Editing Travel Plans/December 2021 Japan Trip

== Overview ==

* [2021-11-29 Mon] Arrival
* [2021-11-30 Tue] through [2021-12-09 Thu]  10 days)
* [2021-12-10 Tue] Freedom (in Tokyo)
* [2021-12-11 Sat] Tokyo Fly in the evening to Ishigaki
* [2021-12-11 Sat] through [2021-12-16 Thu] Stay in Ishigaki
** [2021-12-12 Sun] through [2021-12-15 Wed] 3 days diving, maybe a dive on [2021-12-15 Wed] depending on flight
* [2021-12-16 Thu] Flying to Hokaido
* [2021-12-16 Thu] through [2021-12-22 Wed] Stay in Hokkaido
**   a. Skiing days [2021-12-17 Fri] through [2021-12-21 Tue]
* [2021-12-22 Wed] Fly back to Tokyo
* [2021-12-22 Wed] through [2022-01-06 Thu] Tokyo
** [2022-01-04 Tue] Mako Leaves
** [2022-01-06 Tue] Mika Leaves

== Things we still need to do ==

things to do in the order in where they will fall in our trip:

Quarantine stay in Tokyo/Chiba:

* {{done}} reserve stay in Metroresidences through 2021-12-11
* {{done}} reserve transit to Metroresidences via car service
* {{done}} cancel the metroresidences stay and car service [mako]
* {{done}} register a new [https://narita.airport-taxi.soushin-ichiba.jp/price?town=sambu-gun-kujukuri-town car service] for trip from NRT to Kujikuri [mika]
** They say that they'll call/text me to see how the testing is going at the airport. They plan to come a couple hours after we arrive but if the testing takes a long time, they may try to adjust the pickup time and we may need to wait for a bit. 

Trip to Ishigaki: 

* {{done}} send stuff to Ishigaki on Dec 5 for arrival on Dec 11.
* {{done}} book flight to Ishigaki on 2021-12-11
* {{done}} book place to stay in Ishigaki [mika]
* {{done}} book/reserve three days of diving with a local dive shop ([2021-12-12 Sun] through [2021-12-15 Wed]) [mika]

Trip to Rutsutsu:

* {{todo}} send stuff to Rusutsu on Dec 10 for arrival on Dec 16.
* {{done}} book flight from ISG→CTS [mako]
* {{todo}} book bus from CTS→Rutsutsu
* {{done}} reserve place in Rutsutsu [mako]
* {{todo}} book bus from Rutsutsu→Sapporo
* {{done}} flight from hokkaido back to tokyo on the 22nd

End of trip in Tokyo:

* {{done}} find/reserve place to stay in Tokyo from 2021-12-22 through 2021-01-06
* {{todo}} decide if there will be any other traveling?
* {{todo}} decide if we're doing do we want to get a rail pass?
* {{todo}} mika decides on a trip to nagasaki? when? [mika]
* {{done}} book a place at [https://yoyaku.toreta.in/swrl/#/reserve-info swrl] in Shibuya (they book/reserve only 1 month out) [mako]

== General things to keep in mind ==

* Try to plan no meetings on THURSDAY or FRIDAY 16-17 (or anything after that through the 22nd). Those will be in Rutsutsu.
* Important meetings:
** Mika: Dec 9 11PM-12:30AM Japan time (Dec 9 9--10:30AM EST) - Kujukuri
** Mika: Dec 15 10-10:30PM Japan time (Dec 15 5-5:30AM PST; 8-8:30AM EST) - Ishigaki

== Details about quarantine ==

* [https://quarantine-japan.com/border-control-20210121/ Quarantine Japan] with a useful calendar for counting days of quarantine
* [https://jp.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ US Embassy in Japan COVID information]
* MofA Pages
** [https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)]
** [https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page22e_000925.html Phased Measures for Resuming Cross-Border Travel]
** [https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100251454.pdf PDF on shortening quarantine]
** [https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100212893.pdf PDF on valid test certificates for entrance]
* [https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/ MHLW Page about Entering Japan]
* [https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html MHLW border control page]
* [https://arqs-qa.followup.mhlw.go.jp/#/ Entering Japan Questionnaire from MHLW]

