the road to take a few snapshots of Mount Potosi, one of which is posted above.

Circus Circus and KOA

Above, RVs at the Circus Circus RV Park in Las Vegas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I decided to go to Las Vegas with my daughter, I planned to stay at the KOA Kampground at the Circus Circus Hotel as it was right on the Las Vegas Strip. I am a KOA member. But when I went to make our reservations, I found that KOA no longer had the campground/RV park at Circus Circus. Instead, I found that KOA relocated to Sam's Town, about five miles away.

The good news was that Circus Circus still has the RV park, but it is now under their management. This all occurred last year.

The story between Circus Circus, KOA and the RV park are a bit different according to reports of last year and what I was told this week by a hotel staff member.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

In late September, the camp will lose its lease with Circus Circus, which plans to clear the land for an outdoor festival area. Casino officials say they haven't ruled out a smaller renovated RV park for the future that would open seasonally. Meanwhile, KOA, whose familiar yellow and red logo can be spotted at campgrounds across the country, is looking for a new local site. 

Many Vegas observers rue the change, criticizing this city's quick amnesia for the past. Even onetime Mayor Oscar Goodman, an indefatigable cheerleader for everything Las Vegas, finds fault with KOA's departure from the Strip. 

For 35 years — the last 14 under KOA management — the campground has lent the Strip a touch of blue-collar America, a throwback to a time when the now-imploded Dunes and Stardust anchored the wagering action.

Above, a view of the Circus Circus tower from the RV park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I arrived at Circus Circus to check-in, I spoke with a hotel staffer about the RV park and that it was rumored that it would be shutting down for some sort of hotel expansion. He said that this was not so and gave me the "straight skinny" on the RV park and their dispute with KOA.

He told me that Circus Circus plans to hold a two-week rock n' roll festival and that the festival would be held near the RV park. He said that since "not all people appreciate rock music," the hotel proposed to KOA to shut down the RV park for the two weeks so that people in the RV park would not have to endure 24-hours of rock music for that length of time. However, KOA did not want to shut down the RV park for the two weeks and allegedly threatened Circus Circus with "bad publicity" if they were forced to do so. At that, "Circus Circus terminated KOA's lease for the RV park and now are running it themselves," he said.

When I asked if the RV park would be removed for hotel expansion (as had been rumored) he said, "No, we are keeping the RV park. We get as much revenue from the RV park as we do with the hotel tower." There are 170 sites at the RV park.

He also said, "Now KOA is at Sam's Town and they have about half the number of spaces as we do."

If this story is correct, it seems like a dumb move on KOA's part to lose a lease over a two-week shut-down and an alleged "bad publicity" threat.

So, it appears that the RV park at Circus Circus Hotel is here to stay. It is just under their management.

Las Vegas Excursion

Above, early morning at the Circus Circus RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My daughter Amber and I took a little jaunt to Las Vegas, Nevada (she had some business to attend to) during the past couple of days. It was a good opportunity to try out the new motorhome out on the open highway.

The motorhome ran like a champ and performed excellently! (Well, it should, since it is brand new.) So now I know what to expect of it while taking it on longer excursions.

I was amazed at how built-up Las Vegas has become. I hadn't been there since about 1989.

While there, we met up with Jerry and Barbara Weiler over at The Mirage hotel for breakfast. We caught up on the events in our lives and had a good time.

Amber and I wandered around The Mirage hotel and went over to Caesar's Palace so Amber could do some shopping. We then went across the street to check out some shops at a new shopping complex, The Linq Las Vegas, which features a giant Ferris wheel.

Later, Amber and I met up with my cousin Toni and her husband Reimer. They took us around the western outskirts of Las Vegas and a light late-lunch/early-dinner at Kabuki. We all had a great time.

Amber and I would have liked to have stayed longer, but she had to go to work this morning and we were just plain exhausted.

Here's a few photos of the trip:

Above, the rock fountain in front of The Mirage. Photo by Amrrand Vaquer.

Above, statuary at Caesar's Palace The Forum shopping complex. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Caesar's Palace casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view down the Las Vegas Strip. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Linq. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the impressive portico at the Venetian Hotel's valet parking area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Amber, Toni and I at the Kabuki restaurant.

Almost Ready

Well, all's almost ready here in "Tarzana by the Sea" for a little jaunt to Las Vegas. This is the first outdoor photo with the new camera.

Fans Want "Ugly" Lucille Ball Statue Removed

Above, Lucille Ball and George Reeves.

Beauty and art are all in the eyes of the beholders.

