Day 1: Tokyo
I arrived at around 10:00am at Narita airport. After going through the customs and picking up my suitcase, I was stopped at the customs and had to open my suitcase. The customs officer searched through my suitcase and found liquorish, which was a present I had brought with me for a friend I was going to meet in Tokyo. He looked at it and searched for something, but then put it back in my suitcase and that was it.
I got through customs and went to the Airport Limousine Service counter to buy a ticket for the bus to take me to my hotel, Tokyo Grand Hotel. Unfortunately the bus didn't stop there, but the lady suggested to stop at the nearest hotel and take a taxi from there. I got the ticket and waited for the bus outside, feeling the warm and humid weather.
The bus arrived and my suitcase was put in, while I boarded the bus. I sat next to the window and put on my mp3 player for some music while I enjoyed the ride towards and eventually through Tokyo. The first 2 times I landed in Tokyo, I took the train to my hotel. The ride was a nice one, taking me to the hotel in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then I took a taxi to my actual hotel for 6 nights.
I checked into my room and freshened up and changed clothes. Then I went to a restaurant across the street from my hotel, Jonathan's for lunch. After that I walked around the area of my hotel, within the Shiba area of Tokyo. Close by my hotel was a Ferrari dealer, some restaurants and some shops, as well the Tokyo Tower, Shiba Park and Zojo-ji Temple.
I had a small dinner in my hotel, which I bought at the supermarket close to the hotel. I had an early night, as I was pretty tired from my flight.
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There is no direct link from the airport to the hotel and back, but if you take the Airport Limousine Bus from Narita to a neaby stopping place and then a taxi or the subway, you don't spend a lot of money on the transfers.
A subway station is a 3 minute walk, 2 24/7 supermarkets are within 2 minutes from the hotel. Across the street is a restaurant where you can buy good meals for a decent price.
The single room I stayed in was very clean, had a toilet, a bath-tub (unfortunately too small for my height) and a shower. The bed was big enough and comfortable.
The staff is very helpfull & friendly and speak very good english.
Within walking distance (about 10 minutes) is the Tokyo Tower, Shiba Park and Zojo-ji Temple.
And if you take the subway, you're within 15 - 20 minutes from the Tsukiji Fishmarket, Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yoyogi Park and the Imperial Palace.
I choose this hotel because of it's location, price and good reviews on the internet. I've enjoyed my stay and will book it again next time I come to Tokyo. I can highly recommend it to anyone visiting Tokyo.
