Big in Japan

Looks like we may have waited too long to book a hotel in Kyoto. Should have known that it would be hard to find a Ryokan there during one of the biggest tourist times: cherry blossom viewing. We did find a room at this hotel. Not very glamorous, but we just need a place to sleep at this point.

;) Stevie

Hotel Aranvert
Dates: Wed Apr-5-2006 (1 night)

179, Higashi Kazariya-cho Goyjo Street S
Kyoto 600-8107

CANCEL 3 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

T 81 75 371 0616
F 81 75 365 6800

Continue reading "Our Hotel in Kyoto" »

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 03:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Iain has passed along some notes on Tokyo that a friend sent him a few months back, with some cool bars, places to check out. Thanks Iain!

:) Zach

Continue reading "Tips from Iain" »

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 02:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We ordered the JR rail pass online from our good friends at JTB. Pretty much everyone we asked told us to get a rail pass before we go so we can save a bunch o' yen. Hopefully the passes will arrive before we leave.

;) Stevie

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 02:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We faxed JTB to get tickets to visit the Ghibli Museum on April 2nd. They are only about $10 each but you have to buy them before you go to Japan. And they just arrived this morning!

When I saw Princess Mononoke, I became an instant a fan of Hayao Miyazaki's movies. After watching Spirited Away I didn't want to leave the theater; I loved it so much. They reminded me of the kind of movies and stories I loved when I was a kid; based on completely realized other worlds. I read about the Ghibli Museum in an article in the New Yorker about a year ago and have dreamed about going ever since. I can not wait.

;) Stevie

Ghibli Museum Website (in Japanese)

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bright lights big city! Our hotel in Tokyo is appearently in the Times Square/Madison Ave part of the city.

According to Time Out Tokyo:
"Prices are surprising low at this super-stylish hotel in the gleaming Shiodome complex. A funky approach to interior design has resulted in, for example, a striking atrium/lobby area with cone-shaped lights and unusual art works by the lifts. The well-designed rooms make the most of their small size, using discreetly patterned luxury fabrics and nifty shutter/blind combinations. Free, always on broadband internet access is a bonus. A shame about the dissapointing buffet breakfast. This is the smartest of the hotel's seven locations, which include Roppongi, Ueno and Nibonbashi."

;) Stevie

Villa Fontain, Shiodome
Dates: March 31 - April 9 (9 nights)

1-9-2 Higashi Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0021, Japan

T 81 (0)3 3569 2220
F 81 (0)3 3569 2111

Continue reading "Our Hotel in Tokyo" »

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 08:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wow! More tips from Janet.

We made reservations at a hotel in Ginza, kinda crazy but actually affordable. We went ahead and made it for the whole 10 days and then we will decide when we get there when to go to Kyoto. We’ll probably go for a day spend one or two nights and come back. We still have a bunch of planning to do. I really want to go to the Ghibli museum, the fish market and . . . well there are just too many things to think about let alone list! But these suggestions are to helping us to narrow it down. Thanks again, Janet!

;) Stevie

Continue reading "More Tips from Janet" »

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 01:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I mentioned to Ken Switzer that Zach and I were planing a trip to Japan. Ken and Janet went to Tokyo and Kyoto a while back and he said they would send me some info on cool places to check out. And then, boom! I get a flood of tips via email from Janet. Fantasic! We'll check it all out and report back later on what we thought. Thanks Janet!

;) Stevie

Continue reading "Tips from Janet" »

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We finally decided on the dates of our trip, March 30th to April 9th. But that means we won't be in there the same time as Trina. We'll miss her by a week. Damn! We reserved the flights and made reservations at a hotel. We just have to put 'em on the ole credit cards next. We looked a some of the ryokan in tokyo but ended up going with a hotel because Zach isn't really down with sharing a bathroom for 10 days. So we went the total opposite route and booked at a high-rise in Ginza in the Shiodome complex. Then when we go to Kyoto, we'll stay at a smaller inn or ryokan. Anyhoo, it's fun to plan and look forward to.

Trina emailed me some suggestions in the form of a walking tour near the area we'll be staying in. We'll try them out and report back later on what we thought. Thanks Trina!

;) Stevie

Continue reading "Tips from Trina" »

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Leaving:

Date: 30MAR - THURSDAY
Flight : AMERICAN AIRLINES 167
Departure: NEW YORK JFK 11:40 AM
Arrival: TOKYO NARITA 3:30 PM

Arriving: LUNCH/DINNER
---------------------------------------

Returning:

Date: 09APR - SUNDAY
Flight : AMERICAN AIRLINES 168
Departure: TOKYO NARITA 5:50 PM
Arrival: NEW YORK JFK 5:30 PM

Returning: DINNER/BREAKFAST

:) Zach

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 08:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Decadinal Birthday: (noun) On any birthday that ends in a zero, you should do something BIG, go somewhere you've always wanted to go. Remsberg family tradition for generations (well, at least two).

My birthday wish this year was to go to Japan. Anyone who's seen my collection of empty Boss coffee cans or heard my cell phone ring knows I am a big Japanophile. So I decided that it was time to hit Tokyo in the spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom. With some financial help form my loving parents, Zach and I started making plans.

;) Stevie

Posted by Stevie & Zach at 04:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)