A short(ish) trip to Japan

[ShelleyB]

The next day was our last full day in Tokyo, and had a day planned with something for everyone. We started off at Tokyo Dome, which is the home of the Tokyo Giants baseball team. We sadly were not able to catch a baseball game (missed it by one day) but were there to visit the batting and pitching cages. There’s quite a few of these around Tokyo where for a few hundred yen you can choose an automated system to pitch you a few balls at a given speed. These are popular among locals, as baseball is quite a popular sport in Japan. Mr ShelleyB had a go at the batting, with limited success. ShelleyB-son decided to forego the batting but had a crack at the pitching. We then played a VR shooting style game at the local amusement park, which saw ShelleyB son finish 3rd which considering the story and instructions were in Japanese we thought was fairly good.

Next up was Kappabashi kitchen tools street near Asakusa, which was packed. We came away with some ramen bowls and spoons, and although we could have bought more things decided against the challenge of getting too many breakables home.

At the end of the day finished with “electric town” in Akihabara where ShelleyB-son enjoyed looking at games and anime, and having a go at some retro games, including a table sized Pong. More gacha were purchased at Gachapon Hall.

As it was Friday, traditionally for our family, that’s pizza night. So I had booked a pizza place in Roppingi, Pizzakaya, mainly as it had an online menu and I could be certain that it had pepperoni pizza, which is ShelleyB-son’s favourite. Sadly though the pizza was only ok and the atmosphere disappointing as it appeared mainly the domain of ex-pat Americans. And the ones in that night were very loud and kind of rude. It was also the most expensive place we ate during the trip, with drinks in particular quite a bit pricier than the average for Tokyo.

Despite the slight disappointment with dinner, we had an excellent day, before returning to the hotel to start packing for our trip home.

 

[rbjhan]

I generally have 3 notebook inserts at any one time, plus I have the cloth zipper refill. The leather insert looks great, but as you say it's very expensive. My notebook often looks extra bulky when actually traveling as the insert I use to record my travels gets very big with stuff I have stuck in. My daily journal is nowhere near as bulky.

Sounds like an excellent idea to travel to Kurashiki. Looks like a great town - we were hoping to visit on this most recent trip but didn't have the time.

Galen is big in the fountain pen community, their products are great but yeah not cheap....
My travel journal has two inserts and one clear zipper folder, it does get big with all the receipts and things I put in the zipper but nowhere near your picture

I have been to Kurashiki but somehow didn't realise the TSL shop was there! Damn....

 

[ShelleyB]

And so to our last day. Flight scheduled for 5.55pm, which is a bit of an awkward time as it doesn’t leave much of the day before feeling the need to get to the airport. That is particularly true of Mr. ShelleyB who gets a bit antsy worrying about being on time for the flight. We therefore contented ourselves with a sleep in and a late breakfast before checking out at 11am. Did some last minute shopping in Tokyo Station, which has enough shops to keep anyone occupied for hours, before taking the Narita Express to terminals 2/3. Still far too early and China Airlines were very determined upon not opening up check in until 2 and a half hours beforehand, despite there being quite a few staff sitting around doing nothing at all.

Luckily Narita is not a bad place to kill some time, with quite a few shops before security. Time ultimately passed, and we were checked in quite efficiently once it opened. As J passengers we were able to use the fast track for security, and we were soon sitting in the lounge. China airlines has it’s own lounge in terminal 2 at Narita, which is quite basic with limited food and drinks. But it does have a counter with a view over the apron, where you get a good view of flights coming in.

 

[ShelleyB]

Our flight to TPE was very pleasant, and had the bonus of arriving at the same terminal from which we were departing, making transit very easy. The lounge was the same one which we used when heading to Japan, which is a comfortable if unremarkable space. We all made sure to eat well, as out flight to BNE was scheduled for just prior to midnight and we all planned to sleep. On the flight when we indicated to FAs that we would sleep rather than eat they seemed very surprised, but I am glad we did. We all managed some reasonable sleep and ShelleyB-son even slept through breakfast. Transit from BNE international to domestic was very quick and efficient, even with extra sceening for all passengers by the biosecurity canine.

With a few hours to kill in BNE we dropped bags and chilled in the Qantas pub before an unremarkable trip home in Y (because revenue fare at end of school holidays and we are cheap).

