Tokyo 2016 Day 1 - Travel and accommodation

Another Tokyo post, 5 years late! 😂

Our journey started at Penang early morning through Malaysia Airlines, with a 3 hour layover at KL.  It was almost 8pm when we reached Narita.  It was our first time using the country carrier and I must say, the service was almost at par with Singapore Airlines.  Airline food was nice, flight steward service was very pleasant and seats/pillows/blanket were comfortable.  Only downside was the in-flight entertainment, it was quite limited compared to SIA, but adequate for our 7-hour flight time.

Once we landed, we breezed through immigration and skipped the baggage carousel as we traveled light with only hand carry luggage.  I bought our Keisei Skyliner express train tickets from the airport counter which included one transfer before our final stop at the JR Akihabara station.

Entrance to Washington Akihabara Hotel #ctto

Hotel for this trip was the Washington Akihabara Hotel, chosen for its affordable price and prime location, just across the Akihabara station!  The single room allows children under 6 years old stay for free.  The room, at 15 square meters, was the smallest size I've stayed in; it has a double bed and a corner desk stacked to one side of the wall and a small walkway on the other side.  

As is normal with Tokyo hotels with small rooms, it was the main reason we only packed carry on luggage.  The tiny room turned out to be very manageable between one adult and one child. Toilet and bath was cozy but well laid out.  We loved soaking in the deep tub every night after long walks during the day.  Cotton yukatas were provided and replaced daily.  I used the yukata instead of my own pajamas, it was less laundry brought home. 

Akihabara at night #ctto

Convenience stores and restaurants were aplenty once we stepped out of the hotel.  The bright lights of Akihabara surrounded us in this part of Tokyo.  Big electronics stores, maid cafes, shopping stores, restaurants - all Akihabara has to offer was right outside the hotel's doorstep.

Lawson convenience stores are all over Japan #ctto

On this trip, we mostly bought ready-to-eat food items such as baked goods, sandwiches, onigiri (rice balls), bento meals, drinks, among others from Lawson.  Our full schedule didn't allow enough time for proper sit down meals, although we managed about 4 or 5 nicer meals.