I can count the number of times I've gone all out on one hand. Whether it's a project, an event, or whatever, it's one of those rare moments when I'm so interested in something, nothing else matters.
Right now is one of those times. I'm talking about planning my trip to Japan next year. It's hard enough trying to plan one day, so try multiplying that by fourteen. I've probably been working on my itinerary for three weeks straight and I've only now just begun to pin down some actual details.
I'll be flying into Narita in late March just in time for the cherry blossoms. My friend will be joining me shortly later that week, but not before I get three whole days to myself.
The trip is divided into two segments: Tokyo and Osaka. As current progress stands, I'm stuck in Tokyo. Me and my friend will be in Tokyo together for three days. Naturally, I tried to cram as much as I could in that time frame.
I didn't start picking places to visit willy nilly. I used Japan-Guide and Google Maps to chart out the most efficient route throughout the city, allowing us to see as much as possible with the least amount of time wasted in transit.
The only way to know for sure is to run though each item line by line with reasonable time estimates. I pretty much had to gut each day to fit everything in. It was a little painful, but now I have something to do on those three extra days to myself. Unfortunately for my friend, he'll get the condensed experience. I'll be sure to show him the greatest hits.
My itinerary is just for the day. Most of the city's attractions from parks to shrines close by five thirty, which means the night is wide open, and therein lies my conundrum. When you think nightlife, you think clubbing, right? Considering that Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world, its night scene has gotta be thriving, but at the same time, clubs have always been my kryptonite.
Clubbing is one of those things that look a lot more fun than it actually is -- speaking only for myself, of course. My body simply does not house the spirit of a dancer. While there are other things to do in a club, my game is practically nonexistent, and I doubt a change of locale would change anything from my meandering night in Vegas.
My modus operandi is talk, which makes me a lounger. That's the kind of vibe I roll with. I've done a lot of research into the matter and you'd think there'd be more information out there. Most of the info I've dug out is sporadic, spread throughout the last five years and probably outdated. That either speaks to the strength of time-tested advice or not enough English-speaking people are partying in Tokyo.
I still have 7 months to figure things out. The important thing is to remember what kind of guy I am. There are certain situations in which I thrive and others in which I dive. The last thing I want is to end up walking the streets of Tokyo in the wee hours of morning with nothing in my pockets.
