Narita Village 9 Jun 2010

Our main purpose in flying to Los Angeles is to attend the Sex, Passion and Enlightenment workshop from 12th – 14th June 2010 which will be held in Crowne Plaza Hotel LA Airport.

One of the cheapest airfares we could find online was by Delta Airlines. There were other cheaper airfares but with unavailable seats on the dates we selected. We finally decided to book our flight on Delta Airlines.

Our itinerary was as follows:-
9 Jun DL280 Singapore – Tokyo Narita 0545 hrs / 1400 hrs
9 Jun DL646 Tokyo – Honolulu 2115 hrs / 0935 hrs
9 Jun DL1558 Honolulu – Los Angeles 2125 hrs / 1745 hrs

Singapore Changi International Airport

We left home at 0300 hrs and arrived at Singapore Changi International Airport just after 0330 hrs. As the flight to Tokyo was overbooked, we were asked if we would like to standby and travel by ANA flight leaving at 0825 hrs. Since we were going to be having a seven hours transit period in Tokyo Narita, we agreed as it would allow us to reduce our transit period. We would also be issued a USD400 voucher each for future booking of airline tickets with Delta Airlines.

Just before 0500 hrs, Delta airlines staff thanked us for volunteering to go on a different flight but informed us that we could carry on with our original flight.

Recycling at Singapore Changi Airport

Taking just over seven hours, we arrived in Tokyo Narita airport on what was a smooth flight. Since we were going to be on transit for seven hours, we tried our luck and asked the airport staff if we could get out of the airport. We were advised to use the various facilities in the airport. However upon probing further, we were informed that if we wanted to move around Narita or the city, we should be back at the airport by 1900 hrs.

WOW! Narita, here we come… This was unexpected good news for us. By the time we cleared immigration and customs, it was already 0300 hrs.

We proceeded to Keisei Line to purchase the train ticket to Narita village. Costing 250 Yen (USD2.90), it took us a little more than 10 minutes to arrive in Narita.

Purchasing ticket for Keisei Line

Ticket for Keisei Line

Taking a slow walk to Narita Shinshoji Temple, we discovered that many of the shops were closed. It was surprising indeed. We were hoping to see some stallholders in action getting the unagi (eel) ready. We had seen that the last time we were in Narita san. However since it was already afternoon, there was not much activity.

Even the senbei (Japanese rice crackers) shops had stopped making the popular senbei biscuits. So if you wish to see more action, visit Narita san in the morning.

This monument can be seen at thebeginning of the street leading to the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.

Senbei crackers

We were fortunate that the weather was cool as we took a stroll and made some purchases.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, the highlight of the stroll

Steps to the entrance of Narita Shinshoji Temple

Beautiful flowers along the roadside

Old shophouses

Statue near the entrance of the street leading to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

Great shopping at any of the 100 yen shops

Next we went to the bus stop and took the express bus no. 6 to Aeon Mall, a huge shopping mall, ten minutes away by bus.

At the bus stop waiting for the bus to Aeon Mall Narita

We had a late lunch of yakisoba (Japanese fried noodles) and tako (octopus balls) where the set meal cost 830 Yen (USD9.65). Tasty and fragrant, they would have tasted better without the mayonnaise.

The device that beeps when your food order is ready for collection... Interesting!

Tako

Yakisoba

Aeon Narita Mall

Picnic Court where we had our meal

Some interesting shops in Aeon Mall includes Daiso, where all items cost 100 Yen (USD1.16), Jusco, a supermarket cum department store and various other specialty stores.

Returning to the airport the same way we came, that is, by bus followed by Keisei train, we were back in Narita airport by 1845 hrs.

On board the Keisei line

Keisei line train

Here we had some time to walk around the airport before proceeding to the boarding gate area to await boarding for our 2115 hrs flight to Honolulu enroute to Los Angeles.

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Japan Attractions Day 8 - 17th Apr 2009 Narita – Singapore

Japan Attractions Day 8

Narita travel - Naritasan

Today being our last day in Japan, we had to make full use of our last few hours to take in some last sights for this Narita travel.

