We're Going Back!!

[redleader74]

I'm pleased to share with all you fellow insomniacs that we are finally returning to Japan! Air tickets have been booked for mid-February trip. It's been way too long. Our first trip was in the fall of 2016 and it blew our minds. Dare I say, it was life changing. We immediately returned the following year, but up north to Hokkaido....and then, major life changes in the way of having a child and all that that entails leading to a hiatus on international travels. Our daughter is now 7 and ready to fly with us. So no more excuses, off we go!

[TokyoGirl]

I’m jealous! It’s been almost 20 years for me! Will you be visiting any LiT spots?

[redleader74]

Yes, I do hope to see some LiT spots....although, staying at the Park Hyatt is going to be completely out of the question. I stayed there during my first visit back in 2016 and it was EXPENSIVE then! Albeit, I had some credit card points I could use. With the recent renovations, the cost must be much higher now. I will be sure to share some photos here while on the trip!

[Bob_san]

I will be sure to share some photos here while on the trip!

That's awesome you're going back! Look forward to photos!

It looks like the Park Hyatt is opening back up this Dec. But like you said, very expensive!

[redleader74]

I know the Park Hyatt is currently taking reservations but I haven't checked nor have I looked at the website to see pictures of how it looks now. In a way, I don't want to look. I know it's probably fantastic, but it definitely won't look like it used to. :/

[Bob_san]

I know the Park Hyatt is currently taking reservations but I haven't checked nor have I looked at the website to see pictures of how it looks now. In a way, I don't want to look. I know it's probably fantastic, but it definitely won't look like it used to. :/

Yes it may be somewhat traumatic to see the changes.
I'll take the hit and go and look!
I think we'll also need to wait and see what pics travelers post once it's been opened up. Now I'm curious!
I'm sad that I won't have had the opportunity to stay in it when it was LiT style but just to still stay there at some point would be cool.

[redleader74]

So, I couldn't take the suspense afterall and checked some of the photos online (both from the Hyatt site as well as TripAdvisor) just to satisfy curiosity. The library looks more or less the same. The rooms don't look too terribly different in some photos but more different in others. I'm not sure if the recent batch of photos posted to TripAdvisor by hotel management are just not entirely up to date or what. Still, the fact that my heart leaped a bit with nostalgi when I saw the photos tells me that the Park Hyatt didn't stray too far from the spirit of their design. Still featuring very clean lines in the rooms, minimal frills, and just that same clean/sleek/quiet/calm feel. Just for fun I plugged in my travel dates into their site to see how much the room would cost, and to no surprise, we're looking at mid-$700's (USD) per night!! When I stayed there in 2016 (9 years ago), it was mid-$400's.

For all practicality though, despite being a glorious hotel (especially for us LiT fans), it's not all that convenient. Shinjuku station is quite a trek away and all around is business buildings, nothing to really see. Anyway, I invite you all to check out the photos online and share your feelings on the remodel

[redleader74]

So our return trip to Japan is rapidly approaching! I had picked up a guide book: "The Rough Guide to Tokyo" to help with the trip planning and in the cultural/history section of the book, LiT gets a mention in the film references. I would've been really let down if LiT got left out ....for all that's said over the many, many years in this forum about LiT, it's interesting to see the entire movie summed up in so few words.

[Bob_san]

I had picked up a guide book: "The Rough Guide to Tokyo" to help with the trip planning and in the cultural/history section of the book, LiT gets a mention in the film references. ... it's interesting to see the entire movie summed up in so few words.

Too funny!
Look forward to hearing about your trip!

[redleader74]

Let the journey begin!

IMG_8768.jpeg (4.77 MiB) Viewed 4568 times

[redleader74]

Staying at the relatively new Hyatt House in Shibuya. Our view of the surrounding neighborhood.

