Travel Planning for Tokyo Marathon 2015
After the race registration was done, air ticket and hotel had to be booked so that I could have a comfortable journey and stay in Osaka. The initial plan was to book Hyatt Regency Tokyo but due to a last minute change in my company’s block leave, I have decided to change to Hilton Tokyo as it is also near the start point for Tokyo Marathon.
Based on the costs incurred for both the air ticket and hotel stay (6 nights), these are not applicable as they have been subsidized by vouchers and my air miles which I have accumulated from my work during past few working years.
When I reached Haneda International Airport羽田空港 in the early morning 7am+ timing (Chinese New Year day 1), the customs was pretty quick as there are not many tourists in the early morning shift. Took some time to get familiarized with the airport and the first thing to do was to get Tokyo maps, Pasmo card (prepaid card for subway travel in Tokyo) at the Airport Express station (Keikyu Line京急本線) would bring one to Shinjuku station新宿駅. Train ride was about 40 minutes and the seats are comfortable even for travelers with luggage.
Upon reaching Shinjuku station, I truly realized how difficult it was to navigate Shinjuku station as it has more than 30 exits with different platforms in use *jaw drops*
I reached the hotel around 9am+ and deposited my luggage with the hotel before heading for a short walk at Shinjuku Central Park. After the short walk to get used to the cold temperature in Shinjuku, it was time for me to make the trip to the race expo which I budgeted travel and walking time of an hour plus.
Shinjuku Central Park which is bright, sunny but cold at 6 degrees when i first reached around 10am (Japan timing)
Map of Shinjku Central Park which is a nice park for an easy run/jog/stroll.
Notice the Tokyo Marathon notice attached below the map which indicated that it is a gathering point for race participants.
Next entry will be on Tokyo Marathon 2015's race expo which definitely deserves a blog post by itself
Based on the costs incurred for both the air ticket and hotel stay (6 nights), these are not applicable as they have been subsidized by vouchers and my air miles which I have accumulated from my work during past few working years.
When I reached Haneda International Airport羽田空港 in the early morning 7am+ timing (Chinese New Year day 1), the customs was pretty quick as there are not many tourists in the early morning shift. Took some time to get familiarized with the airport and the first thing to do was to get Tokyo maps, Pasmo card (prepaid card for subway travel in Tokyo) at the Airport Express station (Keikyu Line京急本線) would bring one to Shinjuku station新宿駅. Train ride was about 40 minutes and the seats are comfortable even for travelers with luggage.
Upon reaching Shinjuku station, I truly realized how difficult it was to navigate Shinjuku station as it has more than 30 exits with different platforms in use *jaw drops*
I reached the hotel around 9am+ and deposited my luggage with the hotel before heading for a short walk at Shinjuku Central Park. After the short walk to get used to the cold temperature in Shinjuku, it was time for me to make the trip to the race expo which I budgeted travel and walking time of an hour plus.
Shinjuku Central Park which is bright, sunny but cold at 6 degrees when i first reached around 10am (Japan timing)
Map of Shinjku Central Park which is a nice park for an easy run/jog/stroll.
Notice the Tokyo Marathon notice attached below the map which indicated that it is a gathering point for race participants.
Next entry will be on Tokyo Marathon 2015's race expo which definitely deserves a blog post by itself