The Last Samurai, Tokyo and Sapporo

[Justinf]

Flight time was noon, so I made my way to the gate just after 11.30am.
Boarding commenced on time and again, I didn't know how they were going to take off on time with a full 777-200, but I should have had more faith.
Same product as the flight up to Sapporo.





No pre-depature drink, but again a warm welcome.
The menu had me a little worried.
I don't eat pork.
It was looking very much like 'ramen de sky'.

 

[Justinf]

After take off I explained to the FA that I don't eat pork and asked for the 'ramen de sky' but she said it was 'very small'.
She suggested I have the full meal and she also serve the ramen as well so I could skip around the pork.
Sounded good to me.





Obviously 'ramen de sky' was just your average instant noodles.
I skipped around the pork and obviously the meal was not as enjoyable for me as it was for the flight up to Hokkaido.
Still, the effort the FA went to was appreciated.
The pinot grigio was still good.
In all a pleasant way to spend an hour and 13 minutes.
Service immaculate and a good product.
Each flight earned 650 points and 20 SCs.
Pretty soon Haneda was coming into sight.

 

[craven morehead]

I reckon we should get a AFF tour going @Justinf

Japanese pub crawl tour with an occasional Onsen and curry soup !!

 

[Justinf]

Luggage again came off the carousel with bag handles facing outwards and mine was one of the first off.
A quick trip to the ticket machines, where I purchased a Limousine Bus ticket for Narita Airport. A friendly attendant showed me how.
Not cheap at ¥3200 ($45), but no other viable direct options.
I kinda of wanted to stay right in Tokyo for my final night, but my room at Airport Rest House was already booked.
Many more people on the bus than my previous two trips, but not packed by any means. The trip took about an hour to Narita Airport terminal 2. I even managed to doze off for a bit.





I made my way bus stop 32 where the hotel shuttle bus ferries guests to and from the airport and the hotel.
The timetable said I had a 30-minute wait so I decided just to walk to the hotel.
Google maps made it fairly easy to find and even with my luggage it only took 10 minutes.
My room was on the 5th floor and check-in was pretty smooth with the receptionist speaking good English.
My room for the night cost only $100 and I was pretty happy with it and, YES, it had a fan.
I was given a card to fill out which would indicate what time I wanted the courtesy bus in the morning. As my flight was at 10.50am and I hadn't done much shopping for the kids, I picked the 7.50am bus.









With a good-sized bathroom, I was pretty keen to take a shower and then work out what I would for my final night.

 

[Justinf]

By now I had realised that I had lost my brand new Jabra Elite 75T earbuds.
I messaged my Air B&B host in Sapporo and asked her to check the apartment. She said she would get the cleaning staff to look. I had no doubt that if they were there, they would be handed in. japan in that sort of place.
I had a few options for dining/drinking on my final night.
The rather sterile-looking hotel restaurant; vending machines at the hotel that served hot ramen; Narita Airport landside; or a subway trip to Narita village itself.
I walked back to Narita Airport terminal 2 and there were quite a lot of shopping and eating options landside, without having to go through security.
However the eating options were your usual cafeteria style stuff and I wasn't that keen.
I also saw an electronics store that was selling Jabra Elite 75T earbuds for ¥22,000 which was about $15 more than what I could buy them for in Australia.
However, I had ¥23,000 cash left on me and wasn't going to spend it all and even if I exchanged it for AUD, I would be left with a poor exchange rate.
I figured I would buy the earbuds and if my originals turned up at the Air B&B and were sent to me in Australia, I could sell the brand new ones.
I decided to head into Narita Village as the airport was sterile and uninviting.
But first I had to make my way back to the hotel as I'd left my phone in my room.
After retrieving my mobile, I walked back to terminal 2 and tried to find train line that would go to Narita Village. I had to ask a few questions, but eventually found it.
It was only one stop, but it took more than 10 minutes. There were quite a few people onboard the train who were commuting.
Made it to Narita Village and immediately realised I had made the right call.
There's not much there, but there were a few small bars and a ramen restaurant.
Beer first.
There was only one other customer in the bar and I felt like a bit of an intruder. No English spoken, so I sat in silence and drank while watching a J Pop concert on TV.



This is a wall of shochu, which is an iconic hard alcohol in Japan, and can be made from rice, sweet potatoes, barley, brown sugar, or buckwheat.
I didn't imbibe.



I went to another bar close by, but it was more of a restaurant. They said I could just drink a beer, of which I had two, but also served me a pot of steamed rice. I'm not sure why.



I didn't touch the rice and wondered whether it was just a complimentary snack or not? And if it was snack, why plain rice.
I guess someone will know.

It was time for ramen and the place I went to was a pretty generic place that was very busy.
You order off a touch screen.



And before too long the food comes.



It was good and filling.
I was going to miss the food.
Aroiund 9pm I got the train back to terminal 2 and then the short walk back to the hotel.
I considered finishing with a glass of wine at the hotel restaurant, but it was not particularly inviting.



The vending machines at the hotel were truly excellent. There was a booze vending machine, a hot-food one, and a sweets one.
I bought an ice cream and headed up to bed.
Tomorrow I would be leaving this wonderful country.

EDIT: I later realised that the J Pop band I was watching on TV wasn't really pop at all, but Baby Metal, a Japanese kawaii metal band. They were actually really good and high energy.

 

[Justinf]

Up early for my voyage home.
I received a message from my Air B&B host saying the earbuds had been found, but as they contained batteries, she was unable to post it internationally, but could post it somewhere within Japan, but that was of no use to me.
Remembering the hospitality that was given to me over the past 11 days, I said she could have them as a gift.
She was quite chuffed about as you would be with a pair of $300 earbuds.
Oh well.
On the courtesy bus at 7.50am and was pretty soon checked in at the business class counter.
The line for security was HUGE and I realised that I had not been given an express pass.
I went back to counter and was embarrassingly told that there was a separate line for business and first customers further up.
This line was much more painless.
Just a quick scan of the passport after security and I was airside.
A stop at some shhops to buy last-minute gifts and I was then looking for the Sakura lounge.
My departure gate was 84 and I didn't realise Narita terminal is MASSIVE.
I went to one Sakura lounge at the 'satellite' terminal but it was closed.
I walked around for ages and even looked at the information maps.
Eventually I found it, but had walked into the Diamond lounge by mistake.
I was redirected down the escalator and next door to the regular lounge.
It was explained to me at the desk that due to the coronavirus, there was very limited food options.
I really did time this trip almost to perfection. The following week everything was closed.
The lounge was very crowded, but I managed to find a seat.
Coffee was from a machine that was operated by at attendant.
Food was either pre-packaged or made offsite and wrapped in plastic and consisted of wraps and sandwiches or Vietnamese rolls.



Beer was served from a machine operated by an attendant to prevent others from touching anything.
Wine was served by an attendant for the same reason. You get the picture.
It is what it is.

During my whole trip, when ordering coffee I was always asked if I wanted it hot or cold. I do like a cold-drip coffee, but the Japanese do love their cold coffee.
I decided to give it a try along with one last Sapporo Classic.



To my surprise the cold coffee was actually OK, but the lounge was crowded and I was looking forward to getting onboard and trying out the JAL J product.

 

[Justinf]

Before long it was time for boarding and it was quite a hike to the gate.
I was placed into group 2 for boarding.
First was people with children or mobility issues, group 1 was for, I presume, elite status customers and group 2 was me.
Onboard and was personally directed to my seat.









No offer of a pre-departure drink so it was a matter of just waiting.
Eventually we pulled back and were bowed to and then waved to by the ground crew.
How awesome!







Yes, I waved back.
It was a long taxi to the runway and it was a busy morning at Narita with several aircraft in front of us and a long line behind us.





A congo line waiting for take off.



Before long we were hurtling down the runway on this Boeing 787 and up into the sky.

 

[Justinf]

I had looked at the menu before take off, but had already decided on the Japanese meal rather than the western option.
Drink time.











i had nobody next to me and the divider was still down.



A 2-2-2 layout but the seats are staggered and there is small 'walkway' just in front of the window seats that allow direct aisle access.



We were on our way.

 

[Justinf]

I was looking forward to the lunch service and having read about JAL's food being so good and seeing how its domestic first product was, I knew it would be good.

Small appetiser to start.