 

[ShelleyB]

And so ends a short but very enjoyable trip to Japan. Had an excellent time. Consistent with our previous trips, food was excellent and cheap (last night pizza aside) and accomodation quite reasonable if booked well in advance. For our short trip with only a few locations, purchasing individual train tickets was far cheaper than the full JR pass since the price rise, and although regional passes may be better value depending on where you plan to visit, there was no regional pass that quite covered what we had planned.

The favourite bit of the trip for the adults was hiking in the Alps, particularly the Nishiho mountain hut. ShelleyB-son also loved the hiking but perhaps unsurprisingly his favourite was Universal Studios.

China Airlines was good, the food a highlight, although the seat was fine as a seat would benefit from a topper when made up as a bed as it was a bit hard. Flights were all on time. Would certainly fly again on points but would probably not be first choice if paying for revenue tickets.

Thanks for joining me on this trip.

 

[pagingjoan]

It was a pleasure to tag along with you, ShelleyB!
Thank you for extending your tour group.

 

[Stewey]

Excellent TR @ShelleyB. Thoroughly enjoyed reading!

 

[Dmac59]

Fantastic and informative TR @ShelleyB
It’s been great following your journey.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks very much for the comprehensive and enjoyable TR.

 

[PERLHR]

Just the mention of trains reminded me. We bought first class (Green car) on the Osaka to Tokyo journey. I was expecting nice things..it was fast yes, at times and late! Personally I think First Great Western between London and Bristol is far more comfortable and actually has a service on board. Also at least you don't have to pay for your baggage storage. Seriously!! Sometimes the UK is under rated in my mind....,

 

[ShelleyB]

Just the mention of trains reminded me. We bought first class (Green car) on the Osaka to Tokyo journey. I was expecting nice things..it was fast yes, at times and late! Personally I think First Great Western between London and Bristol is far more comfortable and actually has a service on board. Also at least you don't have to pay for your baggage storage. Seriously!! Sometimes the UK is under rated in my mind....,

I must admit my experience is a bit different. I lived in the UK for a number of years and still travel back there every few years. The trains can be excellent, when they are on time, but in my experience they are often not on time. And even paying for seats is no guarantee of actually getting one, as unless you get on at the first stop people will often sit in your reserved seats and can be a bit snarky about moving even when you show them your reservation. And although they are probably the fastest diesel services around, they don't match the speed of the Shinkansen.

My experience of Japan is less extensive but I think all but one of the trains we have taken has run exactly to time, and the other was all of 5 mins late. As for services, I must say I think the quality and quantity of food available at your average Japanese train station - the purchase of which only adds a few minutes to your schedule prior to your trip - is far higher than aboard most British trains. Baggage fees are only required on some Shinkansen lines if you have over-sized luggage, and then only if you don't reserve your luggage in advance. The allowed size before your luggage is considered oversized is quite generous.

I would suggest both systems are not cheap - British Rail is very pricey and Shinkansen not cheap either. Although it's hard to exactly compare fares, rail passes can give you an idea. The full JR pass (standard class) for 7 consecutive days in Japan is currently $516; a Britrail for 8 consecutive days (the closest equivalent) is $589. So same same really, although one could argue you can get further faster on the Japanese network.

That's not to say that we haven't enjoyed rail travel in the UK. Back when I was a uni student and first travelled to the UK, bought an excellent rail pass that I used to travel in England and Scotland. I can't remember the price but I do remember it was quite affordable. Current rail passes for the UK are relatively more expensive. And when I lived in London we used the Caledonian Sleeper a few times to access hiking in Scotland (the West Highland Way). The sleeper still runs and is a very convenient way to travel between London and major Scottish cities.

 

[rbjhan]

Just the mention of trains reminded me. We bought first class (Green car) on the Osaka to Tokyo journey. I was expecting nice things..it was fast yes, at times and late! Personally I think First Great Western between London and Bristol is far more comfortable and actually has a service on board. Also at least you don't have to pay for your baggage storage. Seriously!! Sometimes the UK is under rated in my mind....,

Green is not first class though, that would be Gran Class. I'd say Green is similar to business class.
Gran Class not available on Tokaido Shinkansen sadly....

See here:

Trains of Japan - A Review Thread

Inspired by a conversation with @VPS in my previous TR, I decided to try write about all the different trains... Hopefully can convince a non fish eating train lover to visit the land of the rising sun! 😉 This is going to be long and probably entirely depending on how my memory is nowadays (and...

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