Precious Memories: NCL Spirit Pre-Cruise Days in Tokyo Bay

Taipei to Tokyo--Starlux Economy

October 31, 2025 (Friday) Taipei to Tokyo

We are on this amazing journey with a 15-Day group cruise on NCL Spirit from Japan to Korea and Taiwan. Instead of just our family we have a group of 45 traveling with us together this time. A bold move on our part and it took many many hours of planning with a lot of headaches. No, we are not travel agents but we ended up doing what a travel agent would do. Oh, our travel agent actually joined us with 20 of her customers! Let's start from the beginning and see what actually happened on this trip!

Before going on this trip, we visited MOR's dad, who is 96 years old living in Taiwan. After staying there for 10 days, we left Taoyuan Airport with a group of friends and family, a total of 14, together on this flight out to Narita in Japan. It is always exciting to be traveling and especially this time traveling and meeting new friends!

We all checked in at the airport separately but managed to meet up with everyone in the group at the boarding gate. It was a very busy day at the airport, with lines zigzagging around and around for security and immigration. This is the part I hate about traveling but can't avoid. Anyway, we finally boarded the plane and safely secured in our seats for the 3-hour flight to Tokyo.

Starlux JX 804

Starlux is a new Taiwanese airline that we like. Service and food are all above standard and priced reasonable. We have been flying with them since their operation with direct flights between Taiwan and Ontario, CA about a year ago. Ontario is much closer to home than LAX, making it just a 15-minute ride for us to the airport instead of the over an hour plus to LAX.

Settled in at our comfortable seats on this 3:00 flight.

A small plane but still have personal TV.

Food was decent.

We even got a Snoopy cookie for dessert!

After the 3-hour flight, we arrived at Narita Airport in Tokyo at 7:00PM. There is a time difference because Japan do not go day-light saving. It was raining pretty hard but we had pre-arranged transportation to take us from the airport to our hotel in Odaiba, so all is well. We also met up with a couple of members who arrived earlier and waiting for us at the airport so they can use the transportation instead of taking the airport limousine on their own. Worked out great! Our two vans took all of us and our luggage safely and comfortably to the hotel in the rain.

Finally arrived.

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Hotel Tokyo Bay in Ariake

Checking in for 8 rooms on this group booking took some time but we were able to get everyone settled in. Good thing that I notified the hotel we would be arriving late and gave them all the names of our group, making it a little easier to check-in. This is the first time that I've used a new booking site called JAPANiCAN.Com for hotels. When I was checking room rates they popped up and showed the cheapest rate available, and that was what I was looking for--the cheapest available rooms near the port area. I booked, and then I was worried. They did not charge me for the reservation but did sent me the confirmation. Then I read reviews that it is very difficult to get refunds if someone cancel their booking. I had no intention of cancelling but not sure if our reservations are actually there. For the longest time, I worried and kept checking my booking confirmation for more details to see if I should be doing more. That was why I finally decided to emailed them and let them know about our late arrival. I figured if they did not have our reservations, they will certainly let me know. Fortunately, they responded and we were able to set things up accordingly. I am happy with this hotel and the booking site. Everything worked out perfectly!

After checking in, it was very late in the evening already and all the restaurants around the area would be closed already. So we just went to the Lawson (convenient store) on the hotel 2nd floor to get some food to last us through the night. We got some bowl ramen and their famous egg sandwich for a late dinner.

I suppose because we got the cheapest rate, all our rooms were on the 3rd floor and smoking rooms only. Fortunately, the rooms did not smell too bad and I did not hear any complaint from our members. For the two-night stay, it was bearable.

This hotel is located in Ariake, an area with the biggest conference center in Tokyo. Rooms are regular business type--small but functional. Let me show you our room, #333.

It's definitely small, not like your deluxe hotels. Hardly have space to open up your luggage.

But the desk area was great, with plenty of work space.

A double bed.

Functional bathroom.

Good enough for a restful night.

November 1, 2025

Our room rate included breakfast at this hotel on the 2nd floor. It was quite busy because we were told that the hotel is sold out. Apparently, something was going on this weekend nearby and later we found out why.

Even with a long line, we were able to grab what we wanted for breakfast to start the day. Food was plenty and delicious with choices of Japanese and western style items.

My breakfast tray.

Full house.

After breakfast, we met up with those who wanted to explore with us. What I liked about this area is the distance to the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. With the Yurikamome line, it's just 3 stops away from this hotel and 3 stops away on the other direction takes us to the new fish market in Toyosu. There's plenty to see and shop in this area, that we did not even have to go into Tokyo for any sight-seeing (which we have done many times before). Visiting the Toyosu Market is what we had in mind for this day.

Walking to the nearest Yurikamome station (Tokyo Big Sight) only took about 5 minutes. We were able to use our Suica cards for the rides.

That's the direction we want.

A fun ride!

Not crowded at all.

Toyosu Market

After 2 stops, we arrived at our destination Shijo-mae station, where the Toyosu Market is located. First thing first, the market. Well, we were definitely late to see the auction, but we can at least check out the place and claim that we have been there.

That's all there was left for that day. A lone worker getting the last tunas on the truck.

At least we saw some tunas!

Looking down at the quiet market.

Very organized area for visitors.

After the Toyosu Market visit, we went across the street to the popular Toyosu Senkaku Bnrai where tourists gathered. This area is filled with shops selling local delicacies and eateries serving different food items. A very busy place indeed.

But for me, I wanted to find the foot bath place with a view. This is located on the 8th floor of the building at the end of the shopping stalls.

For 200Y a towel can be purchased for use. Otherwise, it's free to use the foot bath.

On the 8th floor of this building.

With a great view of Tokyo Bay.

Foot bath.

Ooo...

I was told that the hot spring water is transported from nearby springs.

Very spacious!

Then, we came back down to have a light lunch.

Continuous performances on this Saturday.

There were definitely a lot of visitors that day.

We then went back to the hotel for an afternoon nap before meeting up with sister-in-law and niece who were taking the Airport Limousine bus to the hotel this afternoon. This hotel actually has one of the stops for the Airport Limousine bus from both Narita and Haneda. Making it very convenient for guests. They also have buses going to Tokyo Disney but I think the hotel needs to get notification for that service ahead of time.

Oh, this is where guests can get whatever amenities needed for their personal use, including toothbrushes, razors, bath powder, shower caps, tea, coffee, etc. All self-serve.

Odaiba--Statue of Liberty, Gundam, and Dinner

In the evening, we took the tram line towards Odaiba to see the Statue of Liberty and the Gundam statue. Just 4 stops away.