First Day, First Impressions

The flight was overbooked, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if I’d even make it, as my seat hadn’t been assigned just minutes before boarding. But once I was seated, everything took a turn for the better—especially with the upgrade to Economy Premium (huge thanks to Jackie for making that happen!). The flight didn’t feel too long, although I had imagined immigration would be more efficient. I was surprised to find that not everything at the Tokyo airport was clearly marked in English, which I had expected. You really have to keep an eye out for English signage.

After navigating the airport, I managed to get my train ticket into the city, got off at the right station, and with the help of Google Maps, found my way to the hotel. Since my room wasn’t quite ready, I treated myself to a lovely lunch on the 27th floor. My room is one floor up, on the 28th, right above the main train station, where I can watch the trains come and go all day long.

With the nearby Imperial Gardens tempting me, I went for a stroll and admired the immaculately manicured landscapes—truly impressive. After walking more than 10,000 steps, I’m feeling exhausted, so it's an early night for me!