Whilst you are waiting to go for your trip, start looking for a good artist in your area that has a good portfolio of oriental styles. Once you have your characters, take them down to the artist that you’ve found and ask thier opinion on it. They will be able to offer you insight on your design and you can throw ideas back and forth till you hash out something that you’ll be happy with. Do some reseach, have a look around, if you’re set on characters then see what other people have and be inspired.