Japan Trip (7th July - 14th July 2009)

Been looking forward for this Japan trip and until the day I went to KLIA, this Japan trip is still very unbelievable for me and yet I don't know why. But my sis felt the same way as me though. We went to Japan for 8 days 7 nights, Tokyo + Kyoto were the only cities that we went as we do not have enough time to travel further. 6 of us were in this trip and it includes me, FY, mum, Aunty Vicky, Jia Yee and Jia Xin (both were the daughters of my mum's friend).

We departed from KLIA on the 6th July 2009 with a midnight flight and the flight took us roughly 7 hours. We reached Narita International Airport at 7am in the morning. It was tiring and sleepy as I didn't manage to sleep well in the plane. We took a Airport Limousine Bus from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station which is the nearest station to the hotel that we could easily access from the airport. The one way journey takes about an hour plus and it costs 3000 Yen per person which is about RM110. The buses depart every 15-20 minutes so you don't need to worry having to wait long time in case you missed out the earlier one.

Day 1 - Tokyo, Ginza, Shibuya

Booked the Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo Hatchobori for 7 nights including the night when we are supposed to be at Kyoto. Well, I know...kinda wasting right?! But I actually booked the hotel first before my sis suggested to go Kyoto at a very last minute. So let it be since others are ok with paying for the night in Tokyo. Each room (not to mention superb small room) is already costing a bomb which is RM2,299 for 7 nights which is equivalent to RM328 per night.

Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo Hatchobori

Torchlight for emergency use

Bathroom

Right after checked into hotel, we're all so hungry so we hunt for food and the menu all in Japanese! @@!!

This is also in Japanese! All of us have to go out the shop and point to the fake display outside for our orders!

Turned out not bad huh?!

After lunch, we're going to Imperial Palace and Ginza for a short walk.

OMG! The long and never ending road to the MRT station!

Complicated MRT map

Women Only
On the way to Imperial Palace

Huge!

Cute building spotted @ Ginza

Ginza Day View

Toilet in one of the mall @ Ginza

Love it to the max. All the toilet seats are warm!

All equipped with bidet too!

After Ginza, we went back to hotel to take shower and take a short rest since everyone is tired after the long flight. As for dinner, FY will meet up her friend, Rocky at Shibuya and he'll bring us around. Rocky is FY's uni's friend at London and has been working in Japan for some time.

Shibuya Station so packed with people!

Sanitized Hand Rail in the MRT

Shibuya (渋谷) famous diagonal crosswalk - Before Pedestrian Green Light

Shibuya (渋谷区) famous diagonal crosswalk - After Pedestrian Green Light

Shibuya night view

Mum + Aunty Vicky

Wondered why they hang clothes like that?

FY + Rocky

Self purchased ticket through vending machines for ramen. Cool!

Spicy Ramen was not bad but if the clear soup ramen I don't really like the soup cos it has weird taste perhaps taste from the bamboo shoot.

Square shaped watermelon costs RM558!!

Day 2 - Asakusa (Sensō-ji Temple / Asakusa Shrine), Shibuya (Meiji Shrine), Shinjuku

Paying a visit to Sensō-ji Temple 金龍山浅草寺, is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is Tokyo's oldest temple and adjacent to the temple is a Shinto Shrine, the Asakusa Shrine. Before you reached the temple and shrine, you'll have to pass through Nakamise-dori (仲見世通り). It is a street selling food, drinks and also Japan souveniers.

This way to Sensō-ji Temple

Entrance of Sensō-ji Temple

Trishaw Ride available outside the temple

Nakamise-dori (仲見世通り)

Varieties @ Nakamise-dori (仲見世通り)


The pagoda of Sensō-ji

Sensō-ji Temple

Burning offerings

All sorts of amulets for sale

Free Shuttle Bus around Asakusa

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮) is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife.

View of the torii at the entrance to Meiji-jingu. Torii (鳥居) is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a shrine , where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to the sacred.