=== Leaving to japan checklist ===

There's [https://www.ana.co.jp/www2/pdf/offers-and-announcements/jpn-immigration-checklist/Checklist_EN.pdf an excellent checklist with links from ANA]. It contains the following things:

* {{done}} valid certificates of negative test done 3 days before, ideally in the japanese format
* {{done}} signed copies of [https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000836304.pdf Written Pledge]
* {{done}} completed copy of [https://arqs-qa.followup.mhlw.go.jp/#/ Entering Japan Questionnaire from MHLW]
* {{done}} install the [https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000806890.pdf mobile apps]: MySOS (location monitoring app), Google Maps, and COCOA ([https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/manual/pdf-en/summary.pdf English details])
** Install MySOS
** Install [https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/cocoa_00138.html COCOA] (contact tracing app)
** You need to [https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000652555.pdf configure Google Maps] to retain location information
* {{done}} vaccine certificate
* {{done}} valid visa for foreigners

== Schedule ==

=== [2021-11-29 Mon through 2021-12-11 Sat] Quarantine in Kujikuri ===

We'll be staying in [[:wikipedia:Kujūkuri Beach|Kujūkuri Beach]] for our quarantine period.

;Address: 1016-5 Fujishita, Kujukuri, Sambu District, Chiba 283-0112, Japan
;Lat/long: 35°30'50.4"N 140°26'05.0"E
;Check-in Mon, Nov 29, 2021 4:00 PM
;Checkout: Sat, Dec 11, 2021 11:00 AM
;Nearest supermarket: ????
;Bike rental: [http://www.8pdesign.jp/ RideTown bike rental in Kujikuri] ([https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/leisure/80011-14274?area=A02120005&category=00017 bad English version of website])

'''2021-11-29'''

* arrival day
* order food
* get SIMs

'''2021-12-03'''
* order JAL testing kit [DONE]

'''2021-12-06'''
* Send the dive gear to the dive shop.

'''2021-12-09'''
* send the PCR kit at 9AM 
* Mika teaches at 11PM-12:30AM

'''2021-12-10'''
* Send skis to Rusutsu Lodges.
* buy bus tickets to haneda from oami

'''2021-12-11'''

* The MF board meeting @7:00-9:00AM JST, Saturday December 11, 2021 (Mika)
* Walked to Magame bus stop (20 minutes) and take [https://www.navitime.co.jp/diagram/stops/00026254/1955003e/?node=00080067&year=2021&month=12&day=04 a local bus] at 9:30AM towards Oami station (35 minutes).
* Take [https://www.chibachuobus.co.jp/highway_bus/haneda.html a big bus] from Oami station at 11 to Haneda (~2 hours). Arrived around 12:45PM.
* Flight at 2:15PM.

==== COVID Test on 10th day ====

This is [https://www.c19.mhlw.go.jp/search/english/index.html Official list of places] (bilingual search) from MHLW

The closest physical place is [https://chouseihp.jp Chosei Clinic], 2777 Honno, Mobara, Chiba 299-4192, Japan. There are [https://chouseihp.jp/posts/news12.html details on their test] here (it seems to cost ¥20,000) but will be done as you wait. To do this, we would likely need to get bikes and/or run 20k one way and probably walk most of the way back.

The alternative is to do one a the mail-in test which should be quick but might mean that we are stuck for an extra day (and very likely for at least part of the day until we get our result). These can extremely cheap (¥3,000, plus shipping):

* https://covid-kensa.com/

=== [2021-12-11 Sat] through [2021-12-16 Thu] Stay in Ishigaki ===

Transportation
* Kujukuri (九十九里） to Haneda（羽田）:
** We need to take a local bus to Oami, or other stations that have express shuttles to Haneda. 
** [https://bit.ly/3qNWdKm Kujukuri] (~35 minutes on a local bus) -> [https://bit.ly/3qM1Icl Oami]  -> Haneda (~2 hours) = 2.5 hours or so.
** [https://www.navitime.co.jp/maps/poi?id=00080067&from=pc.poi Sunrise Kujukuri bus stop]: 9:35AM on Saturday.
** Oami to Haneda leaving at 11AM arriving at 1PM. Maybe too tight?
** Map of [https://busmap.info/busstop/72694/ local buses] near Kujukuri.

