Japanuary 2024 - the trip that nearly wasn't

[Seat0B]

So if you go back to post #3, you'll see that my original booking for this trip included a connection for MEL-CBR in J. When QF started stuffing around with the bookings, we ended up being routed via SYD, and the booking was dropped to a Y seat on a Dash-8 for the connecting leg SYD-CBR.

Some of you will also remember that a similar thing happened on our 2023 trip, and that it took me from March 2023-December 2023 to get ORC for the J connection plus the attached DSC. I am still pursuing a fare refund for the difference between J MEL-CBR and Y SYD-CBR for that 2023 trip. So far it has been over 12 months and I cannot seem to get QF to even understand what I am asking for. Arghhhhh.

So the 1515 flight we were allocated is a jet service, and has J class on it. When I returned from my long hot shower, with a heaped plate of food and a glass of bubbles, Mr Seat 0A obviously judged my mood as "up for a challenge". Either that or he has a death wish! So he said - why don't you go to the front desk and see if they can give you J seats on this flight and then you won't have to go through all the palaver of seeking ORC again this year. I couldn't decide whether it was worth it or not (see how beaten down QF has made me!), but in the end I pulled up my original booking and headed over to the front desk to try my luck. I will admit to having a very low expectation of anything other than a brush off.

As I approached the desk, something strange happened. Three service agents were there, and all three looked up and smiled and almost competed for the chance to serve me .

So one of them got the short straw, and I started explaining what I wanted - to get a free upgrade on the SYD-CBR leg as a replacement for the paid J MEL-CBR leg that had been turned into a Y SYD-CBR by multiple stuffing arounds. I honestly could not believe it when she understood the issue, first time . She looked up the PNR and said "oh my goodness, you have been stuffed around haven't you!" (see post #3 for details). "Let me see what I can do for you."

Well, she tried this and she tried that and she tried again, but did not seem able to make anything stick. Eventually she looked at me with a twinkle in her eye, passed over 2 boarding passes and said "congratulations Ms Seat 0A 0B, I am delighted to offer you and Mr Seat 0B0A a free upgrade for today's flight." And there it was, 2 J seats for the trip SYD-CBR. She said, "now I can see this booking attracts DSCs, and there is nothing I can do to fix that. If you want the DSCs, you'll have to put in a claim." I thanked her profusely.

So that was a pretty amazingly good end to a fairly rough re-entry to Australia.

I still haven't decided whether I can be bothered to go for the DSCs - I retained WP without them, they don;t count for loyalty bonus, I already have LTG and will never make LTP, so after last year's bad experience sorting ORC and DSC out, I think I'm just going to let it go through to the keeper. What does the brains trust think?

The food on the SYD CBR flight was pretty good - certainly better than the food on either QF25 or QF 60 on this trip. Mr Seat 0A had a pie he said tasted nice, and I just had a chesse and rice cracker snack (having eaten quite nicely in the SYD lounge whilst waiting for the flight).

In the end, it took us over 24 hrs from leaving our hotel in Tokyo to landing at CBR airport, so it was a long journey home. But all's well that ends well.

In my next post, I will write up a few of my thoughts about Japan in 2024.



edit: To reverse my promotion to Captain - that never actually happened !

 

[Flyfrequently]

Well done @Seat0B
Seat0B v bus driver
Seat0B v Lounge agents
I vote you give the DSC a crack, after all you are on a roll, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Welcome home and thank you for another entertaining and enjoyable TR.

 

[Seat0B]

A Few Thoughts About Japan in Early 2024

COVID
COVID is largely a thing of the past. We were not required to have a temperature taken anywhere, and this time we were not chased down by staff in shops and restaurants to insist that we used hand sanitiser. That said, hand sanitiser was widely available, and was being used by many people.
As a person with potentially compromised immune system, I did feel a bit anxious mingling in crowds. However, Japanese people have a long history of wearing masks when sick, and my observation is that this social obligation has continued in the post-COVID world. That meant that quite a percentage of people were wearing masks on any given day, and no one looks at you like you are a weirdo if you choose to wear a mask. So I just masked up to manage my anxiety. Masks are exceptionally cheap to buy in Japan - around $4-5 for a packet of 20. Back home I am paying $25 for a box of 50. And the variety - pretty colours, patterns, florals.... kawaii desu!

Cost of Living
The Japanese economy seems quite sluggish - there is some unemployment and also under-employment, particularly for younger people. Prices are rising for some staples, but nothing like the inflation levels here. Still, based on media reporting and a few conversations I had in shops, Japanese people are feeling the financial pinch at the moment. I made it a point to try to spend money in small local shops wherever I could, rather than just using the big chains (Starbucks for coffee excepted of course ). And with the exchange rate so favourable (and even better now), my money went a long way.

