Tokyo Day 1 to 2 - Departing/ Transit/ Arriving

My dream came true when I finally set foot in Japan and visited Disneyland. It was an amazing experience and a splendid holiday which no one wanted to go home at the end of the holiday.

I really needed to document this trip down because it was so memorable. I would say this is, thus by far, my best trip followed by my Korea honeymoon trip in 2010. Last year Taiwan trip was pale in comparison although we did had fun too. I guess cold weather plays an important role in our ranking. The colder, the better for us.


We bought air tickets from Thai airways promotion in January 2017 while our trip to Tokyo was set in October 2017. It was cheap, $400 per pax and with the savings, I could book bigger hotel room. The downside was a transit in Bangkok which turned out to be useful, because the kids coped better with 2 flights than 1 long haul flight. However, you could choose your own transit timing so we opted for a 5-hour break going there and an overnight stay when coming back. This was another good decision, because we could acclimatise ourselves from cold to hot weather in Bangkok while in our holiday mood. We all needed it to adjust ourselves back.


17 October - SG to BKK

It was an afternoon flight, the kids napped in the plane.

bringing with us a S, M, L luggage 

Upon arrival in BKK, we had dinner at the airport. We decided against venturing out because it was raining when we touched down.

Dinner was simple Thai food fare and the kids ate (with some resistance from the youngest). I felt satisfied having miss out the Thai food in our May cruise trip when we stopped by Phuket.

shot by Jon at Changi Airport

my mango sticky rice

After lingering at the airpot, doing window shopping and giving them one last milk feed, we were ready to board our next flight from Bangkok to Haneda, Tokyo. It was a peaceful flight which all of us knocked out in the place.


Day 2 - BKK to Haneda, Tokyo


We arrived early morning in Tokyo, 7am. It was cool and cold. Immigration took a while. Once we cleared immigration and retrieved our luggages, we headed straight to the train and bus tickets counter. We were advised to purchase bus tickets from the airport to Shinjuku as it would be easier than to try to catch a train. And so we did and we bought ours at a later timing, to give us some allowance for breakfast and to freshen up.


Quick breakfast at Tully's coffee and the pancake with cream was so light and fresh, my coffee was wonderful and hotdog bun didn't taste so yummy before. Knowing that the Japanese operate at very strict timing, we hurried to the bus pick up point, arriving 5 mins before hand. That's a good practice which is required in Japan.

waiting for our bus

We really loved Japanese and their systematic way. Once we got to the bus pick-up point, there would be an attendant to cross check your tickets and another tagged your luggages. The bus arrived promptly, left at the exact timing and soon we were on our way to Shinjuku.

However, when we alighted at Shinjuku, we got a surprise... The area was so huge that we walked a good 30 minutes before we arrived at Granbell Shinjuku Hotel. Luckily the weather was good, cooling so the kids didn't mind the long walk and even pushed our luggages for us.

In Japan, I would suggest that you have a data plan. You definitely need a GPS especially for first timer.

We arrived and checked in. Left our luggages with the concierge and ventured out again. The weather forecast was accurate too, it was a fine day so we were really lucky. The husband said we should try their best ramen, Ichiran so we tried to find amidst the small alleys.

And you know what, the Japanese were very helpful even though communication could break down. They would take out their phone to find out, left their position to show you exactly where to go. So after a few misses, we finally found it. Ichiran Ramen.

long walk to everywhere

downtown Shinjuku

Ichiran Ramen

We were guided to make our ramen purchase through an ordering machine. Got to collect the tickets and present it to the stall assistants.

purchasing our food coupons

settling down and waiting for our ramen

get it customised

But before that, get your own customised Ramen. Circle your preference from noodles to soup broth. This Ichiran ramen didn't failed us. It was too delicious and I have decided that Ramen should be eaten in Japan only. Any other place, a total waste of money and calories.

our Ramen

my egg

simmered pork belly

I never like pork belly but this one was totally different. This pork belly just melt in your mouth, and they sliced it so thinly that you won't feel the oiliness.

After lunch, we proceeded to the bus terminal to purchase our bus ride to Disneyland. As mentioned, Shinjuku is a big area.. so we walked a lot from Point A to Point B. We finally found the bus terminal and purchased our bus tickets. Then we decided to head back to hotel as the boys were getting tired and cranky.

our executive room 

with bath tub

showering facility

separate toilet

It was a good room size of 46sqm. I needed a big room like this even though we only stayed for a night. Comfort at my age is important. I am willing to pay more to get a comfortable stay.

view from our room

another view from our room

Dinner was spent at a non-frill udon shop. It was cold at night so we didn't want to walk too far out and Disneyland beckoned us the next day.

Day 2 in Tokyo ended with a bowl of hot udon soup.