Precious Memories: Intercontinental Yokohama Grand

NCL Jewel 21-Day Transpacific Cruise Tokyo to Seattle

May 5, 2018 (Saturday) -- Tokyo to Yokohama

Waking up to a beautiful day again as we prepared ourselves to leave the hotel after breakfast. For some reasons it was less crowded in the buffet lounge this morning so we were able to enjoy a good breakfast before checking out of the hotel at around 10:50.

This morning we were seated at the main restaurant.

Another great breakfast.

By the way, breakfast is generally included as Hilton Honor Gold members at the Hilton chain.

Today we will move from Tokyo to Yokohama, spending the night at Intercontinental Yokohama Grand before boarding the NCL Jewel on Sunday. There are several doable routes that would take us from Shinjuku to Yokohama easily, if only the trains were not so crowded that day. It was a Saturday, and also near the end of the Golden Week holidays. TC had it all planned out so we just had to make sure that we followed close enough to get on the jam packed trains. We had to change trains at one point but I don't remember which trains we took. Probably because of the crowds, it felt kind of complicated and confusing at the time but we got to Yokohama in one piece. It could also be that we had to drag along our luggage which made it a little more difficult to move around in the stations and I was just not paying attention to all the details.

This was the Airport Limousine bus that goes between the airport and the city.

Waiting for the 11:12 hotel shuttle to get to Shinjuku Station where TC and JoC were waiting for us.

The very crowded train.

Good thing we were at one end of the train car and had space for our bags without blocking everyone trying to get in and out of the train.

Intercontinental Yokohama Grand

The five of us got out of the train at Minato Mirai after saying 'good-bye' to TC and JoC. They were staying at Sotetsu Fresa Inn for the night, that was where we stayed in 2015, with one more stop to go. After exiting the train we took Exit 5 for the walk to Intercontinental. We made a wrong turn and went through the mall by mistake but soon found our way on the street level to the hotel.

Checking in was on the 2nd floor with a very nice clerk at the counter. (I found all the staff here courteous and helpful.) As we were early for the 2:00 check-in time, only one of our rooms was ready. They managed to upgrade AT and ET's room to a bay view room on the 24th floor. Ours, on the other hand won't be ready until after 2:00. It was OK, we just sat and waited in their room and enjoyed the gorgeous view of the bay while the bell boy brought all of our luggage up.

A bay-view room.

Osanbashi Pier (the 3rd pier down) in the distance with Yokohama Bay Bridge in the background.

Room 2405

Then, at 2:00 we went down to the lobby again to get our room keys and we were checked in to room 2105 on the 21st Floor. This is a 'garden view' room facing the ferris wheel. Personally, I think you get a great view no matter where your room is. I love watching all the activities out there so it fit me just fine.

Our view from room 2105 facing Cosmoworld with the ferris wheel, roller coaster and the river right outside.

The building directly across is the Manyo Onsen Club. The building with the square roof-top right behind it is the Cup-Noodle Museum. (This is not the Ramen Museum which is in Shin Yokohama.) Across from the noodle museum is the World Porters Mall, all walking distance away. With the Queens Square and the Landmark Tower on this side of Minato Mirai, there are tons of places to spend your time just at this corner of Yokohama.

They had to rearrange the furniture in order to put in the 3rd bed in our room.

spacious bathroom

controller of the bidet

Having the IHG annual free-night really paid off here.

Yokohama was bustling with people that day. Apparently, Yokohama is one of the favorite spots where locals like to spend their holidays at. There was also a German Festival at the Red Brick Warehouse that weekend plus a day of parade a couple of days ago.

Look at all the pedestrians on the Kokusai Bridge!

A panoramic view from our window.

We decided instead of going out for lunch and bumping shoulders with everybody, we would just stay inside and rest. While relaxing in our room, we kept in contact with the rest of our family using the "We Chat" app on our phones. This is so convenient and handy. We found out that TC and JoC went to Chinatown after checking into their hotel and decided that was enough for them for the day. DC and MC also went to Chinatown but agreed to join us for dinner at World Porters together with SC and CiC.

At 6:00, we left the hotel for a walk across the bridge to World Porters for dinner.

Lobby on the first floor of Intercontinental.

On the Kokusai Bridge.

Beautiful Intercontinental Yokohama Grand.

Arriving World Porters Mall.

There are many restaurants, shops and eating places at the food court on the ground floor of World Porters. After a little investigating, we divided into two groups. One group would go to the doria place where we had the delicious rice casserole in 2015 and the other group would go for a sushi dinner at the revolving sushi restaurant. All of us came back happy and satisfied.

Revolving Sushi Restaurant--Miura Misaki, right at the sign with a fish. There was a line but we got in after less than a 20-minute wait.

We were separated because they couldn't put us all in one spot. It was OK since we would be busy eating anyway.

Plates are color-coded and you decide and take whichever plates you want as the belt rotate around in front of you.

I was busy eating and didn't capture all the wonderful sushi we had. Between the two of us we paid 6700 yen for this meal. Not cheap, but quite worth it in my opinion.

Look forward to our next visit here in November!

After that wonderful dinner, we bought some pastries from the bakery there at the mall for breakfast the next morning before walking back to the hotel. Oh, there is a little stand selling Japanese cheese tarts in the food court. They were absolutely delicious! Must try!