The Day I Fall in Love with Japan, again and again...
Japan is the place where you will fall in love again and again because the place itself is spectacular! There is so much to see such as the great sceneries of Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms in full bloom, temples, pagodas, and the thing i enjoyed the most: food! not just simple food, but GREAT food! I will show you some of it.
When you travel in Japan, prepare to be surprised because it is truly a remarkable country with the kindest and most courteous people you will ever meet in the entire planet (and they have 4 seasons!)… Don’t worry, if you get lost because of their complicated train transport system (Tokyo itself has 37 lines), there are a lot of “marshalls” and information counter for you to ask directions or the right train platform to go (specially in Tokyo station and Shinagawa Station, it is very confusing for a first timer like me). After several days, you’ll get use to it.
I travelled in Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Mt-Fuji-Tokyo route for 9 days. I only have 5 goals in mind:
Eat great food: sushi, sashimi, tempura, ramen, udon, soba and matcha of all kinds!
To see Mt. Fuji and Chureito Pagoda (which i usually see in travel magazines)
Harry Potter (butter beer) and Dotonbori Foodtrip (takoyaki and Okonomiyaki) in Osaka
Arashimaya Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari and Gion in Kyoto.
….and all of these are achieved! Plus so many bonuses!
You don’t need to seek for Cherry Blossoms since it is everywhere, Cherry Blossoms will find you.
Just a simple walkway full of Cherry Blossoms along Sumida River! You will literally walk under Cherry Blossoms!
and did i mention i travel alone? that’s why i was able to do crazy things like this: to lie down on a train station! bucket list checked! I did it in Shimoyoshida station :)
and be fat with my motto: Matcha ice cream everyday!
I asked www.voyjer.com to help me plan my itinerary. Yukiko, my planner, has been so helpful and she accompanied me to watch Kabuki Show in Tokyo. You can give it a try if in case you have no time to plan or research. Just tell them what you want to see and what you want to eat. They will give you an itinerary that is so “worry-free” since the link of the maps and the directions are there as well. The planners are local in the area where you want to go. I find voyjer very helpful.
JR Pass. I bought mine in Singapore which cost about 369sgd for 7 days in JTB Travel Saloon in Takashimaya S.C. You cannot buy it in Japan so you have to purchase it in advance. When You arrive at Narita Airport, You have to convert your voucher to JR Pass itself in JR office in order to activate your first day. You can also make reservations on your train for long journey. Always choose the NON-smoking and WINDOW seat. You might be lucky to see Mt. Fuji poppin’ up in your window while you are in shinkansen.
If you are just staying in Tokyo the entire time, don’t buy the JR Pass. But if you are going to Kyoto, Osaka, and many other destinations, buy JR Pass. You will save money on your fare specially on long journey (for example, NEX costs 3600 yen one way).
You can either rent when you arrive in Japan or from your departing Country. I rented mine in SIngapore. You can reserve in advance at Changi Recommends website. Claim it on the day of your departure. It costs about 8sgd per day under promotion price (but usually costs 15sgd per day).
…Such as cameras (go-pro is the best for solo traveller like me), handphone for GPS and google maps, 20,000mah powerbank, and universal adaptor (multiple usb port so you can charge all at once).
Believe it or not, you need it. It will replenish your energy after the whole day of walking and sightseeing. Not to mention the cold weather. I personally like Berocca effervescent tablet. It is my travel energizer.
This will be your best friend the entire trip. I soooo love Onitsuka Tiger shoes. They are soooo comfortable! I never felt my feet nor my legs hurt even after the whole day of walking endlessly. Choose comfort over fashion. You can also be fashionable with comfort by having good quality shoes. I was blessed with a good weather because it didn’t rain that’s why no need to wear boots. Boots are necessity in snowy areas and rainy season.
Try Japan Airlines because they have promo fare that is the same price with other budget airlines. I went via Scoot from Singapore to Narita Airport Terminal 2 (they have 3 Terminals). I suggest that if you will arrive in Tokyo and leave in Tokyo as well, try Haneda Airport since it is much nearer. If you go via Narita Airport, ride NEX (Narita Express), covered with JR Pass and it is approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours journey to Tokyo. But if you have big luggages and want convenience, they have buses depending on where is your hotel location. The bus stops at some major hotels in Tokyo, but sometimes longer journey with traffic.
Japan has the most efficient transport system but during rush hours, the train is really full… and you will see most Japanese wearing masks either they are sick or for their prevention against hay fever…
…and bringing with me my luggages going to my hotel. It is important that your hotel is near train station for convenience. Taxi is VERY expensive in Japan. Don’t worry, every train station has escalators, elevator and if you are in a hurry, staircases…
single journey ticket machine (where i buy my ticket not covered by my JR Pass).
