It was an unremarkable travel day, which is what you want. LAX Budget Parking seemed fine, shuttle bus was fine, airport traffic was thick but not at a standstill. Michele is worried that she’s getting used to the JAL lounge.
Japan Airlines Premium Economy was comfortable for my long legs. The white fish bento box was light on the stomach.
And except for a few bumps somewhere below the Aleutian Islands it was smooth flying.
We met our old friend the Tourist Mob at Narita, here from all over the world for Sakura. Immigration and customs took 1.5 hours. I guessed two hours when we finally found the end of the line, so I was actually pleased by the time we got through. As we stood streams of new arrivals wandered by us in disbelief, “this is the line?!?”Japanese passport holders had their own quick line. I would guess the ratio of foreigners to returning Japanese was at about 20:1.
We are in the Narita Tobu Hotel tonight, flying out tomorrow morning for Nagasaki. The Tobu is good, nice staff, good food, seems like a well run machine for hosting layovers. The ceiling height is a little low though.
Ken Chin-Purcell 