Sorry for asking what are probably really dumb questions, but I've never gone anywhere on an airplane before.

I'm 16 and will be leaving for Tokyo in a little over a month. I'll be going by myself, and it will be the first time I've ever flown anywhere. I'll be flying ANA out of JFK on one of their fancy New Style jets in economy class.

I'm basically looking for tips, tricks, what to expect, anything I should arrange before leaving, etc. from people who are more experienced than me.

Thanks!

Welcome to FT. May I ask your reason for going to Japan?

I can't give you Japan specific info (I'm sure others will).

In general travel trip...I prefer an aisle seat so I can easily get up and walk around/visit the restrooms. Dress comfortably. Buy an inflatable travel pillow, eyeshades, and earplugs. Carry on only what you need/things of value. Buy a huge bottle of water to bring along, as flying and in particular long haul flights are quite dehydrating. Don't plan much the first day as you'll have serious jetlag. You may want to take a sleeping pill once on board to get the most sleep you can.

Best advice is if you have questions, ask someone. You'll more or less be herded through baggage claim and customs along with everyone else, and if you don't know what to do just ask someone, either a fellow traveler, a flight attendant, gate agent, whoever.

Even after many flights, I still find it an adventure at times. Just roll with it, you'll have an awesome experience!

Oh...and wear shoes that are comfy and easy to get off and on...trust me

IrishRed:

I like all of your tips .... but he should NOT take sleeping pills during a flight.

Other than this, I am sure the FAs from ANA will take good care about Nv2U.

Why he is going to Japan...and with ANA? I don't know .. I guess he is visiting his family.

... and welcome to FlyerTalk and have a nice journey ^

Nothing to do with visiting family, actually. I've been taking Japanese language lessons in school for the last three years, and finally saved up enough money to visit for three weeks.

I also have a business idea and will be looking around at prices of things while I'm there.

Thanks for the tips!

Welcome to FT and (soon) the skies :-)

Don't worry too much about your trip and don't "overprepare". But do take a good book and a big bottle of water with you - and make sure you finish it by the time you land; it will help with jetlag. Speaking of jetlag, try to adapt to night/day times in Japan as soon as you arrive, i.e. try not to go to sleep until night time if you arrive in the morning for example.

And of course, join a FFP :-)

ENJOY!

I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned already but join a frequent flyer program.
Which one? Well, it depends if you know if you'll be doing much flying in the future. If you're not sure, I would think that United's mileage plus (www.mileageplus.com) would be a good idea. It's free to join and you'll get your own frequent flyer number. Make sure you quote the number when you check in for your flight.
The other tips I would give are the usual ones. At checkin, ask if the flight is busy and, very politely, ask if they're needing to upgrade anyone. If they're not then ask if any of the bulkhead or emergency exit seats are available. This way, you'll get more leg roon.

Enjoy your flight!

16 and going to Japan alone? wow.. super ambitious. Impressive!

I went when I was 20.. other than Mexico, it was the first time I ever went international as well. Still love the place...

Anyways. Asile seats allow more freedom. Do you know what kinda aircraft it is? Is it a 777? If that's the case, a window probably won't be the end of the world, can lean up and sleep on it. 747 though, I never liked the idea of being pinned down by 2 others.

I take sleeping pills to sleep on planes... I mean, YMMV but you may not want to if it's your first time flying.

The jetlag to/from Japan will be really strange at first. Flights from the US take off noon-ish, land anytime between 2-5pm local Japanese time. If you're a morning person, then try to stay up till 8-9pm, if you're a night person (and Tokyo really comes alive at night), then fight it till 11pm or so.

Dunno what else I can say really. Where in Japan are you planning on going?

Hahaha, sorry, beat you to it :-)

As for the upgrade, come on, in this day and age of thousands of *Gs... do you really think so?!

You might get more specific help by posting in the Travel Destinations -> Tokyo forum of this site.

Do you have accommodations and such? I'm not sure what the rules are regarding unaccompanied minors in Japan, but there may be problems with hotels. The "legal" age is 20.

You will need a passport, but no visa is required to visit for 3 weeks as a tourist. Take lots of money as things are more expensive than you think. You can get yen from an international ATM, but make sure your card and any credit cards are "unlocked" for international use. Just call the 800 number before you go.

A good travel guide can be helpful - Frommer's, Lonely Planet, that sort of thing. The best use of $10.00 I made prior to going the first time was Kodansha's "Pocket Tokyo Subway Guide" - available from Amazon. The Bilingual Tokyo City Atlas is also valuable but more expensive at $24.00.

JR

Hmmm...care to explain? I always do on a transcon and find it helps me rest and wake somewhat more refreshed and less jetlagged. I was thinking OTC regular dose, which won't knock the poor kid out or anything, just make him drowsy enough to fall alseep.

I'm just got back from Japan (I am 19) my first international trip was when I was 17 to Iceland, so don't worry your not alone at all. It's a good thing believe me.
First of speaking the language will be invaluable!! I wouldn't to worry to much about your age, as a foreigner who speaks a decent amount of Japaneese(I assume) you should be in a fairly decent place. Cabs are really expensive in Tokyo so learn to use the subway system, it's great. Also convience stores are good for cheap eats, not bad at all, also check out the restraunt on top of the department stores in Ginza, I don't know if you need somewhere to stay but I know a few good hotels which cater to Japaneese buisness men which are much cheaper then those that cater to westners, thier even cheaper then most hostels, and you get a decent room. PM if you want the contact info.

I have read this in one of the airline bocklets.....I believe it was from Lufthansa.

I was googling and found this http://www.ehow.com/how_3714_sleep-plane.html

BTW, Nv2U, you are a courages, young person ... and I wish you a great trip!

I'm aware of the visa regulations, and of course know that I need a passport.

As far as hotels go, the ones I have called said there is no problem as long as I can prove my identity and show the credit card that I used to book the room. And the few ryokan that I am staying at have no such rules/regulations - just pay cash.

I already have my JR Pass, so I'm set in that department as well. I didn't post in the Tokyo forum simply because, though I'm flying into Tokyo, most of my trip actually won't be spent there (only four days).

Thanks again for all the input!

Don't let that stop you.

The "Tokyo" forum is in actual practice the "Pan-Japan" forum. There is actually a proposal now up for a vote by the Flyer Talk board to change the forum name to more acurately reflect that fact. Many old Japan hands and quite a few Japan residents - nationals and gaijin - hang out there.

JR

I usually fly to Japan (Narita and Nagoya) at least twice a year for business and to visit family and friends. In fact, I'll be in Tokyo again at the end of this month for business. If you're looking for a nice, inexpensive place to stay which is in a good location, I would highly recommend the Asia Center of Japan (http://www.asiacenter.or.jp/). It's within walking distance of Roppongi, a subway station, and a few convenience stores. You can request a room with or without a private bathroom. There are men's and women's bathrooms on each floor. There's the old annex and the new annex. Personally, I always request a room with a private bathroom in the new annex. The TVs require 100 Yen per two hours of viewing (this may have changed since I haven't stayed there in a while).

How will you get from Narita to downtown Tokyo? If you're using your JR Rail pass, do you know where to go to exchange your coupon for the actual rail pass? If not, I can help. I've done this before. If you need any advice on where to stay in other locations you'll be visiting, I can help there, too. I've travelled and lived in Japan for a total of almost six years. Ask away!

Have a great time in Japan!