Family trip to Japan - Tokyo and ski adventure

[Quickstatus]

(3 hours before the parks open

"Opening time" at DR is the time the first ride is available.
Meaning you get into the park before the "opening time".

What this means is that there are 2 Disney workers who hold a rope and start walking to the first ride of the day. Everyone has to stay behind the rope until it arrives at the ride.

We did this at DW. Arrived super early to do this and managed to do the BuzzLight ride 3 times in a row before the main crowds finally arrived.

 

[QF WP]

Time to head back to the hotel, pack and ready ourselves for leaving Tokyo.

For those that want to know more about the monorail, I took some photos on the way home.



The cost. Always have handy ¥1,000 notes, 100¥ and 10¥ coins. We bought one way tickets each time.



The map of the 4 stops on the monorail:



Inside the monorail:



Have to smile at the window design:



The train. The train arrives, announcement made, barrier slides open and everyone gets off first, then the crush to get on. Thankfully it was empty on the way home.



The entry/exits from the platforms. Japanese efficiency.



The night time view of the Sheraton.

 

[markis10]

Reminds me of the HK MTR

 

[QF WP]

The next day was all about exploring places in Tokyo on our various bucket lists. My wife wanted to see the Fish Markets, my daughter the Shibuya Scramble Square. We also wanted to do a dry run of how to get to Tokyo Station and find our Shinkansen train the next day.

So we had a sleep in and actually check out the view from our balcony - we hadn’t done it on the first morning as we wanted to get to DisneySea. We weren’t disappointed with what we saw:



Mt Fuji in the distance



We decided to get the hotel shuttle bus to Maihama Station and get the train to Tokyo.



Whilst waiting, we developed the plan for tomorrow. More on that in later posts.

Firstly however, the shuttle to Maihama:



which has both a Disney monorail stop (called Resort Gateway) and is a stop on the Keiyo line to Tokyo.

But first, here’s the entrance to Tokyo Disney:





But first we were hungry and as my daughter works at Maccas, we wanted to check one out on this trip. We weren’t disappointed all amazed at the selection and that it was cheaper than in Australia. She sent photos of both back to friends from Xmas as:

They still have COVID barriers up between diners



and the service was very quick and cheerful.





So we walked up one level to the Resort Gateway monorail station and then made our way to Maihama Station (about 500m).



The rail network is more complex than anywhere I’ve been in Australia and this map doesn’t show the underground network (more on that later):



So we looked at the ticket issuing machine and thankfully there is an English button:



We hadn’t bought Welcone Suica cards as we hadn’t thought we were going to use the train network as much as we did. A learning for next time. They want cash - so that pocketful of small notes and coins came in handy.

To the right destination:



and platform:



So there we were waiting for the next train. But the boards showed them:



and soon enough, on we got:

 

[kamchatsky]

Great report! We also went to Japan over Christmas and New Year period, and went to Disneysea as well. Your photo brings back memories 2 weeks ago! We stayed close to Tokyo station instead so we are familiar with the Keiyo line to Disneysea!

 

[QF WP]

So after arriving at Tokyo Central:



we timed the walk to the Shinkansen - about 12 minutes, so adding luggage an easy 15 mins. They have travelators in some sections, so that helps reduce the time. But so was doing the old fashioned walking to get my step count up to collect QFF points (I’m in AFF and HFC groups)

Arrival platform:



Then just follow the signs:











At this point you need to know which of the two lines you need as they branch off in different directions.



The boards are really helpful and flash between Japanese and English to give you train and platform numbers:





We had bought the tickets online and now needed to collect them for tomorrow’s trip. Found the machines and flashed the QR code on the email (we’d printed out) to the scanner. Boom out printed the 8 tickets (as we needed 2 tickets each). We also printed out the tickets for the return journey.



Finally, we located the Shinkansen gates that we’d need to use the tickets tomorrow.

With the reconnaissance finished and knowing the times of the trains and walking , we now felt confident that we’d make it easily.



Time to go outside and head to the Imperial Palace and grounds:





In case you need it, the JR East Information Centre is just before these exits:



Don’t forget look up, fantastic architecture:



The outside of Tokyo (Central) Station:

 

[Sprucegoose]

I recall at some Japanese theme parks; we paid a fee to jump the queue - was such a service offered here?

It's always best to go in light rain - many Asians dislike it.

 

[kamchatsky]

I recall at some Japanese theme parks; we paid a fee to jump the queue - was such a service offered here?

It's always best to go in light rain - many Asians dislike it.

It is Express Pass for Universal Studios Osaka, or Disney Premier Access for DisneySea Tokyo. I bought both for my family in our trip over Christmas New Year.

 

[rbjhan]

Love the picture of the Tokyo Station dome, I once stayed in one of the rooms behind those windows (when they were cheaper!)

 

[rbjhan]

So it took 90 mins to get out of Haneda? Yikes.
Fingers crossed my JTTP will work!

 

[QF WP]

So it took 90 mins to get out of Haneda? Yikes.
Fingers crossed my JTTP will work!

