When we board the plane we were given some Japanese card to fill up. It was actually declaration of the goods we brought in to japan. I wonder why they gave us japanese card when we showed our Singapore Passport, I really had no idea what we were required to fill in. Anyway, later on at the Haneda airport custom, I realized there was English version as well. We had to fill up another arrival card. The custom clearance was quite fast.
Then we followed the sign "keikyu" train service. There was a counter with ticketing machine, you may buy the "Passmo" card from the counter or from the ticketing machine. We approached the counter instead. Bought 4500 worth of value with 500 deposit in the passmo card. This card allowed us to travel in any line and made a refund when we going to return to Singapore.
Took the train to Shinagawa and changed to JR to Takadanobaba station. Even the custom never heard of our ryokan, Tama Ryokan. Or the custom never heard of "Takadanobaba" station? She insisted that we wrote the full address on the Arrival card and kept repeating the "Takadanobaba".
From JR Takadanobaba station exit at Waseda Dori exit, there was a bus stop in front of exit, do not turn left or right just walk straight crossing the traffic light. Walk till Starbucks was seen and turned right, and the ryokan could be seen. Well, the google map was really good, it provides exact info to reach the location, price for the train rides as well and it was quite accurate.
We had to ring the bell a few times and a lady appeared. She rolled my luggage a few times on the mat near the entrance to clean the wheel. We had to change our shoe to slipper and she brought us to our room. If i know i won't bring slipper for this Japan trip as all hostel provide slipper! Before entering to our room she told us to be careful with the paper door. Must open at the door handle else will break the paper. The door handle was actually quite low as she told us that in the past, the Japanese kneel down to open the door. We had to be careful with our backpack as a slight movement will hit the paper door. Entered the room, leave the slipper outside. Luggage with wheel cannot roll on Tatami mat else there would be scratches on the mat cause by the wheel. We had to carry our luggage and placed it to the side of the room. We could not sit on the blanket or placed anything on the blanket. We had to keep the blanket properly and make sure that the door can close without forcing the blanket in else the door paper would be torn. There was only one Bathroom, when there was slipper outside means it was occupied. There were two toilets, the one near the entrance was shared by people going to the bar opened by her sister.
It was hard for me to sleep. It was super noise with people coming later than us. They did not know how to carry their luggage simply dragging it down the stairs. Walking frequently like giant. Talk so loud also. The thin paper door make everything worse I think, I could hear exactly what they were talking about in the middle of the night.
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Tama Ryokan - SGD 91.61 / night for twin room
http://www.agoda.com/tama-ryokan/hotel/tokyo-jp.html?asq=XqlQ7bJ0pUN0G2iz%2fnzAiBgH%2fNpEGdR4lHC%2bYp%2bPzoc2A3fSPQ5ZZv0cs4gPtu6%2bXUPBvmZ%2fPz3v6aZlqNPv5ETE1T1cRC9bnxU%2fFyKCDbpL6flfcJeLF0FwWM%2bg710RiJwNiY6QRDy%2b%2fyjnBOCoCuZuQ6W0DglfJbUEvEEoVE0%2f3k9U6k8frNCHQCQAeZo7ucax1CPMRiSRrESKyCvIUxQLE3YcbAnehpk7BrxaWz3I2%2fremuHk6LGINzEtzmKd6S1iWh%2foA80mz0%2b31undzDBSmYsz8i2v%2b6LG2UThQi8%3d
