Forum - View topicINTEREST: Japan to Offer Free Airfare to 10,000 Foreigners
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JohnnySake
 Posts: 582 Location: Auburn Hills, MI |
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You know, this sounds like a really nice offer and deal by Japan, but once you get over there, the current dollar / yen exchange rate would still put a crimp on things. Yes, it already affects some of the imported Japanese stuff I buy here, but it would make the entire trip more expensive than what I could deal with currently. I am not an economist by any means, but having the exchange rate turn back a little more favorably would be an even greater help than free airfare.
That being said, it is still a nice thing Japan is doing. And I'm sure it will appeal to many more than just anime fans. (Meaning that if you try to enter this, you'll be in competition with a great many people.) |
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Maidenoftheredhand
 Posts: 2633 |
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I disagree airfare is the most expensive part of the trip, it's something you can't control.
Japan is expensive (regardless of exchange rate) but you can control your spending. You don't have to stay at the most expensive place or eat the most expensive food. And well you decide what you buy. A chance like this is really once in a lifetime (if you get chosen that is). |
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Lightning Leo
Posts: 311 Location: Earth |
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Cool! Where can I sign up?
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Gegegenokitaro
 Posts: 3 |
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Hello, this is my first post.
This is what i first thought, the euro / yen exchange rate is not good right now, and it's getting worse. I was never discouraged to visit Japan because of radiation like they say. I remember back in 2007 when i went to Japan the exchange rate was wonderful, but now its 
You can't sign up yet, it hasn't been officially announced. The "10k foreigners" doesn't sound too good of a number, especially considering the millions of visitors every year that Japan has, it's like a drop in the ocean. I'd hope that the anime/otaku/japan travel etc websites would stop advertising about this, so that mostly the people who care enough (check the proper government websites regularly like me) will make a petition, but i doubt that this will happen.
Anyway, let's not jump into conclusions, and let's wait for further info. Last edited by Gegegenokitaro on Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:15 am; edited 1 time in total |
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configspace
Posts: 3717 |
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probably, but the board just might be convinced to give fans some priority:
especially considering the economic benefits and all compared to the random person who might be interested but won't spend as much money or time, or blog or be as enthusiastic about it (he mentions part of the plan is visitors using social media)
he mentioned to watch for http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/ |
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karvelot
 Posts: 28 |
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The site won't come up for me. Has it been flooded?
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Hawkwing
 Posts: 317 Location: Sweden |
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I wish i could go. Unfortunately i don't have a job yet, so even if i was lucky enough i wouldn't be able to spend any money.
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samuelp
Industry Insider
Posts: 2231 Location: San Antonio, USA |
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The idea isn't to pay for all million people to visit Japan, the idea is to use these 10,000 people as ADVERTISEMENT to other people who might have been turned off visiting Japan because of the tsunami and nuclear disasters. As part of the deal I bet you'll be required to blog about how lovely and radiation free your trip was .
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PetrifiedJello
Posts: 3782 |
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As one who has traveled to many countries around the world, I can't agree to this statement because it's looking at the trip with a per purchase approach, rather than a budgetary one. Most vacations will start off with a budget, which includes air fare, hotel, rentals, tours, and spending money. Before one even leaves the house, most of those should already be purchased. What most people do, however, is fail to convert the spending money, instead relying on their credit card for purchases. Big mistake. Instead, get a pre-filled debit card or cash in Yen. Never use your credit card unless in emergency. This way, your budget, not the conversion worries, dictates if you want to spend 7950 on dinner vs 795 at the ramen noodle stand. From my experience, a budget has been the easiest way to adapt to local currency. Rather than trying to think "Okay, this is 1250 Yen, and if 1 Yen is $1.26, then...", you will be thinking "This is 1250 Yen and I have 500,000 Yen available...". Allowing one to actually enjoy the vacation. |
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Gegegenokitaro
Posts: 3 |
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Speaking for myself i simply think that if i went to Japan today and did the same things i did back in 2007 (btw, i didn't do even half as much as i'd like to do if i went there now) i'd be spending a lot more, 1k+ euros more. That's not something trivial, something that i shouldn't be thinking about. |
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Doraneko
 Posts: 9 |
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It would be lovely if one of the 10000 brings along a geiger counter and make a live broadcast in one of the evacuated towns, in Chernobyl documentary style. Perfect use of the internet and social media.
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Moonsaber
 Posts: 343 Location: USA |
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Interesting, looking at the details, unless I misread, it seems that Japan is going to pay RETURN airfare! Essentially, they will pay for you to leave, lol! That is very Japanese, I think? Someone double check this for me, but that was what I read.
This adds the interesting note that often it is cheaper to buy a round trip ticket than it is to buy a ticket one way, so this isn't as great a deal as it initially sounds, I think. |
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Egan Loo
Posts: 1319 |
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The Japan Tourism Agency is actually covering the full round-trip airfare. |
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firedragon54738
 Posts: 3113 Location: wisconsin |
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Free airfare but I have no moneys sigh
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Almaz
Posts: 134 |
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I just came back from Tokyo with my family a few weeks ago. Yes, prices are high; however, the prices would be like me comparing my local Texas prices to New York City or LA. If you live in these high price areas already, the prices are not that much more of a jump. The dollar to yen is not terrific, but IT IS A TRIP. You are supposed to enjoy yourself.
Places in Tokyo where you can find used anime merchandise cheap can be found everywhere. My sister bought tons of manga at Book Off. She is learning Japanese and wanted several series which we probably never make it here. Good inexpensive hotels are everywhere. They are not 5 stars, but the service in Japan makes up for it. Food can be found cheap. We ate convenience store food, at times. Surprisingly, it was very good. Better than America. KFC is 10 times better than here. We ate at some nice expensive places. Sizzler was one. If you find a buffet in Japan, no matter who it is ....you are going to pay the price. For the full buffet, it was about $35 a person. It is not bad if you are ready to eat, and the food was quite good. I would go back and tell all if they paid half/all of a price of the traveling over there. The only thing I HATED was the LONG flight. We went non-stop. Next time, I will stop over along the trip. |
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