Shibuya

It was only after I had bought my train ticket from the airport to Tokyo Station that I realised that I could have gone directly to Shibuya, on the same train.

No worries, I thought. I can get the metro from Tokyo to Shibuya.

And you can. But not directly. You have to change once, which was more problematic than I had expected. Would have been much easier to have stayed on the train I was already on.

Oh - and my online Suica card isn't working and I have no idea why. It's not a major disaster. You can travel around using tickets and I have loaded the new tourist Suica app to see if that helps. But it is annoying.

I finally got to Shibuya station and tried to make my way to Hachiko's statue. I more or less knew how to get to Lyf Shibuya from there (I had looked it up!). This was complicated by building works and the creation of a new, huge shopping mall which I could get into but couldn't work out how to get out of. The Pink Suitcase was being grumpy. And it was Sunday lunchtime and Shibuya was packed.

I have been stuck in Shibuya station before and managed to get out - eventually - so I remained persistent. And eventually, patience and determination were rewarded and I found myself stood by Hachiko, in his very much reduced square, and finally managed to stagger my way  through crowds of people to Lyf.

Where I arrived well before the checkin time of 3pm. Perfectly fine. I am happy to offload The Suitcase and go for something to eat and a cup of tea.

A few days ago I had an email from the parent company of Lyf, inviting me to download their app and register so I could complete the pre-checkin form. So I did. This has meant that I am A Member. And Members get privileges, such as free early checkin, free snacks, a discount for breakfast and a late checkout. Just for downloading an app and registering.

So I accepted my early checkin, offloaded The Suitcase in my room instead of in the left luggage space, and went off to find a nearby Donki, a mega, 24 hour store. I didn't do it full justice. I went downstairs to the food and drink section and pottered around down there. I have found a Family Mart and a Lawson (Lawson is my preferred Japanese convenience store) I have also walked past a Loft but didn't go in. I will do, if there is time.

I have also rearranged my plans for while I'm in Tokyo. I am doing a sushi making class this morning. I was intending to go on a day trip tomorrow, along the coast to a dormant volcano. It looked like a good day but I needed to be somewhere on the other side of Tokyo by 06:45 and I was increasingly thinking that I really didn't want to do that. So I cancelled it and moved the ramen class I was intending to do on Wednesday morning to tomorrow afternoon. Much more relaxed and allows some pottering time, especially since I don't need to leave here until midday on Wednesday.

I might look into buying a new suitcase, but before that I need to find out if I can abandon my existing one. I know that hotels don't like it if people abandon their luggage when they leave but I will ask the reception people if there are options. Otherwise, the Pink Suitcase will have to struggle on to Gifu, where I will discuss options with Austin

Donpen

I didn't go in yesterday,
but we brought Wendy here
in 2019