Off to Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan: We drove to Los Angeles early Wednesday morning - stopping by Village Bread in Calimesa for Kouign Amann pastries (for our breakfast, and for the 4Ls). This bakery make the best (don't tell France!).

The Chevy was left at Lisa & Lenny's and Lenny drove us to LAX to catch our Japan Airlines flight non-stop to Tokyo. It has been a very (very) long time since we have been to Japan. In the 80's - when we lived in The Philippines and Taiwan - we visited Japan several times a year. Flying-through, Dave for work, visiting friends, etc. - but we have not been to Japan since we attended the World Championships in Osaka in 2007!

Japan Airlines service is still very good. The business class section has four ”pods” across each row. We were in the center, so no windows for us. Bummer, but we are booked for window pods on the return flight - meaning we will be in-front/behind each other. At least in the center aisles we can easily chat.

In these particular pods, customers receive a light duvet to lay on when the chair converts to a bed (think remote-controlled recliner with an extended footrest?), a blanket, pillow, and even jammies. Cocktails and (oddly icy-cold) mixed nuts, with an assortment of olives. The appetizer selection listed Duck Confit salad, a Pumpkin, Bacon and Gruyère cheese frittata, Seared Sea Scallops with Pistachio Basil Pistou, Piquillo stuffed with Lump Crab & Dried Tomato Couscous, or Camembert Cheese with Kumquat Compote.

I thought that was a fairly impressive selection from an airline, and since I’m allergic to most everything on the list, asked for the cheese. No Madam, all of those items are on your appetizer plate! Wow. Luckily, they had a small cheese plate on their snack menu, so I ordered that instead of the appetizer platter. Dave had it though, and it truly was a very small (7x4?) plate with teeny bites of all that wonderment listed above. How fun (for DT). Dave had Sea Bass with Cauliflower Rice Risotto, Truffle Butter and Cauliflower Bagna-cauda for his main course. I had the tenderloin, but just picked at it after my nuts, olives and cheese. (I did take down my dessert - Caramel “Delight” Cake.)

Did I photograph any of these miniature “delights” served to us? Did not.

Two hours from Tokyo - we were landing at the Haneda Airport in town, instead of Narita an hour outside Tokyo - our smooth flight became quite bumpy and maybe we circled around for a bit as Haneda shut-down for a bit due to a thunderstorm? - so the air hostesses shut-down all service and asked everyone remain in their seats. Our landing was a bit bumpy, but we were in Japan! It was Thursday evening.

Our 11 hour flight was the easiest part of the day. 20 minutes on the runway, then an hour going through immigration. It seems many international flights arrived at the same time due to the storm. Hundreds of people weaving through lines. First up, we had to scan our passports, have our photo taken and have our index fingerprints scanned. (We did all this ourownselves at a kiosk.) Then another line to actually show our passports to an immigration official. It received a little stamp/sticker/label giving us a 90-day visa, and our face and fingerprints were matched again. We then had to clear customs - they waved us through after we presented our paperwork - and 90 minutes later were released... only to find the taxi line stretching forever. (Think flying into Las Vegas on a Friday night taxi line.)

We finally arrived to our hotel, and checked-into our room which will be our home for the next 11 days. Because I booked with American Express Travel, we were upgraded to a room with a small sitting room. Yeah, us. Our room also includes daily breakfast (at a choice from 6 different restaurants within the hotels 15 restaurants) and an executive lounge that provides complimentary light meals, snacks, and cocktails from 7a-9:30p daily. I don't think we will starve.

We were exhausted, but tried to stay awake until 9p before going to bed. The weather continues to be a big issue. Really hot - 80+ every day, with 80+ humidity and rain forecast daily. The poor athletes. The stadium has a shell covering the spectators, and the area over the competition field is open to the elements.

Until my next update, I remain, your Tokyo correspondent.

Links:
World Athletics Championships | Tokyo 2025
Tokyo Weather

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