Overseas Travel Diaries With Barry (Blogger Since 2012): Summer Holiday in Japan May and June 2010

Part 1 ~ Tokyo DisneySea

After a good night's sleep the previous night, we woke up at around close to 12 noon, on Friday, 28 May 2010. It was Vesak Day in Singapore and Malaysia at that time. My parents made plans to go to Tokyo DisneySea on the very first day we arrived in Tokyo. We then had a shower before heading off for our day at Tokyo DisneySea.

The expressway near our serviced apartment in Roppongi

At 1.55 p.m., we walked over to Roppongi Subway Station for approximately 5 minutes. We then went to the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line concourse to purchase tickets to Kasumigaseki. There is a picture of the station entrance.

The entrance to Roppongi Station

The station concourse of Roppongi Station

The Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line concourse of Tokyo Station

Between Roppongi and Kasumigaseki Station, we took the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. There is a picture and a video of the train departure and platform. After leaving Roppongi at 2.15 p.m., the journey to Kasumigaseki took just 5 minutes.

The Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line station platforms of Roppongi Station

東京メトロ日比谷線北千住方面行き六本木駅から発車

We arrived at Kasumigaseki Station at 2.20 p.m. after 5 minutes of travel on the Hibiya Line from Roppongi. After alighting from the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, we changed to the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line platforms towards Ikebukuro to get to Tokyo Station.

Walking towards the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line station platform towards Ikebukuro at Kasumigaseki

The Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line platform towards Ikebukuro at Kasumigaseki Station

The train bound for Ikebukuro then arrived at Kasumigaseki Station at 2.29 p.m.. At 2.30 p.m., we pulled out of Kasumigaseki for another 5-minute journey to Tokyo Station. There is a video of the train travelling from Kasumigaseki to Ginza Station.

東京メトロ丸ノ内線池袋行き霞ヶ関駅から銀座駅間

After arriving at Tokyo Station, we had to walk along a very long passageway that linked the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line platforms and the JR Keiyo Line and Musashino Line concourse. We would of course be taking the JR Keiyo Line between Tokyo and Maihama Stations.

The Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line platforms of Tokyo Station

The passageway near the JR Keiyo Line and Musashino Line platforms and concourse

The very long passageway between the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line concourse and the JR Line concourse

As soon as we reached the JR Keiyo Line and Musashino Line concourse, we purchased some tickets to Maihama from the ticket vending machine and went down to the platform. There is a picture of the JR Keiyo Line and Musashino Line platform below.

The JR Keiyo Line and Musashino Line platforms of Tokyo Station

Between Tokyo and Maihama, we caught a JR Keiyo Line local train and left Tokyo Station at 2.51 p.m.. I have some pictures and videos of the train section between Tokyo and Maihama.

The interior of the 201 series local train bound for Kaihin-Makuhari on the JR Keiyo Line

201系 JR京葉線普通列車海浜幕張行き塩見駅から新木場駅

201系 JR京葉線海浜幕張行き葛西臨海公園駅で特急わかしお15号の通過待ち

After 15 minutes of travelling on the JR Keiyo Line from Tokyo, we finally arrived at Maihama Station at 3.06 p.m.. We then went to Ikspiari, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at the Tokyo Disney Resort to find a restaurant for lunch.

The entrance to Ikspiari just outside JR Maihama Station

The signboard of Resort Gateway Disney Resort Monorail Station just outside the main entrance

One of the areas inside Ikspiari

Another area inside Ikspiari

A bush of flowers inside one of the areas in Ikspiari

Around one of the areas in Ikspiari

After a short exploration around Ikspiari, we finally found a sushi-serving restaurant to have our lunch. To be honest, I cannot remember what was the name of the restaurant. However, I found that the sushi they serve, especially their aburi sushi, was very tender and sumptuous.

The food menu display outside the sushi restaurant in Ikspiari

The interior of the sushi restaurant in Ikspiari

A cup of chawanmushi for myself

A platter of sashimi sushi shared between us

A bowl of assorted sashimi items

A platter of aburi sushi shared between us

Another platter of aburi sushi

After having a sumptuous lunch at the sushi restaurant in Ikspiari, we walked over to Resort Gateway Monorail Station. We then went to the ticket vending machine at 3.35 p.m. to purchase our train tickets to Tokyo DisneySea.

The Disney Resort Line is a dedicated monorail system that links between JR Maihama Station and Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan. It uses 5 unclassified 6-car monorail trains as its rolling stock, which are all painted in a different colour. Each train has windows in the shape of Mickey Mouse, and an observation car in Car No. 1, which gives passengers a panoramic view, as the train speeds through each sector.

