Airliners Japan Meet 2014 Planning Thread

PHX787 · Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:43 am

Konnichiwa from Tokyo, my fellow A-nutters~

I hope you all are imbibing on Sake and riceballs right now

But I digress. I was reading some of the recent Airliners threads about meet ups and I understand a meetup was scheduled in Japan in 2011 right before the tsunami and nuke meltdowns at Fukushima. (Ironically, that means "lucky island"...not so lucky prefecture.)

Well, taking that in mind, I've decided to spearhead a meetup for next year. I'm thinking Golden Week 2014 would be best!

Here's some information on Golden week:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html

As you see, there's a 4 day weekend jutted in there for Japanese, and that also means I have a 4-day weekend as well off of school

So lets try to plan something around there.

You may not see it, but there's plenty of A-nutters actually in japan (I think the majority are centered in Nagoya, where the aviation industry thrives) and many on here are quite influential and well-respected (I'm lookin' at you, Aaron747)

I have some ideas. We can tour the aviation museum near NRT, or near Tokorozawa, we can see if we can get a Mitsubishi Factory tour in Nagoya (I'm not sure how well that will work), or we can just do the classic meet-spot-drink style meeting

I'm open to any an all ideas! What were the plans for the 2011 meet?

Also, if you want to add me on Facebook, please PM me and I'll send you my URL!

Ganbarimasho-!

-Zach

L410Turbolet · Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:35 am

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter):
I'm thinking Golden Week 2014 would be best!

Do you really think it's a good idea? Golden Week is a period every single travel guide suggests to preferrably avoid for travel to Japan as the whole country is on the move and hotels are booked to the ceiling. Keep in mind that a lot of attendees will fork out quite a lot of money for a plane ticket and JR Pass so perhaps it would be a good idea to choose a less busy time of the year.

Akiestar · Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:42 am

The title is alluring, as I might be able to attend this should I be headed to the United States for the Philippine summer (April-May), but I would definitely suggest a less busy time of the year if possible. That aside, I presume us in the rest of Asia can join in as well?

RyanairGuru · Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:53 am

Hi Zach,

I will watch from a distance for now and see how the plans unfold, but if Jetstar decide to flog a sale I might come up

Good luck, it will be great if it pans out
Alex

Aaron747 · Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:28 am

Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 1):
Do you really think it's a good idea? Golden Week is a period every single travel guide suggests to preferrably avoid for travel to Japan as the whole country is on the move and hotels are booked to the ceiling. Keep in mind that a lot of attendees will fork out quite a lot of money for a plane ticket and JR Pass so perhaps it would be a good idea to choose a less busy time of the year.

I would second this. I can't stand traveling anywhere during GW due to the crowds and prices (I can afford anything but the gouging is just ridiculous).

Spring is a lovely time of year here though and there's plenty to do and see the weeks before and after GW for those from outside Japan who might attend. It would probably not be a bad idea to visit the deck at Osaka Itami or something like that as a starting point.

Getting a tour at MHI is likely damn-near impossible considering all of the military contract work adjacent to their new MHI facility at Komaki.

Looking forward to suggestions from all!

RyanairGuru · Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:39 am

When how soon before departure do Japanese domestic flights go on sale??? I was having a look for next April/May I can't find anything on Jetstar, Peach, JAL, ANA

PHX787 · Wed Oct 23, 2013 1:48 pm

Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 1):
Do you really think it's a good idea? Golden Week is a period every single travel guide suggests to preferrably avoid for travel to Japan as the whole country is on the move and hotels are booked to the ceiling.

Quoting Akiestar (Reply 2):
I would definitely suggest a less busy time of the year if possible.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 4):
I would second this. I can't stand traveling anywhere during GW due to the crowds and prices (I can afford anything but the gouging is just ridiculous).

Actually GW in Tokyo is really interesting---everyone is getting OUT of the city. Last year the trains were empty and the Shinkansen going TOWARDS Tokyo were empty. The flights which were booked were the ones leaving Tokyo. Flights arriving are perfectly fine!

But any other suggestions would be welcome, but remember, I gotta balance school with this.

Westjet_737 · Wed Oct 23, 2013 3:45 pm

Sounds like fun, even if it's just drinking at Haneda!

I'm in Kawasaki!

allrite · Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:25 pm

Thinking of taking my Mum to Japan in April next year during NSW school holidays (yes, my little one is starting school next year *sob* *sob*) and might be interested, but not committing yet to anything. It would almost certainly not be during Golden Week.

Aaron747 · Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:00 am

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 6):
Actually GW in Tokyo is really interesting---everyone is getting OUT of the city.

True, but people will be coming from outside of Japan as well. GW prices and loads mean tickets and non-rev are going to be impractical for almost everyone.

Jetsgo · Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:30 am

Just sent you a PM, Zach. I must admit as interested as I am, I find the language barrier intimidating enough to where I've never given Japan serious thought. Would love to organize a meet with those fluent who could help out there!

hoons90 · Thu Oct 24, 2013 6:47 am

Quoting Jetsgo (Reply 10):
Just sent you a PM, Zach. I must admit as interested as I am, I find the language barrier intimidating enough to where I've never given Japan serious thought. Would love to organize a meet with those fluent who could help out there!

