So Haneda Once Again

The day had arrived where I was suppose to fly back to Oregon. I tried to relax and enjoy these cute mini donuts from TAU Hiroshima. But the hotel forgot to tell the maid I was staying a little after regular check out. Given that I was the only guest on that floor, it seem a bit much that she kept pounding on my door. Finally the front desk apologized. It wasn't helpful, I was stressed because of the almost daily cancellations of flights by JAL, and the fact that I could not find any information as to what terminal my flight was leaving from. 

So I left early because of that, and because I had to change trains to get to Haneda International Airport. I reached the monorail station as planned, but when I asked a worker there which track I should be at, they told me the wrong one. More than once. I knew what direction the monorail would be coming from, since I had been at this station once before. So I picked that side, and I was right.

I wasn't right in guessing the terminal. And there were no information anywhere as to what gate the flight was leaving from. Thankfully the information person must have been prepared because she was able to tell me and explain what bus to take to get to the right terminal. Also it probably helped that there were very few flights that day. So eventually I made it back to the terminal where I had spent the night of March 11th, 2011. I didn't visit the shops where I slept that night, just saw them from below. Kind of fitting because it felt like another disaster trip.

Checking in and getting through security was pretty fast. No temperature checks, just asked me if I had been to China and one other place. The airport was almost empty. They did have cute displays in places though.

The play area was closed because of the virus. Since there weren't any children, I don't know if it would have mattered. Lots of social distancing this day.

There were some shops that were open. Just no customers.

I found my gate and I found a restaurant that was open. Curacion Cafe.

It was time for lunch and time for something good. Chicken curry, tsukemono pickles and a draft beer.

It was all good. 

I still had some time to wait. That was my gate and no one was there. But at least I made it to the airport without too many difficulties. So being a little early was okay.

I don't normally take photos in the bathroom, but I thought it was interesting to see what Japan was doing in regard to the virus. The air hand dryers are popular in public restrooms, but they had sealed them off from use.

And had installed an air cleaner system. Public health is serious in Japan.

Meanwhile, still waiting. So a few photos of the almost empty Haneda Airport. This was March 31st in the middle of the day.

I didn't forget to take a carpet photo.

The plane was waiting. The only flight by Japan Airlines to San Francisco that day. Only the second flight that week. With none going out of Narita Airport. That was a major reduction.

It was about tea time now, so I ate a little Hiroshima lemon cake. I also was carrying my Moi-même-Moitié bag with me. I didn't want to lose it.

Finally boarded the plane. Lots of space. Having a whole row of seats to myself, with no one in front or behind me. Everyone was wearing a face mask also. No delays with take-off, since there weren't many planes flying. Strange feeling, like it was another world. 

Since we were flying out of Haneda, the route was slightly different. And I got to see something special. The top of Mount Fuji above the clouds. That was nice because I had thought about going to a few places at Mount Fuji this trip, but because of the virus and the uncertainty of my flight, I did not. So seeing the mountain as I left was a bit sad, but also beautiful.

Back on the plane, service was excellent. I think because of the situation, we were given a little first class treatment. At least business class. I started with white wine and rice crackers.

Eventually lunch was served. This was a bento styled lunch created by a famous Japanese chef. It was very delicious. That's miso soup in the cup.

Several hours later, breakfast was served. I had trouble sleeping, in part because the disinfectant bothered my sinuses. I wore gloves for most of the flight, so it didn't bother my hands this time. The airline sprayed the interior of the planes with disinfectant in hopes of reducing viral spread. I ended up watching the new "Little Women" movie, which was nice.

I was tired, but I still enjoyed breakfast from Soup Stock with green tea to drink. It's funny, because I would pass by Soup Stock in Ikebukuro Station all the time, and it always smelled good. But I never ate there. My flight from Japan had small reminders of my times of being in Japan.

My last post will be about the second part of my trip back to Oregon.

Sushi and Ikebukuro Station

If you wander around Ikebukuro Station long enough, you will find tiny restaurants and food take out places in some of the smallest areas. Sometimes it pays to walk to the end of a corridor past your usual exit. One day I discovered this little Krispy Kreme booth with it's Sesame Street colorful donuts. I will confess to eating both of the matcha donuts. Because it's something that won't ever be at the local Krispy Kremes here. 

