Japan.It's Bloomin marvellous.

[love_the_life]

Your legendary sunsets could never bore drron.

 

[drron]

All good things come to an end.Wednesday and we start on our way home.Our luck had held as today was the worst weather of the trip.When we awoke Mt.Iwate was no where to be seen.Fog,cloud and very cold.We had decided to catch an earlier local train to Shin-aomori which turned out to be a good idea.The local trains run so as to leave 5-7 minutes between arriving at Shin-aomori and the shinkansen leaving for Tokyo.The local train was absolutely packed with a very large group of Chinese tourists with lots of luggage.That slowed everyone getting off the train and several only just made their connection.
It gave us time to look around the few stores at Shin-aomori and buy some sustenance for our train trip.Tonkatsu sangers,raspberry kit kats,apple mochi balls and ginger and blood orange gummies.There was also this fearsome looking guy at the station-

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We were on Hayabusa 16 to Tokyo.At Morioka it joined a komachi shinkansen from Akita.From sendai it was an express service.Just a few pics from the train.

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The weather improved as we went south so still got to see the mountains-

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We had about 18 minutes to transfer to the NEX express to Narita.From this we saw the first paddies to have rice planted-

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[drron]

The last pictures from the NEX-

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Now we could have caught that night's plane back to BNE but we are getting old so it was a night at the Hilton.Unfortunately we had just missed the Hilton shuttle but we were still in our room 5.5 hours after leaving Shin-aomori.This time was the first in a Hilton when neither of us have had status.it was a points stay.however we have stayed here >20 times so still got a top floor room though not airport view.No free brekkie or waters but all get wifi now so no real worries.
We were quite tired so decided to eat at the café in the Hilton/mrsdrron had pasta carbonara and I a beef stew.Not what I was expecting but both dishes satisfactory.

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Thursday and we slept in.Even without status we got a 3pm checkout so off to the aeon mall.I misread the shuttle timetable so went by an expensive taxi.Mrsdrron got things at the 100 yen shop,muji and a shop selling Laura Ashley.Then had lunch at the sushi go round.Always reasonable seafood there.End the day with just 206 yen left.
Back to the Hilton just after 1300 and have a nice hot bath before catching the 1520 shuttle to NRT.We had been given a 3pm checkout.

 

[drron]

We had to wait until 1740 until checkin opened.Surrounded by a large group of Taiwanese flying Tiger Taiwan back to Taipei.lots of baggage and all were repacking.Then a group of police and NRT officials presenting some mascots.Not sure what they were meant to do but afterwards they went around giving out postcards and little packets of tissues.

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We went separately to the shops.Mrsdrron got some more tee shirts from Uniglo and I bought some sake and wasabi flavoured kit kats-

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When checkin opened they checked in everyone in the J line before checking in any Y pax.No information of lounges etc given at checkin so we were the only ones who used the premium security line so first through immigration even though I as usual was wanded.
first went to the JAL Flounge.This really has gone downhill in the last 10 years.Predicable food offerings which are not great except for the sushi bar.the wine selection is now pretty basic-1 chardy,1 champagne and 1 red.So after a short stay off to the QP.At least they had a selection of 3 whites but no SB for mrsdrron.I just drank sake.The food offerings in the QP were more varied than the JAL lounge but served on small plates so you had to get there quickly as soon demolished and a wait before more brought out.So was still feeling a bit hungry by the time boarding commenced.

So only the flight home and a summary to go.

 

[love_the_life]

Question for mrs.dr.ron. What was the pricing like at Uniqglo? I bought a shirt in Bangkok and a couple of things online and thought the quality was very good.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I had never been in a Uniglo store until this trip. We were in Tokyo staying at the Sheraton Miyako and the shuttle bus drops you at Meguro Station - there is a large Uniglo on the top floor. Ron was looking at the bookshop opposite while I checked out the store. I walked in and my heart skipped a beat - a big display of Liberty print T shirts ! I thought they wont fit me - Japanese sizing- but I tried one on and they did ! Now Liberty print T shirts at Sportscraft sell for about $ 40 on sale, and these worked out to be about $20, So I bought 4 plus a plain navy one that was about $15 ( should have bought more of that one !!) They are excellent quality, and wash and wear as well. So at the airport there is a smaller store, and they had on sale some different style T shirts - larger casual shirts, bought a black one with a great stylized print of cherry blossoms by some famous Japanese artist. I will definitely check out Uniglo stores in the future.

