Another Tokyo Business Trip Part 1

Yes, I am back in Tokyo. While I do not look forward to any business trips, the last 2 business trips to Tokyo were done when the weather was cool and fantastic and they felt really good. This one is different; my Japan colleagues were telling me that it is the right smack of summer and it is crazily hot, humid and uncomfortable. They said that it is worse than Singapore. Sob, I don’t want to go Japan when it is hot, it will destroy my nice image of Japan, but unfortunately…

I had intended to travel for 3 days but accidentally booked a 4-day flight. Ok lor. I had to email the hotel to extend the reservations and hoped that it is really amended. Otherwise, I will have to sleep under the bridge for a night. Lol. 

My flight was on Sunday night. I was still happily cycling on the foldie with Daddy Lim on Sunday late afternoon. I knew I was flying but forgotten to check the exact flight time. I didn’t miss my flight but it was a rush. Silly me. 

I am a PCN rider.

We did ride on the road a little, but I think Daddy Lim had wanted a chill PNC ride. I cannot, I was rushing to go home and slow ride is not very much in my blood. Hohoho. I miss road riding and hasn’t found a group to ride with. 

Anyhow, the plan was to pick the kids from tuition and have dinner together before I head to the airport. Then, I realised that there wasn’t enough time. I hadn’t finished packing my bag, the uniforms were not ironed, the laundry was still in the dryer and I think I better vacuum the floor before I leave for the next 4 days. Daddy Lim got the kids and I stayed home to do the needful. At least they got home before I left and Daddy Lim sent me to the Tada. It is the 1st time to the airport from Rio and traveling time is shaved by more than half. 

I didn’t linger at the DFS shop like I usually would for all my business trips. All I did was to find Bengawang so that I could buy mooncakes for my colleagues. 

I was rushing bcos I got to fly business class and could visit the business lounge. Bcos of the rush, I didn’t have my dinner and was looking forward to dinner at the lounge. Hoho. I am going to Tokyo anyway and I bet there are things to buy from Tokyo.

My dinner. 

I happily took my time. When I was at the gate, it was already boarding. So much leg space. I flew ANA the last trip too. 

The plan was simple - lower the seat and sleep once the seatbelt sign goes off. That was exactly what I did. I tried to watch a little movie but knew that I have to sleep for the work day ahead. 

I skipped bfast again even when the menu looked interesting. I needed to sleep. I woke up several times and thought there were turbulences at time. Thankfully, my ability to sleep in most places and quickly saved me, plus I am lying down. This time, I think I knew when bfast was served, I stirred, remembered that the lights were on and heard somebody’s cutlery clinking away. I chose lala land. At least the air stewardess offered me a cup of coffee before landing. Hoho. 

The flight touched down at 5ish Japan time, which is 1 hr ahead of Sgp. Hello Tokyo! I can feel the heat the moment I disembarked. 

I am blogging to remind myself about the online arrival card. I went to the Visit Japan website and thought that I had done the necessary bcos the English translation was so bad. There is actually a QR code to retrieve after the custom declaration. I ended up in the longer immigration Q bcos I didn’t complete the online process and had to use the hard copy arrival form. 

As it was really early, I thought I would take the train instead. My colleague said that I should take the Tokyo monorail from the Haneda airport to Hamamatsucho, then change to the Ooedo subway to Roponggi station. Taking the train made the trip felt more like a holiday. Haha. 

Gachapon! The kids would have loved these.

Google map works well in Tokyo. The express monorail was empty at 6am. 

I had to exit at the Hamamatsucho station and then a walk to the Ooedo station. It took me a while to figure out my direction but I didn’t get lost. Again, the subway was fairly empty. 

The hotel is about 8 mins walk from the subway station. When I saw the stairs, I start missing Daddy Lim and Zaky bcos my luggage is heavy. 

Tokyo was indeed hot and humid. I am not sure if it is worse than Singapore but I was already perspiring when I got to the hotel, which is about 7 mins walk away. The room was unfortunately not ready, until about 12pm. 

What did I do? I left the luggage and went to Donki. Hoho. I got a couple of cosmetic stuff. I know right, fast hand, fast leg. 

I had wanted to work at the cafe opposite the hotel but needed power port and couldn’t find one at the cafe. I ended up back in a cosy corner in the hotel lobby.

My bfast! Yummy!

The room was supposed to be ready at about 12pm. I got it slightly earlier and was glad for a place to put my bag and sit more comfortably. I got these from the hotel lobby, then realised that amenities were provided in the room. Not sure why there are extras. Anyhow, I am happy with the free loot. 

Ya, Sekkisei products. Yes, this one atas hotel, in Roponggi and with very decent sized room. 

I wasn’t due to appear in the office until 4.30pm and worked the rest of the day in the hotel. I had contemplated skipping lunch but I am in Tokyo! This was happy lunch. 

Supplemented with chicken toriyaki, completed with cake dessert. Hoho.

I got to the office on time. While there was shade most way, the heat was obvious. I also realised that I had only visited Japan in the cold months and the 1st time seeing Japaneses dressed for summer. There were so many skinny ladies in tight and summery outfits. 

Work was alright. I was only in the office for a few hours anyway. I left at about 7.30pm and on the way, visited the mall opposite. There is Uniqlo but I didn’t buy. Usually when I travel for business, if I am alone, I would either tabao to eat in the room, or ordered room service. But I walked past this curry place earlier in the day. 

It wasn’t so bad eating alone bcos this is one of the many Japanese joints where people eat alone and eat and go kind. 

I visited Donki one more time. Nana said to buy snacks. I think enough le.  

I had thought that I should venture out this trip. It is Tokyo afterall. I saw the Tokyo Tower right in front of the hotel but was too lazy to walk over and observatory tower is not my thing. Well, I shall admire it from afar. 

Bcos of the tiring night on the flight, I know sleep will be easy. Hoho. Good night. 

Mummy Lim