Price Gouging at the Snow
Japan does not do price gouging the way Australian resorts do, and I love this aspect. For example, a bottle of water from a vending machine in the snow was typically ¥150-180 (about $1.50-1.80). Away from the snow, the price was typically ¥120-140 ($1.20-$1.40). I don't mind paying about 30c more for the water to be transported all that way! In Australia, I have paid $6 for a bottle of water at the snow. We ate huge portions of delicious food for prices ranging from ¥1100 to an extravagant ¥2000 ($11-20). This is literally half the price of very average food at Blue Cow Bistro in Perisher, where they charge like wounded bulls. I hate being gouged. Japanese lift tickets are also very very reasonable - the most expensive run to about $80 a day (compared to $180+ at Perisher last year). Plus we were eligible for senior rates from the age of 60+. In Australia, senior rates start at 70. Did I mention that I hate being gouged???

Coffee
It is hard to get good Australian style coffee in Japan - hence my over-reliance on the average quality Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks in Japan is much better than I recall it being here (although maybe I was just desperate for caffeine ), probably because of the service culture in Japan where people take the time and effort to present their products and services as well as possible.

If you like Americano - drip filter coffee, you will be in heaven in Japan. This is the standard coffee drink, and readily available everywhere.

If you want what the Japanese call "espresso coffee" (means any of the barista styles we Aussies love), you will have to look harder to find it - but if you look, you will find it. We have found very good coffee all over Japan (yes even off the beaten track) by using Google and going by reviews and comments. For us, it has become part of the fun of the day to find a quirky little coffee place, almost always independent, selling good coffee. A surprising number of these are owned or operated by people who have studied or worked in Australia, and they are always pleased to see us in their shops.

OK, that's all I have time for now. I'll be back with my thoughts on over-tourism soon - and yes, this is a real problem, and getting worse.

 

[bPeteb]

A Few Thoughts About Japan in Early 2024

Starbucks for coffee excepted of course

Coffee
It is hard to get good Australian style coffee in Japan - hence my over-reliance on the average quality Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks in Japan is much better than I recall it being here (although maybe I was just desperate for caffeine ), probably because of the service culture in Japan where people take the time and effort to present their products and services as well as possible.

Loved the trip report Seat0B and the follow-up with one exception - what they serve at Starbucks anywhere is not coffee, even if it's better than whatever it is that they boil and burn here

 

[rbjhan]

Loved the trip report Seat0B and the follow-up with one exception - what they serve at Starbucks anywhere is not coffee, even if it's better than whatever it is that the boil and burn here

Hard agree here...
I basically give up coffee in Japan, not worth the time and effort to search imho...amazingly I survived (so far)!

 

[rbjhan]

A Few Thoughts About Japan in Early 2024

COVID
COVID is largely a thing of the past. We were not required to have a temperature taken anywhere, and this time we were not chased down by staff in shops and restaurants to insist that we used hand sanitiser. That said, hand sanitiser was widely available, and was being used by many people.
As a person with potentially compromised immune system, I did feel a bit anxious mingling in crowds. However, Japanese people have a long history of wearing masks when sick, and my observation is that this social obligation has continued in the post-COVID world. That meant that quite a percentage of people were wearing masks on any given day, and no one looks at you like you are a weirdo if you choose to wear a mask. So I just masked up to manage my anxiety. Masks are exceptionally cheap to buy in Japan - around $4-5 for a packet of 20. Back home I am paying $25 for a box of 50. And the variety - pretty colours, patterns, florals.... kawaii desu!

Cost of Living
The Japanese economy seems quite sluggish - there is some unemployment and also under-employment, particularly for younger people. Prices are rising for some staples, but nothing like the inflation levels here. Still, based on media reporting and a few conversations I had in shops, Japanese people are feeling the financial pinch at the moment. I made it a point to try to spend money in small local shops wherever I could, rather than just using the big chains (Starbucks for coffee excepted of course ). And with the exchange rate so favourable (and even better now), my money went a long way.

Price Gouging at the Snow
Japan does not do price gouging the way Australian resorts do, and I love this aspect. For example, a bottle of water from a vending machine in the snow was typically ¥150-180 (about $1.50-1.80). Away from the snow, the price was typically ¥120-140 ($1.20-$1.40). I don't mind paying about 30c more for the water to be transported all that way! In Australia, I have paid $6 for a bottle of water at the snow. We ate huge portions of delicious food for prices ranging from ¥1100 to an extravagant ¥2000 ($11-20). This is literally half the price of very average food at Blue Cow Bistro in Perisher, where they charge like wounded bulls. I hate being gouged. Japanese lift tickets are also very very reasonable - the most expensive run to about $80 a day (compared to $180+ at Perisher last year). Plus we were eligible for senior rates from the age of 60+. In Australia, senior rates start at 70. Did I mention that I hate being gouged???

Coffee
It is hard to get good Australian style coffee in Japan - hence my over-reliance on the average quality Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks in Japan is much better than I recall it being here (although maybe I was just desperate for caffeine ), probably because of the service culture in Japan where people take the time and effort to present their products and services as well as possible.