** Option 1: Take a taxi from Kujukuri to Togane station (arrive by 9:05AM); take a train from Togane (9:12) to Soga (9:39AM); take the [https://www.keikyu-bus.co.jp/airport/h-soga/ airport shuttle] from Soga (9:50) to Haneda (11:55).
Dive Shops:

* [https://www.heatheartclub.com/ Heat Heart Club]
* https://www.primescuba-isg.com/ - Big International outfit with a bunch of foreigners and a 60ft boat that fits 30 people. great blog of stuff (seems like they see awesome stuff every day!)

'''2021-12-11'''

* Arrival.

'''2021-12-15'''

* Mika's meeting with the chair at 7-7:30PM JST (8-8:30AM EST).

'''2021-12-16'''

* Charlie's general exams @ 2:00:00 am JST, Wednesday, December 15, 2021
* Special faculty meeting @ 8:30:00 am JST, Thursday, December 16, 2021

=== [2021-12-16 Thu] through [2021-12-22 Wed] Stay in Rutsutsu ===

Skiing days [2021-12-17 Fri] through [2021-12-21 Tue]

;Flight in: Arrive on JL 521 arriving at 5:05pm
;Staying: [https://rusutsulodges.com Rusutsu Lodges Pension Lilla Huset], Cancellation by November 15, Near the Westin (reserved through booking.com/details in Tripit), 144 Izumikawa, Rusutsu-mura, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō 048-1711, Tel: +81 (0)136-46-3676, Mail: contact@rusutsulodges.com

Options for bus travel:

* [https://www.powderhounds.com/Japan/Hokkaido/Rusutsu/Getting-There.aspx Powderhounds] seems to rebrand the [https://www.access-n.jp/#000005 Hokkaido Resort Liner bus] and has a bus at 18:15 from CTS Domestic to Rutsutsu that should work [[https://powderhounds.bookfast.jp/cw/gen/ins/order01.jsf?vid=f808ad962ac87603012acb21650602a4 reservation link]]
* [https://livejapan.com/en/in-hokkaido/in-pref-hokkaido/in-niseko_rusutsu/article-a1000290/ Overview article on bus transfer from LiveJapan]
* Other options seem to be Chuo Bus, Donan bus, BigRuns (only for resort folks?), and Niseko ski bus (that stops at Rutsutsu along the way)

==== Alternate options ====
;Option #2: [https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/Rusutsu/entity/CgsIyOrOt6fyqIqJARABGnxBR1pJRWdiOEpkX2hoM283eVdGMWNYSjdZdENicWZpQkdCM0xvVTEyUXBBQTdER2JtQnhMOUhGUm84MnBoUWRBUl8wY3VmZlpwWXhvemlCV1FZWWVSWFVYWmo4dXVIaWt0S0wtUGVjbklUa0NlbWpPOEduanZYU1hyZEwt?g2lb=4419364%2C4258168%2C4640247%2C4371334%2C4515404%2C4624411%2C2502548%2C2503781%2C2503771%2C4317915%2C4306835%2C4605861%2C4401769%2C4596364%2C4597339%2C4270442%2C4291517%2C4284970%2C4270859&hl=en-US&gl=us&ssta=1&ap=aAE&q=hotels%20near%20rusutsu&rp=EPX6-Z_7zvO4aBChq-b29czo4UgQpuiGlJeN_vEXEO3DlKmm5YOaSTgBQABIAqIBGFJ1c3V0c3UsIEhva2thaWRvLCBKYXBhbg&ictx=1&ved=0CAAQ5JsGahcKEwjQ0qqmtN3zAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQDA&utm_campaign=sharing&utm_medium=link&utm_source=htls&ts=CAESCgoCCAMKAggDEAAaPAoeEho6GFJ1c3V0c3UsIEhva2thaWRvLCBKYXBhbhoAEhoSFAoHCOUPEAwYEBIHCOUPEAwYFhgGMgIIASoLCgcoAToDVVNEGgA Ohisama House], Ohisama House ($143/night), 32-18 Izumikawa, Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1711

