MAX Tokyo! And I’m an Idiot

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Just got settled into my hotel in Tokyo and I’m about to go grab some food to eat before sitting down to some hard core email and feeds. I’m here for MAX Tokyo which should be a ton of fun and it’s also my first trip to Tokyo so I’m looking forward to that part of it as well. Unfortunately I’d been on the ground all of about 30 minutes before I made two dumb mistakes. First I screwed up the Yen->Dollar conversion and tried to withdraw $4,000 from my checking account. Luckily my bank thought that was a little funny and didn’t let the transaction go through. Secondly, I’m pretty sure I got ripped off getting to my hotel. I went with a driver who asked me if I was looking for a Taxi to Tokyo (always a bad idea to go with people asking you) and the fare was WAY more than I think it should have been. All in all it’s been good though. If you’re going to MAX, ping me and let me know!

[tags]Max, Tokyo[/tags]

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  • Al

    Taxi from Narita airport to Tokyo is $$$’s. It’s a ridiculous distance for any airport to be from such a major city…. use the train or executive buses.
    Enjoy one of the coolest cities on earth!

  • http://blog.digitalbackcountry.com Ryan Stewart

    That makes me feel a little better. He seemed like a nice guy, so it sounds like he didn’t really rip me off, I’m just dumb and took the most expensive way to get there.

    When he told me it would be an hour to Tokyo from the airport I thought that was crazy. You’re right, it’s insane for a major airport to be an hour from the city.

  • http://www.hebiflux.com galdric

    I don’t think you were ripped off, it’s just taxi is way too much expensive ! Try the limousine bus, it’s the cheapest way to get in to tokyo from the airport, ever cheaper than the train.

  • http://www.syncrare.com/ Ken Azuma

    By taxi ?? Oh, what a rich man ! As galdric said so, I don’t think it was ripping off, I recommend you to use limousine bus or express train to airport.

    I’m looking forward to see you there.

  • http://blog.matthiaszeller.com Matthias Zeller

    I have to say I am envious. I love Tokyo! And well the taxi is the standard beginners mistake. At least you had enough money on you. I always take the train. It is comfortable, adds the little challenge of transferring at Tokyu station and puts me right into the Tokyo spirit.
    If you have some time you should stay for a couple of days and visit Kyoto as well.

  • http://shaver.off.net/diary/ Mike Shaver

    I did the same currency-conversion thing when I was in Tokyo earlier this year, and ended up with a grand or so in Yen. Lasted me until I got back home ~2 weeks later, having been converted through Euros and Pounds and leaving me $30 (Canadian) when I got back to the airport in Toronto!

    Taxis from Narita are the stuff of legend and myth; the driver probably thought you were an angel sent from taxi heaven. The train is pretty decent, and even I was able to figure it out. :)

  • http://mndoci.com Deepak

    Remember to take the bus when you head back (sometimes your hotel wants you to book the previous evening). Convenient, and much much cheaper.

    The currency conversion happens to everyone. Also, remember to make a note of all the places you can get $$$ from ATMs (post offices, the citibank ATM in Ropongi), etc

  • http://webkitchen.be Serge Jespers

    Make sure to visit Yodobashi in Akihabara!
    Have fun dude!

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  • http://polygeek.com polyGeek

    Ah, you’re in Tokyo. That explains why your Google IM showed you as online at 4am PAC time. I was wondering why you were working that early. :-)

  • http://blog.digitalbackcountry.com Ryan Stewart

    Thanks for the reassurance. Now I feel better about not getting ripped off and just being an ignorant American. Luckily I’ll be going back with the Adobe crew so I’ll be in somewhat better shape.

  • http://www.ledart.net Ayteck

    this is very nice blog! thank you for this perfect Mountaineer!

  • http://weblogs.macromedia.com/jd John Dowdell

    “Subway” is a great survival tip, if you get any time on your own. If so, make sure you have a compass when you get out…. ;-)

    For munchies, the 7-11 chain is quite different from what you may be used to. And you like coffee, right? Those hot/cold dispensing machines on every corner are like manna from heaven.

    I’m not sure where the Adobe office is, but if you find yourself awake early tomorrow morning, then the Tsukiji Fish Market, southwest of the Ginza on the Hibiya line, is a great way to take advantage of it…. ;-)

    cya, jd

  • http://twmug.com Jeremy

    hey Ryan,

    If you got any chance (and free time) after Max Japan, why not take a side tour to Taiwan too ? it’s just 3hrs away and you get to see how flex’s doing here, I will be more than glad to show you around :)

    Jeremy.

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