Tokyo Day 7 : 30 Sep 2015 (Haneda Airport)

I woke up late today after a late night and tried another breakfast restaurant.  This was a massive restaurant and I kinda regretted not waking up earlier to sample all they have!  

 

After breakfast, I returned home to pack and work a bit before meeting my colleagues again for lunch at nearby Shinagawa.  Called Akita Blsaikan, it served up delicious local delicacies from the Akita city up north of Honshu island.  Still full from a late breakfast, I ordered the cold udon instead.  It was a huge portion, but it was so silky smooth I gobbled up the entire set!  Yet another new taste to remember by!  My colleagues gifted me some local sweets as well, even explained to me the 'stories' behind each boxes!!!

gifts from colleagues

gifts from colleagues

Rushing back to hotel, I still managed one last soak in the tub with instant onsen powder before heading via the train to Haneda Airport.

MAN BATH!! (there is a female version)

I was early, and very tired when I arrived.  I first checked in my luggages and boy was I surprised with the 30.8kg load!  The 2 bottles of alcohol must have contributed much of the weight!

 

This was my 2nd time at Haneda Airport, but my first time exploring it.  At the departure checkin area, the place was spruced up in autumn leaves.  There was a Edo styled 'street' selling Japanese food and items, very nicely done to remind people what Japan looks and feels like!

 

I even went out to the viewing gallery to view the landing and taking off of planes!  It was there I realized how close to Tokyo city the airport was!  I could see the entire city skyline from the viewing gallery, even the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower!

Tokyo skyline in a distance

The plane departed 20 minutes late but still managed to arrive 20 minutes earlier!  That's the Singapore Airlines spirit, always trying to arrive earlier even if it means burning up more fuel.  Still, I reached home after midnight, feeling dead tired.

SIA Dinner On Board

I'm starting to appreciate Japan now, given that I missed out this opportunity back in Feb 2015.  It's a country that is so deeply steeped in culture, yet so innovative at the same time.  I'm missing the food and the environment, and I can't wait for the next 6 months to swiftly pass for my 9 nights holiday back in Japan again!!!

Tokyo Day 6 : 29 Sep 2015

Today is another full day at work with 4 interviews.  Surprisingly, it ended well before 6pm, allowing me to return to room for my 6-7pm call.

lunch set with seasonal grilled fish

After the call, it was almost a mad rush back to Shimuzuyu Onsen for the oooo so good soak.  The black waters felt slippery and soothing after a hard day's work and stress.  

After onsen, it was a quick grab of last minute shopping at the nearby shopping arcade before heading to try the famous puffer fish sashimi.  Alas, I was stuck in a late night call and the shop closed while I was still on the phone.  It was a sad turning back to Shinagawa for a rather western dinner instead, with clam chowder, plate of steamed muscles and a very expensive plate of Cesar Salad before going back for the night.

missed! puffer fish set

Tokyo Day 5 : 28 Sep 2015

Today is work day in Tokyo.  Early morning after in-hotel breakfast, I rushed to my office nearby to complete some urgent last minute financial calculations with my local colleagues.  Thereafter, it was another mad rush for the train up north to Saitama for some site inspections.

Korean lunch in Saitama

After the site inspections in Saitama, I went to Tokyo CBD at Tokyo Station to visit a consultant.  Their office is that of envy.  With a pantry that rivals Starbucks, and a bird's eye view of the Imperial Palace, it's almost Google!

Imperial Palace view

Consultant's pantry

Dinner was a team event with my 2 local colleagues at Hibiki.  Yes, Hibiki is not only whiskey, they've opened a restaurant as well, serving up nice local dishes.  Of course, sake was the poison of the day.  Nope, no Hibiki on the table (I can enjoy that at home with my bottle purchase).  It was pretty standard Japanese affair of broiled octopus, sashimi, and braised potato etc.  The highlight was actually something I insisted on ordering. Uni with rice.  Sounds normal? Not so.  Here, seaweed is mixed in with fresh uni into steaming hot rice.  You eat it hot and it tasted wonderfully creamy!  Even my local colleagues were trying it for the first time and we're all in awe of this dish!

me and my Japanese team

It was a hop away from hotel and I had a good sleep with the wonderful food digesting... Yum!