You'll be okay! I only know how to say Hello and Thank You in Japanese and didn't have any major issues during my two visits there. A lot of restaurants have menus with pictures in them and some of them are in Engrish as well. Also, younger locals over there probably have some knowledge of English and may be more willing to help.

Superfly · Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:42 am

Count me in but I agree with others that this may be a bad weekend. It would be best to see Japan during a normal week/weekend instead of a national holiday.
I was supposed to attend the one that was canceled due to the earthquake & tsunami. I was literally going to buy my ticket 48 hours later than the earthquake.

Maybe earlier in the year like say February would be better because the rates for airfare and hotel would be less.

I've tried on several occasions to organize a Bangkok meet but we always end up in bars drinking and never make it out to the airport.
I was able to get Falstaff out to the Don Mueang Golf Course.

If anyone is serious about a meet here in Bangkok, I can get us all on to the Royal Air Force Golf Club. The best spotting ever!
Despite the glut of boring Air Asia A320s, there are a lot of obscure, unscheduled heavies as well as IL-76s, AN-124s, 747SPs and such coming and going.

airportugal310 · Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:53 am

I could be persuaded to attend. Could be...

neutrino · Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:15 am

Quoting Superfly (Reply 12):
If anyone is serious about a meet here in Bangkok, I can get us all on to the Royal Air Force Golf Club. The best spotting ever!

I haven't been to BKK since more than 5 years ago.
High time to revisit.

Start a BKK meetup thread, Fly.

BestWestern · Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:36 pm

Count me in!

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter):
Here's some information on Golden week:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html

Golden week is impossibly expensive.

Quoting Jetsgo (Reply 10):
, I find the language barrier intimidating enough to where I've never given Japan serious thought.

Language barrier isn't that much of an issue. My first trip to Japan in the 90s was my first Asian experience. Signage has improved dramatically since then.

Akiestar · Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:06 pm

Quoting neutrino (Reply 14):
I haven't been to BKK since more than 5 years ago.
High time to revisit.
Start a BKK meetup thread, Fly.

No meetups in BKK until we have meetups in MNL first!

(Kidding, of course.

)

RyanairGuru · Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:15 pm

Quoting Jetsgo (Reply 10):
I find the language barrier intimidating enough to where I've never given Japan serious thought

As others have said, I went in with just "Konichiwa" and "Arrogato". I got by well enough, although being with a fluent speaker would no doubt make life easier.

Superfly · Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:50 pm

Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 17):
I got by well enough, although being with a fluent speaker would no doubt make life easier.

That is why it's best to have a girlfriend there that is bi-.
That way communication is good.

Quoting Akiestar (Reply 16):
No meetups in BKK until we have meetups in MNL first! (Kidding, of course. )

I'm in favor. I already mentioned that in the Bangkok meet thread.

vikkyvik · Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:49 pm

Quoting Superfly (Reply 18):
That is why it's best to have a girlfriend there that is bi-.

It also helps if she speaks two languages.

HT · Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:56 pm

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter):
What were the plans for the 2011 meet?

I had been the organizer of the 2011 TYO meeting; I will reply to that within 24 hrs.
-HT

RyanairGuru · Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:53 pm

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 19):
It also helps if she speaks two languages

Superfly · Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:55 am

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 19):
Quoting Superfly (Reply 18):
That is why it's best to have a girlfriend there that is bi-.

It also helps if she speaks two languages.

Ooops!

That was meant to mean bi-lingual.

PHX787 · Fri Oct 25, 2013 6:37 am

Golden week was just out for me haha
I'm gonna be going to Osaka that weekend now for a meeting.

So what days would you guys suggest? I'd have to dance this around school.

Keep the ideas coming. I'm having some Internet issues at the moment but I'll check in periodically.

Larry, I'm gonna take you to some clubs near my Shibuya apartment

HT · Fri Oct 25, 2013 6:10 pm

Quoting HT (Reply 20):
Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter):What were the plans for the 2011 meet?
I had been the organizer of the 2011 TYO meeting; I will reply to that within 24 hrs.
-HT

So, now here is what I do recall what was planned for the 2011 TYO Meeting:
The small number of participants each had his own schedule to get to TYO and back home.
Essentially, the plan was tomeet up at NRT on Saturday, as one member opted to stay close to NRT for the two nights he would have been in Japan.
Sunday would have seen some spotting at HND.

I myself had booked a full week of stay in Tokyo, staying in Higashi-Ueno.
Plan, apart from the meeting, was to a) explore the city and b) take a few domestic flights.
HND - UKB on Skymark, then ferry to KIX, returning KIX - HND on NH were booked.

And I think I also had a day return to NAH reserved or booked, but can't find proof.