Room rate for our Japan lodging in Narita, International Garden Hotel Narita, cost JPY6,800 for 2 persons for a double room. The advantage is the complimentary round trip airport shuttle as well as the shuttle to and from Narita station and Aeon shopping complex. The room is big and spacious although it could do with some refurbishment. The hotel also has a huge lobby and you can use the gym and rooftop Jacuzzi spa as well. At JPY6,800, it is very good value for money for a cheap Japan travel even without breakfast and free internet access, considering the complimentary shuttle services provided as this helps to save on your travelling cost.

Japan travel advice:- If you are intending to fly off the next day from Tokyo and especially if you have an early morning flight, it is advisable to book a hotel in Narita as it is much closer to Narita Japan Airport and most hotels provide complimentary shuttle services. Thus if you are looking for cheap Japan travel, it would help to find a hotel that provides complimentary airport shuttle.

Beautiful white flowers just by Naritasan

We checked out in the morning, left our luggage in the hotel and took the 0945 hrs shuttle to Narita station. We then took a morning stroll and admired the lovely flowers as well as did some window shopping whilst making our way to Naritasan (Narita hill).

As we had not required any warm clothes yesterday, we had packed all of that into our luggage. However, the Narita weather today turned cold and we were not prepared. As such, we had to stop by one of the many small shops along the way to buy a sweater to keep us warm.

There were many shops selling various Japanese snacks and other foodstuffs as well as Japanese souvenirs and good luck charms. This area also seems to be famous for their unagi (freshwater Japanese eel) as we passed by a few shops preparing the unagi for sale. The unagi is served with a special unagi sauce that gives it its special flavour. We tried the donburi, a dish of sliced eel served on a bed of rice and it tasted fresh and delicious, especially in the cold weather.

Conscientiously preparing the unagi (eel)

Japanese style seating at the Unagi restaurant ...

Delicious donburi

Soon we reached Narita-san which sees over 2 million visitors during the first three days of the near year. Built in 940, Naritasan (Naritasan Shinshoji Temple) is a large and popular Buddhist temple complex in Narita City.


Entrance to Naritasan ...

Located not far from Narita Japan Airport, it is a great place to visit if you have a few hours to spend around the airport and wish to catch a glimpse of historic Japan. Naritasan comprises a 16 hectare area occupied by the temple and another 16.5 hectare park.

In the grounds of Naritasan

At the entrance of Naritasan, you can request for a volunteer Japanese travel guide to give a brief history and guide you around Naritasan in various languages including English, Spanish and Chinese.

The Three-storied Pagoda, 25m high, was erected in 1712 and is nationally certified as an Important Cultural Property.

The Bell Tower is also more than 300 years old and is sounded three times a day at 0600 hrs, 1200 hrs and 1800 hrs.

Nomon Gate, a Nationally Certified Important Cultural Property, was erected in 1830. In this Gate of the Temple, four deities are enshrined as guardians of the Temple who ward off all evil.

Shakado Hall, Important Cultural Property (Nationally Certified) was the former main hall of the Temple, erected in 1858. Gohyakurakan (Five Hundred Buddhist Saints) and Hijushiko(Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety), carved in relief on the wooden walls and doors around the hall. It is truly a characteristic structure of the Late Edo period.

Gakudo Hall, Important Cultural Property (Nationally Certified) was erected in 1861. It has an irimoya-type tiled roof.

Komyodo Hall, Important Cultural Property (Nationally Certified) was an early main hall of the Temple, erected in 1701. With an irimoya-type tiled roof, the features of the original structure are well retained in the engraved ornaments. It is an invaluable work of the Mid Edo period.

Great Pagoda of Peace was erected in 1984 in prayer for world peace. World leaders’ messages and prayers for eternal world peace have been placed in the time capsule which lies under the ground beneath this Great Pagoda.

Naritasan, one of the popular Japan attractions



Naritasan Park is a quiet and spacious area where you can fully experience the tranquil nature. It changes from season to season and you can find ponds, waterfalls, fountains, a tea ceremony room and the Naritasan Calligraphy Museum there.

Naritasan Park

Along the way back to the Narita station to catch the shuttle back to the hotel, we passed by more shops selling the specialty of the area like chestnuts and rice crackers, besides souvenirs and Japanese foodstuff.

Along the way to Naritasan

There were also tons of lovely and colourful flowers along the road, a beautiful sight to behold.

Amazing works of nature - beautiful flowers


We managed to hop on the 1410hrs shuttle to Narita Japan Airport and checked in by 1500 hrs.

Our last sight of sakura on the way to Narita Japan Airport ....