Tokyo Day 4 : 27 Sep 2015 (Meiji Shrine & Harujuku & Oedo Onsen)

I woke up naturally at 9am and had my 2 remaining bananas for breakfast before heading out.  Today is going to be more of a slow and relaxing exploration, given that I'll start working tomorrow.  

First stop, Yoyogi Park at Yoyogi station.  It was around 10 minutes walk before I reached the park.  The cloudy skies and cool 23 degrees made for a nice walk in the park. This park is one of the largest within Tokyo city and it's an entirely different world here.  The noise and buzz of the city gave way to tranquility with the sound of wind and leaves all around.  Dense vegetation is a common sight here and one would think it's rural Japan instead of a park smack right in the city centre.

girl in traditional wear

The walk was therapeutic, with wide gravel stone pathways probably 20m wide.  As it was late morning, there were not a lot of people yet.  It was nice just being there, allowing the green air flow pass you.  After a short walk, I arrived at Meji Shrine complex.  This was apparently a good day for wedding as I saw 2 couples in traditional Japanese wear being photographed by almost everyone around.  Talk about 15 minutes of fame!  It was rather crowded, but with all Japanese establishments, it was very controlled and everyone was very polite.

 

I left the complex and ventured into a nearby Meiji Jingu Inner Garden.  The entrance to this park leading to 清正井 was YEN 500.  At first glance, it felt nothing special with almost wild plants growing everywhere.  However, after 5 minutes of walk, the landscape began to change.  The density of green gave way to light and a small little Japanese teahouse (Kakuun-tei).  There was a koi pond filled with colorful kois, as well as floating lotus plants.  I sat by the pond for 15 minutes to take in the serenity of the place.  How I wished I could just have the moment frozen forever!  It was another walk past a mini padi field to reach the sacred well. 

Kakuun-tei

清正井 Sacred Well

 

My next destination was The famous Harujuku, which was just within walking distance. This tiny neighborhood is Japan's forefront fashion leader, and the place to find cosplay at its best.  Unfortunately I could only see 2 very minimalistic cosplayers.  Still, a walk along Takeshita Street was amazing.  This tiny narrow street was consistently crowded with people in both directions.  And on both sides, quirky shops selling food, souvenirs and clothing.  I found myself in the famous Daiso 100 YEN shop and got a few very cheap items!  On my way to Shibuya, I chanced upon a procession that was both energetic and engaging.

 

Once I reached Shibuya, I dashed towards Ichiran for my 2nd experience.  This time, I ordered Extra Rich soup with seaweed and vinegar, as well as extra noodles and pork slices. I was yet again left extremely satisfied!  I won't see this shop until 6 months later....

my re-fill

A quick stop at Fancl to help my sister get her cosmetics, I headed back to Shinagawa Prince Hotel to check in (again).  This time to a bigger double bed room that's under corporate's costs.  This is definitely a more comfortable room size with big window and a slightly bigger bathroom.  No time to waste as I was only 15 min before the free shuttle leaves for Oedo Onsen.

 

I've arrived again back to Oedo Onsen, this time without the fever I had 6 months ago.  My very tired body after days of carry heavy load and walking non stop greatly needed this relaxation.  This time, I went for the outdoor foot soak, pretty much all the tubs in the male section (including outdoor).  I even had the milk after the soak the Onsen had recommended.  But this was an expensive affair and cost YEN 2,830, much more than the YEN 490 I paid for the neighborhood Onsen 2 nights earlier. 

crowding for a performance

outdoor foot soak

I took the 7.20pm bus back to Shinagawa station and found myself a nice restaurant at the station.  AW 5-5 is a Latin American theme restaurant that serves rather high end tapas.  I had the Grilled beef rump with salsa sauce, mango sauce and garlic sauce, Shredded Lotus Root Kinpira with Balsamic Vinegar, and a mug of Mojito.  Then it's back to my room for the night.