There`s an overwhelming sense of dejavu as i write this, sitting in the same hotel i stayed in 3 years ago when i moved to Japan … only this time, it`s the end of the journey.
I stayed in this hotel for near on 10 months before i was made a local employee and before i had a gaijin card, working visa etc … all the stuff you need to rent an apartment.
This time round the stay is only 3 days and having copious amounts of points from my semi permanent status a few years ago … i am able to cash in and use them so it`s free.
It`s been a stressful last week and depite living a minimalistic lifestyle i still managed to acquire far too many possessions that all needed to be disposed of.
The countless amount of tasks needing to be done prior to exit is far reduced with only some minor things outstanding. If you find yourself in the same situatiuon soon hit me up for some advice if you need any.
Saturday i head off to Phuket for a holiday, meeting up with my brother who i haven`t seen for 18 months and a few mates. Looking forward to it like you wouldn`t believe.
It`s bitter sweet leaving Japan, there`s lots i`ll miss, plenty i won`t too … but most of all i`m happy i had the chance to live in a place most people desire to visit for a holiday let alone live for a few years.
For the people i didn`t get to cacth up with before i left … i apologise, it`s been a hectic month.
What`s next for me? Not really sure. I won`t rule anything out and have a few ideas and a few irons in the fire as we speak.
My immediate plans are to kick back and spend time with family and Friends who i`ve seen very little of the past 3 years.
I`ve got a few bits and pieces of travel coming up for the remainder of the the year, after Thailand i`ll be off to Hamilton Island and have a few other trips in the wings too.
I`ll be sure to post pics of interest but in the mean time … until at least early August things will be quiet round here … while i sit on the beach and ponder the future.
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{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow… this was very unexpected, Neil.
All I can say is best of luck to you on your future endeavors. Wherever you end up I’m sure you’ll make the most of it as you’ve had in Japan. The end of one chapter only means the start to a new one.
Please keep us updated when you can.
Cheers!
Vigo
Cheers Vigo!
I’ve not been reading this blog for long, but it has been great and a good insight into Japan.
Good luck for the future mate, keep us all updated with whatever you do next.
Godspeed!
Thanks Darren …. still got a stack of pics that will keep me OK for material for quite a while. Will post them when i get back into things next month.
I haven’t been reading this long either (maybe a year).
But it was fun.
So, now I guess I have a new journey to travel with you.
We’ll support you, where ever you go.
Will do!
Gonna miss your posts from Japan. Wherever you wind up, please keep posting.
Thanks Stan … i hope to continue.
Whoooa!!
WTF??
I got major A.D.H.D. but I missed this coming. I expect you will migrate this site into whatever you do in the future. It stays on my blogroll no matter what. Hell, J.T. updates once a month lately.
Look forward to your future posts Neil
Yeh it will have to change it`s focus but i`m sure i can keep JBOTW!
Will miss your insight into Japan, Neil! Have a good holiday and get back soon! Best wishes for your future endeavours too!
I wondered what was going on, you normally post a bit more often. Have fun and enjoy yourself, and good luck in your future endevers.
Somebody needs to take over the weekly J-Babe…..
I think i can squeeze that in. ;>)
niel, when/why did you decide to leave?
( if its not tooo personal )
wish i could have met up with you.
cheers
It`s been a few months i`ve known i was leaving but have kept it pretty low profile. The work situation isn`t what it was here ….. it started to deteriorate last September and i held on as long as i could but that couldn`t last forever.
Very cool, I wasn’t sure until I saw the waterfall park picture at the end, but I was at the Keio Hotel across the street-ish from where you are now, back in March. Love the area. Enjoy Thailand!
I know the Keio very well …. i stayed there on my first trip in 2002 and again in 2003.
Only 2 days to go now and i`ll be on the beach ….. very excited!
You have already lived a great life in Japan that a lot of us, including myself, envy
Good luck to ya Neil!
-Mike
You stayed in a hotel for 9 months? I’m hoping your company paid for that…
Yes, to the tune of about $12k per month for the room alone.
I had similar feelings when I left Japan in 2006 after living there for 10 years. Now I am in Bali living a much less hectic life. I miss Japan though from time to time and hope I can go back at some stage for a short holiday. Not sure if I would want to work there again.
Best of luck Neil and I hope you keep blogging.
Much less hectic sounds VERY appealing …. something i’m chasing too.
I’m shocked, saddened and all misty-eyed now. I looked forward every day to reading about your meanderings and musings on Japan. You hit the nail on the head when you said you “had the chance to live in a place most people desire to visit for a holiday let alone live for a few years.”
I’ve visited Japan 6 times, but always on very restricted business schedules, and only once got to get off the beaten path (for me, anyway) and ran off to Kyoto for the day. Some day, maybe, I’ll get to take an extended tour. I envy you your extended stay, and am sorry you won’t be sticking around. But, like the others here, I’ll happily follow along wherever you go next.
Best of luck and stay healthy!