Barrels of sake (nihonshu) donated to the Meiji Shrine

The central sanctuary where the Meiji emperor is enshrined

Prayers left by visitors

Hmm...this should be a Malaysian huh?!

Shinjuku (新宿) is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo.

Shinjuku Night View

Ramen Stall by the road side (same price as those in the shop :O)

So, still not full enough and off we're heading to convenience store nearby the hotel to grab some quick food. So much of varieties and don't even know what are some of those!

Convenience Store

More varieties of Kit Kat

Pizza in a cup

Day 3 - Kyoto (京都) - Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)

Here comes our first ride on the bullet train (Shinkansen)! We're travelling to Kyoto from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Tokyo and Kyoto are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 140 minutes to reach Kyoto from Tokyo, Hikari trains about 160 minutes and Kodama trains about four hours. The regular one way fare from Tokyo to Kyoto is 12,710 Yen (RM472) by non-reserved seat on any train, around 13,200 Yen (RM490) by reserved seat on Hikari or Kodama trains and around 13,500 Yen (RM501) by reserved seat on a Nozomi train.

FY managed to find this "Kyoto 2-Day Train & Hotel Package by Hikari Shinkansen" whereby it's a cheap deal which includes travelling to Kyoto includes Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets and accommodations. The price varies as it depends on the hotel that you chose but the cheapest price starts from 19,400 Yen per person which is RM720. You may check it out more here. Our selection was the cheapest package deal where the hotel was Karasuma Kyoto Hotel.

Below are the itinerary of us which is exactly the same as the one from the site I provided earlier.

Before Departure

Your tickets and final itinerary will be delivered at least one day before departure to the address you provide for this purpose when booking.

Day 1

Proceed to Tokyo Station on your own.
*You can also ride the Shinkansen from Shinagawa or Shin-Yokohama Station (please indicate when booking).

6:20 - 7:20 a.m.

Board the Hikari Shinkansen for Kyoto as indicated on your ticket.
*Please note that we cannot accept advance requests for specific departure times or seat assignments. Your ticket will be issued for a departure time within the above time frame with a reserved seat.

9:10 - 9:55 a.m.

Arrive at Kyoto Station.
After arrival, you are free to explore Kyoto on your own. Please go to and check in at your hotel on your own.
*Please note that sightseeing is not included in this package. Please plan activities and pay any additional transportation or entry fees yourself.

Day 2

Check out of your hotel. Enjoy Kyoto before returning to Tokyo. Proceed to Kyoto Station on your own to ride the train indicated on your ticket.

11:50 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Board the Hikari Shinkansen for Tokyo as indicated on your ticket.
*Please note that we cannot accept advance requests for specific departure times or seat assignments. Your ticket will be issued for a departure time within the above time frame with a reserved seat.

2:30 - 4:50 p.m.

Arrive at Tokyo Station. Package ends on arrival.
*You can also get off the Shinkansen at Shinagawa or Shin-Yokohama Station (please indicate when booking).

@ Tokyo Station

Shinkansen Departures Time

Shinkansen

Cleaners waiting to clear up rubbish for the next Shinkansen trip

Inside Shinkansen

Have reached Kyoto Station

Kyoto Map

After 2 hours + of bullet train ride and without meal provided, we're all so hungry. Hurry let's go find a place for our lunchie!

Lunch in one of the mall @ Kyoto

Karasuma Kyoto Hotel

Such a tiny bath tub!

Shiseido Bath Gel and Shampoo

After settling down in the hotel, we're now off to the Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) temple. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. There is not a single nail used in this entire structure. Its name derived from the waterfall within which runs off nearby the hills. Kiyomizu means clear or pure water.

A niōmon (deva gate) (仁王門) - the Japanese name of a Buddhist temple gate guarded by two wooden warriors called Niō (lit. Two Kings). The gate is called Heng Ha Er Jiang (哼哈二将) in China and Geumgangmun (金剛門) in Korea.

