A Yen for Tokyo

The Flight | Airport to Hotel | Checking in to the Hotel | Scout the Area
please click on linked images to view full size

The Flight

Depending on where you live, the flight can be long.

Bring a pair of slippers so you can kick off your shoes and be extra comfortable.

Bring a bottle of water for constant hydration (the flight crew will refill it for you).

Bring a limited number of snacks depending on your food preferences.

Will you sleep? Not likely. You’ll be too excited if this is your first trip. However, if you can, definitely find some time to sleep, otherwise you’ll arrive exhausted. You can also get a prescription from your doctor for a sleep aid so that you WILL sleep on the flight – that way you’re ready to jump into Tokyo the moment you land.

top of page

Airport to Hotel

You could “go on the cheap” and take public transit to your destination, but you’ll likely be knackered from the flight, or hyper or just not wanting to drag your luggage on the subway.

¥3,000 (approx $30) for a limo bus is a fine deal! If you’re staying at the Sunshine City Hotel in Ikebukuro, just after you leave the final Japan entry point in the airport, you’ll walk straight ahead to the lovely people selling tickets for the Airport Limousine.

Buses leave every hour with every half hour during peak times. It’s about 1.5 hours on the bus… in slow moving traffic. BUT, you have a comfortable ride and a great view on the way in.

top of page

Checking in to the Hotel

You’ll want to tip these attentive and efficient people, but that’s not part of their culture. I found this a little difficult to grasp until I realized what IS part of their culture. GIFTS. Bring gifts, if you wish. Hit the Duty Free on the way over and bring the hotel staff something from your native country. Boxes of chocolates etc., are always good. Do NOT set the gift on the ground before giving it to the person who checked you into the hotel. The ground is dirty and for walking on. Smile, bow and thank.

If you’re staying at the Sunshine City Prince Hotel, there is a small room with two PCs for Internet on the main lobby floor. However, they keep bankers hours, so are not open 24/7. You can get Internet for your room, but I doubt you’ll need it – unless you need to stay connected for personal or business reasons. You can pay for your Internet use at the time you use the PCs – one keyboard is Western, the other Japanese.

top of page

Scout the Area

Depending on how exhausted you are, you may wish to scout out your environment. Once you’ve freshened up, take a walk outside and wander around the nearest block or two. Have a look for grocery stores, convenience stores, and so forth.

Now find a place to eat, refuel, go back to the hotel and collapse until you find yourself wide awake at 4:00 a.m.!

top of page