26 October 2024
My booking was honoured
Arriving at Tokyo Haneda
On my trip to Korea earlier this year you may recall that I travelled all day and arrived at my hotel near midnight only to find that they had decided to give my booking to someone else, despite me telling them I would be there at midnight and the hotel replying with a confirmation message stating that would be no problem and taking my money... tonight arriving in Tokyo I had no such issue, I checked in at a machine and spoke to no one.
The flight from Cairns to Tokyo Haneda was good, as mentioned above I had internet basically the whole way. I also had a whole row of seats. I also drank all the water they offered me but it was not enough.
Sadly Japan has still mastered convenience with extra steps at the airport. The Haneda experience was a bit better than last year, but I still spent over an hour in the immigration queue, the QR code made no difference at all, it is all the same huge line. Then in the baggage collection area the QR code is actually worse, as you have to go to yet another kiosk and take yet another photo, where as people with paper do not seem to have to do that.
My hotel is in Shimbashi, I have been here a few times before as it is right by Tokyo station, but I have not stayed in a hotel here before. Since it was not quite as late as I expected I found time for a 30 minute wander before returning to my tiny hotel to type this.
Tomorrow is probably a short hiking day, there is actually rain forecast! I am not used to rainy days on my holidays the last few years.
OK, bed time finally.
Hotel room photo lovers rejoice, for your time is now. This room is small and dated and cheap. But the bed is big.
The toilet. Also dated.
OMG it is me. Proof I was here. This could also double as a hostage photo.
And then as mentioned, time for a wander. A nearby street. Lots of people around, but then it is Saturday night. Some girls had actual prices stuck to themselves, and they were not all the same price. I wonder how it feels to be the discounted one standing next to the premium product?
And for my last photo of a long day with the rare 3 updates, here is a restaurant. With more school girl quasi sex workers standing out the front selling octopus.