#893609 by NV43
26 Jan 2015, 09:29
Arriving back in Tokyo Station we spotted an E6 Series Shinkansen about to depart for Shin-Amori on the Japan Rail East line. Capable of 320 kph (200 mph), the driver's compartment is more like an aircraft than a train; will we see something similar on the UK proposed HS2?

Didn't think so.

Anyway, this particular post is not about railway stock.

Arriving in our room at Four Seasons Tokyo at Marunouchi, we find ourselves upgraded to a rather splendid suite with views out towards Ginza, and undertaking the customary opening of cupboards and doors discover ourselves reflected in a three mirrored check your outfit is perfect walk-in space; suitably bizarre.

Drinking a coffee we spot that the television has a side slot for DVDs and BluRay discs; hurrah, we can watch another couple of episodes of 'Fringe', after dinner as we always pack a couple of DVDs and BluRays when travelling.

Then we find a library list of BluRay discs; even more things to watch including, at number 14, 'Frozen', (which we will not be watching), and, in a leather, case two pairs of Sharp AN-3DG10 powered glasses; we have a THX certified 3D television, complete with a lending library of 3D BluRay discs.

Is this a first for a hotel?

To top things off, we have a 30% discount on food orders in ekki Bar & Grill and, the Japanese equivalent of 'Happy Hour'; two hours of 'Free Flow' including beers, wines and cocktails for 3000 yen (plus tax and service charge), let's say £17 plus 8% consumption tax and 15% service charge, the equivalent of two cocktails in a hotel bar (I'll edit the standard price in when we return as Lauren has just finished Richard Kadrey's 'Butcher Bird', and is ready for a drink.

Cheers! 8D
#893620 by mallin
26 Jan 2015, 12:04
Sounds absolutely space age. Good on the Fringe was an avid watcher from start to finish.

WE have been looking at a break in the Canaries for March and I cannot believe how they are still stuck in the 70's with crt tv's, no wifi, no facilities to speak of. They still want nearly £2,000 for 10 days on a Thomson plane and a 3 star place, absolutely atrocious.

I want to go to USA but hubby says just a short break as we have 2 longhaul booked for later in the year, even a 3 star in America has king beds and wifi.

Really envy you at the moment, enjoy.
#893628 by NV43
26 Jan 2015, 13:09
mallin and Tinuks

'Gravity' has, just, been loaded; everything has been explained, we are about to launch into orbit.
#893630 by pjh
26 Jan 2015, 13:18
NV43 wrote:mallin and Tinuks

'Gravity' has, just, been loaded; everything has been explained, we are about to launch into orbit.


Remember to dodge the space debris....
#893684 by ratechaser
26 Jan 2015, 20:58
pjh wrote:
NV43 wrote:mallin and Tinuks

'Gravity' has, just, been loaded; everything has been explained, we are about to launch into orbit.


Remember to dodge the space debris....


Awesome film when watched in 3D on a big screen. Dear wife didn't rate it at all, but suspect she was just miffed at gorgeous George being bumped off early...
#893687 by Bretty
26 Jan 2015, 21:12
Sounds like you're having a ball, and never heard of 3D telly in a hotel room, but then, you're in Japan, I'm surprised there wasn't an Otaku in Cosplay waiting in the room ;)
Last edited by Bretty on 27 Jan 2015, 15:09, edited 1 time in total.
#893722 by gfonk
27 Jan 2015, 12:18
Bretty wrote:Sounds like you're having a ball, and never heard of 3D telly in a hotel room,Mobutu then, you're in Japan, I'm surprised there wasn't an Otaku in Cosplay waiting in the room ;)

lol bretty!!!

being that you are in a top hotel in Tokyo, that sort of thing doesnt really surprise me.
In the business hotel we stay in Shinjuku the TV in the room also allows access to the internet at 100mbps!! still dont have that here at home!! LOL!!! A few years back I saw an advert in YODOBASHI akihabara for a mobile dongle which would offer 42mbps anywhere in the city!!! In 2007 I saw an old guy who had a japanese flip phone (i love those phones) and he was watching live tv while surfing the internet on the mainline train in Tokyo!!!
Ah cant wait too go again!!!
Really looking forward to hearing all about your trip NV43.
#893731 by pjh
27 Jan 2015, 13:58
Bretty wrote:Mobutu then, you're in Japan, I'm surprised there wasn't an Otaku in Cosplay waiting in the room ;)


Can I have subtitles, please ? :)
#893734 by Bretty
27 Jan 2015, 15:17
pjh wrote:
Bretty wrote:Mobutu then, you're in Japan, I'm surprised there wasn't an Otaku in Cosplay waiting in the room ;)


Can I have subtitles, please ? :)

Lol, Mobutu is a typo - bleedin' iPad keyboard. Should say 'but'.

An Otaku is a Geek, guys (and sometimes gals) who are into Manga and other sci-fi / fantasy.
#893736 by gfonk
27 Jan 2015, 15:21
Bretty wrote:
pjh wrote:
Bretty wrote:Mobutu then, you're in Japan, I'm surprised there wasn't an Otaku in Cosplay waiting in the room ;)


Can I have subtitles, please ? :)

Lol, Mobutu is a typo - bleedin' iPad keyboard. Should say 'but'.

An Otaku is a Geek, guys (and sometimes gals) who are into Manga and other sci-fi / fantasy.

Just to add to what Bretty said, that OTAKU means geek but can be used to refer to all kinds of GEEK, we would be considered aviation OTAKU!!
#893743 by NV43
27 Jan 2015, 17:17
No, I'm going to say that Otaku is more singularly obsessive, than geek.

