Over the past four years, I think i’ve taken the 10+ hour flight from LAX to Tokyo about 10 times. Mind you, Tokyo is a casual +17 hours ahead of LA…yes, SEVENTEEN!!! Having taken this flight so many times I started to realize that I don’t actually get jetlag too bad. Hmm…weird. I soon discovered that I fall into a small percentage of people who can survive the massive time difference with ease. People on both sides of the pacific always say to me, “What? You don’t get jetlag??”
Knock on wood. One big reason why I don’t get jetlag is because i’ve developed an in flight routine. This routine helps me feel a sense of familiarity on a plane which in turn brings me comfort and ease by the time I land. It goes as follows: always sit window side, always order apple juice, always watch two movies and always go pee only once.
HAHA. Sounds silly and simple but going into a 10+ hour flight knowing how the hours will pass makes it much MUCH easier.
Now, the second part to combatting jet lag is landing with a plan. For me, that means knowing how I will get to where I need to get to and knowing what food I have to look forward to. This time around, I landed at 2pm (Haneda) and took the 45 minute highway bus to IKEBUKURO station. Once there, I knew I needed coffee and what better place to go to than COFFEE VALLEY aka the trendiest spot in Ikebukuro. The next best thing to do after pipping hot black coffee is food. And lucky for me, I planned to meet up with my three amazing friends (Steph, Alison, Miri) in Tokyo for my favorite Japanese food ever - TONKATSU (and specifically TONKATSU MAISEN).
Knowing I had dinner plans kept me afloat and I cruised on through the afternoon with ease. By 6pm or so I was feeling a bit tired…but I always try to stay up until AT LEAST 9pm on a flight day so what better solution for those last few hours than…
NICE VIEWS AND BEER. Two things I love about Tokyo. Interestingly enough, this view on the left photo is from the women’s bathroom on the 12th floor of DAIMARU shopping mall located at TOKYO station. Yes, you heard me right. That is a view from a bathroom. OH, Tokyo, you magical place. And right next to DAIMARU shopping mall is HITACHINO BREWING LAB where they sell some pretty amazing stuff. AHHH….*幸せ…happiness :)
Ater a nice cold beer…I took the train to Steph’s place (where I was staying) and crashed out at 10pm for the deepest most necessary sleep of my life and then I woke up Saturday morning right on track ready for the day as if I had been living in Tokyo the whole time.
AAAANd….that’s how you beat jetlag :)