Put that on my list

10.14.2023

My trip to Japan is two weeks away. So it’s time to kick my preparation into high gear. Time to go through my to-do list, my packing list and my preflight checklist. Yesterday, I identified and created my vegetarian restaurant list. And to my surprise there are more choices than I knew. Before becoming a vegetarian about nine years ago, I loved eating at CoCo ICHIBANYA. My heart was broken when I had to give it up. But now they have a vegetable curry just for vegetarians. I can’t wait to have some. Another great vegetarian restaurant is Ain Soph. Soar in Ikebukuro. I’ve been there once and can’t wait to get back. After seeing Godzilla Minus One at the Humax Cinemas, I’m going there for lunch.

I’m having a tough time nailing down my daily itinerary because it feels like something is missing from my travel list. Then last night, I heard from my dear friends in Nagoya. So a quick trip outside of Tokyo is now a possibility. I would love to see them especially since I missed them in March. I have life-changing experiences in Nagoya with deep emotional ties that will never break. It has been ten years since I spent three months living on a rooftop. In 2014 I lived in a danchi for seven months before returning home to support and care for my mother. While there I started my longest tenured job. During my trip in March, I took my walk to Osu Kannon shopping district then headed back to the school and old apartment. Nagoya Station is as busy as ever. So much has changed but the feelings of home have remained.

Landmarks along my walk from Nagoya station to my old danchi

In general I know where I want to go but figuring out exactly when is tough. I don’t want to miss anything. I want to catch all the Godzilla Minus One posters, billboards, displays and advertisements I’ve seen on social media. In the lead up to the big day I want to attend all scheduled events as possible, while still seeing friends. I’ve got to get to places I missed on my March trip, such as ECO Town (Owadamachi, Hachioji, Tokyo) and Gojira-ya (not far from Nakano Broadway). I need to spend more time at Nagano Broadway and Akihabara. I need to make my return pilgrimage to Toho Studios the day before the movie release. And in between all of these trips I’m going to a special place fitting for the Godzilla anniversaries taking place this year. Here is a look back at some of my favorite places.

My preflight checklist is short. The big check on my list is getting jabbed with the latest covid-19 booster. After a day of feeling a bit sick I’m back to normal and feeling prepared and safe for travel to Japan. I bought travel necessities when I was at the pharmacy getting my shot. For a one-week trip I don’t need much. Most essential are quality footwear that gives me a tough time on several trips. I will start packing my travel bag this week. Now, there is one outstanding item. I need a good travel camera. I don’t own a mobile phone. I carry an iPad mini everywhere I go. Although its camera is serviceable, it’s no comparison to the iPhone camera. I need to capture both high quality video and photos of Godzilla Day and every place I visit. So I’ve got a big decision to make over the next week.

My shopping list is simple. I don’t have any collectibles I’m looking for on this trip. But I do want to load up on all Minus One merchandise. I’m certain Godzilla collectibles at Nakano Broadway will demand that I take them home. I will stow in my carry-on bag the two extra bags I bought for collectibles last trip. Once again I will take one carry-on bag and return with three. I’m picking up my bags where I left off from my last trip in March. As I always do before a Japan trip, I think about what’s next. But since this is a 30th anniversary trip, I’m taking a long look back and expressing my gratitude for the privilege of traveling to Japan since 1994.