No luggage lockers at Tokyo station
Apr 23, 2014, 4:53 pm
#1
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No luggage lockers at Tokyo station
Just on my way to Sendai now but the increased security measures mean that there have been no lockers nor vending machine drinks and ice creams at Tokyo station for a few days now.
I understand that this is ongoing whilst Obama is in town.
I understand that this is ongoing whilst Obama is in town.
Apr 23, 2014, 6:13 pm
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JR said closing of coin lockers and vending machines was at only at major stations, 10 plus JR stations in Tokyo area are affected by this. Other railway companies said total of 30 plus stations in Tokyo are subject to such security measures. Expressway was hit hard. First night of Obamas arrival pretty much most of expressway inside of loop line and Haneda line were closed up to one hour, additions to selected surface roads closed especially around Ginza and Toranomon area where Obama has stayed. Officials even strongly discouraged to drive such area and take public transportation.
Looks like they are taking no chances
Looks like they are taking no chances
Apr 23, 2014, 9:47 pm
#5
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Akasaka Palace maybe? Or is that only for visiting Royalty?
No lockers at the main stations must be a pain. We've also seen (and heard) a big increase into number of F-15s flying over in the past few days, wonder if it's related to the visit.
No lockers at the main stations must be a pain. We've also seen (and heard) a big increase into number of F-15s flying over in the past few days, wonder if it's related to the visit.
Apr 24, 2014, 6:34 am
#6
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Media is saying that Obama is staying at Hotel Okura. Which make sense since Hotel Okura is stone's throw away from the U.S. Embassy of Tokyo.
Apr 24, 2014, 8:10 am
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Apr 24, 2014, 8:54 am
#8
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Kind of risky to be in the same building as the SPECTRE headquarters, though.
http://jamesbond.wikia.com/wiki/Osato
Apr 25, 2014, 4:37 pm
#10
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Heard in passing that Obama was taken out for sushi at one of the more famous joints (Sukiyabashi Jiro).
Can't imagine that this option was even on the cards for when Bush junior visited. Quite a world away from Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu.
Yesterday I had the gourmet lunch to beat all gourmet lunches at Sokanzan, Ozawaidara, so no envy from me. Don't try and show up there on a weekend without a reservation.
http://www.jalan.net/kankou/040000/0...588/kuchikomi/
Can't imagine that this option was even on the cards for when Bush junior visited. Quite a world away from Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu.
Yesterday I had the gourmet lunch to beat all gourmet lunches at Sokanzan, Ozawaidara, so no envy from me. Don't try and show up there on a weekend without a reservation.
http://www.jalan.net/kankou/040000/0...588/kuchikomi/
Apr 25, 2014, 5:27 pm
#11
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The Hotel Okura apparently still has the best security arrangements of any hotel in Tokyo. Every president since Nixon has stayed there.
Apr 26, 2014, 12:03 am
#12
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Even when Obama's not in town, sometimes there're no lockers available in Tokyo Station. Sometime you can't find a single empty locker and there's a bunch of other folks walking around looking also, and then the line for the storage service is a mile long.
Apr 26, 2014, 3:05 am
#13
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In other Tokyo Station news, they've recently removed almost all of the payphones. There used to be a row of about 15 payphones by the Marunouchi Underground Central exit; now there are two.
Of course, I never see anybody using even those two, but there were huge lines for the 15 when the cell phone network was down during 311. I imagine it would be damned near impossible to get in touch with someone if the same thing were to happen again.
Of course, I never see anybody using even those two, but there were huge lines for the 15 when the cell phone network was down during 311. I imagine it would be damned near impossible to get in touch with someone if the same thing were to happen again.
Apr 26, 2014, 8:00 am
#14
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