If you are planning to go on “Busy Seasons” like Cherry Blossoms in Spring, book 6 months to One Year in Advance because almost all the Best Hotels with good location and cheaper prices are already taken most specially the Traditional Japanese Inns or Ryokan which i really like but no more vacancy. You can also try www.airbnb.com for cheaper alternative. I booked all my hotels in www.booking.com. I find their rate cheaper compare to www.agoda.com. They offer 30- 50% discounts if you are lucky enough to catch it. The earlier, the cheaper the rate, the better location, more options.
I booked in a hotel so i can store my luggage safely when i leave for other cities for several days without worrying. Alternatively, there are big coin lockers in train stations which you can store your luggage but there are maximum days of storage. Some are for 24 hours up to 3 days.
I booked along JR line (to maximize my JR PASS) specifically in Yamanote Line: Hotel My Stay Gotanda Station. It is quite a small room but convenient location since it is literally 2 minutes away from Gotanda Station, you’ll just cross the street. It is 2 stations away from Shinagawa (where you can ride shinkansen train to Kyoto, Osaka and other destinations). I want Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku but it is fully booked. I went during Holy Week Season (March 26-April 3, 2016), and it is quite crowded due to Cherry Blossoms Seasons.
I booked several hotels because of my destinations. I booked at Mitsui Garden Hotel in Shijo, Kyoto (I love their onsen, a public hot spring bath but 15 minutes walk fr JR line); Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios (for my USJ adventure) In Osaka; Hilton Tokyo Bay (which is a Disney Resort Hotel) for my Disneyland and Disneysea adventures; Tokyo Ginza Bay Hotel, a capsule hotel to try for an experience to sleep in a capsule (very clean but less convenient compare to hotels and a bit far from train station approximately 15 minutes walk), and the best hotel i have chosen with a steal price: Mt. Fuji Hotel in lake Yamanaka-ko giving me the best window view fr my room of Mt. Fuji in early morning. They have onsen overlooking Mt. Fuji (how cool is that?) and good breakfast buffet.They have free shuttle from Bus stop to hotel, but check the timing.
There are other good hotels with good location and cheaper prices but because it is considered “busy season”, most of them are taken.
I think the best Locations are in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station for accessibility. You can start searching in that location first. Alternatively, Ginza, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Asakusa is also near touristy areas.
Before i start my day, i celebrated my Easter Sunday Mass at Franciscan Chapel Center in Roppongi at 8AM.
Tourists were welcomed and asked to introduced themselves one by one after the Holy Mass.
How To Go in Kyoto from Tokyo
From Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, You need to take Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto station.
(The woman wearing pink is ready to clean the train when it arrives. They have limited time and i watched it featured in television before to ensure cleanliness of all shinkansen…)
FYI: car 1-5 are usually for non-reserved seats. when i miss my train, i can still ride without reserved ticket, you just show your JR Pass.
Shinkansen… You can eat inside the train :)
I bought my bento box for my lunch inside shinkansen, to save time. Every train station has foodshop inside or selling bento boxes as well. You can grab and go!
a. You’re journey in Kyoto wouldn’t be complete without seeing Arashimaya Bamboo Forest. You have to be very early to avoid crowd. I was there around 0730am and its refreshing to walk surrounded by trees in peace and quietness.
while walking along Arashimaya Bamboo Groves, you will come across Sogenchi garden. There is a fee of 500 yen upon entering the garden. Beside it is the Tenryu-ji temple and entrance fee is 100 yen. Don’t worry, the money you pay is worth it.
Inside the garden are different species of Cherry Blossoms from pink to red to white. The garden itself is blissful to see.
It is actually huge and a beautiful landscape awaits.
You can make a wish in the wishing well.
and Kiss Cherry Blossoms...
c.Tenryu-ji Temple (temple of the Heavenly Dragon) located at Sagano District of Kyoto.
It has a venerable history of over 1000 years. It is believed to have been first built in 836, when the priest Dosho (a disciple of Kobo Daishi, founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism) was conducting construction repair work along Oi River. The name Togetsu means “Crossing Moon” and it is said to have been given by retired Emperor Kameyama, as he observed the moon crossing the sky from east to west.
2. Fushimi Inari Taisha (Nearest station: Inari Station by a local train or JR Fushimi Inari Station which you will walk 10-15 minutes)
I was excited to see Fushimi Inari because I am a fan of Memoirs of a Geisha.
