Day 13, Akeno - Komaki, 11/11
  As
expected the weather was not very good that day. It was cloudy
and gray, besides rain by far the worst conditions to photograph
the colourful camouflaged helicopters of the JGSDF.
After the happenings the day before that was not very beneficial
for our spirit, but nevertheless we took some photos as the
possibilities were gorgeous with no fence but only some barbed
wire and a deep trench between us and the helicopters. Early
in the morning there was a JMSDF SH-60 coming and we observed
two ground runs of AH-1 Cobras, but besides a CH-47 Chinook
no more helicopters were flying. Further down the airfield
we saw some helicopters parked and that seemed like a small
static display to us, so there might be some flying in the
afternoon, but for the morning our hopes soon disappeared.
Impatiently we therefore decided to drive on to Komaki to
give this airport a second try.
Near Akeno we also stopped at a drugstore and look for some
more food and water, I even bought some fresh fruits, salad
and barbecue chicken sticks, which were delicious btw.
Akeno
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  Komaki
once again was a huge disappointment with only one C-1 and
a BAe125. Even two shy security guys showed mercy and did
not control us that day.
Our spirit was on an all-trip low and Patrick even thought
about going back home from Tokyo, which was also caused by
the severe cold that he had caught during the last days.
The weather forecast from our last check at the Internet also
showed no amelioration until Wednesday, the last real day
on our trip. But we had no choice…
  At
least it was Friday and we were looking forward to our week-end
in Tokyo, a good hotel, during which we would stay on two
consecutive nights - in the same room. A unique happening
on our trip!
When it was already dark we passed the Mt. Fuji along the
motorway and had a stop at the rest area there, but could
not catch a glimpse of Japan's most famous landmark in the
dark.
Driving right into downtown Tokyo on the high streets was
OK, because most of the traffic on that Friday evening was
going out of the city and with the help of the navigation
system we did not even loose our way!
first impressions of Tokyo
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 However
we were speechless when entering the city and its street system.
Gliding along the road many meters above the ground. The haze
furthermore created a special mood and we felt like in a movie
playing in 2050.
Arriving at the Hotel Intercontinental Tokyo Bay was q uite
cool when we parked right along a luxury Maybach car and a
very polite hostess rushed out and helped us to unload our
van. We were really worried about this fragile Japanese girl
when she tried to grab our suitcases and bag packs and felt
somehow misplaced at that exclusive hotel. But on the other
hand, we enjoyed it a lot!
The view from our room in the 23rd floor was overwhelming,
and after getting some (fast) food just around a corner we
called home, returned to our room and enjoyed a well fitting
duo: a warm shower and a cold beer…
-> Tokyo Tourism
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