Takeoff from Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport

[nerdydesi]

I didn't know there were flights from Houston to Narita starting in 2000, I learned of it very recently. I guess I figured most flights from the U.S to Japan would be on the West and East Coast, especially in NYC, California and Hawaii. I never really figured Texas to be a source. I'm especially surprised to learn there's a Japanese consulate right here in Houston! There's relatively very few Japanese in Houston compared to other parts of the U.S.

[nerdydesi]

One thing that deters me from visiting Japan is the strong yen vs. dollar exchange rate. I should have gone in 2007 when it was around 125 yen per U.S dollar and now its only around 75.

I hear Japan is already an expensive place to visit and the weak U.S dollar against it doesn't help matters any. :(

[nerdydesi]

Speaking as a Houstonian who is interested in visiting Tokyo someday, who are mostly on these Houston to Narita flights? There's hardly any Japanese in Houston to visit their motherland. Is it a lot of business, otakus, etc? Just curious, thanks.

[joefoxxjan1]

@nerdydesi

There are over 2000 Japanese living in Houston, and because of the global strategic importance of the Port of Houston, many of the largest Japanese trading companies, oil companies, banks, etc. have offices there. Continental started flying non-stop from Houston to Narita in 2000, so the flights serve all classes of society. Passengers include families, college students, business people, military personnel, tourists continuing on to other Asian destinations, etc.

[nerdydesi]

@joefoxxjan1 Thank you! I've been in Houston for 14 years now but have never seen any Japanese here. It seems the East Asian majority here by far are Vietnamese, followed by Chinese and Koreans. I was also surprised to see that there is a Japanese consulate here, considering the small Japanese population.

I guess that consulate services the Japanese in Houston as well as foreigners looking to visit or live there?

[nerdydesi]

@joefoxxjan1 Just curious, would you happen to know if those ~2000 Japanese are spread out evenly throughout Houston or concentrated in a certain area/s? For instance with my fellow Indians here, many are concentrated in the Sugarland area.

[rockergirl83]

Takeoffs and landings are always my favorite part. I don't really like the part in between for some reason.

[joefoxxjan1]

Ha-ha ! That's a good one.  Is it fair to assume you won't be overly impressed with my July 11, 2009 video showing the Continental Airlines inflight Air Show? :-) It's about as exciting as watching paint dry...

[rockergirl83]

@joefoxxjan1 haha. Well, it was also exciting knowing you were bound for Tokyo which I'm dying to go to one of these days!

[joefoxxjan1]

Hurry up and get here. Your free tour guide is waiting. And after nearly 19 yrs., I usually don't need a map anymore... :-)

[rockergirl83]

@joefoxxjan1 lol, well at $1300 a person these days, I'll be there in about oh....(tapping on calculator)....6 years! lol