Japan... Again!

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NoobFlyer

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Wait didn't this guy just get back from his last trip?
Surely he wouldn't have planned two trips to the same country less than 2 weeks apart?
As it turns out, this is exactly what I did. I'm still not sure why, neither is my bank account but there's no room for that sort of negativity when Japan is beckoning!!


As I alluded to in my first (and admittedly very recent) trip report (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ip-photos/xmas-day-ana-then-skiing-72849.html), the moment I got home from my first Japan visit last year I started planning the next trip. As it turns out this is actually that next trip and the little soiree over New Years was a very fortunate bonus.


Hopefully I have have learnt a few lessons from that first TR and will be able to provide an improved write-up for this trip, which will include a little bit more than pictures of the scenery from where I am skiing :). I certainly enjoyed the process of creating the previous TR and found it very useful for forcing me to take more pictures than I normally would and taking notes on experiences to review and remember later. I hope this report is just as fun and can provide a little more insight to a destination that has so much to offer.


Itinerary
I know right, these flight paths are just so crazy!!
Flight Path.JPG


I won't spoil all the surprises about the itinerary this time but I will say we won't be visiting the same area as my last trip (as amazing as Hokkaido was), there is a very big first for me regarding the trip there and back (possibly a step up - or should I say forward ;) - from the last trip) and I will be covering a lot more distance on the ground instead of staying in the one spot for the whole time. Still not deviating away from the tourist hotspots too much but that just gives us a reason to keep going back :).

Wouldn't have thought it possible but I think I'm even more excited for this trip than the last one!
Jaa mata!


 
Just some more encouragement !
Spill the beans about your itinerary.
All I'll say is we're (almost) staying entirely on Honshu this time and will be visiting 5 locations in 2 weeks, one of which we'll actually visit 3 separate times - yeah I know, I'm really good at itinerary planning;)

I did also forget to mention that I'm aiming for a semi-live TR like the last one with updates every few days and it all begins tonight!
 
I am going to Japan in April, but going to Okinawa only. I cannot wait to see your TR though.
 
We have our first trip to Japan coming up in May, so looking forward to your trip report!
 
Love Japan and already thinking on where to fit another visit into our schedule.... apparently we are "temple people"!

Looking forward to the trip report.
 
So here we go.
First stop Rydges Sydney Airport.
Booked a deluxe king room under the 'Planespotting Package' that added airport views, a pair of cheap binoculars and a $50 F&B credit at the hotel's restaurant.
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I won't go into a heap of detail as I'm sure plenty of you have stayed at this hotel already but we were quite impressed with the room in terms of space, comfort, style and functionality. And nothing beats not having to leave at 3 am for the drive down to the airport :)
 
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Dinner at Blackwattle Grill in the hotel.
Field Mushroom Risotto
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Salt and Pepper Seafood
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Halloumi and Beetroot Salad
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A little pricey but we thought the meals were really nice and the $50 F&B credit from the room lessens the blow significantly.
 
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Know how you feel about the drive from"Newy"
I will be staying there as well for my trip to Canada in Feb.
Are you flying JAL or Jetstar?
 
Know how you feel about the drive from"Newy"
I will be staying there as well for my trip to Canada in Feb.
Are you flying JAL or Jetstar?

I'll be flying QF via BNE and my partner will be flying SQ via SIN.
 
Another early start but this time I have mostly learnt my lesson and didn't arrive at the airport before check in had opened :)
So, the first of many new experiences coming up for me on this trip....

Business class!

It's a long story how I ended up in business class on QF both ways while my partner is in Y on SQ/QF with slightly different flight times but this is where we're at. I will just say that had I found AFF this time last year I probably could have saved us a heap of money and both be up the front but there will always be the next trip (which at my current rate of trips to Japan will be mid-Feb ;). So first stop with my crisp J boarding pass in hand.... Qantas Domestic Business Class Lounge.

I'm guessing a fair few of the visitors to AFF have been through here many times so I won't go into a detailed review with photos of every nook and cranny, but as I stated after my first visit to an airport lounge in my first trip report, this is just a really nice place to spend an hour or two relaxing before the flight. Plenty of space for everyone at this hour with a very nice breakfast spread to fuel this big day of travel.

Next up Flight 1 SYD-BNE.
 
Looking forward to following along. Don't be afraid to post photos of every nook and cranny. Still not all members get to enjoy these adventures as often, and some of us enjoy seeing these things through new eyes again.
 
Agreed kevrosmith.We all notice different things or do things slightly differently.Always good to see the different angle.
 
Thanks for the encouragement everyone, I shall try to keep remembering to take photos of everything!
Now onto the flights!

Flight 1
QF506 SYD-BNE
Seat 2A

Boarding was already well under way by 7:15 and a cool little surprise waiting at the gate, Retro Roo 1!

Load was 9/12 in J with what appeared to be 4 couples giving me a shadow :) so an extra treat for my first J experience.

Pushback on time at 7:32
Takeoff about 7:45 on 34L
Breakfast service began about 8:10.
I had the French toast with sauteed Mushrooms and poached Eggs though I wasn't particularly hungry after eating well in the lounge. Wasn't too bad to just nibble on here and there.
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Landed a little early at 8:56 local time and disembarked at 9:00 after a short taxi.
 
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