But my favorite "hole in the wall" place that I found is Tachigui Midori Sushi, also known as Midori Sushi Echika Ikebukuro. There is a little standing sushi bar there, but what caught my attention was the long case full of take-out sushi. So I grabbed this pack with various types of nigiri. 

I also picked up this cucumber with ume rolls, as something to eat for breakfast the next day. Both were really good and fresh. The ease of getting these right by the exit I used at Ikebukuro Station was very nice after a long day of walking around places in Tokyo. 

I will say that once a person has good ikura, (seasoned salmon roe), it ups your standard for something equal if not better. This salmon sushi bowl was tasty and fresh. Because there is a little kitchen behind the wall where the refrigerated case is. It is where they prepare all of their take-out food. And since they do a brisk business, most of the items do not stay long in the case.

I did eat more than sushi. Believe it or not, this salad was from a 7-Eleven konbini. And it was good. Along with the maguro nigiri from Tachigui Midori Sushi.

I read they have a little stand-up sushi bar, but since I was finding enough variety in their case, I didn't stop in. Usually there was a short line for purchasing, but even that wait was not long. And with a decent selection, to go was easier. One day I wanted to try one of their larger rolls. I think this is their version of a California roll and it was good. 

My last day in Tokyo so I splurged. And it wasn't much money either. Their prices are decent for what you get. 

I just had to throw in these jumbo sushi rolls. Breakfast before my flight back to Oregon. So big I couldn't eat all of it. But it was fun to try it.

So if you are ever in Ikebukuro Station and wanting decent take out sushi, head for exit C-6. Tachigui Midori Sushi is on your left as you walk to the escalator. 

Tokyo Food

Probably better to title this "A Sampling of Tokyo Konbini Food". While I didn't eat every meal from a konbini, I did take advantage of the variety of fresh food you can get at them. Like this teriyaki chicken I ate the first night. Always good to know the words "atatame masu ka?" which is what the employees will ask wanting to know if you want them to warm your food.

Being in Japan in March means it's time for sakura themed everything. This little crepe was one of the first things I bought at 7-Eleven.

This was like a dorayaki filled with "fluffy mochi" or so the wrapper said. Hidden inside was a bit of whipped cream and anko red bean paste I think. It was actually pretty good.

I went looking for almonds and found these on sale. Also pretty good. I know we can get Lotte Almonds here, not sure about the crisp part. I did find non-chocolate almonds later.

That sakura theme? It's on everything. Including this rather sweet sake. I did try it, not something I would drink again. Definitely a marketing for sakura watching parties. Personally if it's sparkling I would rather have champagne.

Sorry my photos aren't better lit. Result of having windows of another building just yards away from mine. I don't think I opened the drapes the whole time I was there. Thus lack of light for photos. At least this sushi roll was better than the photo. Cucumber and surimi with a mustard mayo seasoning. Not my usual choice for sushi but I wanted to try something different.

Back to the sakura theme and my little dessert that night. This was more like a short bread cookie with a salt pickled sakura bud. Definitely different.

I don't know why I decided to try different sake this trip but it helped that konbini have a variety of small bottles to chose from. I think this is the same maker as the big US brewer Takera. Who are also responsible for that Mio sake. This however was not brewed in the US.

Glad I had an excuse to try the Yamazaki strawberry cake. Also nice my room had a fridge to keep the second piece cold for another day.

Because there was a birthday so why not enjoy a little something for it. Pretty delicious.

And a french cruller donut for breakfast in between concerts. For those who can't decide if they want chocolate or not. (I swear I bought this before someone else posted a photo of a french cruller donut at that time).

This Hatsukuru Yamada Nishiki sake was my favorite along with that great one from Hiroshima. The glass is one of the things that made it home with me.

 This Tamano Hikari sake was nice too.

I looked for chocolates that I can't find in the US. Choices were a bit limited in the konbini. I did find these Fujiya brand Look chocolates. Unusual flavors plus a lot of packaging.

Last are a couple of pastries I didn't get at a konbini but at La Boulangerie Quignon at Tachikawa Station. Which leads to my next set of posts.

Pretty nice baked goods for my last day and of course there's that sakura blossom on the scone.