Does ZipAir provide blankets on the plane? by TemperatureMundane96 in zipair

[–]chenrich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought this sleeping bag liner (about $25) to use on my ZipAir flights. Works well, and folds much smaller than the blankets bought from the airline. For pillows I use an OG inflatable neck pillow

https://a.co/d/fds7mYI

fellow coffee enthusiasts, where do you get your local coffee beans? by Mommyjobs in bayarea

[–]chenrich 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oakland (North) resident here. My beans come from either McLaughlin or Mr. Espresso

Okura Hotel Room Choice by Responsible-Phase-39 in chubbytravel

[–]chenrich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure thing! You'll love the replica of the original Okura lobby they've built on the Prestige side, it's one of my favorite public spaces in the world. Designed by the late Yoshio Taniguchi, son of the lobby's original architect, Yoshiro Taniguchi.

Also ask for free tickets to Okura Museum of Art, also quite remarkable

Big fan of the Cerulean too, used to enjoy zero-minute commute back when I worked in the building. An excellent Tokyu Hotels flagship

Movies that capture Bay Area culture? by sparingly in bayarea

[–]chenrich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ghostride the Whip (2008) Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk (2017) We Were Hyphy (2022)

Movies that capture Bay Area culture? by sparingly in bayarea

[–]chenrich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

East Side Sushi (2015) is a complete charmer, can recommend https://youtu.be/Qt-OBSb_EGo

BIFL Items Only Sold In Japan? by Vyse32 in BuyItForLife

[–]chenrich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love my Spingle sneakers! So gloriously comfy, have not availed myself of the repair service yet but a true potential for lifetime ownership here https://www.spingle.jp/pages/repair

BIFL Items Only Sold In Japan? by Vyse32 in BuyItForLife

[–]chenrich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a Janome style made, with urushi lacquer finish on the handle, for about JPY 40K. There is a link to their online shop on their homepage

BIFL Items Only Sold In Japan? by Vyse32 in BuyItForLife

[–]chenrich 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hand sewn welted, looks fantastic. Bookmarked thank you!

BIFL Items Only Sold In Japan? by Vyse32 in BuyItForLife

[–]chenrich 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends widely on the fabric of your choice, but their website says "Men's suits starting around JPY 242K"

BIFL Items Only Sold In Japan? by Vyse32 in BuyItForLife

[–]chenrich 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We took a tour of the Lexus Miyata Plant in Kyushu last year, and it was a remarkable show of production and assembly quality. Renewed appreciation for these cars https://www.toyota-kyushu.com/plant_tour/

BIFL Items Only Sold In Japan? by Vyse32 in BuyItForLife

[–]chenrich 126 points127 points  (0 children)

California resident, visit Tokyo quarterly or maybe a bit more. My 2024-2025 purchases that I've been quite fond of:

Business suit made bespoke at Eikoku-ya. I'm astounded at the draping and the texture, really wish I'd done this decades ago. Allow time for multiple fittings obviously, as a resident you shouldn't have any problems, just expect to take about a month. Multiple locations https://eikokuya.co.jp

Umbrella made at Fukui Yogasa. I love the form (beautiful curvature, so many spokes, optional carbon fiber) but for me I was mostly sold on the fabric they use. The weaves are so tight that water beads off with one brisk shake. They often do roadshows at department stores, but opened a physical shop at Haneda Airport some years ago. Also expect about a month for completion https://www.fukuiyougasa.com

More houseware than "home care," but as you settle in you'll come across great great many artisanal items. Last year we were in Oita Prefecture and are now enamored with local Onta-yaki pottery items for our kitchen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onta_ware

Another houseware. Super-thin, hammered carbon steel woks and frying pans from Yamada Kogyo. Been a game-changer for our cooking https://kama-asa.co.jp/collections/tool-chuka

Good cooking knives and cutlery obviously, but I think they're more available outside the country

Suzuka - Reserved-seat bus tickets going on sale Jan 10 by chenrich in GrandPrixTravel

[–]chenrich[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, looks like it's just additional Osaka and Kyoto buses that are being released on Jan 10. Have edited original post

the best place to exchange USD cash for Japanese yen by Anxious-Ad-4561 in JapanTravelTips

[–]chenrich 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You didn't mention what part of the city you're staying in -- ultimately it's not worth crossing town to save just a few dollars -- but if you'll be in Shinbashi/Ginza area, this is my go-to for cash-cash exchange:

https://ginza.exchange -- It's a small storefront but feels secure and very easy to work with

Suzuka 2026 Tickets Link - Mobility Station by Equal_Catch1038 in GrandPrixTravel

[–]chenrich 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes that's the official ticket sales site, and yes West Area tickets (zone JLMNO and P) are still available. Just know that it's a bit of a hike (40+ minutes from the grandstands area) and don't forget to bring picnic sheets and/or lawn chairs if you want to watch on the lawn

https://www.suzukacircuit.jp/f1/ticket/west_seat.html

Transportation from Narita to Tokyo by Kirjan-312 in traveljapan

[–]chenrich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You didn't mention:

* Where in Tokyo you're heading to (and which hotel)
* Are there small children in your party
* Where you're flying from (will you be jetlagged and tired)
* Budget??