This is one time I have to agree with fans of Lucille Ball in declaring that a statue of Ball is ugly and should be removed. It doesn't even look like her!

To see it, go here.

7 Great Places To Visit With A Tokyo Metro One-Day Open Ticket

Above, Nakamise Street in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the nice things about Japan, and Tokyo in particular, are the bargains that can be had through their transportation systems.

Japan Info has posted an article on seven great places to visit in Tokyo with a Tokyo Metro one-day open ticket.

They wrote:

There’s no arguing Tokyo is a sea of wonderful places. Any person’s time (and energy) is almost never enough to experience all the awesomeness of this superb city. This awesomeness however, seem to have taken a toll on the affordability of transportation in Tokyo – transportation fare in this city costs an arm and a leg. Good thing Tokyo Metro (one of Tokyo’s major subway operators) offers one day open tickets. Ahh, definitely my favorite ticket! 

Tokyo Metro’s one day open ticket lets passengers use ALL Tokyo Metro lines for a whole day (i.e., from the first trips to 11:59 PM on the designated date). One such ticket now costs 600 yen and 300 yen for adults and children respectively (previously sold at 710 and 360 yen).

Another nice thing about the Tokyo Metro system, there are subway lines with convenient stations sprinkled all over the city. One really doesn't need to own a car in Tokyo because the Tokyo Metro transit system is THAT GOOD!

To see the seven places that the Tokyo Metro one-day open ticket can take you to, go here.

April Airfare Check For Los Angeles To Tokyo

Above, the Asakusa Sumida cruise terminal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're now in a new month and this will be the first airfare report for fares between Los Angeles and Tokyo.

On March 23, I reported that according to the Los Angeles Times Travel section, round-trip airfares went up to $859 on the low end and $1,211 on the high end. These are before any taxes or fees are added in.

Yesterday, the Times reported that airfares dipped down a bit. On the low end, they found fares at $833 and on the high end, they found fares at $1,011. Again, these are before any taxes and fees are added in.

I checked with my favorite source for L.A. to Tokyo airline tickets, GatewayLAX with a departure on April 18 and a return on April 26.

This is what they came up with:

Note that the return flight to Los Angeles originates from Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The $460 round-trip fare is before any taxes and fees are added in.

Unless airfares make a dramatic jump in either direction, the next airfare report will be following the first Sunday in May.

April 5 Blog Post Pick-ups

The good folks at The Japan Daily picked up several blog posts for sharing with their readers.

They include:

To read The Japan Daily, go here.

Take A Helicopter Trip To Mount Fuji

Above, Mount Fuji from the International Space Station.

Thirty years ago, two friends and I took a vacation in the Four Corners region of the United States. The Four Corners being Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado.

One of the stops was the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park. On one of our days there, we decided to view the Grand Canyon in three different ways. One elected to hike the canyon, the other decided to view it by helicopter and I opted instead for a view from a DeHavilland Twin Otter plane (since I prefer a fixed-wing aircraft over a helicopter).

I have say, seeing the Grand Canyon by air was a great experience. Now, visitors to Japan can enjoy a similar experience of seeing Mount Fuji by air.

According to a new article in Japan Today, tourists can view Mount Fuji by air if they purchase an accommodation package from Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. Prices for the package start at ¥775,000.

They wrote:

TOKYO —The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo is offering a lavish accommodation package, Helicopter Flycation, which includes a private helicopter tour of Mount Fuji. Guests will fly aboard a Eurocopter Hermes Edition from Tokyo above the shoreline of Sagami Bay and over Lake Ashinoko to reach Mount Fuji, where they can enjoy close-up views of the mountain before turning back for a sighting of Tokyo SkyTree tower. The helicopter has calf leather seats specially made by Hermes.

If you find this interesting and want to read more, go here. 

Peter Greenberg.com: Your Checklist For International Travel

Above, Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether you're going to Japan or any other international destination, it is best to be prepared before heading off so that your trip will go smoothly.

PeterGreenberg.com has a checklist of five things to do before heading off to your international destination.

The article begins with:

Preparing for a big international trip means getting credit cards and foreign money in order. But smart travelers know you also need to prepare for anything. Contributing writer Margaret Magnus has been traveling internationally since the 1970s and has visited 24 countries. She’s been delayed by a volcanic eruption, foiled by an Arctic freeze, and even fell off a camel in the Sahara Desert.  

While she and her husband prepare for a hiking trip through the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the Balkans, she narrowed down the top five things smart travelers must do when planning for a trip abroad. 

To see the checklist, go here.

