We had purchased our air tickets earlier through http://www.airfares.com.sg/ at a relative good rate. It is important to check out every now and then to compare the air ticket prices and see which airline gives the best offer.
Rental phone from ANA
Reached Narita in early morning, collected softbank rental phone from ANA counter and tested ok. It was an old phone but fully charged by the company before usage. Rental was free for 30 days (for ANA passengers) and less however charges 60 yen per 30 sec. International calls 70yen. Have not tried calling overseas, will try so much later.
Waited an hour for Sis and bro-in-law to purchase the Suica+NEX cards over at the JR Train counter. The staff were still courteous despite our relentless questionings over the train tickets.
Finally, got the tickets and we certainly need to rush for the train to Ikebukuro at 8.50am. Or else would have to wait for the next one which will come much later.
Platform for NEX (Narita Express)
NEX (Narita Express)
Waiting for our express train to Ikebukuro
Bought Suica and NEC (Narita Express) card for 3500 yen, took the 0850
NEX and left for Ikebukuro.
Yup, this is the one!
Designated comfortable seats
Food and drinks can be bought as the sales lady pushes her trolley along the aisle.
The train takes about 60min straight to Ikebukuro, Grandhouse Chang Tee without transferring any trains, which was so much convenient as we had a lot of luggages. Walking to our minshiyuku (民宿) takes about 10min. The lodging place is a little small which lies in a quiet and peaceful street. There were a few Japanese pubs, pachinko centres and hair dressing centres around too.
The minshiyuku lobby (not our luggage)
A narrow road leading to the neighbourhood.
Checked in and astonished by its very small rooms and toilets. I guess that the density is high staying in areas of central Tokyo.
You can't do without a JR East Pass if you are staying in Japan for more than 2 weeks, especially if you need to travel outside Tokyo on Shinkansen, as known as bullet train in Japan.
Exchanged JR East Pass much later at Ikebukuro
Had booked the JR Pass in Singapore before our arrival. Just to show your passport and verifications to exchange this pass in any JR East outlets. They are basically everywhere in the train stations serving shinkansen line.
Had buffet lunch, 690 yen each nearby. The meal was a little unpleasant as people can smoke in the restaurant. According to innkeeper, it is one of the cheapest buffet meals around. However we find the environment and food not towards our liking. After a short rest back at Chang Tee Grandhouse, we headed for Akihabara.
At 4pm, the sun had already set down and the sky was purplish dark.
At Akihabara, our first stop was to Yodobashi Camera (aka Challenger in Singapore), a 9-storey building next to Akihabara Station and shopped for few toy figurines. Basically, they have everything, from computers, household appliances to toys and figurines on the floors.
Spotted a promotion on Transformers 2 Blue-Ray DVD outside the building
So much to see, so little time to shop!
Gadgets were so much cheaper back in Singapore!
Had dinner (organic food) at one of the restaurant in Akiba(short-form for Akihabara).
Nice but expensive.
I love this meal, it only contains 596 calories.
Got myself 2 toy EVA figurines (400 yen each). Ended buying one of the hefty-priced 4gb USB buffalo brand thumbdrive of Ayanami Rei (costs me 3950 yen).
A sulking and a smiling Asuka Langley.
4 gb thumbdrive of Ayanami Rei
Went back hotel after dinner at 8pm. Turned in for the day.