The 'Winter Calm' entree.
By now I had moved on to the riesling.







Now the dainamono. I'd moved onto the Chianti, which I couldn't find on the actual wine lsit, but was recommended by the FA.



I didn't have room for dessert, but I ploughed through.



Even though I had said goodbye to my Jabra earbuds, I still had my Bose QC35s which I would have used anyway.
I had a few more wines and tried to watch Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but felt myself getting very sleepy, so put the seat into bed mode and tried to nap.
Cabin temperature was unbearably hot. No air vents on the 787 either.

 

[Justinf]

Managed about two and a half hours of on and off shuteye.
Cabin temp was really warm. I asked the FA about it and she said it was set at 24 degrees and could turn it down if I wanted, but I didn't want to be that one person out of several hundred that would potentially spoil it for everyone else.
I figured if enough people onboard enquired about it then they would turn it down, but obviously not enough (or nobody else) had.
There would be no other official meal service, but there was an 'anytime dining' option and it had several very good options.
I had also worked out that you could order by the hand-held remote.





I decided that if I was going imbibe in another alcoholic drink, then it had better be now seeing as I would be driving in around five hours.



In the end I opted for the Kirin.



And decided it was also ramen time with another riesling.



The quality of the ramen was about what you would expect to buy in a Japanese 7/11, which is nothing to be sneezed at mind you. The quality of the food at the convenience stores is seriously good.
About 90 minutes to go and was told that last orders were being taken.
I really wanted the 'JAL the Curry' and took the plunge.
That's actually Coke in the glass, not red wine.



Before long we were flying over my old home town and place of birth, Shepparton.



We landed on time at 11pm.
We must have been the only flight as getting through all the rigmarole was straightforward.
Of course me being me, I had also lost my Australian SIM card.
This meant I had no way of phoning A1 Airport Parking to request to be picked up.
I managed to make a quick phone call using someone else's mobile while waiting at the bag carousel and was picked up and into the car for the 75-minute trip home.
I got home around 1.30am and that ended a fabulous trip.
But wait, there's more.

 

[Justinf]

I did say at the start of this TR than I would do an airline comparison, so here it is:

Aircraft and seat

QF: Airbus 330. I like the A330 because of the 1-2-1 layout and the fact that it has air vents. Large screen.

JAL: Boeing 787. A 2-2-2 configuration, but those sitting at the window (like me) have a small passage way between the staggered seats so direct access is there. Passengers of size may have trouble with the tight squeeze, but it’s not as bad as some online reviews suggest. There is a divider that can be put up so you can’t see who is next to you. I had nobody next to me, but with the divider up, it still felt very much like a mini suite.

Rating out of 10: QF 7, JAL 8

Winner: JAL. While the lack of air vents annoyed me on JAL, the newer 787 is a comfy ride while the A330 still offers a very viable alternative. Both options certainly beat the QF A380. I like the window-dimming on the 787 as the sun was setting it was right on the horizon of my eyesight. I realised I could have just put the shutter down on the A330, but to be able to dim the shade of the window and still be able to see outside was a plus.



Lounge

QF: The rabbit warren that is QF at MEL was very spacious and very quiet early on a Sunday morning. An OK range of hot food including hash browns, eggs, bacon, tomato etc. I didn’t pay a lot of attention, but I couldn’t see a barista making coffee (will stand corrected), so just opted for the machine. Wifi speed was good.

JAL: Very, very limited at the Sakura Lounge (1st class and high tier passengers get the Diamond Lounge) as was explained at the desk. The coronavirus had taken its toll and food was only served out of plastic wrapping so only biscuits, premade wraps etc. Beer machine in which an attendant did it for you and wine served by an attendant so you didn’t touch anything.

Rating out of 10: QF 7, JAL 5

Winner QF. I feel like I didn’t have an accurate representation of JAL, which was not their fault. But I have to go with QF, circumstances or not.



Bed

QF: I don’t know if a mattress is offered on this flight as I only wanted a couple of hours’ sleep and just put the seat into bed mode and went to sleep. The bumps in the seat when fully laid out was a bit uncomfortable. Plenty of room for me to lay fully flat.

