China, Korea and a little bit (of Japan) on the side

Justinf · 2025-02-08T21:33:51+1100

The inbound flight looked quite full.
Ours was about two-thirds full.
I chose seat 15D, which is an exit row. Why pay for business when you can get legroom for free?

Justinf · 2025-02-08T21:37:18+1100

This old 738 was showing its age. The J seats were positively atrocious.
We were served a drink and I again had the beef consommé.

Even if I wanted to take pics of takeoff, I wouldn’t have been able to thanks to Mr Av Geek who hijacked the entire window.

Flight time was a very long 1 hour and 41 minutes and we encountered some fairly heavy turbulence on our approach to Haneda.

Justinf · 2025-02-08T21:39:03+1100

We had an aerobridge at Wakkanai, but no such luck at the far bigger Haneda.
A bus to the terminal it was.

Justinf · 2025-02-08T22:04:43+1100

Then it was time to buy an airport limousine bus ticket to Narita.
It cost about $35 and the next service was full so I had to wait for the 4.20pm one.
Once again I was seated next to an absolute unit of a human. He made Hodor from Game of Thrones look like Tyrion Lannister.

A short walk to the Tobu Hotel. I didn’t bother with the shuttle.
With a 10am flight to to Singapore tomorrow, I chose the 7.30am shuttle to the terminal. I see no reason to extended lounge time given I am not a breakfast person.
Room was on the 5th floor and decent, although nothing special, but at $110 a night, very good value.
Feeling much better after a very ordinary start. Still a bit of a cough and phlegm, but on the mend just as the trip is about done.

Gladstone Tim · 2025-02-08T23:17:07+1100

Have appreciated your honesty and rawness, Justinf. Heading to Japan in September so some worthwhile insights.

Justinf · 2025-02-08T23:20:48+1100

Any recommendations for lounge access at terminal 1?
ANA or United?

rbjhan · 2025-02-08T23:41:26+1100

Justinf said:
Domestic flights in Japan are as bare bones as you can get.

Ah but in most of their major airports there are so many shops in the domestic terminals, way better than the international ones.
I imagine a bento would be better than whatever airline food served...

rbjhan · 2025-02-08T23:41:56+1100

I'm curious, you being so sick while flying, no airplane ear?

Justinf · 2025-02-08T23:43:26+1100

rbjhan said:
I'm curious, you being so sick while flying, no airplane ear?

Descent into Sapporo was hell for my ears.
Every other flight has been ok.

rbjhan · 2025-02-08T23:44:52+1100

Justinf said:
Descent into Sapporo was hell for my ears.
Every other flight has been ok.

Maybe invest in a pair of filtered earplugs?

Justinf · 2025-02-09T10:38:52+1100

Slept awfully. Coughing a lot. I guess this means the virus is on its last legs.
Awake at 6am and began the morning ritual of packing up, showering, dressing and sorting out what I’ll need in my carry on luggage.
The views from the room.

Justinf · 2025-02-09T10:47:14+1100

Quite a few were catching the terminal bus.
There was one bus for terminal 1 (me) and one for terminal 2.
if you didn’t have a heap of luggage, you could walk to terminal 2, but 1 is a bit too far.
Usual immaculate Japanese punctuality meant the bus left right on 7.30am as advertised.
I’d stay at that hotel again.
It has a bar, restaurant, very well stocked convenience store.
Check and security and immigration was a breeze.
I asked the check in agent which lounge was the best one to use and as I suspected it was the ANA lounge, which is ok, but nothing to write home about.