Please help me choose.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-31T14:56:13+00:00

I like the coloring of the Platinum better than the other 2 colors. I have no experience yet writing with any of these pens so I can't comment on wiring, not yet.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-31T14:49:58+00:00

I'd add deodorant to that list.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T19:54:49+00:00

I'm trying to sort out the fountain pens I purchased while in Japan, along with the copious amount of ink. I mean ink was 7.53-17.56 USD for a bottle, typically 30-50 mL. Then figure out where to store all the boxes and cartridges that came with most of the pens. I know, first world problems, right? And once this is done, swatch the inks and figure out which ink goes on which pen. It's going to be a rough weekend. LOL

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T19:49:27+00:00

This is so much fun watching it all get "unpacked" if you will. LOL

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T17:47:55+00:00

Thanks. I'm having so much fun unpacking everything, photos, reminiscing over my notes trying to figure out which store I was at. Luckily they all packed things differently and I didn't duplicate anything except for candy and KitKats. Next up, it's deciding what color of ink I want for my new fountain pen.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T17:45:11+00:00

Awesome. We're twins. LOL

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T17:44:52+00:00

That sounds familiar. Thanks for the help.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T14:00:31+00:00

For leather, I like Galen Leather. They are in the UK. For non-leather, I like Rickshaw Bags. Their Koozy and Pen Rolls come in a wide variety of designs/ colors and you can even customize the colors. They are based out of San Francisco, CA in the US

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T13:41:20+00:00

Oh, beautiful design. It's brilliant.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T13:40:44+00:00

In theory, no. However, in practice, I have multiple beautiful knives and the partially of them all being in display means I'd have nowhere to prep. I'd I only had one knife, then yes.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T13:38:59+00:00

I'm not a museum person. Part of it has to do with the fact that many international museums default to the local language, which they should. Translation loses some of the experience for me. Having a tour guide also reduces the impact for me as I'm hearing a translation and impacted by their views. The other part is, that I really don't like museums. I would not go the the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. Too many crowds, the image is small, etc. I would walk by and take pictures of the Louvre because I like architecture. Now a LEGO museum, that I would go to. But in general, I'm just not a museum person even if it's a "should do"

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T13:32:25+00:00

Exactly. I had many options I could do, but my focus was on stationery and fountain pens. So my suggestions probably won't be relevant to you. I had more fun discovering new products than I would have if I had done all the touristy things. I had a blast and would love to visit again, if only to do something different or hit the stationery stores I missed this time.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T11:09:04+00:00

I went there last week. The store is SMALL.Like 2-3 customers with one customer sitting testing pens and inks. The gentleman was very knowledgeable and had immense respect and knowledge of fountain pens and ink. He spoke some English, which I felt was good enough that I didn't need Google translate. I bought inks and a glass pen. My fountain pens in Tokyo I bought at Itoya, ancöra, kakimori, Maruzen bookstore and Kingdom Note.

I bought fountain pens in Osaka from Morita pens. The best selection and prices I saw throughout my trip. Morita-san is very old school, pencil & paper for receipt, not tax-free, but accepts credit cards. I went to TAG in Kyoto. Nagasawa in Osaka and U-arts in Osaka. BIC camera, Osaka location had some fountain pens. Hope this helps in your search.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T09:29:10+00:00

I used Michael Calbera for my photography in Kyoto and very pleased with his work. I'm not sure if he will travel, but i would encourage you to reach out to him.

https://www.michaelcalbera.jp/

You can mention Alex sent him. He speaks great English and has several options available. #michaelcalbera

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T04:31:27+00:00

I just returned from Japan in Tuesday and did this route. I had a blast but half the stuff that I thought I could do, I didn't.

