Business Trip to Tokyo this Time - Part 1

I feel a little confused - did I just came back from Jakarta 2 weeks ago, went to JB on Saturday morning, and am now flying off to Tokyo? One thing for sure, my passport has been well utilised, collecting immigration stamps that were missed out during covid years. 

I remembered my last trip to Tokyo for business in May 2024 was very comfortable. The weather was nice, the food was good. I was happy to walk to office and back to office. It just felt different. 

The last trip was short, I flew redeye on Tuesday night and back on Friday evening. This trip is short too. The main difference is that I get to fly business class! So exciting. I didn’t know that I can fly business class the last round and was in economy redeye, going into the office all groggy and lack of sleep. 

My flight was on Sunday night 2220hrs. There was actually nothing much in my checkin size luggage.

Changi airport is very efficient and there isn’t even a need to arrive 2 hours earlier though I usually do, so that I didn’t have to rush. This time, I didn’t spend much time at DFS. I bought the concealer and lipstick that I wanted and quickly rushed off bcos I so wanted to find the business lounge. Then I was trying to find the money changer, thinking that I only have $80 equivalent of yen with me from last Tokyo trip leftover currency. Luckily I checked the exchange rate. I actually had $800 and not $80. Haha. 

The last I traveled business class and been into a business lounge was in my last job and that was more than 5 years ago. Even though I didn’t have much time to burn, I die die wanted to visit the lounge. 

I told Daddy Lim that one of my bucket lists is to one day fly business class with him. The kids can cramp in economy if they tag along on the trip. Haha. 

Found the lounge and it was crowded even at that late hour. So many rich people around. Buffet style food. I got a little cake and some watermelon even though I wasn’t hungry bcos it was too wasted not to.

The trip has started so wrong! Too much eating! Should I have my meal in the flight? Business class flight meal ah! As expected, I didn’t stay long before heading to the gate, which was a walk away.  

I took the ANA flight bcos SQ was way too expensive and JAL is not star alliance. I want to clock my krisflyer miles.

Auntie S and her kids are going to Tokyo during the March school holidays. She told me that it would be warm this week. My Japanese colleague said that the temperature plummeted last Tuesday and they even had snow but temperature will pick up this week. We are talking about 20 degrees. It sounded like a perfect weather. I contemplated bringing my Zara trench coat but decided that it would be silly for Spring. 

Hello business class! 

I happily settled down and was whatsapping the aunties when Auntie S said that the temperature had dropped again!!?? I am so ill prepared for the cold, bringing only a light jacket. There is no way to turn back in the plane. 

The bfast menu. 

I knew that I have to sleep to be able to survive the next work day. The stewardess came and asked if I wanted Japanese or International bfast. I chose the latter. “Bfast” will be served 2 hours before landing, that means 3am SGT. I said I will decide if I wanted bfast or to sleep when it is time.

Sleep I did. I was almost dozing off when the plane took off. The moment the seatbelt light was off, I moved the seat to full sleeping position and slept. I woke up a couple of times but sleep is definitely much better than in economy. Then the lights came on. I thought it was bfast time. No ah, it was time to descend! I missed bfast and all I got was this. Lol.

And a nice sunrise. 

So, the company paid a lot of $$ for me to sleep in the air.

I duno what was the temperature when I landed but was braving myself for the cold and it was very cold… I think it was at most a few degrees above 0. Thank goodness that the airport was heated. Immigration was smooth and I was eager to jump into a taxi. 

My last trip, I headed directly to the office. This time, I was thinking to change and leave my luggage at the hotel and headed to the hotel 1st. It is about 10 mins walk to the office.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long in the cold for a taxi. It cost a good JPY7,000 for a 20 mins ride, my driver was interesting, he is dark skin with an afro hairstyle but doesn’t speak English and speaks Japanese. Hoho. 

I am staying in Mitsui Garden this time bcos I was told that they have a gym. Hoho. I found the common toilet and it was a squeezy single cubicle with a sink. I managed to change and put on my makeup and did a checkin.

Surprise! Surprise! There was a room! I get to leave my stuff in the room! Should have asked 1st and would have been able to get ready in comfort. The room was bigger than the APA hotel and very comfortable in Tokyo standard.

I dropped my luggage and paid for bfast at the hotel restaurant bcos I can claim from the company. Hoho. 

I still had a bit of time and decided to snooze in the room. I napped for a good 40 mins, so needed. 

Bcos it was so cold and I didn’t want to freeze to death, I decided that I will have my thighs and shoes while walking to the office. Then I will change out thereafter. I look so funny, but funny is better than dead. Lol.

While walking to the office with the trusted Google map, I walked past Donki just 1 block from the hotel! Woohoo! I managed to get a pair of black stockings and felt that I had been saved. 

I saw people on the road with winter jacket and trench coat and here I was with a light jacket. I made it to the office alive though and saw that there is a Uniqlo in the mall opposite the office. That will be my option if the cold really gets too much. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim