Japan: Akihabara [Day1]

We went to the airport at 3am, MNL time, flew at 5am. Then arrived at 10am, NRT time.
I was directed to www.hyperdia.com by Chabs. And from there I started my itinerary. It's really helpful when you are in the country where the train maps are as daunting as these:

JR lines

I was able to direct ourselves to the Keisei Skyliner. I wondered why our fare was twice as much as the fare indicated by Hyperdia. It turns out there's no non-reserved section at the Keisei Skyline. A hefty price for a lesson. We arrived at Nippori within the 40-minutes indicated in the timetable. We then looked for the JR Joban line headed for Mikawashima where our guesthouse was located. After finding the right platform, I checked the train and it has the same endpoint as our destination. But wait and behold! It skipped our drop off station! Instead of just a 2-minute ride, we ended up having to wait for the train to stop --- 5 stations ahead! We had to look for our way back. And I was afraid we might ride a wrong train again. Turns out there's a rapid train (the one we're supposed to get into) and there's a special rapid train (the one we mistakenly went into). Thus, our 2-minute turned 45 minute left me a bit miffed and exasperated. It was R who found our way back as I was already becoming irate as frustration has set it. Good thing our dorm rooms were a short 2-minute walk from the station.

Our accommodation as seen from the train tracks

Guest House Wasabi has separate rooms for male and female. I was directed to the 2nd floor while R was to the basement. It has a public bath and an onsen. Sadly when we were there, the onsen was out of service. Could've saved us a handful of petty cash for some Japanese experience! Also, there's a free foot massage in our room, I was able to relax my aching feet. Hooray for extra service!

Free Foot Massage

We then went to Tokyo station as I wanted to buy Nikko Pass for our September 30 trip. I thought we had to buy 4 days ahead. But the information lady at the JR station said it can be bought on the same day. We had a slight misunderstanding when I said Nikko Pass and she heard Nikko bus. "Why would you want to get on a bus, there's a train going there?!" To which I replied, "No! Nikko Pass." She had to write 'Bus' and I had to write back, 'Nikko Pass'. And she said, aaahh, Nikko Discount Pass-uh. And I said yes. Then she gave me the brochure. Thank God for writing! Lest, we'd be left thinking she does not need a bus and where can I get a pass?
We also tried the Gundam Cafe at Akihabara. Just for the touristy side of it. Besides, R was an avid fan, he left me to my own devices while he did not leave his eyes off the television screen which shows a lot of Gundam flying robots.

Lunch/Snacks

We weren't fans of the food they served. Too high marked up prices.

Afterwards, we went to Yodobashi Akiba, R's own Disneyland. He wanted to buy a spare battery for his camera while I wanted to check how much a Canon S120 would cost. Ooh the temptations of new gadgets!

We returned to our dorm all smiles and tired feet because it was getting cold outside and we did not bring our jackets.

I'm still writing this while at the queue line at Fuji Q. And it dawns on me. Fuji Q - the Q means lines!! (Short for Queue) Long and endless lines!!!