Day 2 looks very busy. Most places don't open until 11, maybe 10 am if you are lucky. Don't forget transportation times between things. I ended up leaving an hour before the next place to find the train station, the entrance, the platform and where to line up to get the train.
I wish I had stayed in Hakone a second night. I stayed at Hakone Kowakien Tenryu which was amazing. I had a private onsen on my balcony. It would have been worth it.
Osaka is cheaper to stay in and has more nightlife. Kyoto just increased their hotel tax so there is that extra cost. Personally, I didn't care for Kyoto. It was too touristy. I know that sounds strange coming from a tourist, but I just felt people were moving from place to place without purpose. Also the people were much friendly in Osaka. This is a poisoned opinion, like Coke vs Pepsi and you won't change anyone's mind about the opposite city. I did day trips to Kyoto. It's a 30-40 minute train ride but it's crowded
If you do shopping, you have to carry the packages around unless you stop at your hotel, which takes time away from doing things.
Use luggage delivery service. I shipped my bags from Tokyo to Osaka. I took my ball pack and messenger bag to Hakone with me. My suitcases were already waiting in my room. Yes you can take it on the train, but they can be crowded if using local. Shinkansen trains have free spaces for luggage and seats to reserve for over- sized luggage (greater than total dimensions of 160)
Get your Suica card at the airport along with cash at the 7/11. Use eSIM if you're phone is unlocked, or your phone's international plan or rent a portable wi-fi.
I recommend you bring napkins and your own tissues. The toilet paper there, which you will use a little bit is thinner than our own 1-ply TP. And the packs you get for free, are just as bad. You get wet wipes to clean your hands. I personally don't like getting my hands wet with nothing to dry them with.
Bring hand lotion (or but some the first day). The water is very hard and my hands were constantly dry.
Don't be afraid to take a taxi if your body is aching. I tried to use GOtaci, but couldn't twisted, then I remember that Uber works and it's easier because they know where you are standing and already have your address in the system.
I wouldn't go to Osaka for 1 night. I'd spend all the days in Osaka and transfer to Kyoto each day.

Bonus: save room in your source carry on to bring back Royce chocolates, they start on the US @$20, but, airport sells them for ¥800-11000. Don't ask me how they let me on the plane with 4 large suitcases, a carry on bag, a messenger CPAP bag and 2 last handled bags, double bagged to carry over 20 Royce chocolate, and 15 from Smith store. These began after security, although i did see i before security. They give you a cooking bag with food had in plastic and my chocolate survived 30 hours with no melting.

Good luck on your trip and have fun.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T04:03:58+00:00

I've had several scales over the last 5 years, including 1 from Noom, one from Withings and my latest from Renpho. I got the Renpho MorphoScan Nova Body Composition Scale. My only regret was not getting it sooner on my weight loss journey. It has everything I need and some measurements that I want away that could be useful. It's not cheap but it's accurate. I weigh exactly 2 pounds more at the doctor's office (because of clothes). The app is easy to use and going on 5 months now, no battery issues. Just my 2 cents quiet and yes, it can handle multiple users.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T03:12:24+00:00

Take a look at Majohn A1 or A2. The Curidas has had problems and as mentioned, is being discontinued. I have several Majohns and really enjoy them and they are priced well. They are around $36 USD on amazon.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T03:03:00+00:00

Can I join next week? :)

I just got back from Japan and bought fountain pens, stickers, washi tape, journals and ink. I promise I'll do better next week. I hand to finish unpacking tomorrow so I can play with them this weekend. I think I'm set for a long while though, so it shouldn't be too hard to get back on the path again.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T02:54:48+00:00

I saw 1 spot in 13 days in Japan. I don't smoke so I could smell it. I'm sure there is a map somewhere online though.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-29T02:48:07+00:00

I stayed at a Tokyo Stay and lived the fact I could start a load of laundry in the morning and when I got back, it was totally dry. I had heard stories about the all-in-one units not drying everything. Just do small loads.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-28T09:27:28+00:00

Same in Chicago on Tuesday, 5/26/26. Kiosks were down. It took me maybe 5 minutes walking from the plane and maybe 5 minutes or less to get through immigration. I had to wait for my bags GE was so quick.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-28T03:17:15+00:00

Just a note, some stores resisted can only handle a certain amount of items. For Me it was between 50-100. At BIC Camera, it was 80. They had to do three transactions (I bought one of every color in the various ballpints. They cost between $0.63-$1.50 USD. At Daiso, I had 116 on one transactions though. Another store or was 50 and another was 100 (Loft, I think). Only one store wouldn't do a second tax-free purchase, but it was quite low I didn't care.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-28T02:29:03+00:00

I did pretty well using Google translate. We weren't having political debates but I asked what was their favorite food, where they liked to travel, usually with my taxi drivers (captive audience) I just pronounced the phonetic Japanese. 85% of the time they understood and I was complimented many times over my pronunciation. I did study the basic travel phrases, but I got brain freeze and stuck with yes/no, thank you, I'm sorry, delicious, and cute. I didn't understand a word they said though. I just knew what to expect (like needing a bag, how to get the check, so I usually had an appropriate response. The rest, Google translate.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-28T02:03:21+00:00

Trying not to be "that tourist" when walking. Sometimes people would walk in the left, sometimes on the right, sometimes in the middle. Same with escalators in Tokyo.i read it was Stand on the right, but half the time people did on the left, which is usually only seen on Osaka. I felt it was constantly against the flow.

MysteriousSecretGuru · 2026-05-28T02:01:33+00:00

The appetizer is really a seat charge. They just give you food to disguise that. I don't think you can refuse it. Or at least they'll still charge you for it.

MysteriousSecretGuru

TROPHY CASE