At the purification area near the shrine’s entrance, take one of the ladles provided, fill it with fresh water and rinse both hands. Then transfer some water into your cupped hand, rinse your mouth and spit the water beside the fountain. You are not supposed to transfer the water directly from the ladle into your mouth or swallow the water. You will notice that quite a few visitors skip the mouth rinsing part or the purification ritual altogether.
The famous thousands of vermilion torii gates…
I went during sunset and i believe the colors are more attractive during day time. It is really a work of art. A must see in Kyoto. I suggest to go in an early morning to avoid the large crowd.
I wasn’t fast enough take a picture of a geisha entering a black taxi. But i observe how graceful and demure they are in every way they move.
I like Gion a lot. as you walk, you will feel the old vibe of Japan specially at night.
a. Marumaya Koen park, in which the oldest cherry blossoms tree is located.
There are sooooo many places to see in Kyoto. But due to my limited time, I choose my top 3 places to visit in Kyoto. You could visit Philosopher’s Walk, Kinkaku-ji Temple, an iconic serene gold colored temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple and the historical wooden castle, Nijo Castle, with lush garden. I have something to look forward to the next time I come in Kyoto.
Matcha green tea at a local cafe to start my morning rush!
Snacks: Kyoto Arashimaya Sagano Croquette which costs 200 yen. But i tell you, its sooooooooooo melt in your mouth taste, the beef is really soft and tender. I love it!
Dinner at Kappo Sakamoto in Gion
The plating is impressive. It is a work of art with a low prices. Isn’t it amazing?
It started with an appetizer of raw octopus and bamboo shoot. I ordered the most delicious sake i have ever tasted in my entire stay in japan: Tamagawa Hitokui-iwa which is made from Gohyakumangoku, most famous rice for making sake. According to a Japanese friend, in order not to get sick or have stomach flu, you should drink sake or hot green tea after eating raw foods in particular.
I was happy observing them preparing food for the costumer.
1. Harry Potter, In Universal Studios Japan
At 0630am, this is the scenario at USJ: a long queue in the entrance to Universal Studios.
There is a time slot for going inside Harry Potter. You need to have a ticket in the Machine near the Harry Potter area. i went morning, i got the 1700-1830H entry time slot. Plus the queue in the Amazing Harry Potter ride is loooooooong. For normal ticket, about 1.5 to 2 hours waiting. But its worth queueing for. The only problem is, everything is in Japanese. But never mind, the ride itself is astonishing.
Don’t miss the famous butter beer. FYI: it is non-alcoholic. I find it sweet. But i bought it just for experience. The Hot butter beer with souvenir mug costs about 1200 yen (i find it a bit expensive…). and there is a long queue (30 mins waiting time).
There are so many places to see in Osaka such as the Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Aquarium, and many others. I missed it. I love to see Sumiyoshitaisha Shrine famous for its Soribashi Bridge. I will probably see it next time i come in Japan again… and again… I won’t get tired of coming to Japan because it is simply amazing!
Osaka is known for good food. The phrase kuidaore means eat ‘til you drop is practically the city motto. Try going to Dotonbori area, and you’ll go full just by food hopping.
If you happen to see Kuidaore Taro, a clown wearing a red and white striped outfit banging a drum, try the taro pudding, I tell you, one of the best pudding in the world! You shouldn’t miss it. You can only buy it in Osaka specifically in Dotonbori. Too bad you can’t buy in bulk because it has a short expiration date.
TARo Pudding with good packaging
1. Okonomiyaki (meaning cook as you like): savoury pancakes filled with cabbage and your choice of meat, seafood, vegetables and more.
the best place i could recommend is Mizuno. I am willing to queue for this. I heard it is one of the best.
Yes, they are preparing your Okonomiyaki in front of you, and you will eat in that same hot pan :)
2. Tako-yaki: octopus dumpling which is cooked in shape of balls made of batter with a dollop of octopus (tako in Japanese). Kukuru is the best :)
I tell you, it is the best Takoyaki i have ever tasted. very soft and the feeling of “melt-in-your-mouth” taste is heavenly. I have eaten inside along with other Japanese.
3. Fresh Melon Bread with Ice Cream
the bread is soft, tasty. Perfect with vanilla ice cream!
The restaurant is full until 5pm. Good thing they have food stall outside the restaurant with the same quality.
I think I am in Crab Heaven, Crab soup, Fried Crab and Crab dumpling!
There are 5 lakes that act as a reflecting pools for the perfect cone view of Mt. Fuji namely: Yamanaka-ko (easternmost lake where i stayed), Kawaguchi-ko, Sai-ko, Shoji-ko and Motosu-ko. Better yet, Kawaguchi-ko is the most accessible, more accommodations to choose from and a variety of activities to do.
