Traveling: 2018

Saturday, 27 October 2018

Japan 2018 - Part 1

Flying To Japan

Monday - September 3rd 2018

In the last years Claudia and I had always traveled to the United States, but now it was time for something different. For many years we wanted to visit Japan and this year we decided to give it a try. Our journey took us from Tokyo to Osaka and from there to Hiroshima and Kyoto until we returned to Tokyo. To get around Japan we ordered the Japan Rail Pass, which was only available to foreign tourists. With that pass we were able to use the Shinkansen bullet train, the regular trains and the commuter trains operated by the Japan Rail Company. Unfortunately the metro lines were not part of that pass, but still it was a bargain for us.

However, before we could even use our pass, we had to get to Japan. So Monday noon we took the bus to Salzburg airport and flew to Frankfurt. From there our Lufthansa flight to Tokyo departed in the evening. Once in Frankfurt we still had to kill some time until departure and so we got drinks at the next bar. Soon it was time for boarding the Boeing 747. I was hoping for an Airbus A380, but unfortunately we had to take the old plane. The flight to Tokyo was long, but uneventful. The vegan food Lufthansa served was okay, but not really better than Delta's offers on flights to the US.

Layover in Frankfurt

Getting ready for Departure

Our Meal

Tuesday - September 4th

About ten hours later we arrived around noon at Tokyo Haneda Airport. Immigration was quick and easy and soon we collected our portable wi-fi and the Japan Rail Pass. Once we were all set, we took the monorail into the city and from there the commuter train to Shinjuku. In Tokyo we stayed at the Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, which was conveniently located near Shinjuku train station, one of Tokyo's busiest stations. The hotel itself was nothing special, but our room was nice and comfortable. After we checked in, we refreshed a bit and then we headed back out although the jetlag was kicking in.

Monorail to Tokyo

Our small Bed

Sunroute Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku

Since it was already afternoon and we were a little bit tired, we didn't want to leave Shinjuku. So we decided to walk to Meiji Shrine near our hotel. The shrine was built in a beautiful forest, but to be honest we were a little bit underwhelmed. Still it was a beautiful and tranquil place. On our way back to Shinjuku we stopped at Starbucks, where we made our first cultural mistake. After we paid for our coffees, we left the change at the counter. Apparently it is not common to tip in Japan, because the waitress followed us outside just to return the change. Later someone told us that good service should be the norm and nothing to tip for. The service in Japan was exceptional throughout our journey.

Shinjuku

Meiji Shrine

Shinjuku

To our surprise sunset happened pretty early in Japan, around 6:00pm it was already dark outside. That was great for us, because usually we are not the kind of people who stay out long in the evenings. Shinjuku looked really cool in the dark with all the illuminated signs and buildings. Since we were getting hungry, we headed to a vegan restaurant called Ripple. Claudia and I both ordered a burger and since they were so good we returned there every day. Back at the hotel we got a drink at the hotel bar before heading to bed.

Shinjuku

Dinner at Ripple

Shinjuku

Friday, 26 October 2018

Japan 2018 - Part 2

Our First Full Day In Tokyo

Wednesday - September 5th 2018

Thanks to the jetlag we got up pretty early. Luckily next to our hotel there was a Starbucks in an office building where we got our daily caffeine shot. For today we had planned to visit Harajuku and Takeshita Street, but since we were up so early, the shops were still closed. So we stopped at a nice bistro for fresh juices until the streets got busy. The main reason why we wanted to visit Takeshita Street were the fun shops, however, that shopping street didn't live up to the description the travel guide offered. After we strolled through the shops and didn't buy anything, we took the train to Shibuya Crossing.

Harajuku

Tokyo

Takeshita Street

We knew Shibuya Crossing from the Resident Evil movie and since then we wanted to see it. Unlike in the movie it wasn't raining and dark, but instead it was sunny and so hot. That's why we had to take another break at Starbucks. While enjoying our refreshing drinks, we had a great view over the crossing. Afterwards we did some shopping at H&M, because of the humid weather we thought we didn't bring enough t-shirts. Around noon we took the train to Tokyo Main Station, where we had lunch at T's Tan Tan. I got the curry and Claudia ordered the ramen noodle soup. From the train station we took a walk to the Imperial Palace, but unfortunately it was not possible to visit the palace. So we took some pictures from the outside, although there wasn't much to see, and then we left again. Back at the train station we caught the subway to Roppongi to get some drinks at the Hard Rock Cafe, however, the cafe was closed due to a private event. Disappointed by that we returned to Shinjuku. There we had dinner at Ripple again and later we had some drinks at the hotel bar.

Shibuya Crossing

Lunch at T's Tan Tan

Tokyo Main Station

Tokyo

Imperial Palace

Tokyo

Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo Roppongi

Our Hotel

Dinner at Ripple

Thursday, 25 October 2018

Japan 2018 - Part 3

Exploring Tokyo

Thursday - September 6th 2018

For today we planned to visit Tokyo Skytree, but not before we got a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Once we arrived at Tokyo's tallest building, we expected long lines, but to our surprise we purchased our tickets in no time and soon we are up on the plattform. From there we had a fantastic view over Tokyo and in the distance we even got to see Tokyo Disney Resort, our last stop in Japan. After a drink at the Skytree Bar we left again and were on our way to Senso Ji Temple. On the way we stopped for onigiris as a snack.

Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree

Onigiris for a Late Breakfast

Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree

Senso Ji Temple was a must see for us, but I have to admit I was again a little bit disappointed. The temple itself just didn't live up to the expectations, nontheless it was still interesting, because there's nothing like that in Europe. Thanks to the crowds and the heat we didn't stay for long and went to a nearby veggie restaurant for lunch. After lunch we took the subway to Akihabara Electric Town. That part of Tokyo is known for its many electronic shops. To my surprise there were also many little stores that sold used games for old gaming consoles. There I was in retro gaming heaven and so I had to get some games for my old but still functional Game Boy.

Senso Ji Temple

Lunch

Akihabara

Later in the afternoon Claudia and I headed to Hard Rock Cafe Uyeno Eki. There we had drink and then we took a walk to Ueno Park. Since Tokyo's second Hard Rock Cafe was closed yesterday, we decided to give it another try. So we took the metro to Roppongi and luckily today the Cafe in Roppongi was open. A couple of beers later we returned to Shinjuku. Back at the hotel we refreshed a bit until it was time for dinner, and of course we went to Ripple again. Before we returned to the hotel, we checked out the very popular gaming parlors in Shinjuku. The gaming venues were packed with people and so we tried our luck as well, but we didn't win anything, like most guests.