May 2007

Recently, I have read the book, called "Tokyo Has No Legs" Actually, the book is in Thai. It is so inspiring. The guy traveled to Tokyo with his friend with the money only US$900 (air tickets included)and stayed there for 9 days. Can you believe that??? Anyway, they have to sleep by the streets. Anyway, the experience they get is something you cannot find by just reading travel guide books. Tokyo or anywhere else have no legs. They cannot walk or visit you. If you want to have your own Tokyo experience you need to go there and experience it yourself.

I'm thinking about going to other parts of Japan as well, but this plan is not concrete yet. Should I just stay and have a thorough explore in only Tokyo? Or should I visit other nearby cities as well? God, I cannot make final decision for now. I do really want to go to Supporo and check out some snow but for that kind of trip I need like half a month. I would like to stay in Tokyo at least 10 days. The problem is that I'm sure that I can only get 10 days off (max), not more than that If I decided to go to Supporo, I would want to stay there at least 3-5 days coz I want to learn skiing.....That means I need at least 15 days off for this trip for being able to have thorough explore in Tokyo and check out snow and go skiing in Supporo....I don't think I can get that such a long vacation from this company (actually 15 days are not that long for me...lol). It's never enuv.....

I've collected some details for the solo trip to Tokyo! There are some useful links...
~www.japan-guide.com
~www.jnto.go.jp
~www.yokosojapan.org
~www.itcj.jp
~www.th.jal.com
~www.visitjapan.jp

I'm pretty concerned about the transportation in Tokyo coz there are tons of places I want to visit. I need to make sure that I will not get lost and waste my time on finding those places.
For details of transportation in Tokyo, go to these sites!
www.jref.com/practical/transportation
Details of JR Train in Tokyo can be found here
www.jreast.co.jp
www.tokyometro.jp (Japan Metro)
www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp (TOEI Subway)

I have even written down all the Subway lines and stations in my notebook (I might have too much free time) Line names and station numbers and names....I'm kind of like freaked out when it comes to direction. Even in Bangkok, where I've been living for ages, still I get lost lots of times.

There are two major subways in Tokyo, these two are my main transportation so I need to check them thoroughly.
TOEI SUBWAY, has 4 lines
1. ASAKUSA line: A
2. MITA line: I
3. SHINJUKU line: S
4. OEDO line: E

TOKYO METRO has 8 (9) lines
1. GINZA line: G
2. MARUNOUCHI line: M or m
3. HIBIYA line: H
4. TOZAI line: T
5. CHIYODA line: C
6. YURAKUCHO line: Y
7. HANZOMON line: Z
8. NAMBOKU line: N

I'll come back shortly to put on some more details on subway in Tokyo....

Actually, I had been to Tokyo three times, since 2003, 2004 and the last time was in 2005. Each time I stayed there for only 3-4 days and it wasn't a real travel at all. First time I was there for work. The second time I was there for someone, the same as the last time....I didnt' get to see anything much. I didn't get to go where I really wanted to go. I was attached to someone too much. I didn't see how exciting Tokyo was. I felt so sorry for myself.

In 2004, I had a bit of sightseeing in some small part of Tokyo with my Jap friends, not that bad. Every time I went to Tokyo, it was in Summer....I felt like I was in Thailand, it was bloody hot and humid.
I feel like those travels are not for myself at all....I didn't get to go where in want to go. I didn't get to explore the way I wanted my trip to be....
This was the time I was there in 2004

I hope Tokyo can wait for me and give me a chance to really explore the city and make this trip to be the way I want it to be and this time it has to be WINTER....wanna wear scarf & boots....

I'm so inspired by lots of solo travellers. The way they live their lives freely. I want to challenge myself by making a solo travel. This is how this blog begins. I'm making my solo trip to Tokyo at the end of this year...I would like to write down everything I have done for making this trip happen. My job is killing me, lots of expenses I have to be responsible and also the saving for this solo trip. Today, I bought a new Nikon DSLR camera, D40X. Something I can afford for now.The purpose is for taking my first solo trip....it can be called like my first ever solo trip....I have done lots of search for details on traveling in Tokyo. The reason I choose Tokyo is because there are lots of things going on there. The city is sooo exciting. You can also find peace and fun, excitement in this city. It is not that far from my hometown. Anyway, first thing first, I need to practice taking goood photographs and get used to using this camera.

Lets see if I can really make this trip happen or not.