If you like Americano - drip filter coffee, you will be in heaven in Japan. This is the standard coffee drink, and readily available everywhere.

If you want what the Japanese call "espresso coffee" (means any of the barista styles we Aussies love), you will have to look harder to find it - but if you look, you will find it. We have found very good coffee all over Japan (yes even off the beaten track) by using Google and going by reviews and comments. For us, it has become part of the fun of the day to find a quirky little coffee place, almost always independent, selling good coffee. A surprising number of these are owned or operated by people who have studied or worked in Australia, and they are always pleased to see us in their shops.

OK, that's all I have time for now. I'll be back with my thoughts on over-tourism soon - and yes, this is a real problem, and getting worse.

iirc the highest price for a bottle of water I saw was something like 250 but in a VERY isolated location.

 

[Seat0B]

I basically give up coffee in Japan, not worth the time and effort to search imho...amazingly I survived (so far)!

I might manage this, just, but it just won't fly for Mr Seat 0A!

 

[rbjhan]

I might manage this, just, but it just won't fly for Mr Seat 0A!

Well there were times I was desperate and got some coffee, then I regret it!

 

[Seat0B]

Back again after a busy time at work!

I was prompted to add my thoughts after reading this article and experiencing some of the over-tourism first hand.

'We're not a theme park': Japan asks visitors to show respect amid a tourism boom

 

[Seat0B]

I honestly don't know how I feel about the steps being taken in Japan to control over-tourism, which include limiting visitor numbers and charging fees to access hot spots such as Mt Fuji, blocking views so that tourists do not annoy locals by trying to take photos and closing certain streets in Kyoto to foreigners.

I last visited Kyoto in February 2023. That was my 4th visit to this beautiful and historic city. My first visit there was in 2010, with other visits there in 2017 and 2018. Boy, what a difference there was in that time. Even in 2017 and 2018, the crowds were not too bad. We managed to get good photos at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (2017) and Fushimi Inari and Nishiki markets (both in 2018) with very few other people about.





By comparison, Kiyomizudera was also totally thronged in 2023 compared with 2018 (both trips taken at roughly the same time in February.



I can see why the locals are stressed by the number of tourists - although at the temple it seemed to be mainly Japanese people. But these are iconic sights that tourists legitimately want to see. It would be like us building a fence to block views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or charging a fee to walk on Bondi Beach.

There were many, many bogan tourists, badly behaved, of all nationalities during the 2023 and 2024 trips. Many more than on previous trips. But again, we see that here with drunken Brits cavorting at Bondi on Christmas, etc.

I honestly don't know what the answer is, but I don't think I like the direction things are taking. What do others here think?

 

[rbjhan]

The Japanese mentality is different, unfortunately foreigners just are not the same. We'll probably never be so considerate to others like the Japanese, but I try my best.

I've been to Kyoto 7 times, with the last one being Mar 2023.
I love Kyoto, but damn the crowds were bad last time - peak Sakura season didn't help!
So I skip it the last two trips. Am going back next Feb (because I can't stand being away for so long), we'll see how that goes!

But I know my way around Kyoto and won't be visiting the usual spots...
Honestly I don't get the Arashiyama Bamboo grove and Nishiki market thing....they are....like nothing special at all?? Kinkakuji and Kiyomizudera otoh, yes must-see in my book.

As for Gion, well I certainly have seen people chasing Maikos on the street which was borderline harassment...I remember thinking to myself have they no shame?!

 

[JohnM]

Sure glad I did it back in about 2017... No plans to go again.

 

[drron]

Our first visit to Kyoto and Nara was in 1984. Now that was totally different. eating outside the hotel in local restaurants you stood out but in a good way. One restaurant in Kyoto was for salary men. One had spent 2 years in Melbourne with Telstra so spoke good English and came over to us. As I had read about Busines cards I had a special one done with Drron Consultant Physician and underneath President Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association Pty Ltd That is how the Maitland Show Society was set up. He looked at my card and exclaimed A Doctor and a company President. Told his mates and they shouted us drinks. I'm not sure how much sake I drank that night but it was significant.

In Nara we had a car and driver. Funny looking at @RooFlyer's pictures of Nara temples now and the crowds. We drove right up to the front door of many of them.
In Hiroshima we were able to walk around inside of the Genbaku Dome.

It really is sad to see some of the antics of tourists on our last 3 visits to Japan since October. not stopping us going back in 3 weeks time though.

 

[RooFlyer]

That meant that quite a percentage of people were wearing masks on any given day, and no one looks at you like you are a weirdo if you choose to wear a mask.

I was very surprised at the amount of people I saw today up Mount Asahi-dake wearing masks! I mean, you could hardly get fresher air and lack of crowds.

 

[Seat0B]

I was very surprised at the amount of people I saw today up Mount Asahi-dake wearing masks! I mean, you could hardly get fresher air and lack of crowds.

Yep I was quite surprised to see people still wearing masks to ski and in parks and gardens.