Notes and Thoughts, from the life in Asia
Discover how JR East’s upcoming Welcome Suica Mobile service, launching Spring 2025, will revolutionize train travel in Japan for foreign visitors. Learn about mobile ticketing, Shinkansen reservations, and essential tips for buying train tickets in Japan.
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Traveling in Japan during typhoon season can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the country’s weather patterns. This guide will help you understand what a typhoon is, how to stay safe, and where to find the latest travel updates. Discover essential resources, safety tips, and what to do with your travel reservations if a typhoon disrupts your plans. What is a Typhoon? Typhoons are similar to hurricanes, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding. Typhoon season in Japan typically runs from June to October. When a typhoon approaches, transportation can be disrupted, and outdoor activities may be unsafe. Understanding what to expect will help you stay prepared. General Travel Tips During a Typhoon Essential Weather Resources Once you understand the general situation, use the following resources to track the typhoon’s movement and prepare for any disruptions: How to Prepare and Stay Safe These steps and resources will help you stay informed and prepared during a typhoon in Japan. Keep these links handy, and make sure to stay updated with reliable information throughout your travels. These are general safety tips, but please use advice from the nearby train, hotel, and shop staff. I tried my best to provide the most general advice here but I will not be responsible for any damages caused by the information on this page. About the Author: Hiroshi Iwasaki was a founding member of the Japan Forum for Disaster Mitigation by Youth. He has been actively involved in various disaster mitigation and relief efforts, ranging from local community advocacy to emergency relief during major disasters, including the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Hiroshi also has an extensive background in outdoor activities, from crossing North America by bicycle to achieving the highest ranks in the Boy Scouts. His experiences in disaster management and the outdoors bring a unique perspective to travel safety in Japan.
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I sensed a series of trips to China coming up and decided to sign up for the Delta SkyMiles American Express® Gold Card, which offers SkyTeam Elite Plus status in the first year just for joining. Interestingly, my first business trip ended up being with JAL due to schedule and pricing, but now I finally got the chance to leverage this card. This time, I want to share about the perks I experienced flying from Narita to Shanghai with China Eastern Airlines, utilizing the Delta‘s Gold Medallion = SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits. Please note, the specifics of the perks can vary depending on the flight and operations of the day.
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This time, I took a flight with Shanghai Airlines (FM) from Haneda, an airport located in Tokyo, to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). There wasn’t much information available about using SkyTeam’s SkyPriority, so I thought I’d share my experience. The flight I took was FM896, operated by Shanghai Airlines but ticketed through China Eastern Airlines (MU8634). It seems this flight also has a codeshare with JAL (JL8261).
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Last night, I was able to return to my hotel relatively early compared to my previous business trips to China. During my last trip, I gained a significant amount of weight, to the point where I ran out of clothes to wear and had to buy a new suit locally—a foolish mistake I regret. So, this time, I am reflecting on the need to be more cautious, especially as the number of Japanese business travelers increases towards the latter part of the trip. Creating a rhythm in the early stages feels crucial to success. Since I returned early yesterday, I had some time to relax at the hotel before considering going out for dinner. However, I ended up searching for “light meals” on a delivery app called 「美团」(Meiduan, I think) that I found before departing Japan. Eating in Shanghai is relatively familiar to Japanese people, and it’s hard not to indulge. As you might guess when thinking of Chinese cuisine, there’s a plethora of carbohydrate-rich menus, and almost 100% of them are inextricably linked with oil, leading to a diet high in carbs and fats. Lunches, which are usually just convenience store salads or whole grain rice balls, become a valuable time to interact with local staff, so I end up consuming more calories. Dinners, shared with other Japanese colleagues for exchanging information, also tend to exceed my calorie limit, as was the case last time. For dinner this time, I ordered the dish shown in the photo, 「西冷牛排紫薯杂粮谷物碗」(Xīlěng niúpái zǐshǔ zálǐang gǔwù wǎn, meaning “Sirloin steak with purple sweet potato and mixed grain bowl”). It was delicious. The price was around CNY50, or about USD7, so it was very healthy to my wallet too! Besides dinner, I also managed to resist temptations for breakfast and lunch yesterday, keeping my calorie intake quite low. I hope to continue managing my calorie balance in the days to come. In addition to calorie management, I also accomplished tasks that are usually challenging to start: strength training, two types of studies, and output—which are part of this year’s goals. In that sense, it was a highly satisfying day. However, the main purpose of the business trip still poses uncertainties, so I need to keep up on the business side too!
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Stay in style and comfort at the Westin Kuala Lumpur, located in the bustling Bukit Bintang area, offering a luxurious and relaxing experience for all types of travelers.
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I stayed the Edison Hotel in Penang in early Feb 2023. It was a very cozy hotel located right middle of the tourist area of George Town, Penang. I personally like the small-medium sized hotel, so it worked very well for me, with very friendly staff members with personal touch! Here is what I experienced!
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Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced the purchase of 21 Boeing 737 MAX 8 (737-8) aircraft, which will begin operation in 2026. This will replace the current fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft, of which JAL owns 47 and leases 17, with the new model. The Boeing 737-8 aircraft has improved aerodynamic performance and new engines, which is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 15% compared to the current Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
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The KLIA Aerotrain, an automated train that operates between the main terminal building and satellite buildings at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, has been out of service since March 1. The Aerotrain got stuck in the middle of its run on March 1. The airport authority says the resume of the servce timing has not been determined. The bus services will be catered for the passengers need to travel between terminals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the aero train service was also suspended and buses were used for alternative transportation. It is expected that it will take longer than usual to move from one terminal to another and transfer between terminals, so please be sure to move as early as possible, especially if you are using international flights. Dear passengers at KLIA, this is a friendly reminder that our aerotrain service is currently suspended. Please proceed straight to the bus lounge to transfer between Main Terminal Building and Satellite Building. pic.twitter.com/AeWzDSAxiG — Malaysia Airports (@MY_Airports) March 6, 2023
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When I flew from Tokyo/Narita to Penang, via Kuala Lumpur using Japan Airlines (JL) and a code share flight operated by Malaysian Airlines for the leg to Penang, there was some interesting experience on my luggage allowance with my One World Sapphire status. Here is some quick notes.
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