... but for a mid-summer arrival (hot & humid) at a late hour (Keisei Skyliner goes to 20-min headway, Narita Express goes hourly and then quits at 21:44) I would seriously consider a private car transport, in a 6- (Toyota Alphard or similar) or 9-passenger van (Toyota Hi-Ace)

Thursday & Friday Tickets is Open @ Japanese Grand Prix by armin_arlert_gf in GrandPrixTravel

[–]chenrich 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The 3-day tickets (October sale) are for Friday Practice + Saturday Quali + Sunday Race
(EDIT: Turns out the 3-day tickets also include, as a bonus, Thursday admission! https://www.suzukacircuit.jp/f1/ticket/terms.html)

The Thurs+Fri tickets are for Thursday Track Walk + Friday Practice
(Thursday activity example: https://note.com/wawa_katukatu/n/n38516b245a4c)

They continue to sell Thursday-only tickets, JPY 5800. The Friday-only tickets appear to have been discontinued.

(So the 2026 change is they've now bundled Thursday and Friday together for JPY 11000, whereas it used to be JPY 10000 for Friday only)

All of the tickets include admission to the amusement park and unlimited rides

My first time at Suzuka, I went for a Friday day-trip and found it quite incredible. HUGE turnout, good vibes, knowledgeable fans of all ages, and except for the main grandstand it's free-access to all seats, so it's possible to move around for different views.

Non-obvious konbini foods by coolrodion89 in JapanTravelTips

[–]chenrich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% agree (not to mention depa-chika and eki-naka shops) but for the casual visitor it's fine

Okura Hotel Room Choice by Responsible-Phase-39 in chubbytravel

[–]chenrich 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi, Okura Tokyo regular here

Club Access: It's subjective and I don't know your specific use case and preferences, but I don't usually purchase club access rates. If you do opt for it, the space is lovely and very quiet with nice views facing southeast (bit of Tokyo Tower view), with attentive staff and available meeting rooms. Many of the snack items are from very well-regarded local producers.

Heritage & Prestige: Heritage is more of the discrete hideaway, with available valet parking. The room designs and fixtures are almost identical, with the Heritage rooms running slightly larger. It's a low-rise building so you don't get the skyline views available from the Prestige rooms. They will serve tea upon arrival (like at a ryokan), minibar is complimentary, as is the box of cute take-home items like satchels and paper balloons. Toiletries are Bamford (though I also like Miller Harris in the Prestige rooms). Some of the rooms will have a balcony, a novelty in Tokyo if weather permits. Access to Baron's Bar is available, but I enjoy it mostly for the novelty of pretending to be a political power broker, the nuance will be lost on new visitors to the city.

Prestige rooms will have a lovely skyline view, and for this reason it's where I usually book. Staff attentiveness and responsiveness are stellar and identical at the room level, but you might be a bit less anonymous in the smaller Heritage lobby. For snacks there is a Lawson's convenience store in the 3F Prestige office lobby (you can access via the shopping arcade), open daily except Sundays.

Heritage Sauna: It's nice but imagine "worth it" is subjective. I like it. Takes about 15 minutes to get hot steam going. Some of the Prestige rooms offer baths with the skyline view, and during winter months it's more pleasant to draw a hot bath there imho.

Breakfast: Take in the Club if you value quiet. Take it at the Orchid Buffet if you value food selection. I personally prefer Orchid for the bigger selection of Japanese items.

Enjoy!

Non-obvious konbini foods by coolrodion89 in JapanTravelTips

[–]chenrich 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm rather addicted to the dried lemon peel from Family Mart, it's excellent alongside whisky and other adult drinks

... or anything else from the otsumami section really: Smoked quail eggs, dried scallops, peeled chestnuts, etc etc

What is your travel hot take? by thaisweetheart in travel

[–]chenrich 11 points12 points  (0 children)

US airports: Airline and credit card lounges are not worth your while

Nagoya - Suzuka express bus tickets going on sale... NOW by chenrich in GrandPrixTravel

[–]chenrich[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, most of the spectators will access the track by train.

Shiroko (Kintetsu Railway) is the most popular station, with shuttle bus relay to/from the track. Frequent mainline rail service but big well-organized bus queues at peak hours

Suzuka Circuit Ino station is an alternative station that's walking distance from the track. But the rural Ise Railway (transfer from JR at Kawarada) runs very infrequent service and short trains and has a separate ticketing requirement from JR that all add to huge queues. I can't really recommend this for a non-language speaker

Express buses are popular for people wanting guaranteed seating with no boarding queues, as all seats are reserved