Travelling from Yamanaka-ko to Kawaguchi-ko takes about 30 mins to 1 hour by bus.
I was fortunate enough to feel the vibe of snow in my hotel. It feels like Christmas!
I tried cheesecake garden along Lake Kawaguchiko and its one of the best cheesecakes i ever tasted. Too bad it needs refrigeration and with short expiry. If not, i think i will buy a lot.
Kawaguchiko offers interesting activities such as cable car, and cruise along the lake.
After my Kawaguchiko exploration, I went to CHUREITO PAGODA.
going there requires riding a local train. The train is old, but efficient… and train is really classic with manual train operator/driver.
The train arrives seldom usually about after an hour. so when you miss it, you will wait a long time…
Lets go to Chureito Pagoda! You will not get lost because signage are available along the way. You will walk about 20-30 minutes to reach Chureito Pagoda.
It was afternoon and the Mt. Fuji is hiding under the beautiful clouds. If not, This shot will be perfect like the one in the travel magazine!
Breathtaking!!! Going here is worth it!
I did it! I finally saw you :)
By the way, You need to have a lot of strength because you will trek to get here as well as climb an approximately 100 steps to get to the top.
You can sit back, relax, overlooking the astounding view of Mt. Fuji (if you are lucky it is not cloudy).
Truly a dream come true for me!
What To See in Tokyo in a Limited Time in 4 days!
Day 1: Shinjyuku and Cherry Blossoms
1. Tokyo Metropolitan Observation Gallery
2. Walking tour (my own exploration tour) and try Robot Restaurant in Kabuchiko and Don Quijote
3. Chidorigafuchi koen/garden (nearest station: Kudanshita exit2)
It is not yet in full bloom, but it is already starting!
I was able to play around…
…and take unlimited pictures of Cherry Blossoms. hahaha. i never get tired of taking Photos of it.
4. Yasukuni Shrine (nearest station: Kudanshita station exit1)
I sit down and set my camera to get a sitting shot, I didn’t know it is prohibited to sit down in this area. the policeman (in this picture) after this shot approached me to tell me in Japanese that it is not allowed to sit (wise guess)…
before you reach the shrine itself, there is a long walkway of food shops!
5. Ueno Park has museums, beautiful garden, boat, temples, shrines and zoo, all in one! TIP: This is really a beautiful place to see Cherry Blossoms!
Day2: Imperial Palace, Odaiba and Meiji Shrine
5. Imperial Palace and East Garden
Chill and relax under cherry blossoms trees!
From Imperial Palace and East Garden, I just walk and walk until i reached Maranouchi station which is like a museum.
It is made of concave joints which refers to a tooled joints with a semi-circular cross section. The intersections of vertical and horizontal joints are formed with frog-leg struts (kaerumata)
a. Rainbow Bridge and replica of Statue of Liberty
I suggest you chill for sometime with a coffee in the nearby cafe. So you could see the colors of Rainbow bridge after sunset.
along the walkway you will see lots of Cherry blossoms
Just be amazed by the buildings… the architecture is surprisingly unique.
Along the road you will see:
Barrels of sake wrapped in straws
Provenance of the buorgogne wine for consecration at meiji-jingu
You can also place your prayer offering here.
My Omikuji is a poem composed in a traditional 31 syllables form by Emperor Meiji or the Empress Shoken.
Watch Cross walk from Starbucks.
Very easy to find this dog, just take Shibuya station Hachiko exit. Before Shibuya crossing.
This dog is really famous. You have to queue to take a picture with “him”.
If you want to shop in cheaper prices of Japan make up brands and many others, this is the place! I bought KATE, Sana Newborne and Shiseido here.
I Couldn’t miss eating this Tiramisu Crepe! Surprisingly, it is not too sweet. It is just right. I feel like eating in a soft icecream cone! Crepe is very popular in this place because it is ubiquitous here.
What catches my attention is the fashion of the youngsters here.
How to go: Tsukiji Market is just above Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo Subway Line. Alternatively, it can be reached in a five minute walk from Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Subway Line. The closest JR station is Shimbashi, from where you can walk to the market in about 15 minutes.
This is the nearest station in my opinion.
FYI: TSUKIJI FISH MARKET IS CLOSING ON 02 NOV 2016 AND MOVING TO A NEW Location: Toyosu, Koto Ward.
You can buy the sharpest knife here.