As we were still early, we managed to do some really last minute shopping and also dropped by the “Sky Food Court” to try the katsudon (pork cutlet served on a bed of rice) and soba noodle set which cost JPY1150.

Narita Japan Airport

Interestingly, we read an article about Japan vending machines. In Japan, there are about 5.5 million vending machines whcih amounts to at least 4 vending machines per 100 individuals, and in the cities about 1 per 30. You can get various things, such as juice, sake, cigarettes flowers, toys, noodles, eggs, erotic films, and fishing bait. Some are so unique that you can get vegetables, curry rice, toasted sandwiches, automatic personal card maker, and so on.

Japan vending machines

Our flight on NW19 departed as scheduled and we reached Singapore Changi International Airport at 0045hrs on 18th Apr 2009. A smooth journey. Home sweet home.

Japan Attractions Day 7 - 16th Apr 2009 Sapporo – Narita

Japan Attractions Day 7

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo Snow Festival

Today being the seventh day we are in Japan, it is also the last day that we could use the Japanese rail pass on the JR trains for our Japan sightseeing.




Just before we left our hotel room, we saw that it was lightly snowing. The Sapporo weather forecast was indeed accurate. We were glad that we managed to see quite a bit during this Sapporo travel despite only having two full days here and fortunate in having friends bring us on a few tours of Sapporo including various restaurants for us to try the food as well especially the
Mongolian bbq grill.

Mongolian BBQ Grill...

We checked out of Keio Plaza Sapporo at 0745 hrs and walked to the JR Sapporo station in a light snow to catch the 0825 hrs rapid express train to Chitose Japan where Sapporo Airport is located. As we were early, we managed to do some shopping at the Shopping World before clearing security.

Sapporo Airport, Chitose Japan

We then boarded the plane bound for Tokyo Haneda Airport which departed on schedule at 1045 hrs. We arrived Tokyo Haneda Airport an hour and a half later at 1215 hrs.

Sapporo Airport, Chitose Japan On the runway

Taking off

Tokyo Haneda Airport ...

Baggage carousel at Haneda Airport, where luggages are placed neatly on the carousel with handles facing outwards for easy retrieval

We were now faced with two choices. We could either catch the JR train to Tokyo and change trains to Narita station since our Japanese rail pass was still valid or hop on a limousine bus which would bring us direct to Narita Japan Airport. We decided on the latter as it would be faster although it set us back by JPY3000/person.

Upon arrival at Narita Japan Airport, we had to wait approximately 45 minutes for the next shuttle bus to our hotel, International Garden Hotel Narita, as we had just missed it and as it was a non peak hour, the buses only ran hourly.

Wiating for the Limousine Bus ...

Flowers to brighten up Narita Japan Airport

It would have been better if we had made the airline reservation for a flight from Sapporo direct to Narita Japan Airport which would have saved us some travelling time. However, we did not due to certain circumstances arising at the time of making the flight reservation.

The journey to International Garden Hotel Narita took approximately half an hour. After checking in, we immediately took the next shuttle to the train station. We proceeded to the JR Narita station and took a train to Tokyo station.

Along the journey in Tokyo

Japan train travel

From there, we began our short sightseeing on foot by walking to Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi, one of the city districts of Tokyo, to view the carriage that the Emperor and Empress rode in on their wedding day fifty years ago which was on display. We were fortunate as the exhibition was on only for a week and we were just on time to view it.

Nihonbashi

Kashiwamochi, special rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves with various fillings

Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi Tokyo Japan

We had dinner at Yoshinoya, a small shop serving Japanese food, which is considered as one of the leading Japan fast food chains. Its motto is “cheap, quick and yummy”, thus you can get a delicious beef bowl (gyudon) at less than JPY400 (USD4.10).

Beef bowl (Gyudon)

Pork instead of beef

After dinner, we caught the JR train back to Narita station, thereby making full use of our seven-day Japanese rail pass, and then took the shuttle back to International Garden Hotel Narita.

Lots of space in the bedroom ...

Personal fitness at the gymnasium

Huge spacious lobby area

Area for relaxation

Souvenir shop in hotel selling soba noodles

Just across the International Garden Hotel Narita is a quaint little hotel, the Hotel Chapel Christmas. As the name suggests, it is time to enjoy Christmas all year round and gives it the festive look and feel.