Japan, Tokyo I

The travelogues - DAY 1:

planned my tokyo itinerary, went and back !
it was fun fun triple fun. got our good deal from august’s natas fair, 8 days free and easy at only $1,200 per pax – flying with singapore airline + accommodation! can't resist the good deal, and we just booked it without thinking. was pretty busy in the past few months, with M&M business and the planning of my brother’s solemnization! not to not mention, the changed of taipei flight to korea for my brother’s parents-meeting-session. basically, really not into planning of my tokyo itinerary!

it's our 3 years anniversary, so i thought we could just relax and enjoy the moment together instead! at last, i still managed to search some interesting places in japan, tokyo! and of cos, i have studied their railway system for the longest time! it’s so complicated!

arrived narita airport in the morning 8am. decided to go for the cheapest way to our hotel, thus, we got the Suica & N’EX package when we arrived. Suica is a prepaid card used for transport services on JR East railways, metro and bus as well as shopping in tokyo. basically it’s like EZ-link card, and it’s a must-have if you are traveling on your own by trains. N’EX is a narita express train from narita airport station to tokyo area. this only cost ¥5,500 per person (approximately SGD $95).

you can proceed to JR East Travel Service Centers located in
Narita Airport Terminal 1.
it's quite easy to spot the ticket office, friendly staff at the front counter will assist you from there!

it was about 1 and a half hour ride to shinjuku. didn’t know that shinjuku station itself is so big until we arrived. pushing our luggage all the way to our hotel is … no joke! website stated 8 minutes walk from shinjuku station, (i guess they based on their speed? apparently, all japanese walk super fast like rushing for everything.) however, we walked about 15 minutes! albeit the exits are connected but our hotel is linked by the very last exit (no. 8)! distance by distance, we hate it!

apart from that, shinjuku washington hotel is great! friendly front line personnel, hotel room is clean and cosy. and there are a lot of food restaurants just below the hotel.

checked in hotel at 12pm, supposed to freshen up and head to JR shinjuku station to get more information for the hakone sightseeing tour that i planned to go on the next day. however, we fell asleep till 6pm in the evening!!

1 day wasted. oh man.. went to hakone sightseeing service counter, but it was closed already. no choice, but we have to come back early in the morning to get the tickets before setting off.

as usual, the first thing i'll do is hang my jackets up!
haha. me just being weirdo.

went to roppongi hills for dinner!
roppongi is a district in tokyo that is well know as the city’s most popular nightlife among foreigners, that offers a lot of bars, restaurant and night clubs.

how to get there - from shinjuku station:
10 minutes, 210 yen by direct oedo subway line.

yummy claypot rice!

it was a pretty relax first day in tokyo, hand in hand walking down the streets with the street lights. i love it! okays, if you know, i'm a sucker for lighting decorations and so.. i love christmas! haha.

night breeze is romantic, and definitely, ended a nice first day for us. ^^