Another update about my trip to Japan. The schedule: I get on a plane in Amsterdam the 26th of April, I land in Narita at around 13:30 the next day (27th of April). I’ll be there for 20 days. The 20th day I check out, which is May 17th. Will have a plane to catch at around 12 noon. I will arive in Amsterdam at around the same time on the same day. If you look at a globe you can figure out why. If I dig a hole in my backyard, I would end up in Tokyo. Hence the famous Dutch saying: “from here to Tokyo“. Actually it would be south to the Bering Sea, but even as a Viking I prefer a temperate climate.
Airline
I decided on Japan Airlines. I’ve flown with them before and I seem to like the plane food better than the mash potato gore on KLM flights. So yay for… Japanese disgusting plane food. It’s still better than potato mash. On the other hand, I could have flown a 747 instead of a 777.
Hotel
I booked the Hotel Villa Fontaine Mita. Premium Tower view room. I decided for that price, I wasn’t going to be a cheapskate in the middle of Tokyo. Something Yamapi ♥ and I have in common hahaha (I still need to write an entry about that). To give you an idea, it’s at the bottom of the spaghetti of the subway lines, where it says “Mita, Tamachi”. It was one of the few hotels gaijin feel relatively safe booking because it has an English website, a really clear room rate and they put it in writing what they have/ promise. It belongs in the ‘general business class’ hotels and I think with 10+ other hotels in the chain around Tokyo I’m not making a bad choice (info#1, info#2). Specifically because the hotel seems friendly for solo travellers. I’ve called them up front to see if… well if we could understand each other which was luckily the case. B minus for hotel clerk = Pass. The operator was less handy, only with the word “eigo”. I’m sure my Dutchified Japanese sounds hilarious, will be eager to make people smile. I’ve muddled through the reservation system, and since I didn’t have to input a credit card nr and nothing is mentioned of any required pre-authorisation… I’m good? lol. I have the correct dates and reservations numbers and … yeah. I’ll see you when I either hear from you or arrive there.
Oh! Why I love google streetview;) From there to the tower is about 2.3 kilometers, measuring straight perhaps 1.8 kilometers.
So now that I know where I’m staying and what the dates are, on to the detail planning!
Sugoi! Everything looks soo nice! And its very close 2 a train station. I pictured how it would be for me getting around if I stayed there and it seems pretty easy. All I need 2 know is how 2 get 2 Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku, lol. How much is the hotel since ur staying there for like 20 days?
16.000 yen/night. For 30 sq. meters and a view. A really good deal in Tokyo. They have cheaper rooms at around 19 sq. meters for 12.000 yen/night. More known hotels in the same area (Minato) with comparable room space or a view cost around 18.000 and upwards.
Am keeping an eye on xe.com for exchange rates. Ever since that Dubai thing blew up my Euro can buy me 128 yen instead of 133 (about a week ago). When I went in 2007 I think my Euro could buy me 146 yen. So… even though it’s unstable now I hope it’s going to crawl up.
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=EURJPY=X&t=2y&l=on&z=m&q=l&c=
As for getting around it really is easy. If you get lost, find a subway station. I’ll probably have a fight with the ticket machine the first time again, but once you get the hang of it pretty easy. If you’re from a big city that has an underground should be no prob, ticket machines can display English.
Outside Tokyo the trick is to prepare beforehand with Hyperdia. Still, if there’s any doubt they can help you at information and tourist centers.