A multiple Emmy-winning investigative reporter and producer, Peter Greenberg is America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist. Known in the industry as “The Travel Detective,” he is the travel editor for CBS News, appearing on CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley, and Sunday Morning, among other broadcast platforms.

Fukuoka Walking Tours

Above, Fukuoka Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fukuoka is known to kaiju fans as being featured in Rodan (1956), Gamera: The Guardian of the Universe (1995) and Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994).

Landmarks used in those movies include Hakata Bay, Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka Yafouku! Dome.

Gaijinpot.com has posted an interesting article on places to see in Fukuoka by just taking a walking tour or two. Although the locations used in the aforementioned kaiju movies aren't part of the walking tours, there are other things to see and enjoy.

They begin the article with:

All around Japan people are starting to venture out after a long, grueling winter tucked into their kotatsu. Spring is on its way, and heading outside to have fun is finally a real possibility. Soon it will be time to pack a picnic, pick up some friends and head for the nearest cherry blossom tree for a Hanami party. 

There are plenty of alternatives to Hanami viewings though. Spring is also the perfect time to explore a new place on foot, and there is nowhere better suited for a walking tour than Fukuoka city. Other Japanese cities like Tokyo and Osaka are just too big to walk around, but Fukuoka offers you the chance to see everything that the city has to offer, simply by walking through its streets (as long as you pick the right ones!).

To read more to find out what you can see during a walking tour of Fukuoka, go here. 

Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome Completed 100 Years Ago Tomorrow

Above, the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall before the atomic blast.

The former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome, was completed 100 years ago tomorrow.

According to The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun):

The construction of the building now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima was completed 100 years ago on Sunday. 

Originally called the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall, the dome, instantly recognizable by its exposed metal framework, now symbolizes the tragedy of the atomic bombing for people in Japan and around the world. 

The exhibition hall was completed on April 5, 1915. It was built by the Czech architect Jan Letzel (1880-1925) who designed distinctive Western-style buildings in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.

The building was renamed the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall in 1933. It is now part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

Above, the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome in 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Happy Easter!

Superman Celebration "Best Fan Event": Rondo Awards Voting Ends In 13 Days!

Above, a smart voter! By Brad Shey.

To vote, go here. (Best Fan Event category is number 21.) Voting ends April 19!

Tokyo's Haneda Airport Wants To Stick More Fees On Passengers, Especially International Passengers

Above, Narita Airport's shopping area at Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before you book your flight to Tokyo, and if you want to save about $4.80 in fees, you may want to land at Narita International Airport instead of Haneda Airport.

According to Nikkei Asian Review:

TOKYO -- Haneda Airport may charge users a special fee starting around fiscal 2017 to finance an expansion needed to accommodate more flights. 

The transport ministry seeks to introduce new low-altitude flight paths over Tokyo before the city hosts the Summer Olympics in 2020. This would alleviate congestion in the skies above Haneda, allowing the airport to add almost 40,000 takeoff and landing slots a year to the current total of around 450,000. The ministry intends to allocate most of the new slots to international flights.

Haneda needs to spend about ¥100 billion ($828 million) to expand the airport's terminals, tarmac and other facilities. They figure on charging international passengers a "special fee" of ¥500 and ¥100 on domestic passengers.

¥500 may not seem like much, but Haneda Airport already charges a facility usage fee of ¥2,570 on international passengers, while domestic passengers are only charged ¥290. Nothing like sticking it to foreign visitors, eh?

Sounds welcoming, doesn't it?

To read more, go here.

New Toho Godzilla To Be Biggest Ever

Above, the Godzilla slide at Kurihama Flower World in Yokosuka, Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The announcement Toho's creative team of Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi for their soon-to-be-produced Godzilla movie set Godzilla fandom abuzz.

The Japan Times now has an article on the team as well. Plus, they have included some interesting tidbits.

They wrote:

Toho have confirmed [nice bit of "Engrish" here] the newest version of its 61-year-old radioactive monster will outsize all previous versions — including the 108-meter-tall version featured in the recent Hollywood production of the series directed by Gareth Edwards.

The new Godzilla flick begins production this autumn and its release is scheduled for 2016.

To read more, go here. 

Vintage Winnebago Ad Images

Above, an ad from 1973.

RV123.com has posted a collection of images from vintage Winnebago ads.

I have to wonder about some of the color schemes Winnebago used in their motorhomes back in the 1960s and 1970s, especially the interiors. What were they thinking?! Thankfully, they got some designers who have much better taste in interior and exterior color schemes.

To see them, go here.

Knives and A Cobra

The new motorhome is pretty much fully equipped.

