En Route to Tokyo

Boyfriend and I are back from Japan and we're exhausted, but the exhaustion was well worth it. To lend a little context to my first trip to a different continent, I'll give some background info.

Boyfriend is part of an international experiment collaboration. Tokyo Tech graciously volunteered to host the collaboration meeting in the beginning of the year.

When I first heard about Boyfriend's possible week-long venture to Japan, my initial thought was, "There is no way in hell that you are going to Japan without me!" Seriously, this is my heritage, my history, my culture. I gladly volunteered to work crazy shifts in order to get the week off. Even if I had to stow away and hide in a suitcase, I was determined to get to Tokyo.

Luckily, Boyfriend is always happy to include me in any of his adventures and his colleagues didn't mind either.


On Wednesday, January 9th at 8 am, we departed from CMI and hopped on American's only ORD to NRT flight. We managed to get First class on the largest plane I've ever been on, the Boeing 777. In an effort to sound grateful but not completely full of it, we are truly blessed. The combination of guilt and embarrassment that I felt due to the extravagance of First class was only amplified knowing that Boyfriend's friend was sitting in coach for the duration of the 13 hour flight.

All the leg room

Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft

Skirt: The Limited

Watch: Kenneth Cole

Hello Kitty manicure to add to my Asian excitement

To twist the knife even further, I'm posting the food from the American Airline's International First class menu.

Momosas and bubbles in First class

Wine tastings to determine what to have with your meal

Amuse bouche of dates wrapped in bacon with melon and mint

Shrimp and Peruvian purple potatoes

Boyfriend's beef tenderloin with potatoes, goat cheese and tomatoes

Enjoying the swiveling chair, on-board noise-cancelling headphones and his very large book

The scorching hot sweet  potato curry, though I was more impressed with the gorgeous spoon

Green leafy salad with hearts of palm, candied pecans and creamy wasabi dressing

My miso marinated salmon

Boyfriend's view of me and his beef

After the entrees are served, the lights go down and people can rest for the long journey to Asia. Options include: personal TV screen for movies, TV shows or video games; asking for turn down service to sleep in a completely flat chair in complementary pajamas; or swivel your chair to face a desk to do some work or read a book.

Boyfriend and his TV

Half way through the flight, in case the four-course lunch wasn't enough, you have a mid-flight snack option. 

Mini bento box of sushi, pickled radishes (takuan), and miso soup

Caramel, pretzel ice cream sundae

And just in case the mid-flight "snack" didn't fill every possible crevice in your stomach, they serve another meal. Yes, more food!

Green salad with Asian sesame dressing and chocolate cookie

Four cheese pizza

Fruit salad

My last drink of the flight, green tea of course!

After we got off the plane and through customs, we took the train from NRT to the Ours Hotel Hankyu near Oimachi Station. BTW: in case you were interested in visiting Tokyo, this hotel is awesome. Not glamorous or glitzy, but very clean and friendly and next to the train station. Besides, you're not in Tokyo to stay in the hotel!

Welcome to Japan!!! YAY!

Watching the passing train

Train ride!

After checking in and dropping off our luggage in our rooms, we headed out to explore the area. We walked around for a few minutes to find a little soba restaurant in a dark alley. Soba is a traditional Japanese buckwheat noodle. I've had soba before, normally dresses with soy or sesame oil, but this was some next level stuff.

Soba with curry broth, amazing

Fried tuna

Grilled fish

Real fresh wasabi

Kanpai!

After our first meal in Japan, we decide to hit the hay and try to get on Japan time. But before we turn in, we have to experience a Japanese vending machine. This may seem like a very mundane activity, but vending machines in Japan are more than your run of the mill school cafeteria coke or diet experience.

First of all, they have a variety of Japanese made beverages, including options like Pocari Sweat (a personal favorite) which is like a Japanese Gatorade; Calpisu, a soda flavored with milk or cold, unsweetened green tea. Not a big deal, but here's the kicker... the vending machine serves cold and hot drinks. Coffee with cream and sugar, hot tea, even hot cocoa. Take that Amerrrica!

Vending machines galore in Tokyo

With our first introduction to Tokyo under our belts, we get some shut eye for a day full of exploring and sightseeing. 

-Akemi-chan