This monorail system is especially popular with young children, as they almost always use this line to visit their desired Disney Resort destinations with their elders in Tokyo.

The ticketing area of Resort Gateway Monorail Station

The Cinderella castle picture display in Resort Gateway Monorail Station

We then went onto the platform to wait for the Disney Resort Monorail liner to transport us to Tokyo DisneySea. At Resort Gateway Station and Tokyo DisneySea Stations, there are 2 platforms, of which one is for alighting, and one is for boarding.

The station platforms of Resort Gateway Monorail Station

The station name plate of Resort Gateway Station

After a few minutes of waiting, a green colored Disney Resort liner monorail train entered Resort Gateway Station at 3.39 p.m., just in good time for a 3.41 p.m. departure. My brother and I took the seats at the very front of the train, giving us an interesting and scenic ride. I have 3 videos, which can be found below.

東京ディズニーリゾートモノレール線リゾートゲートウェイステーション駅から東京ディズニーランドステーション駅

東京ディズニーリゾートモノレール線東京ディズニーランドステーション駅からベイサイドステーション駅

東京ディズニーリゾートモノレール線ベイサイド駅から東京ディズニーシーステーション駅

After 10 minutes of travelling from Resort Gateway Station, we finally arrived at Tokyo DisneySea Station at around 3.51 p.m.. We then alighted the train and I managed to snap a picture and a video of the train, before exiting the station.

The green colour Disney Resort Monorail Line train at Tokyo DisneySea Station

東京ディズニーリゾートモノレール線 東京ディズニーシーステーション駅から出発

After filming the train's departure from Tokyo DisneySea Station, we went down to the baggage locker area to stow our baggage, and brought along our necessary items. For safety reasons, such as for fear of theft or robbery cases, we were forbidden to bring all of our baggage into the park.

We then went to the Tokyo DisneySea park ticket office to purchase our one-day passes for the resort and explored the resort. Here are some pictures which will explain how we spent our day at Tokyo DisneySea Resort.

The DisneySea Aquasphere on a fountain in Tokyo DisneySea

Spectators gathering around near the Mediterranean Harbor to watch a performance at Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo DisneySea's icon: Mount Prometheus

Some bushes of flowers in Tokyo DisneySea

Another view of Tokyo DisneySea's Mediterranean Harbor

Around Mysterious Island in Tokyo DisneySea

A view of the Mediterranean Harbor in Tokyo DisneySea

Decided to go for a ride on the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride

Getting closer to the riding area of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Another view of Tokyo DisneySea's Mount Prometheus

We also stayed back for the fireworks that were about to be shown. Here are some pictures taken at night.

An area of Tokyo DisneySea just after sunset

One of the tour boats in Tokyo DisneySea

The giant Titanic model ship in the waters of Tokyo DisneySea

A view of the Mediterranean Harbor at Tokyo DisneySea at night

Another night view of the Mediterranean Harbor in Tokyo DisneySea

It was around 9.30 p.m. by the time the fireworks show was finished. We then headed out of the park and went to the baggage storage area to claim all of our day's baggage. I decided to do a loop round on the Disney Resort Monorail Line after my parents alighted at Resort Gateway Monorail Station, of which they permitted me to do so. Here are some pictures and videos.

The station platforms of Tokyo DisneySea Monorail Station at night

東京ディズニーリゾートモノレール線東京ディズニーシーステーション駅からリゾートゲートウェイステーション駅

Maihama Station as seen from the Tokyo Disney Resort Monorail Line at night

The interior of the Tokyo Disney Resort Monorail Line train

The yellow colour Disney Resort Monorail Line train at Resort Gateway Station

東京ディズニーリゾートモノレール線 リゾートゲートウェイステーション駅から出発

After completing the loop round, I went over to JR Maihama Station to meet up with my family. We then had a quick dinner at a fast-food restaurant before purchasing our JR tickets back to Tokyo.

Between Maihama and Tokyo, we caught a JR Musashino Line Rapid Service, which would leave Maihama at 11.05 p.m.. Here some pictures and a video.

