I was a little bit rough when I woke up this morning (to be expected).\u00a0 But had to make a move as there was a busy day ahead.\u00a0 I started by going for my last (usual) breakfast, and then got my bags packed (which was quite an exercise – next time I’ll just bring bubble wrap and a larger suitcase!).\u00a0 I checked out at 10.00, put my suitcase in storage at the hotel, and then met up with Mikiko-san.<\/p>\n
We went across to Shinagawa Prince food court as she wanted a hot dog.\u00a0 I had a hot chocolate to join her, and we had a chat.\u00a0 At 11.00 we went back to the hotel as she had to meet up with Mark and co, so I said goodbye to them all.\u00a0 I had been thinking a bit more about Enplug and Datascore and mentioned my thoughts to Mark and Nanxi, as something to ponder.\u00a0 I was then on my own for the day.<\/p>\n
I went to the train station and caught a train to Roppongi Hills.\u00a0 I had had some earlier emails with Neil – a contact Gary had put me on to for possibly bringing Inflatable World to Japan – and was going to meet up with him for Lunch.\u00a0 So I thought I’d get there early and make sure I found the way OK.\u00a0 I went to the Hilton and grabbed a seat – I was about half an hour early so just caught up on a few things.\u00a0 Then Neil and I went for a sushi lunch in Roppongi Hills and I presented Inflatable World, as well as Datascore and my other ventures.\u00a0 He is not the guy to make it happen, but he runs a local newspaper for expats in Japan (the last one ran by non-Japanese people) and is very well connected.\u00a0 So the seed was planted.<\/p>\n
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After lunch Neil went back to work, and I wondered around Roppongi Hills.\u00a0 It’s one hell of a shopping centre.\u00a0 There was a bit of a Marvel Comics exhibition on, so wax figures were all over the shopping centre.\u00a0 It was a very nice place, and I’m sure very expensive.<\/p>\n
Once I was done there I was at a bit of a loss on what to do.\u00a0 It was going to be another day of feeling like a gaijin.\u00a0 I walked around the Roppongi area for a while and just looked around.\u00a0 My bag was pretty heavy (as it had my laptop in it) so it was hard work, but nice to be outside.<\/p>\n
I then thought it was time to head back to the hotel and get myself organi![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travlindaz.codersoft.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/2017-06-08-16.18.13-300x225.jpg\")
sed to leave.\u00a0 But on the train I changed my mind (it really was toto early) and got off at Daimon (I had to change trains there anyway), and went to Zojoji temple.\u00a0 I had a wonder around there – it was really nice with Tokyo Tower in the background.\u00a0 Not sure if I had been there before or not.<\/p>\n
I was then going to start going back to the hotel but decided I had enough time to walk to Tokyo Tower.\u00a0 For no reason other than to walk there and hopefully get a better photo as the sun was<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
in the way for my earlier photos to work out.\u00a0 And what should I see?\u00a0 Well, we had been talking about these Mario Kart go kart’s you can drive around the city over the last couple of days.\u00a0 I managed to see a couple driving around the corner of Tokyo Tower!\u00a0 So it was definitely a worthwhile detour as I now know that we *have* to do it the next time we come (with Michael and Leila in September).<\/p>\n
Now it really was time to get moving, so I made my way back to the![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travlindaz.codersoft.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/2017-06-08-17.01.34-300x225.jpg\")
nearest station to get me back to Shinagawa.\u00a0 I was making good time, and I hadn’t had a Mos Burger yet, and I walked right past one.\u00a0 So maybe there was time to squeeze that in too.\u00a0 So I downed the burger quickly, and made my way back to the station, and to Shinagawa.<\/p>\n
Kaoru had sent me a message earlier about getting her a tri-colour pen, so I went to the shop she suggested in Shinagawa and managed to get that.\u00a0 And then I approached the downfall in my “cutting it fine” timing – I went to buy my ticket for the Narita Express and the line at the ticket counter was long.\u00a0 Oh shit.<\/p>\n
It took me about 20 minutes before I was able to get my ticket, for the train that leaves in 15 minutes time.\u00a0 I wish I could do this from a machine!\u00a0 Anyway I grabbed my ticket, and jogged across the road back to the Keikyu Hotel to grab my suitcase, and then rushed back to the train station.\u00a0 I worked out where the Narita Express leaves from and rushed to the platform – I was getting quite sweaty.\u00a0 But luckily I made it with a couple of minutes to spare.<\/p>\n
I had a couple of beers (Suntory Premium, of course) in my bag which weren’t nice and cold anymore, but they were wet and beer, so I had one on the way to the airport, and addressed a couple of issues that required my laptop.\u00a0 Once at the airport I checked in for my flight (very quick), returned my wifi router, had my last beer, used up my remaining credit talking to Kaoru, and boarded the plane for my flight home.<\/p>\n
This was a very different trip, not having Kaoru there.\u00a0 It was very enjoyable, and I have renewed hope that I may have business in Japan in the future.\u00a0 Fingers crossed.<\/p>\n
Until next trip…..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I was a little bit rough when I woke up this morning (to be expected).\u00a0 But had to make a move as there was a busy day ahead.\u00a0 I started by going for my last (usual) breakfast, and then got my bags packed (which was quite an exercise – next time I’ll just bring bubble … Continue reading