Three Storey Pagoda

Side of the veranda of Kiyomizu-dera

View of the veranda of Kiyomizu-dera

Torii of Jishu-jinja, a matchmaking shrine

One of the 2 love stones

Entrance ticket to the womb of Zuigu-Bosatsu

It is completely dark inside. You can see nothing even if you are opening your eyes big enough. You can just hold your hands on to the beads railing inside and feel the feeling of being inside the womb.

Street selling souveniers

Day 4 - Kyoto (京都) - Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺 Temple of the Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺) is Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion (金閣 kinkaku?) is a three-story building on the grounds of the Rokuon-ji temple complex. The top two stories of the pavilion are covered with pure gold leaf. The pavilion functions as a shariden, housing relics of the Buddha (Buddha's Ashes). The building was an important model for Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion Temple), and Shōkoku-ji, which are also located in Kyoto.

Each floor of the Kinkaku uses a different architectural style. The first floor, called The Chamber of Dharma Waters, is rendered in shinden-zukuri style, reminiscent of the residential style of the 11th century Heian imperial aristocracy. The second floor, called The Tower of Sound Waves, is built in the style of warrior aristocrats, or buke-zukuri. The third floor is built in traditional Chinese cha'an style, also known as zenshu-butsuden-zukuri. The building is topped with a bronze phoenix ornament.

The Golden Pavilion is set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden (回遊式庭園 kaiyuushiki teien). The pavilion extends over a pond, called Kyōko-chi (鏡湖池 Mirror Pond), that reflects the building. A small fishing deck (釣殿 tsuridono) is attached to the rear of the pavilion building, allowing a small boat to be moored under it. The kinkaku-ji grounds were built according to descriptions of the Western Paradise of the Buddha Amida, intending to illustrate a harmony between heaven and earth. The largest islet in the pond represents the Japanese islands. The four stones forming a straight line in the pond near the pavilion are intended to represent sailboats anchored at night, bound for the Isle of Eternal Life in Chinese mythology.

Green Tea with gold flakes

Lunch @ Kyoto

Bacon Potato Pie - Yummy

As we only have 2 days 1 night in Kyoto, we only managed to go to 2 temples in Kyoto. After visiting Kinkaku-ji, it's time to rush to Kyoto Station to board the bullet train back to Tokyo. After arriving in Tokyo, we put our luggage in hotel and then to Roppongi and also to Tokyo Tower.

High rise buildings @ Roppongi

View of Tokyo Tower from Roppongi

Night view of Tokyo Tower

Day 5 - Tsujiki Market, Harajuku, Ginza

Went to Tsujiki early morning and there are still lotsa people around the market. All sorts can be found there and it's very very fresh. Almost all the items for sale there are in huge size. After having breakfast and shopping at the market...ya, right, you read it correctly...shopping..my mum loves it to the max..Keep on bargaining and even help people to promote their stuffs. Sorry, where were we....?? Oh ya, after the market, we off to Harajuku for shopping and that place was SO SO SO crowded!! And even saw the real cosplay by those Japanese. Hehe...kinda fun and a little scary to see them. After shopping, we went to Ginza for dinner.

Tsujiki Market

Found this @ the Metro Station

Japanese likes to stand while eating

Hmm...really all of the stores with no chairs only tables!!


Here comes all the things in giant sizes

Cabbage

Cuttlefish

Mangoes

Ginger

The yummy food

Look at me..I'm so lost..which one to choose?


The fresh food

Harajuku (原宿)

Harajuku is an area between Shinjuku and Shibuya and is also a fashion capital of the world, renowned for its unique street fashion. It is also a large shopping district that includes international brands, its own brands, and shops selling clothes young people can afford.

Where we wanna go

Can you see the crowd?

