10 hours in Tokyo

10 Hours in Tokyo

With roughly 10 hours before my Singapore flight back to LA, I decided to go into the city. The long, long walk to passport control.

A look back at our MH A380.

There was a healthy looking queue but it only took about 10 minutes to get to a passport control/customs agent.

I arrived and Terminal 2 and decided to head over to Terminal 1 to check my bags for the day, since Singapore departs from T1.

On my way up the escalators to the departures level 4, I stopped for a much needed shower.

And a bargain at only ¥1000 for 30 minutes.

I had trouble with online check-in on my SQ app so I headed to the SQ counter to see if it was open. Fortunately, they were and a pleasant NH agent was happy to check me in and issue my boarding pass.

After check-in, I stowed my rollerboard and backpack for a reasonable ¥500 for the day.

And then headed for the JR Line's Narita Express. A roundtrip foreigner ticket was ¥4000 and included subway connections.

The Narita Express is comfortable, fast and at $17 one way, a cheap way to get into the city. The 55 minute trip is reasonably comfortable with nicely reclining seats. No power outlets but there is wifi although I didn't need it because my Verizon plan includes same-as-home roaming in most countries for $10 a day.

Arriving at Tokyo Station was the easy part. Getting to lunch was another story especially since I had never taken the Tokyo subway system. From a little pre-arrival research, I decided to go to the Kagurazaka district for lunch before walking the scenic route back to Tokyo Station for my 3:03pm Narita Express train. My first stop was the JR Info kiosk where a very nice agent gave me instructions to get to Iidabashi station. How cool is this?

Except that something got lost in the translation and in my comprehension. Getting to the correct platform was easy. But I read Chou Line local (yellow car) two stops as take the local two stops from Tokyo Station. How hard can that be? Finding the yellow local train was an entirely different matter because as I discovered much later... there is no yellow train from Tokyo Station. And Iidabashi is actually 4 stations away.

After 2 orange Express trains came and went, I decided just to take an orange train and get closer I learned that the electronic station stop guide in each car illuminated the stops. I decided to take an orange train that showed a stop at Ochanomizu (2 stations before Iidabashi) and Ichigaya (one station after Iidabashi). Close enough I figured.

Much to my chagrin, as soon as the train departed the station two before Iidabashi, Ochigaya disappeared from the station stop guide. So I wound up at the stop after that one, Yotsuya. Got off there and took the next train (orange)... back to Ochanomizu. OK, this is getting hilarious. Got off there and finally saw a yellow train...but going the wrong direction. Up the stairs over the tracks and down to the opposite platform and I was at least going in the right direction. And mercifully, within a couple of minutes, a yellow local train going in the right direction.

Now definitely older and marginally wiser, I arrived at Iidabashi station about an hour after arriving at Tokyo station. And headed up to the heart of Kagurazaka.

My lunch destination today was Kyourakutei, a one Michelin star soba restaurant. It's located in an alley in Kagurazaki about a 5 minute walk from Iidabashi station. I joined the queue waiting for a table and 15 minutes later was at the chef's counter with a great view of the action.

Kyourakutei specialise in the art of making noodles using grain like locally sourced seeds. They have their own millstone to ensure all their noodles are freshly milled on the day that they are served.

Ordering was easy as the menu is in both Japanese and English. I just pointed to my selection. Hot soba and mixed tempura combo. With a Kirin, the tab was just ¥3300. My lunch was fabulous.

I have absolutely no idea and don't really want to know. But it ate it anyway. Mrs. SFO777 was aghast when I showed her the pic. "I'm not kissing you for a week" was her reaction.