Transit

Winter is coming to Tokyo

Posted on by helenhmk

While the forecast for the next week in Tokyo highlights the cooler temps are beginning to set in… Our last Monday in Tokyo was a high of 20 degrees. It was pleasantly sunny and warm.

We finished packing (arugh… always painful because it takes a long time), went for a walk, and enjoyed a lovely lunch with our friends in Hibya Midtown. Oh.. the chocolate mousse!!

From there we thought about seeing a view of Mt Fuji from Bunkyo Council but it was closed for renovations for the 12-15 months. In the end we headed to our favourite local garden Koishikawa Korakuen. The autumn leaves were stunning.

We were able to enjoy one last coffee, before heading to the airport, with one of our long time Japanese friends.

Overall… was it a great trip… yes, loved it as always. We really value the friends we’ve made in Japan over the years (both Brompton and non cycling friends), and you’ve made our experiences in Japan richer – thank you… and hopefully we will see you next year 🙌

People often ask.. what’s the best time to come… autumn, it’s really the best season in Japan.

Transiting with Bags..

Posted on by helenhmk

Unfortunately suitcases are a necessity when travelling to Japan, especially when taking our Bromptons. While packing last weekend Kym said ‘I just want to travel without this stuff..!’, but I highlighted we would not get the experiences of cycling in fabulous places without the Bromptons so we have to put up with a very short term problem for long term happiness. To be fair I think he would like someone else to do all the packing (don’t we all!).

The Brompton suitcases themselves are large, but small enough to fit within the size requirements for normal luggage by the airlines. They are easy to move… but annoying from the perspective of travelling from ADL to SYD collecting them, getting on a bus to the international terminal side to the hotel and the next day checking in for the international flight to Japan.

In lifts people look at our suitcases with a quizzical look on their face… and I usually pipe up ‘they’re folding bikes’… which is usually met with ‘ah that’s so wonderful… I did wonder what amount of clothing would be inside..’.

Transiting is a necessary part of the journey… but we are always pleased to have checked in… seen off the bags, got through the gates and made it to the lounge… oh and find a seat. With just enough time to ensure there are enough ebooks/audiobooks on my phone for the plane journey.

Back home

Posted on by helenhmk

Adventure no more. We managed to finally get home today. I mean that as the flight to ADL from SYD decided to take another loop around Adelaide plains and hills as the first attempt to land was aborted.

Two weeks ago Takero, our Brompton friend lead a ride to a park to watch planes from Haneda take off. That day there were a lot of planes taking off and landing. However there was this one that tried to land a couple of times… and I remember saying at the time “I would hate being on that plane…”. Well today that was my experience. 😞

The pilot attempted to land from the sea approach due to the winds, and unfortunately the wind was change direction so we got an extra loop ride no one wanted. I was glad when we landed.

Somewhere between SYD and ADL

Transiting…

Posted on by helenhmk

I know some people like flying… but I’m not one. As I’ve said the only part I like is the taxi-ing before take off and landing. But enough talking about the actual flying experience.

Over the years we’ve gotten transiting to the airport with luggage in Japan to a fine art. When travelling internationally we use hard cases for our Bromptons as we know Australian airlines do not enable bikes to be transported in an open courier box like they do domestically in Japan. In addition to bike suitcases.. we have one mid-size luggage and a small carry on case which transitions to checked luggage home.

Moving via the train to either Haneda or Narita is the best option – but not with bicycle cases. Platform transitioning is too hard (based on where we stay), so now we take a taxi – and my arms are happier for the experience. below shows the luggage as we left the hotel in Tokyo.

Food on the plane from Japan is a delight – we were able to order a special meal – which was fabulous. Last Japanese style fish dish for me for awhile…

… and the breakfast was pretty good too.

Did I manage to sleep on the plane – a small bit (I tried, I really did), so I’m asking for your understanding if you interact with me today.

We will be doing a few posts over the next couple of days about cycling our Bromptons in Japan, details on trip planning for the avid Brompton owner and what we did over the last few days.

Haneda- before we left…

Back in Tokyo

Posted on by helenhmk

We made it back..!

Nothing like the feeling of arriving back… knowing you successfully navigated all trains and ferries! Yeah.. us! after this photo we cycled a short 5km back to the hotel – just in time for Friday night shopping.

In case you are wondering – what you see in the picture is everything weve had with us for the past 12 days. Cycling with it is easier than carrying through train stations. A post will be written on how we get around – eventually 😉

Luck…

Posted on by helenhmk

Sometimes you can be completely lucky…

Seeing Mt Fuji is not always guaranteed when you come to Japan.

Even if you plan it… first trip we saw it for 3 seconds and had to wait another 3-4 trips before we saw it longer than a blink.

This time it was nice to be rewarded again seeing Mt Fuji while on the Shinkansen travelling on our way back to Tokyo from Kobe. When booking we ensured we sat on the correct side… and the weather was kind. Yeah! 🗻 🙌 🍁. Added bonus there was also a lot of autumn colour. Ah…

Local trains…

Posted on by helenhmk

Morning..! Today we are taking a ride in a third sector railway – a very local train with one carriage…. getting off at Kobe (different to what you are thinking).

Once we get to Kobe we will be cycling to Shimabara.

Good morning Nagasaki…

Posted on by kymdt

It has been a while since I’ve posted. That’s because the most excellent social media manager has things under control. While my job has been to provide general direction for riding, food etc. But as we enter the second phase of our trip, I hope to have more time to reflect on some of our activities. Right now I am laying on the day bed in our relatively large and excellent value hotel room. The social media manager is in bed adding photos to the bevy of posts she wrote on the plane from Tokyo.

Here’s my view right now.

Here are some media from the airport. Spot Fuji and checkout the robot wheelchair.