We checked in at the brand new Terminal 2 (it only opened at the end of May) for our HK Express flight to Tokyo.
The self serve check in wouldn't work for us, but this time it wasn't because they were putting us in first class... it turned out that I hadn't put my middle name on the ticket, so it didn't exactly match my passport so it had to be processed manually. I'm not sure why Ruth's did, and mine didn't.
From check-in, we headed to the premium lounge. We now get 20 premium lounge access passes per year through our credit card, so we might as well use them up even if it's just to have breakfast. They renew again in August, so we are unlikely to use them all.
We wasted an hour and a half there, and then went to board our four and a half hour flight to Tokyo's NRT airport.
A wet departure from Hong Kong.
HK Express is a discount airline. There is no first class section however for the four and a half hour flight I did book us extra legroom seats and we were put in row 1. The extra legroom is nice but you still can't stretch out because of the bulkhead... I would actually have preferred the exit row seats.
We also paid extra for one checked bag. They make you jump through hoops by saying that you can bring a personal item and a normal sized carry on bag into the cabin... but then regulate you to a maximum of 7 kgs (15.4 lbs) which includes BOTH items. Very difficult. So we checked one of our carry on bags, and packed it full of everything heavy. Then put everything else heavy into one backpack, and split what was leftover into the other carry on and the other backpack. What a circus, but we got it done. Then of course... they didn't check the weight of anything! But of course you never know when they might, so you either follow their rules, or you better be prepared to pay the price at the gate when they tell you you're overweight.
The total one way flight From Hong Kong to Tokyo including the extra legroom and the one checked bag came to $353 CAD ($251 USD) per person. Not bad, but not fantastic.
Our first sighting of Japan.
Getting closer to landing.
Narita Airport (NRT) is located about 65 kms (40 miles) from central Tokyo. And our hotel was another 10 kms (6 miles) past that in Shinjuku. So we had to take a train from the airport. We could have taken three buses but it would have taken almost three hours and that's if you don't encounter traffic. Or, two slow trains that would have taken just as long. Instead, there is a direct train, but of course it's also more expensive at 3,375 yen ($29 CAD, $21 USD) per person. It gets you there in an hour and a half.
There was a one hour time change between Hong Kong and Tokyo, and our plane was a little bit late leaving Hong Kong so it was already after 5pm by the time we got through immigration and customs. So while the bus would have been cheaper, we took the train.
The view in Tokyo's Shinjuku area as we exited the train station.
Shinjuku is a popular nightlife area for young people.
Made it to our hotel... and we were given a room on the 26th floor! I knew it was going to be small, but yeah.. it was really small!
Good thing we are used to living in an RV!
Even the facilities looked more suited to an RV than a hotel room.
Actually, maybe more like a cruise ship.
Anyhow, it was clean and comfortable. It cost 13,400 yen ($116 CAD, $82.50 USD) for one night. Honestly, we would not have wanted to stay a second night, although I remember that I booked it because it was close to the train station and it was relatively cheap compared to other options.
By this point it was after 8:00pm and we needed some food. We checked out a couple of places in the area that were more than we wanted to spend. And we ended up going to a 7-11 store (they are popular in both Hong Kong and Tokyo) and buying two of their pre-made microwave meals and bringing them back to the room. Mine was edible, but Ruth's was awful. She only ate it because she was starved. Lesson learned, be fussy with your 7-11 meal choice!
And then off to bed. Next up, a quick view of Tokyo, and then another train ride to Kofu!
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Good discount on Kind Gluten Free Snack Bars.
And in Canada...
Tokyo is definitely expensive, even was when I was there in the year 2000. Fortunately, my company was footing the bill, so I got to stay in a large and luxurious room in the Westin hotel, with a king-sized bed. The bathroom was about as big as your hotel bedroom and all decked out in marble. I felt like a queen for the three weeks we stayed there. I do remember the food being quite pricey, more than our per diem allowance in some cases, but at least the hotel included a nice daily breakfast. Enjoy your time in Japan!
ReplyDeleteWe are quickly finding out that Japan isn't quite as expensive as it used to be. In most cases now Canada is actually more expensive. You were very lucky that your accommodation was looked after by your work and that your meals for the most part were also coverd. Our room was tiny but it was good for a night, especially for the price we paid and for it's location.
DeleteWe are finding that grocery prices are actually cheaper for the most part than they are in Canada based on the prices we paid there last fall so we will be cooking our own meals for the next week which will keep the restaurant expenses down and it will be nice to have our own homecooking for a change.
7/11 egg salad sandwiches and pancakes ready to warm is what got me through 3 weeks in Tokyo:)
ReplyDeleteThat would be great if I could eat them but they both contain gluten, Kevin could give the sandwich a try though. Actually a lot of the premade meals at 7/11 contain gluten! 😒
Deletesmall, Holy cow, there was more room in the motor homes than that hotel room. Enjoy Japan.
ReplyDeleteLol, yes that would be the case with a lot of motorhomes back home but since the fall of 2020 all we know now are small motorhomes/campervans so this room although small it was still bigger than Max, igor or Vladdy!
DeleteWe will to our best as we always do but the weather isn't going to be the best over the next week and we are only going to see the area around Kofu rather that seeing more of the popular places that most people see when they come to Japan.