Always, Japan

NOT ON time. But ahead of time – exactly 25 minutes to ETA. It’s getting to be a habit with Cebu Pacific.   

Narita this time, the nth trip to Japan but still as exciting as the first one in the 1990s yet. The frequent traveler’s “been there, done that” jadedness dissolves in the heartfelt warmth, the unspoiled beauty, aye, the sheer magnificence of the land of the rising sun. That each coming turning in anticipation of yet another happy returning.

And happiness counts not the days, immersed the happy one in the gentle flow of moments.

Immersed, indeed, in sensory delights in the digital artwork installations – some combined with water, knee-deep at certain points – at the teamLab Planets in Toyosu, our first stop. Its labyrinth of light bounded by mirrors, magical.

Magic turns to marvel at nearby Odaiba, the eternal boy escaping out of this senior body at the sight of the 65-foot Unicorn Gundam, iconic of Japanese sci-fi anime.  

The experience working up the appetite for dinner, sated so fully by the succulent sushi and sashimi at Tsukiji Tama Sushi. 

Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku for our first night lived up to its luxurious billing. But before calling it a night, a short walk to and ride up the 45^th floor observatory of the  Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building where before one’s eyes lay the city in all its nighttime glory.  

Woke up to a morning call by son Jonathan, daughter in-law Kaori, and grandson Jin-kun for an hour-or-so of family bonding. It’s that thing I call “the relativity of travel.”

Mount Fuji

On board the bus at 10 a.m. to Arakurayama Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida. Offered prayers to the mountain deities at the shrine by the foot of the stairs. Huffed and puffed climbing the 398 steps, to be rewarded with the breathtaking panorama of Mount Fuji, foregrounded by the five-storey red Chureito Pagoda and the city sprawl. Sans its iconic snow cap – in summer – though, Mount Fuji is only as majestic as Albay’s Mayon. The view gets its awesomeness in springtime – with all the beautiful sakura in full bloom, and in autumn – the red, gold, and orange leaves shimmering. Both I’ve experienced in previous visits.

Off to the Hakone Open-Air Museum for a buffet lunch at its aptly named Bella Forest restaurant and a walk through its sculpture park featuring the works of Japanese and Western artists set amongst lush trees and sprawling lawns. Alas, time constraints held us back from its Picasso Pavilion and its natural-fed hot-spring footbath.

A rather longish bus ride to Yokohama, quick check-in at Hotel New Grand and rushed to Osanbashi Pier for the Royal Wing six-course dinner cruise along Yokohama Bay. The night view of the city from the deck is enthralling.

Promenaded back to the hotel through Yamashita Park along the waterfront.  Watched the dancing fountain at the Sea Goddess statue a few steps from the hotel entrance.

Hotel New Grand is a story in itself. Opened in 1927, it has played host to historical figures ranging from Gen. Douglas MacArthur to Charlie Chaplin and Babe Ruth. We stayed at its newer Tower adjacent to the old building which opens up to a panoramic view of Yokohama Bay, especially its Le Normandie, recognized as highest in the Top 20 best restaurants in Asia-Pacific by the Miele Guide.  

Tokyo Skytree

Sunday’s back to the capital. Tokyo Sukaitsuri, the Skytree, tallest tower in the world at 634 meters, second tallest structure after Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.   

Observatories splashed with images of the Peanuts gang of Charlie Brown and Snoopy at 350 meters and 450 meters offering panoramic views of the city and its river, Sumida. Sections of glass floorings gives a downward vertiginous view of the streets below. Great for selfies and Instagram though.

Lunch at Sizzler at Richmond Hotel Premier Tokyo, just across the street from the Tokyo Skytree. Deviated from the usual Japanese fare, for salads, soup, baked potatoes, and a rack of lamb, medium rare. Oishi!

At the Asakusa Amezaiku – Candy Art Crafts, travel mates tried their hand at fashioning candy in the shape of a rabbit – ending with new, if mutated species of the animal. Fun, fun.

Outside the workshop waiting, jinrikishas to take us around Asakusa in the immediate vicinity of the Sensoji Temple. More fun. Pity the shafu (driver) though that took on the 200-pound-plus-plus Deng Pangilinan.

Denied – by time and circumstances – a walk-through at the Shibuya Crossing, the first-timers in our media group made do with pedestrian lanes crisscrossing by the main entrance to Asakusa Temple.   

Shopping for souvenirs at Nakamise-Dori ended in silent prayer at the temple.  

At Asakusa Tempura Aoi Marushin, more than an assortment of tempura was served for dinner – sushi and sashimi too, plus dishes with names hard to remember but tastes that stay forever.

Drizzle, drizzle. Foreshadowing typhoon Faxai fast approaching. Taxis to Asakusa View Hotel and checked in for the night. But for this senior, quietly slipped out all to one destination – Don Quijote. No rain could stop the shopping bug.

Past midnight roused from sound sleep by pounding and creaking – Faxai unleashing its 207 kph winds on the city. Strange, the fascination instead of fear at watching the storm passed by the floor to ceiling window of Room 1503.

Up to a summer day anew, traces of Faxai in Asakusa but in the fallen leaves and one or two overturned signboards.

As Narita’s been closed and major rail transport stopped till mid-morning, early check-out and trip to the Shisui Premium Outlet Park cancelled. Substitute destination – Akihabara, the electronics and gadget wonderland two subway stations away.

On the way to Narita by 4 p.m. Learned of the thousands of stranded passengers early in the day. Traffic to the airport was EDSA-like. Good our bus driver knew detours and side roads that led us right to the Terminal 2 gates.

Smooth check-in at the Cebu Pacific counters. Parting thanks to our tour guides and staff of the Japan National Tourism Organization, a most wonderful host for the visit. No sayonara though, but see you again, and again, sooner than later.         

Yes, Kyoto in autumn is wonderful.