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Singapore & Tokyo | 2023
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  • Siewch

Singapore & Tokyo | 2023

Family visit + My 10th & 11th Tokyo Layovers Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 14, 2023
  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2023Traveler
    Anamori Inari shrine.
    A multi-level parking lot next to the shrine.Hotel JAL City Haneda.The common area carpet at the hotel featured an airport motif.My first priority for any visit to Japan is to get a Pocari sweat.Torii at the Anamori Inari shrine.Torii at the Anamori Inari shrine.Kitsune statues at the Anamori Inari shrine.The torii at the Anamori Inari shrine as viewed from above.Mini torii next to the regular torii, Anamori Inari shrine.The Anamori Inari shrine featured a small tower.Anamori Inari shrine.Kitsune statues at the Anamori Inari shrine.Anamori Inari shrine.Kokonoe restaurant.My tempura dinner at Kokonoe.Convenience store food from Family Mart.The river path at Ota City.Urban football pitch.Pokegyms I visited at Ota City.Pokegyms I visited at Ota City.

    Transit at Ota City

    April 14, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    I booked a my overnight stay at Hotel JAL City Haneda. Located just two subway stops from Haneda, it was a pleasant way to spend a late afternoon and evening in spring,

    After checking in and taking a quick shower, I explored the area around the hotel. My first stop was the Anamori Inari shrine, which featured a series of torii gates as well as kitsune statues. I then walked around the area and ended up along a river path. I followed the path for a while and then headed back north towards my hotel. Close to the hotel, I ate at a local izakaya named Kokonoe. I had a good but pricey tempura set. As I wasn't sated, I went to the Family Mart across the street from the hotel and bought soba and salmon onogiri. That hit the spot.

    I woke up the next morning to rain. I decided against exploring. At 9am, I took the complimentary shuttle back to Haneda for my onward journey to SIN.    Read more

  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2023Traveler
    JA871J at the gate at HND.
    My boarding pass for JL37.Beer dispenser at the Sakura Lounge.Udon snack at the Sakura Lounge.Sushi snack at the Sakura Lounge.Wet conditions at HND.Menu for JL37.Meal on JL37 - chicken and lotus root on rice.Flightpath of JL37.

    Tokyo Haneda to Singapore

    April 15, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Japan Airlines JL37 | HND/SIN
    Premium Economy Class
    Boeing 787-9 | JA871J
    ATD/1138 | ATA/1757
    Lounge: Sakura First Class Lounge

    I was surprised to learn that, thanks for my new OneWorld Emerald status, I could access the first class lounge. This is a great new benefit, with upgraded dining (waiter service) and a quieter atmosphere.Read more

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2023Traveler
    The crowds at Tsukiji Outer Market.
    View from the Haneda Monorail Station.Tokyo Monorail arriving at Haneda Terminal 3 Station.Interior view of the Tokyo Monorail.The stall selling the crab soup.Crab soup with napa cabbage and tofu.I ate a grilled squid from this stall.The crowds at Tsukiji Outer Market.I've seen this vehicle at Tsukiji at least three times now.My snack of grilled scallops.A spring flower display at Tsukiji.The shrine at Tsukiji Outer Market.Tsukiji Hongwangi, which is en route to the Metro station.

    Tsukiji

    April 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    My first order of the day was to make my way to the Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast. Tsukiji is a shadow of itself ever since the wholesale market moved to Toyosu, but there still are a fair number of food stalls in the morning. After clearing immigration, I made my way to the Tokyo Monorail and transferred to the Oedo line to get to Tsukiji. The food outlets were only just opening up when I got there at 7.30am. After a bit of wandering, I chose a small, quiet stall with local patrons, and I had a soul warming crab soup there. After that, I wandered about a bit more and had grilled scallops and grilled squid. One key change I noticed was that prices have shot up, especially for shellfish.

    One new development I noted at Tsukiji is that more stalls now had an area with tables to sit down and eat. Stalls that did not have tables had designated spaces for patrons to stand and eat. There were also signs telling people to not walk and eat. I knew that eating while walking was considered rude in Japan, but this is the first time I noticed this enforced anywhere.    Read more

  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2023Traveler
    From left to right: Pete, Ryo, me, and Tom.
    Festival entrance showing the corporate sponsors.The stage at Tokyo Pride.Tom and I.Some of the dressed up pooches at Tokyo Pride.Some of the dressed up pooches at Tokyo Pride.Some of the dressed up pooches at Tokyo Pride.Some of the dressed up pooches at Tokyo Pride.One of the stallholders at Tokyo Pride.Free hugs, Tokyo Pride.Jean Paul Gauthier booth, Tokyo Pride.Kathoey (ladyboys) at the Thailand Tourism booth, Tokyo Pride.Kathoey (ladyboys) at the Thailand Tourism booth, Tokyo Pride.One of the corporate sponsors at Tokyo Pride.An udon stall logo with rainbow colored noodles, Tokyo Pride.The US Embassy booth, Tokyo Pride.Tokyo Pride.Tokyo Pride.The crowds at Tokyo Pride.The crowds at Tokyo Pride.