 

[love_the_life]

Thanks for the information mrs.dr.ron. I will keep an eye out for the store when we are in Tokyo in November. I know what you mean about the Japanese sizing. I am an XL in their range and it seems to fit quite well but have never been an XL in my life before
I bought a merino sweater on line - fine gauge with a crew neck and machine washable - $40 so have ordered another. Even if they don't last more than the season they are still good value. They have very few Liberty T-shirts on the Australian site so maybe more over there.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

OK - just looked at the uniglo aust website - they have the liberty t shirts I bought - it is a 'relaxed' style $19.90 - so about the same price as japan!

WOMEN LIBERTY LONDON Short Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt

 

[love_the_life]

Nice T-shirt. I didn't see that one on the site but I must admit I didn't look very well as I was after winter clothes. The pricing seems to be very good.

 

[drron]

The last flight.
QF 62. ETD-2140. Push back-2142. Take off-2150.
ETA-0700. Landed-0617. At gate-0620.

A refurbed 333.We were in the middle seats Row 2.On boarding all the J seats had the duvet in place except mrsdrrons.The CSM came round giving plats a welcome except he gave it to me rather than mrsdrron who is the WP.She was ignored.This is par for the course on QF.CX and JL can get it right.Also again have to fill in your brekkie order before takeoff-not required on CX and JL.Finally did get a glass of champagne.
The CSM then came round taking dinner orders,mrsdrron was bypassed until the elites had ordered so I got to order before her.Now the ceviche dish looked interesting so I asked to start with the ceviche and then have the pork belly sliders.I was told in no uncertain terms that the ceviche was a main course and so I could only have 1 course and it was the pork belly.What wonderful J service.On top of that the only ceviche I saw being eaten was by a FA in the galley.
So to the menu-

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A little over an hour after take off a FA came ariund and asked if I would like a drink whilst waiting for supper.The conversation went like this-
Me."what is there to drink?"
FA."Beer,wine,spirits and soft drinks."
Me."What wine do you have?"
FA"White or red."
Me.'What reds do you have?"
FA."A shiraz or cabernet."
ME,wondering whether I really was in the J cabin."Can you bring me the bottles?"

So the 2 reds were brought to the seat.The shiraz was a Best's Great Western which I just cant refuse.
Mrsdron also had a dilemma.The 2 whites were a very wooded chardy and a reisling which she didn't like.so she asked if there was any SB on board.So the CSM said he would bring her a bottle-the little plastic one from Y.She didn't need a refill.
And here are the sliders.Sorry a little hazy.

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Not the best pork belly I have had.And just an aside how often do the choccies appear on QF?
On top of this the sash part of my seat belt had obviously decided I was too big so refused to come out of it's home.
After my huge meal I watched a Japanese movie "Tokyo Story."Despite the cultural differences this was a story that could happen anywhere.I enjoyed it.
Then it was time for sleep but the cabin was really noisy so little sleep and I listened to Neil Diamond and of course Queen.
So then it was brekkie.Served just as I like it lukewarm.:shock:

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Into BNE very early.Welcome to Australia.No one manning the airbridge.So another wait.
We got to the carousel and the bags were coming out.QF did very well.Only about a third of the bags were out before ours made an appearance.Straight through customs.
Then of course there had been an accident on the Bruce Highway so our limo was late.
Good to be home.
A summary will follow.

 

[love_the_life]

I see drron you had the wonderful 'supper' menu. I just can't understand the cheapness on the part of QF and the assumption that you will have eaten in the lounge before hand. At least on our flight out of SIN Mr LtL did manage to get 2 plates (one was cheese). We now look for any way to not fly routes that offer this meal but it can be difficult as the website usually shows 'Dinner'. Dinner it ain't!

 

[drron]

Our love affair with Japan began 32 years ago on our first trip.We were impressed with how helpful the Japanese were.So much so that on returning to Australia I went back to University and did 2 years of Japanese so I could help out Japanese tourists here.We have returned many times since.We have always enjoyed our time there.
So if anyone has any doubts about not coping because of language difficulties-forget it.Never a problem.It is good though just to learn a few Japanese words.If you attempt to speak Japanese they will attempt to speak English.

We have been virtually every month of the year.There has always been something to see or do.Japanese gardens for example aren't just about flowers and colour.The forms of rocks,waterways as well as plants mean they are always interesting.The festivals are always interesting so do a little research as to what is on.Plenty of information out there and google is your friend.There has been plenty of good ideas in many TRs here on AFF as well.I learn from others here and we incorporate ideas into our own plans.Hopefully some will get ideas from this TR.

So Cherry Blossom time as this is what this trip was primarily about.Again on the Japan tourist sites you can get an idea when viewing is at it's best throughout Japan.but remember you are dealing with nature and it doesn't necessarily co operate.The peak time may be earlier or later than the average time but by going to several areas it should even out.On this trip we thought we would be in Niigata at peak time but we were too late.But in Kyoto.Akita and Hirosaki we thought we would be a little early but got peak viewing.In the south we thought we would have been late but there was still reasonable viewing.

