Preparing for Japan trip

In preparation for my trip to Japan, I wrote to the Japan National Tourist Organization offices in Los Angeles, Kumamoto and Kagoshima. Their responses were in the form of pamphlets, maps and a valuable Japan Rail timetable. The offices in Kagoshima and Kumamoto provided more details and gave us information of tours offered.

Next I bought a Frommer’s guidebook on Japan, which gave me hotel listings, points of interest and information on hotels and their locations. My wife, Nancy, was also a lot of help, as she speaks pretty good Japanese.

One helpful tip — I asked for and received Japanese-character listings of the hotels with addresses and phone numbers. This document was very valuable in communicating with strangers for directing us to the hotels.

BILL MATSUSHIMA
Torrance, CA