Queuing up to go into Forever 21

Takeshita Street (竹下通り) - is a pedestrian-only street lined with fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants in Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan. Stores on Takeshita Street include major chains such as The Body Shop, McDonald's and 7-Eleven, but most of the businesses are small independent shops that carry an array of styles. It is very popular with young teenagers, particularly those visiting Tokyo on school trips, or local young people shopping for small "cute" goods at weekends.

Giant Takoyaki

Cosplay

Cute golf ball + grass sandals for men

Weirdo Grandpa

Night View @ Ginza

Wanted to try out this piggy restaurant at Ginza but it's so packed. It's a DIY teppanyaki restaurant. So, we settled off with a simple Japanese meal instead. :(

Large Muji store @ Ginza

Authentic Japanese restaurants

See the table?? They used the beers erm..what do you call that? Beer cartons? Beer Box?

Came twice (different nights) still unable to try it out. So packed!

Day 6 - Kamakura (鎌倉市)

Today Rocky brought us to Kamakura and places nearby. We took a train to Kamakura and it took us about 50 minutes travelling time from Tokyo and it costs 890 Yen per person (JR Yokosuka line).

Kamakura has many historically significant Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, some of them, like Sugimoto-dera, over 1,200 years old. Kōtoku-in (高徳院), with its monumental outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha, is the most famous. A 15th century tsunami destroyed the temple that once housed the Great Buddha (大仏), but the statue survived and has remained outdoors ever since.


Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū (鶴岡八幡宮) is the most important Shinto shrine in the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Originally built in Zaimokuza in 1063 by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, it was moved to its present location by the founder of the Kamakura shogunate Minamoto no Yoritomo. A Shinto shrine now, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū was also a Buddhist temple for most of its history. The shrine is at the geographical and cultural center of the city of Kamakura, which has largely grown around it and its 1.8 km approach. It is the venue of many of its most important festivals, and hosts two museums. At the left of its stairway stood a 1000-year old ginkgo tree, which was uprooted by a storm in the early hours of March 10, 2010. The shrine is an Important Cultural Property.

Lunch @ Kamakura (Super big bowl)


From Kamakura to Hase

From Hase to Kamakura

After a half a day of travelling to Kamakura and Hase, it's time to go home for a hot shower and some rest! As for dinner, we're heading to Ginza again! Haha...can'e get enough of Ginza. Just had the best dinner in Japan so far! Thanks to Rocky for introducing this restaurant to us.

Though I'm unable to have dinner @ the piggy restaurant but I get their paper fan!! Haha

Delicious Chicken Wings (we ordered another portion after we tried the 1st one)

Mum with her Choya

Aunty Vicky and myself can't stop helping but keep on eating

Day 7 - Sanrio Puroland

FY and myself went to Sanrio Puroland early morning for half a day while mum and Aunty Vicky went to Tsujiki for their shopping spree. If not mistaken, I heard from FY that there are 2 types of train to Sanrio Puroland - Express (lesser stops among stations) and Semi Express (more stops among stations). We're actually unsure of what does the Special Express means but it does looks somehow just like the Express. Thus we decided to take the Semi Express cos it's cheaper :P. It took us about 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach there.

Train timetable

So packed!

Ticket Price

FY @ Ticket Counter

Our tickets

So many people are queuing to get in

Toilet pun macam ini cantik?!

Sanrio Shop


Below photos are the machines from the arcade game center @ Sanrio Puroland

That's about all from Sanrio Puroland. We off to Tokyo to meet up with mum + Aunty Vicky for a last minute shopping @ Shinjuku. See what we have bought and have taken the extra empty bag we bring along to fit all our things!

Well..that's about all from my 8 days 7 nights trip to Japan and the 8th day is actually the traveling day in case you're wondering where's my day 8. It's a wonderful experience in Japan and I truly love the place and the polite citizens there. Hope that I get to go Hokkaido on my next trip to Japan and perhaps can see sakura too!!