Best for us.Kyoto,Osaka,Akita and Hirosaki.Really cant go past Hirosaki.It was superb viewing so late April/early May put it on your list.

Other places that should be thought of-Tokyo for sure.It is big and busy but there are things to do and see all over the city and their subways and trains make it easy.After 30 years and numerous times in Tokyo we are still finding new things to do.

Kansai-Osaka,Kyoto and Nara and if time day trips to surrounding areas.Lots to see and love eating in Osaka.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Definitely should be thought of.Despite the same disaster they are very different in the way they have reacted to those times.

Nagoya is another of my favourites A lot to do and some interesting villages nearby either historic or with crafts or both.

Sendai and the sea nearby are also on my favourites list.

Sapporo and Hokkaido in general.A different feeling to the main island.We are not skiers so have gone in summer.Sapporo brewery and their beer festivals will probably resonate with some but we were there when one of their summer festivals was on with dancing,music and carrying shrines.Was very interesting.

From this trip we will definitely be going back to Kanazawa.

For travel around Japan we prefer train to plane.Not cheap but so efficient and the various rail passes are good value.We use Hyperpedia to plan our train trips.From this trip look out for JR East's Joyful trains.That trip was one of the highlights.

Shopping.Not often thought of as a shopping destination but a visit to a 100 yen shop is worth it.Not everyone's cup of tea but some of us are addicts.Love the little gift and craft shops that you find anywhere.A visit to the basement of a department store is worthwhile for reasonable food options and if you are running short of the readies often a lot of tasting to be done.Mrsdrron has had a few favourites that are mentioned in the TR.

Food.Just love it from stalls at festivals through to upmarket restaurants.We have enjoyed the restaurants of 4 Iron Chefs and lots of reasonably cheap local restaurants.Most restaurants will have menus with pictures or the dishes displayed in the window even if they don't have an English menu.

So begin planning.Hopefully you will enjoy Japan as much as we do.

 

[Pushka]

Thankyou for the travel precis drron. I shall bookmark and return in time for planning 2018 in April.

 

[love_the_life]

Thank you for the fantastic TR dron. We will be there in November but unfortunately this will be a short trip. I was last there in the mid 90s when I took the children to Kyoto so I expect there will be many changes.

Where's your next adventure?

 

[Pushka]

Thank you for the fantastic TR dron. We will be there in November but unfortunately this will be a short trip. I was last there in the mid 90s when I took the children to Kyoto so I expect there will be many changes.

Where's your next adventure?

Looking forward to hearing all about it in April 2017!

 

[Pushka]

OK - just looked at the uniglo aust website - they have the liberty t shirts I bought - it is a 'relaxed' style $19.90 - so about the same price as japan!

WOMEN LIBERTY LONDON Short Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt

Ok. This is weird.

I did not search uniqlo as I dont wear liberty prints. But now when I click on news.com.au I get major adds popping up for uniglo! I have not heard of uniqlo until your post mrs.dr.ron. WT?

View attachment 72056

 

[love_the_life]

You're connected through telepathy??? it is weird.

There's a shop in Sydney but not sure if they have any others in Au yet. Good online with free delivery for orders over $50.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Thank you for the fantastic TR dron............Where's your next adventure?

In August we are doing another mega trip !! Flying, cruising, driving, chilling, eating

 

[Pug1]

great report drron and mrs dr ron,
we've done one tour to Japan and loved it for its scenery, beautiful people. safety, cleanliness, food etc. Loved Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto but our favourite places so far were probably Shirakawago and Kyosan. We took the magnificently named "Thunderbird Express" train from Kanazawa to Kyoto - not the very fast train, but very enjoyable with our Bento Box lunch on board. Our taxi services could learn a lot from the Japanese with drivers in suit, tie and white gloves and spotless cabs. Next February we are going with a small group to Hokkaido to see the winter festivals and drift ice, plus the Snow Monkeys and the "Ice Monsters" on Mt Zao. Managed to book return flights in J on our QF points - bonus. Also bought our down coats for the trip from Uniglo in Macquarie Centre, Sydney!

 

[Jacques Vert]

great report drron and mrs dr ron,

And a huge +1 from me on that. I have enjoyed travelling along with the two of you.

I had been wondering how mrs dr ron was going to get all those goodies home but I now understand that she is the WP with the extra baggage allowance.

I think our community should start a competition to see if anyone can find a cherry tree that hasn't been photographed by drron.

Great photos and lots of good info to help us plan our next Japan trip. Like you, we'll be back.

JV