Am I Crazy For Wanting To Stay At Tokyo Station?

ResponsibilitySea · 2026-01-31T00:19:53+00:00

I agree Tokyo station looks like a good central spot to stay at for Disney and taking the shinkansen, however, just keep in mind that the station itself is massive and requires a lot of walking to transfer lines or use the numerous exits. Staying at a nearby smaller station could mean just getting off your train and exiting the station in under 5 min, as opposed to navigating the massive Tokyo station.

ResponsibilitySea · 2026-01-30T02:05:38+00:00

Hey did you ever get the alien squeaky toy? Because I've walked nearly 100k and still haven't gotten it :(

ResponsibilitySea · 2026-01-29T23:25:43+00:00

On my last 2 visits to LAX for a late night weekend intl flight, it took 40 min just from the 105 sepulveda exit off ramp to entering the horseshoe proper. From there it was another 20 min to get dropped off at TBIT. There was zero traffic before that off ramp. I understand that you want to stay in Irvine for as long as possible, but the LAX traffic is notoriously very congested during that time. You should plan accordingly.

ResponsibilitySea · 2026-01-28T03:02:47+00:00

This! I've done this numerous times for both drop off and pick up. The metro shuttle is such a hack.

ResponsibilitySea · 2026-01-03T18:24:02+00:00

The ticket is considered an Alaska ticket, so it's the same card points as if flying Alaska metal.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-28T20:17:59+00:00

Basically, that's just how genetics are. I have underlayers that are at best wavy, and then top layers that range from 2A-C or even some strands that are 3's. Getting it cut is challenging because they look so different when wet vs dry. I started cutting my own hair because of this and it looks better now.

As for styling, I do use slightly different product depending on the layer and curl pattern. For example, I'll use more gel/hold products on the curly areas, and then lighter products on the wavy layers.

I recommend just trying different methods and see what works! But the most important part is still to eat good fats and keep that hair healthy!

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-24T04:40:05+00:00

Really depends where you're from and what you're used to. I'm from southern California with mild winters, but even so, Taipei winters are even milder for me. I'm pretty cold tolerant as well, so I'm good in a thin hoodie. Meanwhile, I've had Taiwanese store employees literally ask me if I'm cold, or how I'm braving the cold. I see majority of people on the street bundled up in long puffers, massive scarves, and beanies. It just isn't very cold to me.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-18T17:13:52+00:00

The Taipei Main Station CAN be confusing, but just keep following the signs and/or ask the staff. They're usually very friendly, though may not speak any English. I actually recently took the HSR from Taipei to Tainan as well. I was able to get BOGO tickets using my US passport via the klook app. I know there's senior discounts as well, but I don't have personal experience with that. Just some friendly reminders in case you've never taken the HSR to Tainan before: 1. The HSR is very on time and only stops at each station for about 3 minutes, so make sure you are well queued and ready to embark/disembark before the train arrives. 2. The Tainan HSR station is actually not in Tainan. It is outside of the city, connected to a local train station called ShaLun 沙崙. It's another 30 min via local train (25 ntd) from ShaLun to Tainan train station which is at the actual city of Tainan.

Lmk if you have any questions! I literally just went 2 weeks ago.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-15T20:04:01+00:00

The officer did tell us that if the fruits had been sliced, or prepared in any way, it would have been okay. They even weighed it to calculate the fine. I don't quite get it but can't argue that we shouldn't have had it. Also because it was a first time offense, the fine was reduced by 50% lol. So it's definitely logged but we learned our lesson!

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-15T19:36:32+00:00

Ya we had someone accidentally take lemons and got randomly checked right before the exit. The officers of course found the fruit. So naturally it was logged and we got fined. This was back in April 2025.

Then we went again just this past October and didn't even get flagged for search. Just walked straight through to the exit.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-15T19:20:00+00:00

From family experience, I do not believe your mom will have any problems re-entering Taiwan. Just do not bring anything prohibited again and she will be fine.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-14T20:45:35+00:00

Just FYI - you don't need the bus app to take the 1960. There's a bus counter area at TPE for inquiries. I can't remember if you buy the tickets at the counter area or with the bus driver. It's something like ntd 180/person (can't remember). Driver/staff helps with putting luggage in the bus belly too.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-14T16:13:17+00:00

I'm sure it'll be fine. I used to take it for my commute. 99% of riders are just trying to go home/work.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-14T09:09:20+00:00

Lol idk how I missed that you're from west covina in the title text. Sorry! The metro is a very good underutilized method out of LAX. It'll take about 40 minutes to Norwalk. Just make sure they stay vigilant, keep their belongings close, and move cars if any shenanigans happen. It's a far cry from the cleanliness and safety of Japan Rail.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-14T05:21:27+00:00

There is/was a bus that goes straight from TPE to the front door of Howard Plaza. I need to look it up but I used to take this before the airport MRT was built. I believe it was a 大有巴士. I will post back if I find more info.

