Testing 1, 2, 3 - Is this thing on?

So, it's time to fire up the old blog in preparation for my upcoming trip. To start, here are 5 reasons why I'm excited about Japan:

1. Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) - Did you know that they actually have an official "forecast" for this in Japan? I've been keeping an eye on the progress of the cherry blossoms and am ecstatic that they should be in full blossom when I arrive.
2. Green tea - ice cream, Kit Kat bars, and any other item I can find with green tea in it.
3. Food - Sukiyaki, yakitori, fresh sushi near Tsukiji Fish Market, ramen, okonomiyaki...yea, food is half the reason why I travel.
4. It really is a budget vacation - With me averaging $30/night for accommodation, no tipping in Japan, and many sights being free, Japan CAN be done on a budget. More on that later...
5. Kyoto for it's culture and geishas, Tokyo for it's funkiness, Hiroshima for the sake of history, and Mt. Fuji for it's sheer majesty.

Stay tuned, if you're so inclined...