The man with the plan...and the reasons why

Normally I wouldn't feel the need to create a blog. After all, my life is pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Does the internet need yet another blogger who thinks his insights will open people's eyes and minds? Of course not. But, I felt compelled to create one anyway because I feel my endeavor has merit, and it gives me a little extra nudge to see it through. If it's something I keep to myself, it's easy to just let it fade into nothingness. If others are aware of it, at least someone might say, "Hey, whatever happened to your plans to go to Japan?"

So...why Japan? Well, to put it simply, I owe it all to Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune.

Curious yet? Let me explain.

In the early 80's, a television miniseries of James Clavell's novel SHOGUN was aired on NBC. It starred Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne, the pilot of a dutch ship that runs aground off the coast of Japan in the 1600's. He becomes an important figure in a power play for the rule of all Japan, spearheaded by Yoshi Toranaga, played by the legendary Toshiro Mifune. Also, Blackthorne befriends and falls in love with Toranaga's translator, a beautiful young woman named Mariko, who must defend her growing love for Blackthorne against the traditions that fight to keep her away. If you want to know more, rent or buy the DVD set. It's worth checking out.

Anyway, when I watched it with my mother, I was spellbound. The language, the clothes, the traditions, the landscapes...it was all breathtaking, and once it was all over, I had to know more. I started reading books on Japan and listening to music from the country. Later on, I tried to tackle the language, and didn't have much luck with it at first, but now I'm finding myself much more adept at it, though I still have much to learn.

No other country on Earth has appealed to me as greatly as Japan. If you were to approach my workspace at my office, you'd think it had been surgically removed from a Japanese travel agency. Pictures, postcards, and even a collectible plate of a Japanese courtesan, or Oiran, decorate my desk. Wallpapers of Japanese castles and other scenery regularly circulate on my PC's desktop.

But, I need to make it clear that this not about an obsessed Japanophile or otaku wanting to visit the absolutely best place to get the latest anime and manga. It's much more than that.

Japan is a country that has gone through so much change in the last 500 years. As it has evolved, it has retained a strong hold on its traditions while changing with time's demands. It is still a technological superpower, and a powerful force in the international business world. Walk the streets of Tokyo and you'll be in the middle of a city constantly on the go, controlled by the conveniences of the modern world. In contrast, one can walk through a garden in Kyoto, and be transported to a time where samurai defended the land and courtesans wooed patrons in the pleasure quarters. It's so much more than the country of teenage swimsuit models, maid cafes, and J-pop.

I am sure many countries can bring you similar experiences, but Japan is the place I choose to experience them.

My plan is to begin saving at least $20 out of every paycheck. I'd like to start at $50, but I want to be modest about it since my financial obligations take precedence. Over time, this money will be stored in such a manner that I cannot access until all of the money needed for the trip has been amassed. I don't want the temptation of pulling from there to fund some minor expense. Once I am able to put more in the fund, I will begin doing so. Every paycheck, for as long as is necessary, I will store a sum of money, until there is enough for my wife and I to fly to and from Japan, stay there at least a week in a reasonably nice hotel or ryokan, eat, see the sights and do a little shopping.

Right now, it's looking like that sum of money will be pretty high. According to Orbitz, the travel site I just picked from memory, the price for a flight and a week's hotel stay in Japan, STARTS at $1530 per person. Mind you, that doesn't even account for incidental costs during the trip, such as bus/train travel, food, shopping, or sightseeing. I think I found a deal on Priceline.com for about $100 less, but still, you get the idea...it's a pretty damn pricy journey.

That's why I'm fully expecting that I will not reach Japan until mid-to-late 2009, unless we experience a cash windfall, which I SERIOUSLY doubt.

I am hoping that somewhere along the way, people will be able to point me to deals that could get my wife and I there and back with much less financial drainage and minimal discomfort. In other words, while I'm willing to fly and sleep on the cheap, I'd rather not be flying in on a prop plane and sleeping in a capsule hotel with the other salarymen. I want this to be an enjoyable and memorable experience for both of us.

Well, that's enough for now. I'll have plenty of time to talk about this more as the weeks and months roll on.

Ikimasu!!!