The alarm went off at 7.00 this morning.\u00a0 I had a shower and a small nibble that we had bought last night, and worked until 8.\u00a0 We then had a walk to the fish market in Sapporo.\u00a0 It was about 20 minutes so by the time we got there we were all getting pretty hungry.\u00a0 We found a little restaurant to eat in, where we all had a selection of mini don buri’s.\u00a0 Afterwards we were allowed to take a photo holding their (fake) giant crab.\u00a0 Lots of the restaurants had crab here, so it seemed quite common.<\/p>\n
We walked back to the hotel, stopping to have a quick look at the Jim Beam festival that was set up.\u00a0 It didn’t open until 10.00 though.\u00a0 We went to our room and I did more work, we finished our packing, and checked out about 10.15.\u00a0 We walked to the station, and got on the next train for the airport.<\/p>\n
Checking in was easy!\u00a0 We were even allowed to select exit row seats, at no extra charge!\u00a0 Plus they were the only seats on the plane that had 2 next to each other.\u00a0 We also went to level 4 where there was a “VR” show (although it wasn’t really VR) – we had been given tickets back at the food festival in Sapporo.\u00a0 I’m glad we didn’t pay the 500 yen for it, but at the end we were (each) given a voucher for 500 yen off any purchase at a particular store in the airport!\u00a0 So we went there and bought a few things, with a very nice saving.<\/p>\n
We purchased a bento box each for lunch on the plane, and then rushed to the gate.\u00a0 We had gotten to the airport nice and early, but how time flew!\u00a0 Once on board we ate our lunch and then I slept for most of the flight to Haneda.\u00a0 The Shinkansen was more fun than flying, but flying was a lot quicker!\u00a0 We landed about 3.15 – so just a 2 hour flight.<\/p>\n
We caught the train to Shinagawa and checked back in to Shinagawa Prince.\u00a0 Our room was very disappointing.\u00a0 Lower floor, noticably smaller, less seats…Our last room must have been a special as we were staying for 5 days.\u00a0 This time it is only 3 days.\u00a0 Michael and Kaoru got washing organised, and then everybody came to our room to chat and drink while the washing was going (I was working).\u00a0 As soon as it came out of the dryer we rushed off to Ebisu station, to meet up with Gary and Rikuko for dinner.<\/p>\n
We arrived just after 7.\u00a0 The restaurant was a very authentic place.\u00a0 We were in a “shoes off” area, on the floor, and for the first time, there wasn’t an area under the table so you could sit normally.\u00a0 So it was quite uncomfortable but enjoyable.\u00a0 Kaoru and Rikuko sat on their knees the whole time – it was amazing to see.\u00a0 We drank sake, wine and beer, and the girls ordered some fantastic food for us all.<\/p>\n
After dinner Gary had to meet a friend of his, as his daughter was in town and he wanted to say hello.\u00a0 So we all got in a couple of taxis and ended up having to go through a secret door to get in to the bar!\u00a0 It had only recently opened.\u00a0 Inside I saw a familiar face – Neil, who I met to discuss Inflatable World with last time I was here.\u00a0 So that was a surprise.\u00a0 We stayed for a few drinks, but not too long as it wasn’t really what we were after.\u00a0 Leila and Kaoru went back to the hotel, but Michael, Gary, Rikuko and I decided to go out for a few more drinks.\u00a0 So we went to the gaigin bar Gary took me to when I was here in June, where we had a couple of drinks.\u00a0 Then we went home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The alarm went off at 7.00 this morning.\u00a0 I had a shower and a small nibble that we had bought last night, and worked until 8.\u00a0 We then had a walk to the fish market in Sapporo.\u00a0 It was about 20 minutes so by the time we got there we were all getting pretty hungry.\u00a0 … Continue reading