Japan 2024 - Part 1: Pre-Trip

Note: I wrote this blog post over the course of the second half of 2024 from June all the way to November where it amassed 155 pages in a Google document. This blog is being released in 8 different parts where each read has lots of content but is digestible without reader burnout: Pre-trip, May 17-19, May 20-21, May 22-23, May 24-25, May 26-27, May 28-29, May 30-31

Here is the link to view the all parts (released/unreleased)

This portion of the blog is meant to give you a preview of what is to come!

Michael Quan Marie Kondo Japan 2024

Preface

Japan had always been on my list of countries to visit since 2019 and when the KonMari team announced that a retreat was in the works back in January 2024, I knew it was was my calling to finally make this journey happen and it would be even more special since it would be with a group of like-minded people. The agenda had not been released until March but my intentions were to sign up regardless of timeline, agenda or monetary blockers.

The save the date email was announced in February and consisted of a Japan trip (May 20-24) and Seminar (May 25-26). My calendar at this time already had a conflict with a close friend’s bachelor party in Mexico City but I knew the right thing for myself was to cancel on the bachelor party with the understanding that this is a once in a lifetime trip that I could not skip. I am still excited to attend his wedding this October as he and his fiance are special people to me! 

Registration went live on March 6 with limited spots and I registered that same evening (without even looking at the agenda!) I trusted the KonMari team to ensure this would be a high quality and special event hitting the multiple cities and stops around the country. Everything was priced into the retreat except airfare and airport transportation making my life easy logistically. The only item of consideration for me was if I wanted to share a room or have my own for an additional fee. I had done plenty of work traveling at my previous dayjob and never had to share a room and coordinate sleep and grooming schedules so I went with the familiar option.




Marie Kondo Japan Trip Preview Email

The trip had come at a perfect time also, as I have been undergoing some major life changes with focus on personal growth and being the best version of myself. Things always work out as they need to when you let the universe be your guide while trusting your own intuition. It may give you some tough times but will also reward you at the right moments when you least expect it. I typically haven’t believed in a higher power that much in the past but more to come on that later on in the blog.

Pre- Trip Logistics

It was probably a good idea to look for flights in late March about 2 months ahead of the trip. This was the first time I busted out the agenda to see where I needed to fly into and leave from. The trip started in Kyoto and would end in Tokyo which is serviced by 2 different airports. 2 one way trips it was going to be! Unfortunately in San Diego, there is only a single non-stop to Tokyo each day from JAL so that would not work. Other considerations were if I wanted to spend more time in each city ahead of the trip and then on the tail end of the trip - the answer was Yes! I decided to fly in on May 17 and arrive May 18 (2 full days ahead.  of the trip) through Air Canada SAN->YVR->KIX and spend an extra 5 days in Tokyo since there JV would be no group exploration in the city with the seminar occupying all day Saturday and Sunday. I selected to depart on May 31 through United NRT->LAX->SAN (originally May 30 but plans had changed).

With the main bookings already completed, I waited till early May to figure out my “own time” hotel situations. For Kyoto I wanted to be near the group hotel to easily transfer to the group hotel when the retreat started - I booked the Double Tree Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama with my remaining Hilton points from my aerospace travel days. For Tokyo I wanted to be in Shinjuku, the “happening” area of town at night time and centrally located. I booked Hotel Gracery (Godzilla Head hotel) with Chase points as it was centrally located and super close to the main Shinjuku train station, providing easy access to the rest of Tokyo. There were so many hotels to select from in Tokyo that my decision was primarily based on a combination of value and location and this place fit my needs perfectly.

I also needed to acquire an International Driver Permit for an activity I had planned on my own (you’ll have to wait and see what it was). This was super easy to grab by visiting a local AAA office and showing them my drivers license along with some passport photos.

The week before the trip provided a good time to review the agenda to learn more about where we were actually going as a group, so I could figure out what I wanted to explore on my own (or whoever else was around to adventure). I had met with a close friend the previous week to get her list of recommendations, as she had spent multiple weeks in Japan earlier in the year. There was lots of cross-over with the main group in Kyoto also but luckily there was still plenty to do along with creating my own adventure! I will provide a summary agenda below before diving deep into each day of the trip.

I also didn’t start packing until the week of the trip but wanted to take just a medium size suitcase and a backpack. I knew there would be an opportunity to do laundry (or would find a way at least) mid trip but wanted to ensure I had enough items to get me through multiple days at a time. Here is what I ended up bringing:

  • 7 Athletic T-Shirts that looked “normal” (5 Alo Conquer Reform - Green, Grey, Espresso, Black, 2 Alo Idol - Blue, Light Brown, 1 Alo Triumph - Black)

  • 2 Polos for the seminar day (Lululemon Evolution Green, Lululemon Propel Black)

  • 2 Tanks (Lululemon License to Train in Purple, Lululemon Metal Vent Tech in Black)

  • 7 Socks (4 ankle, 1 athletic, 2 dress socks)

  • 7 Underwear (All Lululemon In Motion various colors - don’t care)

  • 1 Longseeve Pullover (Alo Conquer Reform Black)

  • 1 Hoodie (Lululemon At Ease PinkGray)

  • 1 Puffer (Patagonia Nanopuff Red)

  • 2 Nice Jackets (Lululemon City Excursion in Green and Black)

  • 4 Shorts (Lululemon Commission Woven Air in Purple, Light Blue, Grey, Black)

  • 2 Athletic shorts (Alo Conquer Revitalize in Grey and Bone)

  • 3 Joggers (Alo Co-Op in Red and Purple Musk, Lululemon Surge in Grey)

  • 2 Pants (Lululemon Commission Slim in Red and Grey)

  • 3 Shoes (Adidas Superstar 82 White, Adidas Ultraboost Mighty Ducks Jade/Purple, Rainbow Sandals Red)

  • 2 Sunglasses (Blenders in Grey and Black)

  • Toiletry bag (Toothbrush, Deodorant, Face moisturizer, Hair cream, Razor, Vitamins/Medicine, Nail Clipper, Earplugs, Bandaids)

  • Umbrella and Disposable ponchos

  • Luggage Scale

  • Travel Pillow (TRTL standard - give it a try!)

  • Electronics (Personal phone, Work phone, Airpods Pro, Pixel Buds Pro, iPad, Battery packs, phone chargers, watch charger, selfie stick)

  • Stationary (Folio, notepad, pens)

  • Packable overnight bag

  • Water bottle, energy bars

  • Passport, International Drivers Permit, Printed Agenda and Logistic information

Agenda Summary

Agenda has been populated with actual events (could have been different than the plan)