Domestic flights became noshows,
my longhaul flight from Europe was on TK to ICN, which I rescheduled to return after only one week (origianally: two weeks).
Seperate flight ICN-NRT-ICN was canceled for a fee.
All in all the financial loss was in the 4-digit range (Euros it is).

But the week I spent in South Korea was more than worth the trip.
I got to see much more of the country than I originally had planned.
And: Staying & traveling around in South Korea is much cheaper than doing that in Japan !
Even a First Class walk-up fare on KTX's highspeed train Seoul to Daegu was like less than 50 Euro, IIRC.
And the KE flight TAE - ICN (not GMP !) I booked one day in advance was around 80 Euro, which is expensive compared to the fares the wealth of LCCs charge for flights between GMP and CJU. One of the tickets I only could get at the airport, so I bought if for the next day at 35 EUR.

On the down side, aircraft Spotting at ICN does attract security after a while, even though a European (Caucasian) man very likely is not spying for North Korea.
-HT

neutrino · Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:20 pm

Quoting Akiestar (Reply 16):
No meetups in BKK until we have meetups in MNL first! (Kidding, of course. &nbsp

Sure, why not have both; at different times obviously...and no, not kidding of course.

PHX787 · Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:16 am

We can for sure do both! I mean meetups are usually a few days, right?

For me, my off time is from end of January through the end of March. I'm going to be out of town at the end of my semester for one day, then I'm going to be doing a humongous western Japan tour for a few weeks immediately after. If the meet is in NGO or the Kansai area, I can fit that into my tour (and I'd be staying at the Nikko Hotel in Osaka)

PHX787 · Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:47 pm

Hey guys, how does the end of March look for you all?

AirAfreak · Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:00 am

Quoting Superfly (Reply 12):

Drinking and laughing and spotting is fun!!!!

I could go for an a.net Japan and Thailand meet! I think DL allows Tokyo Stopovers in the itinerary to Bangkok. I have to re-check this info and find out!

PHX787 · Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:05 pm

Anyone have any more ideas?

This thread's been silent for about a week

I told you what days work for me....summer break also works for me too, so just let me know what works for yall

BestWestern · Mon Nov 04, 2013 3:57 pm

Might be useful if you tell us when summer and march break is - for all of us who dont follow your specific japanese university schedule.

PHX787 · Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:10 pm

Quoting BestWestern (Reply 30):
Might be useful if you tell us when summer and march break is - for all of us who dont follow your specific japanese university schedule.

Sorry about that hahhaa

Spring break- very end of january-> March 31

Summer break: August 1-October 1

airtrainer · Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:00 pm

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 31):
Summer break: August 1-October 1

September would get my vote, but that´s just my

HT · Wed Nov 06, 2013 7:28 am

Even though I can't make a committment at this moment, I would prefer "End of March" over late summer.
The earlier date also would give the chance to experience Hanami (the excitement that comes with Cherry blossom).
-HT

PHX787 · Wed Nov 06, 2013 2:59 pm

Quoting airtrainer (Reply 32):
September would get my vote, but that´s just my

Quoting HT (Reply 33):
The earlier date also would give the chance to experience Hanami (the excitement that comes with Cherry blossom).

That's an excellent time to visit Japan. The weather at that time is pristine!

September....well, it's still hot as balls, and typhoons love to smack Japan a new one during this time too :/

airtrainer · Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:17 am

Oh, but I was only referring to my personal calendar

Superfly · Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:41 am

Quoting AirAfreak (Reply 28):
Drinking and laughing and spotting is fun!!!!

Happens at all the A.net meets I attend.

Quoting AirAfreak (Reply 28):
I could go for an a.net Japan and Thailand meet! I think DL allows Tokyo Stopovers in the itinerary to Bangkok. I have to re-check this info and find out!

Come on down. I know where you can get good burgers too!

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34):
September....well, it's still hot as balls,

That's when I want to come!
Women in Japan don't have hangups about wearing less clothing in the summer.
Hard to believe but Thailand can still be conservative in some ways. Women often wear shorts and t-shirts at the beach or in pools! I find that annoying considering they would look so good in a two-piece bikini. I think they have better bodies than Japanese women (but I still love them).
Even on super hot days here, local women wear shorts under their skirts. The Japanese along with other Western gals wear a proper thong under their dress in the summer - the way it should be.
Personally I prefer Japan during their extremes. Hot summertime for the women, return again in January to visit Sapporo for skiing and simply enjoying the snow.

PHX787 · Sat Nov 09, 2013 3:20 pm

Quoting Superfly (Reply 36):
Women in Japan don't have hangups about wearing less clothing in the summer.
Hard to believe but Thailand can still be conservative in some ways. Women often wear shorts and t-shirts at the beach or in pools!

.........Finding a chick with a bikini during the summer is probably a 1 out of 5 chance

Quoting Superfly (Reply 36):
Even on super hot days here, local women wear shorts under their skirts. The Japanese along with other Western gals wear a proper thong under their dress in the summer - the way it should be.

I know Americans do this, but Japanese don't really do this as much......most actually wear shorts under their skirt.

Too many peeping toms ruining it for everyone!

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net