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Maya Rushing Walker's avatar

your advice is so helpful as always. definitely thinking in "themes" is the way to go. I was so overwhelmed with all the choices, it's information overload. For example, if you know you want to hike, consider that you need the right shoes. That ends up affecting your luggage (heavy!) and whether you need multiple pairs if you also want to go to nicer restaurants and need nicer clothes for that. You can buy almost anything in Japan if you need it, but for me, larger-sized ladies' shoes would be a challenge! definitely make sure you aren't trying to do "all the things," it will be overwhelming!

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Hideo Tanikawa's avatar

Thanks for your comment, Maya. Well, minimizing items what I take to my journey is always issue for me. It is difficult to overcome when it comes to visiting places such as countries in Africa. This may apply to your situation of bringing your shoes to Japan. But I would say it is easier to find larger size of clothes in Japan and it won’t be so difficult as it used to be.

Then you may face issues of not buying additional things at your destination in order to avoid increasing your belongings when you leave.

I think it is a matter of experiences and time.

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Igor's avatar

Thank you. I need to look how to use Star Alliance miles as I have a lot with them, and mostly enjoy lounges. Does it make sense to change to ANA membership from Asiana or it does not matter? Since I mostly fly ANA and never Asiana , but they are same alliance.

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Hideo Tanikawa's avatar

Thanks for your comment, Igor. Tricky thing about such a mileage program is that you can’t leave a certain airline once you start accumulating miles. If you have accumulated substantial amount of miles by Asiana already, you should stick to the same airline. The reason why I accumulate miles by ANA is that I live in Japan and I can transfer credit card points to miles.

When you use your miles to other Star Alliance partner airlines, there may be a slight difference of mile conversion.

If you fly with ANA frequently, you may be benefitted by accumulating miles by ANA. The point is accumulating miles on the same company.

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