Tip # 30 and 31

#30 Jet Lag Part II. Best Practice:  Book a 7pm return flight when you leave Japan. You get an extra day in Japan and after a full day of Tokyo action, you're tired enough to fall asleep on the return flight.

The votes are rolling in for Argonne National Labs Jet Lag Program
Rating standard: 10 is highest possible score

10  Patricia:  "This jet lag program is golden."
10  Toby       "Combined with the 7pm departure, there were zero symptoms of jet lag the first return day, and very light fatigue the next day."   

We boarded the 7pm flight out of Narita, fell asleep after a light high carb dinner. And 9 hours later awakened for breakfast just before our descent into Los Angeles International Airport. A perfect flight time while using the Argonne Jet Lag program. (A win win situation)  

Other flyers will be surveyed upon their return.


Once upon a time, queuing through Customs was an unwelcome end to any journey. But now there’s Mobile Passport.
Tip # 31 It was a breeze moving through LAX Customs after our return flight using “Mobile Passport”. In place of long lines, there’s an option to step up to a raft of kiosks. If you’ve answered the questions on Mobile Passport (takes about 60 seconds) then you’re golden. The longest line we waited in was.... wait for it... 7 seconds. That’s the way flying ought to be! Download it before you depart. Look for the icon below at your App Store.


#31 If you don’t have it yet, download Mobile Passport as soon as you arrive at LAX on your return trip.

How To Get Married in Japan

Why in Japan #1

We've been asked several times why we got married in Japan of all places?  

1. The answer in a single word: Shibui.  There was an invisible draw, like a strong gravitational force, and a dream with light pink snowflake floating cherry blossoms landing on our shoulders while a Shinto priest chants and we declare our lifetime promises to one-the-other in Japanese.  

2. Then there was a heightened sense of mindfulness and meaning.  

3. Then an epiphany: that the extra complexities, translating wedding documents into Japanese, memorizing Shinto wedding promises in Japanese, that all the complicated steps we took, mirrored the dedication to our relationship. 

4. Then there was a sense of antiquity, a sense that this is truly the way a marriage should begin in full and beautiful kimonos. For reasons, inexplicable, we feel our Shinto wedding reveals who we are and our aspirations for the rest of our lives together.

The steps (in brief) to have your own wedding (or renew your vows) in Japan

1. Download the documents from Japan Embassy Website, and have someone fill them out in Japanese.

2. Gather all your documentation (birth certificates, etc.)

3. Visit the U.S. Embassy nearest you (with the previously mentioned documents).

4. Go to:  TRAVEL.STATE.GOV to make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.

5. When you land in Tokyo, visit the U.S. Embassy there to have your documents checked and notarized.       The address is:  1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 JAPAN

6. Take all your documents to a Japanese City Hall like this one in Shinjuku.  The address is:  1-chōme-4-１ Kabukichō, Shinjuku City, Tōkyō-to 160-8484, Japan. Here you need to fill out forms in Japanese, making it important to have a translator with you.  Practice writing your name in Japanese since you will have to sign in Japanese.

7. Take your official Japanese Wedding document with you to the Shinto priest who will conduct your ceremony.

8. Option: one year in advance: Arrange for Mokumeganea to inscribe your wedding rings in Japanese, with the First Principles of your relationship.

First Principles

Patricia Vining       and      Toby Manzanares

第一原理  First Principles     Daiichigenri  

     名誉       Honor                Meiyo   (May yo)

       尊敬        Respect             Sonkei   (Son kay)

       育む       Nurture Inner Growth   Hagukumu

       愛          Love One the Other      Ai (eye e)  

BACK TO PATRICIA'S JAPAN DAY