Friday, December 28, 2012

Tokyo, Japan 2012

back dated, super long post.

Before 2012 comes to an end, 


I've decided to blog about my the trips I went few mths back
(Just so that I can look back in the future.. when i have nth better to do.lols)
.
.
My trip to Tokyo  : 8 Aug - 14 Aug 2012

Well I actually bought my air-tickets back then in 2011 because its soooo cheap!
fly to Tokyo with Air Asia only cost S$700 for 2 (Bf & I)

okay. and so the day arrived. 
we flew by Air Asia- which totally sucks. 
Freaking 8hrs flight! Sit until my butt and back pain
plus an hour transit at KL airport!!!  -.-"

but what can you expect from a budget flight right? 
got chance to fly considered lucky alrdy. 


anw.
was complaining to my bf throughout the entire flight to Tokyo. 
poor him.

brought S$6K there and i am still so worried that i don't have enough to spend 
and at the same time unwilling to take out more of my already "dried up" savings

Extensive railways of Tokyo
i get headache just by analyzing this. So MESSY right?
so i leave this tough job to my bf. since guys are better are directions? haha
anw, this map is very important in helping us to get around the city.
because taking a cab in Tokyo is just so expensive. 
an average cab fare can easily cost more than S$100+. 
(Unless you are some rich Tai-Tai)


was taken aback during my first train ride.
Spot the drunkard man lying there.


So glad to finally reached my hotel at 1AM.
(apparently the hotels there are that cramp and narrow)
my stay at Sun-Route Plaza Shinjuku Hotel is the BEST
Good location, Cheap, and clean.

Day 2

i fell sick that day but nevertheless, 
we headed out early in the morning as planned.


heres a picture of Zac's morning face. lols.

we spend the day tour around Harajuku 
saw a super chio Starbucks.
why s'pore Starbucks so ugly one :(

 even their 6 storey Daiso is in Pink! 

They have a machine solely for ramen. 

ended our night after visiting Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
a night view of Tokyo
And its FREE1! haha.


Day 3: 
Shopped around Shinjuku- Takashimaya Time Square
which is walking distance from our hotel.

The mall covering many levels of Tokyu Hands
their kind of departmental store which have:
 handicrafts, beauty products, local brands like head potter, anything.

I went to their channel boutique and bought my very first channel classic necklace. 
With Tax Refund. YAY!

Took the Railway to a small island of its own: Odaiba 
Pallette Town

there's a Toyota Megaweb showcasing Toyota's latest car models
sadly we don't have an International driving license  
or we would be able to test drive those cars.

thats how much their latest Toyota GT 86 cost
and they even have those cute cartoons vehicles too!

 Hahahaha
the man in the picture looks so funny.
anw the point is, we took the ferris wheel and look at their capsule! (behind the staff)
we can choose between the transparent ones or the rainbow ones.
and of course we chose the transparent one. 
As if we were flying on air!



Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Hot Spring) also located nearby
 and its 24Hours!

it was my virgin experience! 
changed into our Yukatas 
and we parted to experience our baths (Separated by genders)
there are different baths to choose from indoor, outdoor, level of temperatures..etc

everyone (females bath) were undressed and walking around so confidently. 
and its a normal thing which took me awhile to blend in.
i tried ALL their kind of bath and i really loved it!
couldn't stay any longer for we had to catch the last train home. 

Day 4: 

pre-planned a day's Tour to Mt Fuji with Yokoso

the 5th station of Mt Fuji
many would continue to climb the steep mountain to to see the peak of mt fuji, 
most were geared in their hiking attire
well, but not for us.
its too scary! especially the coming down part since we do not have the stick to support. 
just by using that string of useless ropes, i was practically screaming my lungs out when i need to climb down and eventually got fingers knocked onto the rocks at the sides. 




Apparently due to the poor weather,
we didn't get to see the peak of mt fuji.  :((

back to our tour bus and we were each provided with a lunch box.
japanese traditional lunch- which we didn't really enjoy
next we went to see fountains, waterfalls
everything were so misty because its raining. sighhh

next stop: we had puck-and-eat all we can
grapes and peach buffet! 

look at that super pretty flowers at the roadside! 
chio max

Vineyard with super sweet grapes.
we were given a pair of scissors and just snap it off 
just press lightly at the side and the skin will be removed
the fruit is super sweet! 
best grape i ever tasted!
the peaches were just as delicious and HUGE!



 Goodies i brought back to give away!
all in nice packaging.

put down our loots and head out for dinner/supper

the chef at work preparing the dishes
super good custard egg.
sit-on-the-fire scallop
and platter of sashimi.
indeed very fresh! 
no matter which stall you patronize 
(even road side stalls)
all their sashimi would taste just as fresh. 

