As I wrote the other day in “Test Ride to Osaka Airport”, I planned to ride to the airport for a trip to Okinawa. I'm happy to say that I made it without mishap.
iPhone 7 Plus + iPhone 7 Plus back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 at an effective 28mm — 1/11 sec, f/1.8, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Packed and Ready
the backpack is totally packed
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 50mm — 1/1250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
The Weather was Lovely
(though I can't say the same for the quick snaps I took to try to capture the lovely day)
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Hello Kitty Welcomes me
to Itami Airport (伊丹空港)
iPhone 7 Plus + iPhone 7 Plus back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 at an effective 28mm — 1/30 sec, f/1.8, ISO 20 — map & image data — nearby photos
Ready to Transform
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
15 Minutes Later
Then it was time to step into a bathroom to transform myself from stinky cyclist, to something minimally-appropriate for flight.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/60 sec, f/1.7, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Fresh and Clean
mostly
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 67mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 640 — map & image data — nearby photos
Checked In
At the security station prior to checkin, where they X-ray checked luggage, the lady manning the station wasn't sure what to do with such a large thing as the bikebag. She asked whether there was only a bike, and I said that there was also my stinky clothes, and we unzipped the bag a bit to reveal a plastic bag with some of the clothes. She asked, sheepishly, whether I had any air cylinders, and sort of seemed unsure what to do. I said it'd be fine to put through the X-ray machine, but she worried it would damage something, so finally she asked whether it would be okay to X-ray the bag of stinky clothes. She did, we put it back into the bikebag and zipped it up, and they slapped a security sticker on the whole thing.
During checkin, the only question I was asked was whether, if the bag had to be laid on its side, which side would be better. They never asked about what was in it, to see any form of ID, etc. It was as if I was getting onto a bus, a nice change from the Security Theater that is the American air system.
On the way through security toward the gates, I did have to take the computer out of the backpack, and pass it and my bottle of tea separately. That's it.
Because everything went smoothly, I had a couple of hours before my flight, so I grabbed a cup of coffee and got some work done with the computer.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 62mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Finally Boarding
I was the last to board because I was in row 26, and they'd neglected to change the “Row 30 and after” on the display. I guess most people ignore that, at least in preference to the announcements, which I guess I ignored.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.7, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Full
for the two-hour flight
iPhone 7 Plus + iPhone 7 Plus front camera 2.87mm f/2.2 at an effective 32mm — 1/30 sec, f/2.2, ISO 160 — map & image data — nearby photos
My Rowmates
a pair of 19-year-old college students on a vacation trip
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 28mm — 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Naha Airport
那覇空港
iPhone 7 Plus + iPhone 7 Plus back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 at an effective 28mm — 1/15 sec, f/1.8, ISO 40 — map & image data — nearby photos
Waiting for my Bike
iPhone 7 Plus + iPhone 7 Plus back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 at an effective 28mm — 1/17 sec, f/1.8, ISO 40 — map & image data — nearby photos
Here it Is
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 47mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.6, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
15 Minutes Later
the white bag is filled with stinky clothes,
about the same size as the backpack
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/60 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Ready for the Short Ride
to Jason and Yasuko's house
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 25mm — 1/1250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Leaving the Airport
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/3.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Evening Rush Hour
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.7, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Welcome Note
iPhone 7 Plus + iPhone 7 Plus back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 at an effective 28mm — 1/15 sec, f/1.8, ISO 50 — map & image data — nearby photos
Huge Bowl of Curry
that Yasuko-san had made
Here are the activities of the day:
We all did a very nice ride the next day (yesterday) and today, but I haven't even looked at those photos yet, but I'll certainly blog about them, eventually.
It looks like a very short ride from the arrival airport to your friends’ place? And…how much approximately for a short hopper flight like that? Plus bike packing fee? Thanks for the story!
Yes, he lives mercifully close to the airport. My round trip was 41,000 yen, though it would have been 2/3rd the price if I had bought a week earlier. If I had gone from Kansai International, it could have been as cheep as 4,000 yen each way, but then I’d not be able to ride to the airport (and would have to pay to get to/from), and pay an extra fee for the bike. On JAL, the bike was just my first piece of checked luggage, and so was at no extra cost. —Jeffrey
Great story and pix. Thank you!
Janet in Seattle
The “Naha Airport” shot is really nice – goes to show how an airport can look aesthetically pleasing, and perhaps even calming (assuming that shot was representative of the rest of the airport, too). And “Leaving the Airport” captured the sky beautifully!
I’m in California, reading your blog as was referenced to me by a mutual friend. The airport info is most interesting as we are planning another trip to Shikoku, this time visiting all 88 temples , and on our own bikes. In the past, we rented bikes in Japan, but now that we’re bringing our own, we’re curious about negotiating our bikes through the airport security and checkin, transporting on airport buses, trains, etc from KIX to Tokushima and beyond. Your info is very helpful. Thanks!