    Tokyo Pride

    April 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After breakfast, I made my way to the torii gate at the Meiji Shrine where I had arranged to meet my friend Tom, who happened to be traveling around Japan at the time. We pretty much arrived at the same time. From Meiji Shrine, we made our way to the festival at Yoyogi Park. The Pride festival was only just starting up when we got there, but within an hour the park was crowded. The theme of the event was "Press On Until Japan Changes".

    There was a lot of corporate sponsorship at the event, once again indicating that businesses are in general more progressive than government. A couple of tourism authorities - notably Thailand, Guam, and Tahiti - also had booths. The Thailand booth went all out and featured kathoey (ladyboys) who posed for photo opportunities. There were also a lot of food stalls. Tucked into a quiet corner of the festival area were a numbers of booths crewed by foreign embassies exhibiting their LGBTQ initiatives. These included the United States, Sweden, the EU, and Taiwan. The crowd in attendance was diverse and international. I don't think I have heard this much English spoken in Japan before.

    Tom and I had a great time wandering around the booths, snacking, and soaking in the atmosphere. We also met up with his friends Ryo and Pete, but we later lost them in the crowd.    Read more

  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2023Traveler
    The famous Shibuya Crossing.
    The famous Shibuya Crossing.An interesting building in Shibuya.My ramen lunch.

    Shibuya

    April 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Tom and I left the festival around 12.30pm just as the parade was about to start. We thought the parade would go past the famous Shibuya Crossing, which is the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, so we made our way in that direction. After pausing for a ramen lunch, we staked out a space in the famous Starbucks overlooking the crossing, and we waited for the parade. Unfortunately, the parade never materialized, and so we parted ways a little after 2pm.Read more

  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2023Traveler
    The trans contingent at the parade.
    Tokyo Pride Parade.Tokyo Pride Parade.Tokyo Pride Parade.Tokyo Pride Parade.Tokyo Pride Parade.Tokyo Pride Parade.Tokyo Pride Parade.Tokyo Pride Parade.Tokyo Pride Parade.The more sedate scene at Yoyogi Park adjacent to the Pride venue.Spring flowers at Yoyogi Park adjacent to the Pride venue.Spring flowers at Yoyogi Park adjacent to the Pride venue.Spring flowers at Yoyogi Park adjacent to the Pride venue.Spring flowers at Yoyogi Park adjacent to the Pride venue.

    Tokyo Pride Parade

    April 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    After parting with Tom, I encountered the parade one block away from the Shibuya Crossing. It turned out that the route avoided the crossing. I guess that was for the better anyway as I cannot imagine how much chaos the parade would cause at the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. I texted Tom but he was already on the Metro. I walked around the area and stopped to watch the parade at various points on its route.

    Around 4pm, I made my way back to Haneda Airport. A new rooftop onsen had just opened at a new hotel and shopping complex, and I thought I would spend a couple of relaxing hours soaking in the rooftop pools before heading to the Sakura Lounge for dinner. The onsen did the trick. I spent a relaxing 1.5 hours just relaxing and decompressing from my week taking care of parental logistics. I did have a little bit of sticker shock at the onsen, though... it was pricey!    Read more

  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2023Traveler
    The engine on the B787.
    My meal at the Sakura First Class Lounge.My dessert at the Sakura First Class Lounge.Premium Economy menu for JL72.My meal on JL72. Only one choice was offered.My boarding pass for JL72.Flight route of JL72 as recorded on Flightradar24.

    Tokyo Haneda to Honolulu

    April 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Japan Airlines JL72 | HND/HNL
    Premium Economy Class
    Boeing 787-9 | JA877J
    ATD/2157 | ATA/1002+1

    Around 4pm, I made my way back to Haneda Airport. A new rooftop onsen had just opened at a new hotel and shopping complex opposite Terminal 3, and I spent a relaxing 90 minutes soaking in the rooftop pools before heading to the Sakura Lounge for dinner. The onsen did the trick; it helped me relax and decompress from my week taking care of parental logistics. I did have a little bit of sticker shock at the onsen, though... it was pricey!Read more

  • Trip end
    April 23, 2023
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