Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo and some bites here and there

[KitKat]

It is with much fear and anxiety that this TR will not be up to the high standards here (like from Boomy, drone etc). Anyway here goes....

Having missed the cherry blossoms in Seoul last year, we decided to give it a go this time in Japan. We would base ourselves in Tokyo over the average forecast period and take the Shinkansen to see them if the forecast were wrong.

Also as my parents have never been to Japan, this was an opportunity for us to bring them there.

Trip would take us from
MEL-SIN QF
SIN-KL-NRT MH
NRT-KL-SIN MH
SIN-MEL QF

As with most of the trips planned by me, we try to go to a few places to have a bite.
In the pipeline would be
Ryugin
Tapas Molecular Bar
Sushi Yo****ake
Narisawa
Ishikawa
and finally Aria di Tacubo

 

[PLANT]

Any trip report is a welcome trip report.... Look forward to your effort...

 

[coolkid101]

sounding good already! loving these japan TRs... getting us all psyched up for our trip there too ... we should've really planned a trip closer than dec... these TRs are making us jealous

It is with much fear and anxiety that this TR will not be up to the high standards here (like from Boomy, drone etc). Anyway here goes....

Having missed the cherry blossoms in Seoul last year, we decided to give it a go this time in Japan. We would base ourselves in Tokyo over the average forecast period and take the Shinkansen to see them if the forecast were wrong.

Also as my parents have never been to Japan, this was an opportunity for us to bring them there.

Trip would take us from
MEL-SIN QF
SIN-KL-NRT MH
NRT-KL-SIN MH
SIN-MEL QF

As with most of the trips planned by me, we try to go to a few places to have a bite.
In the pipeline would be
Ryugin
Tapas Molecular Bar
Sushi Yo****ake
Narisawa
Ishikawa
and finally Aria di Tacubo

 

[LadyC]

Will be very interested to read your restaurant reviews. The gentleman and I are going to Ryugin and Sushi Yo****ake next month and I am wishing we had booked Narisawa also. That looks like a great line up you have going.

 

[Dr Bob]

Japan is looking good particularly with JAL in F if I can do it with QFF points.

 

[Cynicor]

Have been to most of those restaurants. Narisawa was the best meal of my life. Ryugin serves whale (tongue) if you don't let on you are an aussie.
Ishikawa is really good, he's great. Had a few free reds on him when I went in Jan!

 

[trixydoza]

Japan is looking good particularly with JAL in F if I can do it with QFF points.

Maybe next (southern) summer... F is disappearing for a while.

 

[trixydoza]

One of the more annoying websites I've come across (at least on my system), but this restaurant is killer for the fish and seafood lovers amongst us:

ƒrƒXƒgƒ ƒVƒ

 

[KitKat]

Have been to most of those restaurants. Narisawa was the best meal of my life. Ryugin serves whale (tongue) if you don't let on you are an aussie.
Ishikawa is really good, he's great. Had a few free reds on him when I went in Jan!

Yes, I felt that Narisawa was a complete package the last time I went, overall better than El Celler the year I went, so going another time with parents and sister.

 

[feezable]

Subscribed, I am also loving the Japan TRs. I will be there in October with my 11 year old son and all the photos and posts are getting us both excited for the adventure ahead.

 

[KitKat]

Like all our trips away recently, we have spent the night before packing with little sleep. This would not be different. Got a little complicated as well when we both got engrossed watching “Juan of the Dead”! So not much sleep again.
After a quick drive up the Tulla (surprisingly easy drive to the airport that morning), we found ourselves at the QF F check in area. As this was just a few days to the start of the school holidays, there were lots of families there.
Remains an easy check in process for WPs travelling QF – hopefully this does not get enhanced
Formalities done, it was off to the Flounge. Again lots of families present. Was not going to test out the RSA this morning…

obligatory champagne shot in the F lounge, yes I know it's only 10am but...

