The Minion Family is set to go on another Minion Family Trip! This time we are heading to Asia to do a 14 day Asian Cruise. However, in order to get onto the boat we need to make our way to Japan. So off we head to the airport where we’re able to check in and through security rather smoothly. Our next stop is the Plaza Premium Lounge at YVR’s International Terminal.
Because of my One World Sapphire status and flying with Japan Airlines, two of us are able to experience the Plaza Premium First lounge. This is an even more premium lounge that normally requires an additional surcharge for access. So we let both Papa and Mama Minion experience it and from what I’m told it is thoroughly enjoyable!
Cathay Pacific Lounge
Again, due to my status, the Sister and I head to another lounge in the International departures terminal: The Cathay Pacific Lounge. This is one of the few lounges in Vancouver I had yet to check off my list. Mainly due to it being open mainly to service Cathay Pacific flights. However, because our Japan Airlines flight takes off at around the same time as a Cathay Pacific flight, its fortunately open this time! The Sister and I head in and find that it’s a nice quiet respite from the other busier lounges in the Airport.
They also have a tasty noodle and dim sum bar which makes for a great lunch before we get on the plane. The Sister and I exchange messages with the parental minions to check in with one another. Before long we all have full bellies and are ready to board our flight.
Japan Airlines JL17 from Vancouver to Narita
We head to our gate to catch this lovely Boeing 787 ready to take us to Asia! We wait for our boarding group to be called and make our way onboard. While the boarding process is pretty straight forward, I do want to note the YVR ground crew that took the time to wave us on our trip. I’ve really mainly seen this at Asian airports so it’s nice to see from my home airport!
One of the reasons our family decide to fly Japan airlines for our flights to Asia is their seat configuration. With most carriers on this plane the seat configuration would be a 3-4-3 seating arrangement in economy. However, with JAL they have a nice 2-4-2 configuration which leads to a much wider seat and a bit more comfort onboard! We settle into our seats for the 10 hour flight across the Ocean to Asia! Along with the more comfortable seat setup, JAL also serves a very tasty meal upon take off and also a hot pasta dish right before landing.
The trip itself is pleasant and the only small gripe I would have is that the entertainment system that JAL has is starting to feel a little dated. But beyond that its hard to complain about the flight!
Japan!
Upon landing, everyone is in high spirits! We are excited to get this trip going. We make our way through Japanese Immigration and Customs without any issue. After picking up our luggage we get ready to make our way to the hotel in Yokohama. We’ll be riding Narita Express (N’EX) Train to Yokohama. After purchasing tickets we wait a little in the airport transit hub.
While waiting, The Sister and I make our first Japanese convenience store purchases. For The Sister she will always start with a Nigiri. For myself, I’m a big egg salad sandwich guy. We introduce our favourites to the parental minions in hopes of selling them on it! Soon it’s time to board the train and its an hour long ride to Yokohama Station. After arriving in Yokohama station we make a single subway transfer. Once we surface we are welcome by a lovely decorated light display in central Yokohama! Either these lights are always here or its still a holdover from either Christmas or New Years! Nonetheless its lovely!
Yokohama Tokyu REI Hotel
After a short walk we arrive at our hotel. We’ll be staying at the Yokohama Tokyu REI Hotel for the next two nights. It’s a fairly modern hotel with comfortable rooms in a pretty central and convenient location. We check in and spend a little time getting settled into our rooms. It’s a bit later in the evening but we decide we should still head out for a late meal before succumbing to the beds.
Ootoya
The sister had a few spots she thinks would be good for us to check out whilst in Japan and Ootoya is one of them. It’s kind of like a family sit down restaurant with a large variety of different Japanese dishes. We take a short walk to the restaurant, get seated and order. I think in my fatigue and hunger I didn’t end up taking a photo of all our food. Thankfully, the Sister does get a few snaps in. What I can say is the food is delicious. It’s a comfortable, affordable and tasty meal and a chain that I’d happily return to again!
After dinner, we stroll back to our hotel, but not before hitting up a 711 once again to pick up one or two deserts! I grab this strawberry ice cream bar while the Sister gets a pudding. We both enjoy our selections after returning to our room. Since its a travel day we all are a bit pooped from the day. We quickly wash up and call it a night. Tomorrow we will spend some time exploring Yokohama with the family before boarding the boat for our cruise around Asia the next day.
