Recent Trip to Tokyo to See All Blacks vs Wallabies

[Ricardo]

I recently went to Tokyo to see the above Rugby game. The flights were with Jetstar, Gold Coast to Tokyo (Narita). I went with my father-in-law who had previously hosted Japanese students and who had been to Japan before. In addition we had arranged to meet with one my father-in-laws ex students who was to show us around and help us out. We were in Tokyo for 5 days from the 28th of Oct and we left on Monday 2nd Nov. We had arranged to stay at the Intercontinential at Tokyo Bay, which is a little removed from the main part of Tokyo. We managed to get Jetstar 2 for 1 flights which was great. The flight and service on the plane was good and there were spare seats so we were able to strech out. We booked meals both ways with tickets and got free soft drinks during the flight because we booked and paid in advance. We arrived and made it to the hotel about 10pm Tokyo time. We had booked a club room so we went directly to the club floor check in area. We were welcomed by a freindly and attentive young lady who promptly checked us in to our shared room (2 doubles). I explained that our rugby tickets were to be delivered to the Hotel by Amex who had organised us the tickets from Plat concierge services in Tokyo. The tickets were delivered early the follwing morning. The club lounge was on the 22nd floor and had a nice view of the bay and rainbow bridge area. All the staff were attentive and the service was nothing short of great the time we stayed. We looked around Tokyo for the days before the game and did some shopping and went to Yokohama City and nearby Chinatown, and also did the Tokyo tower. The Rugby was great and the stadium was almost full to capacity, seems the AB's draw a crowd where ever they play !!! They also had a small promo of the 2019 Rugby World Cup that Japan will host. On the Sunday we took the Shinkansen to Koyoto and checked out some of the temples and had a brief look around. It was abit wet in Koyoto and we had to buy some umbrellas at a local shop for about 400 yen. We were also wearing shorts which got a few laughs from the locals. Shorts are not worn alot by men in Japan. This was a very nice trip and the Hotel and service was great, the flights both ways were good and the flights were on time, the Jetstar crew were also good. I was concerned that we may find it hard to find our way around but most Japanese know some basic English and can help if you get lost. We also had Akiko who was an old student that had stayed with my father in law to learn English some 10 years ago. It was very useful to have that local knowledge. I would recommend the Inter Tokyo bay (I have Gold Prioroty Club M/ship). The hotel is little older and out of the way but it is very quiet and had good facilities. There are two nearby train options (one is a monorail). Japan is a good place to visit and I will be going back at some stage with my wife and family next time.

 

[serfty]

Ricardo, nice trip report.

Brings back some good memories.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Ricardo, nice trip report.

Brings back some good memories.

Thnxs for the effort there Ricardo,

Agree, JPN is a safe place, reliable and clean. We are planning a trip shortly and was pleased to hear the InterCon T/Bay was pleasant. Do you have any knowledge of the Strings? (InterCon)

cheers

SPRUCE

 

[drron]

Good one Ricardo.We actually passed right by you on the Yurikamome line train-quite impressive being driverless.We were staying at the Conrad just up the line.I agree with you,not a bad area to stay.Frankly I dont mind where I stay in Tokyo as getting around is easy.
I thought about going to the Rugby but $250 for an average seat meant plan B-a great meal instead .

 

[markh]

Hi Ricardo, thanks to your help by recommending to ask ANA Intercontinental Tokyo concierge we got great tickets to the rugby game and had an an absolute ball in Tokyo (our first time.) Easily worked out the airport bus transfers, the train system and did all the tourist things and never felt unsafe or lost. So much to do and look forward to doing another trip soon.

 

[Ricardo]

No worries all, glad to help out !! :mrgreen:

Good to see it all went well Mark, think our tickets ended up about $190 AUD when converted, but it was a great event anyway.

Spruce, nothing specific about "The Strings" I/C in central Tokyo, but I did recall some reviews on the trip advisor website which from memory were a little mixed but check for yourself.

My next trip is to Kingscliff (Nth NSW) for a weeks R & R at Peppers the week before Santa comes, just the normal old Salt and not Bale, oh well its all good I guess.

Happy holidays all !!

 

[whereishome]

Random fact : the ShinKotsu Yurikamome Line is not only driverless, and fully electric but also neither a train nor a monorail - it is a chain of electric busses. In summer 2008 an exploding transformer meant that poor people were trapped for 20 minutes when the power died and the temperature shot up to 38 degrees during that time.

Also, all the station announcements are recorded by a famous Japanese voice actor/actress (each station is a different celebrity) and it is amongst the most expensive transit lines in Japan.

 

[blu]

how did you find the *class seats overnight.
which seats did you have.

 

[dude_mcdude]

Sounds like an awesome trip.