Written in Tokyo, Waiting for a Plane

(Alec wrote me this in the airport between Tokyo and his flight to Okinawa)

The US airport that you will take off from will work pretty much the same as always, you'll just be in the "international" lines.  Make sure that you clarify with the PetSafe people where you will be doing the processing of Ginger on the front end and how you can confirm her tracking if you have domestic connections (to make sure she got on the plane with you).Oh, you can get yen at the airport stateside (I got 40 bucks worth), but they charge you a 10 dollar fee on all exchanges under $500, and they have a shitty exchange rate, so that only came out to like 2,000 yen and some change back.  I think it is worth it to have that with you though, because you will be hungry and thirsty when you get to Japan.

The flight to Japan is LONG.  They will give you customs forms to fill out.  Just fill them out to the best of your ability.  You shouldn't need to declare anything on there, but read the instructions carefully to be sure.  you'll have plenty of time, and it should still only take a few minutes.  I watched the new Sherlock Holmes in part, and then re-watched it so that I could fill in what I missed the first time.  I read for a while.  I ordered drink and tried to pay, but found out that they were complimentary.  That wasn't advertised in any way, because I think they didn't want to encourage people to order who wouldn't if they had to pay, but just a heads up to you.  There was also a sweet map feature that let us track where we were on the flight plan on our  little screen.  We flew north from DC over new york, the northern wilderness of Canada, Alaska, and the Bering strait before coming south again and landing in Tokyo.    FYI, Tokyo is only 13 hours ahead, while I believe Oki is 14.  And what's the deal with airline food?  It was gross, and not nearly enough of it.  I would bring some with you.


When you land in Japan you will exit the plane and follow the signs that say "domestic connections", etc.  You will walk straight through an area that is for health screening (just for sick people to be quarantined, I think), and then go through immigration, where you will present the customs documents you filled out on the plane, plus your passport.  Then you will continue on to the baggage claim, which includes a "pet information" desk, or words to that effect labeling it.  It is also marked with a brownish squirrel and a red parrot looking symbol.  It is next to the animal and plant quarantine area.  There are luggage carts laying around for your use.

After you get your baggage (and the Ginger, I believe), you'll go through customs, where you literally just walk through another line, with your checked bags and show them your passport and give them the document that you didn't give up at immigration. 

After that, you'll continue to follow the signs for domestic connections, walk through some doors, and and baggage reps should take your bags and the ginger, which you should have loaded up on one of the free carts available at baggage check.  Talk to the ANA reps on the phone ahead of  time, as they may want you to do all of your baggage and Ginger checking at their checkin desk, which is further down the terminal as  you follow the signs for domestic connections.  Do not mistake the multiple "baggage information" desks for the check-in and baggage check desk.  I think that they're just information portals/ traps.  Many of the ANA workers and reps speak English and are very helpful, however. 

As you move through the terminal you should see screens like in all airports with the arrivals/ flight numbers, and you can use that to see what gate your connection is in and make your way there.  you'll have to go through security again, but it should be pretty quick.  From  plane landing to terminal waiting it took about 50 minutes for me, including walk time, getting bags, and everything.  When you get to the terminal you'll see that they're just gates that busses pick you up at, and maybe drive you to the plane?  I dunno, I'm still waiting.  I bought what I think was a green tea energy drink and some sticky fried rice that they microwaved for me for 650 yen.    And now I'm waiting!