After weeks of preparation, our Japan trip finally began. Don José picked us up right on time at 9:45pm, and check-in at the airport went smoothly. We even made it to our gate with plenty of time to spare, which is a rare luxury when traveling.

Of course, we had both forgotten our neck pillows, so a quick stop at Miniso solved that. We also packed a small bag of mini Cocosettes for the flight crew, and they were thrilled when we handed them out. It turned out to be a great travel hack, as we’d soon learn.

We were offered champagne and a full drink service, but with a midnight flight that would have us landing in Houston around 5am, we decided to skip the bubbles and try to rest instead. The five-and-a-half-hour flight went by quickly, and before we knew it we were stepping into the quiet terminal of George Bush Intercontinental Airport just after sunrise.

After immigration and security, we found ourselves right next to the United Lounge, the perfect place to spend our four-hour layover. Coffee, breakfast, and comfy chairs made the morning pass easily before it was time to board our long flight to Tokyo.

At 9:15am we boarded our next flight and passed out another bag of Cocosettes to the crew. Our seats were almost at the back in Row 54, but surprisingly comfortable. I didn’t sleep much, so I passed the time watching four movies, Warfare, Shaun of the Dead, The Matrix, and one I’ve already forgotten.

The Cocosette diplomacy paid off again when the meal service began. The attendants stopped at our row first and let us choose our meals before anyone else, and later we heard they had run out of at least one option by the time they reached the rest of the cabin. Lesson learned: bring treats for the crew!

We landed right on time at 2pm at Narita Airport. Immigration was incredibly efficient thanks to the pre-loaded QR codes, and we had our bags within twenty minutes.

Before the trip, we had already added Suica cards to our iPhones and topped them up, so getting on the train was easy. We followed the signs to the Keisei line toward Tokyo, and before boarding we asked a friendly woman if we were on the right train. Her name was Lily, originally from Malaysia but living in Tokyo for 25 years, and she ended up sitting with us for about 45 minutes, chatting about life in Japan until she got off. Encounters like that always make long journeys feel lighter.

We changed at Higashi-Nihombashi Station, walked through a maze of underground passages, and stopped at a Seven Bank ATM to grab some cash (a must, since many places here still don’t take cards). Finding Exit 1 was easy enough, but hauling luggage up and down stairs with no escalators was a workout. When we finally surfaced, it was drizzling lightly, but luckily Vivi had an umbrella ready, and our Four Points Flex hotel was just two blocks away.

We had planned to meet Bart and Ale in the lobby, but it turned out they were waiting at another exit, so we just missed each other. By the time they reached our room a few minutes later, it was a warm reunion, especially for Vivi and Ale.

We knew that if we sat down we would fall asleep instantly, so we went straight out for food. After 30 hours of travel, our stomachs were ready. A few blocks from the hotel we found a cozy alley with small restaurants and cafes, and picked one serving beef bowls and curry. The place had no tables, just a bar around the open kitchen, and after a short wait we got four seats together. Vivi and I shared a beef curry bowl and a strip-steak rice bowl, both delicious. A perfect start to our culinary adventures in Japan.

Bart and Ale mentioned they had gone for a massage earlier near the hotel, so we wandered over to check it out. The place, called Bang Bang Bangkok, didn’t open until 10:30 the next morning, but when they saw us peeking in they offered to take us right then.

We both opted for oil massages, which are more relaxing than traditional Thai style, and Vivi added a face massage while I got a head massage. It was exactly what we needed after such a long journey. Ninety minutes later, we walked out feeling human again. At about $50 per person, it felt like a bargain.

The 10-minute walk back to the hotel in the cool evening air was peaceful. By the time we got to our room, a tiny but impressively efficient 10-square-meter space, we were more than ready for bed.

Despite its size, the room has everything: a double bed tucked against the wall, a small fridge, TV, and closet, plus the obligatory Japanese toilet with full bidet. The shower shares its faucet with the sink, which is clever, but the oddest design choice is the bathroom light. There’s no switch for it. The only way to turn it off is by removing the key card from the wall, cutting all power to the room. I even called the front desk to confirm. Very strange, but charming in its own way.

We showered, unpacked just enough to find pajamas, and will be fast asleep by 10pm. This was our first night in Japan after 30 hours of travel, and the start of what’s sure to be an incredible adventure!