==== Things to do ====

;ルスツ温泉 (Onsen): Cheap city onsen! 156-2 Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1731, Japan (about 1.5km from the place we're staying in the main part of town)
;ルスツ温泉・・ことぶきの湯:Fancy resort onsen! 13 Izumikawa, Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido 048-1711, Japan

=== [2021-12-22 Wed] through [2022-01-06 Thu] Tokyo ===
==== Activities ====

* Kabuki goes until 12/26th and then starts on 1/2

==== Food ====
Lists of places to eat:

* [https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/four-of-the-best-vegan-restaurants-in-tokyo Timeout's list]
* [https://savorjapan.com/contents/discover-oishii-japan/20-must-know-vegan-and-vegetarian-restaurants-to-visit-in-tokyo/ Savor Japan's top 20]
* [https://matcha-jp.com/en/9626 Matcha-JP's top 18]
* [https://metropolisjapan.com/vegan-vegetarian-restaurants-tokyo/ Metropolis Japan's top 10]
* [https://jw-webmagazine.com/top-10-vegetarian-restaurants-in-tokyo-67f6a546029b/ JW Magazine's list]

Some specific places:

* <strike>Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai - Very Fancy tofu restaurant with a veggie set menu</strike> (for now. very expensive and I don't see the vegetarian set menu)
* [*] Vegetarian Butcher in Ikebukero (reservations on the 5th or later?)
* Saido - vegan restaurant with kabayaki, set meals, in Meguro. (reservations 6-7th for lunch or dinner)
* <strike>Ise Sueyoshi - Vegan kaiseki near Roppongi Hills</strike> No vegan menu.
* Ain Soph. - Vegan places right next to the kabuki-za
* <strike>[https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/four-of-the-best-vegan-restaurants-in-tokyo Izakaya Masaka] - veggie karaage</strike> Great!
* <strike>[https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/jikasei-mensho Jikasei Mensho] - vegan dandanmen</strike> Great!
* [https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/chipoon Chipoon] - yuba burger
* <strike>Superiority burger</strike> Great!
* <strike>Ciliegio Ristorante Caffè - Five course vegan meal</strike> appears to no longer have the vegan menu!
* [http://www.atago-daigo.jp/ Daigo] - 2 michelin-starred shojin ryori place
* [https://www.sougo.tokyo/menu.html Sougo] - fancy vegan shojin ryori place
* Itasoba Kaoriya - Closed until 1/6
* T's Resaurant — opens on the 4th

==== Drinks ====

Lists of places to drink:

* [https://punchdrink.com/articles/the-best-craft-cocktail-bars-in-tokyo/ Punch's Best Craft Cocktail Bars in Tokyo]

I'm in particularly interested in:

* [https://sg-management.jp/ SG Club] Vosted best bar in Japan the last two years, need [[https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/the-sg-club/reserve?utm_source=instagram Reservations]] (open after the the 7th)
* [https://punchdrink.com/venues/bar-kamiya/ Bar Kamiya] — Low brow but interesting sounding (open after the 2nd)
* Ben Fiddich — Fancy and wonderful. Handground spices. Homemade Campari and Chartreuese
* [https://punchdrink.com/venues/radio-bar/ Radio Bar] — Classic folks with bartenders in tuxes
* [https://orchardknight.com/bar/low-non-bar Low-Non-Bar]
* [https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/bars-and-pubs/the-open-book OPEN BOOK] — chuhigh bar and library
* BrewDog in Roppongi

'''2021-12-22'''

'''2021-12-23'''

'''2021-12-24'''

'''2021-12-25'''

'''2021-12-26'''

'''2021-12-27'''

* Drinks at swrl @ 9pm (see email + calendar)

'''2021-12-28'''

'''2021-12-29'''

'''2021-12-30'''

'''2021-12-31'''

'''2021-01-01'''

'''2021-01-02'''

'''2021-01-03'''

'''2021-01-04'''


Departures:

* [2022-01-04 Tue] Mako Leaves
* [2022-01-06 Tue] Mika Leaves

== Things to schedule/plan ==

* Go to [https://yoyaku.toreta.in/swrl/#/reserve-info swrl] in Shibuya (they book/reserve only 1 month out)