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Sunday, March 26, 2017

JAPAN AIRLINES - HONOLULU TO TOKYO

JAPAN AIRLINES
HONOLULU TO TOKYO

Cannot say enough good things about Japan Airlines (JAL) service from Honolulu to Narita, Japan.
The experience, flight, food and especially service is far superior than American carriers.  JAL service is exceptional and their organization and handling of guests is second to none.  Boarding is organized, calm and fast with no pushing or rushing.  The employees smile continueosly and address all passengers with equal respect.  Something rarely experienced on American carriers. The employees always are working to make sure the guest experience is exceptional and unlike American carriers they do not stand around and talk to each other and play on their cell phones. They are here to serve you which is a great change from flying American, United or even Hawaiian Airlines.  Once aboard the comfortable Boeing 767-300 plane you pass the expansive Business Class which are individual sleeping pods you enter the Coach section which is configured in a 2-3-2 design.  This is so much better than airlines that cram people into designs with more seats.  We were traveling with four people total so having two and two on the window was perfect and very comfortable.  Seats are a bit wider and there is more legroom than other carriers.  Once airborne, I enjoyed some nice wines, champagne and two meals that were all included in Coach Class.  I can honestly say that JAL Coach Class is better than many flights that I have taken on American and United in First or Business Class.
JAL knows how to provide customer service and a great experience for everyone on board.  This is something that I wish the American carriers would get as I am a Frequent Flyer with several.
Entire family loved experience on JAL and would highly recommend the flight from Honolulu to Narita, Japan.

JAPAN AIRLINES HONOLULU TO TOKYO

THE 2-3-2 SEATING CONFIGURATION ALLOWS FOR MORE SPACE AND COMFORTABLE FLIGHT
LARGE PERSONAL SCREEN WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND TOUCHSCREEN.
LOTS OF GOOD MOVIES AND DOCUMENTARIES IN MANY LANGUAGES
GOOD AMOUNT OF LEG ROOM EVEN IN COACH CLASS
PILLOW, BLANKET AND SLIPPERS ARE COMPLIMENTARY
LEAVING THE BLUE SKIES AND WATER OF HAWAII
COMPLIMENTARY WINES IN COACH
PREFER THESE SNACKS OVER PEANUTS
YOUR CHOICE OF BEEF OR CHICKEN ENTREE 
COACH MEAL ON JAPAN AIRLINES IS REALLY GOOD AND I EVEN HAD CHAMPAGNE
I WENT WITH THE CHICKEN AND RICE.   DELICIOUS!
CHICKEN AND RICE
PIKCLED CUCUMBER, SHRIMP AND SEAWEED
SALMON AND POTATO SALAD
MISO SOUP


CHAMPAGNE WITH MY COACH MEAL ON JAPAN AIRLINES
ICE CREAM FOR DESSERT
WATCHED A MOVIE AND THIS GREAT DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE ROCK GROUP QUEEEN
PRIOR TO LANDING WE ENJOYED A HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH, YOGURT AND SOME WINE
AFTER A COMFORTABLE FLIGHT WITH WINE, CHAMPAGNE AND MEALS WE WERE IN JAPAN
ABOUT 9 HOURS LATER


KOOKIA NOODLE SHOP - NARITA, JAPAN

 KOOKAI NOODLE SHOP
NARITA, JAPAN

With a little more than an hour wait for a visiting friend meeting us in Narita, we decided to enjoy some local Noodles and Gyoza.  Kookai Noodle Shop was close to our arrival gate so we stopped in and used the photos on the menu to order.  Staff was friendly and understood a little English but spoke all Japanese.  When visiting Japan it is nice to know a few words and phrases and I highly recommend attempting the language.  I speak in Japanese as much as possible and whenever possible even though my Japanese vocabulary is very limited.  The Japanese appreciate that you at least try.  We all enjoyed the food at Kookai.  The Noodles were actually pretty delicious and this was a great way to begin our Japanese eating adventure.  

