I'm excited for you, and looking forward to your tales. I've always wanted to go, but can't really see myself affording it. It's not on Jamie's bucket list either, so I'd have to go on my own - fuck it, maybe I will.
I find myself using noise cancelling headphones all the time when I travel. It's the only way I can deal with the noise - the plane engines, the music, the people. It's the ultimate filter.
Japan is closer to you compared to me. So I say get on with it! We are only getting older. And no matter what Hindu mythology says, there is only one life. :)
I know, it's totally freaking me out. Money is an issue too. I know we have one life. But then when we're dead, we won't remember what we didn't do.
😇