Ended the day with sweet tasting mille crepe I bought 
from some random fast food tasted so damn good!

Day 5:
Trip to Asakusa 

Most famous for the Sensō-ji (Buddhist Temple)


not sure what to do...
the locals prayed as they put the joss-sticks and infused themselves with some smoke.
and so we did as well, which make me looks retarded by bringing the smoke to me.
monkey see, monkey do. 

proceed on to the buddha statue where everyone
 make their prayers and throw in their donations.
we did the same! haha

and this was their fortune telling card.
-Take the metal container, rattle it until a chopstick falls out of the little hole.
-Match the character written on the chopstick on it with the little brown drawers.
my fortune card was a pretty bad one.  :(((
so regretted trying it out. i rather not know.

anw, I have to tie my bad fortune on the fence to nullify it.
hopefully its not true and i pray for the better.


walking down the street lined with traditional japanese items


head down to Shingawa station as I heard there was a flee market.
the flee was disappointing. 
since we were there, we decided to experience their bullet train.

so expensive to travel on bullet trains! 
1 person need to purchase 2 tickets. confusing much!
a short 5mins distance from Shingawa Station to Tokyo Station cost 1,000Yen. 
equivalent to S$16.
we were in that bullet train for barely 5 mins. 
cant really feel the speed as the next station to Tokyo were not very far away.
but yay! i can now say i took a bullet train. *twist* :D


their train station damn cool. 
got vending machines for drinks 
and provisional shops which sells food and magazine.

not sure eating is allowed but still i ate in the train. :/

bought this tokyo banana while boarding for my train.
not that fantastic. like dry sponge cake.
I bought and tasted better Tokyo banana their. 

from Tokyo station, we took another train to Shibuya Station
You will see a statue of the faithful dog Hachiko 
stand in front of Shibuya station


it's SHOPPING TIME!  
(over at Shibuya, Harajuku/Omotesando)

we walked malls after malls. 

shibuya 109:
small,narrow,tall building. 
the clothes are too kawaii for spore 
and clothes there are simply too expensive to buy.
the sales girls all dressed up really kawaii with thick heavy make up. 
and they all have that super high pitch wa-wa sound.

Other malls like Parco, Seibu,Loft,Tokyu Hands

walk until our legs were breaking, 
we settled for some ramen for dinner.
using ramen machine 



 ending off with a breathtaking site of Shibuya's scramble crossing,
where hundreds of people cross at the same time.


Day 6: 
Tokyo DISNEY SEA!

The best and highlight of my entire trip!
Tokyo alone have too many theme parks 
even for disney, it have Disney Land & SEA.

Only went to Disney Sea since it
 cannot be found anywhere else but only at Tokyo.

Pictures below shall do the talking


Train windows and their handle bars are shaped in Mickey




Muacks to Mr & Mrs Potato Head
look at the beautiful architecture and many more below 


HAHAHAHA.
Because its soooo winnnndy
my hair were in the mess most of the time. 
everyone there had this.
the mascot Duffy
so regret not getting it. :(((

Fast pass machine
 we only managed to get 1 fast pass ticket 
most of it were all taken up early in the morning 



my Stitch boyfriend. 
so qt



 Mermaid Lagoon

Photo-taking with Donald 
 in the end we bought 
Mickey and Mini headband
with my big "ears" i have so much difficulty 
walking through the strong winds.
 my stupid face insisting bf to take more pictures. lol
 mysterious island
 very soon, it was night fall already

 left the place with my last photo taken.
the lightings makes everything look so pretty.

Rides we took:
American waterfront: Our first and scariest ride
1) House of Terror

Port Discovery: Some 3D show
2) Storm Rider 

3) Mermaid Lagoon: Mermaid show

Mysterious Island:
4) 20,000 leagues under the sea
5) Journey to the centre of the earth 

our disney coin as souvenior

Day 7: last day in Tokyo

during our trip, we always too lazy 
to wake up early for our morning park walk.
so we decided to clear all the parks in a day.

Kirspy Kreme donuts! 
(i know i am slow)  but its my first time trying
mad love!  
 

 Meiji Jingu Shrine 
there is an entrance fee
the park so quiet, peaceful and clean






here at Yoyogi park at Harujuku station.

i personally prefer this park.
and, its free!  yayyy 

 again, monkey see, monkey do
the spring water where its drinkable 
and also used to cleanse your body to bring luck.

There is a huge "Ema" tree 
where personal prayers were hang around the tree
we made our wishes as well and hoping it will come true.


bf so sick of japanese food and resort to eating macs.


anw, thats was the end of our last day. 

took a flight home 
and came back with those loots :)

food
 lots of amulets and charms
 and more clothes, shoes, bags
 most importantly, 
memories!

our last trip for 2012.

and looking forwards to more trips in 2013
if only money can fall from the sky!