Our Trip to Japan was amazing and action packed. We literally did not stop and in hindsight, though I would not change a thing, it was a tad aggressive. (But hey that is me! I just wanted to experience as much of Japan as i could and we did everything that was on my agenda. Thanks to Alivia and her patience and excellent subway/train navigating skills.) Our last day was just as agressive and action packed.
I decided much to Alivia's chagrin that i wanted to go to Hello Kitty for a couple of more gifts and to try to take a picture in front of the largest hello kitty in Japan. We were all packed and left our luggage at the front desk, where to stay one hour later i had to fill out a form and become a member for no charge. Crazy but I did it as I didn't want to have to spend a lot of time at the airport if we got there early and i didn't want to have to lug our luggage around which had grown substantially.
We left the hotel around 10:00a, our train was at 12:30 and our flight was at 3:40p, so we were in good shape. The first stop was takashimaya. I love the NY store and the one in Japan was amazing.
We waited outside for the doors to open. We then proceeded upstairs to the "japanese" section of the store, where i found the most beautiful Dragonfly fan. So appropriate, just lovely and delicate. It had the bold, dark colors and soft brown undertones that reminded me of my Tutu. I had been looking for one all along, but all i could find where pastel ones and they seem weak to me, not as vibrant or as "strong". I am so glad I waited, it was just meant to be.
After finding the fan, we went down to the basement where the famous food center is. We found all our favorite sweets, mochi balls, crepe cake, there were samples galore. I even at a display by accident, much to the embarrassment of my niece. It is also a full grocery store, where we bought fruit for $40 bucks. Not kidding, the japanese have to import most things, so it is very expensive to find fresh produce. I didn't help that we were in one of the most expensive stores on the island too. It was worth it however as I also found POG in a can. The sweet, corn-syrup nectar of hawaii. I had never seen it in cans. It is something that reminds me of Maui, my Tutu, and Grandfather, my whole family, good times, rest, love, Trace; it just seemed like another symbol that my Tutu was with me, as I always feel she is.
So we had had an exceptional run in takashimaya and we were all set to go, when I felt there was just one thing, one more thing, that we had to do which was get a picture with the largest hello kitty in Japan. I just thought it would be a great picture for Brynn, who loves hello kitty. So i had to go as I didn't want to leave Japan with anything feeling unfinished which is one of the reasons I made sure we went to all the places we did even if it was overwhelming and exhausting.
Unfortunately, I could not find the hello kitty store we were looking for. We went around and around, but never found it. I did go back and get several gifts I wanted at several of the other hello kitty stores we had previously been too, but the other one, where ever it was, openly mocked us as I could not find it nor could anyone assist us. The searching ate up a lot of time and now, instead of having plenty of time on our hands we were running late. so we headed back to the hotel and picked up our things, but the adventure was far from over.
I had been under the impression that it would only take us an hour to get to the airport, and that trains run their regularly, which would have gotten us there two hours beforehand. Instead it actually takes about an hour and a half. this is when i started to stress which was the only other time i had been under stress other than kyoto. We headed through the JapanRail booth and i picked up tickets. We made it to the track with about 15 minutes to spare and that is when i realized i had forgotten my sunglasses somewhere. Now normally i wouldn't care as much as i did, but these were prada glasses, costing about $400. I looked at Alivia and told her that i thought I had left them at the JR booth and that i was going to run back and get them. The look on her face was one of amusement and fear.
I took off running. People just stepped out of my way. It looked like a bad commercial. I finally made it to the counter and asked if she had seem my sunglasses. she smile sweetly and said yes they had them. She then went back and brought out paperwork to fill out. I was incensed they just saw me there with my sunglasses couldn't they just give them to me? she answered no so i filled out the forms while all the staff just watched and smiling that polite, infuriating smile.
finally i had my glasses and i flew back. Fortunately when i was heading over I found a shortcut, as I know i would not have made it back without it. When i arrived Alivia was relieved to see me but had to stop me as I was trying to board the wrong train. A few minutes later our train arrived and we were off.
The train ride was smooth and so much different then the one we took when we arrived. That was a rickety, local train, we were on the shinkinsen now. (I just love their rail system) I tried to relax but we were cutting it really close and I didn't want to have to pay to change our flight if we missed it; all because of hello kitty. Alivia was able to sleep. I just grit my teeth.
We finally made it to the airport and we had an hour to spare. Alivia and i both ran like carl lewis. Fortunately there were not real obstacles and alivia, who got very good with navigating Japan's transportation systems, helped us make good time by not letting me get us lost. We really were a good team and she is an excellent traveling companion. We made it to the ticket counter. I tried to check in but because i changed my name my passport can not be scanned. My heart jumped again, but we were soon helped and checked in with about 40min to spare. (You now have to be at the airport at least 45min before a flight or they won't take your luggage and unless you are going to abandon it, you also cannot take the flight. This is what stressed me out the most; that we would get there and would not be able to check our luggage)
Once we were checked in I calmed down and we made it to the gate and they were already boarding. All in all, it was perfect as we had very little downtime in the airport and i got to do all i wanted in Japan.
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