Had breakfast (sweet corn fritters – not too greasy today) with an espresso and a glass of champagne. Offered a refill and accepted. Was not interested in a massage etc so just sat at the sofas and catching up with emails

 

[KitKat]

While in the lounge, I was paged…..ooh ooh an upgrade? Alas no such luck – was already in J and QF35 is a A330…
Seems there was a problem with the audio of my original seat, so a new seat assigned. At least this was manage proactively… and there was no one in the original seat for the flight
Boarding for QF35 was on time, new configuration in J has held.
First impressions, I like the privacy. Despite us travelling as a couple, we (read me) opted to sit behind each other on the side – so that we could have the window and aisle. I noticed that the dividers on the paired seating in the middle would make a conversation difficult while seated.
Enjoyed the larger entertainment screen.
CSM came round to say hi. Amenities were handed out and pre chosen meals confirmed.

Flight essentially uneventful.


another bubbly pic!

larger screen was appreciated

 

[KitKat]

QF35
Meals as below

Korean inspired kimchi flavoured prawns - quite tasty and enjoyable

Beef cheeks - not bad

MB ice cream - yummy as usual

 

[KitKat]

fried rice with chinese sausage - second refreshment - too oily... rice not really fried.. fail




Coming into Changi - Singapore CBD in the distance

Arrived on time and left the airport to the Sheraton Towers for an overnight stay prior to the OMG start the next day. Caught up with my parents that evening who were coming with us on their first trip to Japan.

 

[KitKat]

After only a couple of hours sleep, we were off to the airport for the 0640 flight to Kuala Lumpur (and then onwards to Narita). Traffic was light at 0415 to the airport.
Uneventful flight up to KL on a 737. 2+2 config in J


good amount of leg room for a regional J flight

 

[KitKat]

MH Satellite F lounge

Been here a couple of times now, not impressed but a quiet lounge for some peace.
I think the food offerings in the dining area and self-service area is a little basic for a F Lounge.


egg noodles - mediocre effort
*PCR value is low

(Pleasure to Calorie Ratio - PCR[SUP]TM[/SUP])
Will refer to PCR more when reviewing meals
Life is short and there is only so much exercise I can do to burn off the calories consumed, so I need to consider the PCR[SUP]TM[/SUP] of things I pop into my mouth!


Nasi Lemak for breakfast - yummy and moderate PCR[SUP]TM[/SUP]

I recommend getting a bite in the J lounge and then moving across for some peace if necessary.
You will need to ask for drinks from the attendants

 

[KitKat]

Soon it was off to the gate and security screening again – sigh, I think KLIA does a real poor job in facilitating this. Everyone gets through for the flights but just slow and disorganised.

J is 2-3-2 on the 777. The seat pitch is quite good as well compared with the A330 J config.
Declined pre take off drink.




Satay quickly served with a drink. Yummy as usual.
PCR 6.5[SUP]TM[/SUP] (out of 10; 1 is urgh, not worth the calories..... and 10/10 is bl##dy amazing, I will wake up at 5am and run for an hour to run this off!)

 

[KitKat]

soba noodles - generic noodles
PCR[SUP]TM[/SUP] 3
duck - PCR[SUP]TM[/SUP] 3.5


Chicken curry - PCR[SUP]TM [/SUP]5 (does the job in filling the tummy)


dessert - PCR[SUP]TM[/SUP] 4


Open sandwich bites - bad - dry PCR[SUP]TM[/SUP] 1.5, did not touch this after a bite
Kapiti ice cream - did the job as a mid-flight snack PCR[SUP]TM[/SUP] 4.5

 

[KitKat]

Landed on time
Quick walk to immigration, surprisingly not a long wait today.
Luggage came out fairly quickly

Took the limousine bus to the Westin

Generic Westin stay - no extra SPG platinum recognition apart from exec lounge access, breakfast in terrace and 500 points amenity


So the first restaurant visit begins

Ryugin

Modern take on the Kaiseki..
In Roppongi, quite easy to find on google maps - correct location on navigation

TBC

 

[robd]

PCR ™ - Brilliant!

Looking forward to your TR.