Today we left Seattle, WA at 12:20pm on Christmas Eve and arrived approximately 10 hours later in Narita, Japan at 3:30pm on Christmas Day. United took great care of us on the way there. They even upgraded us to Economy Plus for free! We had an entire row to ourselves with lots of legroom in a mostly empty section of the plane. The captain even treated us to a smooth touchdown which Jessica appreciated.
Customs and immigration went surprisingly smooth. Japan takes both your photo and index fingerprints when entering the country. The baggage claim had food sniffing dogs checking people's luggage. I'm told that Japanese customs has a problem with people trying to bring contraband food into the country. Guides were everywhere and everyone was very courteous and helpful.
Leaving the airport, we took the Keisei Line to Aoto, then hopped on the Asakusa Line to Ningyōchō (人形町) Station. Four flights of stairs and a not so short walk later, we were at our hotel, Hotel Horidome Villa. Wow! The room is impressively small, but somehow we fit just fine. We unpacked a little bit, realized we were starving, then headed off to dinner.
Just next door to the hotel is a Yoshinoya which is basically a Japanese Waffle House. Cheap (but unlike WH delicious), common food that's quick. The two of us ate well for just ¥970 ($11.46). Jessica had their signature beef bowl and I had some spicy curry. A bowl of miso soup is only ¥50 ($0.59)! I suspect there will be many more food reports involving Yoshinoya. :D
Finally we did some grocery shopping for drinks and breakfast, had something to drink at Cafe Volace, and headed back to the room for the night. Bedtime was about 10:00pm, or about 21 hours after we woke up in Seattle that morning.
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