The station platforms of Maihama Station

205系 JR武蔵野線快速列車東京行き舞浜 (発車) ~ 葛西臨海公園 (通過)

The interior of the 205 series Musashino Line train

After a 12-minute ride on the JR Musashino Line Rapid Service from Maihama, we finally arrived at Tokyo Station at 11.17 p.m.. I knew that it was very late by the time we arrived back at Tokyo Station. We then went to a nearby taxi stand and hailed a taxi back to the Somerset Serviced Apartment Roppongi Tokyo. Before we knew it, we were back at our apartment just before 12 midnight. It was a tiring but an enjoyable day for us.

Part 2 ~ Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport)

The next day, which was a Saturday (29 May), we woke up close to 12 noon again. I planned to pay a visit to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) with my dad at the same time.

After freshening up and having lunch, we hailed a taxi to Shinjuku Station. My mum and my brother decided to do their own shopping around Shinjuku, and told us to meet them back there after arrival from Haneda. With that, my dad and I went to purchase our JR line tickets from Shinjuku to Hamamatsucho. Here are some pictures.

Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) is one of the major airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, located in the special ward of Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan. It mainly caters to domestic flights to and from Tokyo, as well as a certain number of international flights.

The fiscal year 2010 saw a drastic change to Haneda. On October 21, 2010 (Thursday), a new international passenger terminal and a fourth runway was opened for service. This allowed Haneda to cater to more international flights, which previous had only handled charter flights to and from Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul (Gimpo), and Shanghai (Hongqiao).

Although Narita handles most of the international flights to and from Tokyo, Haneda competes with Narita, in regards to these flights. In the coming years, it is expected that more passengers will choose to come into Tokyo via Haneda, instead of Narita.

On the other hand, Haneda handles more domestic flights than Narita, and is nearer to the 23 Special wards of Tokyo. If your destination is somewhere within Tokyo's special wards, it is advisable to come in via Haneda whenever possible. However, if you intend to connect to a domestic flight to another part of Japan within Tokyo, the best option would be to come in via Haneda (e.g. Singapore to Sapporo-Chitose via Tokyo-Haneda).

The new South Entrance and Exit of Shinjuku Station

The ticketing concourse of Shinjuku Station

A view of the JR Yamanote Line platforms of Shinjuku Station taken from the footbridge leading to the tracks

The JR Yamanote Line platforms of Shinjuku Station

Between Shinjuku and Hamamatsucho, my dad and I took the JR Yamanote Line. It took approximately 25 minutes between Shinjuku and Hamamatsucho. Here is a video of the JR Yamanote Line train travelling from Shibuya to Ebisu Station.

E231系 JR山手線内回り品川と東京方面行き渋谷駅から恵比寿駅

After arrival at Hamamatsucho Station at around 3.45 p.m., we quickly headed to the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Line concourse for the sector between Hamamatsucho and the airport. This would be my first time riding on the Tokyo Monorail. We then purchased our tickets to Haneda Airport and went onto the platform. We waited for approximately 10 minutes for the Haneda Express train bound for Tokyo International Airport, which would depart at 4 p.m..

The Tokyo Monorail is a dedicated monorail system that links between Hamamatsucho and Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) in Tokyo, Japan. It is the busiest and most profitable monorail line in the world, with more than 300,000 passengers using the line per day. It is also the most scenic way to travel between Haneda Airport and downtown Tokyo.

The 6-car sets (1000 and 2000 series) run at speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph). Panorama cab cars (observation cars) are fitted at each end of the trains to give the passengers a panoramic view, as the train speeds through the tunnels and to allow them to see the driver's cab.

There are three types of train services that operated on the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line. The stop patterns are as follows:

Haneda Express (空港快速; Airport Express): Hamamatsucho (浜松町), Haneda Airport International Terminal (羽田空港国際線ビル), Haneda Airport Terminal 1 (羽田空港第1ビル), Haneda Airport Terminal 2 (羽田空港第2ビル)

Rapid (区間快速; Rapid Transit): Hamamatsucho (浜松町), Tennozu Isle (天王洲アイル), Oi-keibajo-mae (大井競馬場前), Ryutsu Center (流通センター), Haneda Airport International Terminal (羽田空港国際線ビル), Haneda Airport Terminal 1 (羽田空港第1ビル), Haneda Airport Terminal 2 (羽田空港第2ビル)

Local (普通; Regular train): All stations (incl. Showajima, Seibijo, Tenkubashi, Shin-seibijo)

On March 18, 2007, a passing loop was opened at Showajima Station. This allowed the Haneda Express services to commence on the line, and Rapid trains started to make stop at Oi-keibajo-mae and Ryutsu Center Stations. During the daylight hours, many local trains make stop at Showajima Station for approximately 2 to 3 minutes on the new stopping tracks, to allow the Haneda Express services to pass through Showajima without stopping. The Rapid trains also pass through Showajima. In addition, a depot for the Tokyo Monorail trains is located near Showajima Station.

