By Gary Walther
Japan National Tourist Agency, was off by 25% in September compared to the same month in 2010, even though the country’s major tourism sites, among them Tokyo and Kyoto, were not directly affected.
In situations like this, prospective visitors may feel that visiting Japan would be morally wrong. How can I enjoy myself when so many people are suffering?
But in fact, staying away makes the situation worse, given how many people’s livelihoods depend upon the travel and tourism industry. If you go, you are actually contributing to the recovery.
March through September (see chart).
Fly First Class for $3,323 round-trip (reg. up to $20,000). One of the best ways to get to Tokyo—and to go from there to other points in Asia, if you have the time—is to nab a First Class award ticket on American from Chicago, Dallas, New York, or Los Angeles. (Other U.S. departure cities can be included for the same mileage price.) The cost is 125,000 miles, and free First Class award seats offer unusually great mileage availability March through September (see chart).
When First Class Award Availability for Two People on AA is Great
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Starwood points can be transferred to AA if you lack miles. If you have neither Starwood points nor AA miles, then follow these steps to get AA miles easily.
Step one: Open an AAdvantage and an American Express Starwood account (free, and takes less than 10 minutes).
Step two: Buy the maximum miles allowed in December: 60,000 for AA ($1,650 plus taxes, which yields 80,000 with the 20,000-mile bonus) and 20,000 for Starwood ($560 plus taxes with the current 20% off promotion).
Step three: Repeat in January, buying 20,000 AA miles ($550), that gives you 100,000 AA miles.
Step four: Transfer the 20,000 Starwood points to AA, which yields 25,000 miles with the 5,000-mile transfer bonus. Add them to the 100,000 miles you already acquired and you have the 125,000 miles needed for the ticket, which otherwise costs $11,000 to $20,000, a savings of up to $17,240 (86%).
Optional: Step five: If you need more tickets, you can repeat the above process, by getting AA and Starwood accounts in the name of family members or friends, because after you have the miles again in those accounts, you can redeem them for your travel or anyone else.
In Tokyo
Visit the Meiji Shrine, founded in 1921 to honor the Emperor and Empress Meiji, who ushered in the country’s modern period. Walk around Harajuku, ground zero for Tokyo’s Meiji Shrineyouth culture and its wild sense of style. Cruise the luxury shops in Omotesando, admire the Prada building for its eye-catching bubble-wrap architecture, and bring home gifts from Oriental Bazaar. Tour Akihabara, the section of town devoted to electronics. Lose yourself in Yodobashi-Akiba, one of the biggest stores. Visit the Mori Art Museum and then climb to the rooftop observation deck for a panoramic view of Tokyo. Walk the Ginza and visit the 10-story Chanel store, the largest in the world.
Where To Stay
The Peninsula Tokyo: It has the Pen’s signature style—deep dish comfort allied with high-tech room touches such as a bedside console that opens the curtains in the morning. Ask for a room overlooking the imperial residence, Fukiage Palace, as it’s the best view you’ll get to it as a tourist. Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi: With only 57 rooms, this is one of the city’s most exclusive hotels. Park Hyatt Tokyo: In the Shinjuku section on the upper floors of a skyscraper. The lobby is worth a visit just for the view. Perfect-pitch understated décor and a 20-meter-long pool on the 47th floor.