Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - Sightseeing in Tokyo - Part 5

Continuation from:

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - ABMF Conference at the ADB Institute - Part 4

After the conference we got half a day to kill before our flight back to KL. So we took a walk to see the Imperial Palace and Gardens.

Took a walk which was nice as the weather was cool. Was surprised to see the number of people on the street (lack off). I always imagined the sidewalk will be full of people.

The gardens.

Grand looking moat and battlements.

One of many ancient gates to the gardens.

Well taken care moat.

No cars are allowed here.

The modern buildings surrounding the Imperial Palace and garden.

One of the entrance to the Imperial Palace.

We then found ourselves at Ginza.

Shops everywhere.

Now you start to see the people.

Also walked pass the Tokyo Tower.

By night time we found ourselves at the Shibuya Traing Station were we found the famous statue of the dog Hachiko.

Dinner at a Korean restaurant.

To be continued.

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - ABMF Conference at the ADB Institute - Part 4

Continuation from:

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - Vending Machine styled Restaurant Combo- Part 3  

The ADB Institute is located somewhere inside this tall building in the heart of the business district of Tokyo. 

 

The ABMF Conference was held inside the ADB training floor which can fit a few hundred people.
 

A speaker from Thailand.

A speaker from Indonesia.

A speaker from Philippines.

Taking a selfie inside a lift.

My colleague, Shah, doing his presentation.

View from the back of the training room.

To be continued.

 

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - Vending Machine styled Restaurant Combo- Part 3

Continuation from:

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - The Hotel Okura Tokyo - Part 2

After unpacking it was already evening and it was time to search for food. As it was a Sunday, the streets of Tokyo where I was staying was practically deserted. After walking for a good half hour found this restaurant. However, this restaurant is not the typical eatery we would expect in KL.

For one, you need to make your choice of menu (and pay as well) via a very sophisticated vending machine. Once done, the system directs the chef to make the necessary and delivered to where we are sitting.

Ungai and rice - comfort food. Note the portion of the dish - very American.

To be continued.

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - The Hotel Okura Tokyo - Part 2

Continuation from:

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - The flight out - Part 1

In Tokyo, the base of operation was the Hotel Okura Tokyo. Located in the Chiyoda District, the hotel is at the heart of the city. It is close to the US Embassy.

The size of the room was also surprising large especially in Tokyo.

It still had the 1980s old hotel feel to it despite having all the modern amenities.

The toilet head needs mentioning. It has an electronically control bidet system.

This is one of the few hotels with loads of toiletries.

Complimentary hot drinks. Japanese are not known for taking a lot of sugar. This is more evident in the number of sugar sachets allocated - just two!

King size bed with kimono.

Cute origami as a welcoming gift from the hotel.

The view outside the window.

Cool roof garden.

The waiting area in the lobby. The furniture looks like the 60s. Retro.

The lobby is very Japanese. Loads of wood and brooding. Symmetrical.

The famous Japanese Smoke Tree, named after the fact that it generates an underbrush of flowers that looks like cotton hence the "smoke" effect.

To be continued.

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - The flight out - Part 1

Had to make a working visit to Tokyo, Japan last week. The flight was via ANA at a very early time of 7:00 am on Sunday morning. Had to wake up early and travel by car and arrive at KLIA around 4:00 am.

The airport has some activity but barely.

Was fortunate enough to be entitled a business class ticket so I was able to use the ANA designated lounge. Not as impressive as MAS' Golden Lounge.

Out the window I can see the plane that will take me to Japan.

ANA 816 uses a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. My first on this type of aircraft. Three obvious unique thing about this plane is the much higher ceiling, the bigger window and the electrochemical powered window dimmer.

Look at the size of the window. Just below it is the control for the electrochemical dimmer.

The on-board entertainment is not as extensive as MAS but even then I was able to cram in 3 movies. When we arrived at Narita Airport, Terminal 1 South Wing, I had to exit the plane via stairs and use the airport bus as ferry to the terminal. Was very surprised we were not allocated an aero-bridge.

Immigration took about an hour (it could have been earlier if I knew the priority entitlement came with business class passengers). Anyway, took the luggage and booked a ticket for a limo bus to get to Tokyo and to the hotel.

It is just a quarter past 5:00 pm in Tokyo as I head towards the city.

On the road, I noticed how clean all their trucks were compared to what you'll find in Malaysia.

Tokyo Bay.

Tokyo City.

To be continued.