NRT-Tokyo: Hibiya Park

Hibiya Park is a short 15-20 minute walk from the ANA Intercontinental Hotel and is on the way if you are headed to the Imperial Palace and the East Gardens.

It's definitely a worthwhile destination, especially on a nice day or when there are performers. The day I went was sunny, but a tad chilly and windy. Although it was a winter day and lacking summer greenery, there was still some areas that had flowers and colorful plantings. There was a band playing a variety of music - including a Japanese rendition of 'My Way' - my dad woulda love that. They also had a guy playing the Japanese version of a pan-flute - and that was cool sounding and culturally enriching.

It's easy to get there: Take a right out of the Intercontinental Hotel on Akasuka. Turn right at the next major multi-lane road intersection onto Sabatori Dori. This road curves, then jinks a bit right then goes straight. Right after that jink, turn left on the next major intersection, Rt 301. The park is a couple of blocks down and on the right.


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The small entrance fountain at the Western corner of the park.


The 'First Gardens' in the Northeast Section of the park.



Nice Pelican fountain pond adorned with colorful flowers.

NRT: Imperial Palace East Gardens

Imperial Palace East Gardens

Now that the Narita bunkie trip is a 4 day, that might give y'all some time and incentive to get out and about the neighborhood of the hotel. In a short 35 minute walk's time, you'll find yourself in the grand park and fortress are of the Imperial Palace. I had read online that the East Gardens are free. Even though that did not include a newspaper, I decided to give it a shot. A tour of the Imperial Palace requires an internet reservation, so I figured I'd try to snag that one on my next Tokyo layover.

It's really easy to get there. Out of the ANA Intercontinental, hang a right. Turn right on Route 405 (Sotobori Dori) and after a few block, turn left on Route 301 (Uchibori Dori). This will take you past another cool little park called Hibaya Park, which is worth a walk through if you have the time. Optionally, you could just stay on the street the Hotel is on until you get to a moat.

If you are a jogger, you won't be alone jogging around the palace outer grounds. It's a very popular jogging location for the natives. (see this article)

Along the way (or return) stop by the Nijubashi Bridge, with the picturesque view of the Palace in the background.



The East Gardens park is free, but it has some odd hours. From Nov - Feb, it closes at 4pm (5pm Apr - Aug, 4:30pm all other months). The bicycle-riding guards will not let you stay a second longer. It's also closed on Mondays and Fridays. (see this Japan Guide article)

On the day of my trip, the sky was overcast, so the colorful fall foliage lost some of it photogenic lustre, but it was still a pretty sight.

I plan on taking the Imperial Palace tour next time. If someone has done that already, post a response here with your insights.

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The public square outside of the Nijubashi Bridge is huge and is home to many well manicured trees.

East Gardens Entrance Gate


Cluck liked the open spaces

LHR: Grosvenor Arms

I have not visited this pub yet, but heard it by a fellow F/O on the return leg of my last trip. I plan on stopping by on my next LHR layover and give a report, but in the meantime, I though I'd tell y'all about this great special! And if you can comment (with pics, if possible), please do! The more info the merrier.

The Grosvenor Arms is offering a free pint for any United crewmember that shows their offial UAL ID badge!!

The Grosvenor Arms
2 Grosvenor Street, London W1
(Google Places page)

Be sure to stop by and take them up on this offer (and please be polite and buy another to keep the special alive!!) The Grosvenor Arms is about a 21 minute walk from the Melia White House - see the Google map below.


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NRT-Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market

On my last Narita layover, I walked down to the Tsukiji fish market. I had heard so much about it, and that it was on many 'must see in Tokyo' lists. The fish market opening is actually perfectly timed for a US visitor. It opens at around 3 am which is 3 pm for an East Coast US visitor. Face it, you'll really have to work hard to not be awake at this hour on our short layovers.

The Tuna auction, which I missed, starts at 5:20am. I heard that it was quite a sight, and I might try to catch it next time. Please post if you can add any info regarding the auction.

I decided to walk there which at 1.8 miles only took about 35 minutes at a leisurely pace. You could take the Ginza line, but it still involves a lot of walking and won't save you too much time.

It's easy to get there, but the lack of English street signs makes it a bit tougher. If you can, print out a map before you go. An iPhone may be a handy too. To walk there from the Intercontinental, I took the following route shown on the map below:


As big as this place is, you'd think that you'll have a huge sign saying "TSUKIJI FISH MARKET", but as far as I could tell, there wasn't any such sign. You'll have to go through one warehouse area that held produce items before getting to the heart of the fish market. So it kinda feels like you might be in the wrong spot, but fear not. Watch out for the turret trucks!

Once inside, just walk around and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells. The workers there won't pay much attention to you since they are very busy, but they are still friendly, and didn't mind having their picture after being asked.

Enjoy your tour!

Here are some of the shots I took:

Colorful Prawns

Octapus

Me

Fish Table

Warehouse

Turret trucks

Tuna

More Tuna

Carving up the tuna

Roe (fish eggs)

Crabs

Conch