KOOKIA NOODLE SHOP

KOOKIA NOODLE SHOP IS INSIDE THE NARITA AIRPORT ARRIVAL AREA
SMALL NOODLE SHOP WITH FRIENDLY SERVICE AND GOOD FOOD
KOOKIA MENU
BOWLS OF NOODLES WITH MEAT
PRICES RANGE FROM AROUND $9 TO $12 US
WE HAD TO TRY THE GYOZA
FIRST THINGS FIRST IN JAPAN WAS A COLD BEER
NOODLES WITH PORK AND EGG
PORK AND RICE BOWL
GYOZA

ANA INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL - TOKYO, JAPAN

ANA INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
107-0052 TOKYO PREFECTURE
MINATO-KU, AKASAKA 1-12-33
JAPAN
+81-3-3505-1111

Enjoyed our stay at the ANA InterContinental Hotel in Tokyo.  The hotel is immaculately clean, large   and includes some great dining options.  Location is close to subway which is important when visiting Tokyo.  While we did not spend too much time in our rooms because of a very busy schedule, we found the rooms to be comfortable, clean and well appointed with amenities in bathroom, mini-bar, coffee and evening turn down service.  Bathroom was a bit small and reminded me of a cruise ship but really no complaints about the room or hotel.  Upon check-in though I was welcomed as an ANA Ambassador Level Guest which included a room upgrade.  To our surprise my upgrade was to a room with two Single Beds.  I went downstairs to inquire about this "upgrade" and really did not understand the answer that I was given.  Bottom line is that they moved me the next day to a single King bed which was nice.  The hotel staff was always friendly with a good understanding of English so communication was excellent.  We dined at the Cascade Restaurant in the lobby our first night in Tokyo.  The buffet and service was terrible.  Never went back and would not recommend.  The hotel has a nice coffee and pastry shop just a few steps from the lobby.  Also an expansive wine shop and a small array of boutiques shops which sell handbags, clothing and gifts.  My favorite part of the hotel was the Champagne Bar which sits above the lobby.  Each evening a Piano and Sax Duet would play music that filled the lobby.  Sitting back enjoying a cocktail while watching over the lobby was a great way to relax and reflect about what I had seen that day.  Always had at least 30 minutes up there waiting for my girls to get ready before going out for a night on the town.  We found the location to be good for subway access.  Cab rides to Akihabara (Electric City) and places like the Tsujiki Fish Market ran about $20-$25 each way.  The maximum number of riders allowed in cabs is three so with five people traveling we always had to hire two cabs.  Vans are available if you book through the front desk or from a car service.  The cost for a large private and comfortable van from Narita Airport to our hotel was around $200 each way.  For most day trips we used the subway which ran around $2.50 per trip.  While sometimes very crowded, the subway is the best way to get around the city.  The subway is clean, safe, organized and always on time.  Only problem is reading the maps and figuring out what lines to take.  After some practice and experience it gets easier.  


ANA Intercontinental Tokyo is centrally located in Tokyo’s Ark Hills, a 1-minute walk from Tameike-sanno and Roppongi-itchome Subway Stations. An outdoor pool in the summer, business centre and award-winning restaurants are featured.
The spacious rooms and luxurious suites at Tokyo ANA InterContinental are elegantly decorated with modern furnishings and soft lighting. Amenities include a flat-screen cable/satellite TV, minibar and personal safe.
At a surcharge, guests can lounge by the 50 feet outdoor Garden Pool on the 4th floor, from June until September. A 20 feet children's pool is also available. Guests can also unwind at the pool side snack bar, which provides light sumptuous snacks as well as an array of drinks and summer cocktails. A deck chair is available for extra comfort. In addition, there is a 24-hour fitness centre on site. The hotel also provides a concierge service and on-site shopping arcade.
The Michelin-starred Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant and Bakery serves authentic French specialties with Tokyo Tower in the background. Other dining options include Japanese, Chinese, international and seafood dishes. Drinks are available at ANA’s 4 bars.
The Ginza area is a 15-minute subway ride away, and the Shibuya area is a 20-minute subway ride from the hotel. Guests can take an Airport Limousine Bus directly from the airport to the hotel. Narita International Airport is a 90-minute ride and Haneda Airport is a 45-minute ride away.
Minato is a great choice for travelers interested in cleanlinessfriendly localsand culture.

