Day 1 in Tokyo ( Part 1 )

Leaving Sapporo in the morning, we took a 8am rapid airport express from JR Sapporo station to Chitose airport. We were sad to leave our luxurious suite and plan to come back to Sapporo some day in the near future. Picture above is a shot of us with all our baggage and shopping in fromt of JR Sapporo station. (Above) Took a shot of Gayle with her baggage and shopping bags at the train station waiting for the airport express. It's quite cold as the platform is open-air.

(Above) You can see the snow landscape at Chitose airport, Sapporo.

(Above) Taking a shot while relaxing at the waiting lounge for our flight to Tokyo at Chitose airport

From Sapporo, we took a domestic JAL flight from Chitose airport to Tokyo via Haneda airport. Luckily, we went to the airport early as we found that due to scheduling issues, our intended flight was cancelled. Luckily as we were early, we were able to get seats on another earlier flight.

We had a good flight as the flight was not full so the stewardesses informed us that we could seat at any empty seats and so we stretch out on a row of 4 seats for the two of us. The flight was slightly over an hour.

(Above) The Airport Limousine Bus ticket counter at Haneda airport. The staff there speak English so buying tickets and asking them for information is easy.

(Below) Our Airport Limousine bus tickets

On arrival, we took the Airport Limousine to our hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo - Shinjuku Washington. Transport from the airport is never cheap so one must certainly set aside some money for such necessary transport. Bus fare from the aiport to our hotel was 1200 yen roughly equivalent to SGD$20 per person.

It is quite easy to get to the bus stop, just look for the bus stop no, in our case was 05. They are located outside the airport.

(Above) Gayle posing while waiting for our airport limousine bus.

We reached our hotel and rested. By that time. it was close to 6pm and it was getting dark when we set out for our first exploration of Shinjuku. You can see our first few photos on our first night in Shinjuku.

At the main shopping belt outside of JR Shinjuku station, lined with familiar shops like Zara and Levi's. It is very crowded and a little chaotic at Shinjuku and we had to get used to it after the pleasant and calm Hakodate and Sapporo.

(Above) and (Below) Me and Gayle posing along the walkway to the shopping belt.

(Above and Below) Gayle posing at the Odakyu terrace, another shopping belt which is lined with Christmas lightings. You can see the fast pace and bustle of people in Tokyo as they flash by Gayle.

(Above) The lighted Odakyu Terrace, a favourite spot for photography.

Like all foodies, we ended up at the supermarkets and couldn't resist looking at their delicious and pretty looking cakes.

(Above) Just look at how well cut the strawberry cake is !

(Above) Fruit cake called Lake shower. The origins of the name, we wonder ? (Above) Really intricate and creative cake designs!

We shopped and had our dinner before retiring to our hotel to take a rest as we had to get up early to catch the train to Tokyo Disneyland the next morning. More on our next posting!