I'm lucky to be travelling with my own Pickachu; she's currently wearing pink Miss Kitty pyjamas, in order that she can go outside for a cigarette, before falling into bed.

コインランドリー (coin laundry), tomorrow, and we can decide between the Moose onesie (clean) and the pyjamas (worn, this evening) for the NRT-LHR flight on Thursday.

The weather forecast is for snow, in Tokyo, tomorrow.

Sincerely, we do not mind being trapped here for a few (actually, a lot) more days.

ClubHouse invitations still available; see the Itinerary section, for details.

Graham, this may be one of the lengthiest TRs in the history of v-flyer ..........
#893748 by gfonk
27 Jan 2015, 17:40
NV43 wrote:No, I'm going to say that Otaku is more singularly obsessive, than geek.

I'm lucky to be travelling with my own Pickachu; she's currently wearing pink Miss Kitty pyjamas, in order that she can go outside for a cigarette, before falling into bed.

コインランドリー (coin laundry), tomorrow, and we can decide between the Moose onesie (clean) and the pyjamas (worn, this evening) for the NRT-LHR flight on Thursday.

The weather forecast is for snow, in Tokyo, tomorrow.

Sincerely, we do not mind being trapped here for a few (actually, a lot) more days.

ClubHouse invitations still available; see the Itinerary section, for details.

Graham, this may be one of the lengthiest TRs in the history of v-flyer ..........


Yes you are right about the singularly obsessive lol like it.

lol onsie!!! nice!!!
Im really looking forward to the TR!!! cant wait to be there too!!! though a little apprehensive about flying BA.

Snow in Tokyo?NICE!!! you never know!
#893765 by Bretty
27 Jan 2015, 18:53
I'm looking forward to the TR too, but no onesie please!!!

Graham it's not long before you're off now is it?
Ooh there it is, 31 days. And I'm at 73.

I've had a lazy day at work today so I've been formatting an Excel spreadsheet for trip planning... lord knows why since I use notes on my iPhone and iPad, my obsessive filing system andTripit (which is ace)! It must be the Otaku in me :w :w
#893776 by tontybear
27 Jan 2015, 22:51
Never mind 3d telly what about a chocolate left on the pillow each evening?
#893785 by NV43
28 Jan 2015, 06:06
Darren Wheeler wrote:Hope you stayed away from the Adult Channels... ):


Ha ha ha!

3D porn might be interesting, but I'm much happier with the real thing. ):
#893786 by NV43
28 Jan 2015, 06:17
We have received origami cranes, small boxes of truffles, and bowls of cerfully prepared fruit; the skin cut away from most of the flesh of Muskmelon, grapefruit, oranges etc.

Off for a final visit to Akihabara; we just need to pick-up a few last minute gifts and some crazy toys.
#893790 by pjh
28 Jan 2015, 09:34
NV43 wrote:
Darren Wheeler wrote:Hope you stayed away from the Adult Channels... ):


Ha ha ha!

3D porn might be interesting,


Doesn't bear thinking about. More things and stuff to dodge than when watching "Gravity" :0
#893803 by gfonk
28 Jan 2015, 14:43
Bretty wrote:I'm looking forward to the TR too, but no onesie please!!!

Graham it's not long before you're off now is it?
Ooh there it is, 31 days. And I'm at 73.

I've had a lazy day at work today so I've been formatting an Excel spreadsheet for trip planning... lord knows why since I use notes on my iPhone and iPad, my obsessive filing system andTripit (which is ace)! It must be the Otaku in me :w :w


lol yeah I know the feeling. I have all my documents in a nice purple folder all in the order that they will be needed ofcourse, with copies of the ones that are needed twice (CDC bookings etc). We also do a spreadsheet in Numbers with our daily schedule- who we are meeting and where we are eating if already booked. Then we have a list of a variety of restaurants so that we can just pick one to go too.

I still have to order some swimming shorts as three of the hotels we are staying at have a pool :-) and need to book a couple more restaurants in Tokyo. Kitaohji in nishi shinjuku being one:-) sushi is already booked for the first night too (bit of a tradition now)
Bretty - you're at 73 wow!! maximus is going after you as well I seem to remember.
NV43 -you are funny!!!! and 3D porn lol now thats a scary thought!!! ):
enjoy akihabara-im looking forward to going. I love the train jingles, been listening to my cd - now that IS OTAKU!!! LOL! hassha melody!! departure melody.
#893838 by Bretty
28 Jan 2015, 20:50
Graham you mentioned a list of restaurants... Is that list available by any chance? I'm always on the look out for recommendations, otherwise I can easily get into routine of using the same place repeatedly, even on holiday!

I adore sushi but need to always ensure there's an alternative for my dear husband (it's official now ;) )

I must be sure when we go to Akihabara we actually find all the shops next time. All we found was Yodobashi Camera and from there couldn't find much, think we went in the wrong direction! Might try a maid cafe if I can persuade 'im indoors to try summat weird :0

Now, 3D porn... Ooh my, not sure I could cope with that ):
#893851 by whiterose
28 Jan 2015, 22:45
Bretty wrote:
I adore sushi but need to always ensure there's an alternative for my dear husband (it's official now ;) )



We missed the ceremony? You didn't tell us? You old misery! We could have drunk your health and the place dry!!!

Congratulations ^) ^) ^)
#893856 by Blacky1
29 Jan 2015, 00:07
whiterose wrote:
Bretty wrote:
I adore sushi but need to always ensure there's an alternative for my dear husband (it's official now ;) )



We missed the ceremony? You didn't tell us? You old misery! We could have drunk your health and the place dry!!!

Congratulations ^) ^) ^)


Yes John you kept that quiet didn't you !
Virgin Atlantic

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

Itinerary Calendar