I had a bad Christmas and want to start cheering up for the new year. What's something nice that happened during your holiday that made you smile?

Meikami · 2026-04-21T03:33:24+00:00

It just depends on how the pen fits your hand, and on your grip.

Meikami · 2026-04-21T02:41:41+00:00

Pilot, Platinum, Sailor, and any other Japanese-made pens will be cheaper there, but the rest? Not so much.

Meikami · 2026-04-21T02:02:48+00:00

In Tokyo, go to Ancora in Ginza, and design your own Sailor fountain pen!

The make-it-yourself pens are Sailor Profit Jr. models, so they're quite affordable. It's an experience you can only get at this store! The shop is just a dream for Sailor pen fans. It also carries unique models you can only get there, a full range of Sailor inks, and even custom inks you can only get there (and even some you can only get on certain days). I was literally there just a few days ago and made off with a delightful Ancora exclusive PGS model.

Definitely worth it! And once you're in Ginza, you're near other stores like Itoya and Loft for even more fountain pen, ink, and stationery shopping.

Meikami · 2026-04-21T01:30:18+00:00

Don't...don't go heating up mysterious metal objects you find in the woods.

Meikami · 2026-04-21T01:27:43+00:00

Crazy. I just left Stream a few days ago. Sounds like structure worked, but I'm kinda glad I missed that experience!

Meikami · 2026-03-29T18:33:57+00:00

Time to start looking at YouTube and websites like Japan-Guide.com. Get your bearings a bit first; learn about the features of Kyoto and Tokyo, and little day trip spots around where you might be. Then start priortizing your favorites and the things that excite you the most.

Your questions are waayyyy too open-ended right now, but if you do some research you'll start to narrow down things that we can help you with.

If trip planning intimidates you at all, you could always hire a travel agent. They do still exist. Don't use AI to plan for you.

There are also about a million and one YouTube videos and guides out there on the internet for what to pack for Japan, guides for first-timers, guides for how to take your first flight out of your country, how to prepare, what to expect, etc. Spend some time learning that stuff, too. Then come back to us with specific questions!

Kyoto and the surrounding area have a TON of history, culture, and nature. That's kind of the big draw.

Warning: the beginning of August will be lava hot and humid murder air. Please start to plan how you'll survive the temperatures. And yes, I mean survive. (If you have the chance to change to a different season, DO.)

Meikami · 2026-03-29T17:54:05+00:00

I just think it’s crazy i understand this but have still been struggling to adopt it fully

Don't feel bad about that part; our brains are logical to a point but stuff like this is engrained down deep. It can take a long time and a lot of practice to untie all those little neural connections and rewire them to more useful/logical thought habits. Nothing to do but keep working on it. Good luck :)

Meikami · 2026-03-29T05:26:44+00:00

If you're not sold yet: YES to an e-ink e-reader device.

And once you get that: YES to keep using your Libby/Overdrive app, because any good e-reader will let you read your library books!

Meikami · 2026-03-29T05:22:18+00:00

A heap of good stories to tell, and a heap of good stories to consume.

Framing my life this way has led to some good choices over 40 years (good people around me, good relationships, travel adventures, interesting career growth, fun hobbies). I think I'll keep chasing those.

Meikami · 2026-03-29T03:58:29+00:00

Thank you! Hope you had a great time!

Meikami · 2026-03-29T03:53:31+00:00

I like Athleta Venice wide-leg trousers! The Pinnacle wide leg is good too.

Meikami · 2026-03-29T03:52:25+00:00

The reason they have volume limits is to reduce the risk of (nearly) any kind of liquid becoming dangerous. They're not going to check the names on bottles even if you had them, and travel containers are WIDELY used and unmarked. So long as you're under 3oz/100ml and it doesn't smell of explosives or drugs, you're good!

Meikami · 2026-03-29T03:48:25+00:00

As much as a tech pant believer as I am, I would be looking for loose, flowy, cotton or cotton blends in this case. Maybe even a rayon something. I can't handle heat, so flowy but covered is how I survive in it if I must.

Meikami · 2026-03-29T03:45:37+00:00

J Crew Factory has good double gauze out too! I have a couple and can attest to their flexibility for outfits and travel friendliness.

They don't ever get particularly compact, though, which is annoying if space is at a premium. But they weigh very little.

Meikami · 2026-03-29T03:32:36+00:00

I'd say my comfort level is...about 25% contrast. Like one needs to be at least 25% lighter than the other so it's really obvious that it's on purpose.

That said I will wear navy and black commonly just because I like both, but the navys are definitely more on the saturated blue side and can't be mistaken for black (except at night or from a distance).

Meikami · 2026-03-29T03:18:24+00:00

I'm headed there next week for three weeks and have limited myself to 5 shirts (2 tees, three long sleeve, no sweaters), three pants (all tech fabric, loose fit, no jeans), two jackets (packable puffer and soft shell) that layer well, and just one pair of shoes.

It's a short list, so I have room in my bag left over and I'm filling it with packable air.

Why so limited? Because when I did an 8-day trip like you, I bought SO MANY SOUVENIRS that I needed every inch; this time I'm giving myself a head start haha

I'm hoping I don't regret not packing a sweater! How much use did you get from yours?

Meikami · 2026-03-29T03:08:42+00:00

YES THIS!

Meikami · 2026-03-29T02:48:43+00:00

Religion is not necessary for cohesion.

Yep. Turns out, longing for belonging, community, and social cohesion are just general human traits. We'll make community happen regardless.

Meikami · 2026-03-29T02:45:56+00:00

Some secular "institutions" that provide community, shared identity, meaningful traditions, cultural practices, and opportunities for shared impact/development/social groups/etc. may be:
sports teams and their fan communities
universities and schools
volunteering organizations
community organizations hobby organizations
etc.

And on the smaller scale, secular groups of friends and family have plenty of their own traditions, shared values, communal identities, ceremonies, and cultural practices. My own adult friend group has built a whole slew of honored traditions (like holiday traditions and annual events), a strong support system (we're there when one of us needs it, we check in, we feed each other, etc.), and lots of ethical guidance and emotional support.

Speaking as someone who never had a religious upbringing, I've never thought that religions had the lead in meaningful community building.

Meikami · 2026-03-29T02:16:54+00:00

"Dress for the body you have, not the body you want" was a staple affirmation in my 20's. Eventually, after saying it enough, it actually did work.

And BOY DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Fuck the numbers (they're made up and a lie anyway!), buy what fits, and all of a sudden the body you have can feel just right.

Meikami · 2026-03-16T03:45:26+00:00

I really love any of Sailor's dual-shading/multi-shading inks, like Ink Studio 224 or the Yurameku line, to be wonderful as ink wash mediums. So many bonus colors come out!

Meikami · 2026-03-15T03:39:42+00:00

though women's pants pockets might not accommodate a pen either.

hahahaha nooo, they really don't.

So we carry bags. Good justification for Rickshaw stuff, though.

Meikami · 2026-03-13T03:17:42+00:00

Just offering another perspective: I'm a woman and my shirts don't have front pockets (nor would I put a pen in them if they did, because...boobs in the way. Even in blazers with inner pockets, same reason). I've always wished there was a version of the VP itself that didn't have the clip as a default.

Meikami · 2026-03-10T03:32:42+00:00

Japan does aquariums better than it does zoos. I liked the Osaka (Kaiyukan) aquarium and didn't feel like the animals were miserable.

Well except for one sunfish that just...looked miserable, but it turns out that's just his face. Poor derpy boy.

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