JAL: I had some concerns over this as I had read that the full length of the bed was only 188cm. I’m 184cm but when I sleep on my tummy, my toes point out to well over 188cm and I tend to have my arms under my head (if that makes sense) meaning full laid out, I would be about 195cm. I found it fine and although there was no mattress (that I could see) I was able to sleep well for a few hours.

Rating out of 10: QF 7, JAL 8.5

Winner: JAL, much to my surprise. The lack of ‘bumps’ on the bed itself made it more comfortable for me.



Service

QF: I’ve never had bad service on QFI…ever…and this was no exception. All requests attended to promptly and that laid-back Aussie style. Couldn’t fault it.

JAL: Typical Japanese hospitality. I felt like a valued guest rather than a passenger. FA apologised when I was kept waiting for only a few minutes for a white wine. English spoken impeccably although I tried to use Japanese whenever possible.

Rating out of 10: QF 8, JAL 9

Winner: JAL. Nothing wrong with QF at all, but like I said, I felt like a valued guest rather than a passenger on JAL.



Pre-boarding and boarding

QF: Welcomed by name and offered pre-departure drink, which I gleefully accepted the bubbly. Priority boarding enforced efficiently.

JAL: Priority boarding (I was class 2) enforced with separate lines for all classes. Handled very well. No offer of pre-departure drink. Addressed by name.

Rating out of 10: QF 8.5, JAL 7

Winner: QF. I do like a pre-departure drink.



Amenity kit and misc

QF: Had all the necessary things I needed.

JAL: A bit light-on to be honest, but the bathroom stocked toothbrush sets (which you got in the kit anyway) and mouthwash. You also got a hot face mask just before landing, which was great.

Rating out of 10: QF 7, JAL 6

Winner QF



Food

QF: Drink orders taken early and presented with almonds and olives. Choice of western or Japanese meal, in which I chose the latter several days before departure. Entrée was fresh and well-presented although lacking a little in flavour. Main was a beef option with rice and miso soup. Again, nice, but a little lacking in flavour. ‘Refreshment’ 90 minutes before landing at Narita was a jaffle.

JAL: Again, choice of western or Japanese option, which I again chose the latter. Hors d'oeuvres was jellyfish with sesame vinegar cream and a cod flan. Entrée was a selection of crabmeat, caviar, chicken and vegetables, broth and a salmon omelette. I honestly thought it was the main. The main consisted of marinated chicken in tartare sauce and yellowtail teriyaki with steamed rice, miso and pickles. Dessert was a small black sesame pudding. There was also a dine-on-demand option for the rest of the flight. The options were almost endless. I had the ‘JAL The Curry’ and it was good. Before landing I also had the ramen which again was good. You could order this on the hand-held remote, as well as drinks.

Rating out of 10: QF 6, JAL 9.5

Winner: Hands down JAL. No correspondence will be entered into. I would fly with them again just for the food. A jaffle is not acceptable J food in my opinion.



Drinks

QF: Usual selection of beers, including a Yebisu beer, which was excellent. Sake available and wine selection quite reasonable.

JAL: An array of Japanese beer, sake, but a very limited wine selection. I had a nice Riesling and an Italian Chianti.

Rating out of 10: QF 8, JAL 7

Winner: QF



Pyjamas etc

QF: No PJs on this day flight. Blanket and pillow comfortable, though.

JAL: One of those famous JAL cardigans was offered and I politely asked if they were able to be taken home and was told no. I declined as the cabin temp was too hot anyway. Slippers provided and super comfy. Blanket (not that I needed it) and pillow were comfy.

Rating out of 10: QF 5, JAL 7

Winner: JAL



Inflight entertainment

QF: Great selection of new release movies, TV shows and games. I do like a good flight map and QF’s was good.

JAL: A few good selections, but annoyingly the flight map didn’t contain the altitude etc on the screen.

Rating out of 10: QF 8, JAL 6.5

Winner: QF



Wifi

QF: none offered

JAL: not free, but at least offered. Starting at US$10 for one hour with a three-hour option for around US$13 and the entire flight for around US$18. I didn’t partake. While you could connect if you wanted to, I found the pricing to be a bit steep.