Glad to hear you will ….. see what i can come up with soon when i get into a routine.
Hi there! Good luck to all your future plans. Thanks for this great information about Japan. I’d be sure to pass this along to my readers so they can keep up with all the interesting things you’re up to next. Be well.
Cheers for that.
Wow, it sounded like you were doing really well in Japan. I guess things changed very quickly.
This is definitely bittersweet I really enjoyed reading your blog. All the best to your future endeavors.
Been a regular readers who has enjoyed your exploits, but never left a comment.
All I can say now is, I hope you have a great holiday, and all the best for the future.
Looking forward to seeing what you get up to next. : )
Got a few trips planned … will post some photos when i can get into a routine.
Neil,
I had some good times hanging with you in Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and especially Kabuki-cho. A few interesting stories have come out of those times, probably not stories that should be blogged about. But, if you forget about the laughs we had, just remember our friend, the “Fuckin’ Animal.”
Cheers, mate! See you on down the line somewhere.
Will no doubt have a beer some place else mate …. looking forward to it.
The end of an unforgettable era. Enjoy Phuket mate, it’s a pretty full on place – just don’t steal any beer-mats from the Australia Bar and you’ll be fine. Will catch you in Melbourne when you’re next in town and imbibe some serious libations. Have enjoyed your eclectic take on the adventures, experiences and sites that have no doubt changed your take on this big wide world of ours.
Onya!
See you for a beer soon Heater.
Neil,
Have a great time with your bro. I hope he picks up on all the good changes you made to yourself while you were here!
Take it easy.
Cheers man.
Tried getting in touch with you last night mate. I think I woke you up or something…
Anyway, best of luck to you. You’ll be missed.
Sorry JT, was a crazy week and seriously left mentally and physically exhausted, moving “house” on my own was no easy feat. Will keep in touch mate.
Ive been following your blog for the longest time and Im quite surprised that there wont be any more Japan posts from you. I hope you all the best in the next phase of your life. I also left Japan a few months ago after living there for 3 years. I still miss Tokyo at times. but I wish you all the luck and hope you have a great life ahead! gambare!
Cheers Paolo … will still have some Japan stuff …. just not as much.
Best of luck and don’t let those T-Babes take advantage of you!
Too late ….. i did. :>)
Good luck on your trip Neil! Hope you’ll prosper from all these changes and beginnings in your life. Cheers!
Much appreciated.
It sucks your leaving I was looking forward to getting in trouble with you in japan. Wish you the best in your new adventure!
Thanks Jay …. agreed it sucks but there’s a bright side too.
when will you be in thailand?
Hey Matt … was there from 25th to the 1st … didnt have much net access or desire to so i probably missed you.
Looks like you’ll have to change your blog’s slogan
Anyways, good luck and keep posting form wherever you are, mate!
Will do right away …. will go back to what i had when i first started i expect.
Your blog was and is one of the best, I will miss your helpful information! Cheers from Liechtenstein!!
Glad you liked it Alfred ….. i’ll keep it going, just in a different form … although J-Babe will stay. ;>)
Ladies and gentleman we gather to mourn the passing (away) of a great man.
A kind soul
Who kissed butterflies on the wings while they were in flight…amazing shit!!
Who taught the blind how to eat .
Who gave porn addicts finger exercises because their search for “Japanese girls” brought them here instead of whatever nasty site they were looking for and they had to click again to get to the filth holyland.
Yes Neil did all that and more.
********On a business related note, I know it sounds shitty but life goes on*********
All debts and “I owe you one’s” should be paid directly to me.
It’s what Neil would want.
Very amusing read Chris … as always.
Cacete de agulha! Foto linda demais!
Neil sorry to see you are leaving Japan, but wish you the very best where ever you end up!
Cheers …. sure it will work out … it has to doesn’t it!
Long time lurker. Pretty sad to see you go…
Best luck in the future and I’m happy to see J-Babe will live on! XD
:_:
Well Neil, I’ve been reading your blog on and off for a while, usually on my mobile on the way to and from work. You’ve opened my eyes to Japan. All the best with whatever you decide to do.
Darren
Thanks Darren …. trying to get into a routine here and will start blogging again soon.
Hey, Neil.
Hope all’s well.
I was really caught off-guard, and am disappointed that we didn’t get to meet up before you left.
I could’ve planned an amazing going-away night (found a great new place to drink in Shinjuku–that you’ll definitely want to visit the next time you’re in town, whether that be business or pleasure).
Enjoy Thailand and all the best in your future endeavors!
Steve
Cheers Steve. Thanks for the good times over the years. Will let you know next time i make it back to Tokyo!
Wow, just checked your blog and saw that you’re leaving (or left?) Japan. That’s crazy! Will miss reading your updates from here. Good luck in whatever you’re doing next.
Thanks for thatr … will get back in Rythm sometime soon!
Sad to see that you are leaving. will you be blogging from wherever you are going or you will archive this site?
I had planned too …. but not finding the motivation at the moment. Will have some time off and see if i can get inspired.