LARGE, SPACIOUS AND ELEGANT LOBBY
CASCADING WATER WALL SEPARATES THE CHECK IN AREA FROM RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
TRADITIONAL JAPANESE GREETERS ARE IN LOBBY IN EARLY EVENING
AN UPGRADE TO TWO SINGLE BEDS?  I HAD TO COMPLAIN AND CHANGE ROOMS
MOVED TO SINGLE KING BED ROOM
SMALL SEATING AREA AND DESK
TV, DRAWERS AND SAFE HERE
IN ROOM COFFEE AND TEA AND THERE IS NICE SIZE REFRIGERATOR BELOW
VERY SMALL BATHROOM
LOVE JAPANESE TOILETS THAT CLEAN, DRY AND FLUSH AUTOMATICALLY
SHOWER AND BATH


THE CHAMPAGNE BAR ABOVE THE LOBBY WAS NICE PLACE TO RELAX

A GLASS OF BUBBLY WILL RUN YOU AROUND $18 TO $50

A NICE WAY TO START AN EVENING IN TOKYO

TSUKIJI GINDACO TAKOYAKI - JAPAN

TSUKIJI GINDACO
TAKOYAKI IN AKIHABARA

When visiting Japan it is a "must" to try the Takoyaki from a street vendor or stall in Tokyo.  These little balls are famous and not to be missed.  They are so much better tasting in Japan.  I think this is due to the freshness of the Octopus.  Takoyaki is a ball shaped Japanese snack made of wheat flour batter.  The filling is chopped Octopus, Tempura snaps, Pickled Ginger and Green Onion.  Usually topped off lots of Bonito Flakes with a little Japanese Mayonnaise.

TAKOYAKI

WE FOUND A SMALL SHOP SELLING TAKOYAKI JUST OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO YODOBASHI
TSUKIJI GINDACO MAKES SOME REALLY GOOD AND FRESH TAKOYAKI
8 BALLS FOR AROUND $6
WATCH THE TAKOYAKI COOK IN THE WINDOW
ONE ORDER OF TRADITIONAL TAKOYAKI
INSERT BALL IN MOUTH
TAKE A BIG BITE

FRIED CHICKEN IN TOKYO - JAPAN

FRIED CHICKEN IN TOKYO
AKIHABARA, JAPAN

I love Akihabara in Tokyo.  The Electric City is an amazing shopping experience especially if you are into electronics.  At the entrance of my favorite store in the world (Yodobashi Camera) and directly in front of the subway station we found a small shop with seating where Fried Chicken was the specialty.  After a good deal of walking it was nice to sit down here for a light snack.  We shared one small order of Chicken among five people.  Nobody really liked this Chicken.

FRIED CHICKEN IN TOKYO

AKIBA OR THE "ELECTRIC CITY" IS ELECTRONICS HEAVEN AND A SHOPPING DREAM
SURPRISED TO SEE DONALD TRUMPS PHOTO IN FRONT OF CHICKEN SHOP
FRIED CHICKEN SOLD HERE 
PEOPLE LINE UP FOR THESE SMALL BOXES OF FRIED CHICKEN SO WE DID TOO
SMALL TRIANGLES OF RICE WITH FILLINGS
VARIOUS DIPPING SAUCES FOR CHICKEN
CHICKEN WAS PRETTY BLAND AND I WOULD NOT VISIT HERE AGAIN
NOT MUCH FILLING OF FISH - JUST RICE
SAME WITH THE TUNA VERSION
I LIKE THESE LITTLE RICE BALLS