We were unlucky that a number of flights (including at least 2 from USA) had landed before us and my kids decided it was time to go to the toilet as we were walking along the concourse to C&I (no matter how many times you tell them to go onboard, on descent). That put us back at least 30 mins. We could see others from our flight in the line ahead of us. The issue with the immigration QR code set us back 15 mins. A single traveller won’t have that problem

 

[QF WP]

So we turned and walked towards the Imperial Palace - we hadn’t booked spots on the tour, I just wanted to show my kids history.





They certainly built imposing moats around their castles.



Which are inhabited by geese and goldfish:



The story of the castle:





The ground were once enormous:





They were getting ready to admit the next tour:



Whilst I was more interested in the fortifications:



Part of the city skyline looking back to it from the Imperial Garden,



Well that was it kids - so off we walked to the Fish Markets before they closed:

Firstly, a very expensive place to stay:



Then my daughter found a flower stand and marveled at all the different colours:



The old fashioned traffic lights and the eclectic building behind it also caught our eye:



Always been fascinated by these:



Looked like they were outside some municipal building.

 

[love_the_life]

Tokyo Station Hotel is lovely- have stayed there quite a few times.

 

[QF WP]

Right, we had decided to walk towards the fish markets, so the Peninsula and the other photos above were on that walk.

We only got there less than an hour before closing.





We loved the little laneways more - the shops with their selections of fresh seafood and meats:























The knife shops - watching them sharpen them was awesome. Wish we could have brought one home.



Now that’s a crab claw:

 

[QF WP]

By this stage we were getting tired and hungry.

We found these sweets, bought some but my kids were underwhelmed - I’m not sure what they were expecting, but they finished them.





Mrs QF WP’s chocolate one was the best, my son had apple and I had peach. Can’t remember which one my daughter had.



We also found a local Starbucks for hot chocolates.

We had our break at a temple, so we wandered the grounds:

 

[QF WP]

We really loved the temple so we decided to go in, with my wife and son deciding to burn some incense:













Right, time to head back. There was a nearby station so down we went. Here’s where we confused the subway with the above ground trains. We couldn’t work out where we were, so we did buy subway tickets and try to use them for the above ground. Good lesson, only used 480¥.

 

[RB001]

By this stage we were getting tired and hungry.

We found these sweets, bought some but my kids were underwhelmed - I’m not sure what they were expecting, but they finished them.

View attachment 426585

Mrs QF WP’s chocolate one was the best, my son had apple and I had peach. Can’t remember which one my daughter had.

I believe: clockwise from lower left - chocolate, white peach, strawberry, Muscat Shine (a popular type of grape).
Mochi is a form of pounded glutinous rice, often filled with red bean paste in myriad flavours.

 

[markis10]

I recognise that store, it’s a photo taken from Akihabara station. Electric City is a must visit for me on every trip.

 

[rbjhan]

Suica (or any other IC card) works for all train companies in all the major cities. (Not for long distance trains like Shinkansen though)
Not to mention shops and restaurants, lockers, vending machines.... no need to bother with tickets!

 

[elanshin]

The next day was all about exploring places in Tokyo on our various bucket lists. My wife wanted to see the Fish Markets, my daughter the Shibuya Scramble Square. We also wanted to do a dry run of how to get to Tokyo Station and find our Shinkansen train the next day.

So we had a sleep in and actually check out the view from our balcony - we hadn’t done it on the first morning as we wanted to get to DisneySea. We weren’t disappointed with what we saw:

View attachment 426269

Mt Fuji in the distance

View attachment 426270

We decided to get the hotel shuttle bus to Maihama Station and get the train to Tokyo.

View attachment 426271

Whilst waiting, we developed the plan for tomorrow. More on that in later posts.

Firstly however, the shuttle to Maihama:

View attachment 426272

which has both a Disney monorail stop (called Resort Gateway) and is a stop on the Keiyo line to Tokyo.

But first, here’s the entrance to Tokyo Disney:

View attachment 426273

View attachment 426278

But first we were hungry and as my daughter works at Maccas, we wanted to check one out on this trip. We weren’t disappointed all amazed at the selection and that it was cheaper than in Australia. She sent photos of both back to friends from Xmas as:

They still have COVID barriers up between diners

View attachment 426274

and the service was very quick and cheerful.

View attachment 426275

View attachment 426276

So we walked up one level to the Resort Gateway monorail station and then made our way to Maihama Station (about 500m).

View attachment 426277

The rail network is more complex than anywhere I’ve been in Australia and this map doesn’t show the underground network (more on that later):

View attachment 426284

So we looked at the ticket issuing machine and thankfully there is an English button:

View attachment 426279

We hadn’t bought Welcone Suica cards as we hadn’t thought we were going to use the train network as much as we did. A learning for next time. They want cash - so that pocketful of small notes and coins came in handy.

To the right destination:

View attachment 426280

and platform:

View attachment 426281

So there we were waiting for the next train. But the boards showed them:

View attachment 426282

and soon enough, on we got:

View attachment 426283

I would highly recommend the McDonalds Beef Stew and Cheese pie. It's like their version of our beef pie (limited time item). Also the 2 desert pies are worth a go too and excellent.

A handy hack with train tickets in Japan is if you don't use SUICA (or other Transport cards) buy the absolute cheapest one for each fare type. At the other end, there is always a fare adjustment machine and it will work out the cost for you. No brain power involved in finding your current station and station you're travelling to. Still slower than transport card but definitely one "hack" i recommend to save headaches with ticket prices.