….it’s strange, it’s not like the first time in 2016, where we were completely blown away, enthralled, and smitten. To this day I will never stop being nostalgic over that first time. Every little thing, from all the sounds/tunes that come out of every mechanical or electrical device or appliance, to the people and their orderliness. Similar to the first time falling in love with LiT. Our second time in 2017 was only to Hokkaido, a completely different vibe altogether. This time, though back in Tokyo, we a 7 year old in tow, and are not roaming around like Bob and Charlotte. Unlike the time of our relative youth, our attention and energy is shared with caring for our daughter. We’re only on our second day and we spent most of it experiencing this amazing digital museum/experience called TeamLab Borderless (pictures attached). We’ve barely stretched our legs here, so to speak, and I have high hopes for the days ahead. Back to the hotel….the design both inside and out, does provide some, uh, Park Hyatt vibes though.

[Bob_san]

Staying at the relatively new Hyatt House in Shibuya. Our view of the surrounding neighborhood.

Interesting, thanks for the updates! And yes having a kid as well, I'm familiar with that vibe, how it alters attention and plans, but yet can still be enjoyable.

[redleader74]

So, another couple days and jet lag a little better. Finally saw the Shibuya scramble at night. Had some really good sushi including whale nigiri! It was a little chewy and tough. I’ll never grow tired of this amazing place.

[redleader74]

...Can't believe this relatively short trip is more than half over. Though, I guess that's the very definition of "relatively short." The weather continues to be very cold, especially at night, but I still prefer that to the heat on any day, on any trip, to any place. I'm gonna miss this place so much. Maybe I'll start a jazz band and stay here, ha ha ha. Yesterday we randomly walked into a restaurant. Although they advertised that they have menus in English, not a soul in there spoke a lick of English. The young lady serving us wound up communicating with Google translate on her phone, which worked a charm. I guess there was an option to either cook it yourself at your table or they can cook it for you. I didn't want to make a mess so i had them cook it. Because after all, "what kind of restaurant makes you cook your own food?" Ha ha ha...

[redleader74]

Today, Friday, is our last day and it feels surreal how quickly it went by and I’m already thinking/planning how to come back soon. The other day my daughter just randomly sat in the hotel room window semi-Charlotte style and I thought it was the most prescient thing. Though we’re not at the Park Hyatt, but rather, the Hyatt House, and not even near the same spectacular view, and the pose isn’t even the same….it was close enough for me

[redleader74]

We've been back in town a few days now and man, talk about withdrawal! The trip was too short. Lots of lessons learned, both on traveling Tokyo and traveling with a child. With a kid you really gotta have the day mapped out to prevent lots of back and forth and random wandering around. Either way though, exploring Tokyo is like a breath of fresh air. Despite the language barriers (I studied Japanese for three years but it was too long ago now and since I'd never use it here, it's all but gone), many things just make sense and makes getting around quite easy.

...I felt like i did run into Bob and Charlotte at one point, maybe even Charlie Brown. Or, perhaps it was my own imagination and wishful thinking

[Bob_san]

We've been back in town a few days now and man, talk about withdrawal!
...I felt like i did run into Bob and Charlotte at one point, maybe even Charlie Brown. Or, perhaps it was my own imagination and wishful thinking

Sounds like a great trip!
And Bob, Charlotte, Charlie Brown, Kelly, the lounge singer, the WooHoo guy etc. - they are all there in spirit!!

[redleader74]

Ah yes..how could I forget Sausalito and the lounge singer, "WooHoo" guy (ha ha ha), even Kelly (OMG, I have the worst BO right now,..,.,ariGAto! ariGAto!).

Believe it or not my wife is already saying, "So we're going back again in November, right?"

[TokyoGirl]

Great photos! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I really want to go back… it’ll probably be so different now. My last time was back in 2009, and I didn’t even know what a smartphone was!

[redleader74]

Great photos! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I really want to go back… it’ll probably be so different now. My last time was back in 2009, and I didn’t even know what a smartphone was!

Oh, I sorta miss those days of travel, i.e. before smart phones, when you still had to go to an "internet cafe" to check emails, etc. ha ha ha.