I thought I would make a comment on this. I have tons of friends who would love to visit Japan. They have a perception this is an expensive country and getting around could be a problem. Not. We are conservative. Every place we will visit will be less than $200 US per night or much less. This is nothing compared to Europe. We bought Green Car JR rail passes and it was a little over $300 for seven days. Japan hotel pricing is getting to be like the rest of the world where as you get closer to arrival if rooms are available they may get cheaper. Hence our second night here over the Westin Miyako which was 4000 yen more.

We walked to Keihan Station and for 150 yen each were in Kyoto proper. Walked to Muji which is a store where my wife has her glasses made. Very reasonable. A lady from Israel who we helped was shocked with the prices. 75% less. She ordered three pairs. Ready in one hour. We went to the basement of Muji to meal Muji. I was able to pick three items, have rice and miso soup for 680 yen. My wife had curry for 840 yen. A total of 1520. We had water. That is a little more than $12 for us both. Are you getting it yet. Like all places in the world you can spend tons or simply look around. Last night in Nagoya we had a party of four. It included salad, pizza, pasta, drinks and desserts. It was less than 8000 yen.

You will love Japan. It is the only place in the world where everyone would return if they had the opportunity. It has energy and is clean. Clean.

A couple people have asked about communications. Well we know they have internet. I bought a prepaid phone a couple years back with the help of a friend in Japan. Mine is now from Softbank which bought out Vodaphone. My handset is in English as are all the commands I get from it. I by prepaid cards in increments of 3000 yen and load them simply by dialing 1400. I use about 1500 yen per day during market hours/days. The load is good for like 4 months and you keep your number for a year. You can buy prepaid KDDI phone cards for use with telephones. They are great rates.

Tonight there will be five of us out. Will let you know the cost. This trip we are Hilton Osaka, Hilton Nagoya, Hyatt Regency Kyoto then Westin Miyako Kyoto. We maintain highest status at all.

More on those side trips starting tomorrow. Time to get ready to head out. Regards