Rating out of 10: QF 0, JAL 5

Winner: JAL



Overall result

QF 71.5

JAL 78.5

Honestly there wasn’t much between the two. But the food and delightful service set JAL apart and although the scores were close, I felt JAL was superior. The wifi review gave JAL an extra five points which padded their overall result out a bit more and maybe doesn’t tell the true story. Take the wifi out of the equation and it was quite even. Having said that, the limited operation of the Sakura Lounge probably gave QF a point or two more than it deserved in that department had circumstances been different.



Verdict

Either option is fine. You won’t go disappointed with QF (except for the jaffle), but I would pay good money in a restaurant on the ground to have the same food that I had in the sky with JAL. Service on JAL was unfailingly Japanese politeness without being too obtrusive. As I said, nothing wrong with QF whatsoever, but given a choice I would pick Japan Airlines in a heartbeat, but would not be disappointed with Qantas either, and will be doing so to Honolulu in J on the A330 in August. I felt Qantas did the smaller things well (eg, inflight entertainment, pre-departure drink) and JAL did the bigger things well (eg, food, service).

Happy travels.

 

[Justinf]

So to sum up my trip.
Yes, I know I travel differently to others. I make no apologies for it.
I am who I am.
The culture and people in Japan are what I took away the most.
Unfailingly polite and respectful.
Everyone dresses immaculately and even the homeless in Shinjuku arrange their stuff as neatly as can be.
The food is amazing. We all know that.
Once the language barrier is broken (thank goodness for Google translate), the Japanese are wonderful people who take pride in making sure visitors enjoy their country.
There were a few things I didn't do that I planned on, such as a trip to the lakes for Mt Fuji, but I couldn't help being sick in Tokyo.
Overall it was a wonderful experience and I would absolutely love to go back.
Next trip - Hawaii in August.
Until then.
Happy travels.

EDIT: on my trip, a lot of people asked me if I was worried about coronavirus.
I said 'no'.
But almost everyone I spoke to asked me about the Australian bushfires.
The concern was genuine and when I confirmed the magnitude, the grief was equally as genuine.

 

[JackMiles]

Thanks for the fun TR, Justin.
I guess I travel differently to others too, then, because it seems like you and I travel in a similar way.
Go tiges! As of this posting, 13 days, 2 hours, 50 minutes to go...

 

[OZDUCK]

Looks to have been a very interesting trip and thanks for writing it up. Just a pity a little bit of illness got in your way.

 

[VPS]

Another interesting TR from you and as always very enjoyable. I think we all travel a bit differently and that's what makes the world go around - imagine if we all wanted to do the same thing. Thanks

 

[craven morehead]

Before long it was time for boarding and it was quite a hike to the gate.
I was placed into group 2 for boarding.
First was people with children or mobility issues, group 1 was for, I presume, elite status customers and group 2 was me.
Onboard and was personally directed to my seat.

View attachment 208117

View attachment 208118

View attachment 208119

View attachment 208120

No offer of a pre-departure drink so it was a matter of just waiting.
Eventually we pulled back and were bowed to and then waved to by the ground crew.
How awesome!



View attachment 208122

View attachment 208123

Yes, I waved back.
It was a long taxi to the runway and it was a busy morning at Narita with several aircraft in front of us and a long line behind us.

View attachment 208127

View attachment 208125

A congo line waiting for take off.

View attachment 208126

Before long we were hurtling down the runway on this Boeing 787 and up into the sky.

How many drinks did you have before putting your slippers on

 

[Justinf]

How many drinks did you have before putting your slippers on

Two I think. hahahahahahaha

 

[craven morehead]

Two I think. hahahahahahaha

Haha nice work. Really enjoyed your TR cheers CM

 

[rbjhan]

Did you ask for the mattress? Coz there certainly is one every time I fly JAL...
And it's a damn good mattress!

 

[Justinf]

Did you ask for the mattress? Coz there certainly is one every time I fly JAL...
And it's a damn good mattress!

View attachment 208174

I should have but being a daytime flight I only wanted a couple of hours.
The mattress is probably offered on QF as well.
I don't like being a pest at the best of times so maybe I just rolled with the punches.
When you only need a couple of hours, it seems excessive to ask for a mattress, although both airlines would have happily provided. And then you have to ask for it to be removed once you wake up.
Good to know for next time though.