Chasing Cherry Blossoms, Old Friends & Uncle Jack

[Jacques Vert]

After the Skytree we took the metro back to Asakusa and spent the afternoon walking around.

 

[Jacques Vert]

More walking




Thirsty work this sightseeing:








More walking:




When the cherry blossoms finish there are other flowers, of course:

 

[Jacques Vert]

We headed back towards the river passing the Sensoji Temple along the way:




This is the oldest temple in Tokyo, said to have been built in 628.








Part of the ceiling:

 

[Jacques Vert]

We decided to head back to our hotel via a river cruise (780 yen; about 50 minutes).



No, not that boat.



Nor this one:




That's our boat (ice cream, beeru and other snacks available on board):




A pleasant way home after all that walking

 

[Jacques Vert]

A tsunami barrier perhaps?




That bridge again:





We got off at Hinode Pier from where it is about 500m walk to the Hinode station on the Yurikamone line which just happens to be the line that goes to the Hilton Odaiba.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Always something interesting on the menu in the lounge:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Last day in Tokyo (until we return in September).

We headed to the Imperial Palace East Gardens. We just happened to arrive 5 minutes before the start of a tour in English by a volunteer. This was a nice touch; the mature gentleman was quite knowledgeable and guided a group of about 12 around the gardens for the next hour. Totally free.

 

[Jacques Vert]

More of the gardens:





Our guide:

 

[Jacques Vert]

A few final shots of the gardens before heading back to the hotel to check out:

 

[drron]

Good to see the iris flowering.
And to think that tower was to view Mt.Fuji.

 

[Jacques Vert]

We had a return ticket on the LIMO (the airport limousine bus). The last bus from Odaiba to Narita leaves at 1555 and arrives at the airport around 1700. That suited us but would be far too early to check in for later departures. You may get around this by heading into the city to get a later bus or using the trains.

Not sure of the timetable for Haneda but suspect there are more/later options.

We were on QF62 to BNE on a separate paid ticket, so we are now back in Oz as part of our first allowed stopover.

As explained in post 1, we return to Tokyo later in the year before continuing our 280k award ticket and heading to France via Beijing.

When we return to Tokyo (three days and nights) we are considering a side trip to Fuji-zan. If anyone has some thoughts or suggestions on Fuji or other options in or around Tokyo we would love to hear them.

 

[Jacques Vert]

QF62 was a refurbed A330; I only paid for economy but we were able to check in via the business counter thanks to my silver status giving us extra time in the lounge.

The new hard product in economy is pretty good IMO, with the seat back entertainment, new seats, etc. Far better than Class J on any of the JL domestic flights including their 777.

Unfortunately the crew was not of the same standard. They were pleasant enough without being enthusiastic, rarely smiled, but were efficient without being "great". I've had far better crews on QF domestic flights in recent years.

(However it was better than my last QF Int Y flight (SIN-SYD) a couple of years ago when the plane was chockers and a couple of guys behind us did their best to pass on the latest flu variant to everyone else.)

I did manage to get a couple of hours sleep. It was then a domestic flight to SYD and a Q400 to CFS. Both fairly typical flights with nothing unusual to report, other than the flight to CFS took me past 10,000 SCs!

The paid flight back to Tokyo is on a 747 to HND. We are considering doing a points upgrade to PE but as we have never flown PE we're not sure whether this would be a good use of points or whether to stick with Y. Any thoughts?

 

[Jacques Vert]

Cherry Blossoms

There are many good sites on the web that will give you predictions on when/where the cherries will bloom. The one I found particularly helpful was:

Cherry Blossom Forecast

This site not only gives predictions on timing, but also lists their preferred sites for viewing the blossoms in most cities. We found it invaluable.

 

[drron]

Thanks for the TR.Very enjoyable and you have given us ideas for future trips.
I liked the karma-putting yourself out to host exchange students and now reaping the benefits of doing so.
Once again thanks.

 

[Jacques Vert]

you have given us ideas for future trips.

Really? After your thirty+ trips to Japan we have given you some ideas? I wouldn't have thought that possible; but nice to be able to confirm the value of doing a TR and sharing experiences, tips, etc.

And of course, your TR has been invaluable to us during our trip as well.

 

[Pushka]

Will be reading this TR again plus drron's TR for our 2018 trip. Trouble is, what do I cull? Oh well, planning for our return trip then in 2019.

 

[drron]

Really? After your thirty+ trips to Japan we have given you some ideas? I wouldn't have thought that possible; but nice to be able to confirm the value of doing a TR and sharing experiences, tips, etc.

And of course, your TR has been invaluable to us during our trip as well.

You never experience everything.We still find new things to do in Tokyo for example and mostly spend a few days there on our trips.
Always good to see things through different eyes.

 

[love_the_life]

Will be reading this TR again plus drron's TR for our 2018 trip. Trouble is, what do I cull? Oh well, planning for our return trip then in 2019.

I thought Africa was on the list for 2018?????

 

[Pushka]

I thought Africa was on the list for 2018?????

Well, with a reluctant MrP to travel to Africa, when he briefly mentioned Japan cruises and I was knee deep in cherry blossom TR's, well what is a gal to do? I dunno, book a cherry blossom cruise for 2018 because I have another engagement in April 2017!

 

[Jacques Vert]

Good to see the iris flowering.
And to think that tower was to view Mt.Fuji.

Sorry drron; I missed that post. Yes it was for viewing Mt Fuji and I believe there were other spots in the gardens as well but we were not able to access them. Visibility wasn't good the day we were there so it didn't matter.