There are a lot of food “shops” to choose from but the famous of them all is sushidai. Most people queue at 5am and take their turn to eat sushi around 0730 to 8am. I’m not kidding, i gave up my queue because its 3-4 hours of waiting…
Yuki and I at the box seat. I enjoyed the Kabuki show so much!
15. Asakusa Temple and Nakamise Street
Start from Kaminarimon Gate and it takes a long time to get to Senso-ji temple because many little shops are waiting for you in Nakamise Street.
Long queue (although I didn’t queue since it is the prayer line for Buddhists)
While walking along Sumida River, I was amazed by my walkway which is literally walking under Cherry Blossom Trees!
I wouldn’t miss Disneyland and Disneysea to complete my JAPAN experience.
To be kid again in the happiest place to be!
..and Meet Mickey IN Person!
Journey to the ends of the earth
I really enjoyed Disneysea more than Disneyland.
Kyubey at 7th Floor of Keio Plaza Hotel
Your sushi made in-front of you.
I am not exaggerating but i tasted mostly all of them. I have no time to take a picture for i ate after my sushi chef prepared it fresh :) From Tamago (egg), Torigai (cockle), Ika (squid), Aji (Horse Mackerel), Anago (sea eel), ebi (prawn), Uni (sea urchin), Ikura (salmon roe) and many others. I find tuna the best! I will go back in Kyubey everytime I am in Tokyo. a bit expensive but worth it! Must try for a sushi lover.
Ichiran for Tonkotsu Ramen
One of the best ramen i love so much in Tokyo ( I ate in Shibuya branch). No wonder there is a long queue. i waited for half an hour to 45 minutes for this.
my cute cubicle with privacy.
They will ask you on how you want your ramen done. There is really an art in making ramen. Ichiran tops my list.
I love their Matcha Anni Tofu! the best tofu i have ever tasted in the entire planet. I am not kidding. You should try it! and never miss it when you are in Tokyo.
and just near my hotel: Dragonfly
Don’t judge it from the outside since there is a long queue here… and its quite cheap. I have eaten with a Japanese while standing, and some of them can eat the udon in 5 minutes, and go! The machine is entirely in Japanese. i just pick randomly according to the picture.
The best Udon i have ever tasted in my entire trip in Japan
and SOBA in Shinjuku near Keio Plaza Hotel
and lastly, in the airport while waiting for my flight.
simple but tasty Udon with tempura :)
The only thing i bought as a souvenir from Tokyo is this Kokeshi doll! I think I have a new collection ;)
and a newly discovered lipstick!
Restaurants to Try in Tokyo:
You can also try Zauo Shinjyuku, Okonomiyaki Kizi, Gomasoba Takadaya in Odaiba area, Ra-men Santouka in Harajyuku,Kushiage Namaiki in Shibuya, Torinoiru Cafe in Asakusa as suggested by a Japanese Friend for an authentic Japanese dining experience of Ramen, Soda, Udon :)
Restaurants to Try In Kyoto:
For Best Kaiseki, try Gion Karyo, Kiyamachi Sakuragawa, and Kitcho. For Fine Dining Experience, Try Yuzuya Hotel Isshinkyo or Okazaki Tsuruya where royalties usually eat (like Queen Elizabeth II).
If you miss having an Onsen (Hot Spring bath) experience in Kyoto or Mt. Fuji, try Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Tokyo! Stay in Traditional Japanese Inn called Ryokan in Kyoto specifically Shiraume Ryokan, or Tawaraya Ryokan where Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman to Harrison Ford have stayed . Take a picture or stay at the famous Nakagin Capsule Tower close to Ginza.
The Ghibli Museum is worth seeing. I just didn’t have enough time to go.
Samurai Lesson, watch a Sumo Wrestling match, Sushi making lesson, and tea ceremony experience (best to try in Kyoto) would be interesting to try if you have ample of time to devote in Tokyo.
If you are interested in Anime (I love to see Cooking Master Boy, Dragon Ball Z and Naruto… I grew up with them), Akihabara is your place to be.
Before i forget, i find their toilet bowl fascinating because it is so high-tech. It has to be closed to retain its warmth (yes, the toilet seat has warmer).
I hope my experience helps you to plan your japan trip. If you have questions, You can message me and i could provide you the link or my exact itinerary. Good luck and God bless!
My next target will be Hokkaido, the Wisteria Tunnel at Kawachi Fuji Garden in Kitakyushu, three islands in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea (Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima specially Miho Museum), Day trip to Hitachi Seaside Park and Ashikaga Flower Park, and if time permits Takeda Castle in Hyogo and Oya Stone Museum in Tochigi. You can give me some tips :)
Sealed with a red lipstick kiss, DONNA
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