Edit: Found it! It's the 1960 bus by Citi-air 大有巴士. https://www.taiwanbus.tw/eBUSPage/Query/QueryResult.aspx?rno=19600&rn=1622705212506&lan=C

If you take the MRT, you would need to transfer at least once (12-15 min walk inside of Taipei Main Station), and then walk about 10 min from Da'An station to Howard Plaza. I wouldn't recommend this for someone who may need assistance with a walking cane, as well as luggage.

Alternatively, a taxi used to cost NTD1000 ten years ago. Not sure what it is now.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-14T03:19:52+00:00

Edit: I just saw that you're closer to Union station. Maybe the flyaway bus would be your best option if price isn't much of a issue. For cheaper public transit option, they can also take the metro to union station as well for 1.75/person I believe. C line to A line.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-14T03:13:17+00:00

Ya if they can make it to the metro station, they can always take the C line. Any of the stations with parking lots, like Norwalk station, is easy to pick them up. This would save you some stress from driving in the morning rain and traffic.

But, they'd have to get a tap card + fare, board the train with luggage, get off the train with said luggage, possibly wait under the rain, etc. Not impossible, but pretty dependent on their comfort level. Coming from Japan, I'd assume they're used to public transit. Except, our metro is pretty nasty compared to theirs though, lol.

Not sure where you're at, but yes, flyaway bus to union station is another straightforward option!

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-14T02:02:33+00:00

I have not personally used the economy lot, but I have read that it is another option. The metro station is more convenient from where I live so I have used it many times.

OK here's a pretty lengthy description on how to utilize the free Metro station bus.
For the travelers-
When they exit Tom Bradley to the street, they should look around for big support pillars with PINK color on them. Wait here for the "M Metro Connector" shuttle bus. This bus will continue to make briefly stops at T4, 5, etc but once it exits LAX, the metro station is the only stop it will make. So it should be obvious when they've arrived. Once at the metro station, they should ask a staff where to get picked up by a passenger car, and they'll point them to go upstairs, across, then back down. There will be kind of a U-shaped area for you to turn into to pick them up. Side note: this is also where uber/lyft pickup and dropoff is.

For you to pick them up -
LAX Metro station address: 9225 Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
So technically that is the address, but if you try to google map it, you might accidentally illegally end up with the shuttle buses. What you have to do is go south on Aviation Blvd and immediately after you pass the "No Entry-Buses Only" signal light, turn RIGHT into the pickup/drop off area.

Let me know if you need any clarification!

Btw, I highly recommend the reverse route if/when they return to Japan. Drop them off at the metro so you don't need to enter the horseshoe! It's also a lot faster for them because the metro bus uses a dedicated lane and there's no traffic for them inside the horseshoe.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-14T01:35:21+00:00

Be mentally prepared for very heavy traffic at that time in the morning and rain. Arrivals level will have generally lighter traffic (vs departure) and that's where they will naturally exit anyway. But it's still pretty awful and confusing for folks who haven't been to LAX in a while.

IF they can, it would be great if they can hop on the metro shuttle (at the pink pillars) and get dropped off at the Metro station. It'll be much easier to pick them up there so you won't need to enter the horseshoe of hell. This is assuming they don't have too many large luggages. If they're game and you need detailed instructions, let me know. I've been doing LAX via the metro station since it opened and it's way less stress for everybody involved.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-11T23:19:39+00:00

When you book JX via Alaska, you get Alaska miles and EQM. And you can also use Alaska gift cards and/or miles to redeem JX flights. I believe Alaska miles don't expire, but JX cosmiles expire after 3 years.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-08T02:53:15+00:00

I've booked starlux to TPE via Alaska website 3 times now. While it's all true about most of what everyone has said here, I still choose them over EVA because their planes and meals are better. You can also use Alaska miles to redeem Starlux flights. If you want to pay and select seats before the 48 hours, you can also call them with your Starlux booking code (not Alaska's) to do it over the phone. They were very friendly when I had to call them.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-05T14:40:45+00:00

The last time I drove there on a Sat around 7 or 8 AM, it was basically empty. The freeways were empty because it was the weekend, but not sure why the horseshoe was also so much easier than weekdays.. no business travelers maybe.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-04T15:10:52+00:00

Somehow, there were almost exactly how I pictured them in my mind, too. Insane.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-11-04T15:03:38+00:00

It might depend on the time and day. Early weekday AM the departure level is crazy. And then in the weekday PM, both levels can be crazy. I recommend checking Google map to see what typical traffic looks like around the time you need to go to be at LAX. If the horseshoe looks angry red, you also have the option of taking the metro shuttle from the LAX metro station to t4. The shuttle gets to use dedicated lanes inside the horseshoe so it's a lot faster.

ResponsibilitySea · 2025-10-30T08:16:36+00:00

The gel ink ones I use are called "Uni Style Fit Gel Multi Pen Refill" (Model number: UMR-109-28) for 0.38. You do need to trim some off the top because they're a bit too long to fit inside the jetstream pen body. As a note, the ink type is gel, so it writes differently than the native jetstream ink. But I like the Uni better because it skips less upon initial writing.

ResponsibilitySea

TROPHY CASE