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#809176 by taurus
28 Apr 2012, 13:44
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
After a fascinating 9 days in Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto, topped off with a brilliant final night at the Tokyo Park Hyatt, we headed off from the bewildering Shinjuku station on the Narita Express. Took about an hour and a half to reach the airport.

We'd done OLCI the day before, but there was a bit of a queue for the bag drop and the agent who served us admitted she didn't usually do check-in, so it seemed to take her a while. No queue at security, so quickly through to the Tokyo Clubhouse. A welcoming cocktail was served, no idea what it was, but it was pink. We'd had a big breakfast at the hotel before setting off so didn't fancy any food, but managed a glass of champagne. The clubhouse was pretty full by the time boarding was called.

The Clubhouse was just next door to the gate, so were quickly onboard (welcomed by name again!) More champagne, and changed into sleep suits Only three or four suites unoccupied.

Took off promptly, friendly cabin crew soon bustling about with drinks and taking lunch orders.

Lunch menu:
Starters
Tomato and basil soup (topped with pan-fried croutons)
Japanese appetiser (Minced duck with egg cake, boiled shrimp and grilled chicken skewer with negi leek sauce)

Mains
Grilled breast of chicken (served with sun-dried tomato butter and demi-glace cream sauce, mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach and carrot batons)
Fillet of beef (with teriyaki sauce, Japanese seasonal vegetables and rice served with miso soup)
Mixed mushroom and ricotta cannelloni

Desserts
Warm bread and butter pudding
Chocolate mousse cake

I had the Japanese appetiser and Fillet of beef - both OK.

Cheese was brought round on the trolley, which as others have said did block off the aisles for quite a while ( as did the afternoon tea service later).

Managed to get a good couple of hours sleep after this, but wanted to try and get back to UK time so started a few films, none of which engaged me, so settled into a book. Had a few trips to pick up drinks and snacks from the bar, which seemed mainly occupied by children and doting parents. Cabin crew were always around when you needed them.

High tea was OK. The plastic tiered plate seemed a bit naff and the 'clotted cream' with the scone wasn't clotted. Sandwiches were fine, didn't have cake.

Arrived back in the UK on time but had to hold for a while before landing, so were about half an hour late landing. Through Passport Control quickly, and bags were already waiting, so soon on our way back to Central London.

As on our outward flight, to an occasional traveller, I could find little to fault. So back to spending on our Virgin Amexes until we have enough miles for another trip :)
#809184 by DragonLady
28 Apr 2012, 16:10
Shinjuku station is something else isn't it :0 .
The Narita CH is pretty diddy but it's great to be able to literally walk out of the place and on to the plane :D .
Thank you for the TR- Japan is a fantastic place to visit.
DL
#809187 by Petmadness
28 Apr 2012, 17:06
Thanks for your fine TR y) Japan is a place that I am yet to get to but after stretching the travel boundaries out east last year to HKG it is getting tempting with all these positive reports :D

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