The Japanese chef's knives (one for the RV and one for my daughter) arrived today from Kamaasa Shoten Knife Co. in Kappabashi, Tokyo. I am very pleased with mine and I am certain my daughter will enjoy hers.

Also arriving today was a handheld citizens' band radio I ordered. It is a Cobra HH Roadtrip Handheld CB Radio (pictured at right). I had a citizens's band radio in the motorhome I owned 25 years ago. It served two purposes: for assistance in case of a vehicle breakdown in the middle of nowhere (where there's no cellular service) and for entertainment. Sometimes, I got tired of listening to AM or FM radio or CDs (or, back then, cassette tapes), so the CB radio would be switched on. It was fun to listen in on chatter, especially if a convoy of 18-wheeler trucks were nearby. The new radio will serve those same purposes.

Additionally, it has a feature where weather report channels can be immediately picked up.

Speaking of the motorhome, it will be getting its first roadtrip workout next week when I take a little jaunt to Las Vegas.

Five Things To See In Japan Before They Die Off Completely

Above, the old Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo will be closing soon. It will be replaced
by a modern facility that is now under construction. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Longtime traditions in Japan are slowly dying off. 

So, if you want to visit Japan while you still can see (and experience) Japanese culture of olden days, now is the time to do so.

Japan Today has an article with a list of five things to see in Japan before they disappear completely.

The article starts with:

TOKYO —Call us nostalgic, but we hate to see traditional Japanese culture slip away. From ancient pilgrimage paths to geisha and kamishibai, we love Japan’s oldest traditions as much as the anime favorites and cosplay trends of today. We just adore Japan and hate to see any of it disappear. 

Today we introduce you to five icons of Japan that you need to see now before these few vestiges are completely lost.

To see more, go here. 

Investors Say Weakening Yen Key To "Abenomics" Success

Bloomberg (via The Japan Times) posted an interesting article on the state of the Japan economy and the weakening yen's contribution to the booming tourism industry. In addition, investment strategists looked into their respective crystal balls (pun not intended) to see what lies in store for the future.

It begins with:

SINGAPORE/HONG KONG – Two leading investment strategists have offered a rare bullish view of the market, saying Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is achieving his goal of reviving the economy by weakening the yen, and there’s more to come. 

Stefan Hofer, chief investment strategist in Asia at BNP Paribas Wealth Management, said the yen may drop about 8 percent to 130 per dollar over a year, boosting earnings that have driven an equity rally. 

Jay Glasser, a former Citigroup Inc. trader who started his own investment office, sees 140 to 160 by year-end, helping his bets on yen losses and gains in Japan’s bonds and stocks. Those forecasts compare with the median for a weakening of about 4 percent to 125 per dollar in a Bloomberg survey of analysts.

To read more, go here. 

Entrance Fees Rising At Some National Parks

Above, the Grand Canyon, one of the national parks to raise its fees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As we are fast approaching the summer vacation season, the announcement that the National Park Service is raising fees at some national parks is not particularly welcome to visitors on limited budgets.

According to Fox News:

Be prepared to pay a bit more if you're headed to some national parks and recreation areas this summer. 

After a six-year moratorium, the federal government is increasing the price of admission at some of its public lands and raising the fees charged for camping, boating, cave tours and other activities. The National Park Service says the money expected to be raised is just a fraction of the $11.5 billion needed to repair and maintain roads, trails and park buildings.

 To read more, go here.

Evangelion and Attack on Titan Directors Team Up On New Toho Godzilla

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This may have been a poor choice of a day to make an announcement like this (being this is April Fool's Day), but here goes.

Rocket News 24 reported:

Do you like Evangelion? Do you like Attack on Titan?

Well then good news! It’s just been announced that the directors of both those movies, Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, are working on the upcoming 2016 Japanese Godzilla reboot film. With both of them having plenty of experience creating huge mechs and huge Titans, we can only expect that this Godzilla movie is going to be… well, huge!

To read more, go here.

Blog Post Pick-ups For March 31

The good folks at The Japan Daily picked up several of today's blog posts for sharing with their readers.

They include:

To read The Japan Daily, go here.

New Camera

Tonight, Jes and I went out shopping. For Jes, her goal was to get a few "girly" things. For me, my goal was to pick up some bar-b-que items such as a big metal spatula, tongs and fork for the motorhome.

Those goals were achieved, but there was something that caught my eye and I went ahead and bought it.

It is a Canon Rebel T5i EOS SLR camera with 18-55mm lens. (I was planning to buy a new camera this year anyway.)

Thus far, I am very pleased with my purchase.