Tokyo - the busiest city in Japan

Tokyo - a city in the Northern hemisphere hits daylight first, a city where innovation and business are created , developped, and to some, a city where dreams may be established. Iconic buildings, such as the Tokyo Tower (I was there when I was 4 but then the latest one was viewing it from the Tokyo Castle) astonishes you with new thoughts and perspectives; the many places for the food and shopping (Ginza, Shinjuku, Ikeburo) just marks your sensation to nowhere but to enjoy the wonders of the place; and the wonders from the little gardens of this little city, where you can find almost nothing but green and silence. This city is rich, colourful and provides you with a sensational busy city life but, at the same time, chill and absorb the wonders the many things that our natural environment God has provided us.

Now, there's something where it is terribly hard for one to observe, admire, and adore in Tokyo - Fujisan (or some call it Fujiyama or Fuji Mountain or Mount Fuji). Indeed, it's a mountain where every Japanese will climb to claim themselves as Japanese. Unfortunately, I am one of those who has yet to do so - and would love to do so! This was taken from a View Room from Hyatt Regency Tokyo in Shinjuku at around 9am in November, 2009. Only looking at it already made me get the best camera I had and snap a shot of it. You can see the clear skies and yes, the best time to get this beautiful mountain. With onsen hotels (hot spring spas) and beautiful lakes on the mountain, Fujiyama offers a relaxing spot just an hour away from this busy city by train (or bus).

This brings me to talk more about our next spot, which offers identical relaxation, food and wonders, but in a more relaxed manner - Karuizawa. Stay tune!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flight information (for those who pays attention to flights)

Cathay Pacific / JAL / ANA offers flights to Tokyo Narita Airport and Haneda Airport

(with CX commencing Haneda service from 31 Oct 2010)

Recommended flights for HK departures:

CX 524 (midnight flight for those who can burn the midnight oil) (usually A330-300 jets)

CX 504 (first flight going to NRT in the morning) (usually A330-300 jets)

CX 548 (first flight going to HND in the morning) (usually B747-400 jets)

Food served on these flights (based on Economy class): CX Catering (Hong Kong) Japanese meals with no vegetables and no appetizers; hot bread roll served on the side with Tim Tam

Transportation to / from city centre: Narita - Narita Express (to Tokyo /Shinagawa / Shinjuku / Ikeburo / Yokohama) or bus (1 hr+) ; Haneda - Trains to Shinagawa (30-45 mins)

Recommended return flights to HK:

CX 549 (last flight from HND) (usually B747-400 jets - turn around flight from CX 548)

CX 521 (second last flight with more seats available usually) (usuall A330-300 jets)

CX 505 (latest flight from NRT) (usually A330-300 jets)
Food served on these flight (based on Economy class): CX Catering (Hong Kong) Japanese meals with no vegetables and no appetizers; hot bread roll served on the side with Tim Tam except CX 505 which loads their meals from Taiwan and food is usually more spicy and taste like Japanese food a la Taiwan. Recommendation for spicy-haters: request NO BEEF meals or simply grab it from the airport

CX Studio is on all flights but video-on-demand is only availble in 747-400 jets as of this writing for Tokyo flights