A trip between Hamamatsucho and Haneda Airport on the Tokyo Monorail costs 470 yen (S$7.52) each way. Since 21 October 2010, Japan Rail Pass holders can use the Tokyo Monorail, as JR East maintains a Travel Service Center in Haneda Airport International Terminal Station, which opens from 11 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. daily.

We are taking the Haneda Express train at 4 p.m.!

The Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line station platforms of Hamamatsucho Station

After 5 minutes of waiting, a 1000 series train, which would become Haneda Express train bound for Haneda Airport Terminal 2 finally enter Hamamatsucho at 3.57 p.m.. My dad and I boarded the train and settled in for the 18-minute journey to Haneda Airport. I took the seat near the driver's cab.

I really gotta admit that the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Line between Hamamatsucho and Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) is the best monorail line I have ever taken in the world. I find that it is a LOT better than the Sentosa Express monorail line between VivoCity Shopping Mall and Sentosa Island back in Singapore.

The interior of the Tokyo Monorail 1000 series trainset

At exactly 4 p.m., the Haneda Express train pulled out of Hamamatsucho Station. We were then along our way to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport). Here are some pictures I took along the way.

The railway tracks shortly after pulling out of Hamamatsucho Station, taken from the Tokyo Monorail

Passing through Showajima Station on the way to Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Station, as seen from the Haneda Express monorail train

After 18 minutes of travelling on the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Express train from Hamamatsucho in downtown Tokyo, we finally arrived at Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Station at 4.18 p.m.. I managed to snap some pictures before my dad and I went up to the terminal concourse.

The Tokyo Monorail 1000 series trainset that took us to HND from Hamamatsucho

The station platforms of Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Station. Please excuse me for the unclear view.

The Haneda Airport Domestic Terminal 2 concourse near the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Station

My dad and I then went up to the terminal concourse to find a cafe to have some tea. We then found a cafe, by the name of West Park Cafe, just above the Terminal 2 domestic flight departure concourse and check-in counters. We had some nice tea before looking around Haneda Airport. My dad especially likes the airport's burgers.

The Haneda Airport Terminal 2 domestic flight departure concourse and check-in counters

The Haneda Airport Terminal 2 domestic flight departure concourse and check-in counters as seen from the third floor

The escalators beside the shopping areas in Haneda Airport Domestic Terminal 2

The layout model for the future Haneda Airport which has opened in October 2010

The interior of West Park Cafe in Haneda Airport

A cup of pepsi and water for myself

A plate of french fries and chicken at West Park Cafe in Haneda Airport

After having a sumptuous tea, we walked along a secret passageway between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. At Haneda Airport's Terminal 1, I discovered a hobby shop, named Blue Sky Jalux. It sells a variety of Japan Airlines related items, as well as various model aircraft. Here are some pictures.

The entrance to Haneda Airport's Terminal 1, taken from the secret passageway between domestic flight Terminal 2 and Terminal 1

The overall above view of Haneda Airport Terminal 1

The sign of Blue Sky Jalux hobby shop just outside the entrance

A variety of aircraft models on display in a glass case in Blue Sky Jalux

The walkway beside Blue Sky Jalux in Haneda Airport Terminal 1

While shopping at Blue Sky Jalux, I purchased a Herpa Wings Scale 1:500 plane model. The details are as follows:

1) LAN Airlines Airbus A340-313X Herpa Scale 1:500 (507547)

LAN Airlines Airbus A340-313X Herpa Scale 1:500 (507547)

After spending some time at Haneda Airport, my dad and I decided to head to Shinjuku to meet up with my mum and younger brother. We then walked over to Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Station. As soon as we purchased our tickets, we went down to the platform to catch the Haneda Express train bound for Hamamatsucho, which would leave at 6 o' clock in the evening. Here are some pictures which I took while waiting for the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Express train bound for Hamamatsucho.

The Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line station platform of Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Station

The station name plate of Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Station

After a brief period of waiting, the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Express train for Hamamatsucho finally arrived at Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Station at 5.59 p.m.. My dad and I then boarded the train and settled in for the 16-minute journey to Hamamatsucho. At exactly 6 p.m., we pulled out of Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Station. We were then along our way to Hamamatsucho. Here are some pictures and a video which I took along the way back to Hamamatsucho.